For the Memoir Authors
We know there are many options when it comes to choosing a virtual conference for authors, so we’re breaking down the workshops in the Women in Publishing Summit by tracks and areas of focus. The Women in Publishing Summit is a virtual event for authors and publishing professionals that runs from March 5 to 8, 2025.
We focus on building community, educating our community, and creating an environment for support, encouragement, and sharing of resources. While the conference is virtual and runs “live” in zoom over the course of the event, all sessions are recorded, and you can rewatch them as many times as you’d like through the end of the year. We also have networking, community-building events, and special bonus sessions.
This is the breakdown of workshops that are specific to memoir authors, however, you’ll find that there are many sessions throughout the conference that will help you understand routes to publishing, marketing, business growth, and more. Check out the full schedule here.
Day 1 – Writing/Mindset for Memoir Authors
Hiding Real People in Real Stories
Roxanne McCarty-O’Kane
Find out what steps you can take to avoid identifying real people in your nonfiction book. Discover how to create pseudonyms, avoid compromising safety, and write about people who would rather fade into the background of your story. Since 2007, Roxanne’s unique and multi-award winning method of storytelling has changed the lives of thousands of budding authors, allowing them to bring their messages to life in nonfiction books with structure, connection to the reader and potential profit. She is a prolific ghostwriter, author, workshop facilitator, writing mentor and journalist.
The Art of the Literary Sex Scene (Fiction and Memoir)
Victoria Hetherington & Patricia Westerhof
This session will provide writers of fiction and memoir techniques for writing character-driven, tasteful, and powerful sex scenes that work in today’s marketplace. Some say CanLit’s a snooze, and erotic writing can’t be literary — and we say, time to wake up and get steamy! What better time to explore the art of the literary sex scene than a workshop designed by women for women writers in a women-identified space? Join Canadian authors Patricia Westerhof and Victoria Hetherington for this seminar exploring this crucial yet under-taught component of literary fiction.
The (Hidden) Costs & Challenges of Publishing
Karen Strauss
Learn all you need to know about getting your book published, whether working with a publisher or self-publishing on your own. Karen Strauss is the publisher of Hybrid Global Publishing. Designed to publish books by speakers and entrepreneurs and other indie authors, Hybrid Global is an independent publisher who offers author services such as editorial, custom cover and interior design, distribution and marketing. Karen has worked in publishing for more than 30 years with broad experience in all aspects of publishing, sales, marketing, strategic planning and distribution.
Day 2 – Routes to Publication for Memoir Authors
Catching Legal Red Flags in a Memoir Before They Catch You
Tisha Morris
Learn to spot potential legal risks and what to do about them in order to minimize risks, while maintaining the literary quality of your memoir. Publishing Attorney Tisha Morris walks you through a legal checklist of defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright, and other legal red flags to help you minimize the risk of legal exposure, not to mention unnecessary legal fees. Tisha Morris is an author and the founder of Morris Entertainment Law where she practices entertainment law with a mission to help diverse voices tell their story for a better world.
Audiobooks: From Microphone to Marketplace
Mary Catherine Jones
Mary Catherine will give an insider’s perspective on the burgeoning Audiobook industry and discuss multiple ways to create an audiobook—from bootstrapping to pro-production and everything in-between! Mary Catherine Jones is the Owner and Executive Producer of The Audiobook Experience at Voice Over Vermont. For over 15 years she has been helping authors find their voice by helping them create amazing, award winning audiobooks.
Day 3 – Marketing & Book Launch for Memoir Authors
How to Write Six Months of Branded Content from Your Book for Increased Book Sales
Monica Miller
Monica Miller will guide published authors on leveraging their nonfiction books into a wealth of marketing content to expand their reach and boost sales. Marketing is often one of the most daunting challenges authors face after publishing, but this session will teach you how to repurpose your written content into a dynamic marketing plan that saves time, energy, and frustration. Discover how to elevate your marketing game by transforming your book into a continuous stream of engaging content that attracts new readers, clients, and opportunities.
Marketing Your Memoir So It Sells
Jennifer Wilkov
Memoir writers know that marketing their inspiring life stories in their books is 100% their responsibility but most don’t have the skillset or knowledge to create a winning marketing plan for it. It’s time to build a plan to successfully market your memoir so it sells. In this presentation, Jennifer S. Wilkov, the founder of Your Book Is Your Hook, LLC, will show you how to master the art of determining what belongs in your memoir marketing platform—and what doesn’t—before, during, and after it has been published.
Day 4 – Business Growth for Memoir Authors
BookBub Basics for Authors: Boost your Platform with LitRing
Samantha Williams
Learn how to make BookBub work for you! From account creation to BookBub ads and everything in between, join the promo masters of LitRing and Aurora Publicity for this platform training to bring in new readers for your books. Samantha Williams is a passionate marketer with almost a decade of experience in publishing. She is the owner of LitRing, a book promotions company, and the founder of Aurora Publicity, a marketing and author assistant company. With degrees in advertising, marketing, and PR, she often refers to herself as “The Matchmaker” for authors and assistants.
Beyond the Bestseller: Creating Multiple Revenue Streams for Authorpreneurs
Alesha Brown
Alesha Brown will share step-by-step guidance and examples, ensuring attendees can transform their books into thriving businesses. Alesha Brown is the Founder & CEO of Fruition Publishing Concierge Services®, a hybrid publisher devoted to helping authors find their voice, monetize their expertise, and create profitable author platforms. Alesha’s work led to her receiving the 2019 Inside Business’ Entrepreneurial Excellence award and 2023 Women in Business Achievement award.
What is the Women in Publishing Summit?
The Women in Publishing Summit is a four-day virtual event running from March 5 to 8. All sessions are recorded, and you can rewatch them as many times as you’d like through the end of the year. We also have networking, community-building events, and special bonus sessions. It’s a LOT of fun! The best part is that you get to be a part of the WIP community all year long with free bonus post-conference webinars, monthly networking sessions, and access to sponsor discounts.
