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Get the knowledge, inspiration, and connections…

to hit new levels in your author career

June 7-9, 2024 in Dallas, Texas

A conference that helps fiction authors become more confident, knowledgeable and profitable.

All attendees get access to:

3 Day Full-Access Conference

Attendees will experience three full days of expert presentations and workshops, social events and networking discussions, vendor office hours, meals, and more!

The conference will be held at the Hilton Granite Park Hotel in Dallas, Texas on June 7th-9th 2024. 

24 Classes for Authors

Attend two dozen presentations on Craft, Business, Marketing and Advertising.

All of the presentations will be professionally filmed and replays will be available to attendees for six years. There is no additional cost for this access, it is included in the ticket price.

Interactive Roundtable Discussions

Back by popular demand! Author roundtables are focused discussions on a specific topic, and designed to stimulate open conversation and networking among attendees.

Roundtables are a great opportunity to learn from others, make connections, and share your wisdom.

Cocktail Events & Parties

Rub shoulders with fellow authors, speakers, and industry experts during our evening events.

Whether you’re making new connections or strengthening current relationships, our lighthearted and fun parties will help (even the most introverted) authors relax, have fun and build their network.

Customize your Conference App

Our conference app is the perfect place to arrange genre-specific, level-specific, or location-specific meet-ups. 

Attendees typically plan meals and get-togethers after or before conference activities. This is all facilitated through our app – which lets you find people to meet, create conversations, submit questions to speakers, discuss events, and much more. 

Industry Office Hours

We’re hosting several industry office hours where you can connect with representatives from ___, ____, ___. Get your questions answered, build connections, and discover new resources and best practices. 

2024 Inkers Con Agenda

BUSINESS CLASSES

Discover hidden sales opportunities through Amazon’s metadata, keywords, editorial reviews, author videos, and their powerful backend systems. Bring your pen and paper – you’ll leave this presentation with an action list of ways to boost your sales on the world’s biggest book retailer.

A bestselling author will share her strategies to move the sales needle and how she grew her business to reach a seven-figure annual income. Along the way, she’ll reveal her best insights into marketing, co-writing, selling direct, and more.

Achieving success doesn’t mean you have to work non-stop. In this presentation, learn how to create a work plan that allows you to focus your time and energy where it matters most – creating success.

Feelings of being overwhelmed can choke off creative pathways, slow down progress, and often bring your career to a grinding halt. But it doesn’t have to be that way! In this workshop you’ll learn the core source of being overwhelmed, things that trigger it, and how you can orient your life to avoid it.

Dive into the world of direct sales and learn how to leverage Shopify to sell your books independently. This class is designed to introduce you to the benefits of selling directly to your audience, teaching you how to enhance your Facebook advertising, gain direct customer insights, and enjoy the financial benefits of immediate sales without the wait for royalties.

Unlock the power of sales on Kobo with Author Engagement Manager Laura Granger, who will share the latest eReader innovations, the expansion of the Kobo Plus
subscription program, and exciting new promotional opportunities available to Kobo Writing Life authors. Plus, uncover the marketing strategies that bestselling authors use to find a wider audience with Kobo.

The Secrets of Selling Books on Amazon

by Penny Sansevieri
Discover hidden sales opportunities through Amazon’s metadata, keywords, editorial reviews, author videos, and their powerful backend systems. Bring your pen and paper - you'll leave this presentation with an action list of ways to boost your sales on the world's biggest book retailer.

The Path to a Million Book Sales

by Lee Savino
A bestselling author will share her strategies to move the sales needle and how she grew her business to reach a seven-figure annual income. Along the way, she'll reveal her best insights into marketing, co-writing, selling direct, and more.

Planning For Author Success

by Sarra Cannon
Achieving success doesn't mean you have to work non-stop. In this presentation, learn how to create a work plan that allows you to focus your time and energy where it matters most - creating success.

Writers' Antidote To Overwhelm

by Becca Syme
Feelings of being overwhelmed can choke off creative pathways, slow down progress, and often bring your career to a grinding halt. But it doesn’t have to be that way! In this workshop you’ll learn the core source of being overwhelmed, things that trigger it, and how you can orient your life to avoid it.

Mastering Direct Sales on Shopify

by Pierre Jeanty
Dive into the world of direct sales and learn how to leverage Shopify to sell your books independently. This class is designed to introduce you to the benefits of selling directly to your audience, teaching you how to enhance your Facebook advertising, gain direct customer insights, and enjoy the financial benefits of immediate sales without the wait for royalties.

Wide Strategies that Win with Kobo

by Laura Granger
Unlock the power of sales on Kobo with Author Engagement Manager Laura Granger, who will share the latest eReader innovations, the expansion of the Kobo Plus subscription program, and exciting new promotional opportunities available to Kobo Writing Life authors. Plus, uncover the marketing strategies that bestselling authors use to find a wider audience with Kobo.

ADVERTISING CLASSES

Ready to harness the true power of Facebook Ads? Tried it all before, but nothing has worked? Struggling to scale profitably? In this class, discover a simple, scalable and profitable Facebook Ads strategy that takes 1-2 hours per week to manage, whether you’re selling on retailers, such as Amazon, or selling direct on your own store.

AMS Ads can be a difficult nut to crack… unless you know what to avoid and what to capitalize on. In this class, an ads expert will go through the 5 Do’s that you should implement in your AMS ads and the 5 Don’ts that could tank your ads’ chance of success.

Advertising your books doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. In this class, learn how to strategically schedule ads online, build your network of contacts, and affordably promote your books through online advertising. (virtual presentation)

How To Reach More Readers And Sell More Books With Facebook Ads In 2024

by Matthew J. Holmes
Ready to harness the true power of Facebook Ads? Tried it all before, but nothing has worked? Struggling to scale profitably? In this class, discover a simple, scalable and profitable Facebook Ads strategy that takes 1-2 hours per week to manage, whether you’re selling on retailers, such as Amazon, or selling direct on your own store.

A Better Approach to AMS ads

by Quinn Ward
AMS Ads can be a difficult nut to crack… unless you know what to avoid and what to capitalize on. In this class, an ads expert will go through the 5 Do’s that you should implement in your AMS ads and the 5 Don’ts that could tank your ads’ chance of success.

A Crash Course in Online Ads for Authors

by Laurie Cooper
Advertising your books doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. In this class, learn how to strategically schedule ads online, build your network of contacts, and affordably promote your books through online advertising. (virtual presentation)

CRAFT CLASSES

Hook readers and escalate your storytelling skills with a trope-based story blueprint. This class will define what tropes are (and aren’t) and their uses in a novel. Attendees will learn how to deconstruct the framework, expectations and implications of a trope, and how to seamlessly integrate tropes across genres.

Do you love pantsing but want the speed and organization of outlining? If so, meet the skeleton draft! In this class, discover a unique technique a bestselling author uses to streamline her writing process, create engaging characters and plots readers love – without sacrificing the surprises, twists, and creativity that make pantsing so much fun.

Writing in a series is one of the fastest avenues to great profit, but only if you can hook the readers and keep them reading through the books. In this class, learn how to increase readthrough by writing addiction-worthy series and fully optimizing your books for maximum readthrough.

A bestselling author will teach how to create suspense and anticipation in your series’ first book. She’ll also share marketing tips to generate hype, how to create vivid secondary characters, and ways to keep readers begging for more.

Multi-point character relationships are a gold mine for creating the best kind of story tension and conflict. In this class, learn how to audit your plot through a lens of the various character relationships involved and how they can interconnect for better storytelling.

A fresh take on opening chapter(s) for all genre fiction writers—not just those meet cutes, but also spooky first impressions and horrific sightings! Packed with tips and tricks on backstory, saggy openings, POVs, and memorable character intros. You’ll leave the class with more confidence in your openings and the skills to woo more one-click readers.

Tackling the Tropes of Your Genre

by Dawn Alexander and Jessica Snyder
Hook readers and escalate your storytelling skills with a trope-based story blueprint. This class will define what tropes are (and aren't) and their uses in a novel. Attendees will learn how to deconstruct the framework, expectations and implications of a trope, and how to seamlessly integrate tropes across genres.

Between Pantsing & Outlines: The Skeleton Draft

by Steff Green
Do you love pantsing but want the speed and organization of outlining? If so, meet the skeleton draft! In this class, discover a unique technique a bestselling author uses to streamline her writing process, create engaging characters and plots readers love – without sacrificing the surprises, twists, and creativity that make pantsing so much fun.

Creating a Series Addiction

by Kirsten Oliphant
Writing in a series is one of the fastest avenues to great profit, but only if you can hook the readers and keep them reading through the books. In this class, learn how to increase readthrough by writing addiction-worthy series and fully optimizing your books for maximum readthrough.

The Secrets of Successful World Building

by Giana Darling
A bestselling author will teach how to create suspense and anticipation in your series' first book. She'll also share marketing tips to generate hype, how to create vivid secondary characters, and ways to keep readers begging for more.

Creating Conflict With Your Characters

by TM Holladay
Multi-point character relationships are a gold mine for creating the best kind of story tension and conflict. In this class, learn how to audit your plot through a lens of the various character relationships involved and how they can interconnect for better storytelling.

Dynamic Openings for the Win

by Annabeth Albert
A fresh take on opening chapter(s) for all genre fiction writers—not just those meet cutes, but also spooky first impressions and horrific sightings! Packed with tips and tricks on backstory, saggy openings, POVs, and memorable character intros. You'll leave the class with more confidence in your openings and the skills to woo more one-click readers.

MARKETING CLASSES

A bestselling author isn’t just born, but created from a strong fanbase of loyal and passionate readers. This class will look at ways authors can take a page from brands like Taylor Swift or the Savannah Bananas to cultivate the kind of rabid fandom that will continually grow and support a long-term author career. Bestselling authors Angel Lawson (dark reverse harems) and Emma St. Clair (closed door rom-coms) will discuss practical ways that authors can build a fandom, no matter the genre.

As the saying goes, change is the only constant. But how do you navigate this change in a world where staying relevant is crucial? The answer lies in the 3 Rs. Rebranding, Relaunching, and remaining Relevant. Taking cues from giants like Apple, Lego, and Nora Roberts, this workshop offers insights into refining your author brand, reintroducing your work, and consistently resonating with your audience. Together, we’ll learn how to keep the flame of relevance burning bright in an ever-changing bookish world.

Your book’s cover could mean the difference between standing out in a crowded market or disappearing into it. In this class, a professional cover designer will discuss the evolution of book marketing and how to design a cover that is an intelligent combination of design and marketing. She’ll share case studies and real-life examples to illustrate how data-driven design decisions can lead to better book sales.

Create a strong connection with your readers with consistent and sales-generating emails. In this class, you’ll brainstorm your way to a content calendar, learn how to sell books without being salesy, and unlock tricks to higher delivery rates.

There is a recipe to building a sustainable indie career – you just have to figure out your unique ingredients, time tables, and process. Learn savvy strategies and how to forge your own path from a bestselling author who has earned a six-figure net income for over a decade.

Six bestselling authors will take our main stage and share their biggest tips, mistakes to avoid, and their journey to superstar success – plus answer our attendees’ most burning questions in the areas of marketing, business, advertising, and craft.

Who are you? From understanding your unique voice to connecting with your target audience, this presentation is designed to delve into the intricacies of crafting a distinct author identity, and how to elevate your authorship into a recognizable and resonant brand. (virtual presentation)

Learn how to start from scratch and build a brand and an audience through social media. Xio Axelrod caught the attention of readers and major publishers before she published her first novel – all through her branding. Find out how you can use your storytelling skills and creativity to create pre-buzz, boost sales, and create a fandom of loyal and enthusiastic readers.

Learn how to turn book signings into revenue streams, networking hubs, and fan-engagement platforms. From securing coveted spots to mastering pre-order strategies, and much more, this session is full of practical, actionable information for both new authors and seasoned pros.

Struggling with the idea of getting your readers to buy direct from you? In this class, you’ll learn you how to shift reader mindsets, build connections, incentivize, and retrain your buyers to shop direct. You’ll learn why your readers WANT to buy directly from you and how you can encourage them!

Building Superfans

by Angel Lawson and Kirsten Oliphant
A bestselling author isn't just born, but created from a strong fanbase of loyal and passionate readers. This class will look at ways authors can take a page from brands like Taylor Swift or the Savannah Bananas to cultivate the kind of rabid fandom that will continually grow and support a long-term author career. Bestselling authors Angel Lawson (dark reverse harems) and Emma St. Clair (closed door rom-coms) will discuss practical ways that authors can build a fandom, no matter the genre. 

The 3 R's of Authorial Evolution

by Daniela Romero
As the saying goes, change is the only constant. But how do you navigate this change in a world where staying relevant is crucial? The answer lies in the 3 Rs. Rebranding, Relaunching, and remaining Relevant. Taking cues from giants like Apple, Lego, and Nora Roberts, this workshop offers insights into refining your author brand, reintroducing your work, and consistently resonating with your audience. Together, we'll learn how to keep the flame of relevance burning bright in an ever-changing bookish world.

Data-Driven Cover Design

by Laura Hildago
Your book's cover could mean the difference between standing out in a crowded market or disappearing into it. In this class, a professional cover designer will discuss the evolution of book marketing and how to design a cover that is an intelligent combination of design and marketing. She'll share case studies and real-life examples to illustrate how data-driven design decisions can lead to better book sales. 

The Hidden Six Figure Author: Building a Sustainable Indie Career

by Melissa Miller
There is a recipe to building a sustainable indie career - you just have to figure out your unique ingredients, time tables, and process. Learn savvy strategies and how to forge your own path from a bestselling author who has earned a six-figure net income for over a decade.

The “Direct” Path From Followers to Buyers. Why your readers WANT to buy directly from you and how you can encourage them!

by Chelsea Bennett
Struggling with the idea of getting your readers to buy direct from you? In this class, you’ll learn you how to shift reader mindsets, build connections, incentivize, and retrain your buyers to shop direct. You’ll learn why your readers WANT to buy directly from you and how you can encourage them!

Opening the Bestseller's Vault of Secrets

Six bestselling authors will take our main stage and share their biggest tips, mistakes to avoid, and their journey to superstar success - plus answer our attendees' most burning questions in the areas of marketing, business, advertising, and craft.

From Pen to Platform: Building Your Author Brand on Social Media

by Xio Axelrod
Learn how to start from scratch and build a brand and an audience through social media. Xio Axelrod caught the attention of readers and major publishers before she published her first novel - all through her branding. Find out how you can use your storytelling skills and creativity to create pre-buzz, boost sales, and create a fandom of loyal and enthusiastic readers.

Brandcraft: An Author's Guide to Building an Enduring Brand

by Orlando Sanchez
Who are you? From understanding your unique voice to connecting with your target audience, this presentation is designed to delve into the intricacies of crafting a distinct author identity, and how to elevate your authorship into a recognizable and resonant brand. (virtual presentation)

How to Leverage Book Signing Events to Make Money, Build a Network, and Turn Readers into Superfans

by Kaydence Snow
Learn how to turn book signings into revenue streams, networking hubs, and fan-engagement platforms. From securing coveted spots to mastering pre-order strategies, and much more, this session is full of practical, actionable information for both new authors and seasoned pros.

Maximizing Your Marketing with Emails

by Terezia Barna
Create a strong connection with your readers with consistent and sales-generating emails. In this class, you'll brainstorm your way to a content calendar, learn how to sell books without being salesy, and unlock tricks to higher delivery rates.

Previous Roundtables

30+ Author Roundtables On Topics Including:

Schedule of Events

Friday, June 7th 8am - 7pm

8:00 - 10:00 AM
Get Checked In
  • Registration is open in the hotel lobby
  • Check in and get your badge, t-shirt, conference program and attendee tote bag!
10:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Morning Roundtables
  • Discuss author-related topics in small attendee-led groups. Attend one of dozens or host your own.
12:15 PM - 2:00 PM
Lunch
  • Use the app and find a group of friends to meet with for lunch!
  • There is a snack bar and restaurant in the hotel and 10 restaurants within walking distance. 
2:00 - 4:15 PM
Afternoon Roundtables
  • Share resources, make friends and jumpstart your knowledge for the weekend!
  • Choose from more roundtables this afternoon! Roundtables are either in a teaching format or a conversational format and last for 25 minutes. 
5:00 - 7:00 PM
Welcome Reception
  • Enjoy an open bar and some delicious snacks while you meet fellow attendees, game plan for the rest of the weekend and relax with your tribe. 

    Bring a couple copies of books to participate in our yearly tradition of The Blind Book Swap.

Saturday, June 8th 8:30 AM - 7 PM

8:30 - 8:50 AM
Welcome Session
  • Join Terezia and Alessandra as they kick off the day of presentations. 
9:00 - 10:00 AM
Class Session 1
10:15 - 11:15 AM
Class Session 2
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Class Session 3
12:30 - 1:30 PM
Relax and refuel with a hosted lunch

Taste of Tuscany 

  • Tuscan Vegetable Soup
  • Garlic Knots
  • Classic Caesar Salad
  • Rocket Arugula Salad
  • Roasted Beef Sirloin w/ Marsala Mushroom Demi
  • Chicken Piccata w/ Lemon Caper Butter
  • Baked Ziti Al Forno
  • Tuscan Vegetable Blend
  • Amaretto Cheesecake
  • Tiramisu

1:30 - 2:30 PM
Class Session 4
2:45 - 3:45 PM
Class Session 5
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Bestselling Authors Opening the Vault of Secrets
  • Six bestselling authors will take our main stage and share their biggest tips, mistakes to avoid, and their journey to superstar success – plus answer our attendees’ most burning questions in the areas of marketing, business, advertising, and craft.
5:30 - 7:00 PM
Margaritas & Manuscripts

Back by popular demand! Grab a margarita and mingle by the fire pit while chatting with fellow authors. 

We’ll provide some snacks, beer, wine and margaritas.

After 7:00 PM
More Fun & Friends
  • You’re free to make your own exciting plans. Last year attendees organized game nights, writing sprints, genre dinners, and more! 

Sunday, June 9th 9 AM - 6 PM

9:00 - 10:00 AM
Class Session 1
10:15 - 11:15 AM
Class Session 2
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Class Session 3
12:30 - 1:30 PM
Hosted Buffet Lunch

Mexican Fiesta

  • Southwestern Salad Bar

  • Jicama Slaw w/ Agave Lime Vinaigrette

  • Fajita Station: Chicken and Beef Calabacitas

  • Simmered Pinto Beans & Mexican Rice

  • Flour and White Corn Tortillas

  • Chips ‘n Salsa

  • Churros and Chocolate

  • Dulce de Leche Cheesecake

1:30 - 2:30 PM
Class Session 4
2:45 - 3:45 PM
Class Session 5
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Class Session 6
5:00 - 6:00 PM
Grand Finale Celebration

Join us for an open bar including wine, beer and champagne. We toast to new friends, new opportunities and new knowledge. 

Exchange contact information and make plans so you keep the magic going strong even after this weekend. 

But there’s even more...

Be one of the first 150 authors to register and gain exclusive access to these 3 bonuses:

BONUS CLASS - ACCESS NOW

Seven Deadly Sins of Page One

Jump right into learning with instant online access to this Craft class from Inkers Con 2019.

Expert editor Tex Thompson teaches us 7 common mistakes authors make on the first page of their novels… and how to avoid them. 

This will make your books more engaging, more page-turning, and more profitable with higher read-through rates.  

SPECIAL BONUS - ACCESS NOW

Conference Success Planner

Make the most of every moment of Inkers Con with these planning pages. Using the Conference Agenda, you can create your custom conference experience, and make sure you don’t miss a thing. 

Schedule in time for socializing, roundtables, pencil in the classes you’ll attend, and keep track of your 3 days like an expert. 

SPECIAL BONUS - ACCESS NOW

Make Friends Fast Networking Guide

Our 4-step networking success framework will help you prepare to network, so you can confidently meet, chat with, and follow-up with people. We’ll also break down how to turn brief meetings into lasting connections and relationships so you can maximize every networking opportunity.

We are currently in Early Registration saving you $100!

Pay In Full

$

749

one payment

Pay Over 4 Months

$

188

4 payments

This is built for authors who:

What authors are saying about us

“Because of Inkers Con my business has definitely improved. Last year was my best year ever.”

Susan Parsons

“Inker’s Con was the best money I have spent for my career this year, possibly ever.”

Alyssa Bailey
USA Today and International Best Selling Author

“All authors, whether aspiring, new or established must attend Inkers Con… It’s the best investment.”

L.L. Hunter
Bestselling Author with 50+ published books

“What a motivating experience for this indie author”

Joanne Giacomini
Romance, Fantasy and Paranormal Author with 7 published books

“I’m revamping my business and thanks to Inkers Con I have the tools I need!”

Kahlen Aymes
USA Today Bestselling Author with 21 published books

“No matter where you are in your publishing career, Inkers Con has the information you need to take the next step.”

Jennifer Allis Provost
Author with 40+ published books

“It went above and beyond my expectations. I’ve already been able to put much of what I’ve learned into practice. Thank you!”

Heather Marie Reaves
Author with 8 published books

“I learned so much and can’t wait to implement new strategies for my books. Thank you, Inkers Con.”

Nicola Marsh
USA Today Bestselling and Multi Award Winning Author

“Without doubt, it’s the best investment I’ve made in my author career, to date, and I’d recommend it to any author, whatever stage they’re at in their own career.”

Sherri Bryan
Author

MEET THE FOUNDERS

Hi, we’re Alessandra Torre and Terezia Barna – and we’ve spent years accelerating authors’ success with programs and conferences.

Alessandra is a 7X NYT bestselling author, with over thirty books, published traditionally and indie. Terezia is a marketing expert and author consultant, with a passion for helping independent authors.

In 2019, we started examining the qualities, knowledge and resources that authors need in order to fulfill their potential. We found that authors need to master the 4 pillars of craft, business, marketing and advertising. 

Each year, we bring together the best in the business to educate authors on the latest and greatest in each of those areas. 

We’re so excited to see you in Dallas! Find us and say hello – we can’t wait to meet you. 

LOCATION

Hilton Plano Granite Park
5805 Granite Parkway, Plano, Texas, 75024

The Hilton was chosen for Inkers Con because of its beautiful design, comfortable areas to relax and plenty of space for great conversations. The Hilton offers:

  • An on-site restaurant, bar and morning coffee shop
  • Walking distance to Granite Park Boardwalk including five restaurants
  • Rooms are available at a discounted rate of $179/night. You’ll receive a booking code after you register.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everyone joins Inkers Con at a different point in their career. We have new authors who want professional guidance and insights in order to properly launch their career. We have authors who have written and published dozens of novels and are looking to break through to the next earning plateau. We have six and seven-figure annual earnings who attend Inkers Con to continually improve their writing and marketing and grow their network and expertise. It’s never too late or too early to attend Inkers Con. Plus, with six years of access, you can grow and access the content you need when you’re ready for it.

Full access to the 3-Day conference in Dallas, Texas PLUS six years of digital access to the conference recordings.

At the 3-Day conference, you’ll receive access to everything included in the Schedule of Events (link) and a full buffet lunch on Saturday and Sunday. The ticket does not include your room at the Hilton, breakfasts or dinners. Most attendees organize their own lunch and dinner meet-ups at the hotel restaurant, cafe, or the surrounding area restaurants.

Your digital access also includes two weeks of online discussions, Q&As with bestselling authors and dozens of networking opportunities that are all part of the Inkers Con 2024 digital event.

We focus on adult fiction, and the knowledge shared can be applied to any fiction genre (and even some non-fiction!). Our speakers are superstars and experts across a great mix of romance, fantasy, science-fiction, thriller, and general fiction genres – and our attendees are the same!

Yes, we are happy to offer PayPal options if that is easier for you. Just email us at info@inkerscon.com to arrange an invoice.

Live event tickets are fully refundable until May 1, 2024.

You’ll have six years of access to all of the 2024 conference presentations, recordings and replays – all through your password-protected access at InkersCon.com!

Yes, we also have an on-line conference with live Q&As, networking events, roundtables and coworking sessions.  You also get access to watch all the classes from the Dallas conference for six years.   See the Inkers Con Digital 2024 page for more information.

Authors are also saying...

I loved how willing the speakers were to chat with you one on one, so incredibly generous with their time. Everything ran so smoothly, I was blown away! I enjoyed the variety of panels and liked that I didn’t have to worry about the ones I had to miss because I knew I’d have access to them later.

Loved having lunch provided. It allowed for more social interaction between attendees. Loved the location, the variety of classes, the parties. I think it was put together extremely well.

I thought everything was done with excellence. All of the workshops I attended were well-done. The information was relative and helpful. There was such a nice flow to the entire weekend. I loved the openness of the hotel, also. It was easy to get around. There were great restaurants within walking distance. It was one of the best conferences I’ve attended.

Wow. Just wow. It was such a fantastic experience. Overall, the speakers and attendees were wonderful. There was a great atmosphere of camaraderie. I loved all the extra touches, from the beautiful champagne dinner to the creation studio to snacks in the hallway to the awesome goody bags. Loved the hotel and restaurants nearby. I’m glad there’s a digital version later, as there were times when I wanted to go to two presentations and couldn’t. A couple of sessions I didn’t go to at all but rather used the time to network in the halls.

I loved how approachable all the authors were. Despite the fact that they had presentations to prepare or were writing, they all made time to talk with us, sign books, and take pictures. It was such a comfortable environment and as a new author it can be nerve wracking walking in to something like that but then to have them all be so down to earth made the experience that much better. I loved being able to connect with other writers…it was such a friendly environment that even for someone like myself who tends to be a little shy I felt really comfortable and I left knowing I had really made new friends.

I loved the energy, the inclusiveness, the spirit of everyone. Ohh, and the food was amazingly good. everything I ate was great. Also, and this is not only unique to this conference but probably wasn’t planned – all of the speakers were so accessible. They didn’t sneak off to some private area but sat at the tables and engaged authors, answered questions, told stories, etc. And the most amazing part, and this made me smile ear to ear, was that the other speakers come to other sessions, sat in the front row and took notes. This is a great lesson for authors, that even after you have accumulated a million dollars in royalty, you are still a student and still learning. I’ve never seen this done at any other conference and it brought tears to my eyes.

I loved the opportunity to meet with so many authors at so many different levels of experience. I LOVED the blind book swap. Such an awesome idea. It was so fun getting to learn from authors I admire. Everything felt so positive and encouraging. No one hesitated to share their knowledge or made someone feel “less than” for being new. It was a really amazing experience. The app was awesome and I really loved the venue. I’m really looking forward to the digital ticket as well to catch all the presentations I wasn’t able to attend live.

What a great conference space! There was enough space for break-out conversations and it felt intimate and not overwhelming like some cons can.

Honestly, it was a wealth of knowledge. There wasn’t one thing I didn’t enjoy.