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 2024 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!

Pre-Conference Workshop: ( MASTERING THE ART AND BUSINESS OF STORYTELLING - ) Ann Garvin

Pre-Conference Workshop: ( FROM CONCEPT TO HERO: CRAFTING PROTAGONISTS THROUGH THE HERO’S JOURNEY - ) Vanessa Riley

Oct 18

EST	Craft - Fiction	Inspiration & Productivity	Platform & Promotion
10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.	Writing Dual and/or Multiple Timelines: Craft You Should Know Denny S. Bryce	What is Your Why? Use the Power of WHY at Every Level of your Writing to Unlock Success Sharon Short	Build Your Bio: It's Not Just About You Jane Friedman
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.	Writing Short Stories for Novelists: A Workshop Denny S. Bryce	Jumpstart Your Writing: Prompts to Get the Words on the Page Katrina Kittle	How To Get And Keep Media Attention for your Book & Brand Paula Rizzo
12:35 p.m. - 1:40 p.m.	Lunch and Exhibits - (Lunch & Learn: Agent/Author Chat with Sharon Short and Nicole Cunningham, moderated by Amy Jones) Sharon Short Nicole Cunningham
1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.	Setting Up a Great Novel Premise Jessica Strawser	Lessons Learned in Thirty (Plus) Years of Being a Published Writer Sharon Short	How to Promote Your Book by Writing an Op-Ed Bonnie Jean Feldkamp
3 p.m. - 4 p.m.	Anchoring a Character(s) in a Series Yasmin Angoe	Behind the Scenes With Your Favorite Bestselling Authors Zachary Petit Jessica Strawser Amy Jones Michael Woodson	Social Video Secrets: Getting Your Author Platform Camera-Ready Jess Zafarris
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.	Keynote: Steven Rowley Steven Rowley
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.	Reception and Book Signing

Oct 19

EST	Craft - Fiction	Craft - Nonfiction	Publishing Business
9 a.m. - 10 a.m.	Thematic Writing: How to Use Symbols and Allegory to Add Richness and Depth to Your Writing Jane K. Cleland	Mastering Nonfiction Book Proposals Max Sinsheimer	Independent Publishing with IngramSpark Kevin Ocampo Allison Stegeland Emily Davis Leigh Pierce
10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.	Exploring Viewpoint: Who Should Tell Your Story? Joseph Hall	The Structure and Rhythm of Memoir Jane Roper	Know Your Comps (It's That Important, Sorry—Not Sorry) Jane Friedman
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.	Bringing Humor to your Fiction Jane Roper	Master the Techniques of Tension, Conflict, Character, and Setting to Write Better Nonfiction Polly Campbell	Pitch Your Book in Two Sentences Ann Garvin
1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.	How to Write Characters that Resonate with Emotional Truth Jane K. Cleland	Craft a Strong Voice in Nonfiction to Hook Readers (And Editors Too!) Polly Campbell	What's Next? A Guide to Choosing Your Editor Joseph Hall
3 p.m. - 4 p.m.	Unlock the Secrets of Storytelling: Craft Your Novel's Plot with Confidence! Ann Garvin	Applying High-Concept Principles to Nonfiction Books and Freelance Pitches Jess Zafarris	Productivity Guide for Authors Paula Rizzo
4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.	You Can Write It All Jane K. Cleland Vanessa Riley Jane Roper Amy Jones	Ditch the Niche: How to Diversify as a Freelancer Kara Gebhart Uhl	Legal Issues Writers Should Consider Jennifer Chen Tran

Oct 20

EST	Craft (Fiction & Nonfiction)	Craft (Fiction & Nonfiction) 2
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.	Critically Editing You Yasmin Angoe	Claiming Your Story: How to Journal to Write the Book of Your Heart Vanessa Riley
10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.	Tips (and Traps) for Writing Dialogue Katrina Kittle	Why the First 10 Pages Are Critical and How to Get Them Right Jessica Berg