Breakout Seminar Descriptions and Room Locations – WFYL Colorado 2022

Tuesday June 7, 2022

Breakout Seminars A – 11:00 AM

  • Patricia Raybon: “From Newsroom to Novel – Making the Switch from Writing Facts to Fiction” – Patricia Raybon disrupted her nonfiction writing life with fiction—writing and selling an historical mystery novel that Parade Magazine picked for its Fall 2021 “Mysteries We Love” list and Masterpiece on PBS named among “Best Mystery Books of 2021” As “Recommended by Best-Selling Novelists.” Then, NBA All-Star Steph Curry picked her novel, All That Is Secret, as his Literati Book Club selection for Women’s History Month in March 2022. How did Patricia make the switch to fiction and what has she learned? What can you learn from her about switching gears in your writing career? In this workshop for writers, she explores her journey.
  • Greg Johnson (literary agent): “Getting to the Third Level of Publishing Success (or How to Know For Sure, For Sure, For Sure, you’re ready for traditional publishing)”
  • Erin Healy: “How to Be an Effective Self-Editor” – Learn why editing your own work matters, as well as dos and don’ts, tips and tricks for how to revise after finishing your first draft.
  • Amanda Henderson: “Entering the fray: How to write about divisive issues without deepening the divides” – In this session, we will discuss how to navigate the balance between bringing your full self– including your strongest opinions and perspectives– to your writing, without furthering a toxic divisive culture.

Breakout Seminars B – 2:45 PM

  • Rachell Gardner (literary agent): “Book Proposals that Sell” – Your book proposal is the tool that sells your book—first to an agent, then to a publisher. What makes a strong proposal? Why do we need proposals? We’ll look at all the elements and dissect how to create a proposal that will make a publisher want to BUY.
  • Amanda Henderson: “It’s not a memoir: How to make your writing personal, while not making it about you.” – Nothing against memoirs, but that isn’t what I want to write (and they are not popular with many publishers these days). How do we weave our own stories into writing about religion, culture, politics, or history? In this session, we will discuss the balancing act of making your writing personal, while not making it about you.
  • Tyler Sit: “An Introduction to Antiracism in Spiritual Writing” – Spiritual writing as a genre often centers the personal, transcendent experiences of the divine. Is it possible, though, that those personal and transcendent writings could still be vulnerable to the same trappings of racism that pervades broader American life? What responsibility does the mystic have to dismantle oppression? Join Tyler Sit (Staying Awake: The Gospel for Changemakers) in approaching antiracism in your own life, however you racially identify. Tyler is the pastor of New City Church, a community led mostly by queer people of color. New City is walking distance away from George Floyd Square, and Sit’s approach to writing is informed both by the immediate reckoning of George Floyd’s murder as well as the deeper, longer work of healing the trauma in his community.
  • Katie Long (David C. Cook Publishers): “How to Become a Content Marketer” – What is content marketing and why is it important to publisher; how to strategize a year of content; and how to fit content within your platform.

Small Group Meetings – 4:00-6:00 – feel free to come and go to any of these

Wednesday June 8, 2022

Breakout Seminars C – 9:15 AM

  • Patricia Raybon: “Things That Work — 10 Craft Secrets of Writing That Sells” – After decades of selling her essays, articles, devotionals, books, and novels to national publications and global ministries, award-winning author Patricia Raybon goes back to the basics to explore craft secrets of writing that sells. Learn effective writing techniques and tips for turning up the sizzle in your writing style while increasing your writing output and enjoyment. Ready to sharpen your writing skills to their crafting best? Here’s a workshop to help you achieve that goal.
  • Michael W. Waters: “Empowering Children Through Storytelling Amid Social Crisis” – Dr. Waters will talk about the importance of stories and how they can help empower children during uncertain times. In particular, he will discuss the importance of reading with children during times of crisis and how stories can help adults further engage with children in conversations about social issues and social change.
  • Rachelle Gardner (literary agent): “Authors & Agents: Inside this Important Partnership” – Do all writers need agents? This workshop begins by discussing who needs an agent and why. You’ll learn how to decide whether you need an agent, how to research literary agents, and how to determine the right agent for you. We’ll discuss what to expect from an agent and what not to expect. Finally, we’ll talk about how to do your part in building and maintaining a successful long-term relationship with an agent. This workshop will dispel the mystique surrounding agents (no – we are not all sharks!) and help you make the best decision for your writing career.
  • Tyler Sit: “An Introduction to Antiracism in Spiritual Writing” – Spiritual writing as a genre often centers the personal, transcendent experiences of the divine. Is it possible, though, that those personal and transcendent writings could still be vulnerable to the same trappings of racism that pervades broader American life? What responsibility does the mystic have to dismantle oppression? Join Tyler Sit (Staying Awake: The Gospel for Changemakers) in approaching antiracism in your own life, however you racially identify. Tyler is the pastor of New City Church, a community led mostly by queer people of color. New City is walking distance away from George Floyd Square, and Sit’s approach to writing is informed both by the immediate reckoning of George Floyd’s murder as well as the deeper, longer work of healing the trauma in his community.

Book Readings/Signings – 10:15 AM

Breakout Seminars D – 2:30 PM

  • Michael W. Waters: “Empowering Children Through Storytelling Amid Social Crisis” – Dr. Waters will talk about the importance of stories and how they can help empower children during uncertain times. In particular, he will discuss the importance of reading with children during times of crisis and how stories can help adults further engage with children in conversations about social issues and social change.
  • Erin Healy: “How to Be an Effective Self-Editor” – Learn why editing your own work matters, as well as dos and don’ts, tips and tricks for how to revise after finishing your first draft.
  • Greg Johnson (literary agent): “Getting to the Third Level of Publishing Success (or How to Know For Sure, For Sure, For Sure, you’re ready for traditional publishing)”
  • Brian Allain (Writing for Your Life): “Elevator Pitch Practice and Feedback” – In today’s book market, an author’s impact is dependent upon both great writing and great marketing. One of the most important elements of an author’s marketing plan should be their “elevator pitch”. We will introduce elements of a great elevator pitch and how it can be used. Then attendees will have the opportunity to practice delivering their pitch and receiving feedback.

Book Readings/Signings – 4:00 PM

Small Group Meetings – 4:30 – 5:30 PM – feel free to come and go to any of these

Thursday June 9, 2022

Optional post-conference seminar “The Business of Being a Spiritual Writer” (separate registration required)

Return to main conference page

All information subject to change.