Breakout Seminar Descriptions and Room Locations – PIC Atlanta 2022

Thursday March 10, 2022

Breakout Seminars A – 9:30 AM

  • Cheryl Price – Judson Press
    • Self-Care for the Writer
  • Elizabeth Jackson – Tyndale House Publishers
    • Fiction Acquisitions 101: An inside look at novel acquisitions and what editors look for when reviewing fiction proposals – Description: 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.
  • Literary agent Quantrilla Ard
    • Writing and Community: Why relationships matter to your craft – 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.
  • TBA

Breakout Seminars B – 11:00 AM

  • Jevon Bolden – literary agent
  • Literary agent Sharon Norris Elliott
    • The 10 P’s to Step Up Your Writing Success – 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.
  • Jason Fikes – Leafwood Publishers
    • Your Personality on the Page: Developing Your Writer’s Voice
  • Celeste McCauley – Guideposts
    • The Power of the First-Person Inspirational Story: How to Write and Submit stories to Guideposts Magazine and Books

Breakout Seminars C – 2:45 PM

  • Barb Roose – literary agent
    • The Inside Scoop on Getting Published: Four Must-Do’s that Will Land You A Traditional Publishing Contract – 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.
  • Cindy Bunch – InterVarsity Press
    • What Am I Called to Write? 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.
  • Edwina Perkins – Harambee Press
    • The Importance of Your Pitch – 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.
  • David Morris – Lake Drive Books
    • How to Take Advantage of Today’s Publishing Environment – 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.

Small Group Meetings – 4:00-6:00 – feel free to come and go to any of these

  • Elizabeth Jackson – Tyndale House Publishers
  • Cindy Bunch – InterVarsity Press
  • Cheryl Price – Judson Press
  • Celeste McCauley – Guideposts
  • Deborah Sáenz Gonzalez – NavPress
  • Edwina Perkins – Harambee Press
  • Jason Fikes – Leafwood Publishers
  • JoLanda Rogers – T.A.L.K. Publishing
  • Taneki Dacres – Vine Publishing
  • David Morris – Lake Drive Books
  • Literary agent Jevon Bolden
  • Literary agent Barb Roose
  • Literary agent Sharon Norris Elliott
  • Literary agent Quantrilla Ard
  • Author and Professor Gregory Ellison
  • Pam Perry PR
  • Brian Allain – Writing for Your Life

Friday March 11, 2022

Breakout Seminars D – 9:00 AM

  • Deborah Sáenz Gonzalez – NavPress
    • Rehumanizing Platform – Description: 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.
  • JoLanda Rogers – T.A.L.K. Publishing
    • One Book: Multiple Streams of Revenue – 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.
  • Taneki Dacres – Vine Publishing
    • From Confusion to Clarity – Get Unstuck and Accelerate Towards Your Book’s Finish Line – 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.
  • Pam Perry PR
    • How to Accelerate Your Brand – 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.

Breakout Seminars E – 10:15 AM

  • Barb Roose – literary agent
    • The Inside Scoop on Getting Published: Four Must-Do’s that Will Land You A Traditional Publishing Contract – 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.
  • Gregory Ellison
  • Elizabeth Jackson – Tyndale House Publishers
    • Fiction Acquisitions 101: An inside look at novel acquisitions and what editors look for when reviewing fiction proposals – Description: 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.
  • Celeste McCauley – Guideposts
    • The Power of the First-Person Inspirational Story: How to Write and Submit stories to Guideposts Magazine and Books

Breakout Seminars F – 3:15 PM

  • Jevon Bolden – literary agent
  • Cheryl Price – Judson Press
    • Self-Care for the Writer
  • Edwina Perkins – Harambee Press
    • The Importance of Your Pitch – 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.
  • TBA

Small Group Meetings – 4:30-5:30 – feel free to come and go to any of these

  • Tyndale House Publishers
  • Cheryl Price – Judson Press
  • Celeste McCauley – Guideposts
  • Deborah Sáenz Gonzalez – NavPress
  • Edwina Perkins – Harambee Press
  • Jason Fikes – Leafwood Publishers
  • JoLanda Rogers – T.A.L.K. Publishing
  • Taneki Dacres – Vine Publishing
  • David Morris – Lake Drive Books
  • Literary agent Jevon Bolden
  • Literary agent Barb Roose
  • Literary agent Sharon Norris Elliott
  • Literary agent Quantrilla Ard
  • Pam Perry PR
  • Brian Allain – Writing for Your Life – Elevator Pitch Practice

 

Wednesday March 9, 2022

Optional post-conference seminar “The Business of Being a Spiritual Writer” (separate registration required)

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All information subject to change.