2025 Schedule & Class Descriptions

 

*Schedule Subject to Change

How to Read This Schedule:

NF = Nonfiction
F = Fiction
C = Craft
K = Kids
M = Marketing
B = Business of Writing

Tuesday (Fiction Intensive Conferees Only)

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.      Check-in opens ONLY for Fiction Intensive Conferees and Children’s Picture Book Boot Camp who paid to spend the night (No Dinner)   

  

Wednesday (Fiction Intensive/Children’s Picture Book Boot Camp)

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.   Breakfast (for those who spent Tuesday night only)
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.   Check-in opens and FCWC Bookstore opens for consignment
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.   Children’s Picture Book Boot Camp with Michelle Medlock Adams, Room 238                                                             

10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.  

Christian Speculative Fiction: Building Fantastical Worlds on the Foundation of God's Truth, James Hannibal: How can we build worlds for our speculative fiction without resorting to lengthy descriptions and narrative photo albums? How do we build fantastical worlds that edify our readers and point them to Christ?
In this workshop, discover a writer’s best alternative tools for description and gain the tools to write as the diligent worker Paul described to Timothy. Room 223

The Inciting Incident, Lynette Eason: The inciting incident is the spark that ignites your story—the moment that upends your protagonist’s world and sets the plot in motion. In this class, we’ll explore what makes an inciting incident compelling, how to structure it for maximum impact, and why it’s crucial for hooking readers from the start. No matter what genre you're writing, you’ll learn techniques to ensure your story begins with a bang. Join Lynette and discover how to craft an inciting incident that drives your narrative forward and keeps readers--and agents and editors!--flipping the pages late into the night! Auditorium

11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.    

Creating Unforgettable Characters, Lynette Eason: Discover the secrets to unforgettable characters in fiction! In this class on characterization, you’ll learn how to craft characters that connect deeply with readers. We’ll explore what makes a character truly resonate—delving into goals, flaws, emotional depth, and growth arcs—while examining practical techniques to reveal character through action, dialogue, and relationships. Whether you're just starting out or refining a current project, this session will equip you with tools to breathe life into your characters and leave a lasting impression on your readers. Can't wait to see you there! Room 223

How to Make Your Novel “Unputdownable”, Connie Mann: How do you keep readers up all night, frantically turning the pages of your story? Whether you write small-town romance or thrillers, it’s all about tension – that invisible string that pulls readers deeper and deeper into your story. Without it, they'll set the book aside and may never come back. Whether you're a new author or seasoned professional, a “panster” or plotter, we'll discuss specific tips and tricks to keep readers glued to the pages. We’ll talk overall strategy, from initial brainstorming to the final tweaks. And we’ll drill down to specifics, with a list of things to check when scenes - and even whole sections - feel flat or lifeless. You’ll leave equipped with a handy checklist and practical suggestions for upping the tension at every point and making your novel “unputdownable.” Auditorium

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.     Lunch, Private Dining Room with speaker: James Hannibal
1:00 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.       Editor/Agent Signups, Room 225 (You may sign up early for ONLY one)

1:30 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.      

Building Your Historical Character, Jenifer Jennings: Ready to bring your historical characters out of the past and into the spotlight? This workshop will teach you how to build dynamic, multi-dimensional characters who feel as real as the history they’re rooted in. Let’s make your characters leap off the page and into your readers’ hearts. Room 223

How to Get Rid of the Parts Readers Skip, Dan Walsh: Self-Editing lessons from a multi-Carol-award winning author whose 29 novels  have received over 65,000 Amazon Reviews (4.7 Avg). The reason for citing all the reviews? The overwhelming majority of readers who start Dan's books read them to the end, and 5 times more readers leave reviews than the Amazon average. Dan is convinced his self-editing skills have a whole lot to do with his success. Auditorium

2:30 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.       

Plot Structure: What Is It and Why do I need One?  Connie Mann: Whether you write detailed outlines or the very idea makes you shudder, our subconscious knows story structure. It’s a road map for our hero/heroine and the skeleton that holds a story together. The trick is to be able to see it and use it to avoid the dreaded “and-then-stuff-happens” middle section or the ever-popular coffee shop banter that doesn’t move the story forward. No matter what genre you write, this class is designed to help you leverage story structure to pull your story out of your head and onto the page in a way that resonates with readers and keeps them coming back for more, book after book. Room 223

The Essentials of Great Dialogue, Zena Dell Lowe: Dialogue can make or break a story. Do you find yourself wishing your dialogue was a little spicier and a little less contrived and drab? Whether you’re a screenwriter or a novelist, this course will teach the essential elements of great dialogue and give practical tools you can apply immediately to make your dialogue sharp. Auditorium

3:30 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.      

Dig Deep: Research Your Historical Novel, Jenifer Jennings: Great historical novels begin with great research—but where do you start? This workshop will teach you how to research well, organize your findings, and prepare to write powerful historical stories. Let’s dig deep into history and unearth fiction that truly shines. Room 223

The #1 Thing Readers Care About in Fiction, Dan Walsh: Crafting a great book involves a number of important things, but Dan is certain he knows what matters the most (and has evidence to prove it). They say in real estate the biggest thing is Location, Location, Location. In Fiction, Dan believes it is Characters, Characters, Characters. In this lesson, Dan will share what he's learned about creating characters readers will start caring about from the very first page. Read a handful of his Amazon reviews and you'll see how much readers care about the characters in his books. Auditorium

4:30 p.m. – 5:20 p.m.

Voice and Description, Cindy Sproles: What IS your voice, and how do you find it? Your voice is not the slippery fellow that avoids you, hiding in the cracks of your paragraphs. Your voice is____! In this class, we'll talk about the elusive thing called voice and then once we understand that, we talk about description because the two tie together like sneaky twins sleeking around looking for trouble. We'll talk about creativity and how as adults, we need to learn to play outside. We'll talk about looking deeper, daydreaming, and writing words we never knew we possessed--once we understand our voice and the part it plays in writing description. Room 223

Set-ups, Pay-offs, and Other Neat Tricks, Zena Dell Lowe: The worst thing in the world is when you watch a movie or read a novel and know you have just been “set up.” This session will explore ways to make your set-ups invisible and organic, so that when you finally pay them off, the audience will be truly surprised and satisfied. Be advised: this class may include clips from R-rated movies. Auditorium

Wednesday (Regular FCWC Conferees)

1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.     FCWC Check-in Opens and Bookstore opens for consignment. If you are registered to arrive on Wednesday, please do not come onto Lake Yale property until after 1:30. We cannot get you into your room early and we cannot provide lunch for you. Mount Dora, Florida, which is not far away, has lovely restaurants and shops (and a cool bookstore) that you may visit if your flight arrives early, etc. Thank you for understanding. 

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.     Book Proposal Studio, Edie Melson: The studio is for writers in the process of preparing a book-length manuscript to present to agents or editors. Participants will work side by side with an instructor in preparation of a professional book proposal. Room 222

Wednesday’s class is the introduction for the Book Proposal Studio Continuing Class that will take place throughout the conference.

A book proposal has a specific format and must answer the questions on an editor’s mind. As an author, you must be able to answer questions such as the topic and message of your book, the take-away value, your target market, and more.

An editor wants to get right to the point. A well-written book proposal helps you to clarify your project in your own mind, so that you can clearly communicate your idea for publishing consideration. This will give you the confidence you need to show any agency or publisher you are a professional.

Attendees for this session should come with their manuscript and all the information needed to write the proposal. Attendees who register for the session will receive materials (via email) before the conference to help you pull together the necessary information for your proposal.

If you are interested in being a part of the Book Proposal Studio, be sure to register for the BOOK PROPOSAL STUDIO and then please send an email to [email protected]. Put "BOOK PROPOSAL STUDIO/Your Name" in the subject line. *THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL COST TO THIS CONTINUING CLASS AND YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER**


3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. To AI or Not to AI, That is the Question, Lynette Eason: Come join Lynette as she walks attendees through what AI is, why it's not ALL evil, along with the do's and don'ts of using it. She will show you how it can help you brainstorm your stories, be an amazing research tool and more. Lynette will demonstrate how she uses AI to plot a never before plotted story--in other words, she will do for the class, exactly what she does at home when she has a new story to generate. When you leave the class, you will be able to take this knowledge with you and do the same for your own novel. And plus, it's fun. And will involve chocolate. She hopes to see you there! Room 234

**THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL COST TO THIS CLASS AND YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER**

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Marketing & Branding: A 3-hour Workshop to Help Build Your Brand at Any Stage, Bethany Jett: No matter where you are in your writing journey—dreaming of your first book or adding to your backlist—this session will help you build a strong, authentic author brand that connects with readers. We’ll talk about what branding really is, how to market yourself effectively, and practical ways to stand out in what feels like a saturated marketplace.

Whether you’re writing for kids, crafting engaging stories, or sharing powerful nonfiction, you’ll leave with actionable tips and a clear plan to grow your influence, engage your audience, and elevate your writing career—all while staying true to your purpose and faith. Let’s make your marketing and branding work for you! Room 224

**THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL COST TO THIS CLASS AND YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER**

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.      Pitch Studio, Edwina Perkins: In this workshop, you’ll learn how to craft a perfect pitch. Whether you’re pitching a nonfiction or fiction, the mechanics of the pitch are the same, and so are the results. From the introduction of the main character to the hook to the promise of the premise, Edwina will walk you through what makes a powerful, memorable pitch. She’ll also share how to make the most of those 15-minute appointments with the editor you’ve been stalking. Room 233

**THIS CLASS IS FREE AND DOES NOT REQUIRE PRE-REGISTRATION**

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.      Free time

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.      Dinner

7:00 p.m. –  9:00 p.m.     Check-in for FCWC will re-open after dinner

7:10 p.m.                          Coke Floats and Conversation: Panel Discussion by our Editors & Agents. Auditorium

After Hours Workshops (Begins after Coke Floats and Conversation):                                                      

Sharing Your Faith Through Articles, Blogs, and Devotions (NF), Alice Murray: God gave you the gift of writing so that your faith can be shared. But how a writer shares their faith will vary depending on the vehicle carrying the words. The method drives not only how faith is presented but the parameters (such as length) available to do so. Articles, blogs, and devotions are considered separately. And what can/should the writer write about? Tips for identifying topics are presented. Room 233

Lyric Crafting (C), Billy Wayne Arrington: Did you ever want to write a song, but didn't know where to start? This songwriting class is for you. Scripture says we should speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melodies in our hearts to the Lord. This class will equip you for making "melody in your hearts" for the Lord and sharing His message with others. Learn basic elements of inspiration, style and structure. Room 238

Initials, Initials, Initials (B), Cindy Sproles: In this class, we will talk about industry lingo. When we walk into a conference as a newer writer, we hear initials, words, and phrases that only have meaning to the writing community. Learn about the lingo, how to use it, and how to define it. We'll discuss what a critique group is and what elements to look for in a critique group before you join. When you leave, you'll have a better understanding of the publishing industry and its quirks. Auditorium

Boost Your Website Traffic Through Strategic Blogging (B), Susan Neal: After launching your website and publishing your book, the next crucial step is attracting visitors to your site. This course unveils the power of blogging as a tool not just for expression, but as a strategic means to drive substantial traffic to your website. Through advanced blogging techniques and incorporating search engine optimization (SEO) practices, you'll learn how to significantly increase your website's visibility and visitor engagement. We'll explore how quality blogging, coupled with the effective use of visual content like Pinterest pins, can transform your website into a magnet for readers. For instance, by adhering to a blogging schedule and strategically using Pinterest, my website witnessed a remarkable surge to over 9,000 views in just one month. This workshop/continuing class is designed to equip you with the skills to replicate this success. Room 234

Can I Turn My Book into an Audio Book? (F/NF), Cheri Cowell: Are all books good for audio, can I read my own, and how much does it cost? These questions and more will be answered in this workshop. Learn how you can take advantage of this hot trend. Room 237

Thursday                                                           

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.      Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.    Check-in                                                                                            

9:10 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.    First Time Conferees Orientation, Edwina Perkins, Auditorium                             

10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Opening Session Faculty & Conferees, Auditorium                                                 

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.    Lunch                                                                                                 

1:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.      Continuing Classes Begin:

 

Nonfiction Track, Lori Hatcher: You Can Write Best-Selling, Life-Changing Nonfiction! Would you like to write articles, blog posts, devotions, and books that will attract a publisher’s attention, inspire your readers, and change people’s lives? It’s not as hard (or as easy) as you think. Best-selling Our Daily Bread author, editor, and speaker, Lori Hatcher, will walk you through a simple strategy for creating articles, devotions, and books readers and publishers will love. You’ll learn how to help editors say Yes to your submissions, how to edit for maximum clarity, and how to handle the business and record-keeping side of writing. Lori will share best tips and tricks for handling the doubts and fears we often face as Christian writers and will help you craft a mission statement that will laser focus your time and writing for maximum effectiveness. Best of all, we’ll laugh, cry, and celebrate together as we co-labor together with God through writing. Room 234

 

Fiction Track, Zena Dell Lowe: Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been doing this for a while, this continuing class will teach practical tools to help writers craft visual, powerful, and commercially viable stories that can compete in the marketplace of ideas and take your writing to the next level. (Be advised: this class may include clips from R-rated movies.) Auditorium

Topics we’ll cover:


Screenwriting Track, Billy Wayne Arrington: Performing arts are great outlets for writers to express themselves and influence pop culture. This is especially prevalent with script writing.  Script writing is utilized for stage, screen, radio and social media.  Learn how to bring ideas and stories to life by developing intriguing plots and  inspiring characters.  Turn your written works into live presentations.    

These classes will be creative and interactive. Bring your script ideas and imaginations with you. Room 237

 

Children’s Writing Track, Michelle Medlock Adams: Michelle Medlock Adams, a multi-award-winning children’s book author and senior editor of Wren & Bear Books, is excited to lead this year’s continuing class—"Writing for Today’s Children’s Book Market”. The children’s book market has drastically changed over the past three years, and it continues to evolve. So if you have a heart for kids and a desire to make a difference in their world through your writing, this class is for you. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie in the genre of children’s writing, Michelle is saving your seat…and she has chocolate. You’ll learn the process from idea to submission, the earmarks of a modern-day picture book, how to identify trends in children’s publishing, how to know where your story fits, and how to breathe new life into old stories. Room 238

We will also cover:

 

Speakers Track, Jane Jenkins Herlong: Welcome to a world that’s equal parts rewarding, challenging, and—if done right—lucrative enough to fund your caffeine addiction and writing habit. One of my wisest speaker buds once said, “If you have a speech, you have a book. And if you have a book, you have a speech.” Translation? Your message is your goldmine—but first, you need to know what you’re digging for and who’s willing to pay for it. Every great communicator knows that stories don’t just entertain—they influence, inspire, and ignite action. Whether you’re a speaker, writer, educator, or leader, the ability to craft and deliver compelling stories is what sets you apart. Room 232

Topics we’ll cover in this fun and exciting continuing class:

 

Manuscript Critique Track*, Shellie Arnold and Jan Powell: If you’ve ever attended a writers conference and thought I wish I could actually work on my current project, this track is for you. Using Word Weavers International critique group guidelines, attendees will have the opportunity to refine their current work-in-progress. Pre-conference emails will be sent explaining formatting requirements and critique procedure, for those who aren’t familiar with the WW critique method. Participants will bring six pre-printed copies each, of 4-5 submissions of 1500 words. (That’s a potential 6,000-7,500 words critiqued. Awesome, right?) Attendees will be placed in groups of no more than five, according to genre if possible. Space is limited and is on a first come, first served basis to those who register for the entire conference. Each participant must commit to attending every daytime session (only the evening session is optional), with the only exception being for agent/editor interviews. Come discover what you’re doing right, what needs improvement, and how to make those improvements.  * Only the first ten will be accepted and must pre-register: [email protected] Room 224/Room223

 

Devo Track, Julie Lavender: Turn Your Personal Experiences into Powerful Devotions. Come join devotion writer Julie Lavender and master the art of writing devotions from everyday experiences that will challenge and encourage readers with powerful takeaways, drawing them closer to the Lord with little life moments. In this continuing session, you’ll learn the techniques of writing devotions, dissect sample devotions, pen a personal devotion to share and critique with a partner, investigate places to submit your devotion, learn how to write a query letter for a devotion, learn how to write a proposal for a devotional, and leave class with a plan for submitting your work. Room 233

 

Book Proposal Studio*, Edie Melson: Continuing instruction on writing your book proposal. By the end of the week, you should have a completed book proposal ready to dazzle editors and agents! *Must have registered for the Book Proposal Studio ahead of time. Room 222

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.      Sign up for Editor/Agent/Publisher Appointments, Room 225

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.      Free time                                                                                                                               

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.      Dinner                                                                                                 

7:15 p.m.                         General Session & Keynote, Dr. Angela Hunt, Auditorium

After Hours Workshops (After the General Session):

 The Accidental Ghost Writer (F/NF), Marti Pieper: Lessons in Writing from the Heart: "What kind of ghosts do you write about?" "Why would you want to do that?" "How do you get into ghostwriting?" In her years of ghost- and collaborative-writing experience in genres that include memoir, Christian living, and curriculum, Marti's encountered all these questions and more. She shares an honest perspective on her profession; gives insights into the nonfiction ghostwriting process; and explains the joys, challenges, and rewards of writing for others. Room 234


Self-Edit Your Manuscript—With Help from an Editor (C), Linda Taylor: Ready to go back over that first draft of your manuscript and polish it? Veteran editor and publishing professional Linda Taylor will walk through checklists and some examples of the first pages of manuscripts to help you get your work-in-progress in its best shape before you send it off. Bring your laptop with your manuscript on it. We’ll get it formatted correctly, and then we’ll spruce up those first pages. Auditorium


From Passion to Profession: Mastering Freelance Writing (NF), Amanda West: In this class we will cover how to source freelance writing opportunities, how to conduct interviews, what questions to ask, and how to take those questions and create an article that resonates with your readers, and keeps your editors/publishers requesting more. Students will be paired in groups of two and challenged to interview each other. After completing their interviews, each student will create an article that can be shared with the class, and on social media platforms to help spread the word about the person they interviewed. Room 233

The FUNdamentals of Flash Fiction (F), Sophia Hansen: WHO should write Flash Fiction? WHAT makes a good Flash Fiction story? WHY should you write Flash Fiction? WHEN is the best time to start working on your Flash Fiction story? WHERE can you read and submit Flash Fiction stories? HOW can you write a story in 1,000 words? Room 237
 

Bold Memoir Writing: An Eyewitness of God’s Goodness (NF), Teodosia Rivera: First, writers define and apply biblical boldness to write their memoirs even if, in today’s culture, the memoirs may be deemed unpopular or lacking compassion. Second, spiritual boldness is defined and used to discover how God’s holy word supports the writer's craft. Third, the difference between an eyewitness perspective and a second-hand account is presented to differentiate the writer’s voice in the memoir. Finally, excerpts from the instructor’s memoir, When God Remains: The Hope that Sustains You in Your Darkest Moments, are reviewed as samples of biblical boldness in writing a memoir. Room 238

 

Friday                                                                                                                        

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.      Breakfast/VIP Breakfast                                                                                                                                        

9:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.    Continuing Classes (See Thursday 1:30 for line-up)

11:25 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.   Music, Devotion,  Keynote Address, Dr. Angela Hunt, Auditorium

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.    Lunch 

 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.      Workshops:

Working with an Editor and Agent (F/NF), Blythe Daniel: Many writers wonder: Do I work with an editor first and then an agent? Or does an agent help a writer find an editor? When does a publisher come into the picture and what do they provide? Often writers want to know: Who do I work with and which comes first? In this workshop, we’ll look at the author/agent/editor relationship and look at how you decide who you work with and when. Common questions such as Do I hire them or do they choose to work with me? will also be a part of this workshop where questions and interactions are welcome and you’ll hopefully walk away understanding the relationship between each of these roles. Room 234

Writing for Focus on the Family (K), Jesse Florea: As a 30-year veteran of working at Focus on the Family, Jesse will share about all the different opportunities to write for this ministry. And it’s not just magazines! From newsletters to marriage, parenting and sanctity of life stories for the Web, Focus on the Family has lots of opportunities for new—and experienced—writers. Room 233

From the Page to Stage (or Screen): the Art of Adaptation (F), Mike Parker: How many times do you see the ad headline: "Hollywood Wants Your Story!" Sounds great, but the ugly truth is, Hollywood probably doesn't want your story. Hollywood is inundated with stories, and quite frankly, Hollywood would rather recycle stories that have already proven to be money-makers than take a chance on an unknown property. But that doesn't mean there's no hope in seeing your story on the silver screen (or on the TV screen, or on your local community theatre's stage). It all starts with the script. Room 237

Writing the Good Poem (C), Lora Zill: Poetry is an art worthy of our dedication and hard work. Poetry teaches you how to "write tight" and reach for just the right word to show your meaning and trust your reader to "get it." But what makes a "good" poem? Why do some poems grip us with their intensity and others turn us off with abstract ideas? We will learn to use poetic devices and universal ideas to craft our own "good poem." Room 238

Writing and Publishing with Kaleidoscope (F/NF),  Shellie Arnold: In today’s inspirational publishing world, authors find as many obstacles as opportunities. Landing an agent can be next to impossible, which makes traditional publishers even harder to reach. Hybrid publishing may seem appealing, but how can an author know they’re getting what they pay for? While self-publishing offers tremendous freedom, distribution can be challenging. Come learn how Kaleidoscope offers a personalized approach with the best aspects of traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing models. Room 224

Don’t Just Write that Book, Launch it! (M/B), Kathy Bruins & Victoria Chapin: The dream of publishing your book is about to come true! You've worked for months, sometimes years, to complete your manuscript. Release day comes, and you're ready to sell hundreds of copies, but you don’t. Has this happened to you? If so, you're not alone.  This is especially common with new authors, but sometimes authors who have been in the business for a while need a little help, too. We want to see all authors succeed in getting their books into the hands of their audience.  Kathy and Victoria will teach you the ins and outs of marinating your message months before your release so your audience is anticipating reading your book. The good news is, you don't have to do it alone. We're here to share some tips for launching and options to help you launch your book well. Room 222

Flip the Page (F), Cindy Sproles: What makes a reader shut the book after the first page, and what makes them get to the end of a chapter and flip the page because they can't lay the book down? A hook, a cliffhanger? Suspense or unanswered questions? An interrupted thought? All those things. In this class, we'll dig into finding and defining our hook and the value of getting it in the first paragraph or the first line. We'll talk about how to weave chapters together using cliffhangers, and we'll learn that every chapter doesn't have to end with a dramatic jab. We'll talk about those sudden twists that grab the reader and yank them into the next chapter. Room 223

2:45 p.m.  – 3:45 p.m.      Workshops:

Children’s Author, Children’s Author, What do You See? (K), Julie Lavender: Learn tips and techniques for writing children's picture books from A to Z and 1 to 3 to wow little ones and impress big ones, too. We'll learn what makes a good picture book and how you can turn your idea into a great picture book. Bring your favorite picture book, and we’ll find all the elements of great children’s writing! Room 237

From Proposal to Pub Date—What’s the Process in Traditional Publishing? (B), Catherine DeVries: For those who are soon to be published or are new to the process, Catherine DeVries will share what happens at a traditional publishing house, from proposal to pub date. She has worked for several houses over three decades and will share the steps you can expect to go through alongside your publisher. From Acquisitions, Pub Board, and the Manuscript process to Marketing Support (including titling and cover design), Sales Support, and YOU! Room 234

Writing Bible Studies for Personal Reflection (NF), John Herring: Reflective Bible Study is centered on connecting directly with God. There are many frameworks and methods for leading readers through an intentional introspective process. In this class, John Herring will share insights and ideas on creating Bible study methods that lead learners and readers to grow deeper in their relationship with God and in personal discipleship. It is geared for writers who want to work within frameworks that allow personal Bible reading, biblical introspection, and the development of Christian disciplines for an audience yearning to be led this way. Room 233

Plot-Powered Pantsing (F), Beth Hanning: Are you tired of rewriting your novel from scratch because your pantsing got out of hand? This course is for you! Learn how to harness the energy of a pantser while leveraging a simple structure template to keep your story on track. It's like having a secret map to guide your spontaneous adventures! Room 238

Master the Memoir (NF), Marti Pieper: Do you have a life story the world needs to hear? Do you want to leave a legacy in print for family, friends, and beyond? In this workshop, Marti discusses the do’s and don’ts of this popular genre, including the importance of a narrative thread, how thinking small makes a big difference, and the mystery of marketability. Room 224

8 Ways to Reach Your Audience (M), Katy Kauffman: Strengthen your platform with eight ways to connect to your audience, encourage your readers, and promote your work. We’ll talk about what to share and where to share it, along with what content would appeal to every reader no matter their background. From articles and blogs to newsletters and Facebook groups and more, pick what you think will work for your type of writing and your schedule. Room 222

Hit and Run Suspense (F), Lynette Eason: This workshop dissects the essential building blocks of powerful suspense novels. You'll discover exactly what your story needs: life-or-death stakes, carefully controlled information release, proven tension-building methods, strategic point-of-view choices, and credible threats that readers believe. Learn to craft characters with vulnerabilities that amplify danger, structure scenes that maximize suspense, and control pacing for maximum impact. Every section delivers actionable techniques you can apply to your manuscript immediately, transforming your writing into the kind that keeps readers frantically turning pages long after they should be asleep. Room 223

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.      Workshops:

Learning to be a Storyteller (C), Cindy Sproles: In this class, we'll learn about the elements of storytelling. We'll take the book sense and bring it down to practical. We'll learn the importance of conversation and how to translate that onto the page. Learning to be a storyteller, whether verbal or written, requires knowing how to relate to your reader. Come, sit, and learn the elements necessary to bring a story to life. Room 224

 

Writing for a Middle-Grade Audience, without Sounding Cheesy or Preachy (K), Annette Marie Griffin: If you’ve explored the middle-grade section of a library or bookstore lately, you know that the genre is inundated with dark literature. Now more than ever, Christian kid-lit writers need to be the light. But no one wants to read a cringe-worthy, preachy book—especially tweens. Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction for an ABA or CBA audience, this workshop will explore 5 keys to reach the heart of young readers. Room 237
 

What’s Working and What Market Trends to Watch (B), Blythe Daniel: Writers often ask “what’s selling right now and how can I be a part of what’s trending?” Sometimes we decide which books to write based on which ideas gain traction and even more importantly, the books that are already trending upward in sales and momentum. What genres are seeing a rise in the market? Where are the no-go’s? How do you know which ideas to pursue? This workshop will answer these questions and look at where we’ve been in publishing over the last several years to where we are today and where the predictable needs are for writers. Room 238


What Do Publishers Want? (K/NF), Dan Balow: Direction to authors seeking to be published by traditional publishers. This workshop is primarily for authors willing to adjust to the market's needs. Dan will show how awareness of publisher differences will give an aspiring professional writer an idea of how to adapt. Still, publishers might “violate” their own rules, but knowledge of various publisher preferences is key to a successful long-term writing career. Room 223

 

Enhance Your Multimedia Presence: Optimize Platform with Interviews, Audio Content, Videos, and Online Workshops (M), Tina Yeager: Extend your platform and engage audiences with audio, video, and more! This workshop will cover multiple forms of media through which you can deliver your message and embrace new followers. Learn the basics of audio content delivery, virtual classes, and video platforms. We’ll also discuss how to conduct interviews or serve as a guest on shows hosted by other influencers. Room 234

Writing as a Creative Spiritual Experience (F/NF), Lora Zill: God wants Christian writers to value His creative gifts as highly as He does. He wants us to love Him with our whole mind and heart, including our imaginations. Are we listening as He speaks to us in our imagination and through our writing? We will explore creativity as a spiritual discipline and reflect on Jesus as the Root and Source of our Creativity. Room 222

Breaking into Article Writing (NF), Jesse Florea: This workshop looks at the reasons you may want to write articles, which include the 3P’s: profit, platform and portfolio. It’s also a great way to express your passion. (Hey, that’s a fourth P!) We’ll talk about how to capture an editor’s attention, the purpose of an effective lead, learn about different types of online and print periodicals, and discover how good interviewing skills can open doors to big-time stories. Room 233

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.      Free Time

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.      Dinner                                                                                                 

7:15 p.m.                         General Session & Keynote, Dr. Angela Hunt, Auditorium                                   

After Hours Workshops (After the General Session):

How to Tap Into the Power of Vision to Complete Your God-given Publishing Assignments (C), Tarsha Campbell: Vision is a powerful thing! Everything you see around you first started with a vision. The houses we live in, the cars we drive, the technology we use—and EVEN what you envision to publish. As a Spirit-led author and creative, it’s critical you understand, “you have to see it, before you see it.” In this dynamic and transformative presentation, Coach Tarsha, Your Next Step Coach & Mentor, shares how to tap into the incredible power of vision, vision boards and vision board journals to strategically complete your God-given publishing assignments. Room 233

Business Writing for Writers (NF), Sharron Cosby: We peck out novels, poems, and short stories with relative ease. But what about letters? Not only query letters, but normal, everyday letters. Well-written letters make a good first impression. A poorly drafted letter has the opposite effect. What about email etiquette? We’ll go over the dangers of creating and sending an email when emotions are high, who to include on the address list, response times, use of emojis, and other practical tips for effectively communicating through emails. Then there are text messages. We’ll review the dos and don’ts for composing business text messages, including the use of emojis. This workshop will provide tips on writing eye-catching, first-impression-making letters, emails, and text messages. Room 234

How to Broaden your Online Audience by using Google Analytics and Best SEO Practices (M/B), Annette Marie Griffin: Millions of people are searching for solid answers to life's deepest questions. But instead of looking to the Church or the Bible for spiritual guidance, today's go-to source of enlightenment is Google. This class will teach Christian authors how to use best SEO practices and Google analytics to impact the world, grow their online audience, boost their online presence, and open the door for more writing and speaking opportunities. Room 238

The Book Review Roadmap (M/B), Tamara Clymer: Turn reader feedback into your book’s greatest asset. In The Book Review Roadmap, you’ll learn to navigate the world of book reviews—earning more of them, using them effectively, and handling the dreaded negative ones with grace. Learn practical strategies to encourage reviews, leverage them for marketing, and build lasting reader engagement. Whether you're a new author or a seasoned writer, this session will equip you with the tools to harness the power of reader feedback to boost credibility, increase sales, and strengthen your author brand. Don’t leave your reviews to chance—unlock their full potential! Room 237

Saturday                                                    

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.      Breakfast/VIP Breakfast      

9:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.    Continuing Classes (See Thursday 1:30 for line-up)

11:25 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.   Music, Devotion, Keynote Address, Dr. Angela Hunt, Auditorium

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.    Lunch

12:45 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.      Special Book Signing with Dr. Angela Hunt, FCWC Bookstore

1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.      Extended Classes:

Making Facebook Reels in Canva (M), Katy Kauffman: Send your friends a greeting. Announce a speaking event or your newly released book. Promote your blog. Connect afresh with your audience and let them know you care. Show readers your interests and hobbies (cooking, sports, pets, and so on), or encourage them with a short devotion or prayer. The possibilities are endless, and so is the good that you can do with Facebook Reels.

These video reels are short—ninety seconds or less—but designing the finished product can take a while. Canva.com has time-saving designs or “templates.” These templates come with a color scheme, text, and graphics, and you can add your own personal touch.

In this class, Katy Kauffman will demonstrate how to create a Facebook reel using one of Canva’s designs. Class members will need a laptop and a Canva account (the free version is fine) to follow along and create a reel in class. All class members will take home a set of step-by-step instructions. Email Katy at [email protected] if you are interested in coming or have any questions. Join us for this fun workshop! PS. Bring your laptop. Room 234

Crafting Promise-Based Interview Topics for Writers and Speakers (M), Linda Goldfarb: If you write or speak professionally you will have the opportunity to be interviewed via podcasts, television, and radio. Hosts are looking for guests who can make a difference in the lives of their audiences. Linda’s L.I.S.T. interview elements help you craft meaningful interview questions that fulfill your promise-based topics. And yes, she helps you craft the topics too! RAINTREE Room 324
 

All About Eve . . . and the Elements (F), Donna Mumma: Nominated for a record fourteen Oscars, and winner of six, All About Eve is an example of old Hollywood storytelling at its finest. This is the only film in history that received four female acting nominations, and once you’ve seen it, you’ll see they were all well-deserved.

In this class, we will be watching All About Eve, studying the elements that make this such a great story and film. We’re going to focus on five specific areas that a fiction writer could transfer to their own work. We will be looking at characterization, especially in an ensemble cast, including how to set up compelling character arcs, create characters who are unique, interesting, and authentic, as well as how to use their backstories as seasoning that brings deeper layers to your characters. This movie is noted for its snappy, crisp dialogue. We will be studying what made so many lines from this film iconic and memorable as well as how you can employ the same techniques in your stories. Set ups and pay offs are a vital part of any story, and we will be analyzing how these were handled to perfection in this film. Lastly, we will be looking at this movie’s excellent examples of how to set up a multi-faceted villain and how to weave in multiple themes that all work together to bring a story to life in such a way that your audience will be turning those pages as fast as they can. Room 223

Pysched Characters: Craft Fiction with Vivid Emotion (F), Tina Yeager: Do your protagonists and antagonists rise from their pages to captivate a reader’s imagination? Sculpting characters with psychological depth infuses your story with power. Join me for a workshop exploring realistic thoughts and behaviors from a therapist’s perspective. Discover personality types, trauma responses, and potential effects of mental health diagnoses. We’ll cover socio-cultural and background influences similar to those explored during counseling services. Learn solutions for the ethical dilemmas involved with portraying mental health disorders. How does your character respond to crisis? How does she cope with pain? Get into your character’s head and make her unforgettable. Participants receive a psychological profile tool for outlining each of their characters. I also provide a list of reliable resources to help authors obtain clinical and personal perspectives on specific circumstances. Believe it or not, some information on the internet isn’t true. Room 222

 
Editing Yourself and Others (F/NF), Linda Taylor: This extended class is broken into three sections:

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.      Workshops:

Writing for Guideposts Magazine, (NF): Julie Lavender: Wanna write inspiring, true stories for Guideposts Magazine and have your words join other pages that have been read by millions of people for the past seventy years? Come learn tips and techniques for getting your story accepted for Guideposts Magazine and other Guideposts publications by Guideposts contributor Julie Lavender. Room 238

The Three-Act Structure – Hollywood Style (F), Zena Dell Lowe: Have difficulty getting from Act One to Act Three?  Do you find that your story lags in Act Two, or worse, you get lost and don't know how to finish?  If you've tried other approaches to the three-act structure, but still seem to have difficulty finishing your project, this is the class for you.  We'll use the Hollywood Beat Sheet to learn how to flesh out your story, make sure the main character drives the action, and develop an easy to use roadmap to help you get to the end.  This class may change your life.  It did mine. If possible, please watch the film "Witness" starring Harrison Ford prior to attending this workshop. (Be advised: this class may include clips from R-rated movies.) Room 233

Building Your Author Platform (M/B), Dan Balow: Step-by-step approach to building an effective author platform. This single session will outline the process of building an author marketing platform from beginning stages to a long-term effective tool. Moving quickly through the process of determining your message to implementing all the pieces, this single session will be information overload, but a necessary start. Room 237

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.      Workshops:

Taxes and Laws Part I (B), Patricia Hartman & Ilena Alvarez: COURSE TITLE AND DESCRIPTION TO COME Room 233

Identifying Your Speaking Niché (C), Victoria Chapin: When to say "yes" and when it's okay to say "no" to speaking requests. This class will help you discern and/or learn to weave your story through a talk when it's not your typical audience ... yet you feel led to take the call. Room 237

Writing, Interrupted (F/NF), Marti Pieper: When Marti began her freelance writing career, she was a pastor’s wife and homeschooling mom of five young children. Last August, she finished a season of caregiving for her husband, who had a rare form young-onset Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia, while continuing to work as a full-time freelance writer and editor. Both seasons (and the many in between) offered interruptions and reasons not to write. In this workshop, Marti presents the reasons we should write, the obstacles that often keep us from it, and the practical, spiritual strategies that will help you press toward publication. Room 222

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.      Workshops:


Taxes and Laws Part II (B), Patricia Hartman & Ilena Alvarez: COURSE TITLE AND DESCRIPTION TO COME Room 233

Writing for Children for the Educational Market (K), Julie Lavender: Learn to navigate the work-for-hire world of educational writing with the author of twenty-two children’s educational books, Julie Lavender. Learn how to research and write what the publisher needs, learn how to find markets to submit to, learn how to check readability level using the ATOS analyzer, and learn how to prepare a package to send to publishers as part of the application process. If you’d love to see your work in school libraries and the kids’ section of community libraries, this class is for you! Room 238

Make Your Points Shine: Create Visuals that Complement Your Presentations (M/B), Gretchen Huesmann: Today, writing and speaking go hand in hand. Adding appealing visuals will elevate your talks and boost your bookings. We’ll cover the do’s and don’ts of slide content, the pros and cons of PowerPoint vs. Canva, and learn how to transform your material into a presentation that enhances—rather than detracts—from your message. Room 237

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.      Free time

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.      Dinner

6:45 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.      “Just Deserts” Desserts & Award Ceremony and Book Signing Opportunity and Billy Wayne Arrington Concert. Auditorium

Sunday                                              

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.      Breakfast/VIP Breakfast                                             

9:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.    Continuing Classes

11:25 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Devotion & Communion. Auditorium

12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m.    Lunch and Depart