Days 5, 6, & 7

Here's what's happening at our conference on Wednesday and Thursday.

All of these talks will be available on our YouTube channel AND through our Conference page this year. I'll also link them in Discord as they premiere, where you can watch them while chatting with a few awesome presenters!

Day Five: Friday, March 27

Chestnut Review: volunteering for literary magazines

with Maria Picone & the Chestnut Review team

9 am Eastern, 1 pm UTC

In this panel discussion, Chestnut Review Editor Maria Picone joins writers Kyle Givens, Reina Garcia and Samira Shakib-Bregeth to discuss volunteer opportunities in the literary magazine and small press world. The panelists discuss their personal experiences with literary magazines and how volunteers can find positions. What questions should prospective volunteers ask before they commit to a project? They also talk about balancing volunteer work with their own writing.

Retellings and Reimaginings

with Demi Michelle Schwartz

11 am Eastern, 3 pm UTC

Multifaceted creative Demi explains the differences between retellings and reimaginings, which types of pieces can fit within this label, and potential pitfalls to writing a retelling. Her advice will help you navigate this fun and creative storytelling style to help your work stand out.

The Slow Approach to Writing Quick Middle Grade Fiction

with Mick Dane

1 pm Eastern, 5 pm UTC

In this talk, Mick teaches authors how to maintain the youthful narration and pacing needed in middle grade work. He explains how to use format, structure, story progression, and dialogue effectively for middle grade writing and how to do so in a way that will maintain interest. His focus on starting to plot the next book while drafting the current one helps give ideas time to grow.

Break: 3 pm Eastern, 7 pm UTC

Legal Issues for Writers

with Tali Shammas

5 pm Eastern, 9 pm UTC

As much as writers may wish otherwise, there are lots of legal issues to consider when writing something for publication. Author and JD Tali Shammas explores some of the most important topics, including contracts. She provides an overview of issues to watch in contracts with publishers, agents, and editors, as well as how authors can navigate work-for-hire agreements. Beyond that, Tali examines defamation claims and how writers can best protect themselves.

Write a Book This Year

with Tenesha L. Curtis

7 pm Eastern, 11 pm UTC

In this talk, Tenesha explains how beneficial positive thinking can be. She provides tips on how to set and meet achievable goals so you can confidently write your book this year.

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Day Six: Saturday, March 28

The Query Letter Formula

with K.T. Carlisle

9 am Eastern, 1 pm UTC

The Query Letter is the hardest part of publishing. In this step-by-step guide, K.T. walks querying authors through everything they need to know about writing the perfect query letter, including the opening paragraph, log line, two-paragraph summary, and author bio… plus how to make each one stand out.

Small Press Panel

with Shayna Keyles (North Atlantic Books), Christine Stroud (Autumn House Press), and Nicole Tallman (Jackleg Press), hosted by S.E. Reed

11 am Eastern, 3 pm UTC

Join small press publishers in a panel discussion about the publishing process from the publisher’s perspective. Hosted by S.E. Reed and featuring Shayna Keyles of North Atlantic Books, Christine Stroud of Autumn House Press, and Nicole Tallman of Jackleg Press.

Publishing in Literary Magazines

with Becky Tuch

1 pm Eastern, 5 pm UTC

Ever wondered how to get your work published in literary magazines? This video is for you! Becky Tuch, the creator of Lit Mag News, offers a step-by-step practical guide on the lit mag submission process. Her presentation includes recognizing when a piece is ready to submit, drafting a quality cover letter, and finding the magazines and journals that meet your writing goals. She covers rejections, and what writers can learn from rejection tiers. Becky also discusses writing contests as an option for your work.

Literary Magazine Panel

with Jay Aja (University of Tampa Press), Kolby Granville (After Dinner Conversation), Miah Jeffra (Foglifter Press), and Elizabeth Coffey & Mark Wish (Coolest American Stories) hosted by S.E. Reed

 3 pm Eastern, 7 pm UTC

Join literary magazine and anthology publishers in a panel discussion about the publishing process of shorter submitted works. Hosted by S.E. Reed and featuring Jay Aja of University of Tampa Press, Elizabeth Coffey and Mark Wish of Coolest American Stories, Kolby Granville of After Dinner Conversation, and Miah Jeffra of Foglifter Press.

Quiet Places: Writing Retreats

with Wendy Van Camp

5 pm Eastern, 9 pm UTC

Writing retreats can provide the time and space to connect with your work, grow your community, and discover more of who you are as an artist. In this talk, Wendy explains the benefits of a writing retreat and why you might (or might not) want one.

How To Write a Great Sex Scene

with Thea Landen

7 pm Eastern, 11 pm UTC

In this (actually clean) talk, Thea discusses tips and advice you can apply to ANY type of fiction, but especially sex scenes. In addition to varying sentence structure and description choices, characterization can inform tense and point of view—they matter (a lot) in every scene, no matter what you’re writing. Characters also help you establish the way you use language, helping you avoid bizarre euphemisms or unnecessarily clinical speech. In sex scenes in particular, attention to physicality is crucial to inform your narration. This talk includes closed door and open door romance, and the necessity of a sex scene.

Thea taps a lot of our Core Concepts in this talk: character development, description, pacing, and perspective.

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Day Seven: Sunday, March 29

Realistic Dialogue: Let's Talk About Talking

with Benjamin Ryan

11 am Eastern, 3 pm UTC

Multitalented author Benjamin Ryan teaches you how to write strong dialogue that speaks to the reader as well as the characters. Using published examples, he shows how to know when to use or cut the tags, how action beats work with dialogue to develop character, and the all-important subtext. Say hi to Francine!

Poetry Press Panel

with Kristina Darling (Tupelo Press), Kate Gale (Red Hen Press), Tyler Hurula (South Broadway Press), and Ophelia Monet (wildscape. Literary Journal) 

hosted by S.E. Reed

1 pm Eastern, 5 pm UTC

Join poetry press publishers in a panel discussion about the challenges of publishing poetry and the publishing process. Hosted by S.E. Reed and featuring Kristina Darling of Tupelo Press, Kate Gale of Red Hen Press, Tyler Hurula of South Broadway Press, and Ophelia Momet of wildscape.

Connecting With Your Readers

with Saffron Asteria

3 pm Eastern, 7 pm UTC

In this insightful marketing talk, Saffron explains how to identify your audience (it starts you) and engage with them… and it might not be on social media. These tips and tricks for connecting with your audience can help authors at any stage, from those publishing for the first-time to multi-bestselling industry pros. They’re also an excellent way for readers to find great writing!

Indie Author Panel 

with Diane Billas, Erica Eberhart, Courtney Reece, and Avery Timmons, 

hosted by S.E. Reed

5 pm Eastern, 9 pm UTC

Join small press authors in a panel discussion about the publishing process and what it's like to be a small-press published author. Hosted by S.E. Reed and featuring Diane Billas, Erica Eberheart, Courtney Reece, and Avery Timmons.

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If you want to be part of the 2027 team, volunteer to present here.

We love chatting with writers!

Many presenters are available in our Discord throughout the week.

You can also contact them through me if that's more your speed.

This conference would not be possible without these amazing presenters who donated their time to help you succeed. THANK YOU!!!

And to S.E. Reed, Bruce Buchanan, and Skylar Kipp, endless thanks!!

<3 Theresa