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 1. 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. 2. Writing Fiction—Angela Hunt: Learn the art of writing fiction by studying the basic elements of plotting, characterization, setting, point of view, evoking emotion, and more. 3. Writing Nonfiction—Leilani Squires: This class will introduce you to the wide variety of nonfiction writing and publishing opportunities available. Discover how to structure articles and nonfiction book chapters effectively and create quality content for print and online articles of various genres. You will also learn practical and professional methods to sell manuscripts and serve local and global communities through the written word. 4. Writing Beyond the Book—Twila Belk: Three truths: (1) Words have power. (2) We can change the world one well-written word at a time. (3) Our words don’t have to be in books to make an impact. Writing opportunities come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and some can reach more readers than the average best-selling book. After all, whatever you read was written by someone. Why not you? 5. 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. 6. Advanced Career Track—Hope Bolinger: Prerequisite: one book published or under contract or at least 75 published manuscripts, not counting reprints. Agents, publishers, editors, readers … they all seem to be at odds with what they want. But we have to win the hearts of all of them to grow our writing careers. This class will explore how to impress these gatekeepers and create a winning book and an author persona they will want to work with time and time again. |
| 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. Begin and End With a Bang: Strong Leads and Conclusions—Jesse Florea 2. Turn Your Memoir Into Christian Living—Rhonda Robinson 3. Writing Flash Fiction—Ronnell Gibson 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. How to Become a Writer Editors Love—David Bennett 4. One Experience, Multiple Manuscripts, Multiple Markets—Sherri Langton 5. Book Structure That Delivers Life Change—Les Stobbe 6. Panel: Literary Agents |
| 2:30-3:00 | Break |
| 3:00-4:00 | Electives 1. What Does It Mean to Be a Christian Writer?—Steven Hutson 2. Writing Devotions That Connect With Readers—Cindy Sproles 3. Podcasting for Beginners—Michelle Rayburn 4. Writing a Book Proposal That Will Get Noticed—Catherine DeVries 5. Using Negative Experiences for Positive Impact—Sherri Langton 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 |
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. Interviewing Success—Les Stobbe 2. The Joy (Seriously) of Self-editing—Cynthia Ruchti 3. Go Viral: Marketing on Social Networks—W. Terry Whalen 4. Speaking to Promote Your Message: Creating a Speech—Jane Rubietta 5. Your Writing Legacy: What Happens to Your Work After You Die—Rowena Kuo 6. Getting Books Into Libraries and Bookstores—Susan Miura |
| 2:30-3:00 | Break |
| 3:00-4:00 | Electives 1. Writing to the General Market—Cindy Sproles 2. Top 10 Characteristics of Best-selling Books—Rowena Kuo 3. Social Media for the Reluctant: Connecting With Your Readers—Rhonda Robinson 4. Speaking to Promote Your Message: Getting Gigs—Jane Rubietta 5. Five Ways to Build Your Platform—W. Terry Whalin 6. Refining and Redefining Your Writing Career—Cynthia Ruchti |
| 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 |
