Conference Schedule — Plan Your Weekend
2026 Renewal Conference Schedule
Writing on the Rock: A Firm Foundation in Craft & Faith
Use this schedule to plan your sessions and make the most of your conference experience. Each block highlights workshops, talks, and mentoring opportunities.
Friday, May 15, 2026 (Optional)
Preconference Genre Networking Dinner
Location – TBD
Time – TBD (Evening)
A relaxed, genre-based dinner where conference attending writers connect, share ideas, and build community before the conference begins. Attendees cover the cost of their own meal; RSVP required to reserve a seat.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Bright City Church · Everett, WA
8:00 AM
Check-in opens — coffee, breakfast snacks, mentor & headshot sign-ups
9:00–10:15 AM
Welcome, worship, and opening keynote session
10:30–11:30 AM — Workshop Session 1
• ACT on the Word – Susie Crosby
• Worldbuilding & Voice – Christine D. Cohen
• How to Build Your Author Brand – Steve Brock
• The Plot Thickens: Crafting a Compelling Plot – Rachel Linden
• TEEN Track Session 1 – Nova McBee
• Worldbuilding & Voice – Christine D. Cohen
• How to Build Your Author Brand – Steve Brock
• The Plot Thickens: Crafting a Compelling Plot – Rachel Linden
• TEEN Track Session 1 – Nova McBee
11:45 AM–12:30 PM
Boxed lunch, bookstore browsing, vendor visits, and networking
12:30–1:30 PM — Workshop Session 2
• Speculative Worldbuilding – Steve Rzasa
• Crafting Children’s Books – Susie Crosby
• Increase Tension Through Dialogue – Dori Harrell
• Navigating the Publishing Pipeline – Talia Messina
• TEEN Track Session 2 – Nova McBee
• Crafting Children’s Books – Susie Crosby
• Increase Tension Through Dialogue – Dori Harrell
• Navigating the Publishing Pipeline – Talia Messina
• TEEN Track Session 2 – Nova McBee
1:45–2:45 PM — Workshop Session 3
• Collaboration Is Key – Steve Rzasa
• First Chapters! – Nova McBee
• Editing Your Craft – Ande Pliego
• How NOT to Bore Nonfiction Readers – Ocieanna Fleiss
• First Chapters! – Nova McBee
• Editing Your Craft – Ande Pliego
• How NOT to Bore Nonfiction Readers – Ocieanna Fleiss
2:45–3:15 PM
Bookstore Focus (author signings, vendor scavenger hunt, silent auction, networking)
3:15–3:45 PM
Popcorn Panel – Ask the experts anything!
4:00–5:00 PM — Workshop Session 4
• Romancing the Tension – Lynnette Bonner
• The Business of Writing in WA State – Val Barschaw
• Exploring Deep POV – Dori Harrell
• Ending Strong – Angela Strong
• The Business of Writing in WA State – Val Barschaw
• Exploring Deep POV – Dori Harrell
• Ending Strong – Angela Strong
5:30–7:00 PM
Dinner served followed by closing keynote (5:30–6:30 PM) & dessert farewell (6:30–7:00 PM)
Throughout the Day
One‑on‑one 15‑minute mentoring appointments available by signup