Schedule | Writer's Digest Annual Conference

The updated, virtual schedule is here! We’re in the process of filling the open slots and will have the completed program posted soon.

The Writer’s Digest Annual Conference offers a balanced program covering the fundamentals of craft—delving into specific genres and techniques—along with the business of being a writer, from traditional and self-publishing paths, promotion and marketing strategies, and managing a sustainable career.

We’re in the process of selecting speakers for what should be our best program yet so check back often, and be sure to sign up for our email newsletter to receive session and speaker updates as they’re announced!

Featured Events

Pre-Conference Workshops (11/5)

The Compass of Character: Creating Complex Motivations for Compelling Characters | David Corbett

Personal Essay Essentials: How to Break Into Print with First-Person Writing | Windy Lynn Harris

Sessions Schedule

FRIDAY, November 6, 2020

	Fiction	Nonfiction	Build Your Platform	Publishing Business
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM	Everything You Need to Know to Write Crime Fiction – In One Hour Hank Phillippi Ryan	Seven Key Questions You Need to Answer to Successfully Publish Your Nonfiction Book Katrin Schumann	How to Publish Your Book Jennifer S. Wilkov Sponsored by: Your Book Is Your Hook	Book Publishing Trends in 2020: What Writers Need to Know Jane Friedman and Guy LeCharles Gonzalez
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM	In for the Long Haul: The Craft of Writing a Series Donna Russo Morin	10 Tips for a Winning Nonfiction Book Proposal Ryan Van Cleave	Marketing Collectives for Mutual Success Ann Garvin	Query Letter Basics Jess Regel
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM	Surprise & Delight Your Readers on Every Page Jessica Strawser	Memoir or Fiction: How To Choose the Best Way to Tell Your Own Story April Eberhardt	What the Heck Is TikTok: The Ins and Outs of Author Platforms and Branding Andrea DeWerd	Panel: What Should Authors Expect From Publishers’ Marketing Efforts? Guy LeCharles Gonzalez, Kathleen Quinlan, and Kilby Blades
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM	Lunch on your own
	Fiction	Nonfiction	Build Your Platform	Publishing Business
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM	Rooting Suspense in Domesticity Hallie Ephron	How to Sell an Essay, Humor, Op-Ed, or Service Piece Fast Susan Shapiro	Emerging Story Platforms for Authors Kilby Blades	Inspiration Session: Writer’s Digest Anniversary Panel Jane Friedman, Jessica Strawser, Jack Heffron, and Amy Jones
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM	Developing a 25-Word Idea and Pitch Statement: The Heart of Your Story Bob Mayer	Writing True Crime Rebecca Morris	One Small Thing a Day: Marketing Made Easy Amy Collins	Being a Hybrid Author: Reaping the Benefits of Being Both Traditionally and Self-Published Abby Vandiver
5:15 – 6:15 PM	Opening Keynote: Chuck Wendig

SATURDAY, November 7, 2020

	Craft	Craft	Inspiration	Publishing Business
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM	How To Plot Your Book With Ease Ann Garvin	The Muddle in the Middle Hank Phillippi Ryan	Be a Writing Machine: How to Never Run Out of Writing Ideas and Beat Writer’s Block Forever Michael La Ronn	Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in Publishing: From First Pitch to Book Birthday Nevien Shaabneh
11:15 – 12:15 PM	Creating a Conflict Box: The Fuel of Your Story Bob Mayer	It’s a Small, Diverse World: Creating Authentic Voices for Your Characters Abby Vandiver	Secrets of the Algorithm – How Traditionally Published Authors and Indies are Working with Amazon’s Algorithm To Find More Readers Laurence O’Bryan Sponsored by: BooksGoSocial.com	The Nitty Gritty on Giving a Book Talk for Your Novel Hallie Ephron
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM	Dialogue as Action, Not Conversation David Corbett	Crafting Flash Windy Lynn Harris	Find Your Writing Voice by Exploring Other Creative Arts: Arts, Music, Performance, Oh My! Sharon Short	Evaluate Your Publisher’s Platform Before Signing a Book Deal Guy LeCharles Gonzalez
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM	Lunch on your own / Exhibits
	Craft	Craft	Inspiration	Publishing Business
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM	Rock Your Revisions Gabriela Pereira	The 5 Insider Secrets to Show-Stopping Novel Beginnings Annalisa Parent Sponsored by: Date with the Muse, LLC	Fearless Writing: Because Everyone Has What It Takes William Kenower	Slush Pile Boot Camp Chantelle Aimee Osman
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM	Panel: Debut Authors PANEL: Joanne Ramos, Tariq Shah, Mia Mercado, and Cassandra Lipp (Moderator)	Weaving the Character Web David Corbett	Organizing Your Writing Life Leslye Penelope	How to Sell to Libraries Amy Collins
5:15 – 6:30 PM	Central Keynote: Maaza Mengiste and Viet Thanh Nguyen
5:30 – 7:00 PM	Networking, Virtual Lounge