Meet Our 2021 Speakers
This list will continue to grow as we get closer to our Conference start date, so check back often for updates, and be sure to register!
Alexa Bigwarfe - Conference host
Women in Publishing Summit Host, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Publisher, Champion of Women
Alexa Bigwarfe is an author, speaker, and publisher. Her writing career began as a therapeutic journey after her infant daughter passed away at 2 days old. Her debut book, Sunshine After the Storm: A Survival Guide for the Grieving Mother, launched an unexpected career in publishing and author coaching. Her most recent book, Ditch the Fear and Just Write It! is a guide to help female entrepreneurs who know they want to write a book but need the push to get started. The Women in Publishing Summit is her third online summit for writers, but the first focused solely on women.
Sponsors
15% Discount on Publishing Services & $20 off Bublish annual membership
50% off Lifetime License for Conference Attendees!
14 Day Free Trial of Pub-Site website builder
$50 off 3 of the Annual plans. Discount applied.
Mary O'Donohue, Authors in Media
Teaching Women How to Become The Go-To Experts In Media & the Marketplace
25% off Profitable Publicity (Self Directed Course)
LIVE Training Workshops
Toby Dorr, Author & Speaker
Helping women escape their emotional prisons and find freedom
Roshanda Pratt
Visibility is Power
Vivian Olodun
Failing Forward: Intersectionality, Rejection, and Resilience
Annalisa Parent, Writing Coach at Date With the Muse
Top 5 Hacks to Finish Your Novel Now
Renee Hribar, Sales Strategist & Speaker
Connect with Community to Market and Sell your Book
Kirsten Oliphant, Author
Planning for Fiction Authors: From Writing Through Launch
Desiree Peterkin Bell
Special chat on International Women's Day: Why Women Supporting Women is Important
Irena Miller
The Top 3 Energy Practices to Sharpen Focus, Get More Done, + Erase Information Overload!
Featured Keynote
Jane Friedman
Trends in the Publishing Industry
Non-Fiction Speakers
JoEllen Nordstrom, Founder of FirstEditing
How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionizing Your Editing and Changing Our World
Angela J. Ford, Fantasy Author
Tech Tools for Self-Publishing
Shelly Longenecker, Author & Entrepreneur
Creating Joint Ventures & Affiliate relationships to sell more books
Amy Collins, Literary Agent - Talcott Notch Agency
What authors need to know about finding and working with an agent
Eva Lesko Natiello, Author and Self-Publishing & Book Marketing Consultant
Goodreads for Authors
Mea Smith, Author, Podcaster, Speaker, & Host of StorySwell.net
Harness Fear to Achieve More, A Theory
Joy Rancatore, Indie Author, Publisher, Podcaster
Not "Just" Self-Published
Socially Nina, Video Marketing Mentor
Everything is searchable... are you?
Lindsey Hartz, CEO and Lead Marketing Consultant at Hartz Agency
Launch a Bestselling Book Without Losing Your Mind
Cami Ostman
How to use the right combination of support and accountability to reach your writing and publishing goals
Dee Bell-Williams, CEO of Dr. Dee Unlimited LLC
Have You Started Writing For A Change?
April Beach, CEO, The Sweet Life
How To Build Your Ideal Online Business To Generate Profit Beyond Your Book
Laura Briggs
Amazon Ads 101 for Authors: When & How to Use Them
Dallas Woodburn, Author, Book Coach & Podcast Host
How to Create a Nurturing Writing Routine
Zaakirah N. Muhammad, Author & CEO of Phocused Media Group
How to Tell Your Nonfiction Story
Jamie Beth Cohen, Author, Storyteller, & Podcaster
Creating Your Writing Community
Michelle Lazurek, Author/Agent
Writing a Solid Proposal
Monica Miller, Author
8 Ways to Repurpose Your Book in Social Media Posts that WORK
Helen Vandenberghe, Mentor
Teach and Grow Rich! Profit from your knowledge and turn your Non-fiction book into a course
Pamela Sheppard, Independent Book Editor and Publishing Consultant
Market Analysis for Trends, market viability, and comparative titles
Yvelette Stines, Author and Principal of Stines Communications Group
How To Use Your Authentic Voice on Social Media
Belinda Griffin, Book Marketing Coach & Author Publicity Expert
How to find your target readers (and what to do with them!)
Jodi Brandon, CEO of Jodi Brandon Editorial
Building Blocks for Business Owners Who Want to Write a Book
Mallory Schlabach, Marketing Strategist
The Power of Your Sales Page
Ellen Goodwin, Author
How to work when no one is watching (ie, avoiding procrastination!)
Kate Johnston, Author & Writing Coach
Make your Creative Dreams a Reality through Passion, Consciousness, and Action
Leslie Bouldin, Publishing & Marketing Consultant
Marketing Automation for Authors
Diane Zinna, Writing Teacher and Author of The All-Night Sun
Diane Grimard Wilson, Author, Coach, and Applied Neuroscientist
Neuroscience Advantage for Writers
Lisa Dailey, CEO of Silent Sidekick
Putting technology to work for you
Lynn Whitbeck, Founder & CEO of Petite2Queen
How To Leverage Podcasts To Connect With Readers
M. C. Starbuck, Author and Speaker
Growing Your Audience without going Crazy
Myrdith Leon-McCormack, Founder & Publisher at World Bride Magazine
Are Magazines Dead?
Elizabeth Ducie, Author & Publisher
Pros and Cons to Publishing Routes
Nina Amir, Author, Author Coach, Inspiration to Creation Coach, CHPC
Bringing Change through Your Writing
Ruth L. Snyder, Speaker, Author, and Book Coach
Why and How to do Market Research
Sandra Coffey, Publicity Coach and Media Trainer
Using media publicity to build your writing career
Sherry Ward, CEO of Square Tree Publishing
Expand your Non-Fiction Material into Online Courses, Support Groups, or Curricula - Easy Marketing Tips to Grow Your Revenue Stream!
Stacey Aaronson, Founder of The Book Doctor Is In
8 Essential Building Blocks for the Aspiring Memoirist
Vickie Gould, Book Coach and Publisher
Social Media Marketing for Authors: How to Leverage Your Book to Get Clients BEFORE It's Even Published
Erin Servais, Book Editor, Author Coach, and Founder of Dot and Dash, LLC
Sensitivity Readers
Tara Alemany, Speaker, Author and Founder of Emerald Lake Books
Rita Joyan, CEO of Unbox Your Gift Training
Speaking to Sell Your Books
Linda Penkala, Author, Speaker, LMT
Setting Intention & Space for the Creative Writing Process
Gena McCown, Author
Designing a publisher's One Sheet, Assembling your Publishing Proposal
Jess Owens, YouTuber
Using YouTube to grow their readership
Alison Tedford, Author & Marketer
The difference between book writing & copywriting
Fiction Speakers
Najla Qamber, Creative Director of Qamber Designs & Media
A guide to a smooth cover design process
Lucy Hay, Author & Script Editor
Writing Diverse Characters
Stephanie BwaBwa, YA Fantasy Author & Co-Founder of Indie Author Lifestyle
Worldbuilding
Jennie Goutet, Author
Steps to Take for Success
Eileen Cook, Author & Co-Founder of The Creative Academy for Writers
Writing better conflict
Farzana Doctor, Author & Speaker
Polish That Draft! Self-editing and revision techniques for writers with a manuscript
Niki Simone, Author
How to write strong dialogue
Judy L. Mohr, Writer, Freelance Editor & Internet Security Expert
Creating Perspective Through Deep Point of View (POV)
Stephanie Anderson, Book Designer
Pre-Made Book Covers
Claire Fullerton, Author
Launching and Marketing a book!
Tammy Bird, Author
Learning to write marginalized characters.
Bethany Maines, Author
Fighting for Fiction (Writing Fight Scenes That Don't Suck)
Abby Jordan, Author
Building an audience with intention: how to create a foundation for a lasting career and community
Kasie Whitener, Author and Host "Write On SC" Podcast
Finding Book Clubs
Dalia Dupris, Author
Everything You Want To Know About Writing A Publishable First Novel
Erika Lance, CEO of 4 Horsemen Publications, Inc.
Shameless Self-Promotion
Otescia Johnson, CEO of B.O.Y. Enterprises, Inc.
Fiction: The Lie Through Which We Tell the Truth
Ally Machate
3 Best Ways to Sell More Books
Keri-Rae Barnum, Executive Director of New Shelves Books
Getting into libraries
Margaret R. Sáraco, Writer
Resisting Writer's Block
Steff Green, Author, Publishing Coach, Heavy Metal Maiden
Building A sustainable author career by working your backlist
Shayla Raquel, #1 Best-selling Author of The 10 Commandments of Author Branding
Finding Your Antagonist's Saving Grace
Rita M. Reali, Novelist, Editor at Persnickety Proofreader
Fiction Writing: Character Development
Allison Mackey, Author
Landing a publishing deal in the Christian fiction market
Kim Gravell, Author & Well-being Coach
Creating believable magic in your real world writing
Valerie Willis, COO of 4 Horsemen Publications, Inc.
Foreshadowing for Fiction: How to Tease Your Readers
Jocelyn Lindsay, Coach
Writing Emotions
Jenn Thompson, Friendly Neighborhood Book Nerd or Author
Self-publishing for Fiction Authors
Lola Wilcox
How to Plot a Character Transformation
Children’s Books Speakers
Belinda Mays, Author, Speaker, Woman in Tech
6 Step To Self Publish Your Children's Book
Meg Welch Dendler, Author & Editor
Writing for Young Readers - Dos and Don'ts for the genre of kidlit
Cynthia L. Fails, CEO, LaunchCrate Publishing
What Makes a Children's Book Great - And How Do I Write One?
Karen Ferreira, Owner of GetYourBookIllustrations
How to find the right illustrator and work with them
Maria Dismondy, Founder of Cardinal Rule Press
Best tips for a successful children's book launch
Joycelyn Strickland-Egans, Educator & Author
Reaching your Audience: Connecting with Parents & their Children
Phillipa Warden, Author
How to grow your audience through themes and activities
Allison Andrews, Author and CEO of Andrews Creative
Tools for Success - Making videos for more success
Sunny Duran, Illustrator
What Children's book authors need to know about layout, design, and illustrations
Arielle Haughee, Author & Owner of Orange Blossom Publishing
Perfecting the Picture Book Manuscript
Gayle M Irwin, Author & Freelance Writer
Using Your Passion to Inspire Readers
E. Danielle Butler
Change Begins with Children: Creating Children's Books with Change in Mind
Jennifer Navarre, Kidlit Editor & Coach
Take your first steps toward becoming a Kidlit Author: Genres & categories, methods of publishing, tips on how to get started!
Stacy Roberts, Author & Speaker
How To Write A Children's Book That Teaches Leadership Lessons To Young Children
Natasha Carlow, Author
How sharing our stories can have magical results
Medea Kalantar, Speaker
Tried and True Resources for Creating and Marketing a Best-Selling Children's Book Series
Rachel Pellegrino, Publisher and Writing Coach
Finding Your Audience
Felicia Lee, Author
Diversity & Positive Representation in Children’s Literature
Writing Romance
Yahrah St. John
Ines Johnson
Kristi Dosh
Publishers Roundtable
Cynthia Fails
Kate Stead
E. Danielle Butler
Diane Windsor
Jennifer Bright
Angela Engel
Writing To Heal
Diane Zinna
Cami Ostman
New Authors
Shruti Ganapathy
Esabella Strickland
K.T. Anglehart
Emily A. Myers
Mardine Perrins
Renee Eckles-Hardy
Why You Need a Team
Alexa Bigwarfe
Author and Publisher; Host of the Women in Publishing Summit
Nancy Cavillones
Marketing Operations VA; Assistant to Alexa Bigwarfe
Sarah O'Dell
Marketing and Social Media VA, Assistant to Alexa Bigwarfe
Raewyn Sangari
Unicorn Virtual Assistant