"Security"
Fall 2026
Conference Schedule

9 AM
Welcome and announcements
Worship Music - Tammy Iroku
Devotion - David Dinkins 

9:30 AM
Joyce Dinkins
Keynote: Free and Secure

10:30 AM
Randy Petersen - Write What People Want to Read
As Christians, we're called to love. As Christian writers, we love our readers by presenting helpful things clearly. This session focuses on the craft of writing—from idea to full manuscript—as we provide what people want to read and what they need, in an enjoyable style.

10:30 AM (BONUS WORKSHOP)
Linda Washington and Joyce Dinkins - Go, Know, Grow^TM Proposal Workshop Day 1
Helping writers take the first step--and the next steps--the Free to Write editors lead a small group to create professional book proposals for nonfiction adult, and also children’s content. Industry accepted formats; prayer and reflection. Authors see, in a safe space, how to hone premise, select comparables, and write strong sample content. You'll gather together one hour each day of the conference and use free Go, Know, Grow^TM book proposal formats. Registrants’ can access class recordings following the conference. For trade, or self-publishing.
- Separate preregistration required for this 5-session class (LIVE)
- Capacity: 10 persons, first-come, first-served
- Prerequisite: paid conference participants submit a brief query, one-sheet, or proposal draft with registration for this class by 10/15/26.

11:30 AM
Nancy Gavilanes - Writing Through Your Wilderness Seasons: 7 Tips
Sooner or later, we’ll all find ourselves in a wilderness season. Whether you’re waiting on God to move in your personal life, ministry, or career, that can be a painful yet beautiful season for your writing to flourish. Drawing from herwilderness experiences to help encourage fellow writers to keep putting pen to paper, Nancy roots her tips in Bible verses as usual.

12:00 PM Networking Lunch (LIVE)
Guest: Global Christian Family Books publisher Stephanie Carter - Free to Write: Essential Insights to Equip and Encourage Christian Writers of Color Publisher Carter shares about her vision to publish what Kirkus Reviews describes as: “A comprehensive guide that will assist many writers in navigating the publishing landscape." Session Includes a Free to Write book giveaway.

1:30 PM
Patricia Raybon - The Deep Dozen: 12 Craft Secrets of Writing That Sells
This award-winning Colorado author, essayist, and novelist, who writes daring and exciting books and novels at the intersection of faith and race, shares from her decades of consistent selling of her essays, articles, devotionals, books, and novels to national publications and global ministries. Patricia goes back to the basics to share craft secrets of writing that sells. Learn effective writing techniques and tips for your writing style while sharpening your writing skills to their crafting and selling best.

1:30 PM (BONUS WORKSHOP)
Randy Petersen - Writing Nonfiction Small-Group Day 1
The tone of Randy’s small groups is always secure, encouraging, and supportive. The third session is a wrap but Randy is available after the workshop for 1-on-1 appointments, including with those who have attended the sessions, to help enrich their writing.
- Separate preregistration required for this 3-session class (LIVE)
- Capacity: 5 persons, first-come, first-served
- Prerequisite: submit by October 15 a 1-2 paragraph bio and a writing sample of 300-1,000 words (a piece--or part of a piece--the writer wants feedback on)

2:30 PM
Toria Keyes - Devotional Writing, Start to Finish
Our Daily Bread Ministries assistant editor and writer Toria Keyes reprises her workshop on crafting devotions. Her thoughtful and practical presentation helps writers consider the details of a tried-and-true devotional formula, in order to deliver God’s truth. Keyes covers the layers of prayerful attention to devotion details that are proven to give readers creative, spiritually nourishing, and sustaining devotions.

3:30 PM (BONUS WORKSHOP) Day 1
Sharon Norris Elliott - Storyboarding Your Adult Nonfiction Book
AuthorizeMe® founder Dr. Sharon Norris Elliott reveals how writers' storyboarding helps them think through their proposed book in a logical manner so their writing is easy for the reader to follow, understand, and extract memorable takeaways from. Writers can expect to come away with the skeleton of their manuscript set up and ready for them to continue completing their book.
- Separate preregistration required for this 5-session, 7.5 hr. class (LIVE)
- Capacity: 10 persons, first-come, first-served

3:30 PM
Sharon Norris Elliott - Just Say TOCSYNOP: Manuscript Writing from a Plan  
Dr. Sharon breaks down manuscript writing with her Table-Of-Contents and Synopsis approach to creating nonfiction as well as fiction books. Her detailed explanation and how-to’s provide a proven method to start to build book content chapter by chapter and point by point. Packed with practical information based on the presenter’s successful writing, teaching, and publishing business career.

Publishers Speak: What to Pitch?
Associate Publisher Laura Bartlett,
Harper Collins Christian Publishing
Zondervan Bibles

Baker Publishing Group Revell Books
(Portable Document) Details provided by
Revell Editorial Director Andrea Doering
(Each publisher offers 15-minute appointments, first-come, first-served.)

Free to Write Sneak Peeks
Contributor Palitha Jayasooriya
Contributor Marie Chan
Contributor Deborah Saenz

9:00 AM
Welcome
Worship Music: Tammy Iroku 
Devotion: IVP Author Serena Wang

9:30 AM (BONUS WORKSHOP) Day 1
Edwina Perkins - Building Blocks of a Great Story (Fiction)
Whether you're starting your very first short story or returning to a draft that needs new life, this workshop offers a supportive space to hone your creative voice. We'll break down narrative craft's essential building blocks—dynamic characters, vivid dialogue, immersive settings, and compelling plots—leaving you inspired and ready to write. Come as you are: bring a story idea, a stalled draft, a scene, an image, a line of dialogue, or a character sketch. Just bring something to work with, no prior experience necessary.
- Separate preregistration required for this class (LIVE)
‍- Historical and contemporary, 2-session writing workshop
- Capacity: 10 persons, first-come, first-served

9:30 AM
Marcus Costantino - Artificial Intelligence, Writing, and Life

10:30 AM (BONUS WORKSHOP) Day 2
Linda Washington and Joyce Dinkins - Go, Know, Grow^TM Digital Proposal Workshop
- Separate preregistration required for this 5-session class (LIVE)
- Capacity: 10 persons, first-come, first-served
- Prerequisite: paid conference participants submit a query, one-sheet, or proposal draft in advance with registration for this class by 10/15/26

10:30 AM
Xochitl Dixon - The Ministry of Magazine Writing
‍Online and print magazines reach hundreds, thousands, and even millions of readers each day, with articles ranging from 150-2,000 words. Discover how writing for magazines can help you minister to readers while you hone your craft, build your platform, promote your books and blogs, and earn publishing credits and income.

‍Networking Lunch (LIVE)
Guest: author and agent Dorena Williamson
Free book giveaway

1:30 PM (LIVE)
Pierce VanDunk - What Do You Do When Editors Edit You?: Do's and Don'ts for Author's Edits
You've written your manuscript that's now in editors' hands. What's your role now? In "Do's and Don'ts," leader Pierce VanDunk describes a typical editing process with a traditional or hybrid publisher and explains author responsibilities. You'll also see how you can adapt this process with editors you hire for your self-publishing efforts.

2:30 PM (BONUS WORKSHOP) Day 1
Lisa Crayton - Securely Focused: Writing Themed Devotions
Whether you want to write articles or books, you can pen themed devotions to help readers devote time to their spiritual life. Come brainstorm, write, and get comfortable writing on a theme. Part 1: overview, writing prompts, and drafting a devotion on "Security" and Psalm 32:8-9. See part 2 Friday. Come prepared to write, ask questions, and laugh!
- Separate preregistration required for this 2-session class (LIVE)
- Capacity: 15 persons, first-come, first-served

2:30 PM (1-ON-1 APPOINTMENTS)
Scheduled 1-on-1 appointments with conference presenters (LIVE)
- Conference preregistration required
- Duration: 15 minutes per appointment
- Final appointment slot is 4:15
- 2 appointments available to each attendee, first-come, first-served

3:30 PM (BONUS WORKSHOP) Day 2
Sharon Norris Elliott - Storyboarding Your Adult Nonfiction Book
- Separate preregistration required for this 5-session class (LIVE)
- Capacity: 10 persons, first-come, first-served

Publishers Speak: What to Pitch?
Cook Media Global
David C Cook Publisher Linda Howard
‍
Free to Write Sneak Peeks
Contributor Margot Starbuck
Contributor Rasool Berry
‍

9:00 AM
Welcome
Worship Music: Tammy Iroku
Devotions: David Dinkins

9:30 AM (BONUS WORKSHOP) Day 2
Edwina Perkins - Building Blocks of a Great Story (Fiction) (LIVE)
- Separate preregistration required for this class
- Historical and contemporary, 2-session writing workshop
- Capacity: 10 persons, first-come, first-served

9:30 AM
Linnae Klutchko - Fantasy Writing, Revising Your First Page
In this session with Our Daily Bread Ministries Managing Editor, and fiction writer, Linnae Klutchko, you'll look into the top elements needed in the first page of a fantasy story and what makes an immersive hook for readers.
Participants may submit their first pages to be used as live examples during the session and will be sent full feedback afterward. Send your first page for feedback during and following the conference.
- Submissions can be sent by October 10 to linnae.writer@gmail.com

10:30 AM
David Dinkins - PIC Podcast: A Continuing Conversation on God, AI, Etc.
David invites three more voices to discuss Christian ethics and artificial intelligence in this podcast: authors and editors Margot Starbuck and Tim Gustafson, and revisits current AI developments with technology professor Kris Jones.

10:30 (BONUS WORKSHOP) Day 3
Linda Washington and Joyce Dinkins - Go, Know, Grow^TM Digital Proposal Workshop- Separate preregistration required for this 5-session class (LIVE)
- Capacity: 10 persons, first-come, first-serve
- Prerequisite: paid conference participants submit a query, one-sheet, or proposal draft in advance with registration for this class by 10/15/26

12:00 PM Networking Lunch (LIVE)
Guest editor, author, and agent: Dr. Sharon Norris Elliott

1:30 PM
Xochitl Dixon - Crafting Great Children's Books
Master the essential elements necessary for crafting great children’s books. You will learn the power of the first step toward building a strong foundation and be equipped to craft an idea into a first draft, add depth through the revision process, and prayerfully work as you wait to hear back from potential publishers.

1:30 PM (BONUS WORKSHOP)
Patricia Raybon - Mastering the Memoir
- Separate preregistration required for this 1-day class (LIVE)
- Capacity: 20 persons, first-come, first-served

2:30 PM (1-ON-1 APPOINTMENTS)
Scheduled 1-on-1 appointments with conference presenters (LIVE)
- Conference preregistration required
- 2 appointments available to each attendee, first-come, first-served
- Duration: 15 minutes per appointment
- Final appointment slot at 4:15

3:30 PM (BONUS WORKSHOP) Day 3
Sharon Norris Elliott - Storyboarding Your Adult Nonfiction Book (LIVE)
- Separate preregistration required for this 5-session class
- Capacity: 10 persons, first-come, first-serve

Publishers Speak: What to Pitch?
InterVarsity Press

Free to Write Sneak Peeks
Contributor Terry Wildman
Contributor Dorina Lazo Gilmore Young

9:00 AM
Welcome
Worship Music: Tammy Iroku
Devotions: David Dinkins

9:30 AM
E. Danielle Butler - Secure in Your Voice: The Power Within, Revisited
In a season when AI can imitate almost any style, your voice is both more vulnerable and more valuable than ever. Drawing on years of ghostwriting for Big Five publishers and her current work on her own book, E. Danielle Butler shows writers how to write from a secure identity rather than from imitation, trends, or fear, and how to protect that voice through every draft. Attendees will learn to: identify the distinct markers of their voice, including word choice, rhythm, conviction, and the stories only they can tell, through a practical voice inventory; recognize where voice gets lost, whether through imitation, over-editing, market pressure, or AI-assisted drafting, and learn how to recover it; and anchor their writing in calling rather than comparison, so their voice holds steady from first draft to final edit.

10:30 (BONUS WORKSHOP) Day 4
Linda Washington and Joyce Dinkins - Go, Know, Grow^TM Digital Proposal Workshop- Separate preregistration required for this 5-session class (LIVE)
- Capacity: 10 persons, first-come, first-served
- Prerequisite: paid conference participants submit a query, one-sheet, or proposal draft in advance with registration for this class by 10/15/26

10:30 AM
David Dinkins - PIC Podcast: A Continuing Conversation on God, AI, Etc.
David invites three more voices to discuss Christian ethics and artificial intelligence in this podcast: authors and editors Margot Starbuck and Tim Gustafson, and revisits current AI developments with technology professor Kris Jones.

12:00 PM Networking Lunch (LIVE)
Guest: author and mentor Edwina Perkins, Harambee Creative Founder, Dressed in Love Press editorial advisor
Free book giveaway.

1:30 PM
Margot Starbuck - Find Your Readers

1:30 PM (BONUS WORKSHOP) Day 2
Randy Petersen - Nonfiction Writing Small-Group
- Separate preregistration required for this 3-session class (LIVE)
- Capacity: 5 persons, first-come, first-served
- Prerequisite: submit by October 15 a 1-2 paragraph bio and a writing sample of 300-1,000 words (a piece--or part of a piece--the writer wants feedback on)

2:30 PM
Lisa Crayton - Revision and AI

2:30 PM
1-ON-1 APPOINTMENTS
Schedule with conference presenters (LIVE)
- Conference preregistration required
- Duration: 15 minutes per appointment
- Final appointment slot for the day is 4:15
- 2 appointments available to each attendee, first-come, first-served

3:30 PM (BONUS WORKSHOP) Day 4
Sharon Norris Elliott - Storyboarding Your Adult Nonfiction Book
- Separate preregistration required for this 5-session class (LIVE)
- Capacity: 10 persons, first-come, first-serve

Publishers Speak: What to Pitch?
Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group

Free to Write Sneak Peeks
Contributor Chante Griffin
Contributor Michael Stalcup
‍

9:00 AM
Welcome
Worship Music: Tammy Iroku
Devotion: David Dinkins

9:30 AM
Pitch! Promote Your Book
Registrants are invited to deliver their elevator pitch and receive feedback. Authors with new releases in 2026 or a scheduled 2027 release can promote their work.

9:30 AM
Lluvia Agustin - Prepare for Your Book Launch

10:30 AM (BONUS WORKSHOP) Day 5
Linda Washington and Joyce Dinkins - Go, Know, Grow^TM Digital Proposal Workshop
- Separate preregistration required for this 5-session class (LIVE)
- Capacity: 10 persons, first-come, first-served
- Prerequisite: paid conference participants submit a query, one-sheet, or proposal draft in advance with registration for this class by 10/15/26

10:30 AM
David Dinkins - PIC Podcast: A Continuing Conversation on God, AI, Etc.

11:00 AM
Aurora Gregory - One Book, Three Topics: Turning Your Manuscript
into Multiple Talk Topics
Most nonfiction and memoir authors only have one topic to offer an event planner looking for speakers: their book. But planners aren't looking for a retelling of a manuscript; they're looking for the message their audience wants and needs to hear. In this session, you'll learn a simple framework for creating multiple stage-ready talk topics out of a single manuscript's big idea. Whether your book is still in progress or already on the shelf, you'll leave with a clear plan for creating topics that stage hosts will say yes to and that will draw readers to the complete story you tell in your book.

12:00 PM Networking Lunch (LIVE)
Guest: publisher Katara Patton, UMI Inc.
Free book giveaway.

1:30 PM (BONUS WORKSHOP) Day 3
Randy Petersen - Nonfiction Writing Small-Group- Separate preregistration required for this 3-session class (LIVE)
- Capacity: 5 persons, first-come, first-served
- Prerequisite: submit by October 1 a 1-2 paragraph bio and a writing sample of 300-1,000 words (a piece--or part of a piece--writer wants feedback on)

1:30 PM
Victoria McAfee - Succeeding at Curriculum Writing
Writing curriculum can open up other writing opportunities and help introduce your work to the broader Christian community. It’s a special privilege to minister to a broad audience of people you may never see or meet until you get to heaven. Writing Sunday school curriculum for Cook, Urban Ministries, and other Christian curriculum publishers has been a highlight of my writing career; it encourages us to study scriptural passages more deeply and find practical ways to connect them to people’s daily lives.

2:30 PM (BONUS WORKSHOP) Day 2
Lisa Crayton - Securely Focused: Writing Themed DevotionsPart 2 involves writers in revising a devotion drafrt based on feedback, and gives information on pitching devotion articles and books. Come prepared to write, ask questions, and laugh!
- Separate preregistration required for this 2-session class (LIVE)
- Capacity: 15 persons, first-come, first-served

2:30 PM (1-ON-1 APPOINTMENTS)
Scheduled 1-on-1 appointments with conference presenters (LIVE)
- Conference preregistration required
- Duration: 15 minutes per appointment
- Final appointment slot is 4:15
- 2 appointments available to each attendee, first-come, first-served

3:30 PM (BONUS WORKSHOP) Day 5
Sharon Norris Elliott - Storyboarding Your Adult Nonfiction Book- Separate preregistration required for this 5-session class (LIVE)
- Capacity: 10 persons, first-come, first-served

5:00 PM (LIVE)
Conference closing session
‍
Publishers Speak: What to Pitch?
Global Christian Family Books

More Free To Write Sneak Peeks
Contributor E. Danielle Butler
Contributor Xochitl Dixon
Contributor Karen Moore
‍
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