Category: Fiction

Inspiration and Community at the Castle Rock Writers’ Conference

August 27, 2025

Nearby Universe members Brook Bhagat, M.R. Hyde, Maddie Van Batum, and Lisa Macedo reveled in inspiration and community at the Castle Rock Writers’ Conference on Saturday. It was great to reconnect with the lovely folks from Castle Rock Writers and make new friends. Poetry track presenters included brice maiurro (ecopoetics) and Poet Laureate Marissa Forbes … More Inspiration and Community at the Castle Rock Writers’ Conference

The Creative Writing Program and Latino Alliance present Spring Reading 2025: The Nearby Universe, Students, Faculty, and Colorado Poet Laureate Bobby LeFebre

February 18, 2025

The Creative Writing Program Visiting Writers’ Series and Latino Alliance are thrilled to welcome Colorado Poet Laureate Emeritus Bobby LeFebre to PPSC on Thursday, March 20, at the Downtown Campus’s Studio West, 22 North Sierra Madre St. in Colorado Springs, for a multicultural night of poetry and prose. The evening begins with a Know Your … More The Creative Writing Program and Latino Alliance present Spring Reading 2025: The Nearby Universe, Students, Faculty, and Colorado Poet Laureate Bobby LeFebre

“For Julia Navalnaya,” “You Are Fine As You Are,” and “‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out,'” published on A Story in 100 Words- Brook Bhagat

July 24, 2024

Brook Bhagat is proud to share that three of her prose poems have been published on A Story in 100 Words. “For Yulia Navalnaya” is a tribute to the widow of Russian opposition leader and freedom fighter Alexi Navalny written on the occasion of Navalnaya’s husband’s death in prison. The same day, from exile, Navalnaya … More “For Julia Navalnaya,” “You Are Fine As You Are,” and “‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out,'” published on A Story in 100 Words- Brook Bhagat

This Saturday! M. R. Hyde, aka ReeAnn Hyde, featured at Academy Art & Frame Company’s 10th Annual Parking Lot Party and Artists’ Reception for “How Do You See God?”

July 18, 2024

ReeAnn Hyde, aka M. R. Hyde, is excited to share that she will be selling both her books and her art this Saturday, July 20, from 10am-4pm at Academy Art & Frame Company’s 10th Annual Parking Lot Party and Artists’ Reception, located at 7560 N. Academy Blvd. in Colorado Springs. From the AAFC website: ““How … More This Saturday! M. R. Hyde, aka ReeAnn Hyde, featured at Academy Art & Frame Company’s 10th Annual Parking Lot Party and Artists’ Reception for “How Do You See God?”

Book signing at 18th Annual Mountain of Authors- Brook Bhagat

June 14, 2024

Brook Bhagat is thrilled to be selected as a showcase author for the 18th annual PPLD Mountain of Authors on Saturday, June 22 from 12-4:30 p.m. at the Venue, Library 21C, 1175 Chapel Hills Dr. She’ll be signing copies of her book, Only Flying. Mountain of Authors (MOA) is an annual community program that provides an opportunity … More Book signing at 18th Annual Mountain of Authors- Brook Bhagat

“Making ‘Magic Chai,'” an essay on writing craft, forthcoming in creative nonfiction anthology- Brook Bhagat

November 15, 2023

Brook Bhagat is proud to share that her true love story, “Cracking Collarbone Jones,” has been accepted by Unsolicited Press for publication in an anthology set for release in July 2024. The small press also produced her full-length collection of poetry and short stories, Only Flying, in 2021. She’s grateful to the Nearby Universe for … More “Making ‘Magic Chai,'” an essay on writing craft, forthcoming in creative nonfiction anthology- Brook Bhagat

Brook Bhagat’s “Magic Chai” ties for second in PPLD fiction writing contest

September 7, 2023

Brook Bhagat is pleased to announce that her short story, “Magic Chai,” tied for second place this August in the Pikes Peak Library District’s annual fiction writing contest, All Pikes Peak Writes. This year, the contest required that each story in the adult writing category be under 3500 words and begin with the sentence, “The … More Brook Bhagat’s “Magic Chai” ties for second in PPLD fiction writing contest

Anthology publication- Brook Bhagat

June 3, 2023

Brook Bhagat is thrilled to announce the release of A Season for Romance: Summer Simmer, an anthology including her poems, “Immaculate” and “Blueshift.” This free ebook is already topping the charts in Amazon– it’s #1 in LGBTQ+ Short Stories, #1 in Short Story Anthologies & Collections, and #1 in LGBTQ+ Science Fiction (Kindle Store). Download … More Anthology publication- Brook Bhagat

Student/Faculty/Nearby Universe Spring Reading featuring Poet Laureate Ashley Cornelius packs the house

April 16, 2023

The Studio West black box theater was full on the evening of March 23, making the Spring Reading featuring Poet Laureate Ashley Cornelius the most widely attended literary reading at PPSC in recent history. Nearby Universe founder and facilitator and English faculty member Brook Bhagat organized and MCed the event. “I want to help my … More Student/Faculty/Nearby Universe Spring Reading featuring Poet Laureate Ashley Cornelius packs the house