Call for Authors – Mountain of Authors 2026
Pikes Peak Library District is excited to open submissions for the 2026 Mountain of Authors Local Author Showcase! The 2026 Mountain of Authors event will be held on Saturday, May 16 at Library 21c. This is an exciting afternoon of networking and connecting with other authors and the public.
There are limited spots available for in-person Showcase Authors. If you are selected for the in-person showcase you will be invited to have an author table at the event for networking opportunities and book sales.
Please fill out this form to be considered for participation in the in-person Author Showcase on Saturday, May 16. Applications will be accepted until 11 p.m. on Monday, March 9.
Keynote Speaker
Randi Samuelson-Brown
Randi Samuelson-Brown is originally from Golden, Colorado but now lives in the rollicking city of Denver. A passion for Colorado history was instilled by her father from childhood, and to this day she feels haunted by the West’s lesser-known histories (the dark side) and their long-reach into the present. The Bad Old Days of Colorado: Untold Stories of the Wild West (Two Dot 2020), her first non-fiction, was a finalist in the 2021 Colorado Book Awards in History and was featured on C-SPAN. THE WESTERN HORSE: A Popular History of the Wild and Working Animal is a 2025 Finalist for the Western Writers of America’s prestigious SPUR Award.
When not writing, in her free time Randi can be found riding horses and traveling around Colorado and the West, finding inspiration from people, places, and whispers from the past.
Coloradan Pete McBride has spent two decades studying the world through a camera. An award-winning photographer, filmmaker, author, and public speaker, McBride is a Sony Artisan of Imagery and has traveled on assignment to more than 75 countries for the National Geographic Society, Smithsonian, Google, The Nature Conservancy, and many others. He has spoken on stages for TEDx, The World Economic Forum, Pixar, Nat Geo Live, and more. His feature documentary, Into the Canyon, was nominated for an Emmy in 2020, and his books Between River and Rim, Seeing Silence and Chasing Water have all won National Outdoor Book Awards.
Learn more about Pete McBride on his website
Session Speaker: Michael Covington
Publishing Realities: What Publishers Want, What Authors Need, and Why Writing Still Matters
This session offers an honest but encouraging look at what publishers seek beyond great writing, the shifting industry landscape, and how authors can define success beyond just landing a book deal. We will explore why publishing is a partnership, not a lottery, and share practical steps to help writers build their audience, position their work, and reach readers.
About Michael Covington
Michael Covington is the Vice President - Publishing & Acquisitions at David C Cook. With decades of experience in marketing, content development, author acquisitions, industry leadership, and bookselling, he brings a unique perspective on the publishing landscape. Passionate about storytelling and author development, he helps writers navigate the industry with insight and strategy.