Here is a list of workshops for the St. Davids Christian Writers’ Conference. Workshops are being added for this year’s conference and are subject to change. Check back often!
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KEYNOTE:
Agent Bethany Jett
WORKSHOPS:
Master the Querying Process with Bethany Jett
This workshop simplifies the agent search and query process. After a quick overview of what agents do, we’ll cover how to find the right agents for your work, craft a standout query, and avoid common mistakes.
Writers of all genres will gain insight into industry expectations and best practices including:
* Common terminology used during the querying process
* The elements of great query letters
* How to research the market
The Market-Minded Writer with Bethany Jett
Whether you write nonfiction, fiction, or picture books, understanding your genre and how your book fits in the marketplace is essential. In this workshop, literary agent Bethany Jett breaks down the power of genre mastery and market awareness. You’ll learn how to analyze competitive titles, align your project with industry expectations, and present your book in a way that makes agents, editors, and ultimately your readers, take notice.
3 Pillars of a Great Nonfiction Book with Bethany Jett
In this workshop, you’ll learn the key elements every nonfiction book should have. Whether you write devotionals or books on leadership, you’ll be able to outline your manuscript with confidence, add the right balance of storytelling, and create nonfiction books that will be read cover-to-cover.
Behind the Scenes: Working With Agents & Publishers with Bethany Jett
This workshop demystifies how agents and publishers partner with authors, explores what healthy communication looks like at each stage of the process, and offers guidance on how writers can show up well in these relationships.
Digging for Gold: Interviewing Tips with Larry J. Leech II
With more than 14,000 interviews under his belt, Larry J. Leech II knows how to get inside someone’s head and dig around for the information he needs. In this fast-moving, hands-on workshop complete with role playing, Larry will share his tips on how to dig up that much-need info from either a “chatty Cathy” or a “tight-lipped Ted.”
The Writing Business—What You Need to Know with Larry J. Leech II (3-day workshop)
Writers are no longer just writers. Gone are the days in which a person would turn in a manuscript and let the publisher handle all the trivial things that writers often despise. Writers today must think and act like the CEO of a company. But most don’t. If you want to start thinking like the head of your company, come learn about the following topics:
* Organizational tips—naming files, storing files, sending files, correspondence, time management
* Email etiquette
* Microsoft Word tips
* Connections— accountability, writers’ groups, coaching, social media, website, blogs and
podcasts
* Book marketing
* Conference prep
* Finances—alternate sources of income, taxes
* Personal and spiritual growth
Overview and introduction of children’s literature with Bettie Boswell
This workshop will review the various levels from board books to Young Adult. Aspects such as word length, word leveling, age of main characters, marketing, and more will be included in the presentation.
Rhythm, Rhyme, and Lyrical Words with Bettie Boswell
This workshop explores the basic tools for creating rhyming picture books that will require knowledge of meter. For all levels of prose children’s books, lyrical techniques to make words more appealing will be covered. Novels in verse will be mentioned.
Chapter Book Challenges with Bettie Boswell
This workshop will look at the challenges of knowing the many different levels of this type of story. Word leveling, series writing, marketing, work for hire, and other facets will be part of the presentation.
Writer and illustrator’s roles for children’s books with Bettie Boswell
This workshop will help the writer and the illustrator understand how the pictures work together and special considerations for the art that an artist will need to know before creating illustrations. A brief introduction to the Mazza Museum picture book art collection will be shared.
The Art of Writing a Fictional Series with Robin Luftig (3-day workshop)
An idea is bubbling in your brain. You think it’s a good story—a GREAT one. Let’s dive in and see if it could be a series. In this workshop we’ll discuss what elements you need for a successful series, how to lay the groundwork early, the importance of including a diversity reader early in the series, how to create a seamless story arc that will help you to easily launch subsequent storylines, and more.
Know How to Draw Attention to Your Memoir with Robin Luftig
You’ve made it through a life-changing ordeal. You’ve written a memoir and are certain your journey’s story has the power to impact others. Yet publishers aren’t showing any interest. Learn:
* how to figure out the “who” that needs this story
* how to make publishers interested
* the why behind style and its importance (consider Fiction or Christian Living)
* what it takes to be a master at the memoir craft and have publishers leaning in for more.
Color Me Real. Color Me Surreal with Marjorie Maddox
In one writing exercise, we’ll focus on detail and tone by describing something ordinary in a more specific and unusual way. In another, we’ll experiment with the surreal or make literal a cliché.
In the Middle of Pennsylvania: A Portable Exercise on Place with Marjorie Maddox
This writing exercise underscores such basic writing techniques as image, simile, and metaphor; the music of the line; connotation and denotation; and the concepts of believability, transformation, and writing about place. In addition, by merely adjusting local and/or age-appropriate references, authors may “take this show on the road” for workshops in other cities and states.
Dear So-and-So with Marjorie Maddox
In this session, we’ll focus on diction and tone while drafting persona and letter poems. Get ready to have fun!
Daily Prayer: Making Your Poem Pray with Marjorie Maddox
Using sample poetic prayers from Pádraig Ó Tuama’s book Being Here: Prayers for Curiosity, Justice, and Love (Eerdmans, 2024), we’ll employ concrete details to draft poems that “pray” for the world, for others, and for ourselves.
How to See, Hear, Smell, & Taste a Poem + Spelling Mnemonics with Marjorie Maddox
In this session, we’ll practice the free verse and fixed-form exercises for ages 8-99 in Inside Out: Poems on Writing and Reading Poetry with Insider Exercises (Kelsay Books, 2020), then try our hand at poetic spelling mnemonics, as modeled in How Can I Look It Up When I Don’t Know How It’s Spelled? (Kelsay Books, 2024)
Scam-Proof Your Writing Life with Heather Kreke
Scams aren’t just in your inbox—they’re targeting your manuscripts, your royalties, and your writing dreams. In this class, we’ll uncover the most common traps set for writers, from fake social media messages to phony publishing houses. You’ll learn how to spot the red flags, protect your work, and navigate the publishing world with confidence (and your wallet intact).
From Draft to Self-Published with Heather Kreke (2-day workshop)
Have a finished manuscript but no idea what comes next? Thinking about self-publishing but overwhelmed by the options, tools, and acronyms (KDP who?)? This class breaks it all down. From editing and cover design to ISBNs, formatting, and where to publish, we’ll walk through the full self-publishing process—and show you how to do it like a pro. Whether you’re still revising your first draft or ready to hit “publish,” you’ll leave this session with a clear roadmap to get your book into readers’ hands—without falling for vanity press traps or getting lost in the digital weeds.
Literary Elements for Writers I with Tracy Cooper
This workshop will explore Judeo-Christian elements in Western literature and how writers can implement them using symbolism, Christ Figure characters, and themes of sin/redemption/sacrifice. Examples from famous works and a suggested reading list are also provided.
Literary Elements for Writers II with Tracy Cooper
This workshop will focus on literary conflict and the Hero’s Journey as mechanisms for delivering a story with richly developed characters and an engaging plot. Examples from famous works and a suggested reading list are also provided.
NOTE: Tracy Cooper’s workshops address key traits and elements of Western literature (European and American). Both workshops are standalone, so conferees can take one or both together for a more comprehensive experience. The elements/techniques discussed in these workshops can help writers deepen and enhance their writing with layers of meaning.
Stepping Stones to Creating Story with Roberta Gore (interactive 3-day workshop)
Session 1
Class will engage in improvisational acting exercises geared toward building material/sensitivity/empathy for imaginary characters and situations and then journal what they learned.
Session 2
Class will use improv exercises specifically to create more three dimensional dialogue/depth of internal monologue. Prompts will be used for a writing exercise that will allow class to process the improvisations. A time of sharing what is learned will be included.
Session 3
Class members will be encouraged to bring their own work to the session—in whatever shape it is in—and the class will workshop scenes/internal monologues/conflict-ridden moments via improv and discussion.
The Devotional—Every Word Matters with Heather Iseminger
Nothing speaks to the importance of diction choice like a tight word count. Devotional writing may appear simple. However, those who specialize in this genre understand the work and dedication needed to hone their writing about scripture in order to usher the reader into a deeper faith. This workshop teaches the basics of writing devotionals, including the different styles, kinds, and purposes. Writers will learn the importance of using concise language, engaging stories, and appropriate scripture connections to create devotions that make a difference.
Bible Studies That Let Scripture Speak for Itself with Heather Iseminger
It is a weighty and significant call to lead others through the Bible. Crafting lessons founded in scripture has life-changing potential. This workshop teaches the fundamentals of how to draw lessons from the biblical text, allowing the truths of scripture to accurately guide your study. Writers will learn how to engage their readers, structure their study, and correctly balance commentary and scripture, leaving the workshop better prepared to honor the Holy Word with their words.
Who Says Nonfiction is Boring? with Heather Iseminger
Writing with artistry and creativity isn’t just for the poet. Moving nonfiction writing out of its tendency to be rote and mundane is vital. This workshop will teach writers how to combine figurative language techniques with nonfiction prose to create writing that captivates. Using hands-on activities from years of classroom experience, conferees will engage in writing exercises designed to enhance their ability to create vivid word pictures while also showing the importance of the story in nonfiction. Writers will learn to infuse their nonfiction prose with description and details that delights and engages their audience.
Metaphors and Story in NF with Heather Iseminger
Little engages an audience more than a powerful story. In nonfiction, our personal narratives draw the reader into the lessons we’re teaching. God uses metaphors throughout scripture to speak to his people. Jesus knew the value of story as he taught with parables. Learning to harness the power of metaphors—and their stories—is vital to engaging your audience, allowing them to powerfully connect with your message. This workshop offers specific strategies to help nonfiction writers identify the metaphors around them and then teaches them how to craft them into personal stories. Using these two skills effectively enhances writing by helping the author captivate their audience with an authentic and engaging message.
Professional Public Speaking for Writers with Craig von Buseck
As a writer, eventually you will be called upon to speak about your books or articles. If you are a speaker, most likely you will one day want or need to write a book. See how writing and speaking go together hand-in-glove. Learn techniques to make your speaking dynamic, memorable, and hopefully, life-changing.
Turning Sermons into Books and Online Classes with Craig von Buseck
Many pastors and teachers have years of sermons or lessons that could be converted into dynamic books– if they only knew how to do it. Learn the techniques of organization, outlining, researching, and writing that are needed to make your dream of a book a reality.
Doing Historical Research with Craig von Buseck
My mentor was a New York Times reporter and editor, who also wrote best-selling books. He taught his students: “The best writers are the best reporters. In other words, learn to do your research well.” In this class I will share how I did research for “I Am Cyrus,” my biography on Harry Truman and the Zionist Movement, for “Victor: The Final Battle of Ulysses S. Grant,” and for “Nobody Knows: the Harry T. Burleigh Story.”
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