Welcome!

Presented by Fiction Author Connie Hampton Connally

Throw characters together in a dialog scene, and surprising things can happen. Their spoken and unspoken conflicts, underlying feelings, and insecurities surface. In this workshop we'll explore how to write compelling dialog to reveal the characters and push the story forward.

Presented by YA Horror Author Bailey Day

Great job—you have just finished writing your book! But in the querying and promotion process coming, you are going to have to write that dreaded synopsis. Whether it be a one or three-page synopsis, this class is designed to help you tackle this difficult task. We will talk about what is important to include and not include in your synopsis, how to weave in your main character’s emotional journey, and how to still keep your “voice” without it being distracting.

Presented by Washington State Poet Laureate Arianne True

Learn a technique for self-editing inspired by the lessons in The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo (aka the KonMari Method). In this workshop, we’ll learn how to apply Kondo’s ideas to our written words to make them more clear and true to our hearts. Bring 1-2 pieces of your own in-progress work: ideally, choose pieces where you feel stuck or can’t figure out what’s not working, but that you haven’t given up on yet! You’ll work on editing these pieces in our session together, using this editing for joy method.

Presented by Bryan and Daishaundra Hearne of Urban Poets Society

Come emote with Urban Poets Society in our Open mic Workshop. Take some time to find your voice and share in a safe space with likeminded poets and writers.

Presented by Horror Author T.J. Tranchell

"Write what you know" is a craft cliche at this point. When it comes to writing horror, there is part of that cliche we shouldn't forget. If you want to write horror, you need to write about what scares you. Join me as we explore our own fears about life and about writing. Then we'll talk about how to get it on the page. Be prepared to touch the darkness and use it to scare your readers.

Come with your preferred writing materials. No need to submit any work beforehand.

Presented by Fiction Author Connie Hampton Connally

A story rings true at a deep level when it resonates emotionally with us. In this session we’ll explore how to create emotional depth and intimacy through atmospheric details, interior monologue, and a character’s responses to crisis.

Presented by Author Anyla McDonald

We all have gifts, a voice, and a passion for writing but we may not have ever stopped to think about who we are and how it shows up in our work. Are you embracing your gifts? Are you using your voice to fulfill your purpose? Are you being unapologetically you in your writings? We will examine ourselves and show up as ourselves in a short writing assignment.

Presented by Certified Personal Trainer Mike Steen of The Mike Way Wellness

Don’t let being stuck behind a desk hinder your health and wellness goals. Learn a few tips and tricks to keep you active even during your most intense writing sessions!

Presented by Romance Author C. RAE D’ARC

Learn secrets from one of the top 10 largest US bookstore industries to be more effective at your book selling events. For traditional, indie, or self-published, introverted or extroverted, fiction or nonfiction.

Presented by SciFi and Fantasy Author Lindsay Schopfer

Action scenes are some of the most exciting, intense moments in our stories, but they can be tricky to get right. Too little detail and the reader won’t be invested; too much, and the action will be lost in a sea of unnecessary details. Participants in this course will learn how to manage pacing, how to balance character reactions and event descriptions, and how to use effective word choice to keep the reader fully immersed in the scene.