Available Classes

PAID PRECONFERENCE CLASSES

Susan Neal

How to Sell 1000 Books a Month  (Int/Adv)

Unlock the secrets to epic book sales with Susan Neal’s transformative class How to Sell 1,000 Books a Month. Whether you’re a new writer or an experienced author looking to elevate your marketing tactics, this class offers a treasure of insights to significantly boost your sales and increase the effective outreach of your unique message.

FREE PRECONFERENCE CLASSES

Ginny Cruz

Orientation (Beg)

You’re here! Now what? Whether this is your first conference, first time at the Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference, or a seasoned conference attendee, there is always something to gain from going to the orientation. Come learn the who, what, where, why, and when of the conference to help you navigate with confidence.

3-DAY CONTINUING CLASSES

Linda Evans Shepherd

Speak with Power, Purpose, and Presence  (Int)

Step into your calling with award-winning speaker Linda Evans Shepherd—founder of the Power Speaker Course and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. In this dynamic 3-part intensive, you’ll learn how to craft compelling messages, master your stage presence, and grow a speaking ministry with impact. Whether you’re speaking live or online, you’ll gain professional tools, confidence, and a vision to speak with clarity and purpose.

Janet McHenry

The Nuts and Bolts of Writing a Nonfiction Book  (Beg/Int)

Janet McHenry will teach you everything you need to know to create a unique book, including:

• Structuring Your Nonfiction Book: Features and Organization of Christian Living Books, Devotional Books, Bible Studies, Gift Books, and Memoirs
• Structuring Chapters: How to Study Writing Form
• Storyboarding: Creating an Entire Book’s Outline

Michelle Medlock Adams

Picture Book Practicum: Three Days of Picture Book Fun  (Beg/Int)
We’ll dive into the elements of successful picture book stories and provide you with the tools to make your manuscript rise to the top of the dreaded slush pile. We will focus on:

• The Importance of Page Turns & How to Put Them into Your Manuscript
• Out-of-the-box Ways to Write a Picture Book
• Point of View & Plot Structure
• Plot twists, “Jump Into It” Beginnings, and Endings that make you say, “Aww”
• How to Add Emotion and Humor into Your Story
• To Rhyme or Not to Rhyme and Why!
• How to Identify if your story is a magazine article or a picture book manuscript

Marilyn Turk

Finding the Fun in Fiction  (Beg/Int)

Discover Your What-–Genres, Tropes, and Trends, Oh my! What do these words mean and why should you care? Different types of fiction writing, story lines and formats.

Discover Your How-–The leg bone’s connected to the hip bone, etc. How to find the necessary parts of a novel and put them together.

Discover Your Why–Why are you doing this? Motivation, inspiration and affirmation, what all writers need.

WORKSHOPS

Tez Brooks

Secrets of Writing To and About Men

Learn the unique challenges of writing for the male population and the features to implement so you can get your book read by men.

Making a Professional One Sheet

What is a One Sheet and why do you need it? Attendees will understand the basics needed and walk away with a completed One Sheet so they can successfully pitch to agents or editors.

The Anatomy of the Query

Learn the elements you need to include to ensure your query letter says everything you need it to say, and nothing more! This simple checklist will help writers get noticed with a query that stands out from the rest.

Craig von Buseck

Doing Historical Research  (Int)

My mentor was a New York Times reporter and editor, who also wrote best-selling books. He taught his students: “The best writers are the best reporters. In other words, learn to do your research well.” In this class I will share how I did research for “I Am Cyrus,” my biography on Harry Truman and the Zionist Movement, for “Victor: The Final Battle of Ulysses S. Grant,” and for “Nobody Knows: the Harry T. Burleigh Story.”

Fiction Techniques in Nonfiction Writing  (Adv)

Nonfiction writing is a transaction between the writer and the reader and our job is to give an entertaining read, full of hard-hitting facts and heart-tugging stories. In response they will hopefully read your book to the end—and maybe even recommend it to others. The best way to achieve this goal in the nonfiction realm is by learning the techniques of fiction writers. Find out how you can uphold your end of the bargain and lure readers to your books.

Turning Sermons/Lessons into Books and Online Classes  (Int)

Many pastors and teachers have years of sermons or lessons that could be converted into dynamic books—if they only knew how to do it. Learn the techniques of organization, outlining, researching, and writing that are needed to make your dream of a book a reality.

Laine Craft (2 CLASS TIMES)

Harnessing the Potential of AI without Compromise (2 Hour Workshop) (Adv)

Are you ready to take your ministry to the next level? This transformative session will equip you with:

1. Practical AI applications for research, writing, and outreach
2. Ethical guidelines for AI use in Christian literature
3. Strategies for deepening your spiritual connection through technology
4. Don’t miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of a new era in Christian authorship. Learn how to harness AI’s power while staying faithful to your divine calling.

Ginny Cruz

Social Media Strategies to Expand Your Audience  (Beg)

Whether you are building a platform to gain a publisher’s eye or want to impact as many readers as possible, social media offers incredible opportunities to expand your audience. In this class, you will discover where your readers hang out, why a consistent brand builds trust, plus free and effective ways to post consistently.

Dawn Damon

How to Convert your Book into a Course (Int)

Learn how to transform your book into an engaging and interactive online course, using AI technologies to help you streamline content creation and organization.

• Divide the book into thematic modules, each covering specific chapters or sections.
• Define clear learning objectives for each module.
• Adapt the text content into diverse formats including video lectures, quizzes, assignments, and interactive discussions.
• Define course goals, target audience, and key outcomes.

How to Start Your Podcast: From Idea to Airwaves (Beg)
This beginner-friendly class walks you through everything you need to start your very own podcast—from choosing the right equipment and recording setup to editing, branding, and promoting your show. Learn about recording platforms, hosting options, studio basics, and how to craft content that resonates with your audience. “We’ll also explore Youtube videos, post-production tools, social media strategies, and ways to grow your listener base with SEO and marketing.

Crystal Daye

Personal Branding for Christian Authors (Beg/Int)
In today’s digital world, having a powerful and authentic personal brand is essential for Christian authors who want to stand out and grow their influence. This class will help you discover how to align your message, mission, and ministry with a brand that reflects your values and resonates with your audience. Whether you’re a new or seasoned author, this session will equip you to build a brand that honors God, attracts your ideal readers, and opens doors for impact and income.

Creating a Strong Pre-Sales Strategy  (Beg/Int)
Don’t wait until your launch day to sell your book. A solid pre-sale strategy can help you build buzz, boost income, and attract loyal readers before your book is published. In this session, you’ll learn how to prepare your audience, increase anticipation, and create an irresistible pre-sale plan that sets your book up for success.

Amplify Your Book Sales Through the D.O.B. Marketing Strategy (Int/Adv)
If you’re ready to sell more books use the D.O.B. Strategy:

• D – Digital Marketing: Discover how to use email, social media, and content marketing to reach more readers online without feeling overwhelmed
• O – Offline Opportunities: Learn how to generate book sales through local events and speaking engagements
• B – Bankroll Your Bank: Create multiple streams of income from your book

Whether you’re launching your first book or reigniting momentum for an existing one, this session will equip you with the tools to amplify your sales and expand your impact.

Sharon Elliott

The Book Proposal

The most important piece of writing you will do besides writing the book itself is crafting the book proposal. Simply put, this piece of work explains your book and yourself to the prospective publisher. It’s your sales pitch and employment interview rolled into one. Attend this workshop, taught by successful literary agent and multi-published, award-winning author Sharon Norris Elliott, and walk away with her excellent book proposal templates, along with a full understanding of how to construct your proposal that will get attention and results.

Getting Started as a Professional Freelancer

After the hour you spend in this seminar, you will have all the tools you need to begin your professional writing career. Learn about the supplies you’ll need, the paperwork that will make you look like a pro, record-keeping, and much, much more.  The time you spend here will increase the time you’ll have to write.

Linda Gilden

Publishing as a Second Language (Beg)

Are you new in the publishing world and continue to hear words that you’ve never heard before? Do you feel like some of the words used at the conference are almost a foreign language? Then join us for a fun tutorial that will get you started speaking the same language. Bring your questions and let’s get going. When you leave the session you will have a greater understanding of the new terms you hear at the conference and read about in writing books.

Unlocking the Goldmine: How to Use the Christian Writers Market Guide  (Beg)

This class will introduce you to one of the most powerful tools for Christian writers—the Christian Writers Market Guide. Often called a “goldmine” for a reason, this reference book connects you with publishers, periodicals, agents, editors, writers groups, and much more—all categorized by genre and specialty. In this fun and practical session, you’ll learn how to navigate the guide with ease, and discover who’s looking for what you write.

Virginia Grounds

How to Manage an Anthology  (Int)

Are you ready to produce a book collaborating with other like-minded authors but don’t know where to begin? Managing an anthology can be overwhelming, but with the right directions, outline and forms, you can make it happen. Join Virginia as she guides you through the process to manage an anthology without losing your mind.

Professionalism in Self-Publishing  (Beg/Int)

What attracts you to a book? Is it the cover? Is it the back cover content or the author? Perhaps it is the professional look of the book inside and out that tells you the book is worth reading. With modern technology, self-publishing is a method now used by first-time and seasoned authors who have a message to share. Join Virginia as she shares tools for self-publishing that looks professional cover to cover.

Let’s Talk About Book Covers and Interior Design  (Beg)

Do you have a plan for your book’s cover and interior layout? In this session, we’ll explore design strategies that prioritize the reader’s experience. We’ll also dive into how to craft an effective book title, discussing what makes wording clear, compelling, and marketable.

John Herring

So. . . What do Book Publishers Really Want?  (Beg/Int)

Spoiler: It’s more than a good idea.
Join Iron Stream Media Publisher John Herring for a fast-paced, behind-the-scenes look into how Christian publishers think, what makes a manuscript stand out, and why “just getting published” might not be your real goal after all.
We’ll talk platform, purpose, pitfalls, and the surprising reason some books succeed before they’re ever printed.
Whether you’re staring at a blank page or a full manuscript, this conference will challenge, surprise, and move you closer to the YES you’re looking for.
You’ll never look at publishing the same way again.

Gretchen Huesmann

Make Your Points Shine: Create Visuals that Complement Your Presentations

Today, writing and speaking go hand in hand. Adding appealing visuals will elevate your talks and boost your bookings. We’ll cover the do’s and don’ts of slide content, the pros and cons of PowerPoint vs. Canva, and learn how to transform your material into a presentation that enhances—rather than detracts—from your message.

Heather Iseminger

Who Says Nonfiction is Boring?

Writing creative nonfiction artistry isn’t just for the poet. This workshop will teach writers how to combine figurative language techniques with nonfiction prose to create writing that captivates. Using hands-on activities from years of classroom experience, Heather will help conferees enhance their ability to create vivid word pictures while also showing the importance of the story in nonfiction. Learn to infuse the language of writing with description and details to connect with the human experience and engage the audience.

Neurodivergents: When Your Normal Isn’t the Norm

Do you have a character with autism, ADHD, OCD, down syndrome, sensory processing disorder, or any other type of neurodivergent (ND) diagnoses? Are you, yourself, a ND writer? There are distinct struggles NDs deal with as artists that may not be the norm for most. This session will provide specialized organizational methods, writing strategies, and other strategic tools specific to the ND writer. Provides advice to neurotypical writers wanting to better minister to their audience and how to create authentic ND characters.

Writing the Metaphor: Using Creative Stories in Non-Fiction

God often uses metaphors to speak to his people. Learning to harness the power of metaphors—and their stories—in nonfiction engages your audience, allowing them to powerfully connect with your message. For example, broken seashells become the broken vessels God uses to heal others. This workshop offers advice to help identify the metaphors around us and learn to craft them within the nonfiction genre.

Karisa Moore

Poetry Forms and Sources of Inspiration

This course discusses forms of poetry, such as Found, Hiku, Concrete, Rhyming, and Free Verse. We will look at where to draw inspiration and how to connect with readers through your unique voice. Participants will receive handouts with a list of poetic forms, publishers accepting poetry, and prompts for further practice.

Poetry Workshop and Critique (2 CLASS TIMES)

In this hands-on workshop, we’ll explore the unique publication process for poetry, the value of careful editing, and the role of constructive critique. Participants will workshop one poem (totaling no more than 1,500 words) and exchange feedback using the Word Weavers Critique Method. Come ready to learn, with three copies of your poetry to critique, double-spaced, and line-numbered to share, and refine your craft in a supportive environment.

Alice Murray

What Every Writer Needs to Know About the Law  (Beg/Int.)

Protect your work and your rights. This class breaks down the legal basics every writer should understand—contracts, copyright, and fair use. Learn how to navigate publishing agreements, safeguard your content, and avoid common legal pitfalls with clarity and confidence.

Susan Neal

Elevate Your Year: Comprehensive Annual Planning (Beg)

Make this year superior through this annual planning workshop. This class encourages you to craft an annual plan that’s holistic and all-encompassing, addressing not just your writing aspirations but also the personal domains of your life—physical well-being, spiritual growth, financial health, mental and emotional resilience, relationships, home environment, and leisure pursuits. Sculpt an extraordinary year that aligns with your deepest visions and goals.

Hope Bollinger Soto

Difference Between General and Christian Market YA

You have felt a desire to write YA fiction, but you’re not sure what market to jump into. Christian and General market feel so different, and there’s little crossover between. Hope, a writer for both, will walk you through both markets and help you assess where your book fits best and how to gear it toward your target market.

Writing Bible Curriculum for Children and Teens

Learn how to create impactful Bible curriculum tailored to kids and teens ages 4 to 18. In this session, Hope will walk you through age-appropriate approaches, teaching methods, and key elements for writing engaging, Scripture-based lessons for each developmental stage.

Middle Grade, Young Adult, New Adult? Understanding the Differences

Not sure where your story fits? In this session, Hope will break down the key differences between Middle Grade, Young Adult, and New Adult genres—including age ranges, common themes, and genre expectations. Gain clarity on where your book belongs and how to write effectively for each audience.

Mel Tavares

Ten Tips for Writing Transformative Devotions (Beg)

Dr. Mel Tavares, Arise Daily Devotional Editor-in-Chief will teach participants the essentials of writing life-changing devotions that can be used across a variety of publications.

Cecil Taylor

Transform Your Book into a Book Tree

Expand your book’s reach by converting its message into other formats. You’ll learn how to create a “book tree” with your book as the trunk and other options as the branches. For example:

• Accompany your book with a small group video study, a Bible study, and offshoots like worksheets, pamphlets, and printables.
• Develop signature talks and podcasts based on your book.
• Go further by launching a book funnel, an online course, and coaching sessions.

While a book tree works naturally for most nonfiction books, fiction writers have options that will be presented as well.

Tina Yeager

Crushing It on Camera: How to Relax and Shine for Media Interviews and More  (Beg/ Ind)

Nervous about radio, podcast, and video interviews? Allow a therapist, speaker, and podcast host with live media interview experience to settle your heart and prepare your mind with confidence. Participants will learn tips, develop confidence, and practice recording audio interviews and live video posts.

Publicity for Pennies  (Int/Adv)

Ready to land those interviews and gain priceless exposure? The best publicist to promote your message is you. Learn how to develop media kits, press releases, and publicity materials. Discover the best ways to establish brand awareness in the marketplace and get booked as a guest on media outlets.

Getting Started with Video  (Beg/Int)

Intimidated by the trends moving us to communicate through video? Viewers need to see and hear the message God has planted in your heart. Video communication  introduces you as an authentic, relatable person. Come learn the simple steps to get started with live and recorded videos. We’ll address the basics regarding inexpensive start-up tech options and settle your nerves regarding competence. Discover your first steps toward reaching more souls for Christ.

KEYNOTES

Michelle Medlock Adams

A New Beginning: Arise and Answer the Call
Feeling stuck in your writing journey? It may be time for a new beginning. In this powerful and hope-filled keynote, Michelle Medlock Adams encourages writers to release past disappointments, trust God’s direction, and walk boldly through the door He’s opening. Drawing from Mark 5, Michelle challenges Christian communicators to rise up, embrace their calling, and make an eternal impact.

Linda Evans Shepherd

Writers Revival

Sometimes, the deepest words don’t come from inspiration—but from revival. In this powerful keynote you will be invited into a sacred encounter with the Holy Spirit, where creativity is reignited and callings are renewed. Inspired by these historic revivals—Flashlight Revival of 1976 and the recent Asbury outpouring—Linda shares personal testimony, biblical truth, and a call to surrender. Through five revival steps—repentance, yielding, empowerment, focus, and obedience—you’ll be led into fresh freedom and purpose as a writer. Whether you’ve felt stuck, weary, or unsure, this is your invitation to lay down your burdens, be filled with His presence, and rise into your God-given calling.

Babbie Mason

Each One Reach One: Everyday Ways You Can Shine God’s Light

Many of us want to talk about our faith with others, but we feel unprepared and uncomfortable. In Babbie’s message, she will encourage believers to share their faith with more boldness, enthusiasm, and purpose, rather than a sense of obligation.

VIP LUNCHES

Dawn Scott Damon

Your Superbloom is Coming

Have you felt like your creative well has run dry? Like the most vibrant chapters of your story are behind you? This inspiring session is a reminder that God isn’t finished with you. Through storytelling, Scripture, and personal reflection, you’ll discover the surprising beauty that blooms from barren seasons. The same God who creates oases in wastelands is still writing your story. Be refreshed, reawakened, and reminded because Your Superbloom is coming.

Sharon Elliott

What Great Agents Search For (Why You Need One, How to Find One, and How to Snag One)

A great literary agent is able to get your foot in the door with the perfect publisher for your work. And that’s exactly what you want. But how can you make that happen? What are agents looking for and how can you evaluate and present your manuscript to be sure your prospective agent is intrigued enough to partner with you? Discover all of this and more about plunging into the publishing business by attending this workshop, taught by literary agent and industry insider Dr. Sharon Norris Elliott.