Thursday June 13
Breakout Seminars A – 11:00 AM
- HarperCollins / Thomas Nelson – Beth Adams, Senior Acquistions Editor
- “An Inside Look at an Acquisition Editor’s Job” An acquisitions editor’s take on how books are published at Nelson Books, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. This workshop will provide insider tips about becoming a published author. I’ll describe the three areas I evaluate when considering a new book for acquisition: Idea, Writing, Platform. A unique and compelling idea, stellar writing, and your ability to reach a core audience are the keys to success. We’ll also discuss the editor’s role in the publishing process and the significance of agents and a good proposal. Bring your questions for the Q&R time!
- Writing for the Lord Ministries – Kevin Wayne Johnson
- “From Start to Finish for the First Time Author” Have you wondered about ‘how’ to get started on your writing journey? All first-time authors face this dilemma. This workshop will teach you the basics regarding your book cover, obtaining your copyright, purchasing your ISBN, developing your content, typesetting and formatting, how to develop a relationship with a distributor, how to maximize book sales and understanding how the book publishing industry works.
- Indie/Self-publishing – Brian Allain, Publishing in Color / Writing for Your Life / Enliven Your Tribe!
- “Why You Should Consider Indie/Self Publishing” In this presentation we will discuss how changes in the publishing industry mean that there has never been a better time to consider Indie/self publishing. We will review recent and current industry structure, the top 10 reasons to consider Indie/self publishing (all the way from tools to economics to platform to sources of assistance), and deal with the concern of legitimacy. We will also consider a couple of examples.
- 1-on-1 meetings
Breakout Seminars B – 2:30 PM
- Bethany House – Jessica Barnes, Fiction Editor
- “Your Editor and You” Learn what to expect from your editor after your publishing contract is signed, and how to make the most of your relationship as the two of you work to make your book the best it can be.
- Upper Room Books – Joanna Bradley Kennedy
- “How to Get Published Without an Agent” Though getting a publishing deal from one of the “Big Five” houses may require the representation of an agent, many smaller and/or denominational publishers are happy to work with you directly. In this presentation, you will learn how to decide if a publishing house is right for you, how to create a book proposal that will get noticed, and how to negotiate and be your own advocate.
- Guideposts Magazine and Books – Celeste McCauley (Magazine) and Janet Talbert (Editor-at-Large, Books)
- “The Power of the First-Person Inspirational Story”
- 1-on-1 meetings
Breakout Seminars C – 3:30 PM
- Penguin Random House – Porscha Burke
- Unfortunately we just learned that Porscha will be unable to join us in person at the conference, but it is due to a promotion, so please congratulate her! Later this summer she will deliver her presentation in a webinar. Stay tuned to the Publishing in Color email for further information. Also at the conference we will have Porscha’s contact information available if you would like to contact her.
- From Scholarly to Trade Publishing – Jack Seymour, former Dean, Garrett-Evangelical Theologial Seminary
- “Write to Be Read: From Academic to Popular and Public Writing” How do we move religious scholarship from the academy and cloister to the public square? How do we impact public conversation? How do we write so our ideas are read? After examining characteristics of academic, popular, and public writing in religion, this interactive workshop focuses on communicating academic research in public and popular ways.
- Build Demand for Your Book Proposal – Stephanie Nikolopoulos, Editor
- “Build Demand for Your Book Proposal” To land a book deal you need more than a good manuscript. Get insider tips as we go step-by-step through the elements of a proposal. Discover how to market through social media and network with agents and editors. Even if you haven’t written a single page of your book, now is the time to build your readership. Open to any genre, this workshop will include writing exercises to help you develop your proposal.
- All Things Fulfilling – Sue Leonard
- “Words Really Do Matter!” Sue Leonard shares her own personal journey of going from non-writer to becoming an award-winning author. Information about independent publishing as well as tips to stay motivated through the process will be presented.
- 1-on-1 meetings
Friday June 14
Breakout Seminars D – 10:00 AM
- InterVarsity Press – ChristinaGilliand, Assistant Marketing Manager
- “Building Your Platform: Finding Your Audience Without Selling Your Soul” In today’s world of publishing, writing the manuscript and getting a book contract is only half of the job aspiring authors have in front of them. In this session we will unpack how to gather a strong tribe of supporters that will stick with you before you get a book contract, all the way to book launch. We will also talk about what today’s book marketing process looks like as well as a time of Q and A. Christina will draw from her experience of being a part of several book launch teams as well as assisting in the execution of recent title marketing. It can feel pretty daunting to get your book to stand out in a crowded industry and this workshop will help you not feel so overwhelmed!
- Vine Publishing – Taneki Dacres, CEO
- “Polish and Shine Before Submission” — Publishers are looking for well-written manuscripts that are clear, consistent and engaging. Revising your manuscript with a critical eye is vital to you in becoming a successful published author. Self-editing is key, and so in this workshop we will discuss the 3 things that you must do to polish and shine your manuscript before submission.
- 1-on-1 meetings
Breakout Seminars E – 11:00 AM
- Write with Power and Purpose – Lisa Crayton, author and freelance editor
- “Write with Power and Purpose” As spiritual writers we are called to communicate from a position of power in Christ and from our God-given purpose. When we do, we maximize our potential to influence and empower others! Come explore how to use your God-given power and purpose to unlock writing dreams, explore new opportunities, and potentially increase your income.
- Waterbrook Multnomah – Shannon Marchese
- “Hook, Audience, Platform, and Craft: What Publishers are Talking About and Why” Publishers use these common terms as industry shorthand to describe what they are looking for in authors or projects, but how should writers translate these terms to their individual work? This workshop unpacks these four words, giving writers behind-closed-doors insight and tips for further discovery.
- Literary agent – Kate Sheehan Roach
- “When You Don’t Fit In, Stand Out” If you often find yourself looking around the room thinking “I don’t fit in here,” I offer you my hearty congratulations. “Fitting in” is highly overrated. Particularly in religious and spiritual publishing, we continually run the risk of falling into a niche mentality that easily devolves into a group-thinky, jargon-filled, echo-chamber monolith. Publishers want leading-edge material, not another rendition of the same five topics everybody seems to be recycling. As a developmental-editor-turned-agent, I try to connect writers with publishers of interesting, eclectic, forward-thinking books. I challenge you to focus on developing original, inspired ideas and work your finely-tuned craft like an Olympic athlete. That’s the writer’s job. Then you’ve got to hire an editor who isn’t afraid to say “this is boring” or “how does this benefit the world?” or “go back to the drawing board”, and develop a relationship with an agent who wholeheartedly believes in you and will knock down doors to find the right publisher for you. And for God’s sake, don’t be afraid to stand out.
- 1-on-1 meetings
Breakout Seminars F – 3:45 PM
- Presbyterians Today – Donna Jackson, Editor
- “Breaking into Magazine Writing” Writing for magazines is a great way to build your platform — and earn extra cash — as you write your book. But how does one successfully break into the world of magazine publishing? Discover the tips and tricks for becoming a magazine editor’s go-to writer.
- Indie/Self-publishing – Brian Allain, Publishing in Color / Writing for Your Life / Enliven Your Tribe!
- “Why You Should Consider Indie/Self Publishing” In this presentation we will discuss how changes in the publishing industry mean that there has never been a better time to consider Indie/self publishing. We will review recent and current industry structure, the top 10 reasons to consider Indie/self publishing (all the way from tools to economics to platform to sources of assistance), and deal with the concern of legitimacy. We will also consider a couple of examples.
- 1-on-1 meetings
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Schedule subject to change.