When I launched my first fiction book, I invested over $20,000 in ads, promotions, and tools the industry said I “had to have.” The result? I ended up in the red, overwhelmed, and questioning if I was cut out for this author life.

That costly mistake, however, became the turning point. I realized tools alone don’t build a successful author career—goals and strategy do. By refocusing on my why, identifying my ideal readers, and creating a business strategy around my books, I transformed my writing journey into a thriving publishing and coaching business.

In this session, I’ll share practical lessons learned from moving through traditional, self, and hybrid publishing, and how each shaped the way I support authors today. Attendees will also experience guided exercises to help them:

• Redefine what success looks like on their own terms

• Clarify their why and who their books are meant to serve

• Outline a simple, 90-day strategic plan that ties tools to goals

• Understand the “essential trinity” of book success: the editor, the cover designer, and the coach

This session blends real-world case study with actionable strategy. Authors and aspiring book professionals alike will leave with not just hope, but a practical roadmap to move forward with clarity and confidence—working smarter, not harder.

Key Takeaways:

• Tools don’t equal success—goals and strategy do.

• Real-world lessons from traditional, self, and hybrid publishing.

• A personalized mini-plan to align writing with business.

• Why every author needs the “essential trinity” to thrive.

Intuition.

Do you resist it, doubt it, derail it? 

Or...do you lean in and let intuition and inner knowing help your art flow effortlessly? 

Whether you plan, map, or discover as you go, this session will help.

Learn methods to help you:

• stop "thinking" and start "syncing" up to the infinite intelligence, wisdom, and creative flow. 
• trust what comes through you.
• tap into the consciousness of books before and while you write them.

This is an interactive session. Be ready to practice. 

What if marketing your book didn’t have to be a solo mission? In this session, Ann Ljungberg shares smart and creative ways for authors and book professionals to team up to reach bigger audiences and sell more books without adding extra stress or cost. You’ll learn how to create win-win collaborations through joint campaigns, cross-promotion, bundles, shared events, and community-based marketing.

Whether you’re launching your first book or building a long-term author brand, you’ll leave this workshop with concrete ideas, real examples, and a plan for your next collaborative marketing move.

You're going to discover how to be CAPTIVATING in your interviews by combining the right story for impact with the techniques us professional actors know and use to stand out, connect with your audiences and attract your ideal clients.

Step inside the mind of one of the world’s most celebrated crime writers! In this exclusive interview, Elizabeth George: bestselling author of the Inspector Lynley series and a seasoned writing coach and educator, who shares her insider expertise on how to turn ideas into publishable books, work effectively with editors and coaches, and build a lasting career in today’s publishing world.

With decades of experience both at the top of the bestseller lists and in the classroom, Ms. George reveals:

-The biggest mistakes new writers make, and how to avoid them

-How professional editors, agents, and coaches can transform your work

-The keys to balancing creative passion with market demands

-Practical strategies for sustaining a long-term career as an author

Whether you’re just starting your writing journey or looking to take your career to the next level, this conversation will give you directly applicable tools to navigate the industry with confidence. Don’t miss this rare chance to learn directly from a master storyteller who knows the publishing world inside and out.

You didn’t start your business just to stay stuck in survival mode, working way too hard for way too little. You started it to make a real difference — and live a life you love. But if you're still spinning your wheels with low-ticket offers, chasing clients, or undercharging for your brilliance... It’s time for a better way.

In this high-value session, you’ll discover how to turn your mission into a magnetic message and a high-ticket offer that feels aligned — and actually sells. Whether you're a coach, consultant, or service-based expert, you'll learn 3 simple shifts that will help you consistently attract right-fit clients who are ready to say YES… without pushy sales tactics or constant marketing burnout.

You’ll learn how to turn your mission into a magnetic message, attract aligned premium clients, and sell high-ticket offers with ease, confidence, and clarity.

Many professionals and would-be authors struggle with the dreaded “writer's block.” Attend this session to find out how to defeat writer's block each time you sit down to write. You'll never stare at a blank computer screen again! Your stories, ideas, and thoughts will flow easily when you use this proven method.

Stop writing to impress other writers. Start writing to transform readers.

Here's the truth that'll make you squirm: that beautiful metaphor you laboured over? That intricate prose you polished for hours? Your reader's brain processed it in 0.3 seconds and moved on. Meanwhile, a "simple" scene you barely thought about is still lodged in their memory three years later.

Why?

Because most writers are unknowingly writing for the wrong audience—other writers, not readers. And the human brain knows the difference.

In this session, Heather Masters—NLP trainer and founder of the 9,600-member Creative Writing Tips community—will show you exactly what's happening in your reader's brain when they encounter your words. You'll discover why some stories haunt us for years while others evaporate instantly, and why it has almost nothing to do with "good writing."

You'll learn:

• Why "show, don't tell" works neurologically—and why you're probably doing it backwards
• The invisible contract between your ego and your reader's transformation (and which one you're actually serving)
• How memory, emotion, and language create lasting impact—and how to architect scenes that leverage all three
• The one question that instantly reveals whether you're writing for applause or impact

This isn't about dumbing down your writing. It's about understanding that the brain doesn't process "literary merit"—it processes emotional truth, sensory experience, and transformation. Master that, and your clever writing becomes powerful writing.

The Challenge: Bring one scene you're secretly proud of. We'll examine whether it serves your ego or your reader—then rewrite it to do both.

Fair warning: This session will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about "good writing." Come ready to be challenged.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Writers who suspect their work isn't landing the way they hoped—and are brave enough to find out why.

Put on the editor’s glasses and see what it’s like to think, read, and work with stories like a developmental editor.

In this interactive session, you’ll analyze a short scene, spot what works and what could be refined. Be warned: you might never read novels the same way again — and you might just discover your next creative calling.

John Fowles once wrote: 'I do not plan my fiction any more than I normally plan woodland walks; I follow the path that seems most promising at any given point, not some itinerary decided before entry.’ So many authors begin by writing fragments. And it is easy to fear – in this world of Hollywood tales – that this approach is somehow wrong. That if we don’t begin with a three-act structure, a clear inciting incident and mapped out series of plot points, then we will run into trouble. Yet in truth, we all have a sense of ‘story’ and ‘structure’ and we bring our sub-conscious awareness of traditional forms into our work even when we are not insisting on it. Our focus today is how we balance our instinct with a desire to follow the ‘rules’. We explore how intuition and structure coexist and how it is possible to trust the story’s natural growth while shaping it with purpose and clarity.

Based on her international bestseller, “Guerrilla Publicity”, 4x Best Selling author and publicity expert, Jill Lublin, shares simple strategies and doable tactics- helping you to stand out, get noticed and go from unknown to newsworthy. Whether you're already an author or you want to write a book, Jill will reveal insider secrets that any author must know!!

Dig down into what makes your genre tick! Discover what editors, agents, and audiences want, and learn how to give it to them—all the while staying true to your vision.

1) Understand the real purpose of publicity- To boost your credibility and amplify your visibility. 

2) Uncover your "Oooooo, Ahhhhhh!" factor. Find the Wow! that sets you apart from the crowd. 

3) You are the news! Craft a riveting message that lets others know who you are and what you do.

4) Simplify! Learn how the pros mesmerize the masses by tailoring their message to the level of a five-year-old. 

5) Pass the all-important "Who cares?" test by showcasing your expertise in a way that commands attention. 

In "The Author Advantage," join Lynda Sunshine West, founder of Action Takers Publishing and 44 times International Bestselling Author, as she reveals how your book can elevate your brand and attract clients. This dynamic session delivers practical strategies and transformative insights, ensuring your authorial debut is not just a launch but a leap toward unparalleled brand recognition.

You'll walk away with:

1. Insights on Positioning Your Book as the Ultimate Business Card
2. Strategies to Extract and Amplify Key Insights from Your Book
3. Techniques for Using Your Book to Maximize Your Visibility

Whether you're an aspiring or seasoned author, "The Author Advantage" will equip you with the tools, strategies, and inspiration you need to transform your book into a powerful tool for client attraction and brand elevation. This session promises to empower you in your quest to build an unforgettable brand.

How I went from extreme poverty to a successful life with many of the techniques I used to get there. From going to bed without dinner as a child to marrying an organic farmer and never going hungry again. And how it is a continuing journey. 

Starting from a blank page in an industry where you know very little can feel daunting right?

In this presentation, Nicky will unpack the four pillars to get your book not only written but:

Showcasing you as an expert

Being easy to read for your buyers

Written while you stay relaxed

Publishing in the nest way for you

Launched with a strategy

On that bestseller list!

There’s the book you want to write and the book a publisher – and readers – will buy: Are they the same book? Literary agents receive 1500+ manuscripts a month. Publishers receive 10,000+ manuscripts a year. If you want to get a publishing deal and more readers, you’ve got to know what publishers (and readers) buy and how to make your book stand out from the pack. Publishing coach, Randy Peyser, pitches books to agents and publishers after her company edits or ghostwrites them through her company, Author One Stop, Inc. www.AuthorOneStop.com.  Randy will tell you exactly what you need to know to get an agent or publisher to offer you a contract.

Authors and aspiring authors will discover how to craft and deliver compelling narratives that captivate readers and audiences. Learn techniques for integrating personal and fictional stories into your books and presentations to make your messages more relatable, memorable, and persuasive. This session will provide practical tips for engaging your audience emotionally and enhancing your storytelling skills, ensuring your content leaves a lasting impact and effectively inspires and influences your readers and listeners.

We all face moments that feel messy, overwhelming, or uncertain. But what if those very moments hold the key to your greatest growth?

In this inspiring session, Sally Larkin Green, author and entrepreneur, shares how she transformed personal challenges into powerful lessons that shaped her story… and how you can, too.

Through authentic storytelling and practical strategies, Sally helps you reframe life’s tough seasons as opportunities for clarity, strength, and transformation. You’ll learn how to release the pressure to have it all together, embrace your story as it is, and find the courage to move forward with confidence.

You’ll leave this session encouraged, empowered, and ready to see your “mess” as the foundation for meaningful growth and new possibilities.

This interactive session is designed for writers, creatives, and content creators who are ready to overcome resistance and start writing with purpose and momentum. Through live prompts, reflection exercises, and practical strategies, Sarah S. Brown leads attendees from idea overload or blank-page paralysis into a renewed writing rhythm.

Participants will:

• Identify personal roadblocks through guided journaling
  
  

• Try on-the-spot writing techniques to boost creativity
  
  

• Build a personalized breakthrough plan they can use right away
  
  

• Leave encouraged, equipped, and ready to show up to the page
  
  

Blending storytelling, humor, and hands-on practice, this session turns writing into an experience—not just a task.

In today’s competitive market, standing out and establishing authority is more crucial than ever. Discover how writing a best-selling book can serve as the ultimate business card, setting you apart as an expert in your field. This talk will guide you through the transformative power of authoring a book, showing you how to leverage this tool to increase your visibility, impact, and income. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, learn the strategies to make your book a reality and use it to propel your business to new heights.

In today’s saturated publishing landscape, writing a great book is just step one — the real challenge is being seen, heard, and trusted. In this session, bestselling author Sheena Yap Chan shares how authors, editors, and book professionals can become visible thought leaders and drive impact beyond the page.

Drawing on frameworks from The Tao of Self-Confidence and Bridging the Confidence Gap, Sheena reveals how to:

• Craft a leadership narrative that elevates your voice in the literary ecosystem

• Overcome imposter syndrome when pitching your ideas or crafting your author platform

• Use storytelling (your own story) not just within the book, but in author branding, media, and marketing

• Leverage presence and authenticity to turn readers into champions, collaborators into partners, and your platform into influence

Attendees will walk away with a Confidence & Visibility Roadmap for Authors: a toolkit of concrete strategies to amplify their voice, grow their network, and build credibility in the publishing world.

Whether you’re preparing your debut book or scaling your author business, this session gives you the mindset, tools, and visibility strategies to lead with confidence in an industry crowded with voices.

Social media can sell books but it doesn't have to be so hard, time-consuming and overwhelming! Ever wonder what you're supposed to post on your social media platforms as an author? In this class, you will learn Shelby's signature strategy that's helped her sell over 60,000 books. You'll learn the 3 types of content to post on social media to build a community of readers. 

In this powerful session, Wendy Melrose shares how stories heal—not just our own hearts, but the lives of others and the Kingdom of God. With transparency and hope, Wendy opens up about her journey through divorce, restoration, and rediscovering her God-given gift of writing. Using Scripture and practical action steps, she shows how true healing comes when we walk through the pain and allow God to transform it into testimony. Attendees will leave encouraged, equipped, and ready to release their own stories for God’s glory.