Workshop Speakers, Class Info, and Bios for the 2025 Conference
We have many new presenters this year and a few perennial favorites. Scroll this page to read the presenter’ bios and about their workshops.
Proceeds go toward scholarships with the Centralia College Foundation and toward the continuation of the conference.
Friday’s Master Class Presenters: (listed in order of appearance)
WILLIAM KENOWER, Seattle, Washington
William “Bill” Kenower is the author of Everyone Has What It Takes: A Writer’s Guide to the End of Self-Doubt, Fearless Writing: How to Create Boldly and Write With Confidence, and Write Within Yourself: An Author’s Companion, and is the editor-in-chief of Author magazine. In addition to his books, he’s been published in The New York Times, Writer’s Digest, Edible Seattle, and Parent Map. He also has been a featured blogger for the Huffington Post and hosts the popular podcasts Author2Author and Fearless Writing With Bill Kenower. You can find him at williamkenower.com.
9 a.m.—Master Class
The Story of Your Life: The Art of Memoir
Your life is a story and, if told correctly, a very interesting one. There is an art to taking the sprawling events of your life and reducing them down to a personal essay or memoir. Using Bill Kenower’s unique inside-out approach to writing, we will look at how to tell the fine difference between telling a story about your life and using your life to tell a story. It doesn’t matter if you want to tell the story of how you’ve climbed Mount Everest or fell in love for the first time; all stories are worth telling when you find their heart.
Students taking this class can expect to learn:
• How to find the narrative arc in a personal story.
• How to write about painful memories.
• How to write about people who have mistreated you.
• How to turn the most challenging moments from your life into a story that can help others.
MIRIAM GERSHOW, Eugene, Oregon
Miriam Gershow is the award-winning author of Closer, Survival Tips: Stories, and The Local News. Her books have been reviewed in The New York Times, Marie Claire, and Bust among others. Her flash fiction is published widely, including in Pithead Chapel, Had, Craft, and several anthologies. She is a two-time finalist for the Oregon Book Awards’ Ken Kesey Award for Fiction and recipient of a Fiction Fellowship from the Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing and an Oregon Literary Fellowship. She also completed writing residencies with Playa, Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts, Hypatia-in-the-Woods, and Wildacres. You can find out more about Miriam at miriamgershow.com.
1 p.m.—Master Class
Successful Revision: Principles and Practices to Drive the Process
In this workshop, participants bring a printed copy of a short story or chapter (<10 pages) that is in need of revision. They also bring a laptop or paper and pen, whichever is their preferred method of drafting.
The first hour is spent going over principles of revision, including these baseline ideas:
■ Revision is non-linear ■ It is multi-headed ■ There’s a lot you don’t know about your story (and that’s a good thing) ■ You can’t avoid the Frankenstein draft(s)… ■… and therefore you should embrace the Frankenstein drafts because… ■… if you’re really doing the work, things get messier before any semblance of order is revealed ■ “Finishing” is a moving target and one that often takes many drafts ■ You’ll be best served if you can fight against all of your instincts toward achievement and success and trick yourself into believing that the goal isn’t “finishing” but rather figuring out the truth of the story
■ And finally… writing is hard
Miriam introduces her framework of discovery revision versus development revision. In discovery revision, the writer is still trying to figure out the basics: what is this story about, who are these characters, what is the plot, what does it all mean? In development revision, the writer has these basics figured out and revisions are targeted to highlight and shape the ideas/themes/plot that the writer is developing. Most revision is on a spectrum of discovery to development, and she introduces the idea that the best revisions occur when a writer cultivates a sense of unknowing and lets their unconscious drive at least part of the process.
The second hour is spent with the writer going through their draft with guided activities (and colored pencils) to figure out if they are in the discovery or development phase of revision, and what in the draft really works and what needs more work. Miriam shares examples of discovery versus development revision with early and later drafts from a short story in Survival Tips that highlight both approaches.
The third hour is spent guiding writers through making a “revision plan,” which will result in a rough guide through their messy process of revision and looks different for everyone. Writers will use this plan to begin the process of drafting new material. They’ll begin this drafting process, finding the one or two starting points in their short story or chapter to dig in and explore the material. Writers leave with a sense of how to continue digging into the revision process on their own.
AVALON RADYS, Portland, Oregon
Avalon Radys is a senior editor at Sasquatch Books, where she acquires and develops nonfiction titles across health and wellness, parenting, creative how-to, and narrative nonfiction. With more than a decade in publishing, she has developed dozens of bestselling books in both fiction and nonfiction, including the book-to-screen success Mr. & Mrs. American Pie (now Apple TV+’s Palm Royale). Her reader-centric approach and commitment to nurturing unique voices have helped countless authors craft standout books and build successful careers in publishing. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two daughters.
JILL SAGINARIO, Seattle, Washington
Jill Saginario is a senior editor at Sasquatch Books, where she acquires cookbooks and other
lifestyle nonfiction, including the USA Today bestselling book Raising Securely Attached Kids. She has nearly fifteen years of experience in book publishing as an in-house editor and loves food possibly even more than she loves books. She has been with Sasquatch Books for seven years, publishing visual nonfiction by gifted creatives whose work reflects the adventurous, DIY spirit of the West Coast. She hails from Boston but lives in Seattle with an aging Boston Terrier and an all-consuming pickle habit.
4 p.m. —Master Class
Secrets of a Winning Nonfiction Book Proposal: An Honest Conversation Between
Editors
Join senior editors Avalon Radys and Jill Saginario for an unvarnished look at what really happens when your proposal lands on an editor’s desk. Through candid conversation and real-world examples, participants will learn:
1. What actually makes editors champion a book in acquisitions meetings (and the behind-the-scenes realities of how publishing decisions get made)
2. How to craft each element of a proposal to demonstrate commercial viability while being realistic about advances, timelines, and market expectations
3. The crucial elements that can make or break a submission, from platform
requirements to market analysis—plus honest talk about deadlines, advances, and the realities of working with publishers.
Saturday Conference Presenters and Workshops: (listed in order of appearance)
PATRICK HUTCHISON, Tacoma, Washington
Patrick Hutchison is a writer and builder from the Pacific Northwest. His work has appeared in Outside, Wired, Vice, Seattle magazine, and Seattle Weekly. He grew up in Washington State’s rainy southwest corner, eventually moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. Working on the cabin described in his debut book inspired him to leave copywriting to pursue carpentry. He now finds himself most often in the woods, working on tiny homes, cabins, and treehouses. When he isn’t building, you’ll find him at his home in Tacoma, where he lives with his wife, Kate, and their black lab, Marge. Cabin is his first book.
9:15 a.m.—Cabin’s Journey to Publication
Saturday’s Keynote Speaker:
JANE PORTER, San Clemente, California
USA Today and New York Times best-selling author of more than seventy-five romances and women’s fiction titles, Jane Porter has been a finalist for the prestigious RITA award six times with her Tule Publishing novella, Take Me, Cowboy, winning the Novella Category in July 2014. Today, Jane has more than 15 million copies in print, including her wildly popular Flirting with Forty, a novel picked by Redbook magazine as its Red Hot Summer Read in 2006 before being turned into a Lifetime movie in 2008 starring Heather Locklear. In 2021, two of Jane’s Taming of the Sheenan romances were turned into original movies for the Great American Family Network. Jane holds a master’s degree in writing from the University of San Francisco and makes her home in sunny San Clemente, California, with her surfer husband, three sons, and three dogs. You can learn more about Jane at janeporter.com.
10 a.m.—How to Be the Hero in Your Own Story
11 a.m.—Workshop A
Intense & Tight: Pacing Commercial Fiction
Readers who love short commercial fiction love it because it’s an intense and tight roller-coaster read. The magic of bestselling commercial fiction is in the pacing. Commercial fiction thrives on tension, and the job of writers is to deliver this tension. Writers want to hook readers on page one and keep them hooked. The goal is to get them reading breathlessly, to have them turning pages without putting down the book. For readers to read with this breathless anticipation, writers must learn to intensify the story. There’s no room to waste in these books, no place for extra words or slow, meandering scenes. To establish an intense and satisfying pace, writers need to watch out for potential dangers and irritants, as well as learn craft techniques that will increase story momentum without losing energy.
1:15 p.m.—Workshop G
Writing Great Dialogue
Dialogue keeps readers turning pages. And dialogue is what helps your readers fall in love with your characters.
This workshop focuses on how to write tight dialogue that conveys essential details in an interesting and efficient way.
Used correctly, dialogue:
- Progresses the plot
- Reveals character
- Shows (emotional) context
- Entertains
Learn the differences between male/female communication styles and 10 craft techniques for using dialogue to make characters and conflict come alive.
SCOTT EAGAN, Greyhaus Literary, Puyallup, Washington
Scott’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in English literature, a master’s in literacy and a master’s in creative writing. Scott, an active member of the Romance Writers of America, still dabbles in writing as a hobby. Outside of the agency, Scott is an instructor with the UCLA Extension Program teaching a course in publishing. He also provides critiques with Writer’s Digest and does book reviews with Publishers Weekly. His family continues to keep him busy with one child who swims competitively, another who rides hunter/jumper equestrian, and a third who dances.
11 a.m.—Workshop B
Marketing Your Writing, Finding Your Audience
- This session focuses on two levels of writing: how you market your writing to editors and agents, as well as things to consider when marketing a book publication.
- This session also stresses the need for authors to consider marketing even before writing a book. Is there even a place for it? Who would likely read the book? What is the best format?
1:15 p.m.—Workshop K
Developmental Editing Your Fiction Writing
This workshop helps writers:
1. Understand the difference between developmental editing and other forms of editing.
- Become unafraid of really tearing apart your own writing; and
- Identify specific areas to edit including character development, setting, and dialogue.
CHRISTINE PINTO, Shoreline, Washington
As a developmental editor, Christine Pinto draws on experience as a fiction writer and writing instructor to help writers of all ages refine their work for maximum impact. An award-winning short story writer, Christine shares writing techniques in workshops for adults and children. Information on her workshops and her nineteenth-century history lessons for elementary school students can be found at christinepintowrites.com and allegoryediting.com.
11 a.m.—Workshop C
Connecting from Beginning to End: Building the Structure That Supports Your Story
Story structure helps writers assess each event in a manuscript for its fitness to the story they want to tell. In this session participants will explore their work-in-progress through writing exercises and learn practical strategies to develop a working structure that best supports their desires for the work. Beginning and intermediate writers will leave the session with concrete ideas for crafting their story’s ideal structure.
1:15 p.m.—Workshop I
Mastering Sensory Detail
Effective sensory references bring readers deeply into stories by tapping into emotional and physical resonances, allowing readers to feel experiences along with the characters. In this session, participants will discover strategies for weaving sensory details into writing efficiently and seamlessly. Illustrated by examples where writers have successfully used the power of the senses to bring unforgettable stories to readers, this session is useful for writers of all skill levels.
Key Points:
- Discover sensory details beyond the five senses taught in elementary school.
- Ask the most important questions when choosing which sensory details to include by filtering sensory details through characters’ experiences and story themes.
- Discover where more or different sensory details can best help tell the story.
CHRISTINA SUZANN NELSON, Philomath, Oregon
Christina Suzann Nelson is an inspirational speaker and award-winning author of seven books, including Echoes from a Missing Generation, What Happens Next, and the Christy Award-winning The Way It Should Be. She is the mother of six children and is passionate about helping others find hope after trauma.
11 a.m.—Workshop D
Short and Captivating: Writing Two-Hour Reads That Leave a Lasting Impact
Readers today are busier than ever, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want stories that inspire, entertain, and move them. In fact, many crave books they can finish in a single sitting—stories that deliver a punch without overstaying their welcome. Writing a two-hour read is its own unique art, one that requires intentionality and focus. In this workshop, we’ll explore how to craft stories that are concise yet powerful, short yet unforgettable. Whether looking to write novellas, explore the growing short-read market, or simply expand writing skills, this session will give participants the tools to make a lasting impact in a small package.
2:30 p.m.—Workshop Q
Plotting for Pantsers: How to Find Structure Without Stifling Creativity
If the thought of a rigid outline makes you want to abandon your keyboard, you’re not alone. Many writers love the freedom of discovering stories as they write. But without some structure, it’s easy to lose the way. In this workshop, participants will dig into how to balance creativity with the tools needed to craft a cohesive story. Together, the class will explore ways to stay true to the intuitive process while anchoring a novel in a framework that works. Whether just starting out or a self-identified pantser, Christina will help participants find strategies that will free up rather than hold back creativity.
ERICK MERTZ, Oregon City, Oregon
Erick Mertz is a professional writer who has ghostwritten fiction, screenplays, business books, and memoirs for clients around the world. He is the author of the self-published Strange Air series of paranormal mysteries following a local sheriff on his investigation into the paranormal in his hometown. Read more about him at www.erickmertzwriting.com.
11 a.m.—Workshop E
Monsters Are Needy
Have you heard from an editor or feedback group that your villain, or monster, lacks credibility? Are you writing or rewriting a manuscript and struggling to help that bad guy to show his or her villainous teeth? If so, it may be that your villain isn’t getting enough page or screen time. In this workshop, Erick analyzes successful films, books, and television series to illustrate how best to utilize elements of threat. Participants will learn that monsters are, indeed, needy, as well as the ways to build them up in order to give the audience what they seek.
ALLE C. HALL, Seattle, Washington
Alle C. Hall has pitched herself into literary magazines such as Dale Peck’s Evergreen Review, Tupelo Quarterly, New World Writing Quarterly, Litro, and Creative Nonfiction. Her journalism appears in The Seattle Times, Seattle Weekly, and The Stranger (contributing writer). Her debut novel, As Far as You Can Go Before You Have to Come Back, received sixteen honors, most recently as a finalist for The Nancy Pearl Book Award. She presents nationally (Association of Writers & Writing Programs, Portland’s Literary Arts) as well as locally (Seattle’s Hugo House, University of Washington, Whatcom Community College). https://allechall.substack.com
11 a.m.—Workshop F
Get Your Pitch Right
If you get your pitch right, you never have to think about it again. All authors will have to pitch their book. If taking the agent route, they pitch to agents and editors; eventually (and if self-publishing) to bookstore buyers, the media, and readers. Writers need a two-minute spiel conveying characters, plot, setting, hook and climax, all delivered with confidence and charm. In this session, Alle helps writers develop pitches. Through practice in small groups and (for the bold) a “pitch” to the class, participants will learn how a pitch generated in this session translates to that dratted paragraph of the query letter that succinctly describes a book. Participants will learn to oh-so-briefly define:
- The key components of the verbal pitch: genre, protagonist, and what stands in their way; the antagonist or anti-protagonist forces; and how the protagonist takes on the antagonist.
- The final, resonant sentence of the pitch: conveying the impactful journey the protagonist will take; and
- The scariest part: how to say your pitch out loud, to each other.
2:30 p.m.—Workshop O
Their Book Gets All the Attention
For self-published and small-press authors, or smaller authors at a Big Four house, this hands-on presentation provides what is needed to give the bold names a run for their money. The class will cover the critical eighteen months (yes, eighteen; and yes: critical) of pre-publication through the launch, and then explore ways to draw interest to a book once it is no longer “new.”
1. The Pre-Pub Eighteen: identifying your readership (hint: not only other writers); building an Introduction Package; finding blurbs; social media and media coverage (podcasts, newspapers, magazines, and Substacks targeting readership) and getting into bookstores.
2. The Launch: maximizing Amazon, bookstore (and other) events, media appearances, and interviews all geared toward leveraging the book’s “new” status.
WILLIAM KENOWER, Seattle, Washington
William Kenower is the author of Everyone Has What It Takes: A Writer’s Guide to the End of Self-Doubt, Fearless Writing: How to Create Boldly and Write with Confidence and Write within Yourself: An Author’s Companion and the editor-in-chief of Author Magazine. In addition to his books, he’s been published in The New York Times, Writer’s Digest, Edible Seattle, and Parent Map, and he has been a featured blogger for the Huffington Post. He also hosts the popular podcasts Author2Author and Fearless Writing with Bill Kenower. You can find him at williamkenower.com.
1:15 p.m.—Workshop H
Fearless Writing
Learning the craft is only the beginning of a writer’s journey. Most of the obstacles both beginning and experienced authors face have less to do with finding a compelling opening or creating believable characters and more to do with the many emotional challenges inherent in sharing our work with other people. In this workshop, we’ll shine a light on dark questions about talent, intelligence, time, and money that haunt many writers. We’ll also provide tools to keep attention where it needs to be to write what we most want to write.
Students will learn:
1. How to REALLY find the time to write.
2. Why do they procrastinate even though they LOVE writing.
3. The questions they should NEVER ask themselves.
4. Why don’t they really care what anyone thinks of their work.
CURTIS C. CHEN, Vancouver, Washington
Once a Silicon Valley software engineer, Curtis C. Chen (陳致宇) now writes stories near Portland, Oregon. He’s the author of the KANGAROO series of funny science fiction spy thrillers and has written for the Realm original podcasts, Echo Park, Ninth Step Murders, and Machina. Curtis’ shorter works have appeared in Playboy Magazine; the ENNIE Award-winning Kobold Guide to Roleplaying; The Year’s Best Fantasy, Volume 2; Aliens vs. Predators: Ultimate Prey; and elsewhere. Visit him online: https://CurtisCChen.com
1:15 p.m.—Workshop J
Yes, and Keep Writing: First Draft as Improv
The blank page can be a daunting obstacle to starting a new writing project, but Curtis has found it helpful (especially when starting novels) to approach it as improvisation, to take some of the pressure of perfection off myself. If you’ve never seen an improv performance, it goes something like this: given a short prompt, like the name of a location and a job title, a group of actors come up with a scene on the fly. Usually they’re going for laughs, but when writing, each scene will have a different goal, both emotionally and plot-wise. And the overall goal is to keep the story going! Yes, and what happens next?
MELANIE DOBSON, Sherwood, Oregon
Melanie Dobson has published thirty books, including The Wings of Poppy Pendleton, The Winter Rose, and Memories of Glass. Five of her novels received Carol Awards; Catching the Wind received an Audie Award; and The Black Cloister was named the ForeWord Religious Fiction Book of the Year. Melanie enjoys traveling, researching, hosting a writers’ group, and teaching creative writing.
1:15 p.m.—Workshop L
What I Wish I’d Known: Thirty Lessons Learned in Thirty Years
After working in the publishing industry for thirty years, this workshop is devoted to thirty things I wish I would have known earlier in my writing career. Our session will include practical recommendations about publishing, craft, editing, and marketing, along with general writing life tips to inspire and encourage other fiction and nonfiction writers along their journey.
MIRIAM GERSHOW, Eugene, Oregon
Miriam Gershow is the award-winning author of Closer, Survival Tips: Stories, and The Local News. Her books have been reviewed in The New York Times, Marie Claire, and Bust among others. Her flash fiction has been published widely, including in Pithead Chapel, Had, Craft, and several anthologies. She is a two-time finalist for the Oregon Book Awards’ Ken Kesey Award for Fiction and recipient of a Fiction Fellowship from the Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing and an Oregon Literary Fellowship. She has also participated in residencies from Playa, Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts, Hypatia-in-the-Woods, and Wildacres. You can find out more about Miriam at miriamgershow.com.
2:30 p.m.—Workshop M
More Joy of Flash
This workshop will continue the work of last year’s Joy of Flash workshop, though it is accessible to both new and returning participants. Writers will:
- Look at construction in stories to see how flash fiction writers write more with fewer and fewer words.
- Imitate several flash fiction writers to write our own flash.
- Share flash fiction resources so participants leave with potential venues to submit their work.
SANDRA CROWELL AND JULIE McDONALD ZANDER, Toledo, Washington
Regional authors Sandra Crowell and Julie McDonald Zander have published dozens of nonfiction books, including Sandy’s latest, The Ravaged Forest: A Native Woman’s Journey to Justice. Julie’s debut novel, The Reluctant Pioneer, was released in September 2024. These two founders of the Southwest Washington Writers Conference have gained expertise over the decades, Julie as a prolific personal historian and columnist and Sandy as a longtime instructor and writing professional. Participants in this two-part workshop will learn how to publish independently with success.
2:30 p.m.—Workshop N
Indie Publishing: You Can Do It (Part 1)
Why choose the indie route to self-publishing? What are the options? What are your needs? How can you protect yourself from scams? Where do you go from here?
In this interactive workshop, Sandy and Julie will discuss the pros and cons of different publishing options and then lead participants step by step through the indie publishing process—from editing and layout to choosing the right indie publishing option while avoiding scams. Participants will leave with a list of resources to help them publish their book.
3:45 p.m.—Workshop S
Indie Publishing: You Can Sell It (Part 2)
You have published a book, so you can now relax, right? Wrong. The work is only half over. In Part 2 of their Indie Publishing workshop, Julie McDonald Zander and Sandra Crowell will discuss the all-important step of marketing and selling your book. Learn the importance of knowing your audience and where to market locally, as well as how to build an email list, leverage social media, and launch a website. Zander and Crowell will also cover how news releases, blogs, tours, and paid advertising can help sell your book.
CRAIG ALLEN HEATH, Longview, Washington
Craig Allen Heath decided he wanted to be a novelist at age fourteen. He achieved that goal fifty years later by publishing his first novel, Where You Will Die, in 2022. The next Eden Ridge Story, Killing Buddhas, followed in 2024. He is now working on the third in the series, Reason Not the Need. Having finally done what he wanted to do five decades prior, he says he’ll keep doing it until he runs out of ideas, or the sun explodes, whichever comes first. More information is available at his website, craigallenheath.com.
2:30 p.m.—Workshop P
Write Poems for Fun and Craft
Writing poems is not just for poets. Writers can learn much from poetry no matter what their chosen genre. And there are so many reasons to write poems—to show love, to honor people, and to celebrate occasions. Become a bard to family and friends. By creating thoughtful and meaningful verses for and about those in our lives, writers can give a gift straight from the heart, no Hallmark required. The workshop’s three main topics will be:
- What Writing Poems Teaches Any Writer: We learn the musicality of language, increase our vocabulary, and learn to be concise.
- Reasons to Write Poems: Celebrate people, special events, traditions, occupations—everything life affords—in verse.
- Poetry Forms for Every Occasion: We have thousands of well-known poetic forms to choose from—steal from the best!
PAULA PECKHAM, Burleson, Texas
A fifth-generation Texan, Paula Peckham published her first novel in 2022. She now has three novels and two anthologies to her name. Her debut novel, Protected, Book 1 in The San Antonio series, was published in April 2022. It was a finalist in ACFW’s Genesis contest and won the gold medal in the 2022 Global Book Awards. Book 2, A Father’s Gift, finished third in the 2023 Selah contest. Book 3, Accepted, came out in October 2023 and won first prize in the Bookfest Awards and was a finalist in the 2024 Selah Contest. She is working on a contemporary romance titled Made for More. Paula divides her time between her home in Texas and Rio Bravo, Mexico. You can find Paula on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and her blog, “Real People with Real Faith Struggles.”
2:30 p.m.—Workshop R
So You Want to Be a Writer?
Learn how to polish your manuscript before you send it off by avoiding the most common writing errors discovered by editing. This workshop covers basic grammar problems, including passive voice, head-hopping, show-don’t-tell, and dangling modifiers, as well as how to eliminate extra clutter/fluff words that sneak into your writing. You’ll discover how small tweaks and changes can set your manuscript apart from the rest of the crowd!
3:45 p.m.—Workshop T
Formatting Skills for Self-Published Writers
Authors who are self-published must wear many hats. Formatting a manuscript is a skill writers can learn, saving money paid to someone else to do the job. In this workshop, learn how to use Microsoft Word, the publishing industry’s standard, to:
- Add headers and footers.
- Use various types of page breaks.
- Use Styles to save time.
- Handcraft page breaks in the paragraph settings to smooth the look of pages.
- Avoid common mistakes and Word’s quirky characteristics.
Bring your laptop and get ready to discover the tricks and secrets to perfect your manuscript!
JAN JOHNSON, Astoria, Oregon
Jan lives on a sheep farm in Brownsmead, Oregon, a mile from the Columbia River, with her husband, Ed. Don’t mistake living on a farm as meaning she likes animals. Well, she actually does—from a distance. Jan Johnson has been writing since fourth grade when her dad published her first book, The Little Red Man, a space story. She’s passionate about building relationships, meeting new people and hearing their stories. You know what they say—Love God, Love People. When she isn’t writing, starting something new, or podcasting, she catches up with her ten children who are scattered hither and yon.
3:45 p.m.—Workshop U
So You Want to Start a Podcast
If you’ve dreamed of hosting a podcast, Jan will help you get started. In this workshop, participants will learn what it takes to produce a podcast from start to finish.
TRACIE HESKETT, Vancouver, Washington
Tracie Heskett is a best-selling author who has written teacher resource books as well as fiction and nonfiction children’s books. She wrote for educational publishers for more than twenty years and applied her passion for research to her writing. She enjoys presenting writing workshops about research. Tracie writes fiction, poetry, devotionals, curriculum, Bible studies, and other nonfiction work. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and enjoys quilting, hiking, reading, playing the piano, and cooking in the kitchen with her grown twin sons whenever possible. Contact Tracie at tracie@tracieheskett.com and find her on Facebook.
3:45 p.m.—Workshop V
Research Skills for Writers
Dive deep into the delightful world of research. This workshop introduces writers to practical resources for research that apply to nonfiction as well as fiction writing. Together the class will explore ways to research setting and location, culture, characters, and sensory details. Participants will learn tips to maximize their research time.
JULIE MERRICK, Olympia, Washington
Julie Merrick is the author of A Letter a Week: Your Guide to Writing and Mailing
52 Handwritten Letters During the Year. A former educator, Julie is passionate
about the power of handwritten communication, a topic she explored in her 2017 TEDx talk. In addition to her published journal book, Julie has given numerous talks to high school athletes on the importance of having a strong mental toolkit. Her presentation aims
to provide tools and techniques that aspiring authors can implement today to successfully
self-publish their books.
3:45 p.m. – Workshop W
Done Is Better Than Perfect: Essential Advice to Becoming a Published Author
Learn how to become a published author in this workshop that provides tangible tips to publishing creative works. The thought of publishing a book can seem overwhelming, but Julie breaks down the process. She’ll share a bit about her self-publishing journey and help participants overcome fear and doubts. A checklist can keep writers moving toward achievable goals. After publication, what happens? Julie will offer tips to participants about what comes next.
J.B. KISH, Portland, Oregon
Author J.B. Kish has been managing large-scale digital projects for more than a decade. Using proven project management tools and processes, he has helped dozens of authors demystify novel planning so they can finish their books once and for all. This workshop is perfect for writers at any stage who are tired of saying, “One day I’ll finish my book” and are ready to say, “Please join me as I celebrate the launch of my debut novel!”
3:45 p.m.—Workshop X
Project Managing Your Novel: How to Write a Book in Ten Months
Most writers don’t figure out that second part, and they spend years spinning their wheels. That’s because finishing a novel requires more than dreaming big. It’s about understanding the fundamentals of project planning, as well as understanding your unique goals, motivations, and limited time resources. In this interactive workshop, author, coach, and project manager J.B. Kish will help clarify your goals and what motivates you to do your best work. You’ll create a road map tailored to your life, allowing you to make consistent progress on your novel without sacrificing family, work, or, most importantly, sleep. In order to start a novel, you need inspiration. But in order to finish a novel, you need a plan.
