CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Wednesday, October 18, 2023 (Pre-Conference Day–CREWs only)

8 am                              Faculty meeting (CREW leaders only)

8:15-9 am                     Doors open, registration

9 am-12 pm                 CREWs meet, with 15-minute break midway

12-1:30 pm                   Lunch break. Bag lunch or eat off campus

1:30-4:30 pm               CREWs meet, with 15-minute break midway

Thursday, October 19, 2023

8:15-9 am Doors open, registration Lobby

9-10:15 am General session #1 Sanctuary

10:30-11:15 am Workshop #1

Trends in Publishing and Platform—Mary DeMuth Sanctuary

Body Language–The Ultimate Show Don’t Tell—Tara Johnson The Grounds

Key Elements of Telling your Hard Story—Debbie Alsdorf The Yard

Becoming an Author-preneur—Keri Wyatt Kent Classroom 1

Developing a Writing Voice—Joseph Bentz Classroom 2

7 Secrets to Presenting Yourself as an Author Classroom 3 Cindi McMenamin

11:45 am-12:30 pm Workshop #2

A Content Creator’s Guide to Making Money and an Impact Sanctuary Kathi Lipp

Newbie in a Nutshell—Sami Abrams The Grounds

Test Your Premise—Ginny Yttrup The Yard

Design Your Reader’s Journey—Jan Kern Classroom 1

Representation Matters: Writing Multicultural Books for Kids Classroom 2 Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young

Becoming a L.O.U.D. Speaker: Turning up the volume of events 

Classroom 3 Amberly Neese

12:30-1:30 pm Lunch on campus; may eat off campus if desired

1:30-2:15 pm Workshop #3

Authors & Agents: Inside this Important Partnership Sanctuary Rachelle Gardner

Under the Tent—Unveiling Structure to Unleash Your Story The Grounds Sarah Sundin

Pitch Like a Pro: Tips for Pitching Articles & Essays The Yard Chanté Griffin

Make Your Children’s Book Sparkle, Shine, and Sell Classroom 1 Sharon Norris Elliott

Devotionals, A Great Place to Start—Jon Drury Classroom 2

You’ve Been Framed—Marci Seither Classroom 3

2:15-2:45 pm Coffee break

2:45-3:30 pm Workshop #4

Why So Much Detail?—Bret Lott Sanctuary

Writing for Focus on the Family—Rachel Pfeiffer The Grounds

Anatomy of a Query and Book Proposal—Michelle Ule The Yard

5 Fiction Techniques That Will Bring Your Nonfiction to Life Classroom 1 Jeanette Hanscome

Magically Creating Time to Write—Deb Gruelle Classroom 2

Hooks That Won’t Let Go—Bob Hostetler Classroom 3

Writing Can be so “Taxing”—Chris Morris Classroom 61

4-5 pm Round tables

Friday, October 20, 2023

8-9 am Doors open

9-10:15 am General session #2 Sanctuary

10:30-11:15 am Workshop #5

From Query to Publication (and Everything in Between) Sanctuary Rachelle Gardner

Character Wounds—Tara Johnson The Grounds

Theology for Writers—Susy Flory The Yard

Tested Tips for Writing Devotionals that Sing Classroom 1 Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young

Newsletters Without Tears—Lisa Bogart Classroom 2

Memoir Writing: Taking Your Story a Step Further Classroom 3 Cindi McMenamin

11:45 am-12:30 pm Workshop #6

The Power and Responsibility of Writing as a Christian Sanctuary Lance Hahn

Edge of Your Seat Scenes: Suspense and Action The Grounds Sami Abrams

From Brainstorm to Book Launch—Sarah Barnum The Yard

Writing for Mainstream Magazines: How to Break In Classroom 1 Chanté Griffin

Chronically Creative: Balance Writing with Mental Illness Classroom 2 Chris Morris

Basics of Non-Fiction Structure—Debbie Alsdorf Classroom 3

12:30-1:30 pm Lunch on campus; may eat off campus if desired

1:30-2:15 pm Workshop #7

On Precision—Bret Lott Sanctuary

Other Than a Book: Ways to Use Your Talents—Michelle Ule The Grounds

Screenwriting 101—David Hyde The Yard

Ten Lies About Writing—Tim Riter Classroom 1

Making Your Children’s Book Memorable—Deb Gruelle Classroom 2

Finding Your Platform—Bob Hostetler Classroom 3

2:15-2:45 pm Coffee break

2:45-4 pm General session #3 Sanctuary