Dig Deep: Spring 2026 Conference Schedule

“I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.” Luke 6:47-48 NLT

RegisterPresenters
Monday, April 27th - Friday, May 1st.
Registered guests can access the full line-up of pre-recorded and live sessions via the SPRING 2026 CONFERENCE ACCESS page in the menu.

All sessions can be viewed at the times indicated (recorded videos and live sessions). Live sessions will be recorded.

Recordings will be accessible to attendees until June 1, 2026.

All times are Eastern Daylight Time; times and sessions are subject to change; end times are approximate.

Monday

Conference Sessions

9 AM  Worship, Tammy Iroku accompanied by Akin Oyedele
~ Devotions: David Dinkins 
~ Prayer: Joyce Dinkins

10 AM Palitha Jayasooriya: Dig Deep into God's Word

11 AM Laura Bartlett, Zondervan Bibles: Serving the Word Together: How Collaboration Shapers Bible Publishing

12 PM Lunchtime networking with Joyce and friends

1 PM Chante Griffin, Writing for Magazines: How to Break in 

2 PM Katara Washington Patton, Our Daily Bread Ministries and VOICES,
Overcoming the Hurdles—Best Practices I'm Learning as a Writer and Editor

3 PM Adrienne Wartts, Against All Odds: Journeying Into Christian Writing Despite obstacles.

4 PM E. Danielle Butler, Ink to Impact: Writing for Social Change

5 PM Joyce Dinkins, Go, Know, Grow book proposals workshop

Tuesday

Conference Sessions

9 AM Worship, Tammy Iroku accompanied by Akin Oyedele 
~Devotions: David Dinkins 
~Prayer: Joyce Dinkins

10 AM Pierce VanDunk, VanDunk Edits,
A Good Fit: Situate Your Voice Among Others' Ideas

11 AM Deb Saenz, NavPress,
What Editors Want in a Book Proposal (NavPress)

12 PM Lunchtime networking with Joyce and friends

1 PM Dr. Sharon Norris Elliott, 14 Things a Title Needs to Do

2 PM Lisa Crayton, Writing First Pages 

3 PM Edwina Perkins, Overcoming Obstacles in Fiction and Nonfiction Authoring 

4 PM Dr. Quantrilla Ard, When Digging Deep Hurts, Navigating Grief in Storytelling

5 PM Joyce Dinkins, Go, Know, Grow book proposals workshop

Wednesday

Conference Sessions

9 AM Worship, Tammy Iroku accompanied by Akin Oyedele 
~ Devotions: David Dinkins 
~ Prayer: Joyce Dinkins

10 AM Toria Keyes, Our Daily Bread Ministries,
Leave a Lasting Impression: Write Engaging Devotions  

11 AM Nancy Gavilanes: Working with Editors

12 PM  Lunchtime networking with Joyce and friends

1 PM Randy Petersen, Nonfiction Writing 

2 PM Zennah Jones, Book Marketing 

3 PM Margot Starbuck, Author Websites That Dazzle 

4 PM Randy Petersen, Getting Feedback 

5 PM Joyce Dinkins, Go, Know, Grow book proposals workshop

Thursday

Conference Sessions

9 AM Worship: Tammy Iroku accompanied by Akin Oyedele 
~ Devotions: David Dinkins 
~ Prayer: Joyce Dinkins

10 AM Xochi Dixon, Writing Rhyme 

11AM Linnae Klutchko, Fantasy Writing

12 PM Lunchtime networking with Joyce and friends

1 PM Aurora Gregory: Public Speaking, From Text to Testimony

2 PM Lisa Crayton, Research for Children’s Books

3 PM Victoria Saunders McAfee, Writing on Tough Topics 

4 PM Bruce Barbour, Barbour Literary Management 10 Questions About Pros and Cons of Indie Publishing

5 PM Joyce Dinkins: Go, Know, Grow book proposals workshop

Friday

Conference Sessions

9 AM Worship: Tammy Iroku accompanied by Akin Oyedele 
~ Devotions: David Dinkins 
~ Prayer: Joyce Dinkins

10AM David Dinkins, Design Dynamics of Developing Book Covers 

11 AM Mytecia Miles, Self-Care for Authors

12 PM  Stan Washington, Honor Services, Inc.,
7 Considerations for a God-Centered Business

1 PM Karen Ann Moore, Write Greeting Cards Like a Pro

2 PM Michael Stalcup, Poetry Nuts and Bolts 

3 PM Joyce Dinkins: Go, Know, Grow book proposals workshop

4 PM Closing 

Don't miss

this moment

Secure your spot at the 2026 Publishing in Color Conference and invest in your creative future.

Learn more

Real voices

What attendees discover at Publishing in Color

“Publishing in Color (PIC) is undeterred from its mission to bring all voices into Christian publishing.”
Ann Byle
Publishers Weekly
“Thank you for the resources and contact with other authors/poets, and the genuineness.”
ChuChu
“This conference was groundbreaking. Every keynote, workshop, one-on-one, lunch conversation, business card exchange, and photograph taken broke up the soil in my writing that had begun to dry out and harden. I emerge from this conference with fresh soil ready to be tilled and cultivated to bear fruit.”
Donna
“I thoroughly enjoyed the conference. It was very insightful and encouraging. I am confident that the Lord has ordered my steps. And significant relationships and connects are being established as a result of the conference.”
Francine
“A game-changer . . . speakers, content, and one-on-ones consistently encourage, equip, and inspire me.”
Terry
“I am grateful for the positive impact PIC and this wonderful community of diverse Christian writers and publishing professionals has had on my writing journey.”
Marie Chan
“I have no words to express how thankful I am that I chose to attend.”
Sohani
“Thank you for a wonderful conference!”
Maryam
“Words are not enough to fully express the life changing impact that this conference had on me as an up and coming writer.”
Monica
“The workshop was more than I expected. I learned so much and met a lot of amazing publishing houses, agents, editors, magazines and amazing guest speakers.”
Toussaint
“Every aspect of the conference was a first class experience. The warm, inviting, and informative environment of the conference made me comfortable enough to enjoy and fully experience the plethora of opportunities you provide.”
Reginald
“This conference has opened up a significant new door in ministry for me.”
Lorri
“Attending Publishing in Color was truly a transformative experience. The conference helped to inspire and laser focus my vision by introducing me to people who could help birth my book into the world.”
Terry

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.

When can I register for the next conference?

Registration is now open for spring 2026. Fall conference registration will open in September.
Registration opens when the majority of conference presenters have confirmed their participation and you can see what they will provide on the conference schedule. Closer to the conference week, PIC provides all registrants and speakers with a protected access code.

For how long can I access conference content?

We make recorded conference content available for at least one month after the conference ends. Spring 2026 content will be available until June 1, 2026.

How do I get appointments with conference presenters?

When you pay your registration fee to attend the conference, you will afterward receive a code to access and request appointments at the site. Each paid registrant requests two appointments with two different presenters. Appointments are first-come, first-served and are scheduled at speakers’ discretion following the conference week. Consider in advance the publishing mission of the speaker you request and their organization, the categories they are acquiring content for, the status of your work, and your pitch or questions you plan to pose.  

How do I apply for a needs-based scholarship to attend Publishing in Color?

Apply with the request form at this site under Scholarships. Please be prepared to share why you need one, along with accurate contact information for our response. You can see more scholarship information here [[link to scholarship information page]].

How do I know about and join the virtual sessions and workshops?

Access the conference schedule in advance of conference week; the final schedule is subject to change. Access to the video and zoom links becomes available the week before the conference starts. All sessions are scheduled Eastern Time. You can access on a mobile or computer.

How are conference speakers selected?

Conference speakers are part of Publishing in Color’s network of professional relationships. For more information, contact us at Publishing_In_Color@proton.me

How do I write a book proposal or get help with one?

Answer: We provide free book proposal formats for adult nonfiction and children’s book proposals here and at your request {[link to Go, Know, Grow page on site]].

For a first-read of your completed proposal by an expert editor, with summary comments provided for you, make your request by email to Publishing_In_Color@proton.me

In-depth proposal development services and editing work is quoted on a project-by-project basis; starting at $95. Additional services provide consulting, expert ghostwriting, copyediting, and proofreading by an expert. These services are available through the PIC network through trustworthy, experienced professionals, who are independent of Publishing in Color.

We’re always grateful to share the names of trusted professionals with you for your personal publishing project so that you can receive a price quote from them for your project..

Still have questions?

We are happy to assist you.

Contact