The Cortez Public Library will host a free author panel featuring three nationally recognized writers from Southwest Colorado on Tuesday, Jan. 27, from 5 to 6 p.m., including one from Cortez and one from Mancos.
The event features Mancos thriller author Mark Stevens, Durango murder mystery writer Scott Graham and Cortez romantic comedy author Bethany Turner. The trio will discuss succeeding in fiction writing and share behind-the-scenes publishing stories. Attendees can ask questions and talk with the authors about the industry.
Stevens is the author of the Flynn Martin thriller series, including “No Lie Lasts Forever,” published in June 2025; “Two Truths and a Lie,” scheduled for April 2026; and “The Fireballer” (2023). He also writes the Allison Coil mystery series, with “Trapline” winning the Colorado Book Award for best mystery.
His short stories have appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Mystery Tribune and Denver Noir, which earned the Colorado Book Award for best anthology in 2023.
Stevens was also a co-editor of “Four Corners Voices,” an anthology that won the Colorado Book Award for Best Anthology in 2025.
Graham writes the National Park Mystery series, a critically acclaimed nine-book series following archaeologist Chuck Bender and his family through intrigue in Western national parks while exploring environmental and social justice issues. Beyond mysteries, Graham has written five nonfiction books, including “Extreme Kids,” winner of the National Outdoor Book Award.
Turner, a Cortez resident, has published 11 romance novels. “Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other” won the 2024 Colorado Book Award and was selected as an Amazon Editors’ Pick for best romance. Its follow-up, “Cole and Laila Are Just Friends,” was a 2025 Colorado Book Award finalist and won the Colorado Authors League award for best romance. Her Adelaide Springs series concluded in summer 2025 with “Wes and Addie Had Their Chance.” Turner writes pop culture-infused romantic comedies.
The free event is open to readers, writers and those curious about writing and publishing.
