CHECK OUT OUR FUN, ENGAGING, AND INFORMATIVE FACULTY

 Debbie Maxwell Allen was born and raised in Brooklyn but now writes historical fiction in the Rockies. She teaches workshops on the craft of writing, productivity, and using Scrivener and Vellum software. When not writing, she offers developmental editing and publishing assistance and keeps tabs on her husband, four children, two cats—and three grandchildren.  

With social media platforms like Facebook changing the rules of the game, savvy authors increasingly depend on email newsletters to connect with readers. But what do you say to your readers and how do you keep them engaged? Join us for tips and easy-to-implement ideas to stay engaged without stress. Learn five unbeatable techniques for increasing the size of your list--and staying connected with loyal fans.

 Scrivener software is an increasingly popular tool for writers, yet there's a learning curve some writers shy away from. This workshop will get you up and running and working on your manuscript immediately, without needing to be a software guru. Learn to navigate the software, import your manuscript and every scrap of research, and take advantage of Scrivener’s most helpful features. 

 In this workshop, discover how Scrivener can be configured with amazing color for both fiction and non-fiction writers. Corral your links, ideas, and images--even connecting them to specific manuscript chapters. Customize Scrivener for your particular needs, learn to plot & revise in new ways, and write faster to boot! 

Tez Brooks is an award-winning author, speaker, and writing coach with a passion for equipping and inspiring writers. A sought-after faculty member at numerous Christian writers’ conferences, his work has appeared in Guideposts, Focus on the Family, The Upper Room, and more. His book The Single Dad Detour earned multiple accolades, and Christianity.com named him one of 50 Authors You Should Know. As a conference keynote speaker and writing mentor, Tez blends humor, wisdom, and practical insight to help writers excel. Learn more at tezbrooks.com.

This class covers interview questions you should be prepared to answer, speaking tips for LIVE audiences, keeping listeners engaged, creating a press kit, and making the host's job easy so he'll invite you back. 

Learn the dos and don'ts of a well-written flash fiction piece. This class also allows participants to work on and complete the first draft for two micro stories they can expand on later.

Recognized as one of last year’s top writing coaches, Tez will give you a 15-min free coaching session on any topic regarding traditional publishing and self publishing for intermediate and advanced writers. Feel free to bring a one sheet, proposal, or first 500-words for critique. 

Beatrice Bruno, an Army veteran and former Drill Sergeant, is an ordained gospel minister, Grief and Writing Coach, and passionate encourager. With six published books and 11 ghostwritten works, she empowers readers through Christian Living, Motivational/Inspirational, and Fiction writing. As the founder of Writer, Thou Art Loosed! conferences, she helps writers create for God’s glory.

Recently navigating widowhood, Beatrice seeks her "new normal" while guiding others through grief, reminding them, “You don’t have to walk this path alone.” She also leads POWWOW (Prophetic, On-Watch Warriors of Worship and War), hosting conferences and prayer calls to intercede for families and communities.

A dynamic speaker, Beatrice has traveled nationwide, ministering with boldness and faith. No matter life’s changes, her trust in God remains steadfast, always giving her something to Write On!

How often do we allow the cares of the world to distract us, getting our minds off of what God has called us to write? How often, also, do we allow stuff inside of us to creep into our writing space, again, keeping us from doing what we know we are supposed to be doing? Well, The Drill Sergeant of Life and The Write Drill Sergeant is here to help you see -- Writer, Thou Art Loosed!

No more believing what our flesh is saying to us concerning our writing. It’s time to get loose from all the stuff our flesh builds up around us to keep us bound.

Join me for Writer, Thou Art Loosed! and get Loose! You won’t regret it! God bless!

What's holding you back as a writer? Join Beatrice for 15 minutes to talk personally about your struggles and triumphs. Pray in advance that God will reveal the best way for you to move forward. Then expect answers!

First published in 1991, Dianne has published more than 300 articles in magazines including War Cry!, Focus on the Family, Light and Life, and Encounter.

She’s the author of 6 nonfiction books, 4 eBooks for writers, 3 eBook's about the Bible, and 20+ historical and contemporary romance novellas.

She has contributed to more than 20 books including Chicken Soups, A Cup of Comforts, and Zondervan’s New Women’s Devotional Bible.

She is also a screenwriter, placing in national contests including a finalist and semifinalist in MovieGuide’s Kairos Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays. She is an award-winning short film writer/producer/director.

Details and both fiction and nonfiction newsletters at www.DianneEButts.com

Twitter/X, Facebook, and Instagram gave authors amazing opportunities to connect with readers beyond their own circle. But many more social media platforms have developed including some specifically aimed at readers. These exciting newer opportunities can help authors make our books known to an ever-expanding audience. What are they? How can authors use them to gain readers? Learn about these newer platforms and the opportunities they offer to expand your readership.

Both Indie and Traditionally published authors will learn about helpful platforms, how to use them to your best advantage, ways to grow your followers, time-saving techniques, and more, including oodles of Resources.

Like the two parallel rails of a train track, screenwriters need two parallel lines of training to get to the destination: Story Structure and Screenplay Format. You’ll get an introduction to both.

Then, once you’ve written a screenplay, what’s next? How does the film industry work? How do films get made? How can you get connected? What are the opportunities for plain folks like us? If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to write for the screen or get your book made into a movie, you’ll get the basics in this overview, plus oodles of Resources to help you continue once you get home.

Dianne will discuss new social media possibilities with you and offer suggestions for possible marketing improvements that fit you personally, your book(s), your budget, and your work style. 

Dianne is happy to discuss screenwriting with you and answer your questions about screenwriting. No pressure. Let's just sit down and talk. 

Catherine is Publisher of Kregel Publications, with over 30 years of experience in Christian publishing and a proven track record of crafting best-selling Bibles, books, and ministry resources for all ages. She began her career with Zondervan/HarperCollins, where she helped launch the NIrV translation and Zonderkidz and acquired The Jesus Storybook Bible. As brand manager at United Methodist Publishing House, DeVries launched the Common English Bible translation. Then as Publisher for David C Cook, Catherine was responsible for Sunday school curriculum lines, ministry resources, and trade books, including The Action Bible line of products. Catherine is also the author of 25 children’s books. 

She lives in Michigan with her husband and they have 3 grown kids. Last year she led the Children’s Summit at ECPA PubU in Chicago.

Throughout her three-decade career, Catherine DeVries has led Christian publishing efforts at a handful of companies for a variety of ages and interests. An author herself, with nearly 30 books published, DeVries shares essentials for powerful storytelling. Based on data, trends, culture, and experience professionally and personally, discover insights and strategies about writing that have the potential to deepen connection and understanding within and across generations.

Deb Hall started her freelance editing business, The Write Insight, over a decade ago and has enjoyed helping authors hone their craft and enhance their manuscripts ever since. As a former high school and college English teacher, Deb brings her training in writing instruction to the task of helping authors create their best works. Having self-published her own book, Barren and Beautiful: Discovering Joy and Healing in the Wake of Infertility, she understands what it takes to go from draft to print copy. Also a breast cancer survivor/thriver and a health and fitness cheerleader for others, Deb lives in Golden with her husband, two sons, and sweet pup, Jazmin.

Okay, you’ve finished your manuscript draft. Hallelujah. What an accomplishment, truly. But now what? Most of us know we need professional editing, but how do we make sure our “baby” is ready to send off to an editor to scour through and fine-tune? Deb Hall will share her top 10 tips for self-editing that she has gleaned after 10 years of editing—things she knows will not only make the editing process faster and smoother (perhaps saving you money) but also make your manuscript far stronger. From the first pages to even some big-picture advice, Deb will leave you with action steps you can use immediately.

Join Deb for a 15-minute personalized session to provide guidance on what type of editing or next steps you should take with your manuscript.

Rick Killian was the developmental editor on the platinum-selling Jesus Freaks and ghostwrote Jesus Freaks: Revolutionaries by dc talk and The Voice of the Martyrs, as well as two New York Times best sellers with Michael D. Evans. Altogether, he has guided more than eighty mission-driven books to completion that have sold more than 5.4 million copies. When not ghostwriting or editing, he coaches entrepreneurs, nonprofit groups, and other thought leaders on expanding their reach and amplifying their missions. For more information, visit his website at KillianCreative.com. 

We make sense of the world through stories. Stories form the basis of our culture, our values, and our identities. Stories also have the power to awaken us to new perspectives, shift paradigms, and broaden worlds. Just look at the parables Jesus shared. 

Great stories plug into the kind of transformation Jesus taught. To do that, you must understand some things about identity, the voice of culture, and what story does to influence readers. In this class, we’ll discuss how I use these as a ghostwriter and writing coach to help authors get to their best books. 

Book Coach Rick Killian, the developmental editor and ghostwriter for Jesus Freaks and many other well-known books has graciously agreed to talk to YOU about your project. Sign up now for a one-on-one 15-minute session with Rick. He'll answer questions and give you tips on your writing. Bring a one-sheet and/or the first 500 words of your manuscript for expert feedback and guidance.

Robert started his writing career during college, being published by Bethany Press. He is a multi-published author of four books. He has had a career with the YMCA of the Rockies and contributed to publications including Workamper, Colorado Christian NEWS, Estes Park News, and several other local, regional, and national newspapers. He is also a chaplain and dynamic speaker at writers conferences, seminars and anyone who will listen.

Any kind of writing can be difficult. However, writing about personal pain can be challenging, heartbreaking, and messy. This workshop teaches you how to address emotional challenges when writing about private hardships for others to learn from. Robert N. Ruesch is the author of The Long Road Home, A Family’s Journey Through Addiction, which takes an unfiltered look at the devastation of addiction and the relentless hope of recovery. Robert will openly share what he has learned about holding your heart in your hand as you become an open book. Are you willing to share your story?

Join Bob for insight and suggestions about your memoir writing. He will answer questions and, from his own experience, suggest ways you can handle the emotional challenge of sharing your story. 

 Allie Slocum’s passion to introduce children to strong character values is

what drives her to write the Character Club series and teach Character Clubs. She has been teaching since 1994 in private, home, and public schools. Slocum lives in

Colorado with her husband, two daughters, and golden retriever. She loves reading,

gardening, and hiking.

This interactive workshop will explain why we should use dialogue in our writing, will teach the basics of proper dialogue, and will give attendees time to practice so they can leave feeling empowered to write engaging dialogue in fiction or non-fiction.

Rylie Slocum is a young author pursuing her writing dream. She loves writing, reading, dogs, and nature. She is a member of the Young Writers Workshop and spends a lot of her time growing her writing skills and preparing for publication. She is currently working on a novella focusing on the idea of finding our identity in God. She has spoken at several  writing events, and is a Writers on the Rock favorite. 

We have all been in that place where we are reading a book that we just can’t put down. There is some sort of desperate need to finish it, to find out how it all ends. That is what we aspire to as authors. We want to know how to keep our readers turning the pages. In this workshop you will learn and practice the skills to start you on your journey to becoming a master.

Eric is a former Swiftwater Rescue Instructor for the U.S. military and the founder of Adventure Experience. He travels the country speaking on the benefits of risk-taking, danger, how to manage fear, and “better living through a slightly more dangerous lifestyle”. 

Somewhere along the way, he’s taken some award-winning photos and written nine books. 

Come hear a lively, detailed debate about the big picture 

impact and usage of AI in the writing world - 

• Is it reliable?

• How should we use it?

• What boundaries should we set?

Come see specific examples of the uses, and abuses, of AI at this time. It's an eye-opener! You might just decide your own AI policy based on what you hear.

Bill Watkins, founder and president of Literary Solutions, is an award-winning writer, editor, consultant, teacher, and speaker. He has authored eight books, over thirty study guides, and numerous other works. Bill has collaborated with notable authors like Mike Huckabee, William Bennett, and Chuck Swindoll, and his books have been endorsed by J. I. Packer, Jerry Bridges, and D. James Kennedy. With a background in theology, philosophy, apologetics, biblical studies, history, world religions, and music, he has taught at various levels and lectured at educational institutions and conferences. He has also worked with publishers such as Thomas Nelson, Moody, and B&H, Broadstreet, and Probe Ministries.

• Assess an author's writing style, its effectiveness, and its needs;

• Assess the content of a written piece, including its argument, tone, and audience reachability;

• Help writers deal with writer's block, originate and develop writing ideas, develop an effective writing style, and increase writing output;

• Help writers increase their knowledge base so they have more to communicate with more confidence;

• Basically, anything having to do with the writing life and with a piece of writing, I can handle for nonfiction writers.