The First Page Critique Panel will critique first page submissions by anonymous writers, received the month before the conference. During the Panel Session, these works will be read aloud, and panel members will raise their hand if and where they would have stopped reading the work. At the end of the reading, panel members will be able to comment on what stopped them, and then give one positive note about the work, so one Help Note and one Love Note.

You published your book! But sales aren’t coming in…

Sound familiar? When your marketing is on point and your story is well written, there’s one more place to turn. The cover. For a lot of authors, their cover is to blame for their book not taking off, but how do you know if that’s the case for you?

As a graphic designer, I see a lot of covers that aren’t working for their authors, and I can teach you how to ensure that your cover isn’t one of them. In this presentation, I walk you through the process to determine if your cover is blocking your book from finding the right readers. Starting with identifying your audience expectations, analyzing comp titles, making sure your cover matches the market, and pointing out common cover mistakes, you’ll have the tools to know if it’s time for a new cover.

Are you worried that a line editor would diminish or change your authorial voice? Change things so much it looks like someone else wrote it? Professional editors don't (well, at least they shouldn’t—at least not without making arrangements to do so per your contract).

And, where do you actually find these editors?

This presentation will give you information about how to decide if an editor may be a good fit for you, and where (and when) to find them.   

Whether you want your character to be stiff like Mr. Darcy at the Meryton Assembly ball, or as bubbly and friendly as Joy from Inside Out, dialogue is the key to solidifying their character in a reader's mind. But most writers are introverts. We don’t have conversations!

So how do you create believable dialogue that makes your character stand out as the loveable or hateful creature they are?

In this seminar, I will show you excellent examples of dialogue, and how to create similar for your stories through various tools and tips. Most without having to break your introversion.

How long does it take you to write and finish a complete story? Three months? A Year?

What if there was a tool you could use to start writing a project with its 10th draft, speed up the writing process, and not use AI?

With this workshop/seminar, writers will discover how to use tarot cards to speed up their writing process, form a deeper connection to their creativity, and not feel overwhelmed during the writing process while juggling all of life's other responsibilities.

Writers will walk away with tips on what deck to choose when using the cards as a writing tool, an example tarot spread, learn how to read a tarot card, and an opportunity to win a one-hour session with Chris to look at their project with this writing tool.

Writing a book is complex, and many writers are unsuccessful because they get stuck. Obstacles that prevent many of these writers from succeeding result from a lack of a book development plan, lack of accountability, and/or six other common and not-so-common reasons.

After surveying more than 2000 writers, Kauffman discovered the eight fundamental truths unpublished writers overlook when developing their first book, script, comic, or series.

This interactive workshop will answer your questions with practical solutions so you don’t make the same mistakes.

Have you ever spent hours editing or reworking one of your scenes without truly making it better? You're not alone. This can happen when we edit like a writer, rather than like an editor. In this seminar, we’ll talk about why self-editing is so hard and explore how a self-editing mindset can make it easier. We’ll also discuss four types of edits and when to use them, so you can focus your energy on the edits readers will notice. Finally, we’ll learn the seven-step process you can use to build your skills and how to speed up the process as you become an experienced editor. Together, we’ll help you edit like an editor and make impactful changes in your writing.

Discover how to finally write the book you’ve been dreaming about—no matter how busy life gets! Whether you’re balancing a full-time job, caregiving, or the chaos of daily life, it can feel impossible to carve out time to write. But it’s not.

I’ve been where you are. Life was hectic, but I made it work. In just 24 months, I published 21 times while holding down a demanding full-time job and managing my family responsibilities.

In this workshop, I’ll teach you the techniques I used to turn my dream into reality. You’ll learn how to create time in your packed schedule, stay focused, and finally get that book done! By the end, you’ll have practical tools and strategies to get your book written without losing your sanity.

The world needs your stories, and now is the time to start.

No matter what your publishing path, author careers follow a consistent trajectory of growth. That trajectory has segments (or phases) that produce what's needed in order for the next phase to be successful.

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If you can understand the phase you're in, you can maximize your efforts to create the trajectory that will propel you forward.

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You'll learn: the five phases and the catalysts out; the mindset needs for each phase; and the choice architecture you need to know how to say yes and no to things that will actually help you get where you need to go.

This 45-minute panel brings together indie horror authors to explore the art of crafting fear, tension, and atmosphere that captivates readers. Panelists will discuss horror’s enduring appeal, approaches to diverse subgenres, and the unique challenges and rewards of independent publishing. They’ll share personal insights into writing chilling stories, avoiding clichés, and overcoming hurdles in the genre. Attendees will leave with practical advice, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of the craft from voices shaping the future of indie horror. This session is ideal for both aspiring and experienced authors seeking to sharpen their storytelling skills.

Attendees will take away valuable insights from each panelist, along with a free eBook download of author D.L. Tillery’s short horror tale Lydraga and her exclusive mini-guide, “How to Outline a Short Horror Story.”

When you’re lost in the pages of a gripping novel, who captures your allegiance? Is it the noble hero, battling against all odds to save the day? Is it the cunning villain, whose complex motives and charismatic presence make you question the very nature of good and evil. Or is it the morally grey character, who dances between right and wrong, challenging your perceptions and tugging at your empathy.

In our discussion, we delve into these captivating character tropes and explore what makes them so compelling for both readers and authors alike. Discover why heroes inspire us with their unwavering courage, why villains intrigue us with their magnetic allure, and why morally grey characters resonate with their profound complexity.

If you’re writing fantasy fiction, you may have an elf, fae, demigod, or vampire as a character in your story. Let’s explore the psyche of beings who have lived for hundreds or even thousands of years. This session will explore wrapping our heads around how to depict these characters. 

Book graphics for social media content is a must for authors, but it can also be overwhelming if you don’t have the know-how or the tools to get the job done, or become an extra expense if you need to hire someone to design graphics for you. But there are ways to cut costs and DIY your own graphics, and tricks to save time while doing it. 

This session will be a step-by-step tutorial with tips and tricks for creating book graphics, ads, or thumbnails with Canva. The tutorial will include layouts, backgrounds, using elements, mockups, using Canva for shorts, and more.  

During this hour, the Conference Chairs, Shanon (S.D. Huston), J. L. Kauffman, and Devon Gambrell will relax with AWC speakers, discuss anything great we learned that day, and make connections with our audience members.​​

As an indie author, your website isn’t just a digital business card, it’s your bookstore, your stage, and your press kit. But let’s face it: building and managing a professional author website can feel overwhelming, expensive, and time-consuming.

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In this one-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to create a compelling online presence that helps you sell more books, promote your events, and connect with readers—without getting bogged down by technical headaches or high upfront costs.

We’ll cover:

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• How to design stunning book pages that drive sales

• Smart ways to promote virtual and in-person events on your site

• What every author website needs to look professional and build trust

• Why Managed Web Design is a game-changer for indie authors who want a modern website with hosting, updates, and support rolled into one affordable monthly plan