| Workshops * signifies a VIP or agent |
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| 5 Ways to Start a Story – October Santerelli – All – 1 Hour Hook the reader right away! Wait, what does that mean? Cover the five different styles of hooks, with examples, and learn why they work. Learn how to use hooks not just at the start of the story, but at the end of chapters, start of chapters, and in the middle of your work to keep a reader engaged from start to finish. |
| A Wizard Did It: Magical Systems as Science in Fantasy – Laura VanArendonk Baugh – All – 1 Hour Magic is both character and setting in fantasy, and as soon as you have someone deliberately using it, you have a science, too. We’ll talk about broad theories of magic and how to decide how many rules to apply. We’ll look at the advantages and disadvantages of different magic systems and of magic itself. We’ll also cover tips for informing the reader about this magic system. |
| Action Hero: How to Synchronize Internal and External Conflict – Rachel Dempsey – Intermediate – 1 Hour Have you ever had someone praise aspects of your writing but ultimately condemn the whole as “lacking something” or “missing that special spark”? Such feedback, infuriatingly vague as it sounds, may translate as an absence of emotional investment—the dreaded “So what?” or “Who cares?” Before you fling more death and destruction on the page, consider whether the real problem might be a mismatch of external and internal action. |
| ADHD and Imposter Syndrome and General Anxiety, Oh My! – J. Warren Weaver – All – 1 Hour If there’s one thing that seemingly rings true throughout the writing community, it’s that mental health is something we all suffer with. But by sharing our journey, we can demystify those troubles and discover techniques to overcome it. Join me for a judgement-free discussion on the effects, causes, and tricks for beating mental health issues. |
| Agent Expectations for Your First 10 Pages: How to Keep Them Reading and Requesting vs. Rejecting – Rachel Beck* – Intermediate – 1 Hour In this workshop, you’ll learn how to hook a reader with your first ten pages, as well as classic mistakes querying writers make in the initial pages they submit to agents. This workshop will cover everything from myths about what to include in your first pages to the biggest no-nos to how to break through the noise and hook an agent, intriguing them enough to request a partial or full manuscript submission. |
| As (Not!) Seen on TV: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Cinematic Writing – Jackie Peveto – Intermediate – 1 Hour More than ever, we are saturated with stories, especially in the form of TV shows and movies. While this is a wonderful thing in some ways, it can have a profound effect on how we write stories. We will discuss some of the TV crossovers to avoid—such as heavy blocking and POV shifts—as well as the powerful elements unique to written stories all writers can weave into their work. |
| Ask a Pro: PAA Panel – All – 1 Hour Have you ever wanted to ask a group of professional authors anything about writing/publishing? Join the Professional Authors Alliance for a casual conversation with industry pros ready to answer any and all of your questions! |
| Ask Me Anything with Keynote Speaker CJ Leede – CJ Leede* – All – 1 Hour A Q&A where audience members can ask CJ anything they wish about writing, the publishing world, working with Tor Nightfire, or being an award-winning horror author. |
| Audiobooks for Self-Published Authors – Sandra Murphy – Intermediate – 1 Hour Want to know how you can make the most money, reach the most listeners, and get the best sales for your audiobook? Go behind the scenes with an audiobook narrator to understand production, contracting, and marketing. We’ll discuss all the details needed to help you give your book a voice and secure more lifetime fans of your work. |
| Be the Superhero in Your Writing Adventures: Strategies to (Happily) Finish that Book – Laura Resau – All – 1 Hour This interactive workshop will feature fun writing prompts, activities, and discussion to help you address obstacles in your big writing projects. Throughout, you’ll share discoveries and ask questions. No matter what your genre, you’ll leave energized and equipped with new tools to get through the rough parts of your writing adventures. Then, up, up, and away! |
| Be Your Own Developmental Editor – Jacquelin Cangro – Advanced – 1 Hour This session will provide the tools and techniques to help you see your manuscript the way an editor or agent might see it. We’ll ask the tough questions to guide you in assessing your story’s strengths and weaknesses. Whether your goal is self-publication or securing an agent, you’ll learn what marks your manuscript as the work of a professional. |
| Beyond the Veil: Unveiling the Magic of Representation in Fantasy – V.L. Andromeda – All – 1 Hour Explore the transformative power of representation in fantasy by emphasizing the importance of including disability, queer, and minority characters in imaginary worlds. By weaving diverse identities into the fabric of fantastical realms, writers not only enrich the stories they tell but also create spaces where all readers can see themselves reflected. Join us as we delve into the impact these representations have on both the genre and its audiences, all while fostering inclusivity and visibility. |
| Book Trailers and the Power of the Screen – Sue Duff – Intermediate – 1 Hour Book trailers are more popular than ever with so many platforms supporting video content. This course is an introduction to book trailers, the different types, the medium’s components, genre-based styles, and how to find help/services. |
| Brevity is the Soul of Wit: The Power and Precision of Short Fiction – Kate Jonuska – Beginner – 1 Hour As school kids, most of us were deeply affected by a short story like Jackson’s “The Lottery” or Bradbury’s “A Sound of Thunder.” As adults, however, we choose to read and write novels far more often, letting the powerful art of short fiction wither. In this workshop, we’ll discuss why short fiction can be harder to write as well as how short fiction can hone your craft, career, and ultimate impact as a writer. |
| Capes or No Capes: Be the Author You Want to Be – Bowen Gillings – All – 1 Hour What does it mean to be an author? Learn to navigate the pressures of peers, the marketplace, and the publishing industry to become not just the author you dream about, but more importantly, the author you can live with. We examine author lifestyle/work-life balance and explore expectations versus personal goals. |
| Chair Yoga for Writers – Kate Jonuska – All – 1 Hour A teacher of power, hot and yin yoga in Boulder, Kate Jonuska will guide a session of gentle movement and guided meditation geared specifically toward the creative mind. All bodies and abilities welcome. |
| Comic & Graphic Novel Scripting 101 – October Santerelli – All – 1 Hour Comics and graphic novels are hugely popular forms of media – but you can’t draw. Good news? You don’t need to! Learn how to script a purely visual medium from October, who has been scripting comics for Webtoon since 2020. |
| Composing a Short Story Collection – Angela Sylvaine – Intermediate – 1 Hour Composing and submitting short story collections is an art and a science. Themed or un-themed? Should you include flash fiction, poetry, or other forms as well? What’s the perfect mix of previously published and unpublished works? Why should you gather your stories into a stand alone collection? These are all questions I’ll answer, leaving you with the tools to compose a collection. |
| Crafting Character Voices: Mastering Dialogue and Word Choice – LS Hawker – Intermediate – 1 Hour Does all your dialogue begin with “Oh” or “Well”? Do you regularly avoid selecting one vivid word by using five vague ones? Have editors told you your prose needs elevating? Your problem may be poor word choice. But do not despair—it’s not fatal. Come to this workshop for the cure. |
| Crafting Unforgettable Characters – CJ Leede* – Intermediate – 1 Hour Lovable, likeable, hateable, relatable. CJ Leede discusses building characters who are uniquely true to your story, and you. What makes them tick? What makes them laugh, cry, scream? And most importantly, how can we make them thoroughly evocative and indelibly memorable? |
| Critique Groups Unite! Forging Successful Critique Partnerships – Jennifer Wilson & Meghan Molin – All – 1 Hour Every writer craves honest feedback but knowing how to give and receive it can be a challenge. This workshop is your guide to mastering the art of both giving critique and being a good critique partner. We’ll explore the essential elements of effective critique, moving beyond simple praise or vague criticisms to offer concrete suggestions and actionable insights. Equip your utility belt with the tools and techniques you need to build lasting critique partnerships that will transform your writing journey. |
| Critique Partner Speed Dating – Writers Assemble! – Jennifer Wilson, Meghan Molin, Kate Jonuska & Amber Herbert – All – 1 Hour All writers benefit from peer critique. Find a critique group, beta reader, or other peer-feedback friend at this low-pressure, guided networking session based on speed dating. |
| Cross-Genre and Emerging Literary Trends – Elizabeth Copps – All – 1 Hour An insightful look at: emerging literary trends; innovative storytelling techniques; breaking traditional genre boundaries; identifying unique narrative approaches; and how agents spot potential breakout works. |
| Deep Immersion and Distraction-Free Writing – Michael Haspil – Intermediate – 1 Hour Discover how vivid storytelling can hypnotize readers, tapping into Alpha and Theta brainwave states for deep immersion. This workshop blends neuroscience with practical tools—sensory detail, cliché avoidance, and distraction-free techniques to elevate your fiction and captivate audiences. |
| Dialogue As An Action – J. Warren Weaver – Intermediate – 1 Hour Dialogue is more than a conversation, it’s a deliberate action. The things our characters say are more than just words, they’re the expression of their desires. But how do we know what our characters desire? And how does it dictate what they say? Pen and paper are recommended for this interactive workshop where we plumb the depths of our characters’ desires. |
| Diversity for Authors – Rod Martinez – All – 1 Hour Diversity in writing has become a hot topic. From whether a person of one race can factually portray a protagonist of another, to dialect, to “isms,” to dealing with cultures and sexual orientation. Diversity for Authors flows through these subjects and more in a smooth, fun, entertaining way while still keeping us on task. |
| Ethical Marketing: Creating Mindful and Socially Conscious Promotion Plans – Amy Rivers – Intermediate – 1 Hour In today’s politically-charged climate, authors make tough decisions every day. In this session, we’ll talk about some of the issues related to promoting ourselves and our work ethically. This session is not intended to be a rage room. Rather, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of working with specific companies, using specific products, and creating marketing strategies that meet the needs of both our author personas and our authentic selves. |
| From Goosebumps to Gut Punches: Mastering the Anatomy of Emotion – Tasha Christensen – Intermediate – 1 Hour One of the most popular pieces of writing advice is “Show, don’t tell.” Though not a law to follow blindly, it’s a tactic that will add raw emotional power to your scenes. In this workshop, we’ll dig deep into the study of nonverbal communication and body language. FBI tricks, movie clip analyses, and anthropological methods will give you the tools to write authentic, stirring interactions between your characters. |
| From Kryptonite to Keyboard: Turning Neurodivergent Challenges into Writing Productivity – Meghan Molin – All – 1 Hour If your brain often stands between you and conquering the unwritten page, join us for a class on tips, tricks, and science-based strategy for overcoming! We’ll talk about where these problems stem from but give hands-on demonstrations of tried-and-true products, gadgets, and software that help you sit down and work! |
| From Page to Screen: Selling to TV and Film – Jonathan Maberry* – All – 1 Hour Hollywood has never been hungrier for IPs (intellectual properties – a.k.a. your writing!). With hundreds of cable and streaming services scrambling for content, the doors are opening for writers of all kinds, all genres, and all levels of experience to sell works for TV, movies, and other visual platforms. Jonathan Maberry shares his experiences and trade secrets about getting on the Hollywood radar and working with industry pros to make the leap from written word to visual storytelling. |
| Generating Sales with Facebook Ads – Andre Gonzalez – Intermediate – 1 Hour Many authors believe Facebook ads no longer work for generating sales. In reality, the platform has become highly competitive thanks to a flood of major corporations. Come learn how to efficiently carve out your space as an author and gain new readers on a platform that still has a billion users. |
| Go Out with a BANG (Or a Sweet Whisper): Writing Powerful Endings – Karen Lin – Beginner – 1 Hour We hook readers with our beginnings and charge up our muddled middles. It’s equally important to power up our endings, making them emotional, believable, fascinating, intellectually stimulating, inventive, and unforgettable. Assess your current ending and learn new techniques to engage your readers to the very last word. |
| Hard vs. Soft Magic Systems – Ryanne Glenn – All – 1 Hour Creating your own magical system is a place where your creativity can truly shine, or you might fall into commonly used tropes. By defining magic systems on a spectrum, you can help advance plots and create compelling themes while keeping your audience riveted. |
| Help! My Book Has Gone Off the Rails – Peggy Waide – Beginner – 1 Hour Your story started off with a bang. You love your characters. You’re happy with your dialogue and narrative. So why are you suddenly struggling with your writing? This workshop will discuss tips that will help you determine the problem and put you back on the right track for writing the book you envisioned. |
| Horror Genre Mash Ups – Angela Sylvaine – Beginner – 1 Hour Horror mash ups are all the rage! Thriller! Suspense! Comedy! Romance! Sci-fi! Fantasy! The genre world is your oyster. We’ll cover your mash-up options and why they work, as well as providing tips on how to successfully execute a mash up. |
| How to Add Humor to Your Stories – Kevin Campbell – All – 1 Hour Humor is a universal human experience and part of every great story. When used properly, humor will ground your characters, making them more realistic and engaging to your readers. No matter what genre you write, adding the correct dose of humor to your stories will make them more enjoyable to read and more marketable. This seminar will teach humor techniques that any writer can use, even if you can only tell dad jokes. |
| How to Make Your Story Feel Cinematic – J. Warren Weaver – Intermediate – 1 Hour There’s a lot we can learn from the world of screenwriting that can be easily adapted to make your story move. This workshop looks at concepts that will inject some energy into your chapters and create a narrative that keeps your reader engaged from start to finish, all while effortlessly keeping them turning the page. |
| How to Use Hollywood Scene Writing Techniques for Your Novel – Kevin Campbell – All – 1 Hour What do we love about a good movie or TV show? Great scenes that move the story along and keep us glued to the screen. Your novel can use the same screenwriting techniques. This workshop will show you how to write scenes that entertain, increase conflict, grow your characters, move your plot along, and ensure that your audience will turn every page. These scene-writing techniques work with every genre, from short stories to novels to series – graphic novels, too! |
| Infamous Conduits: Comp Titles – Jennifer Wilkov – All – 1 Hour Impactful, appropriate comp titles can make or break your query letter or book proposal – or even your treatment or pitch deck. Stop using inappropriate, irrelevant, and unreasonable comp titles that only garner rejections. Learn how to research and include the right comp titles that will impress any agent, publisher, or producer. |
| Ink and Syntax: Mastering Grammar for Fictional Impact – LS Hawker – Beginner – 1 Hour Grammar is more than just a set of rules—it’s the backbone of effective communication. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, mastering grammar can significantly enhance the clarity, credibility, and impact of your work. From punctuation to syntax, we’ll delve into the fundamentals of grammar and provide practical tips for improving your writing skills. |
| Intro to Publishing Children’s Picture Books – Natasha Gonzalez – Beginner – 1 Hour Designed for aspiring authors who are eager to navigate the intricate world of children’s publishing. We’ll explore the key components from conceptualization to distribution. We’ll delve into the creative and business aspects of the industry, offering practical tips and strategies for success. |
| Is Your Novel High Concept? 5 Pro Tricks To Make It Stand Out – Jessica Berg* – Intermediate – 2 Hours Is a high-concept novel really what you think it is? Find out how to elevate your manuscript from average to irresistible with these five expert-level tips. This session will uncover the hidden strategies behind making your novel both unique and marketable in today’s competitive publishing landscape. |
| Isn’t That Against the Rules? What Therapists Are and Aren’t Allowed to Do – Amy Armstrong – All – 1 Hour Therapists in fiction are extremely common, and we love therapists behaving badly. Come test your knowledge and maybe pick up some tips for upping the drama with therapists in your stories. Could Martin Q. Blank’s therapist actually provide phone sessions to Martin if he was in another state? Do therapists need to report crimes that someone has already committed? How bad is it if a therapist has sex with a client? If you text your therapist, does that need to go in your case notes? |
| It’s Dangerous to Go Alone: Writing Adventuring Groups – J.E. Zarnofsky – Intermediate – 1 Hour Having a cast of characters that travel together presents unique challenges, from choosing the right POV to balancing characters’ page time and desires. Come learn how to tackle organizing the party and their time together (and apart) on the page. |
| It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a Self-Published Author! – Mariah Ankenman – Beginner – 2 Hours You’ve written your book and you’re ready to hit publish… Now what? Learn the step-by-step guide of what to do and what not to do to publish your book through Amazon and Draft 2 Digital. |
| Knock-Out Narrative Distance – Mira Landry – Intermediate – 1 Hour Narrative distance, or the space between readers and characters, determines everything from point of view to setting description to voice. Choosing the best level or levels of distance for each unique story helps authors craft the most cohesive and emotionally resonant work. We’ll learn how to do just that with a mix of lecture, examples, exercises, and discussion. |
| Level Up: How Improv Can Improve You – Bowen Gillings – All – 1 Hour Does the idea of networking, pitching, hand-selling, or even greeting someone at the bar make you uneasy? Want nothing more than to hide in your room rather than face the public? Improvisational theatre offers the tools and confidence you need. And it’s freakin’ fun! |
| Literary Forensics Overview – Gary McBride – All – 1 Hour This session is a one-hour overview of Literary Forensics, a comprehensive systematic methodology that teaches you how to read like a writer and apply what you learn to your writing. Gary developed Literary Forensics from the lessons he learned during the seven years that he has led the reading study group, Writers Who Read LIVE!, in Boulder, Colorado. |
| LIVE Courageous Critiques that Teach (Not Torture) – Mira Landry & Chelsea Pennington – All – 2 Hours Want to know how an agent sees your first pages? Do you also want to know how to improve it without feeling like a failure? Literary agent Mira Landry and author Chelsea Pennington are combining an agent’s first impression of opening pages alongside how to give critique in a teachable, helpful manner that encourages your peers to keep growing instead of wanting to give up. Send in the first 1-2 pages of your manuscript without identifying details and yours might be selected for critique. |
| Loglines: One-Sentence Torture Devices for Writers – Kelley Lindberg – All – 1 Hour When asked what your story is about, do you ramble for 30 minutes about backstory, emotional arcs, and messy subplots until the person’s eyes glaze over? Or do you give them your one-sentence logline, leaving them hooked and dying to read more? Of course, we all know what the answer should be. But loglines are torturously hard to write. Come learn how to write a killer logline without losing your sanity. |
| Making It Strange: Using Defamiliarization to Change Readers and the World – David Rodeback – Intermediate – 1 Hour Defamiliarization helps us see what we’ve learned not to see, because it’s so familiar, or to see something differently. It’s simply what art does—but used skillfully and intentionally, it can change hearts, minds, and the world. |
| Map Out Your Masterpiece: Harness the Power of Causation to Elevate Your Storytelling – Amy Armstrong, Gary McBride & Rachel Craft – Intermediate – 1 Hour Are you tired of trying to wrestle the scenes in your story into something with a page-turning plot? Maybe you feel you’ve mastered plot but think that some parts could be just a touch better. Are you frustrated by books and movies with events that seem to come out of nowhere? This workshop is for you! Our panelists will introduce the idea of causation mapping with examples from popular literature. You will also be able to ask questions about how to apply causation mapping to your own story. |
| Marketing as an Introvert: How to Grow Your Newsletter from 20 to 1020 Readers Without Social Media – Amy Trent – Intermediate – 1 Hour Newsletters are one of the best marketing tools for authors. It’s time to harness your introverted superpowers to grow your newsletter into the four digits. You don’t have to sing or dance, but you may want to after you learn that social media is optional. We’re diving into the three C’s of marketing, newsletter best practices, and how to write your way to a large, engaged, devoted group of superfans. If this introvert can find her marketing way, you can too. |
| Mastering Narrative Momentum: Action/Reaction, Scene, and Sequel – Michael Haspil – Beginner – 1 Hour Unlock dynamic storytelling with this exploration of action/reaction units, scenes, and sequels. Learn to balance pacing and introspection using four resolution techniques—Yes, And; Yes, But; No, And; No, and Furthermore—to craft gripping narratives that keep readers hooked. |
| Mastering Suspense: Crafting Compelling Narratives Regardless of Genre – LS Hawker – Intermediate – 1 Hour Suspense isn’t just for thrillers—it’s a fundamental element that can elevate any work of fiction or nonfiction. It’s the element in a story that creates mental uncertainty and variable outcomes that turn your readers into addicts, unable to stop turning pages regardless of your genre. |
| Meet! Greet! Speak! – Sandra Murphy – Intermediate – 2 Hours Want to learn how to captivate attendees at a public reading? Engaged readers buy books, and it all starts with your excerpt. In this hands-on workshop, you will craft an elevator pitch, select a book excerpt, and work on narrating techniques to wow your audience. |
| Modern Horror: It’s More Than Monsters and Slashers! – Angela Sylvaine – Beginner – 1 Hour Modern horror is a diverse genre that is thriving. Learn what defines horror and how authors are twisting classic tropes and inventing new ones. You’ll leave with an understanding that will inspire you to create your own horror masterpiece. |
| Non-Crude Profanity: Crafting “Storming” Good Swears – Amy Trent – All – 1 Hour We’ll explore the functions of profanity and how and why you might want to get creative with your own swears. We’ll explore examples of non-crude swears in literature from Brandon Sanderson, Stephen King, and Shakespeare and how these swears enhance both character and world building aspects of story. No one’s mouth will be washed out with soap, but everyone will leave with the skills to write their own “cockadoodie” insults before we’re finished. |
| One Man’s Villain is Another Man’s Hero – Jonathan Maberry* & Marie Whittaker – All – 1 Hour Join Jonathan Maberry and Marie Whittaker as they explain how creating a realistic hero will augment your story. What makes a good villain tick? Are they a product of society? What’s their WHY? We’ll go over a few classic, recognizable favorite villains to illustrate why they are our favorites. After that, we’ll talk about how we create villains of our stories. |
| Optimizing Your Amazon Sales Page – Andre Gonzalez – Intermediate – 1 Hour For many authors, sales are lost on the final stage of the book buying process: the Amazon sales page. We will go section by section of the busy Amazon book page and dive into what we can (and can’t) do to make the best impression on book shoppers, giving them that final nudge to buy your book! |
| Pahk Your Cah! – Karen Dropps – Beginner – 1 Hour Come join a discussion about different phrases and terms that regionally differ. Join in the fun and help others learn how to properly say hello or order a soda. |
| Passive vs. Active Voice: Wield Both Like a Superhero – Kelley Lindberg – Beginner – 1 Hour Confused about active voice and passive voice? You’re not alone. If you’ve been told you’re “using too much passive voice,” what does that mean, and how can you fix it? And should you? Using published examples and a sense of humor, we’ll explore the difference, their pros and cons, and why each may be appropriate in different situations. |
| Pick Up the Pace with Self Editing – Andre Gonzalez – All – 1 Hour Many authors struggle with getting the pacing of their story right. Most pacing issues stem from word choice and sentence structure instead of problems with the story itself. You can address these issues before sending your manuscript off to your editor. Learn how to trim the fat from your story and smooth out the pacing. |
| Post-Conference Stinger: What Comes Next? – Kelley Lindberg – All – 1 Hour A “stinger” is the post-credit scene in a movie that makes you laugh or teases a future movie. Now that this conference is almost over, what can you do with the overload of information, handouts, great ideas, and contacts you’re taking home? Don’t let this conference end for you with the credits rolling by! Learn how to organize what you’ve learned and make an action plan for what to do next. |
| Power of Prose Panel – All – 1 Hour Description coming soon! |
| Powering Up Pacing in Revisions – Mira Landry – Intermediate – 1 Hour Pacing is the driving force of any story, one most often determined by tension and curiosity. Keeping pacing in mind while drafting is important, but learning how to perceive and adjust in revisions is where you can really hone your storytelling abilities. We’ll recap the basics of slowing down and speeding up, then cover common story and scene pacing issues and how to shift their gears. |
| Reading Games – Gary McBride – All – 1 Hour Everyone knows that to become a better writer, you need to become a better reader. But where to start? This workshop is focused on learning how to hit the pause button on any novel you’re reading and go into investigation mode. Begin reading like a writer today through a series of exercises and games. |
| Run Your Author Business Without Going Insane – Andre Gonzalez – Intermediate – 1 Hour Indie authors are business owners and entrepreneurs – whether you like it or not! Growing a business has plenty of challenges. To avoid the dreaded overwhelm that plagues many of us, you need the right tools, systems, and mindset to achieve success. Learn how to strengthen these aspects of your business while maintaining a balanced life. |
| Save Your Darlings: Reduce Your Word Count Without Cutting Important Content – Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong* – Intermediate – 1 Hour Description coming soon! |
| Science for the Non-Scientific – Ryanne Glenn – All – 1 Hour Not everyone has to be a rocket scientist to write science fiction, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be accurate with the science you do include. From physics in space to chemistry in the lab to the biology of your characters, learn some basics to amp up your stories! |
| Scrivener’s Hidden Superpowers: Five Tools You Should Be Using – Jennifer Wilson – Intermediate – 1 Hour Think you’re utilizing Scrivener’s best features? You might be surprised! We’re diving headfirst into the Scrivener toolbox, unearthing those sneaky, super-powered features you’ve probably been missing. This workshop is designed for intermediate users eager to elevate their skills and discover the hidden arsenal of this incredible writing tool. You’ll learn how to wield Scrivener’s advanced features with finesse, empowering you to write with greater ease and control. |
| Selling Books at Live Events (Without Needing a Shower) – Laura VanArendonk Baugh – Advanced – 1 Hour Selling at live events like cons or fairs can feel intimidating or even icky—but it can also be a fantastic boost to your sales figures and confidence. Learn from an experienced and successful vendor how to select the right events for you and to sell without pushy sales tactics. |
| Sense in Sensitivity Editors – October Santerelli – All – 1 Hour What exactly IS a sensitivity editor? What do they do? Now more than ever, it’s important to get the lived experience of others into your work in a way that is respectful and relevant, but how do you do that when it feels like a social minefield out there? Learn where to find them, rough cost estimates, and what they can do for you. |
| Showing vs. Telling (And When to Do Which) – Mira Landry – Beginner – 1 Hour “Show don’t tell” is a common writerly rule for a reason: it’s how you immerse readers in your story. But if we overly describe every element, setting detail, and emotion on the page, it can slow pacing, distract the reader, and occasionally feel as though it’s trying too hard. This workshop is designed to modernize the approach, rephrasing it as “showing versus telling” by pulling away from the heavier sensory descriptions and analyzing the more subtle ways you can let your reader “see” the story on the page. |
| Sprinkle It with Culture – Karen Dropps – Beginner – 1 Hour Discover how to give meaning to worlds with developing cultures. Is a hat just a hat, or is it part of a long heritage of hat wearing? Learn how to take clues from culture to add depth to your world from a cultural historian. |
| Steps to Take Before Querying – Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong* – Beginner – 1 Hour Description coming soon! |
| Successful Releases 101: Avoid Pitfalls and Capitalize on Opportunities – Rob Samborn – Intermediate – 2 Hours Are you an indie or small press author gearing up for a release? Learn what to do—and what not to do—before a launch. |
| Super Synopsis: Not a Villain Anymore – Meagan Dallner – All – 1 Hour Tips and techniques for creating an effective synopsis. |
| Sustainable Project Management for Creatives – Marie Whittaker – All – 2 Hours The project management method taught in this workshop encompasses the Writer’s Life and helps creatives find work-life balance. The workshop includes active mind mapping, list building, and calendar mastery. This involves a custom, agile model designed with creatives in mind. I will share a free project management tool box, preferred tech, and a pre-built Work Breakdown System to get attendees started with tracking projects. |
| The Art of Outlining: Discovering the Best Style for You – Jennifer Wilson – All – 1 Hour If outlining zaps your creative flow, hurts your brain, and sucks up your timeline – you’re doing it wrong! In this class, we will go over five successful outlining methods designed for everyone from the free-spirited pantser to the most detail-oriented outliner; review the best tools available; talk about the benefits and misconceptions of outlining; and journey toward finding a method that works for you. |
| The Art of the Apology: The Hidden Superpower of Literature’s Swooniest Scene – Amy Trent – Intermediate – 1 Hour It’s one thing to write a great kiss scene. It’s a whole next level of swoon to write a great apology. This workshop will teach writers of any genre how to identify the four crucial elements of an apology and how to incorporate them into a scene. Whether your characters use this knowledge for good or evil is up to you. Apologies can turn sour, even become weapons, if any of the four elements are left out. But when all four elements are present, magic happens, and characters and readers swoon. |
| The Art of the Pitch – Jonathan Maberry* – All – 1 Hour Pitching a novel doesn’t have to be scary. It can be a heck of a lot of fun. (Yes, fun…that’s not a typo!) This workshop explores resources and strategies for preparing a pitch. And even some games and exercises to make pitching enjoyable and stress-free. We’ll cover the query letter, face-to-face pitches, the elevator pitch, identifying your market, reader demographics, genre, building submission materials, formatting the manuscript, searching for markets, follow-ups, and more. |
| The Best Defense: Beta Readers– LS Hawker – Intermediate – 1 Hour Before your book flies off to an agent, editor, or printer, it needs a test run—and that’s where beta readers come in. In this workshop, we’ll explore the crucial role beta readers play in the writing and revision process, and how the right readers can be your best defense against plot holes, flat characters, and lethargic pacing. |
| The Conflict Deep Dive – October Santerelli – Beginner – 1 Hour Every story needs conflict, but what exactly is this plot-driving force? What is its purpose in a story? How do we write it? Cover the basics, from definition to Mary Robinette Kowal’s MICE, the hero’s journey, and more. |
| The Further Adventures of…: Considerations for Series Writing – Travis Tougaw – Intermediate – 2 Hours Book series are extremely popular across all genres. A quick look at any bestsellers list will feature books that are part of a series. Using some well-known series as examples, this workshop will examine what makes a series work. |
| The Interior Lives of Characters – Jacquelin Cangro – Intermediate – 1 Hour We’re going to take a deep dive into the world of your characters. We’ll review the essentials of character interiority and explore techniques to reveal your characters’ perspective, worldview, and goals on the page. We’ll investigate a different aspect of interiority––thoughts and emotions, worldview, backstory, and desires––and examine published works with richly developed characters. |
| The One, Two Punch to Defeating Publishing Worries on KDP – J. Warren Weaver – Intermediate – 1 Hour Are you ready to take the plunge and publish your first book but you’re intimidated by Kindle Direct Publishing? Join me for a how-to on publishing in Kindle Direct Publishing, where I’ll walk you through the process and answer those lingering questions. |
| The Power of Pros to Transform: Changing People and Reshaping Society One Story at a Time – Dan Chiras – Intermediate – 2 Hours Writers expose social and economic injustice, inequities, cruelties, prejudices, and dangerous beliefs. In this workshop, we’ll explore some examples of how the pros help bring about change by looking at and analyzing examples from some of the world’s finest writers. We’ll discuss how this element of fiction enhances short stories and novels and how writers can weave their commentary into their works. |
| The Power of Storytelling in Marketing: Unlock the Marketing Superpower You Already Have—Your Story – Kirsten “Kiki” Ringer – Intermediate – 1 Hour Marketing doesn’t have to feel salesy, overwhelming, or like it’s stealing time from your writing life. In this session, we’ll explore how storytelling—the very skill you’ve already mastered—can be your most effective marketing tool. You’ll learn how to craft authentic, emotionally resonant marketing messages that connect with readers and build long-term relationships, not just book sales. We’ll cover the neuroscience behind why storytelling works, explore real-life examples from authors who’ve built loyal followings, and walk through practical strategies you can start using immediately. |
| The Protagonist Antagonist Dance – Deborah Courtney – Beginner – 1 Hour The relationship between the protagonist and the antagonist in any story can be far more complex than straight rivalry and does not need to be limited to good versus evil. This session digs into the possibilities for complex interactions between the most important characters in your fiction, and how to build the relationship that best suits your plot. |
| The Query Letter Clinic – Elizabeth Copps* – Intermediate – 2 Hours A hands-on workshop where participants: learn query letter best practice; receive live feedback on drafts; understand what makes a query stand out; learn the art of the elevator pitch; and practice pitching their work concisely and effectively. |
| The Shadow and the Flame: How to Use Foreshadowing in Any Genre – Rachel Craft –All – 1 Hour Foreshadowing isn’t just for mysteries and thrillers—it can heighten tension, build atmosphere, and illuminate theme in any genre and age category. But foreshadowing is a slippery subject to learn; oftentimes, we don’t know it until we see it. This class will demystify this literary technique by presenting concrete, actionable methods to incorporate foreshadowing into your work-in-progress. |
| The Unlikable Main Character – Deborah Courtney – Beginner – 1 Hour It’s easy to write a likable main character, but how do you write a main character that isn’t so likable, and why would you want to? This session walks you through WHY you might write an unlikable main character and how to execute that character so that they are relatable for the reader. |
| The Writer’s Compass: Crafting Stories that Guide and Inspire Change – Kimasia Ayers – All – 2 Hours Great stories don’t just entertain—they move people. They make us feel, think, and act. This session will explore how fiction can serve as a compass for societal change, guiding readers through complex issues with nuanced storytelling; how to craft compelling narratives that inspire action without feeling preachy; and how to balance emotional resonance with thought-provoking themes, ensuring their writing leaves a lasting impact. |
| Theatre Blocking: How Shorthand Can Help You Track Your Characters in Scenes, Fights, and Beyond – Briannica Lynn Briggs – All – 1 Hour B xL 2 g^h. G x20. B s–>R2X. G –>f. While that might be gibberish to some, with theatre shorthand knowledge, anyone can track characters through scenes, environments, and build complex logs for multiple-character fights. |
| Theme as Inspiration and Revision Tool – Jackie Peveto – Intermediate – 1 Hour Writers have many tools at their disposal when it comes to crafting a story, and one of the most powerful—and often overlooked—is theme. In this presentation, we’ll explore how to move beyond limiting one-word themes, how to use theme to tell the story you really want to tell, and, once you have a draft, how to use theme to revise and structure your manuscript. |
| To the Bat Cave! Publishing for Blind Readers – Paul Martz – All – 1 Hour Curious about large print, screen readers, and braille? From myopia to blind as a bat, make sure your book format works with reading technologies for the vision impaired. Bring your reading glasses and let’s take a closer look. |
| Traditional Publishing 101– Jonathan Maberry* & Marie Whittaker – All – 1 Hour Writing is an art; publishing is a business. You can super-charge your career by learning how the business works. Lean what to expect during the traditional publishing process and how to work with your publisher before, during, and after your work has been published. |
| Turning Experiences into Art: The Power of Harnessing Your Knowledge to Fuel Your Writing – V.L. Andromeda – All – 1 Hour In this session, writers will explore how their own personal experiences and unique knowledge makes them an expert in their own writing. Whether it is through a profession, passions, or life journey, personal experiences and the ability to harness those into expertise add depth and authenticity to stories. Learn how to leverage your experiences to craft richer, more compelling narratives that resonate with readers and set your voice apart. |
| Unleash Your Page-Turning Superpower: How to Build Tension, Stakes, and Curiosity in Your Story – Laura Resau – All – 1 Hour Explore how to keep readers turning pages by heightening tension, stakes, and curiosity through strategies that work across genres. We’ll do fun, interactive exercises to delve into techniques like foreshadowing, planting curiosity seeds, dropping clues, weaving in backstory, creating an intriguing atmosphere, racheting up conflict, heightening stakes, adding twists, and more. You’ll discover how to intertwine internal character arcs with external plot points to add depth and urgency. |
| Unlocking Direct Sales – Natasha Gonzalez – Advanced – 1 Hour This workshop is tailored for intermediate-level authors seeking to expand their revenue streams and gain more control over their publishing journey. In today’s rapidly evolving publishing landscape, direct sales have become an invaluable tool for authors to connect directly with their audience, maximize profits, and build sustainable careers. This workshop aims to equip you with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to set up and optimize your own direct sales platform. |
| Using Dialogue to Progress Plot: Lessons from Scriptwriting – Rachel Dempsey – Intermediate – 1 Hour While strong scripts rely almost entirely on dialogue to reveal plot, novelists utilize many more modes of writing, including action, description, exposition, and interiority. Yet dialogue can and should play a vital role in moving the story forward. In this workshop led by playwrights and a screenwriter, you’ll learn how to craft voices that leap off the page in a single bound. |
| Voice: Your Hidden Superpower! – Bowen Gillings – All – 1 Hour Voice sets authors apart. Voice is how each author makes the tale their own. Voice is the storyteller in each of us. This workshop will help writers identify their voice and learn how to tap into it every time they go to work. |
| What Happens Next? Secrets to Keeping Your Reader Turning the Page – Z.J. Czupor – Intermediate – 1 Hour What happens next? Secrets to the art and craft of keeping your reader hooked and turning the page of your thriller novel. This session explores how to create tension to keep readers engaged in your novel with foreshadowing, suspense, and surprise plot twists. |
| What’s at Stake? Using Stakes to Build Story and Hook your Reader – Johanna Parkhurst – Intermediate – 1 Hour There’s an old saying in fiction writing: raise the stakes to keep your reader engaged in your story. But what does it really mean to create stakes and fully invest a reader in your story? How are stakes connected to character, plot, setting, and narrative voice, and how do they build the foundation of your story? This interactive class offers exercises for establishing and raising the stakes that will keep your audience flipping pages as fast as you can write them. |
| When Science Meets Fiction: Generate Supercharged Stories with Real-World Research – Tasha Christensen – All – 1 Hour Science and storytelling—an unstoppable duo! In this workshop, we’ll explore how real-world research can supercharge your fiction, making even the most fantastical worlds feel authentic. Whether you’re writing hard sci-fi, historical fiction, or anything in between, discover how to strike the perfect balance between fact and imagination. Writers of all genres welcome! |
| Worldbuilding? You’ll Need Some Government – David Rodeback – Intermediate – 1 Hour Your story may need a little government or a lot. We’ll discuss a basic framework, lots of questions to ask yourself, and how to decide what kind(s) of government your story needs, how much you need, and which parts. Along the way we’ll note almost endless possibilities for weaving more conflict and tension into your fiction, and we’ll practice a bit. |
| Write Lore Your Readers Won’t Forget – Stant Litore – All – 2 Hours Our mythologies shape and define us. Explore techniques for designing the stories behind the story you’re telling – the stories that your characters either carry in their hearts or resist with all their capacity. |
| Write Worlds Your Readers Won’t Forget – Stant Litore – All – 2 Hours Like a god, you get to invent a world. But how do you make this a world your readers never want to leave? Explore how to build fictional worlds that grip the heart. Create imaginary religions and design fascinating environments, creatures, and cultures. |
| Writing Fight and Action Scenes – Jonathan Maberry* – All – 1 Hour Well-written fights and chase and action scenes can turn a book into a red-hot page-turner…but they have to be done right. Join Jonathan Maberry (former bodyguard, 8th degree black belt jujutsu master, and former expert witness for murder cases involving martial arts.) for a no-holds barred workshop on how to write believable and riveting fight and action scenes. |
| Writing for Young Adults: Finding “All The Feels” – Jennifer Wilson – Beginner – 1 Hour To awaken your inner teen, we’ll dive into the writing nuances of YA fiction. Discover how to spot and edit out the grown-up voice that has crept into your story. Understand the key points of developing authentic characters that teens relate to while avoiding stereotypes. Learn to recognize the lines that can be crossed and where to pull back. We’ll examine tropes, discuss the pacing for a successful YA story and the industry standards you should be following, and then jump into exercises designed to reconnect you with those teenage emotions we try to suppress. |
| Writing Intimate Scenes with Heat and Heart – Mariah Ankenman – Beginner – 1 Hour Want to add intimate scenes to your book but unsure where to start? Learn how to write scenes that add emotion and passion to your book without sounding cheesy or creepy. This class is perfect for writers looking to add depth and authenticity to their romantic scenes. |
| Writing Media Tie-In Fiction – Jonathan Maberry* – All – 1 Hour Ever wanted to write a Star Wars story? Or a story about Superman, Star Trek, or Marvel superheroes? And, for pay – not as unpaid fan fiction. Media tie-in writing is a lot of fun, a great way to stretch as a writer, and there’s a lot of it out there waiting for new writers. This fast-paced workshop explores working with license holders; finding work; multi-platform writing; and identifying markets tied to movies, TV, comics, games, and more! |
| X-Genre: Mastering the Art of the Marketable Crossover Project – Meghan Molin – All – 1 Hour Have you unleashed your inner mad scientist and brewed up a genre-bending masterpiece? Congratulations, you’re an X-Genre creator! But how do you market a story that defies easy categorization? We’ll analyze successful cross-genre books, explore strategies for identifying your target audience, and transform your genre-defying vision into a marketable success. |
