A Decade in Traditional Publishing: Agent and Author Perspectives – Sara Megibow, Laura Gabriel, Michael Haspil – Advanced – 1 Hour

Michael F. Haspil is the author of GRAVEYARD SHIFT (TOR Books/ Macmillan) - he has written in and around traditional publishing for over a decade now. Laura Gabriel, conversely, is the debut author of EDEFNALL - a fantasy romance novel releasing in 2027. Sara Megibow is the literary agent who represents them both and who has worked in publishing since 2006. 

What’s changed in traditional publishing? What can Laura expect that Michael could never have dreamed of? And what did Michael go through that Laura won’t have to worry about? Who are the readers, the publishers, the agents and bookstores that make up our book world today and how does that impact an author?

This is a panel run by three content experts and the goal is to share truly behind-the-scenes experiences, perspectives and tips. What worked a decade ago, what works now and how can you make traditional publishing work for you. We’ll leave plenty of time for Q&A!

AI and Authorship: Separating the Hype from the Reality – Matt Ginsberg – Advanced – 1 Hour

In this workshop, Matt Ginsberg, a senior scientist at Google's DeepMind, will discuss the likely impact of AI on the writing business.  Can AI help us, or is it simply a threat?  Do the big tech companies respect copyright?  How can you use the technology *without* letting it do the writing for you?  The workshop will be about half commentary, and then allow substantial time for audience questions.

Audiobooks: What the Author Needs to Know – Tom Farrell – Intermediate – 1 Hour

We cover "why audiobooks." The sales growth in audiobooks in certain genres year over year.

• What makes a good audiobook?
• Narration and best practices in narrating
• Reviews and Awards for audiobooks
• Retailers
• Avenues for producing audiobooks
• ACX and the audition process
• Distribution to Retailers
• Review of Inaudio (fka Findaway) and Spotify
• Types of compensation by retailer
• Reports and Analytics available
• Marketing
• Contract Review
  

The Authentic Book Launch – Cynthia Swanson – Intermediate – 1 Hour

When authors are preparing to launch a book, they often hear that they MUST do [insert non-negotiable task here] so readers know about their book. How do you sift through ideas and trends to determine what works for your audience -- and for you? In this session, we'll talk about what it takes to create authentic connections with readers, booksellers, librarians, and book clubs , and how to customize launch strategies to meet your specific goals.

The Bad Seed: How to Grow Deliciously Wicked Antagonists – Travis Tougaw – All – 1 Hour

Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty. Harry Potter and Voldemort. James Bond and Goldfinger. Stories thrive on conflict between heroes and villains; the more memorable the bad guy, the more chances for the good guy to shine. In this workshop, we’ll explore several archetypes of antagonists and how you can use them in your stories.

Build Your Practical, Productive, Profitable Platform – Jennifer Wilkov – Advanced – 1 Hour

Every writer writes a book with the intention of getting it to the readers they wrote it for, whatever genre it is in. However, understanding what it takes to actually get your book out into the marketplace and attract attention and/or grow your sales can seem like a mystery of its own.  Break through the confusion, discover myriad ways to market your book, and start using it to attract more readers, agents, publishers, publicists, press and clients to your book and work.

Capturing Middle Grade Voice in an Adult World – Rod Martinez – All – 1 Hour

Capturing the voice of a young protagonist isn't as hard as we make it as adult writers, my choice to work in middle grade stemmed from being that parent who hung with kids alot - naturally, grasping the middle grade voice was inevitable. In my presentation I will walk you back in time to your childhood and pull out the voice you need to write a convincing young hero, heroine or antagonist.

Chair Yoga for Writers – Kate Jonuska – All – 1 Hour

Let yoga relax your tissues and reset your busy mind. Bring only your body to this accessible yoga class, which takes place almost entirely in a chair and can be done in almost any attire. Session will end with a brief guided meditation. 

Critique Partner Speed Dating – Kate Jonuska – All – 2 Hours

All writers benefit from peer critique! Find a critique group, beta reader, or other peer-feedback friend at this low-pressure, guided networking session.

Critiquing Opening Pages (Like an Agent) – Mira Landry, Chelsea Pennington – Intermediate – 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? Former 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 your first 1-2 pages of your manuscript without identifying details before August 20, and yours might be selected for a live critique.

Cross Pollination: Mastering the Art of the Marketable Crossover Project – Meghan Molin – Intermediate – 2 Hours

So, you've unleashed your inner mad scientist and brewed up a genre-bending masterpiece? You're a cross-genre author! But how do you write and market a story that defies easy categorization? This class will equip you with strategies for identifying your unique target audience, crafting queries or back cover copy that highlight the best of both  worlds, and the avenues for success and struggle selling cross-genre fiction both traditionally and Idie.

Develop Your Characters' Voices: A Hands-On Workshop – Kelley Lindberg – All – 1 Hour

This fun, hands-on workshop is full of painless exercises that will help you go beyond simple dialogue and observations to develop uniquely authentic character voices. Learn to identify the difference between a character’s voice and your authorial voice, then dive into a variety of short, guided writing prompts to make those unique voices come to life. Bring your favorite writing implements and listen to your characters speak!

Deviously Twisted Mystery Writing – Kim Olgren – All – 1 Hour

A good twist is not just unexpected. It must be satisfying, and leave the reader wondering how they didn't see it coming. Learn about a variety of twist options and how to use them effectively.

Dialogue Diagnosis: Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them – Travis Tougaw – All – 1 Hour

Dialogue is one of the key ingredients for a tasty story; however, it’s also one of the most difficult to get right. In this workshop, we’ll cover some of the common dialogue mistakes writers make, and we’ll look at how to fix them.

Dissecting the Story: Critiquing Like a Surgeon – Kate Jonuska – All – 1 Hour

We all want our stories to live! This session teaches how critique (a.k.a. reading like a writer) can diagnose problems in your own work and that of your critique partners. With surgery as a metphor, we'll dive into both structural and cosmetic feedback, and send you out into the world with a firmer grasp of what makes a story successful. 

Diving into Diversity: Dodging the Dangerous – Rod Martinez – All – 2 Hours

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. Diving into Diversity: Dodging the Dangerous flows through these subjects and more in a smooth, fun entertaining way while still keeping us on task and more importantly, keeping our readers glued to the story and not the politics.

DIY Critique Group – Miranda Darrow – All – 1 Hour

The who, what, why, when, where, and how of critique groups. Get the toolkit you need to start your own critique group or revitalize the one you’re in. Tips on how to find your people, critique best practices and options, tech tips, and more so you can start polishing those manuscripts and make new writing friends!

Fanfiction Is Practice, Not the Product: How to Train in Borrowed Worlds – VL Andromeda – All – 1 Hour

Fanfiction has long been a starting point for many writers—but in today’s publishing landscape, it’s also at the center of ongoing ethical and creative debate.

This workshop reframes fanfiction into what it is best known for: a powerful training ground. Attendees will learn how to use inspiration from existing works to strengthen their skills without crossing into derivative storytelling.

Filtering: Why, When, Where, and Why Not? – Kendra Griffin – All – 1 Hour

Want readers to feel closer to your protagonist, as well as your prose? Learn how to reduce filtering so that your narrative voice pops and your setting feels visceral and immersive. In this session, we'll discuss the concepts of filtering, narrative distance, and developing an engaging voice.

Frankengenre — The Unending World of Genre Fusion – Gabriella Batel – Intermediate – 2 Hours

Prize-winning author Gabriella Batel dives into her experience writing genre fusion fiction, and distills her discoveries into core elements that will give single-genre veterans the tools they need to mix it up and reach their readers. In this workshop, we'll delve into what, exactly, genre fusion is, how to recognize it, and how to dissect it into its parent components, while simultaneously viewing such genres and stories as entities of their own. Establishing rules for yourself as the author and making those rules visible for your readers puts you on solid ground, and gives you the opportunity to worldbuild well, which is the pinion that hold genre fusion together. Gabriella will give tips on how to make quick progress on writing in this completely new area, as well as practical advice on how not to just shove two genres together in a mishmash, but to truly balance and interweave the genres into something completely new, satisfying, and stronger than the sum of its parts. 

From First Book to Full-Time Author: What It Really Takes – Natasha Gonzalez – Intermediate – 1 Hour

The transition from hobbyist to professional

From Manuscript to Market: Demystifying Traditional Publishing – Mira Landry – Intermediate – 2 Hours

Perhaps you’ve been around the writing world long enough to know the basics—if you plan to publish traditionally you need to write a manuscript, find an agent, sell it to a publishing house, and then people can buy your book, right? But perhaps all the in-betweens and maybe some before-and-after steps are still unclear? This workshop will breakdown a “typical” traditional publishing trajectory, from editing through selling, realistic expectations for timelines, advance amounts, and selling rights, and how to prep now to build your career later.

From Picture Books to YA: Writing for the Next Generation of Readers – Natasha Gonzalez – Intermediate – 1 Hour

Bringing together children’s and YA authors to explore how storytelling evolves across age groups—and what it takes to truly connect with younger audiences today.

Gamify Your Writing to Level Up Your Productivity and Reader Engagement – Miranda Darrow – All – 1 Hour

What do kanban boards, pomodoro timers, SMART goals, and fancy notebooks with gel pens all have in common? They’re all tools we can use to increase our writing productivity by gamifying getting words on the page. Find out what motivates you with tips and tools to level up your writing productivity!

Geography? Geology? Geometry? Let's Talk Maps! – Ryanne Glenn – All – 1 Hour

What's the best part about world-building? Building the world! In this workshop, we'll go through different landforms, geological structures, and why people live where they do. By looking at those details, you'll be able to create a viable, livable world that feels real to every reader.

Going from 0-60: Write Pacing Your Readers Won't Forget – Stant Litore – Intermediate – 2 Hours

How do you rev up the speed at just the right moments, give just the right amount of pause for breath, and play with readers’ expectations in ways that build suspense and give your readers surprises they'll be discussing for days? Find out how to fix saggy plots and keep your readers on the edge of their seats.

Harnessing the Power of BookFunnel to Find Your Audience – Christy Matheson – Advanced – 1 Hour

Are you trying to learn about your audience? Conduct market research at (almost) no cost? Get your writing in more readers’ hands? BookFunnel is one of the most powerful tools out there, but many emerging authors find it overwhelming or miss key features. 

In this presentation, I will:

• walk you through the logistics of setting up your account on BookFunnel
• discuss how to interpret your data
• share some ideas for market research
• point out some extra features that can save you time and money
• and cover the basics of the importance of building a newsletter

This presentation is for you if you are thinking of publishing within the next six months, have a BF account but don’t use it often, have a couple books out but don’t know what to do next, or have heard “you should start a newsletter” but have no idea how. BookFunnel is a key player in sharing and distributing your books, and this presentation will help you get the most value from the platform. 

Harvest Time: World-Building for Historical Fiction – Laurie Marr Wasmund – All – 2 Hours

Writers of historical fiction know that their readers look forward not only to reading about strong characters but also want a well-developed sense of the times in which the characters live. Unlike other genres, where a world may be created through imagination, historical world-building requires fine-tuned research. How do your characters live? Where do they find food? What type of transportation is available to them, and what is it called? In this workshop, we’ll look at the details authors need to create a seamless, immersive world for their characters and readers.

Harvest Your Inspiration Through Short Stories – Lesley Smith – All – 1 Hour

Short stories are one of the most adaptable and fertile forms a writer can cultivate. They offer a compact, flexible space where ideas can take root quickly, grow with intention, and yield both creative and professional rewards. This workshop shows writers how to use short fiction to strengthen their craft, expand their skills, and build momentum in their writing lives.

Short fiction thrives on focus and purposeful choices, qualities that elevate all writing. We’ll explore how character, plot, setting, emotion, theme, and voice flourish within the space of short form. Writers will learn how to shape a complete and satisfying story, identify what deserves to grow on the page, and use short fiction as a rich field for experimentation and discovery.

We’ll also look at how short stories can help cultivate a thriving writing career, discover how short fiction can serve as newsletter content, reader-engagement tools, Patreon/Kickstarter rewards, lead magnets, and entry points into larger fictional worlds. We’ll examine traditional, semi-pro, and indie markets and how to evaluate opportunities.

Participants will leave with practical strategies for using short stories to sharpen their craft and harvest new opportunities at any stage of their writing journey.

Help a Writer Pull the Weeds: Being a Good Critique Partner – David Rodeback – All – 1 Hour

How to give useful critique as an alpha reader, beta reader, or other critique partner or a member of a critique group. What to look for and report, critiquing in and outside your genre, the necessity of candor, managing the relationship, and critiquing the writing, not the writer. Examples of useful responses from real beta-reading, a useful tool or two, and some encouragement.

Homegrown Heroes: The Real Meaning of Write What You Know – Rachel Dempsey, Mira Landry – Intermediate – 1 Hour

We’ve all heard it, but how does “write what you know” really apply to fiction, especially when writing about things as removed from one’s lived experience as vampires, dragons or aliens? In this workshop, we will provide concrete tools from the theater world and beyond to help us build characters organically, from the inside out. Drawing from a wealth of both fiction and academic reading, we will explore methods for tapping into what we know emotionally, as artists, to infuse our characters with passion and authenticity.

Hooks vs. Tropes Which Is Which? – Mariah Ankenman – All – 1 Hour

Confused about what’s a hook and what’s a trope? Learn from author Mariah Ankenman what are they and how to include them in your book to grab agent/publisher/readers attention no matter what publishing path you take.

How To Find an Agent: Best Practices – Rachel Weaver – Intermediate – 2 Hours

Are you feeling overwhelmed at how to narrow down which agents might be a good fit for you? Are you querying to no avail? Just wondering how it all works? In this class, we will discuss practices that can save you time, along with unnecessary rejections, as you navigate the path of finding a literary agent to represent your book.

How to Hook a Reader in Your First Ten Pages – Rachel Weaver – All – 2 Hours

It doesn’t matter how good your book is overall if your first ten pages don’t hook a reader effectively. Most agents request the first few pages to see if they want to read the rest of the book, most readers standing in a bookstore will give the opening pages a try to decide if they want to buy your book and Amazon has added that handy Look Inside button that shows the reader, you guessed it, your opening pages so that they can decide if they want to spend their hard-earned money on your book.
 
There are tried and true ways to hook a reader such that he or she HAS to read the rest of the book. In this class, we will discuss concrete ways to do this such as employing Jerome Stern’s concept of position changes from Making Shapely Fiction, effective crumb dropping to create specific questions your reader will continue reading to find out the answer to, identifying your inciting incident for a powerful kick-start to your story, and what to do with that backstory.

How to Make an Audiobook for Your Novel – and Harvest Millions of New Readers – Kevin Campbell – Advanced – 1 Hour

Audiobook sales are exploding. It’s the fastest growing format in publishing, and millions of potential listeners prefer listening to books instead of reading them. Audiobooks are perfect for busy readers who want to “read” a book while traveling, exercising or multitasking. Audiobooks are also excellent for writers to expand their audience, create a new revenue stream, and hear  their stories to help them make edits prior to submitting to agents and publishers. Self-publishing writers can reach many more readers as well. There are 3 major audiobook publishers (Audible, Spotify and Apple Books) who are always looking for new content.

The old way of making audiobooks – hiring a voice-over talent, recording in a studio, and spending days editing – used to cost up to $15,000. Now you can easily produce one for $50 - $500.

How to Not Need Me (an Editor) — Self-Editing Techniques That Will Impress Your Own Editor (Who You Definitely Still Need) – Gabriella Batel – All – 2 Hours

Prize-winning author and editor Gabriella Batel lets you in on professional not-so-secrets that editors use to take manuscripts to the next level, so you can use those exact same techniques on your own story. While hiring a professional is still a necessary step on the road to publication, Gabriella's advice can, in some instances, reduce cost, and will, in all instances, make your experience with your editor smoother and leave you with a stronger result. She'll differentiate the different types of editing, walk you through each one, and provide thorough, in-depth, easy-to-remember, and clear to implement questions and exercises that will help you scrutinize your manuscript and turn it into something that shines.

In A Nutshell: Elevator Pitches, Comp Titles, Taglines, and Other Quick Positioning – Viengsamai Fetters – All – 1 Hour

Find yourself floundering when asked about your book? Learn about different ways to quickly describe your work, and what publishers use them for--then try your hand at crafting them.

Indie Publishing: Friend or Foe? – Laurie Marr Wasmund – Intermediate – 1 Hour

This course is designed as an introduction to the ever-evolving indie market. It focuses on defining and clarifying terms of the indie/self-publishing world and on answering questions of those who have one toe in the water but are reluctant to dive into the ocean. Ample time is given for questions and the sharing of experiences between participants.

Intertextuality: The Art of Grafting Classic and Contemporary Ideas – Rachel Dempsey – All – 1 Hour

All stories exist in relationship with one another, according to the theory of intertextuality. We will explore how to capitalize on this principle as fiction writers, tapping into shared knowledge as well as existing markets and readerships. Examining techniques from classic and contemporary literature, we will cover a range of approaches, including retellings and re-imaginings, satire and parody, and literary allusion and tropes.

It Builds Character: 4 Steps to Creating Characters That Readers Will Root for and Remember – Chelsea Pennington – All – 1 Hour

You can have the coolest world or the most exciting plot, but if your characters fall flat, most readers won’t bother finishing the book or remember it if they do. In this workshop, learn the 4 basic building blocks of creating a character who is flawed and relatable and will have readers rooting for them. Once you have a compelling character, we will then discuss how to use what you know about your character to create a plot that is tied directly to their growth.

Just-In-Time Description and World Building (How to Avoid Those Info-Dumps) – Kelley Lindberg – All – 1 Hour

Whether you’re writing modern murder mysteries, historical rom-coms, urban fantasies, or space operas, your characters exist in a world that includes features like geography, transportation, money, religion, politics, magic, bureaucracies, pandemics, or natural disasters. Learn how to avoid info-dumping while still creating a believable world that your characters inhabit and your readers will love.

Kickstarter 201: Let's Do This – Caitee Cooper – Advanced – 1 Hour

So you want to run a Kickstarter campaign. Awesome! This workshop (which is built for first-timers, though all levels are welcome), will dive deeper into the mechanics, best practices, expectations, and resources you’ll need to give your campaign the best chance for success.

Participants will walk away knowing:

• More about the Kickstarter platform and how to use it.
• What potential backers are looking for and how to give it to them.
• How to structure pledge tiers for success.
• How to set up an attractive, compelling campaign page that will entice potential backers to pledge.
• How to get organized to make fulfillment easier.
• How to analyze costs like a businessperson to maximize profit.
• Techniques for managing the stresses that arise before, during, and after a campaign.
• Where to turn for help, advice, and community.
  

Let’s Kill Some Characters — with Science – Ryanne Glenn – All – 1 Hour

From acid baths to chloroform, to extreme temperatures, there's a thousand ways to kill a character. But as wonderful as fiction can be, we do still live in a real world with real rules. This class will cover some basic science principles that most mainstream fiction and media get wrong. And if you want to kill (or maim) your characters accurately, this is the place for you!

Let’s Start a Newsletter: How to Grow Your Audience – Chelsea Pennington – Intermediate – 2 Hours

Starting a newsletter to connect with readers is arguably the most important piece of your author platform, and certainly the most reliable, but so many people don’t think they can start an email list before they’re published, or are intimidated by all the steps to creating and using one. In this session, we will walk through, step-by-step, setting up an account in MailerLite, writing your introductory email, and creating a newsletter sign-up form so that by the end of class, attendees will be ready to start gaining subscribers. Please bring your laptop so you can follow along.

Lights! Camera! Novel! Movie and Screenplay Lessons for Writing Prose – Karen Lin – All – 2 Hours

Learn stunts used by screenwriters to power up prose. Learn how to study movies, download free screenplays, and use well-known examples to add snappy fun skills to your toolbox.
 
Plot, casting, dialogue, subtext, metaphor, formatting (different but the same), endings (CUT!), beginnings, mood, on-the-nose and other warnings, conveying status, comparable elements between the two industries: “Script Doctor” vs Writing coach, “Coverage” vs Beta readers, “Auditions” vs Pitch and Log lines, "Treatment" vs Synopses, “Managers and agents” vs Representation, “Directors” vs Editors, “Oscars” vs Lit Awards, “Producers” vs Publishers, “Read scripts/watch movies” vs Read in your genre, "Festivals” vs Network: conferences, retreats, Critique groups, “Post production" vs Commercial viability, “High Concept” vs Premise, “Read scripts” vs Read books, “Learn craft” vs Learn craft, “Network” vs Conferences, Critique groups etc, “Box office” vs Sales, “Pitch Deck” a Visual pitch” vs elevator pitch, “Writer for higher” vs Ghostwriting, “on-spec” vs up front pay and Freelance, “mumble core” vs Shorts, “documentaries” vs nonfiction, “IMDB” vs Amazon, 3-ACT or not? Many more things in common such as the habit of making and meeting deadlines.
 
What elements do the stories you’ve loved have in common?

Literary Telephone: There Are No New Stories, Only New Storytellers – VL Andromeda, Oliver Blakemore – All – 1 Hour

As creators, there is immense pressure to invent something that has never been done before. We’ve all heard it: everything has already been written. And when imposter syndrome creeps in, it whispers, What’s the point? But when that voice gets loud, we forget the one thing that has not been done: you. Your voice. Your lived experience. Your lens. You have not told every story—which means there are still stories to tell.

In this collaborative workshop, we will examine the idea that originality does not come from inventing a brand-new plot, but from filtering timeless narrative structures through your unique perspective. Using foundational narrative frameworks—such as the 52 prompts, the quest, transformation arcs, revenge narratives, forbidden love, and classic setups—we will explore how multiple authors across decades have told similar stories in radically different ways.

Originality isn’t about inventing something the world has never seen. It’s about refusing to silence your voice because someone else has said something similar. You are not competing with every story that came before you. You are participating in a conversation that has lasted centuries.

The Long Game: Building a Sustainable Author Business – Natasha Gonzalez – Advanced – 1 Hour

Most authors focus on launches—few build careers. In this workshop, Natasha breaks down how to think beyond a single book and create a sustainable author business. Learn when to scale, where to focus your time and money, and how to turn your books into long-term assets that continue generating revenue well beyond release.

Make the News, Don't Buy It: Publicity for Authors – LS Hawker – Advanced – 1 Hour

Fiction authors often assume that meaningful publicity requires expensive advertising or hiring a professional PR firm. This workshop challenges that belief by demonstrating how strategic, do-it-yourself publicity can generate significant sales, credibility, and visibility—at little to no cost.

Drawing from real-world entrepreneurial experience, this session walks participants through proven, practical methods for attracting media attention, crafting compelling press releases, and leveraging both traditional media and digital platforms. Attendees will learn how a single well-placed media mention can outperform costly advertising, and how to build a sustainable publicity strategy that drives measurable results.

The Many Angles of Showing Vs. Telling – Mira Landry – All – 2 Hours

“Show don’t tell” is a common writerly rule for an important 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. We’ll discuss how to differentiate when you should show versus tell and how to elevate it with originality and trusting your reader, instead of only using visceral description.

Marketing as Mischief: Creative Ways to Get Noticed – LS Hawker – Advanced – 1 Hour

In today’s publishing landscape, a strong author platform is essential—but many writers struggle to balance authentic connection with effective marketing. This practical, strategy-driven workshop breaks down the difference between social media sharing and selling, and shows authors how to build a platform that engages readers while driving book sales.

Master Your Novel Pitch: How to Write, Refine, and Deliver a Pitch That Hooks Your Future Agent – Kevin Campbell – Intermediate – 2 Hours

In this interactive workshop, writers will learn how to craft a compelling logline and transform it into a clear, engaging one-minute novel pitch. Participants will explore what literary agents are really listening for, including concept clarity, conflict, and stakes. Through guided exercises, attendees will write their own pitches, practice delivering them in a supportive environment, and gain confidence overcoming stage fright. The session also prepares writers to answer common agent questions, helping them present their work professionally and increase their chances of receiving requests for pages.

Mastering the Art of Great Conflict – Sarah MacLean – All – 2 Hours

Conflict is the gas in the engine of every aspect of the romance novel, from character to setting to theme. This workshop is an overview of how conflict works, how we build it, how we layer it, and why it's the key to the very best romance novels. This is Sarah MacLean's hallmark workshop.

Metadata Is Marketing: How Readers Actually Find Your Book – Kiki Ringer – Advanced – 1 Hour

Metadata isn't just backend data. It's how readers find your book. Learn how keywords, BISAC/Thema codes, ISBN metadata, and categories drive discoverability across Amazon, Ingram, and retail platforms. This session shows how to position your book so the right readers can actually find it.

Morning Meditation and Writer Wellbeing – Johnny Worthen – All – 1 Hour

Join author Johnny for discoveries in eastern philosophy with their application to the life of an author with its many disappointments. Session includes directed mindfulness meditation and lecture on concepts that directly speak to the writer’s journey. There’s much to gain

The Multi-POV Novel – Cynthia Swanson – All – 1 Hour

For novelists, there is true challenge – and also great reward – in writing multiple points-of-view. Do you focus on a single main character, with all other POVs secondary? Do you alternate among several key POVs? How do you make your various characters' voices distinctive? In this hands-on workshop, we'll look at successful multi-POV novels and discuss how you can effectively incorporate multiple POVs into your own work.

My Pants Are Missing: The Pantsing and Plotting Continuum – Rochelle Hampton – All – 1 Hour

As authors you’ve heard about pantsing and plotting, but what if you don’t even know where your pants are? This session talks about pantsing, gardening, plotting, and Blythe Brandenburg’s idea of Mountaineering. Get some resources to figure out what works for you, and get an idea of how to get past writer’s block.

Networking the Conference: Getting Out of Your Shell and Getting Known – Bowen Gillings – All – 1 Hour

A writers conference holds layers of value. Beneath the shiny, tempting surface of workshops and query sessions lies the deeper, richer motherlode of networking. Conference veteran Bowen Gillings will lead you through how to work it so that, by Sunday lunch, key people know you and want to know you better. This interactive workshop will provide valuable, practical lessons in goal setting, socializing, and self-promotion. We’ll role play on how to push without being pushy, how to be focused while staying casual, and how to hold someone’s attention without seeming to monopolize the conversation. Learn how to properly use business cards and promotional materials. The workshop addresses maximizing planned and opportune free time, meal times, and Bar Con. Plus, how to stay connected post-conference with that agent, editor, or bestselling author you just became friends with.

Pitch Your Way to a Better Book – Rachel Delaney Craft – Intermediate – 1 Hour

Pitching isn’t just for the query process—in fact, writers should be doing it before they even start a new project. Crafting a pitch can help you identify your story’s beating heart, shine a light on what’s missing, and determine which direction you need to go.

In this interactive workshop, we’ll discuss key questions to ask and formulas to fill out as you write your pitch—and, more importantly, what you can take away from them to make your story stronger. Attendees will walk away with not only a working pitch, but also a better plan for drafting or revising their next novel.

Pitch/Query Critique – Sara Megibow – Intermediate – 1 Hour

Literary agent Sara Megibow will listen to your brief pitch or query and provide feedback from an agent perspective and some helpful hints!

This class is limited to 40 participants. 

Plot Twist: AI is Your New Marketing Assistant – Natasha Gonzalez – Intermediate – 1 Hour

Marketing your work doesn't have to be overwhelming, or expensive. In this session, we'll explore how AI-powered tools can help you create eye-catching graphics with ease, and how AI chatbots can take the guesswork out of writing compelling ad copy and building a strategic, consistent marketing schedule. Work smarter, not harder.

Plot(ting) Is Not a Four-Letter Word – Kim Lajevardi – All – 1 Hour

If you've ever settled down to the keyboard with a pocket full of vibes, you may be a pantser. Did you finish, or even even more to the point, did it end up a rodent of unusual size? What feels good in the moment can cause you to curl into the fetal position with your favorite adult beverage when revisions come knocking. So, what can you do when vibes spit out a really good idea? Plot. No, seriously. Let me show you that plot is not the four-letter word you imagine it to be. If I can do it, anyone can.

Positioning, Pitching, and Platforms – Stephanie Stein, Nadia Lynch, Sarah MacLean, Tasha Christensen (Moderator) – Intermediate – 1 Hour

This panel will provide insight from publishing professionals on the nuanced art of positioning your book. From nailing down genre to creating a personal brand, we'll discuss how to condense your story into bite-size morsels that will grab the attention of agents, editors, and readers.

POV, How to Properly Pick Your Poison – Elizabeth Devecchi – All – 1 Hour

You know the story you want to write, and the characters who will populate your work. But how do you decide which POV will best serve your story? How do you pick your poison between First, Second, or Third Person? Ulitmately the choice is yours, but that choice will shape the experience of your readers, so it's important to choose with your personal goals in mind. In this program we will explore the pluses and minuses of each, with examples.

Protect Your Book and Your Characters – Karen Dropps, Bernadette Soehner – Intermediate – 1 Hour

Imagine your character is in an ally and a villan comes up behind them, does your character scream? or do they fight them off and get away safely? In this hands on course learn the basics of self defense.  We will go over how to keep yourself safe and how to protect yourself in the event that you need to. We will look at spatial awareness and techniques to keep you and your characters safe in your enviroment. 

Publishing Isn't a Straight Line: Creating Your Personal Definition of Success – Tasha Christensen, Rob Samborn, Jennifer Wilson, Meghan Scott Molin – Intermediate – 1 Hour

Publishing advice often promises a clear path, but real writing careers are anything but straightforward. In this honest, unfiltered Q&A, a panel of successful authors shares the many ways a writing life can unfold.

From going hybrid to switching agents, from social media to novel alternatives, we’ll explore the ups and downs that shape a career. We’ll challenge the idea of a single definition of success and consider how yours might evolve during your wild and exciting publishing journey.

Bring your grumpiest assumptions and your most burning questions! This session is all about expanding your idea of what’s possible.

The Publishing Timeline Nobody Warned You About – Kiki Ringer – Intermediate – 2 Hours

Most authors start marketing when the book is done. That’s already too late.

Learn the real publishing timeline and what needs to happen months before launch to build visibility, secure reviews, and give your book a real chance to succeed.

Query Right – Bowen Gillings – Intermediate – 1 Hour

Your query is your only chance to make a first impression of you, your work ethic, and your writing. This workshop will give you the common sense tools you need to make that impression a great one. Want to get out of the slush pile and onto an agent's read list? Query Right.

The Query Triad: Master the Basics Before Hitting Send – Bowen Gillings – Intermediate – 1 Hour

Authors seeking traditional publishing must master the basics of the query triad: the query letter, the synopsis, and the manuscript. This workshop will address what authors must do to make it past the trash bin and atop the slush pile or better.

Querying Smarter: Using Data, Strategy, and QueryTracker to Find the Right Agent – Jennifer Wilson – Intermediate – 1 Hour

Querying often feels like tossing seeds into the wind and hoping something takes root. But a successful harvest isn't left to chance, and your query strategy shouldn’t be either! It’s the result of strategic cultivation. Most writers use QueryTracker as a simple spreadsheet tracker, missing the deep-soil data that can separate a "pass" from a "request."

In this session, we’ll move past the basic search bar to transform QueryTracker into your most powerful decision-making tool when querying. You’ll learn to interpret response patterns, read between the lines of submission histories, and build a tiered "planting" strategy that maximizes your reach. Stop guessing and start strategizing. Whether you’re just starting your outreach or are deep in the trenches with crickets, this class provides a repeatable, actionable system to help your manuscript find the right home.

Reclaim and Renew Your Writing Spirit – Sharon Mignerey – Intermediate – 1 Hour

Most of us start writing because it’s fun—because we love stories and the act of creating them. Along the way, we find other writers, experience a little success (or a lot), and sometimes we watch it slip away. The magic fades, the words stall—but the urge to tell stories never quite leaves. This workshop is about finding that joy again, learning from setbacks, staying curious, and keeping the work going. Stories matter—now more than ever—and yours especially.

Riding Between the Brands — Understanding Subtext – Johnny Worthen – Advanced – 1 Hour

Join author and professor Johnny Worthen for a deep dive into the deep waters of subtext. Through examples, theory, and discussion we will explore the importance, uses and misuses of this often ignored narrative device.

Beneath the surface-of narrative lies subtext. Like a ghost or a forgotten promise, it dwells in the spaces between, moving like weighty mist among the words, actions, dialogues, and plots of the tale. It is meaning made of pattern, inference, and false leads. It is the ultimate story-telling device since it relies on the attentive and receptive reader. It is not for the timid.

Run Your Author Business Without Going Insane – Andre Gonzalez – Advanced – 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. Come learn how to strengthen these aspects of your business while maintaining a balance life.

Sales Surge Strategy: How to Stack Promos That Convert – LS Hawker – Advanced – 1 Hour

Unlock the secrets of strategically coordinated book promotions in this informative workshop. You'll learn to leverage multiple marketing avenues, cultivate an engaged author platform, amplify your book’s visibility, boost sales, and expand your readership. Join us and take your author game to new heights.

Save Yourself from Seductive Scammers — 10 Tips to Recognize and Defend Against AI Predators – Debbie Burke – Advanced – 1 Hour

Predators have long targeted authors, promising fame and fortune. In reality, they break hearts and bank accounts. 

Now scammers have a shiny new toy that's supercharged their ability to take advantage of unsuspecting writers. AI programs like Chat GPT, Claude, and Grok vacuum up every scrap of online data about books and authors. Then they send personalized emails full of flattery and crammed with specific details about plots and characters that convince us they actually read our work...and they LOVE it!  

They are incredibly seductive, ensnaring even knowledgeable, sophisticated, experienced authors. Worse, AI helps them polish, refine, and upgrade their techniques to evade detection. 

This timely presentation shows how to recognize and keep ahead of this new breed of scammers. Learn about impersonators, miraculous marketers, and raving reviewers. Weed out phony proposals for media appearances, book clubs, and podcasts. Find reputable sources to vet who's legitimate and who isn't. 

Best of all, discover ways to turn their sneaky scams around to your benefit! 

Scroll-Stopping BookBub Ads: Design, Copy, Convert – LS Hawker – Advanced – 1 Hour

BookBub Ads offer authors a powerful yet underutilized way to reach highly engaged readers and drive measurable book sales. This workshop provides a practical, data-driven approach to creating, testing, and scaling BookBub ad campaigns.

Participants will learn how to leverage BookBub’s unique audience—comprised largely of high-frequency readers with diverse genre interests—to increase visibility and maximize return on investment. Through real-world examples and case studies, attendees will gain the tools needed to craft compelling ad creatives, target the right readers, and interpret performance metrics to improve results.

Short and Sweet: The Art and Business of Short Story Writing – Rachel Delaney Craft, Josh Clark – All – 2 Hours

There are many reasons novel writers should add short fiction to their repertoire. Short stories can not only build your writing resume and make inroads in the publishing industry, but also help you grow your skills and explore new techniques. Join veteran short story writers Josh Clark and Rachel Delaney Craft to learn the basics of short story craft and how to get your work in front of readers. 

We’ll spend the first hour learning the basics of short story craft, from plot and characters to hooky first pages and knockout endings, with a particular focus on how short stories are similar and different to novels. The second half will be all about the business side: finding markets, prepping submissions, navigating contracts, the editing process, and reprints.

The Six-Step Revision Process: Revise Your Novel from First Draft to Final – Miranda Darrow – All – 2 Hours

Revise your manuscript from first draft to polished. Miranda Darrow's Six-Step Process helps break down your edits, from high-level developmental to copyedits while incorporating feedback from critique partners or beta readers plus reminders for steps to get ready for querying or indie publishing.

So You Want to Make an Anthology? – Christy Matheson – Advanced – 1 Hour

Instead of writing as a solitary pursuit, has your author group decided to work together to create an anthology? It’s a wonderful way to promote and support each other⦠but the logistics are more challenging than many authors realize when they begin.

This interactive session will walk participants through the process of creating an anthology. Participants will learn from our experience (and many mistakes made along the way!) producing several award-winning anthologies. We will cover logistics from designing your guiding philosophy, to figuring out how to distribute royalties.

The session will provide opportunities for questions and answers and a sharing of experiences, and ensure participants will leave this session with a better understanding about how to kick-start a joint anthology project with fellow authors and to harness the power of author groups in promoting their writing together.

So You Want to Write Some Romance – Julie Cameron – All – 1 Hour

Romance is the bestselling genre in fiction, yet it’s often misunderstood, underestimated, and under-taught. This fast-paced, interactive workshop pulls back the curtain on the romance genre for writers at every level: from those who want to write a standalone romance novel to literary, thriller, sci-fi, or fantasy writers who want to add a powerful romantic thread to their existing work.
 
Participants will leave with a clear understanding of what romance really is, how the genre works, who reads it, and how to write romantic elements that feel authentic, compelling, and emotionally satisfying.

Social Media For Authors Without Overwhelm – Mariah Ankenman – All – 1 Hour

Love it or hate it, social media is a necessary tool for today’s author. For a lot of authors it can be overwhelming: what do I post? when do I post? where do I post? In this one hour workshop bestselling Author Mariah Ankenman will teach you how to make your social media work for you so you save your creative energy for your manuscript.

Spine-Tingling Stories: Writing Horror for MG and YA Readers – Shelly Romero – All – 1 Hour

Writer beware ⦠you’re in for a workshop of a scare!

Join editor-turned-agent and certified Scream Queen Shelly Romero as she gives a crash-course on the children’s horror genre and how you can use elements ranging from tone, illustrations and formatting to scare your youngest of readers 

The State of Speculative Fiction – Stephanie Stein, Arley Sorg, Shelly Romero, Tasha Christensen (Moderator) – Advanced – 1 Hour

Get the lowdown on the latest happenings in sci-fi, fantasy, and horror publishing. We'll discuss the meaning of evolving terms like "speculative," "romantasy," and "cozy"; dive into what's selling and what's oversaturated; and provide tips on how to stand out as a spec fic author. From genre mashups to the all-powerful BookTok, it's an exciting time to be in speculative fiction!

Stop Writing for 'Everyone' – Kiki Ringer – All – 1 Hour

If your book is for everyone, it’s reaching no one.

Learn the difference between your ideal audience and your target reader, and how narrowing your focus actually expands your reach and drives sales.

Strong Stories Start Small: Building a Foundation That Sustains Your Story Idea – Jennifer Wilson – All – 1 Hour

Most writing problems don’t start in the middle of your book (even though that's where we often feel stuck)—they start at the very beginning! Weak character motivation, unclear goals, soggy middles, and even writer’s block often trace back to foundational issues that weren’t fully developed before drafting began. In this session, we’ll focus on the “seeds” of a strong story: the core elements that determine whether your idea will grow into something compelling... or stall out halfway through.

We’ll break down how to identify your story’s deeper “why,” develop meaningful character goals and conflicts, and build both internal and external arcs that drive the narrative forward. This approach is also a powerful diagnostic for authors receiving rejections related to plot pacing or character stakes, helping you identify exactly where the "roots" of your story may have weakened. You’ll also learn how to translate these ideas into a clear logline and synopsis, giving your story structure and direction.

Plotters and pantsers welcome! This session doesn't tell you how to plot; it simply plants the story seeds for a successful harvest.

The SuperPower of Writing Sprints: Smash Writer's Block – Johnny Worthen – Intermediate – 2 Hours

For those of us who overthink our writing process, writing sprints can help us break through our writer’s block, self-doubt, and paralyzing perfectionism. In this improv-writing workshop, we’ll use writing sprints (timed writing exercises) to glide right past writer’s block, dive deeply into characters, and more. Bring pen & paper or your laptop, and be prepared to let your mind surprise you with fresh, uninhibited writing.

Take That AI! Tap Into Your Engaging Human Voice – Karen Lin – All – 1 Hour

Voice is who you are and how you deliver it. Characters all see the world differently but the writer’s sensibilities still leak through. It’s personal theme, cadence, details noticed and how you break rules. Find your honest, courageous, and evocative voice. 

Teachers drilled “rules” into us. But they are not the only things that make the book truly yours. It’s a challenge to recognize your voice and make it stand out. That unique fingerprint sounds intangible, but it can be studied. We’ll explore how to find your voice and capitalize on it through rhythm, tone, sentence length, language use, unexpected observations, distinctive viewpoint, your aim in scenes, details about your character, dialogue, action style, how you break rules, and your personal theme.

The Ten-Page Test: How to Win Agents and Readers Before Chapter Two – ZJ Czupor – All – 2 Hours

The first ten pages of a novel are critical. Sometimes, even fewer pages, or short chapters in your opening are the key to success. These pages function as an "audition" for your manuscript. Agents, editors, publishers, and readers all invest precious time and money in your story. Even if you self-publish, readers will decide if they want to invest time and money in your novel. In today's highly competitive market, your opening has to hook the reader, set the tone, and more to convince the reader to keep going. This workshop will introduce the key elements necessary to a sizzling opening, with real live examples from recent works, and tests you can use to self-check your success.

The Three Levels of Editing and How to Use Them to Elevate Your Writing – Ariane Peveto – All – 1 Hour

Whether you’re revising on your own or working with an editor, it’s important to understand the three main levels of editing: developmental, line editing, and copyediting. Knowing how they differ from and complement each other will not only save you time, but also give you the most effective and powerful approach to telling your best story. We will discuss these three types, the important questions to address at each level, and practical techniques you can apply to your writing. 

Turning Up the Heat: Mastering the Art of Spicy Romance – Jennifer Wilson – All – 1 Hour

Spicy romance is flying off the shelves, and knowing how to craft those scorching scenes is essential for capturing and holding your audience.

This class delves into the art of crafting scenes that sizzle and how it’s more than just physical. It’s about connection, emotion, and the unspoken language of desire. We'll explore how to build tension, use unspoken communication, create believable characters with palpable chemistry, and write scenes that leave readers breathless and begging for more. By the end of class, you will be able to define the levels of spice, know how to write within your comfort zone, utilize the tropes that readers love, and understand what agents and publishers to query.

Whether you're new to the genre or looking to refine your skills, this workshop will give you the tools you need to turn up the heat in your writing and create romance that truly resonates.

Twisting Tropes, Crossing Genres – Rebecca Fuentes, Rochelle Hampton – All – 1 Hour

Tropes are a shorthand between authors and readers. They tell the reader what to expect, but if nothing unexpected happens, the reader might lose interest. Keep genres and tropes fresh by lifting them from one genre, twisting them, and placing them in a different genre. 

What If to Uh-Oh: Brainstorming The Art of Cause and Effect – Peggy Waide – All – 1 Hour

Call it a chain of events or the ripple effect, but nothing happens by chance because actions have consequences. Every cause has an effect, which leads to an interconnected link of events. Hmmm, that sounds like a story. As authors, we often live in our solitary “writing world’ creating our novels from our own worldview. This interactive workshop will exploit the power of ‘what if’ and ‘wouldn’t it’ to discover a fun way to brainstorm out of the box possibilities of cause and effect for character development, plot development, catastrophes, scene and story settings that will be unique and have you thinking outside of the box.

What’s on My Mind? How Much Time Do You Have? — A Panel of Neurodivergent Writers – Oliver Blakemore, VL Andromeda, Mariah Ankenman – All – 1 Hour

A panel of neurodivergent writers with different backgrounds and varied stages in their careers sit at the front of the room, share stories, and answer questions. We talk about routine-building strategies—for recharging after busy, social weekends—for creating boundaries—oh, and how we tackle stories.

What's the BFD? – Andre Gonzalez – Intermediate – 1 Hour

Want to land one of the most coveted promotional spots in indie publishing — and actually make money from it? This session demystifies the BookBub Featured Deal: what it is, how to apply, how to beat the odds, and how to stack promotions strategically so your book is already climbing the charts when your deal goes live. Whether you've been rejected, afraid of the price tag, or just not sure where to start, this talk will give you a concrete, tactical roadmap to maximize your visibility and ride the post-BookBub wave all the way up the rankings.

When Backstory IS the Story – Cynthia Swanson – All – 1 Hour

It's not unusual for novelists receive the feedback that their manuscript's pace feels slow. Often, this is the result of too much backstory, particularly toward the beginning. But how do you establish the world of your novel without setting the stage? How do you ensure readers have enough information to follow present-day action? In this session, we'll discuss techniques for seamlessly and compellingly weaving backstory into our work, minus the information overload.

When Characters Drive the Plot: No GPS (or Outline) Required – Peggy Waide – All – 2 Hours

Whether you’re a plotter or a pantser, every author wants to write a book that keeps fans turning pages. Character-driven plotting merges character needs and goals with action/events that hold the story together from beginning to end while fulfilling the promise made to the reader in the opening chapter. This method gives you a loose-fitting structure that gives you a launching point while allowing for detours along the way. Characters are the driving force. They start with a problem and must resolve that problem by the end of the book as they undergo new discoveries, choices and changes. We’ll even take time to brainstorm ideas that link these plot elements to your current project, or a new idea.

Who's Alpha Now? Why, When and How to Depict Character Status and Status Changes – Karen Lin – All – 1 Hour

Status changes, even within scenes. Learn why, how and when to use subtle and not-so-subtle shifts in power between heroes, antagonists and supporting characters.
 
A compelling story includes status shifts in character. The hero and the antagonist need high status time, even when in the same room. The hero often inspires with his power. The antagonist often frightens. Through examples, learn key times for the antagonist’s and protagonist’s status to rise and how supporting characters bring out traits of both through their own status, a tool for creating gripping scenes.

Why, Why, Why Delilah? – Peggy Waide – All – 1 Hour

In his song, the legendary Tom Jones asked the question that authors must ask of their characters then answer for their readers. A goal is what a character wants. Motivation is the ‘why’ they want it, the deep-seeded desires, fears and needs that compel them to act. This workshop will dive into examples of various motivations then discuss ways to develop the strongest ones for your plot which will set the stage for the bold, crazy, determined, desperate, vengeful choices your characters make and how to reveal those motivations to your reader over the course of your story.

Worlds That Matter: Using Speculative Fiction to Explore Real Issues – Rachel Delaney Craft, Tasha Christensen, Farrah Frances – All – 1 Hour

Once dismissed as pulpy and escapist, speculative fiction has become more crucial than ever in today’s society. These stories may take place in magical realms or distant galaxies, but they’re often used to explore present-day challenges like prejudice and inequality. Speculative fiction can help open readers’ minds and show us the darkest places where current events like AI and climate change might lead—or give us hope for humankind.
 
This panel will bring together a variety of authors with different genres and backgrounds to show attendees the many ways speculative fiction can make a difference. We’ll demystify the subgenres that fall under this enchanting umbrella, from sci-fi, fantasy, and horror to grimdark, solarpunk, and slipstream. We’ll also discuss ways to incorporate issues that matter to you into your writing, with examples from our own work and others we’ve read.