Rising Writers
NM Writers is committed to supporting aspiring writers in New Mexico through its Rising Writers program. Rising Writers is a chance for aspiring writers to spend time in conversation with an established writer in their chosen genre. Rising Writers sessions are held at coffee shops, bookstores, and non-profit conference rooms. Both established and rising writers are enthusiastic about the experience and excited to create a supportive writing community. Click the years below to see current and previous session hosts.
Stay tuned for information about the next Rising Writers program planned for Fall 2026.
For questions or comments about the Rising Writers program, please email our Rising Writers Committee Chair, Lucy Moore.
Rising Writers Sessions
The Fall 2025 Rising Writers sessions were hosted by:
- Geoff Habiger ~ Traditional Publishing with an Indie Publisher ~ Albuquerque
- James McGrath Morris ~ Building a Cadre of Critique Readers While Writing Your Book ~ Las Cruces
- Dr. Manny Loley ~ Saad Bee Hiiná: Writing as Movement and Energy ~ Gallup (via Zoom)
- Pam Lewis ~ Creative Nonfiction: Start With Real Life ~ Santa Fe
- Zahra Marwan ~ Art, Writing, and Traditional Publishing for Unconventional Thinkers ~ Farmington
- JJ Amaworo Wilson ~ Getting Your Book Published ~ Silver City
- D.J. Green ~ From Writer to Author—Getting Your First Novel Published ~ Albuquerque
The Spring 2025 Rising Writers sessions were hosted by:
- John Fayhee ~ Creative Non-fiction and Outdoor Nature Writing ~ Silver City
- Justin Golding ~ Writing Visually for the Screen: Show it, don’t say it, and if you have to say it, don’t show it! ~ Albuquerque
- Sue Boggio and Mare Pearl ~ Working Together: Strategies for Fiction and Non-fiction Projects ~ Albuquerque
- Zahra Marwan ~ Writing and Illustrating Children’s Books ~ Gallup
- Rus Bradburd ~ Writing a Novel and Using Satire ~ Las Cruces
- Byron Aspaas ~ Poetry and Creative Non-fiction – Diné ~ Farmington
The 2024 Rising Writers sessions were hosted by:
- Alexandra Diaz (children, YA)
- Cynthia Sylvester (fiction, hybrid books, poetry)
- Elizabeth Trupin-Pulli (Let’s Talk about Getting Published)
- Joseph Badal (action, mystery, thriller)
- Sandra Blakeslee (Writing about Science & Medicine)
- Sharman Apt Russell (science, nature, personal essay)
The 2023 Rising Writers sessions were hosted by:
- Alexandra Diaz (children, YA)
- Arthur Sze (poetry)
- David Morrell (thriller, mystery, horror)
- Johnny Boggs (western)
- Ron Bloomberg (screen and play writing, directing, producing)
Rising Writers Session Locations
