Writer's Workshops

A fantastic opportunity to learn and improve your writing skills from award winning novelist, Amy Rivers.


Track A: Short fiction/essays 

Short form Workshop

Wednesday, April 12  from 2 pm to 4 pm in the Southwest Room at the library

Track A Workshop: Writing Short: strategies for writing short fiction, essays and other short-form pieces with a focus on creating finished work for publication. Workshop topics to include:

● Types of Short Fiction: flash, short stories, novellas, etc. 

● Types of Short Nonfiction: personal essays, magazine articles, etc. 

● Writing Process: pitching first vs. writing first

● Researching places to submit and following guidelines 

● Compensation 

Critique & Feedback session

Saturday, April 15 12 noon to 2 pm in the Southwest Room at the library.

Register online for this free short form writer's workshop and critique session.


Track B: Novel length works

Long form workshop

Thursday, April 13 from 2 to 4 pm in the Southwest Room at the library.

Track B Workshop: Writing Long: strategies for writing novel-length works including writing and revision processes with a focus on creating finished work for publication. Workshop topics to include: 

● Industry Standards: novel-lengths by genre 

● Genre Requirements: knowing what is expected of you by your future readers 

● A Quick Discussion of Publication: an overview of paths to publication 

● Establishing a Writing Process: plotting, pantsing, and everything in between 

● The Frist 10 Pages: the hook 

● The Muddy Middle: how to get through the middle of your novel and overcome writers block. 

● Wrapping it Up: ending in the right place 

● Revision and Self-Editing: what ends up on the chopping room floor 

Critique & Feedback session

Saturday, April 15 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm in the Southwest Room at the library.

Register online for this free short form writer's workshop and critique session. 

About Amy Rivers

Amy is from Otero County and now lives in Colorado. Amy has published numerous novels and essays. Most recently Amy has published two titles in the thriller series "Legacy of Silence." "Complicit" and "Stumble and Fall" are the start of the exciting series and are both set in Alamogordo. Amy was recognized as the Indie Author of the Year in 2021. She was also the 2020 Colorado Author Project winner and the 2022 Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers author of the year. The April workshop sessions are the first of three planned writing events; details on more workshops are coming soon. 

Complicit by Amy Rivers

Complicit by Amy Rivers book jacket

Stumble and Fall by Amy Rivers

Stumble and Fall by Amy Rivers book jacket