2024 Schedule

Check-in is from noon to 5:00 pm on Wed, March 20, and that the conference ends after lunch on Saturday

For more details on classes, please visit the Classes page.

Wednesday (March 20)

12:00pm – 5:00pm
Check-In (Front Lobby)

2:00pm – 4:00pm
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP
10 Steps to Building an Amazing Author Platform
– Susan Neal (Large classroom, 1st floor)

4:15pm – 5:00pm
First Timers Orientation – Ginny Cruz (Large classroom, 1st floor)

5:15pm – 5:45pm
Faculty Meeting (Large Conference Room)

6:00pm – 7:00pm
Dinner (Dining Hall)
Book Store Open

7:15pm – 8:30pm
General Assembly: Praise & Worship Keynote (Chapel)
Spoken Word – Kelly Gurney; Keynote – Katherine Hayes

8:45pm – 9:30pm
Your Mission Statement – Marci Seither (Large classroom, 2nd floor)

8:30pm – 10:00pm
Book Store Open

Thursday (March 21)

7:00am – 7:30am
Spiritual Stretch – Susan Neal (Large classroom, 1st floor)

8:00am – 9:00am
Breakfast (Dining Hall)

9:10am – 9:50am
General Assembly (Chapel)
Praise & Worship – Lynn DeShazo; Keynote – Lori Hatcher

10:00am – 10:50am
CONTINUING CLASSES
Writing for Children – Julie Lavender (Large classroom, 1st floor)
You Can Write Best-selling, Life-changing Non-fiction – Lori Hatcher (Large rm., 2nd flr.)
Writing Christian Fiction – Ashley Clark (Chapel)

11:00am – 11:50am
Interactive Ideas for eBooks and e-Zines – Tez Brooks (Large classroom, 1st floor)
How to be a Healthy Writer – Susan Neal (Room 247)

12:00pm – 1:00pm
Lunch (Dining Hall)
VIP Lunch – Cheryl Wray (Large classroom, 1st floor)
Bookstore Open

1:15pm – 2:10pm
Writing and Publishing Memoirs – Cheri Cowell (Large classroom, 1st floor)
Writing for a Middle-Grade Audience – Annette Griffin (Room 247)
Writing the Successful Series – Cynthia Hickey (Large classroom, 2nd floor)

2:20pm – 3:10pm
Shock the Clock: Time Management – Jeanette Levellie (Large classroom, 1st floor)
Writing Articles to Inspire Readers, Thrill Editors and Honor God – Annette Griffin (Room 247)
Editors Read Book Proposals Not Manuscripts – Terry Whalin (Large classroom, 2nd floor)

3:20pm – 4:10pm
Writing Bible Studies for Personal Reflection – John Herring (Large classroom, 2nd floor)
How to Write for Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse – Grace Kelley (Chapel)
Immersive Poetry Workshop – Dr. Katherine Hayes (Large classroom, 1st floor)

4:20pm – 5:10pm
Creating Heroes Readers Fall For – Denise Weimer (Room 247)
Ten Rules of Successful Freelancers – Tez Brooks (Large classroom, 1st floor)
Create a Speaking Presentation They’ll Love – Lori Hatcher (Large classroom, 2nd floor)

6:00pm – 7:00pm
Dinner (Dining Hall)
Bookstore Open

7:15pm – 8:30pm (Chapel)
General Assembly Praise & Worship, Keynote (Chapel)
Keynote Presenter – Patti Smith

8:45pm – 10:00pm
Campfire and Poetry Slam – Dr. Katherine Hayes (Outside Fire Pit)

8:30pm – 10:00pm
Bookstore Open

Friday (March 22)

7:00am – 7:30am
Spiritual Stretch – Susan Neal (Large classroom, 1st floor)

8:00am – 9:00am
Breakfast (Dining Hall)

9:10am – 9:50am
General Assembly (Chapel)
Praise & Worship – Lynn DeShazo; Keynote – Tez Brooks

11:00am – 11:50am
Brainstorming – Marci Seither (Large classroom, 1st floor)
Love Inspired Panel – Lenora Worth and Laurel Blount (Room 247)

12:00pm – 1:00pm
Lunch (Dining Hall)
VIP Lunch – Jeanette Levellie (Large classroom, 1st floor)
Bookstore Open

1:15pm – 2:10pm
Tips For a Successful Book Launch – Cheri Cowell (Large classroom, 1st floor)
Can I Turn My Book into an Audiobook? – Cheri Cowell (Chapel)
Devotions That Sell – Tez Brooks (Large classroom, 2nd floor)

2:20pm – 3:10pm
Writing the Cozy Mystery – Cynthia Hickey (Room 247)
Intersection of Poetry and Identity – Dr. Katheryn Hayes (Large classroom, 2nd floor)
Become a Prolific Writer & Write Less – Terry Whalin (Large classroom, 1st floor)

3:20pm – 4:10pm
Self-Editing for Fiction Authors – Denise Weimer (Large classroom, 2nd floor)
Humor Sells and Compels – Jeanette Levellie (Large classroom, 1st floor)
10 Ways to ‘Win’ by Entering Writing Contests – Annette Griffins (Room 247)

4:20pm – 5:10pm
AI and the Author – Cynthia Hickey (Large classroom, 2nd floor)
Plotting – Put on Your Pants! – Laurel Blount (Large classroom, 1st floor)

6:00pm – 7:00pm
Dinner (Dining Hall)
Bookstore Open

7:00pm – 8:30pm (Chapel)
General Assembly Praise & Worship, Keynote (Chapel)
Living Water Awards

8:30pm – 10:00pm
Bookstore Open

Saturday (March 23)

7:00am – 7:30am
Spiritual Stretch – Susan Neal (Large classroom, 1st floor)

8:00am – 9:00am
Breakfast (Dining Hall)

9:10am – 9:50am
General Assembly (Chapel)
Praise & Worship – Lynn DeShazo; Keynote – Terry Whalin

11:00am – 12:00pm
Lunch (Dining Hall)
Bookstore Open