Below is the listing of currently confirmed workshops for the 2024 conference.

View the WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Rosie Boom

Developing the Art of Storytellling

Stories are powerful. They can entertain and inform us; make us think, laugh, cry. They can motivate us to change.

Do you have a story inside you that is just begging to be told? Do you long to write a book of eternal value that will impact and inspire the hearts and minds of children and adults – a book that will thrill, challenge, heal, or give hope? Great! But dreaming about it is not enough. As writers, we must put in the hard work to study and learn our craft. It will take both time and effort to develop the skills we need to help our story reach its full potential and ultimately, its mark – the human heart.

In this workshop, Rosie will offer you the inspiration, encouragement, and motivation needed to begin your writing journey, as she shares truths she has learnt over twenty-five years of writing. Join her to learn how to develop the habits you’ll need to write a compelling book that will impact the world; to discover how to make your readers care deeply; to learn how to move their hearts to tears and laughter and change; to find your own unique voice. Learn how to become a master storyteller.

Morgan L. Busse

1. Soul Care

Sometimes as writers it is easy to get caught up in the writing, the deadlines, and the marketing, and forget about our souls, the one place where the heart of our ideas and stories come from. I’ll share how to pull back, enter that quiet place, and remember to create with our Creator.

2. Advanced Writing Tools for Fiction

The first things we learn as writers is plotting, character development, show/not tell, and how to structure our story. The next step is taking our stories deeper and finding small tricks and twists to bring out the best in our story. In this class I will show ways to overcome a saggy middle, tricks to overcome writer’s block, step-by step methods to create description in your scene, and more.

3. World Building for Fiction

If plot and character are two legs on which a story stands, world building provides the third. We will go through how to build a world, whether imaginary, historical, international, or even a local small town. What to remember when creating the backbone of your story, and how to use the world your story takes place in to make the story even richer.

Megan Castle

Hot Mess on a Silver Platter

Never underestimate the reader’s intelligence and ability to detect lies. Stop storing up your treasures and instead, create emotional intimacy with your words by exposing your secret thoughts and motivations. Risks creates intimacy. Through a process she calls “Dangerous Christian Writing,” Megan Castle walks you through steps in crafting honest sentences using models, prompts, and share-outs.

In this workshop-style class, you’ll practice 7 techniques to:

  • Learn how to write, not like you speak, but like you think
  • Write with a confessional tone and craft sentences you didn’t know you had in you
  • Learn how to take the focus off you and onto God
  • Tap into your creative subconscious
  • Uncover a fresh form of metaphor
  • Decipher how to tell when you’ve said too much
  • Discover your well-spring of ideas as you fall even more in love with the practice of writing

Patrick E. Craig

I am a Christian. Can I write for the General Market?  

Here’s some noteworthy statistics to think about.

  1. The top twenty-five best-selling books of 2023 are by secular authors and written for secular (non-Christian) readers.
  2. Only three out of ten U.S. adults are religiously affiliated (all religions).
  3. Secular book sales totaled 18.78 billion in 2020, while religious sales totaled to 1.42 billion, including Bibles and other sacred books.
  4. General market books make up 80% of all sales while Christian books make up 20% of the overall market.

So how do we write for a market that will not read “Christian” books? Here’s what we will discuss.

  1. Building a base with General Market readers through relationship.
  2. Crossing cultural lines.
  3. “Literary-izing” instead of “sanitizing.”
  4. Writing in “general-ese” instead of “Christian-ese.”
  5. Writing with authenticity instead of religiosity.
  6. Writing the best story you can to carry you across cultural divides.
  7. Discovering the part of spirituality that the general market is interested in and putting it in your story.
  8. Stop “preaching to the choir” and start reaching out to a world that desperately needs Christ.
  9. Abandon your comfort zone.

Rachel Dodge

Your Author Aesthetic

What does your online presence say about you as a writer? What subtle signals are you sending with the images and content you post? Your author aesthetic is the way you portray who you are and what you write—with one glance. Your online style says way more than you think! Let’s work together to “style your image” so that your content and visuals are consistently on-brand and sending the right message to your readers.

In this workshop, we’ll look at ways to create your online “look,” connect with your target audience, and grow your tribe in a meaningful and engaging way. Branding and social media doesn’t have to be the bane of your existence; it can be fun and fulfilling! We’ll learn the keys to “setting the table” for the right kind of followers who will come, look around, and stay awhile. Our goal is to find that distinct online aesthetic that is uniquely “you.”

If you want to streamline your marketing efforts and take your social media engagement to a new level, then this is the workshop for you. Let’s create an author aesthetic that’s consistent with your messaging and keeps readers coming back for more!

Ian Feavearyear

Writers and the Law: Wisdom for Limiting Legal Woes

Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, short form or long form, digitally or in print, there are legal issues you need to be aware of. This workshop will give you a good grounding in the most important of these, such as intellectual property (copyright, trademarks, etc.), defamation (libel, etc.), and contracts.

After attending this workshop, you will have a good grounding in these legal topics and be better prepared to avoid related legal troubles.

Jesse Florea

1. Dos and Don’ts of Writing for Children

Kids are taught to follow rules. To write for them, you should follow rules too. By learning these dos and don’ts, you’ll create stories that will catch an editor’s eye and eventually be read by a child. Many tips and examples shared in class.

2. Begin and End With a Bang

Studies show you have less than 15 seconds to grab a reader’s attention. An intriguing lead may be the difference between publication and rejection. This workshop will look at different types of leads for articles and books.

3. Writing for Focus on the Family

As a 30-year veteran of working at Focus on the Family, Jesse will share about the different writing opportunities. It’s not just magazines! Newsletters, online parenting stories, and lots of other opportunities for new—and experienced—writers.

Tricia Goyer

So Many Ways to Get Your Message Out!

When most people consider becoming an author, they think in terms of writing books. But there are numerous other ways to get your message out … and get paid to do so! Join best-selling and award-winning author of over 90 books, Tricia Goyer, as she explores different opportunities writers have to share what’s on their heart.

Robin Jones Gunn

General Q&A Session

Following on from Robin’s keynote address, attendees will have the opportunity to ask Robin about her career, the art of novel-writing, her experience with Hallmark, or anything else related to her incredibly successful career!

Nick Harrison

1. What to Do When You Don’t Have a Platform

What is an author’s platform and why is it important? Most authors just want to write their books, turn their manuscript into the publisher, and let them do all the marketing of the book. Unfortunately publishing doesn’t work that way. Marketing dollars are often given to books that are already selling well. Limited marketing dollars go to new books, especially books by new authors.

In this workshop, after a brief definition and explanation of the relevance of platform, we’ll learn ways authors can compensate for the lack of a platform or who are in the early stages of platform building. Examples will be cited from bestselling books by unplatformed authors and authors who have prospered by creating a platform they’re comfortable with. We’ll talk about how to prepare and send out a media kit and what not to do in promoting your book. This workshop will be useful for both self-publishing authors and traditionally published authors.

While primarily for non-fiction authors, fiction authors will also benefit since it’s become apparent in recent years that even fiction authors who know how to market their books have an advantage in securing a publishing contract.

2. Putting Together an Effective Nonfiction Proposal

Just like with fiction, a nonfiction proposal is key to your overall marketing plan, no matter how you hope to publish. Agent, author, and industry insider, Nick Harrison, will unpack all the components of a compelling nonfiction proposal, and give you all the information you need to craft a document which sets your project up for success.

Bob Hostetler

Query Letters and One Sheets

Not every agent, editor, or publisher has time to read entire manuscripts. But how do you move your project from lost-in-a-tall-pile-of-submissions to having a chance at success? You start with a compelling query letter or One Sheet. A query letter is an introduction you send to an agent or publisher to introduce your book. A One Sheet is visual marketing tool you can hand out at conferences or events. Learn from prolific author and accomplished agent, Bob Hostetler, how to do both exceedingly well.

Linda Howard

1. Publishing Financials 101

Do you know what an book advance is? Any idea of when you start earning royalty for your book? Could you explain how publishers calculate your royalty and what it is based on? Publishing financials can be confusing and complex, but they are not impossible to understand. Join us as we talk through the foundational financial information that helps to govern the decisions publishers make every day and how that affects you as an author.

2. What a Publisher Really wants to see in your Proposal

Have you ever wondered what a publisher really wants to see in a proposal? It’s a long document … surely all that information isn’t equally important? Or is it? Join a current acquisitions editor for Tyndale as she unpacks what publishers are really interested in seeing from you and learning about your proposed project.

Shadia Hrichi

Am I Ready to Write a Bible Study?

THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN CANCELED

Tara Johnson

How to Fix a Sagging Middle

No, Pilates, crunches and jogging can’t fix what every writer fears…the dreaded sagging middle! Using award-winning stories and movie demonstrations, this class will explore why the middle is often a writer’s kryptonite, as well as tweaking the characters’ goals, motivations, and conflicts, to turn problematic plots into exciting twists. In addition, Tara will lead writers through a discussion of how to fix their current works-in-progress and provide opportunities to workshop those pesky plots into stunning ideas.

Tara Johnson & Helen Arnold

Busting Social Media Myths to Become a Social Guru

Eenie, meenie, miney, mo … Facebook, Tiktok, here we go! Social media strikes fear into the hearts of many authors. How many accounts do I need? What do I post? Do I have to dance to find followers on Tiktok? The answer is complex, because social media should be an extension of each author’s personality. It’s a reflection of who they are, not what they do.

In this class, Helen Arnold (Not So Secret Love Letters) and Tara Johnson bust the angst surrounding social media and will teach writers which platforms are the perfect fit for their unique audience, where to find an audience, how to choose platforms wisely, user age groups for each outlet, and create a game plan going forward that will revitalize each writer’s social media presence.

Debbie Kitterman

1. Kick it Up a Notch—Product Development

So, you’ve finished your book, now what? It’s time to kick it up a notch.

Book sales and marketing are not just about marketing your current book that will drive sales. You need to think outside the box and begin to develop product and other streams of revenue that tie to the book as well. As famous chef Emeril Lagasse says, “Let’s Kick it up a notch!”

2. Ready to Launch

When it comes to launching your book/product, you are only as successful as the team supporting you.

What is a launch team? Why do I need one? What are the basic components of a successful launch team? How do I put one together that will help me successfully launch my book/product? Remember: Engagement and fun are key to a launch team that not only will get you ready for a successful launch but blast you off when it’s GO TIME!

Lainey La Shay

Structuring an Article

Writing online articles requires a close attention to structure and composition. However, structure doesn’t mean sacrificing your creativity. If anything, it gives it a form within which to dance, creating an engaging experience for your readers.

When querying to write articles for organizations, such as Focus on the Family, the strength of your content and structure plays a vital part in whether you are selected for online publication. Having an article that is polished and ready for posting makes a fantastic first impression, and will let your editor know that you are a trusted source for future articles.

This workshop will focus on current standards for online article writing. You will learn:

  • Appropriate article lengths
  • How to use headings to create structure
  • Ways to draw your audience into your article
  • How to improve readability
  • Why SEO is vital
  • How to optimize your article
  • Why structure increases page views and click-throughs
  • Tools and tips for creating a successful structure.

Structuring your article well can help you share God’s hope to readers around the globe. Come away from this workshop with the tools you need to successfully structure your articles.

Janet McHenry

Hook Me: How to Write a Winning Christian Living Book

You want to write a book that will help people with their marriage or parenting or spiritual growth—but you just don’t know where to start. Christian living is the book genre that helps readers grow in their relationships, move forward in their faith, and navigate life and current issues from a Christian worldview. They have structure and form that can’t effectively be “pants-ed.”

This hands-on workshop will teach you not only how to structure such a book but also how to study the form. You will learn how to find strong mentor books and study them in such a way that you discover how to emulate good overall structure, plan out your chapters, and grow toward writing excellence. Once you learn this hands-on method, you will be able to write any nonfiction genre.

Staci McLean

Social Media with Purpose

Do you want to have impact on social media?
Purposeful social media is more than just marketing. We can have a significant impact on social media, promote our books, and enjoy the process!
Social media is the new mission field and gives us the opportunity to reach people all over the world, in a personal and relevant way. When we approach social media with clear intentions and purpose, it is a highly effective and powerful tool, no matter how many followers you have.
In this workshop we will cover,

  • Forming and strengthening your online presence
  • How to connect with your audience in a meaningful way and build a loyal fan base
  • Find the platform that is right for you and how to use it to reach your readers, spread your message and promote your books
  • Easy and practical ways to make social media fun and not a chore that you dread
  • Creating excellent content that grabs attention
  • How to spread the gospel message through social media
  • And more….

You will leave this workshop feeling inspired, empowered, and confident to expand your social media, knowing what to do and why you are doing it.

Robynne Miller

Self or Traditional Publishing: Which One’s for You?

There are a LOT of publishing options available to authors these days. And each project deserves whatever is going to be most effective. But which is it? Join author/speaker Robynne Miller as she defines available publishing options, outlines the pros and cons of each, and gives a clear, step by step process to help you determine the publishing avenue that is right for you and your book.

Christina Suzann Nelson

Character Clarity: The Key to Captivating Multi-Perspective Stories

This workshop focuses on the art of crafting characters that transcend the surface, forging a genuine and emotional connection with your readers, evoking empathy, and resonating on a profound level. Explore the power of narrative choices and how they can intensify your story’s themes and heighten suspense.

We’ll delve into various narrative styles, learning how to use them effectively to offer diverse perspectives that enrich and engage your audience’s experience. Master skillfully transitioning between multiple perspectives, ensuring a seamless flow that avoids blurred edges. By the end of the class, you’ll be equipped with the tools to weave storylines together with finesse, captivating your readers and keeping them fully immersed in your multi-perspective narratives.

Karen NeumairKaren Neumair

How to Structure a Nonfiction Book

If you have expertise on a topic that seems perfect for a book, but don’t know how to structure all your information and experience in a marketable book, this workshop is for you. Agent and publisher, Karen Neumair, will walk you through the steps of organizing and structuring your nonfiction book in a compelling and marketable way.

Jill Osborne

1. Hook ’em and Book ’em—Writing Stories Kids Love

“Kids don’t read books anymore.” That’s not true. Kids read books that interest them! If you can hook a kid with a fascinating story, he’ll be a book lover for life. And if your book draws him into God’s Big Adventure—you’ll unleash a world changer.

In this workshop, we’ll zoom in on your target reader: What are his greatest challenges, hopes, and fears? What does she love more than anything? Where is God in it all?

We’ll develop unique characters, brainstorm engaging topics for all age groups, and practice infusing faith into a story. And don’t forget about villains, consequences, and victories—we’ll add those in too, while having a whole lot of fun.

What does it take to write the best book a kid will ever read? Come find out!

2. The Marvelous Middle

Middle-graders might be the most fascinating people on the planet. Sassy and sweet, smart, yet lacking wisdom, silly one moment and deep the next—preteens with their fluctuating moods are often misunderstood by parents, teachers, and even spiritual leaders.

In this workshop, we’ll enter the world of today’s 9–12-year-olds. What do they want to read? What topics should be addressed in a preteen novel? How bad can the villains be? How do we please parents with our content while engaging the reader? What’s the best way to saturate stories with Jesus without being preachy?

How can we write faith-based stories, Bibles studies and devotionals that will fortify the hearts of God’s not-yet-teens-but-no-longer-kids? We asked a couple hundred preteens about that. Come find out what they said, and discover some surprising facts about The Marvelous Middle.

Oreos will be served.

Robin Patchen

1. Beyond the Cliffhanger: Mastering Suspenseful Plot Development

Regardless of the genre, all stories need an element of suspense because it is suspense that propels readers to turn the pages. But suspenseful stories don’t just happen. Their plots need to be considered, planned, and executed carefully. Their scenes need to raise questions and ramp up tension until the nail-biting climax.

In this class, we’ll discover the prerequisites to creating suspenseful plots—including sympathetic heroes and powerful villains. We’ll consider the difference between action and suspense and learn to use both strategically, and we’ll discuss the various elements that drive suspenseful plots forward. We’ll cover the importance of dynamic external goals, motivations, and conflicts, along with rising stakes, twisty plots, and growing anticipation, all of which will enable us to craft novels that keep readers turning the pages until the satisfying conclusion.

2. Crafting Compelling Characters

Every great story is populated with memorable characters, but inventing those characters is no easy task. In this workshop, we’ll examine personality styles and how they affect a character’s lies, flaws, and fears, and we’ll learn how to find the best characters to walk through the events of the stories we want to tell. We’ll consider childhood traumas and how they affect our characters’ greatest fears and flaws, and we’ll discuss how secret desires can propel our characters to overcome their shortcomings.

We’ll learn how to craft dynamic goals, motivations, and conflicts that will keep our heroes fighting despite the challenges we put in their paths. Ultimately, we’ll learn to create characters who feel so real and lifelike that our readers will root for them until the very end.

3. Power Bios and Back of Books

Two of your most important marketing tools are often overlooked. Join award-winning and best-selling author, Robin Patchen as she unpacks the keys to engaging, powerful author bios, as well as how to craft back of book matter that immediately captivates your potential reader.

Robin W. Pearson

1. Do You See What I See?

Helping your readers to make themselves at home in your story.

You’ve asked people over. Now, how do you make them feel at home? What makes them want to return? In this workshop, we’ll discuss ways to help your stories welcome and engage your reader, whether they’ll be traveling by carriage during the Regency era, whizzing through space in the distant future, or sittin’ a spell in some Southern fiction. 

2. Passing It Down and Passing It On

Intergenerational/multigenerational relationships in the story you’ve lived and the stories you write.

Life has a lot to teach us, and it tends to speak in a familiar voice. Here, we’ll talk about those lessons we’ve learned about the past, those who shared them with us, and how we can pass them on to others—both the people and the stories.

3. Jesus in the Everyday

Sharing your day-to-day faith walk in your fiction and nonfiction.

In Deuteronomy 6, we’re told to teach God’s commands to our children, reinforcing them whether we’re at home or away, when we rise and when we sleep. That means He must have a lot to say! But how do we share what we’ve experienced in our everyday lives to inspire others? Come to this workshop to talk about it.

Mary Pero

The Nonfiction Book Proposal-A Business Plan for Your Book   

Whether you plan to self- or traditionally publish, you need a plan to market and sell your book. ENTER: The Nonfiction Book Proposal—A Business Plan for Your Book!

In this session, you’ll learn the key components of a persuasive nonfiction book proposal plus how to turn them into a marketing plan that supports your goals as an author. (Writers beware: A traditional publisher will not market your book for you!)

By the end of our session, you’ll have a template for your nonfiction book proposal, the foundations of marketing strategy that caters to your strengths, and the confidence and clarity you need to attract agents, publishers, and future readers.

James L. Rubart

What it Really Takes to be a Professional Writer   

On the fence about whether to keep writing in the “side hustle” category or bring it front and center as a full-on career? Then you need to join Christie hall of fame author, James L. Rubart, as he gives a crash course on what it truly takes to elevate your writing from hobby to profession. If you’ve met Jim, you know he’ll give it to you straight … and encourage you every step of the way.

Cynthia Ruchti

The Fiction Proposal: A Business Plan for Your Book  

Whether you plan on traditionally publishing your novel, or going the self-publishing route, knowing how to craft a solid proposal could be key to your success. A compelling proposal serves not only as a marketing tool for your book, but also as a business plan no matter how you plan to publish. Join award-wining agent and author, Cynthia Ruchti, as she shows you how to pull it all together.

Jamerrill StewartJamerrill Stewart

YouTube, Branding, & Business Q&A  

Platinum YouTube sensation, Jamerrill Stewart, will share the keys to her success across multiple social media platforms in this very special Q & A Nightowl. Attendees will be able to ask Jamerrill questions about her journey as the creator of the largefamilytable.com brand, how to remain relevant and connected with your audience, and business questions related to her multi-layered success across several mediums. Be prepared to be delighted by Jamerrill’s gentle spirit as well as amazed at the wealth of information she will generously share.

Linda K. Taylor

From Manuscript to Book: How It Happens

We writers spend much of our time honing our craft. We work hard to get the words right. However, when we finish the manuscript, we look up from our computer and wonder, “Now what?”

The publishing world has its own language, processes, and gatekeepers. In many ways, it is its own culture. In this session, Linda Taylor will walk through the steps a writer needs to take in order to follow the industry standards and present themselves professionally—whether they are moving toward traditional publishing or self-publishing.

Then, once a book moves into the publishing process, many more people touch the manuscript and make a lot of decisions. She’ll explain what goes on inside the publishing house and who makes what decisions and why.

Attendees will go away from the session armed with information that will help them both take the next steps with their manuscript and perhaps no longer feel that the process is a mystery.

Todd Tilghman & Dustin Pounders

Elements of Songwriting

“Intensive” Double-Length Workshop

In the Songwriting intensive, participants will be encouraged to embrace the notion that rules are meant to be broken, emphasizing the importance of letting their hearts drive the creative process. The workshop will delve into the essential elements of songwriting, starting with the exploration of ideas and sentiments.

The workshop will address identifying the song’s message and purpose and examine the importance of crafting a catchy and thought-provoking title. We will also look at the the initial stages of lyric and melody creation and how to shape the initial melody around the chosen lyrics. Additionally, the workshop will examine the structural aspects of songwriting, exploring various structures like verse/chorus/verse/chorus or verse/pre-chorus/chorus. The importance of storytelling will also be emphasized, with a focus on developing a compelling narrative that encompasses a beginning, middle, and end.

Overall, the Songwriting intensive will provide a comprehensive and hands-on approach to the creative process.

Tiffany Vakilian

Book Interior Basics

If someone has ever said to you, “You need to write a book about that,” then this quick and powerful course is just what you need. Established authors, novice writers, and those searching for agents can benefit from this information. When you understand what to include, delete, or modify, you can more confidently strategize your book’s marketability. Let’s pull back the curtain and take a look at the parts of a book. Best-selling books contain similar parts in different combinations, and now you can actually know what they are.

We’ll talk about book design and your place in it, whether you do independent or traditional publishing. From the bookplate to the back cover, we’ll talk about the parts of the book you can strategically use to leverage your sales and speaking opportunities. Yes! We’ll talk about how you can use parts of the book to get booked on podcasts, interviews, and conferences! How can the parts of your book prepare your brand for greater impact? Find out through this course! Knowing these details will help you increase your confidence as an author!