Classes (Classes for 2027 will post in the Fall)
Edie Melson 2026
Healthy Organization & Priorities for Writers – It’s almost impossible to become a writer without also having a way to stay organized. Edie Melson understands this and has been accused of being an expert multitasker. She’s a successful author of 20+ books, director of the largest Christian writers conference, professional photographer, blog owner, and industry coach—just to name a few of the hats she wears. But the secret to getting things done lies in her ability to organize and prioritize her life. She shares all her best tips and tricks:
Naming computer files so they’re easy to find.
Using blocks of time to accomplish more writing
Finding and guarding your best creative time
Working with your personality to find organization tips that help and don’t frustrate
Putting into place processes and accountability practices to make sure her priorities line up with God’s
*Social Media as a Ministry and How to Stay Safe Online While Avoiding the Traps of Scams and Hacking – Edie Melson helps writers turn the drudgery and frustration of social media upside down by treating it as an extension of your online ministry instead. Let her help you give your online presence a reboot as she shares how to serve those you interact with on social media and turn them into valuable email subscribers. In addition, she will also share how to keep your ministry—and those you serve—safe in the new digital world of scams, AI spoofing, and hacking. Edie helps writers learn the practices every writer needs to have to stay safe online. She also covers helpful tips for everything from designating an online legacy to how to deal with cloning, hacking, and the ever-changing world of scammers. (1.5 hr)
Billy Wayne Arrington 2026
*Lyric Writing – Songs flow smoothly. Their cadence and words fit into the music to paint a wonderfully emotional experience, but there’s rules that apply, a format and a formula that causes beautiful words to sing. In this class, you will learn how to fit the rules into the emotional and make a song that moves the world.
*Script Writing - Performing arts are great outlets for writers to express themselves and influence pop culture. This is especially prevalent with scriptwriting. Scriptwriting is utilized for stage, screen, radio, and social media. Learn how to bring ideas and stories to life by developing intriguing plots and inspiring characters. Turn your written works into live presentations.
Bob Hostetler 2026
*The Proposal-Driven Life - Writing a successful book proposal, using real-life samples of proposals that sold.
*The Art of the Query - What is a query letter or email? What to query. Who to query. Why query? How to write a “killer” query letter..
Edwina Perkins 2026
Break Through the Writing Wall – Struggling to find the right words is a common challenge for writers, regardless of their level of experience. When you hit a writing wall, often referred to as writer’s block, it can feel more like hitting a Great Wall of China-type obstacle. That may be the time to explore different strategies to reignite creativity. There are many exercises and techniques to help overcome this obstacle. While these approaches may not work for everyone, they serve as valuable tools to help get the writing process back on track. The goal is to uncover the spark that can reignite creativity and move from a standstill to a productive writing journey.
Eva Marie Everson 2026
Every Christian Writer’s Toolbox – There are certain tools every Christian writer should have in order to fulfil the literary call God placed on their heart. Do you know what they are? Do you have them in your toolbox? In this session, Eva Marie Everson shares the items she has learned over her nearly thirty years in Christian publishing that are a must for every Christian writer.
Lynette Eason 2026
*Is it Time for an Agent – In this class, we’ll discuss when the proper time is for you to seek an agent. You’ll learn how to submit, what to submit, when to submit – even why you submit to an agent. There is a process and an appropriate time. An agent can’t sell what isn’t written.
Pepper Basham 2026
*Writing Memorable Characters – We all have them. Characters we just can't forget. Ones we tuck in our memories to think about later. Something about them left an impression on us. But why? In this class, author Pepper Basham uses the C.A.R.E. strategy to explore how to create meaningful and unforgettable characters readers will want to keep revisiting.
*Writing in the Nooks & Carnnies: Life is hard. And busy. And, many times, unpredictable. So how can an author fulfill all his/her roles (including parent, child, sibling, employer, employee, church member, etc) and still write books? Author Pepper Basham uses the personal experience of being a full-time speech-language pathologist, mom of 5, pastor's wife, and author to offer some practical and grace-filled tips on how to finish a book while living...or surviving real life. :)
Larry Leech 2026
*Adorable Antags – Villains are the best. Absolutely the best. Darth Vader. Loki. Thanos. Joker. Lex Luther. Freddy Krueger. Voldemort. Wicked Witch of the West. They’re just so lovable. Adorable actually. Without them, storytellers would be left with no one to antagonize the hero. The protagonist could just lie around eating bonbons and watching soap operas, or lazing on a Sunday afternoon at the beach. Having the right antagonist in a story makes a difference. Imagine Loki in Harry Potter. Or Thanos in Star Wars. Or Darth Vader in Superman. Knowing what the antagonist wants and if they are strong enough are just two of five key elements of having the perfect villain in a story. So, come now and experience the power of the adorable antagonist.
Julie Lavender 2026
*Writing for Children for the Educational Market – Learn to navigate the work-for-hire world of educational writing with the author of twenty-two children’s educational books, Julie Lavender. Learn how to research and write what the publisher needs, learn how to find markets to submit to, learn how to check readability level using the ATOS analyzer, and learn how to prepare a package to send to publishers as part of the application process. If you’d love to see your work in school libraries and the kids’ section of community libraries, this class is for you!
*Writing for Guideposts Magazine – Wanna write inspiring, true stories for Guideposts Magazine and have your words join other pages that have been read by millions of people for the past seventy years? Come learn tips and techniques for getting your story accepted for Guideposts Magazine and other Guideposts publications by Guideposts contributor Julie Lavender
Sarah Loudin Thomas 2026
*PITCHES THAT FIT - Dig into developing your arsenal of pitches to fit every situation. Start with a short and pithy elevator pitch to snag an agent or editor's attention. Then hone your 15-minute appointment pitch with tips for sharing your idea as well as following proper etiquette. And finally, perfect your written query to send via email when pitching from afar. Come to class ready to shape your story idea and leave with at least one pitch polished up and ready to go.
Vincent Davis 2026
*How to Make Money Selling Books in 2026 – Most authors would write full-time if they had the ability to do so, but few have that option. With bills to pay, mouths to feed, and lifestyles to maintain, most authors don’t have the luxury to leave their day jobs. On top of that, getting a book self-published can also be very expensive, and the publishing arena is consistently competitive. So, is there any way to earn an income with your writing?
In this class, author Vincent Davis will help you develop the proper business practices and foster the correct mindset to begin earning consistent royalties on your books. It’s never easy, with dedication and hard work, you too can begin your path to becoming a full-time author.
*Amazon Ads Unlocked – Amazon Ads can be one of the most powerful tools for authors looking to sell more books, but they can also be confusing, frustrating, and expensive if you don’t know what you’re doing. In this session, you’ll learn the fundamentals of Amazon Ads, why they matter, and how to use them effectively to reach more readers.
We’ll break down the key components of a successful ad campaign. Whether you’re new to Amazon Ads or struggling to see results, this class will give you a clear, step-by-step approach to setting up and running ads that work. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to start using Amazon Ads to grow your book sales.
Martin Wiles 2026
*Time Management: Writing in a Busy World – Whether we write full-time or squeeze our writing in between other full-time employment, time management is critical. Failing to manage our time well leads to losing writing opportunities. A few critical steps will help us write successfully in a busy world.
*Beth Fortune 2026
Beyond the Page to the Stage: Stepping Up Your Writing Game – Our words matter. Not just our written words but our spoken words. This workshop will give you the tools to prepare for a Bible study, a women’s or men’s event, conference, or podcast guest. How do you take your message from the page to the stage and present it with poise? Let me show you how and help you gain confidence so you will be ready for the next speaking opportunity that comes your way. In this session you will learn how to: Get ideas from your work in progress. Develop and refine your message. Use storytelling, humor, and scripture. Connect with your audience.
One-on-One Mentoring – 2026 MENTORING APPOINTMENTS will open in August 2026
Larry Leech, Edie Melson, Lori Marett, Billy Wayne Arrington, Andrea Merrell, Denise Loock, and Terri Kelly serve as mentors. Most will be available for private appointments.
Mentoring spots are open to writers with novel or non-fiction manuscripts at an additional cost of $55. See Critique and Mentoring page.
