Thursday Workshop
Join us for a BONUS DAY at conference! What do you get?
Helpful Critique Groups - 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.
Amazing Speakers - Don’t miss these two classes by Jessica Guernsey and Rachel Huffmire, which are ONLY available if you register for Thursday.
Team Trivia Night - Open to ALL in-person attendees (Thursday, Friday, or Saturday).
Jessica Guernsey
Jessica Guernsey writes Fantasy and Sci-Fi short stories. With a BA in Journalism from Brigham Young University and a MA in Publishing from Western Colorado University, her work is published in magazines and anthologies. By day, she crushes dreams as a slush pile reader for multiple publishers. By night, she edits and produces anthologies. Frequently, she can be found at writing conferences. She isn’t difficult to spot; just look for the extrovert. While she spent her teenage angst in Texas, she now lives on a mountain in Utah with her family and a bossy mini schnauzer. Discover more stories at www.jessicaguernsey.com.
30-Day Deadline: Tips for Prepping Your Novel and Your Life to Write the First Draft
Have a great story idea but just don’t have the time to get the words down? You can write the first draft of your novel in just one month. Success just needs a better plan, deeper prep, and smarter methods. Come learn the tips, tricks, and strategies to finish that draft faster than you thought possible. Use these techniques to meet your writing deadlines and goals no matter what your deadline.
Rachel Huffmire
Rachel Huffmire is an award-winning author who writes futuristic fairytale retellings with twisty plots and happily-ever-afters. She has worked in the book and publishing industry since 2007, managing bookstores, acquiring and editing manuscripts for publishers, directing a marketing department for a small press, and recently signed her first film deal with a major Hollywood producer. She lives in Southern California with her husband, three children, and a library of books that is slowly overtaking their house. It’s not her fault, honest.
Author Branding--The Essence of YOU!
Why do you write? There is something you believe so deeply, with every fiber of your being, that it makes its way into every story you tell. This core value is the heart of your brand. Regardless of genre, age, or trope, if you are loyal to this value, your readers will follow you into any story. But how do you figure out what this value is and use it deliberately? Come explore the true essence of branding—beyond color schemes, messaging, and graphics—and show readers exactly what you believe in.
Team Trivia Night:
Join us for a night of literary fun where the pages come alive! In this special trivia night, we're celebrating the timeless debate: "The book was better." Teams will compete in a series of book-themed trivia rounds, testing their knowledge of classic novels, modern bestsellers, and everything in between. But that's not all—each team is encouraged to come up with a creative, book-inspired pun for their team name. Whether it's a clever twist on a classic title or a witty play on words, the more punny, the better!
Whether you're a bookworm or just in it for the fun, this night promises laughter, learning, and a celebration of all things literary. So grab your favorite reading glasses, gather your team, and get ready to prove that the book was indeed better!