With Nova McBee

With Mary Weber & C.J. Redwine

So you’ve honed in on your audience, created a “storybrand,” and think you’ve dialed in who you’re writing for…GREAT! Except (don’t hate us, k?) this is the part where we turn everything on its head. We’re about to take you on a deep dive into the heart of what makes you you and how that shapes the connection you create with your readers. Through interactive exercises, this session will help you uncover not just who you are as a writer, but who you are as a human holding space for your readers’ hopes, struggles, and dreams. By identifying your “one reader,” you’ll learn how to write and market with intention, crafting stories and messages that don’t just speak, but truly resonate. This workshop goes beyond branding—it’s about building authentic relationships and exploring how your unique perspective can inspire and transform the person on the other side of the page.

With Cassie Porath

With Mary Weber & C.J. Redwine

Your first page is your story’s calling card—it needs to grab attention, create intrigue, and make readers eager to turn the page. In this interactive workshop, we’ll dive into the key elements of a powerful opening, including crafting a strong hook, introducing your protagonist, establishing tone and setting, and planting the seeds of your story’s central conflict.

The second half of the session will be dedicated to live feedback on anonymous first-page submissions from attendees. This is your chance to see how opening pages are received in real time, learning what works and what might need rethinking. Come prepared to be inspired and empowered with actionable insights to perfect your first page!

What to Bring: Bring your first page (250 words max) for the chance to have it read anonymously and receive on-the-spot, constructive feedback. Submissions will be collected at the beginning of the workshop.

This session is ideal for writers seeking honest, professional insights into what makes an unforgettable first impression. Don’t miss this opportunity to hone your craft and get one step closer to captivating your audience!

With Erin Phillips

Every storyteller has a goal, a dream, a wish. Whether it’s hitting a bestseller list, signing with one of the Big 5, seeing their book in a store, or making a living wage as an author, those big aspirations often look like the finish line. But the journey of authorship is not a straightforward race downtown; it is more like a hike up a mountain. Join me as we talk about “the climb”, how to fight burnout, be faithful in the ordinary, and cherish your slow rise.

Bio: Amy Jameson began her career as a literary agent at Janklow & Nesbit Associates in New York City, where she launched the writing career of Newbery Award winning author Shannon Hale. Amy founded A+B Works in 2004 with her husband Brandon, providing literary representation, editorial coaching, brand development and design services. Amy represents authors of YA, MG and picture books, including NYT bestselling Jessica Day George, Melissa Seron Richardson, Nova McBee, Nichole Van, Morgan Iverson, and Kristyn Crow. Her favorite things include audiobooks, musical theatre, hiking in the mountains and deserts of Utah, ice cream, and her three kids.

Note: This literary agent is currently only looking for particular projects (as detailed below). Please keep in mind that agents are incredibly selective, but regardless of the outcome of this appointment, you will still gain valuable feedback from an industry professional on your project.

This literary agent is open to taking “practice” pitches, in which they will offer feedback on your work. Even if your project does not fit the categories below or if you are not ready to pitch your project for representation, you may still sign up for a “practice” pitch. There will be a place to indicate that when you sign up.

Finally, please keep in mind that this agent focuses on the mainstream publishing market. We have a wide variety of students at the Author Conservatory, some seeking to publish in the Christian market and others aiming for the general, mainstream market. Our goal is to provide opportunities for all students to learn from the wisdom and experience of industry professionals in the broader publishing world, and this agent may be particularly helpful for those who want to go mainstream. That being said, not all industry professionals that we bring in share the same faith background. We always recommend students use discernment before diving into a professional’s work. We believe this agent has a skillset that you will benefit from regardless of what market you publish into.

Areas of Interest:

• Picture Books – underrepresented cultures/holidays, nature, humor, found family/extended families, school, social/emotional learning. No rhyming texts please!
• Middle Grade – school stories, multi-generational family stories, historical, contemporary realistic, fantasy elements in a realistic world, novels in verse, humor
• Young Adult – contemporary realistic, teens with jobs/unusual life paths/unusual hobbies/unusual families, unique settings, romance, historical, fantasy elements in a realistic world. No high fantasy please!
• Adult – Romance (not too spicy)

Bio: Talia Messina is a writer, speaker, and believer in Jesus who acquires children’s and youth books for Tyndale House Publishers. She has a passion for storytelling and especially loves helping authors hone their craft and navigate the publishing world. When she isn’t working, she is usually rock climbing, playing Everdell with friends, or reading overdue library books.

Note: This editor is currently only looking for particular projects (as detailed below). If she sees a project that uniquely stands out to her, she has offered to pass it along to Tyndale House Publishers. Please keep in mind that acquisitions editors are incredibly selective, but regardless of the outcome of this appointment, you will still gain valuable feedback from an industry professional on your project.

This editor is open to taking “practice” pitches, in which they will offer feedback on your work. Even if your project does not fit the categories below or if you are not ready to pitch your project for publication, you may still sign up for a “practice” pitch. There will be a place to indicate that when you sign up.

Finally, please keep in mind that this agent focuses on the Christian publishing market. We have a wide variety of students at the Author Conservatory, some seeking to publish in the Christian market and others aiming for the general, mainstream market. Our goal is to provide opportunities for all students to learn from the wisdom and experience of industry professionals in the broader publishing world, and this agent may be particularly helpful for those who want to enter the Christian market. That being said, not all industry professionals that we bring in share the same faith background. We always recommend students use discernment before diving into a professional’s work. We believe this editor has a skillset that you will benefit from regardless of what market you publish into.

Areas of Interest:

• Overtly Christian Bible story books, devotionals, multicultural books, middle grade, and early chapter books
• Adult (over 80,000 words) – Contemporary women’s fiction, southern fiction (historical or contemporary), historical fiction (including biblical and dual-timeline), historical romance, mystery and suspense geared toward female readership.
  • Note: Talia is not the Acquisitions Editor for Adult Fiction, but she has offered to pass along any projects that stand out to her to the Adult Fiction Acquisitions Editor.