Thursday Workshop

Join us for a BONUS DAY at conference! What’s better than one Thursday option? Three! That’s right! This year, Thursday has three unique workshops:

Track 1: First 10 Pages Critique - This is a chance for you to take a dive deep into your manuscript with a mentor (conference faculty) and other writers. You’ll be placed into critique groups, and each person in the group will submit pages ahead of time to read and write down feedback. On the day of the workshop, you’ll discuss everyone’s pages and give and receive helpful feedback.

Track 2: Main Character Energy: Building Your Author Instagram with Serene Heiner (3 hour intensive) - be ready to practice in real time!

Track 3: Flirting with the Algorithm: Create Scroll-Stopping Content in Canva with Danyelle Ferguson (3 hour intensive) - leave with ready-to-post graphics and videos!

That evening Trivia Night returns @ 7pm so create your teams and prepare for knowledge lovers chaos! Open to everyone, not just Thursday attendees.

(Lunch and Dinner are NOT provided on Thursday.)

Danyelle Ferguson

Danyelle Ferguson is an award-winning author of sweet, swoon-worthy romances filled with laughter, fabulous kisses, and happily-ever-afters. When she's not writing her next love story, you can find her hiking the trails, color-coordinating her life in pink, and singing every word to a Taylor Swift song. She shares her home with her super silly family and Theo the cat who is absolutely not the boss of her (note: he is). Follow her latest adventures and inevitable cat photobombs on her Facebook 'Confessions of a Bookaholic' reader group, or on Instagram @DanyelleFergusonBooks. Website: www.DanyelleFerguson.com

Flirting with the Algorithm: Create Scroll-Stopping Content in Canva

You know what’s worse than creating social media content? Staring at Canva and having no idea where to start. This hands-on workshop changes that. Bring your laptop, book graphics and blurbs, and maybe a little creative chaos. We’ll turn it into scroll-stopping graphics and simple videos you can actually use. Step-by-step, you’ll learn how to design in Canva, streamline your workflow, and create content that looks polished and on-brand.

This is beginner-friendly, judgment-free, and built for real humans who want real results. You’ll walk away with:

  • New Canva skills you can actually repeat

  • A better understanding of what works on social media

  • Multiple ready-to-post graphics and videos

Because the goal isn’t just learning—it’s leaving with content you’re excited to share.

Requirements: Please bring your laptop and come prepared with a Canva account (Canva Pro recommended).

Serene Heiner

Serene Heiner is the creative force behind @magicalbooknook on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, where she entertains over 170K followers. A lifelong fantasy fanatic, she occasionally dabbles in other genres (just don’t tell the dragons).

She’s taught at writers' conferences such as Storymakers and StoryCon, served on conference boards, and twice placed in the Storymakers First Chapter Contest. She lives in Idaho with her husband and their seven book-loving children, surrounded by precarious stacks of books.

Main Character Energy: Building Your Author Instagram

Step into your main character energy and learn how to build an author Instagram without the overwhelm, the confusion, or the “what am I even posting?” spiral. This workshop breaks it all down so you can show up with confidence and connect with readers in a way that actually works without spending all your time online. Bring your phone and get ready to practice in real time!

Team Trivia Night:

ALL (even those not attending conference) are welcome to join us for a night of literary fun where the pages come alive! In this special trivia night, we're testing your knowledge of the ‘70s and books!

No team? No problem! Come play or come watch! Whether you're a bookworm or just in it for the fun, this night promises laughter, learning, and a celebration of all things groovy!