Meet Our 2026 Speakers!
Join us for this incredible event!
- Live training workshops, special events, and Q&As with sponsors & speakers
- Sessions planned for beginner/intermediate authors, advanced authors, and industry professionals
- Special offers & discounts on tools & services from speakers & sponsors
- Community support (built in)
- Happening again this year: Publisher Speed Dating!
Day 1: Featured Keynote
Lisa Carrington Firmin
A Latina Warrior's Journey: Moving Beyond Trauma to Empowerment
Lisa Carrington Firmin is a Bronze Star–decorated U.S. Air Force combat veteran, award-winning author, poet, and founder. Author of Latina Warrior, she uses story, poetry, and art to explore resilience and transformation. Honored with the Legacy Pioneer Award from Shield of Sisters for her advocacy around Military Sexual Trauma, Lisa now keynotes and teaches nationwide, helping others harness the power of storytelling to inspire change and connection.
Pre-Conference Speakers
Cathy Yardley
Why Your Publishing Plans Jump the Rails
Parchelle Tashi and Portia Michele
Genius Games: Discover How You Learn, Lead, and Collaborate Best
Raquel Durden
The Conference Playbook: Focus, Follow-Through, and Fueling Success
Panel:
Lessons from the Village: Authors on Growth, Resilience, and Collaboration
Amanda Johnson
Gayle Wilson
Amron Bevels
Lynn Carpenter
Mira Megan Lathrop
Day 1 Speakers
Lisa Carrington Firmin
KEYNOTE: A Latina Warrior's Journey: Moving Beyond Trauma to Empowerment
Sage Moreaux, Katherine Suzette, Zinzi Bree
Three Founders, One Vision: Lessons from Building an Impact-Driven Writing Community
Day 2 Speakers
Alexa Bigwarfe
Opening Keynote
Chelsea Bennett, Lulu
What Lulu’s Top Authors and Publishers have in Common
Aimee Ravichandran, Abundantly Social
How To Get Your Book Into The Hands of Readers!
Michelle Gines
The Partnership Path: How Collaboration Fuels Sustainable Publishing Success
Mary Catherine Jones, The Audiobook Experience
Publishing in Stereo: How to Grow Your List with Audio
Rhonda Douglas, Resilient Writers
How to Create and Sustain Focus in Your Writing Life
Erin Servais
How to Use AI for Developmental Editing
Ania Ray
Beyond the Bookstore: Partnering with Unexpected Brands to Grow Your Author Career
Gayle Wilson
From Pen to People: Creative Ways to Share, Sell, and Inspire
Kelsey Shipman
The Generous Author: Building Visibility Through Connection and Community
Monique Danielle
Collaboration vs. Competition: Making Sales in the Self-Publishing Marketspace
Paula Judith Johnson
Author Swaps & Giveaways
Panel:
Author Collaboration: Finding Friends, Not Foes
Kimberly Christianson Kennedy
Rachelle Paige Campbell
Stephanie Jayne
Sara Fujimura
Day 3 Speakers
Jennifer S. Wilkov, Your Book Is Your Hook
The State of Publishing 2026: Trends, Shifts & Opportunities That Will Shape Your Next Big Move
Mindy Kuhn, Warren Publishing
What You Need to Know Before Publishing Your Book
Alesha Brown
Beyond the Book: Building Recession-Proof Income Streams AI Can’t Replace
Danica Favorite, PublishDrive
Are you leaving money on the table? Maximize your book sales with PublishDrive
Patricia Marshall, Luminare Press
Don't Compete, Collaborate! For Publishing Professionals
Hannah Jacobson, Book Award Pro
How to Get Reviews and Turn Them Into Marketing Gold
Logan Kingston
Slow Your Roll - Take Time to Create Magic
Hannah Howard
Building a Writing Life That Pays the Bills (and Feeds the Soul)
MeiMei Fox
Why Authors Who Write In Community Are More Likely To Finish And Flourish
Kasey Fallon
How to Anthologize: A Masterclass in Collaborative Publishing
Kati Torim
AI as Your Silent Partner: More Time for Purpose, Meaning, and Storytelling
Tasha Haight
Making Waves: Turning Your Passion into a Publishing Career
Tara Alemany
Raising the Bar: Practical Ways Publishers Can Support Author Success
Panel:
Keeping the Fire Alive Without Burnout
Montrez Smith
Kyira Wackett
Tracy Jones
Ashley Riehle
Panel:
AI and the Editor: Redefining Writer-Editor Collaboration
Linda Ruggeri
Katherine Pickett
Tenesha Curtis
Panel:
The Indie Publisher's Dilemma
Lori McKnight & Team, MCRL Printers
Panel:
Teaming Up for Author Success: Three Ways to Combine Audiences, Services, and Styles for Shared Growth
Sue Brown-Moore
Danika Bloom
Day 4 Speakers
Panel:
How To Build An Author Support Network That Works
Elizabeth Ducie
Carol Amorosi
Michelle Oucharek-Deo
Panel:
Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Publishing in the Year Ahead
Alexa Bigwarfe
Savannah Gilbo
Karen Strauss
Porsché Mysticque
Monique Danielle
A special thank you to our selection committee!
Join us for this incredible event!
- Live training workshops, special events, and Q&As with sponsors & speakers
- Sessions planned for beginner/intermediate authors, advanced authors, and industry professionals
- Special offers & discounts on tools & services from speakers & sponsors
- Community support (built in)
- Happening again this year: Publisher Speed Dating!