StoryCon 2025 was a weekend to remember — especially for the students of The Author Conservatory. Over a dozen of our students attended the event alongside co-founders Brett Harris and Kara Swanson; we were thrilled (but not surprised) at how our students made a splash at such a highly renowned literary conference.
What is StoryCon?
StoryCon 2025 was nothing short of extraordinary — and for the students of The Author Conservatory, it was a weekend of remarkable achievements, unexpected opportunities, and deeply encouraging moments. As one of the most prestigious writer’s conferences in the country, StoryCon brings together industry professionals, renowned literary agents, and aspiring authors for days filled with workshops, networking, and pitch opportunities.
For many writers, conferences like StoryCon serve as a crucial stepping stone in their journey toward publication. They offer the chance to learn from established authors, get feedback from editors and agents, and build relationships within the industry. For students at The Author Conservatory — a college-alternative program focused on teaching both the craft of writing and the business acumen needed for a sustainable writing career — StoryCon provides a real-world platform to put their skills into practice and showcase their work.
Here are some of the ways our students excelled at StoryCon 2025:
Lillianna Joy Places in StoryCon’s All Teen Anthology
Lillianna Joy, one of our current students, placed in StoryCon’s all teen anthology published by Owl Hollow Press. Each student goes through a professional submission and publishing process that includes (but is not limited to) developing a query letter and working with a professional editor before stepping into publication.
Lillianna’s short story, To Turn a Heart to Ice, is part of Owl Hollow Press’s anthology titled “Once Upon a Time.” Each story encapsulates this theme in its own unique way.
Owl Hollow Press considers each member of their anthology to be a group of “future bestsellers,” the exact mentality we foster and encourage in each of our students here at The Conservatory.
Calissa Jane Wins the First Chapter Contest at StoryCon 2025
Calissa Jane, a member of our inaugural graduation class, made her mark at StoryCon by winning the highly competitive first chapter contest. This contest draws entries from talented writers across the nation, and Calissa’s middle-grade contemporary manuscript stood out for its compelling voice and emotional depth. Winning this contest is no small feat, and it’s a testament to the dedication and skill she’s honed at The Author Conservatory.
Calissa’s Takeaways from StoryCon 2025
One of the big things StoryCon confirmed for my personal journey was that there is a place in the world for my stories, and people do want them.
This week, I was looking at my journal entries from almost exactly a year ago, and I’d been full of so much doubt and discouragement about writing. Middle grade contemporary is a comparatively niche market, harder to break through in, and I was frustrated that God had led me to this genre instead of, say, a YA and/or speculative genre that’s more “sell-able.” I felt, and have felt for a while, that no one wanted my stories.
I told Brett after my appointment that I hadn’t expected anything besides feedback from it, because after the contest, that would just be “too many good things happening in a day.” It didn’t feel realistic to hope for. [Name redacted] has been on my dream agent list for a while now, but she’s signed one author in the past five years and is vice president of the literary agency that represents… big names that Elena and I were freaking out over Saturday night.
But God is so good. StoryCon was my first venture into the general market world, and it went better than I’d dared to hope. Who knows where this will lead, but regardless of the outcome, it’s a huge encouragement to know there are people who want more of Rennie’s story. A year ago, from that journal entry, I had teared up from an office hours with Joanne in which she told me to write the stories that mattered to me.
Even if it’s a smaller market. Even if I didn’t know if anyone else cared. Even if an agent says it isn’t the “right fit” for them and really means “it won’t sell.”
The book doesn’t matter because it wins a contest, or gets a manuscript request, or gets published and sells amazingly. I’m SO grateful for everything that happened at StoryCon, but it’s confirmation, not the determinant, of this story’s value. I think God will make a place in the world for it, whatever that looks like or however long.
More Manuscript Requests and Student Success
Calissa wasn’t the only student from The Author Conservatory to capture the attention of industry professionals. Abi Lyn Voss and Elena B. Sato also received manuscript requests from esteemed general market agents — an incredible honor and a reflection of the high-caliber talent fostered by the program. These requests represent a significant step forward in their writing journeys and open the door to potential agent representation and publication.
Why Writer’s Conferences Matter for Aspiring Authors
The achievements of Calissa, Abi Lyn, and Elena highlight the importance of writer’s conferences like StoryCon. These events provide aspiring authors with opportunities they simply wouldn’t find elsewhere — from pitching their work directly to agents to participating in craft-focused workshops and building invaluable connections in the publishing world.
For students at The Author Conservatory, StoryCon 2025 was not just about the accolades — though those were certainly worth celebrating. It was about stepping out in faith, sharing the stories that matter most to them, and finding the encouragement to keep going, even when the road feels uncertain. Their journeys show that sometimes the most meaningful victories come not from recognition, but from the reminder that our stories have value and a place in the world.
Looking Ahead
As the students return to their writing desks, fueled by the encouragement and opportunities StoryCon provided, one thing is clear: the future is bright for the next generation of authors emerging from The Author Conservatory.
Interested in joining The Author Conservatory? Fill out an application to get connected with our admissions team!
