Writer’s Conference 2025 Schedule
This conference schedule is an evolving document. While we strive to keep it accurate, some times, sessions, or speakers may be subject to change. Please refer to this page regularly for the most current information.
Be sure to also check out the Expo schedule!
All Writer’s Conference attendees get full access to the Expo!
- Wednesday 24 Jun 2026
- Thursday 25 Jun 2026
- Friday 26 Jun 2026
- Saturday 27 Jun 2026
Wednesday 24 Jun 2026
1:00 pm -
Pre-conference Workshop
Mark Gottlieb2nd Floor NY/IL
The Business of Authorship: End to End
A comprehensive, step-by-step guide that walks writers through the entire publishing journey—from developing a market-ready manuscript to navigating agents, contracts, marketing, and long-term career strategy.
6:00 pm -
New Attendee Orientation
TBDNew York/Illinois rooms
A welcoming, introductory session designed to help first-time attendees navigate the conference. We will cover logistics, networking opportunities, and strategies for maximizing your experience.
8:00 pm -
Pre-Conference Mixer
Andrew Winch, Sam Sleep, Lisa Pickle, and Sara Daniels.New York/Illinois rooms
Structured fun to break the ice headed up by Andrew Winch, Sam Sleep, Lisa Pickle, and Sara Daniels. It'll be a great way to get to know people!
Thursday 25 Jun 2026
9:00 am -
Welcome and Opening Keynote
Kathy Tyers GillinGrand Ballrooms D/E/F
10:15 am -
Teen Track: Jumpstart to Story Structure, Plotting, and Pacing
Nova McBeeGrand Ballrooms A
Turn your "killer concept" into a binge-worthy novel by mastering the fundamental architecture of a compelling story. Learn the secrets to professional plotting and pacing hacks that keep readers turning pages.
Learn from the Greats: A Deep Dive into Different Authorial Voices
Christine CohenGrand Ballrooms D/E/F
Analyze the stylistic choices of legendary authors to deconstruct what makes a literary voice truly memorable. You will spend time imitating these classic techniques to help refine and strengthen your own unique signature.
The Creativity Glitch: Why We’re Stuck with Allen Arnold
Allen ArnoldRegency Ballrooms A
Identify the hidden psychological and spiritual origins of the "glitch" that compromises your creative joy and potential. Uncover how this stall operates and learn the first steps to breaking free from the cycle of being stuck.
The Christian Indie Writer's Guide to Writing for the General Market: Should You Write General Market?
Tara GrayceRegency Ballrooms B
Wrestle with the theological and professional questions of writing for the general market versus traditional ministry-focused fiction. We’ll explore whether a "secular" career path can be a worthy and biblical calling for the Christian creator.
Your Fight Scene in Five Rounds
Carla HochRegency Ballrooms C
Put down the laptop and pick up the dice to build a high-intensity fight scene from blocking to final edit. You’ll learn how to master pacing, dialogue, and movement through a hands-on, "old school" collaborative workshop.
1:30 pm -
Learn from the Greats: Changing Novels, Changing Voices
Christine CohenGrand Ballroom D/E/F
Learn to distinguish between your consistent authorial voice and the specific tone required by a story's genre, mood, and audience. This session offers hands-on experimentation to help you adapt your "sound" across different projects.
Teen Track: Suspense, Tension, and Mystery
Nova McBeeGrand Ballrooms A
Discover how to lace your manuscript with unanswered questions and tension that drive the plot forward through the "messy middle." You'll walk away with four specific tips for a killer first chapter and techniques for immersive worldbuilding.
The Creativity Glitch: Find Your Groove with Allen Arnold
Allen ArnoldRegency Ballroom A
Move beyond the pursuit of validation and revenue to align with the specific creative purpose you were designed for. Learn a practical process for shedding distractions and fueling the curiosity that leads to your true artistic flow.
The Christian Indie Writer's Guide to Writing for the General Market: Staying Healthy in the General Market
Tara GrayceRegency Ballrooms B
Navigate the high-pressure "rapid release" culture of indie publishing without sacrificing your physical or spiritual well-being. Learn strategies to maintain your soul and health while pursuing a profitable writing career.
Your Fight Scene in Five Rounds
Carla HochRegency Ballrooms C
Put down the laptop and pick up the dice to build a high-intensity fight scene from blocking to final edit. You’ll learn how to master pacing, dialogue, and movement through a hands-on, "old school" collaborative workshop.
3:15 pm -
Kid Lit These Days
Bunmi IsholaGrand Ballroom A
Get the data-driven details on current children’s publishing trends and what is currently driving bestsellers. Bunmi Ishola provides an essential market overview to help you position your manuscript for modern success.
The Spiritual Life of a Writer: The Peril of Both Failure and Success
Steve LaubeGrand Ballrooms D/E/F
Learn how to thrive no matter what part of the journey you’re experiencing.
Selling Books on TikTok
Z.S. DiamantiRegency Ballroom A
Take the mystery out of TikTok Shop and learn how to use the platform to move massive amounts of inventory. Fantasy author Z.S. Diamanti provides easy-to-follow, practical steps to help both debut and backlist authors swing for the fences.
Visually crafting your story: How Plottr will be your best writing investment (Part 1)
Cameron SutterRegency Ballroom B
Creator of Plottr, Cameron Sutter, is will show you how Plottr will be the best tool you could use for your writing career or hobby. It'll make the writing process smoother, more organized, more fun, and it'll help you take leaps and bounds to finally get that story written!
Deep Viewpoint (Part 1)
Kathy Tyers GillinRegency Ballroom C
Master the fundamentals of "showing vs. telling" to convince readers they have literally become your character. This session focuses on maintaining story flow and using internal dialogue to create an unbreakable character bond.
6:00 pm -
Realm Awards Banquet Doors Open - Costume Parade
TBD
7:00 pm -
Realm Awards Dinner
TBD
7:45 pm -
Realm Awards Ceremony
TBD
Friday 26 Jun 2026
9:00 am -
Announcements and Keynote
Bill MyersGrand Ballrooms D/E/F
10:15 am -
Teen Track: Professional Paths for Young Authors
Nova McBeeGrand Ballrooms A
Learn how to bridge the gap between starting out and securing professional publishing or film deals. This session focuses on perfecting your craft and understanding the industry landscape from a best-selling author's perspective.
Learn from the Greats: Application Day: Writing a Great First Page
Christine CohenGrand Ballrooms D/E/F
The Creativity Glitch: Shift to With with Allen Arnold
Allen ArnoldRegency Ballroom A
Transform your daily routine by moving from creating for God to creating with the Creator. This pivotal session offers practical methods to enter the "playground" of your imagination alongside the source of all inspiration.
The Christian Indie Writer's Guide to Writing for the General Market: Publishing for the General Market
Tara GrayceRegency Ballroom B
Master the technical "tips and tricks" of indie publishing specifically tailored to reach and resonate with a mainstream audience. This session provides a strategic overview of how to position your books for success in the wider marketplace.
Your Fight Scene in Five Rounds
Carla HochRegency Ballrooms C
Put down the laptop and pick up the dice to build a high-intensity fight scene from blocking to final edit. You’ll learn how to master pacing, dialogue, and movement through a hands-on, "old school" collaborative workshop.
1:30 pm -
Understanding Rejections
Marilyn KretzerGrand Ballrooms A
Go behind the scenes of the acquisition process to see exactly why a publisher might pass on a manuscript. Learn the many industry factors that turn a pitch into a "no" and how to improve your chances for a future "yes."
Refining Fire
Ronie KendigGrand Ballrooms D/E/F
Transform "dull dross" into a shining manuscript by applying ruthless, high-level editing techniques to your characterization and setting. Master psychological tools that trick the reader’s mind into melting into your storyworld.
Writing Across Age Categories and Genres
Emily Bain MurphyRegency Ballroom A
Master the art of targeting different audiences by understanding what differentiates age categories and what universal themes unite them. This session is essential for storytellers who refuse to be boxed into a single genre or demographic
Visually crafting your story: How Plottr will be your best writing investment (Part 2)
Cameron SutterRegency Ballroom B
Creator of Plottr, Cameron Sutter, is will show you how Plottr will be the best tool you could use for your writing career or hobby. It'll make the writing process smoother, more organized, more fun, and it'll help you take leaps and bounds to finally get that story written!
The Art of War
Morgan BusseRegency Ballroom C
Learn how to integrate large-scale conflict into your story without boring your reader or sounding like a textbook. This class covers how to maintain tension across a series and ensure every battle is character-driven and unique.
2:45 pm -
Soul Care
Morgan BusseGrand Ballroom A
Find a quiet place of healing to rediscover the joy of creating with your Creator amidst burnout, deadlines, or personal trauma. This session provides spiritual rest and practical encouragement for writers whose souls feel heavy.
Crews and Codes: Digging Deeper with Character Relationships
Ronie KendigGrand Ballrooms D/E/F
Explore the chemistry behind iconic character pairings and learn how to write razor-sharp banter that fuels your plot. This session reveals how to align your hero’s relationships to sharpen tension and keep readers rooting for the underdog.
Deep Viewpoint (Part 2)
Kathy Tyers GillinRegency Ballroom C
Take your craft tools to the next level by applying deep viewpoint to character interactions and environmental descriptions. Learn to weave antagonists and settings together in a way that feels immersive and emotionally resonant.
Offline Marketing: Selling Actual Books at Actual Locations (Like an Actual Boss)
Jamie FoleyRegency Ballrooms A
Break free from the digital algorithm and learn how to sell books like a boss at bookstores, libraries, and local events. Discover affordable ways to design your table and swag to create a high-impact in-person presence.
Incorporating Comedy
Bill MyersRegency Ballrooms B
We'll study examples in commercials, discuss the three types of comedy and how to implement them in any type of work.
4:00 pm -
Making Magic with Reader Magnets
Z.S. DiamantiGrand Ballrooms A
Demystify the most important pillar of author growth: the newsletter lead magnet. Learn how to create and implement high-value digital incentives that turn casual browsers into loyal, long-term subscribers.
Writing Quality Fiction
Steve LaubeGrand Ballrooms D/E/F
What exactly makes a book Christian fiction? How can you craft a story that shines a light on a Christian worldview that’s excellent in both its craft and impact?
Capturing Atmosphere
Emily Bain MurphyRegency Ballrooms A
Learn how to make your atmosphere tangibly come alive by creating immersive scenes that engage all of the senses and invite your reader to experience the story in a deeper way
Indie vs. Traditional: Choosing (and Sequencing) the Right Path
Mark GottliebRegency Ballrooms B
A clear, concise guide to understanding the advantages of each publishing route—and how to strategically choose or combine them to build a successful author career.
Level Up Your Launch: Build Your Book’s Character Sheet with Epic Marketing Strategies
Jamie FoleyRegency Ballrooms C
Organize your book launch like a character sheet by categorizing promotions into a manageable, gamer-friendly strategy. Build a custom timeline tailored to your strengths and genre so you can launch without the stress.
Saturday 27 Jun 2026
5:00 pm -
Closing Keynote with Steve Taylor
Steve TaylorGrand Ballrooms D/E/F