Access Page – Publishing in Color March 2022 Online Conference

Thank you for registering!

This is the page where you will be able to access all conference sessions – please do not share it with anyone who has not registered for the conference.

Clink on the link for each time slot below to participate in live sessions, or to view recorded sessions. (Soon after each live session is completed, the Zoom link will change to a YouTube link so that you can view the recording.)

Please note: all times are Eastern; end times are approximate. Most conference sessions will be recorded.

All sessions can be viewed at the times indicated below, or at anytime through June 11, 2022.

All times and sessions are subject to change

Meeting signup has ended – If you would like to sign up for up to 4 virtual 1-on-1 meetings you may do so here. These are informal ~20-minute chats (by phone, Zoom, or equivalent) that can be scheduled at a mutually convenient time, either before, during, or after the conference.  Speakers are not obligated to follow up with you after the meeting. Meeting slots are filled on a first-come, first served basis while supplies last.  At some point before the conference you will be contacted by the speaker in order to arrange a mutually convenient time to talk. All meetings are $10 each.

If you would like to sign up for an Open mic reading (Thursday March 10 from 3:45 – 4:45 PM Eastern) you may do so here.

If you would like to submit a pitch to one of our industry speakers, please email it to brian@publishingincolor.com no later than May 11, 2022 and let me know to whom I should forward it.

Don’t forget to check out the Writing for Your Life Bookstore! There you can learn about many recommended books on writing, marketing, and getting published.

 

Please note that this page will be updated when we are closer to the conference.

Monday March 7 

  • 9:30 – 10:15 Eastern: “Publishing Opportunities at Our Daily Bread Ministries” presentation – learn more about Joyce Dinkins here
  • 10:15 – 11:00 Eastern: Our Daily Bread Ministries Q&A
  • 11:15 – 12:00 Eastern: Barb Roose (literary agent) presentation: “The Inside Scoop on Getting Published: Four Must-Do’s that Will Land You A Traditional Publishing Contract” – learn more about Barb here
    • Getting traditionally published is hard, but it can be done with hard work in the right areas. Join Books & Such literary agent Barb Roose to learn the four areas for you to prioritize in your quest to get published. As a traditionally-published author herself, Barb will also share proven, practical tools to help you succeed.
  • 12:00 – 12:45 Eastern: Barb Roose (literary agent) Q&A
  • 1:00 – 1:45 Eastern: Networking Lunch Break – an unmoderated, informal time for you to chat with other conference attendees
  • 1:55 – 2:45 Eastern: Sharon Elliott (literary agent) presentation: “The 10 P’s to Step Up Your Writing Success” – learn more about Sharon here
    • Do you plan to set yourself apart from other writers? How do you move, not just to the next level, but to the excellent level? Attend this workshop and learn how to elevate your mindset to that of a professional author. Step into your role with all the right people and processes in place.
  • 2:45 – 3:30 Eastern: Sharon Elliott (literary agent) Q&A
  • 3:45 – 4:45 Eastern: Panel 1: “How to break into getting published”
  • 5:00 – 5:45 Eastern: ​Catherine DeVries (Kregel Publications) presentation “An overview of the Children’s Book process at a publishing house” – learn more about Catherine here
  • 5:45 – 6:30 Eastern: ​Catherine DeVries (Kregel Publications) Q&A

Tuesday March 8

  • 9:30 – 10:15 Eastern: Cheryl Price (Judson Press) presentation: “Self-Care for the Writer” – learn more about Cheryl here
    • Cheryl will also include publishing opportunities at Judson Press
  • 10:15 – 11:00 Eastern: Cheryl Price (Judson Press) Q&A
  • 11:15 – 12:00 Eastern: Edwina Perkins (Harambee Press) presentation: “The Importance of Your Pitch” – learn more about Edwina here
    • Pitching your book is one of the most important things you’ll do as an author. A memorable pitch can help a book go a long way in a crowded marketplace. It’s a concise, one or two sentences used to sell your book to an editor, agent, and eventually to readers. This workshop will give tips on how to create a killer pitch.
  • 12:00 – 12:45 Eastern: Edwina Perkins (Harambee Press) Q&A
  • 1:00 – 1:45 Eastern: Break
  • 2:00 – 2:45 Eastern: Quantrilla Ard (literary agent) presentation: “Writing and Community: Why relationships matter to your craft” – learn more about Quantrilla here
    • Writing can be a solitary and isolating career. Whether you are writing as an act of creativity, career, worship, or ministry, building relationships are necessary to the longevity and quality of your work. We’ll discuss why they are important and practical ways to build them.
  • 2:45 – 3:30 Eastern: Quantrilla Ard (literary agent) Q&A
  • 3:45 – 4:30 Eastern: ​Cindy Bunch (InterVarsity Press) presentation: “What Am I Called to Write?” – learn more about Cindy here
    • This session explores how we discern what to write and how to know if you are ready to publish. We will also talk about the practical steps of creating a book proposal with a peek into the conversations that take place in the publisher’s decision-making process.
  • 4:30 – 5:15 Eastern: ​Cindy Bunch (InterVarsity Press) Q&A
  • 5:30 – 6:30 Eastern: Replay of Independent publishing demo with Adam Thomas – learn more about Adam and his services here
  • 8:00 – 9:00 Eastern: Second Tuesdays Writer Discussion Group with Dorena Williamson – our topic will be “the powerful impact of representation for children and adults”

Wednesday March 9

  • 9:30 – 11:00 Eastern: Deborah Sáenz Gonzalez (NavPress) presentation and Q&A: “Rehumanizing Platform” – learn more about Deborah here
    • Aspiring authors hear a lot about the importance of platform, and it’s true that platform holds a lot of weight in publishers’ minds. But platform is about more than just gaining social media followers and trying to become famous. In this presentation we’ll broach the topic of platform from a vocational angle, exploring how to grow your platform without feeling like you’re selling your soul in the process.
    • Here are Deborah’s slides
  • 11:15 – 12:00 Eastern: David Morris (Lake Drive Books) presentation: “How to Take Advantage of Today’s Publishing Environment” – learn more about David here
    • The publishing environment has dramatically changed during the digital revolution of the last 15 years, and now there’s more opportunity than ever for intrepid authors. As a publishing executive, David Morris has had a birds-eye view on religious publishing, but as a PhD and life-long student of religion, he’s also developed a keen eye for how to advocate for authors. In this talk, David will discuss the key change events in publishing, the new dynamics its created for authors, and the new power authors have for finding community and readers for their writing. He’ll offer key dynamics that authors of color can pay attention to, and to be encouraged that their voices in the larger conversation about faith and spirituality are as necessary as ever.
  • 12:00 – 12:45 Eastern: David Morris (Lake Drive Books) Q&A
  • 1:00 – 1:45 Eastern: Networking Lunch Break – an unmoderated, informal time for you to chat with other conference attendees
  • 2:00 – 2:45 Eastern: Amy Newmark (Chicken Soup for the Soul) presentation “Sharing Your Story – The Do’s and Don’ts of Getting into a Chicken Soup for the Soul Book” – learn more about Amy here
    • Join Amy Newmark, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Chicken Soup for the Soul, as she presents: Sharing Your Story – The Do’s and Don’ts of Getting into a Chicken Soup for the Soul Book.
  • 2:45 – 3:30 Eastern: Amy Newmark (Chicken Soup for the Soul) Q&A
  • 3:45 – 4:30 Eastern: ​JoLanda Rogers (T.A.L.K. Publishing) presentation: “One Book: Multiple Streams of Revenue” – learn more about JoLanda here
    • Both independent and traditionally published authors often write books that are “more” than just books. Learn what your literary art has the power to become and how one book can create multiple revenue streams.
  • 4:30 – 5:15 Eastern: ​JoLanda Rogers (T.A.L.K. Publishing) Q&A
  • 5:30 – 6:00 Eastern: Brittini Palmer Q&A about “Black Women Write for Freedom” – learn more here

Thursday March 10

  • 9:30 – 10:15 Eastern: Annette Leach (Uriel Press) presentation: “Traditional or Self Publishing: Which is the best option for you?” – learn more about Annette here
  • 10:15 – 11:00 Eastern: Annette Leach (Uriel Press) Q&A
  • 11:15 – 12:00 Eastern: Kelsey Bowen (Baker Publishing Group / Revell) and Patnacia Goodman (Baker Publishing Group / Bethany House) presentation: “Editing in Color” – learn more about Kelsey here and Patnacia here
  • 12:00 – 12:45 Eastern: Kelsey Bowen (Baker Publishing Group / Revell) and Patnacia Goodman (Baker Publishing Group / Bethany House) Q&A
  • 1:00 – 1:45 Eastern: Break
  • 2:00 – 2:45 Eastern: Katie Long (David C. Cook Publishers) presentation: “How to Become a Content Marketer” – learn more about Katie here
    • What is content marketing and why is it important to publisher; how to strategize a year of content; and how to fit content within your platform.
  • 2:45 – 3:30 Eastern: Katie Long (David C. Cook Publishers) Q&A
  • 3:45 – 4:45 Eastern: Open mic
  • 5:00 – 6:30 Eastern: ​Celeste McCauley (Guideposts) presentation “The Power of the Inspirational Story: Writing for Guideposts’ magazines and books” and Q&A – learn more about Celeste here
    • Here you’ll learn what this long-time publishing powerhouse looks for in content for its many magazines and devotional books, how to spot good stories and how to hone your pitches.
    • View the Guideposts Writer Guidelines here
    • Guideposts Writers Workshop
      • The deadline for submitting cover letter and original, unpublished, true first-person story of up to 1,500 words is June 30th.
      • Submissions are by email only to: workshop@guideposts.org.
      • Looking for stories about everyday people, not sermons, essays or testimonials. Also see link above.
      • The story can be applicant’s own or something written for someone else.
      • Applicants should include in their cover letter that they attended the Publishing in Color conference.
      • Folks should know they do not have to attend the Workshop to have their stories considered for publication in any of our magazines or books. We welcome their stories anytime to our myriad publications as listed in our Writers Guidelines handout (see link above).

Friday March 11

  • 9:30 – 10:15 Eastern: Taneki Dacres (Vine Publishing) presentation: “From Confusion to Clarity – Get Unstuck and Accelerate Towards Your Book’s Finish Line” – learn more about Taneki here
    • The writing process can be overwhelming and confusing at times. There are so many ideas and thoughts, but how do you sift through those thoughts to ensure that you have a well-written, cohesive book that informs, inspires and impacts lives? In this workshop I’ll help you gain the clarity, get unstuck, and keep the momentum going throughout the entire writing process.
  • 10:15 – 11:00 Eastern: Taneki Dacres (Vine Publishing) Q&A
  • 11:15 – 12:00 Eastern: Elizabeth Jackson (Tyndale House fiction) presentation: “Fiction Acquisitions 101: An inside look at novel acquisitions and what editors look for when reviewing fiction proposals” – learn more about Elizabeth here
    • In this session, learn about the ins and outs of the acquisitions process from the initial proposal review stage all the way through to when the book lands on bookstore shelves. We’ll also hear about what makes a proposal stand out when it lands in an editor’s inbox, common pitfalls to avoid in a manuscript, and what you can expect if an editor decides to pursue a contract with you for a novel.
  • 12:00 – 12:45 Eastern: Elizabeth Jackson (Tyndale House fiction) Q&A
  • 1:00 – 1:45 Eastern: Break
  • 2:00 – 2:45 Eastern: Pam Perry (PR) presentation: “How to Accelerate Your Brand” – learn more about Pam here
    • Learn the right sequence of activities to build your platform. Learn how to share your expertise with the media, create community to promote your books and become a sought-after speaker of hope, healing and light.
  • 2:45 – 3:30 Eastern: Pam Perry (PR) Q&A
  • 3:45 – 4:45 Eastern: ​Elevator pitch practice session
  • 5:00 – 5:30 Eastern: Andrea Bridges and Ann Boyd (InterVarsity’s Graduate and Faculty Ministry) Q&A – learn about Andrea here and Ann here

Save the Date!!! Our next Publishing in Color conference will take place online from Oct. 31 – Nov. 4!!

All conference information subject to change