May Writer's Night: Creative Non-fictioning – Hey, It Happens! with Brooke Carlson
2026-05-05 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Denver) | The Art Center, 1803 N. 7th Street, Grand Junction, CO, 81501, United States
When faced with the blank page, where do you go? Is your tendency to fall back on “that time when”…or, “do you remember…”? Life is stranger than fiction, and if you want to work out some of your lived experiences in writing, then this session is for you! We’ll do a number of exercises to help strengthen the pen and generate ideas, as well as share and talk writing!
Join the Western Colorado Writers’ Forum on May 5, 2026, from 6-7:30 p.m. at The Art Center in Grand Junction for this fun, generative session!

Speaker Bio

Brooke A. Carlson has been falling through books, writing here and there, and teaching all over the place for ages. Slipping through higher ed for the last couple of decades has meant publications on pedagogy in academic spaces, and pushing to expand scholarly writing into the public. Along the way, poetry happens.

Poetry Night at the Library
2026-05-13 18:00 - 19:45 | Central Library, 443 N 6th St, Grand Junction, CO, 81501, United States
Poetry Night at the Library is a monthly program at the Mesa County Library. Each month poets are invited to read their work based on a previous month’s challenge, or any other poem they’d like to read. Then, a new topic is discussed and a new challenge is issued. Topics range from a particular poet, to a school of poetry, to a new tool for your poetry toolbox such as a form or poetic device. No poetry experience is required – all are welcome!
Poetry Night occurs the second Wednesday of every month from 6-7:45 p.m. at the Central Library, 443 N. 6th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501. No RSVP is needed.

WCWF Happy Hour
2026-05-21 16:00 - 18:00 | Kannah Creek Brewing Company, 1960 N. 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO, 81501, United States
Join fellow writers and WCWF board members at our monthly *happy hour. It’s a great opportunity to get to know your fellow writers in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. We know you’re a bunch of introverts – come see us anyway! It really is fun. Then you can go home and rest after all that “peopling” you did. *This is not a drinking event – it just happens to fall during the hours known as happy hour.
We meet on the third Thursday of every month from 4-6 p.m. at Kannah Creek in Grand Junction, located at 1960 N. 12th Street.
We only request an RSVP if you are bringing a large party, like 6 or so. Then we can make appropriate table arrangements.
See you there!
p.s. Have you checked out our blog? Lots of good information and observations for writers!

Spoken Word Open Mic Night - Fourth Fridays
2026-05-22 16:30 - 18:00 | Carboy Winery Grand Valley, 3572 G Rd, Palisade, CO, 81526, United States
Join us every month on the fourth Friday for a Spoken Word Open Mic Night from 4:30-6:00 p.m. The Western Colorado Writers’ Forum has partnered with Carboy Winery in Palisade to bring you this opportunity to read your work. We welcome poetry, prose, storytelling, and slam, and all skill levels are welcome.
Signups start onsite at 4:15 and there is a 5-7 minute time limit. We’ve had new readers attend these sessions, and the time limits are our effort to ensure everyone has a chance at the mic. Any time limit is to encourage inclusion.
This event is in the production facility on the ground level, so there are no stairs to negotiate. It is cooler in this room because this is where they make the wine. You may want to bring an extra layer. In warmer months, we may host this event outside.
Please note that while a variety of beverages are available, you are not required to purchase to attend this Open Mic.
Location: 3572 G Rd, Palisade, CO 81526.

Write-a-Thon: Pages, Pledges, and Prizes
2026-05-30 13:00 - 17:00 | Hilltop Community Resources, 359 Main Street, Grand Junction, CO, 81501, United States
Need to get some writing done? Have we got an opportunity for you!
Join the Western Colorado Writers’ Forum for our first-ever Write-a-Thon Event, happening Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 1–5 PM at Hilltop (359 Main St., old Wells Fargo Building) in downtown Grand Junction.
Come write your heart out, raise funds for WCWF programming and writer events, and connect with fellow creatives. Gather pledges from your fans and friends (no door-to-door candy bar sales required!).
Write-a-Thon Details
Date & Time:
Saturday, May 30, 2026 · 1:00–5:00 PM
Location:
Hilltop Community Resources, 359 Main Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Parking & Entry:
Park in the visitor lot behind the building off Colorado Ave. Enter through the rear doors. Watch for signs and friendly faces!
Donations:

$25 entry fee (extra donations always welcome!)
Bring-a-Friend-for-Forty: $40 total when you both show up ready to write!
Or cover the entry fee by collecting $25+ in pledges from your cheering section – friends, family, barista, hairdresser, your neighbor with the cute dog, but you only know the dog’s name… anyone who loves a good cause!

Both Venmo and cash are accepted, but cash is preferred. All donations support the Western Colorado Writers’ Forum, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving the writing community in Western Colorado.
Agenda Highlights:

Writing sprints: 25 minutes of pure focus, followed by quick stretch breaks.
Snacks and refreshments to keep your creativity fueled.
A mid-event trivia showdown – show off those random writing facts!

Celebration wrap-up with prizes and applause, and congrats all around for getting a bunch of writing done.
Prize Opportunities:

Anonymous Writing Contest: Bring a short piece (100 words MAX). We’ll read them anonymously, and the crowd will pick their favorite!
Most Words Written: Prizes for both handwritten heroes and speedy typists.
Trivia Champ: One winner earns bragging rights (and a prize!).

Spots will fill fast!
Register by May 22. This helps us plan our writing space, and snacks and refreshments. Let’s make pages, pledges, and memories!
