Business and Career Growth
Career Development

Heidi Wall shares her experience working in the entertainment industry from outside major publishing hubs. She offers practical strategies for building industry connections, marketing your work effectively, and advancing your career no matter where you live.

Carla Damron, Charles Todd, Rod Pennington, and Steven Womack share practical insights on building a sustainable writing career. They explore the realities of today’s publishing industry, what it truly means to be a bestseller, and the many paths that can turn writing into a full time profession.

Carmen Amato, David Ryan, James Glass, Pam Ebel, Sandy Clements, and T.O. Paine offer practical guidance on managing your writing career as a professional business. They cover marketing, time management, and building sustainable systems that support long term growth.

Clay Stafford, founder of Killer Nashville, and Jaden (Beth) Terrell explore the many reasons writers choose this path, from personal fulfillment and community connection to professional ambition and long-term success. They guide listeners through turning motivation into a clear, actionable five-year plan designed to support a sustainable and meaningful writing career.

C. Hope Clark explores the many ways writers can find financial support through arts councils, grants, contests, and literary organizations. She discusses how competitions can help writers assess readiness for publication and why building genuine relationships within the literary community can open unexpected doors.

Carol Higgins Clark shares her personal writing journey and the role storytelling plays in her life. She discusses what it is like to write full time, how she develops ideas, and how a story moves from a blank page to a finished, published book, offering an honest look at the making of a bestseller.

Every great writer begins as a beginner. In this thoughtful session, experienced authors and writing instructors share the lessons they have learned from mentoring writers at every stage of their careers. They answer pressing questions from new and mid-list authors, offering practical advice on craft, persistence, and navigating the long road from first draft to lasting career.

Kate Brooks, Katharine Brooks, Lu Ann Curlee, Rea Frey, Roger Johns, and Sara Wigal share practical advice on building and managing a sustainable writing career. They explore key topics such as finances, networking, and long-term planning to help writers create careers that last.

A group of celebrated mystery authors gather for a candid, funny, and reflective conversation. They share untold stories from their writing lives, recall their first conventions and early inspirations, and reflect on how the mystery community continues to shape their work. From evolving storytelling techniques to memorable research mishaps, this session captures the camaraderie, generosity, and shared passion that make writing conferences such a vital part of a writer’s journey.

Bestselling author Jeffery Deaver, creator of The Bone Collector, reflects on his career in crime fiction. In this conversation, he shares insights into his writing life, creative process, and the lessons learned from building one of the genre’s most successful and enduring bodies of work.

Two powerhouse voices in crime fiction take the stage for an unforgettable conversation about craft, career, and the stories that shaped them. In this spotlight session, Kathy Reichs and Tom Franklin reflect on their journeys as writers, the challenges they have faced, and the lessons learned along the way. Expect insight, honesty, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from years at the top of the genre.

Bill Cusano, F.E. Davies, J.A. Jance, Kemper Donovan, Sandy Clements, and Zelly Ruskin offer honest guidance for new authors. They discuss confidence, community, and navigating the early stages of a writing career.

Debra Goldstein reflects on resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose when life takes unexpected turns. She shares how writers can adapt and continue creating through change.

Amy Rivers, James R. Hannibal, Kerry Peresta, and Rea Frey offer candid advice for aspiring authors on setting realistic goals, understanding the publishing market, and building sustainable writing careers.

Darlene Dziomba, David Ryan, Lynn Slaughter, Mary McFarland, and Pamela Ebel share how they transitioned into writing after other careers. They discuss drawing on past experiences, marketing effectively, handling rejection, and building meaningful connections with readers along the way.

James Glass moderates a discussion with Georgina Cross and Roger Johns designed for newer writers. They cover life and writing balance, marketing strategies, social media, events, and the business side of building a successful writing career.

Literary agent Steven Hutson offers an honest look at the publishing world, sharing the same direct, career-shaping advice he gives his own clients. He explains how to navigate the industry with confidence, make smart professional decisions, and take ownership of your writing future.

Sue Arroyo of CamCat Publishing shares more than twenty actionable tips to help authors navigate every stage of the publishing journey, from pre-submission to post-publication. She explains what to do and what to avoid in order to build lasting success, strengthen publisher relationships, and give your book the best possible launch.

Jaden Beth Terrell offers a practical roadmap for turning passion into profession. She covers mindset, milestones, and actionable steps for building a sustainable writing career.

Christie Louis, Debra Gaskill, Diane Sismour, Kate Brooks, Marc Overlock, and Mary Beth Magee share strategies for treating writing as a business. They discuss promotion, branding, and professional practices that help turn creative work into a sustainable career.

New York Best Seller John Lescroart addresses the stereotypes about writers and emphasizes that the key to success is getting picked up by an editor or agent. He specifically outlines what you need to become a successful writer.

Annie Solomon, David J. Walker, Kelly Nichols, and Steven Womack share their journeys to success as award winning authors. They reflect on the books that brought them recognition and the lessons they learned along the way.

Pamela Fagan Hutchins offers thoughtful guidance for writers navigating the days and weeks after a conference. She encourages turning inspiration into action, overcoming hesitation, and taking practical steps toward meaningful creative and professional growth.

Diane Lake shares her personal journey and reminds aspiring writers that there is no single path to success and that chance often plays a role. She encourages taking risks, forming a writer’s group, connecting with others, and creating work that feels meaningful and true to who you are.