The Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference offers a balanced program covering the fundamentals of craft—delving into specific genres and techniques—along with the business of being a writer, promotion and marketing strategies, and managing a sustainable career.
We’re in the process of selecting speakers for what should be our best program yet so check back often, and be sure to sign up for our email newsletter to receive session and speaker updates as they’re announced!
Featured Events
Pre-Conference Workshops (11/5)
The Compass of Character: Creating Complex Motivations for Compelling Characters | David Corbett
Personal Essay Essentials: How to Break Into Print with First-Person Writing | Windy Lynn Harris
Sessions Schedule
FRIDAY, November 6, 2020
SATURDAY, November 7, 2020
Craft | Craft | Publishing Business | |||
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10:00 AM – 11:00 AM |
How To Plot Your Book With Ease |
The Muddle in the Middle |
Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in Publishing: From First Pitch to Book Birthday |
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11:15 – 12:15 PM |
It’s a Small, Diverse World: Creating Authentic Voices for Your Characters |
The Nitty Gritty on Giving a Book Talk for Your Novel |
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12:30 PM – 1:30 PM |
Dialogue as Action, Not Conversation |
Reading Like a Writer: Master Close Reading and Improve Your Writing Jacquelin Cangro |
Evaluate Your Publisher’s Platform Before Signing a Book Deal |
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1:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch on your own / Exhibits | ||||
Craft | Craft | Publishing Business | |||
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM |
Rock Your Revisions |
Description: “Leave Out the Parts People Skip” |
Slush Pile Boot Camp |
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4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Beyond the Twilight Zone: Diversity in the Strange Ran Walker |
Weaving the Character Web |
Panel: Debut Authors |
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5:15 – 6:15 PM |
Central Keynote: Maaza Mengiste and Viet Thanh Nguyen |
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6:30 – 7:30 PM | Networking, Virtual Lounge |