Vision Intensive, Beaverton, Oregon. Nov. 7-8, 2025
Description: 1 ½ days of intensive teaching centered around a specific topic, in an intimate setting (class size will be no more than about 10)
Location: We will be meeting at B4 Church, 13565 Southwest Walker Road, Beaverton, OR 97005.
Format: Arriving Friday evening, we’ll register, have a short welcome session, and then head to our classes for the first part of the intensive sessions. Saturday morning, we’ll reconvene. After the (provided) lunch, we’ll have a wrap up of the intensives and then some time for you to have FREE 15-minute appointments with other faculty should you wish.
Cost: $199, which includes Friday sessions, Saturday sessions, a buffet lunch, snacks, and appointments with faculty. We would also have an attendee table on which you could place your business card, a brochure, or some book marks (no large displays).
Meals: Lunch will be provided on Saturday but dinner is NOT provided on Friday evening or Saturday.
Refund Policy: 100% refunds will be available until October 7th (minus a $30 processing fee). No refunds will be available after October 7th. Our main conference refund policy does NOT apply to this event.
Dietary Needs: Please let us know in advance if you have any particular dietary needs as lunch will be provided. To do so, please email Robynne Miller at director@vcwconf.com.
General Schedule: Registration at 6:00 pm, and open at 6:30 pm. The first set of classes will end between 9:30-10:00 pm. Start at 9:00 am Saturday morning and be in classes by 9:30 am. Buffet lunch is at 12:00 pm, and classes resume at 1:00 pm. After a short closing session at 2:30 pm, FREE 10-minute appointments will be available with other faculty. There will be time and space to socialize, write, or work on action points during the appointment times. The Intensive ends at 5:00 p.m.
Intensives Available
- Platform Building and Author Marketing (Julie Bonn Blank)
- Self-Publishing Bootcamp (Robynne Elizabeth Miller)
- Long-Form Nonfiction (Marci Seither)
- Contemporary Fiction (Christina Suzann Nelson)
Platform Building/Author Marketing | Julie Bonn Blank
Whether you’re launching your first book or looking to grow an existing audience, this class will equip you with practical tools and proven strategies to strengthen your author platform. Drawing on real-world experience from personally selling over 8,000 books, Julie will walk you through the essentials of author marketing—without breaking the bank.
We’ll cover: Crafting an effective author website, Building (and sustaining) a meaningful online presence, launching and reviews, getting the best marketing results for your budget, using Substack and other content platforms to grow your readership, secrets of the library, recommended promos and tracking results, partnerships for greater impact, and more!
You’ll walk away with actionable steps, resources, and encouragement to confidently market your books and connect with readers.
Julie Bonn Blank is a dedicated author, freelance speaker, and certified domestic violence advocate. As a survivor of a near-death experience, she offers a unique perspective that inspires and motivates others. She is committed to spreading hope and healing to all. On her Heaven Blog, you can find her near-death story, recovery journal, miraculous stories, and much of what God has been teaching her since her return.
Julie is the author of an award-winning suspense fiction series focused on human trafficking, which has sold thousands of copies.
With her background in marketing, PR, and social media, she employs unique strategies to build platforms and sell books. When she is not writing, she designs websites, mentors authors and writers, and oversees Cascade Christian Writers.
Self-Publishing Bootcamp | Robynne Elizabeth Miller
If you’ve ever considered self-publishing, you’re in good company. Many new and incredibly successful authors have moved away from traditional models to dive deeply in the world of self-publishing. This intensive will define modern types of publishing, explain the benefits and drawbacks of each, and then dive deeply into what it takes to successfully implement and manage an independent publishing trajectory.
Whether you have a finished project, or are just wanting to learns the ins and outs of self-publishing, this course will equip you with accurate, unbiased information, provide actionable steps through each critical phase of self-publishing, and provide ample opportunity for you to apply discussed concepts to your own specific projects (which would be beneficial whether you self-publish or go the traditional route!).
Robynne Elizabeth Miller holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction and Fiction and a B.A. in English Literature. Agented with Books and Such Literary, she is the author of over ten books and countless articles/essays, including Finding Common Ground: One Octogenarian’s Quest to Help our Nation Heal, The Three Faces of Nellie and her latest project, Tennessee Wildcat: On the Trail of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Mr. Edwards.
When she’s not writing, Robynne directs the Vision Christian Writers Conference at Mt. Hermon, coaches/mentors writers, works as a substantive editor, speaks at retreats, workshops, conferences, and events across the country, and teaches a professional writing track she developed for Unbound. She also enjoys time with her amazing British husband and beautiful brood of adopted and biological children.
Robynne has a passion for helping writers bring their stories and messages into the world. With a “Team Jesus” approach, she works hard to create an atmosphere of collaboration in which top industry professionals through to brand new authors come together to learn, create, and work toward publication.
Long-Form Nonfiction | Marci Seither
Whether you’re just getting started or are already deep into your non-fiction manuscript, breaking the process into manageable steps can make a big difference in getting your manuscript across the finish line, help you prepare for writing your book proposal, and marketing.
We will look at why making a strong reader connection matters, how to organize chapters so they flow together, and why your back cover copy needs to pack a punch.
This interactive class will give you the tools you need to turn your dream of writing a book into a reality.
Marci Seither’s writing career began after her humor article was published in a small-town newspaper. Since then, she has authored four books and hundreds of articles for local papers as well as Guideposts and Focus On The Family.
Marci enjoys teaching workshops, speaking, and photography. She is the co-host of a weekly radio show and podcast, The Biscuit Book Club. She also taught the Long-Form Nonfiction major morning track at the 2025 Vision Christian Writers Conference.
Her biggest joy, besides being married to John, raising six kids who have all flown the nest, and creating memories and messes with her six grandkiddos is baking anything that includes butter.
Contemporary Fiction | Christian Suzann Nelson
Contemporary fiction explores a wide variety of important themes, such as identity and relationships, in modern settings.
In this intensive, award-winning author Christina Suzann Nelson dives deeply into the nuts and bolts of this powerful genre to unlock strategies, expectations, and craft tips.
You’ll emerge with improved skills, a deeper understanding of the genre/the contemporary market, and actionable steps to improve your writing and your specific project.
Christina Suzann Nelson is an inspirational speaker and award-winning author of seven books including Echoes from a Missing Generation, More Than We Remember, What Happens Next, and the Christy Award winning The Way It Should Be.
She is the mother of six children, an advocate for children in foster care, a substitute teacher, a conference director, and the wife of her partner in this crazy adventure.