Conference Schedule
Wednesday, June 15
| 8:15-9:30 | Registration |
| 8:30-9:15 | First-timers Orientation: Getting the Most From the Conference—Letitia Suk |
| 9:30-10:30 | Opening General Session: Speaker—Jane Rubietta—“Dangerous Writers” |
| 10:30-11:00 | Break |
| 11:00-12:15 | Continuing Classes |
- How to Get Published—Rob Currie: Learn to focus ideas, find markets, submit manuscripts in correct format, understand manuscript rights, write query letters, and more. Recommended for people who have not been published.
- Writing Fiction
- Writing Nonfiction: Learn to structure articles and book chapters and explore other forms of nonfiction that sells.
- Writing Beyond the Book—Twila Belk
- Independent Publishing Boot Camp—Athena Dean Holtz: Learn the pros and cons of self-publishing, how to evaluate your options, basics of formatting and cover design, e-book options, and marketing.
- Advanced Career Track: Social-media Marketing—Edie Melson: Prerequisite: one book published or under contract or at least 75 published manuscripts, not counting reprints. Social-media platforms and interfaces are changing at almost a daily rate. And yet, this medium is still critical for published writers wanting to stay connected with their audiences. Instead of always running to catch up, learn how to organize your focus, time, and method to remain on track no matter what happens.
| 12:15-1:45 | Lunch and Free Time |
| 1:45-3:00 | Panel: Magazine, Newsletter, and Website Editors |
| 3:00-3:30 | Break |
| 3:30-4:30 | Electives 1. Editing Yourself for More Sales—Ginger Kolbaba 2. Top 10 Characteristics of Best-selling Books—Rowena Kuo 3. 4. Nail That Pitch: How to Talk to Editors and Agents—Susan Muira 5. Fifty Ways to Cultivate Your Creativity—Michelle Rayburn 6. Creating a Cohesive Career From Everything You Do—Allie Pleiter |
| 4:30-6:30 | Free Time and Dinner |
| 6:30-8:00 | General Session Worship—Michelle Rayburn and Cynthia Ruchti Speaker—Allie Pleiter |
| 8:15-9:45 | Manuscript Critique Groups |
Thursday, June 16
| 8:15-9:00 | Registration |
| 8:30-8:55 | Worship and Devotions—Michelle Rayburn and Cynthia Ruchti |
| 9:00-10:15 | Panel: Specialty and Independent Publishing Editors |
| 10:15-10:45 | Break |
| 10:45-12:00 | Continuing Classes (see Wednesday) |
| 12:00-1:30 | Lunch and Free Time |
| 1:30-2:30 | Electives 1. Art of Storytelling—Cindy Sproles 2. Do’s and Don’ts of Writing for Children—Jesse Florea 3. Feature Writing for Magazines—Jeff McDonald 4. Social Media for the Reluctant: Connecting With Your Readers—Cheri Cowell 5. The Business Side of Writing—Ginger Kolbaba 6. Panel: Literary Agents |
| 2:30-3:00 | Break |
| 3:00-4:00 | Electives 1. Diversity in Publishing: How Writers Can Help—Steven Hutson 2. Twenty Tips for Dynamic Devotions—Cheri Cowell 3. Podcasting for Beginners—Michelle Rayburn 4. Writing a Book Proposal That Will Get Noticed—Catherine DeVries 5. Your Writing Legacy: What Happens to Your Work After You Die—Rowena Kuo 6. Understanding and Negotiating Book Contracts—W. Terry Whalin |
| 4:00-6:30 | Free Time and Dinner |
| 4:15-5:15 | Manuscript Critique Groups |
| 6:30-8:00 | General Session Worship—Michelle Rayburn and Cynthia Ruchti Speaker—Allie Pleiter |
| 8:15-9:45 | Manuscript Critique Groups and Manuscript Makeovers Group Session |
Friday, June 17
| 8:15-9:00 | Registration |
| 8:30-8:55 | Worship and Devotions—Michelle Rayburn and Cynthia Ruchti |
| 9:00-10:15 | Panel: Book Editors |
| 10:15-10:45 | Break |
| 10:45-12:00 | Continuing Classes (see Wednesday) |
| 12:00-1:30 | Lunch and Free Time |
| 1:30-2:30 | Electives 1. Art of the Interview—Jesse Florea 2. 3. Five Ways to Build Your Platform—W. Terry Whalin 4. Speaking to Promote Your Message: Creating a Speech—Jane Rubietta 5. 6. Refining and Redefining Your Writing Career—Cynthia Ruchti |
| 2:30-3:00 | Break |
| 3:00-4:00 | Electives 1. Writing to the General Market—Cindy Sproles 2. 3. 4. Speaking to Promote Your Message: Getting Gigs—Jane Rubietta 5. 6. An Agent’s View of Selling Your Book to a Publisher—Cyle Young |
| 4:00-6:00 | Free Time |
| 4:15-5:15 | Manuscript Critique Groups |
| 6:00-8:30 | Banquet Speaker: W. Terry Whalin—“The Unknown Road Ahead” |
Saturday, June 18
| 8:15-9:00 | Registration |
| 8:30-9:00 | Worship and Devotions—Michelle Rayburn and Cynthia Ruchti |
| 9:15-10:30 | Continuing Classes (see Wednesday) |
| 10:30-11:00 | Break |
| 11:00-12:00 | General Session Speaker—Allie Pleiter |
| 12:00-1:00 | Lunch |
