2026 ACFW Virtual Conference Registration

2026 Virtual Conference Registration

March 13-14, 2026, with optional early bird on March 12.

2026 ACFW Virtual Conference Registration

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Please note that all workshops are CENTRAL time.

EARLY BIRD: Thursday, March 12, 3:00-5:00pm CENTRAL - Optional Session presented by James Scott Bell(Required)

Yes, I want to attend for $35.00

No, I do not want to attend

HOW TO WRITE BETTER THAN A MACHINE - Techniques that will elevate your fiction from the merely competent (the machine can do that) to the unforgettable. We'll cover the Seven Critical Success Factors of Fiction, and what writers with blood in their veins can do that AI cannot.

James Scott Bell is the winner of the International Thriller Writers Award, the Christy Award (Suspense), and the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award. He is the author of the Mike Romeo thriller series and several books on the craft of fiction. His website is: https://jamesscottbell.com

Friday Workshops: 10:00am-11:00am CENTRAL(Required)

Workshop 1: WRITING IN THE AGE OF AI

Workshop 2: FINDING YOUR HOOK

WS 1: WRITING IN THE AGE OF AI - Presented by Robin Lee Hatcher. AI can be controversial. It can also inspire fear in some writers. But AI can be a wonderful writing assistant. Robin will talk about many of the different LLMs (Large Language Models) available, and how using AI has benefited her in her writing while she is still the “writer/human in the loop.” She will also share weaknesses and warnings.

WS 2: FINDING YOUR HOOK - Presented by Ashley Clark. Finding your hook - how one sentence can help you land an agent, find a publisher, and sell your book in a crowded market.

Friday Workshops: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm CENTRAL(Required)

Workshop 3: FIVE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE IN PROMOTING YOUR BOOK

Workshop 4: WILL YOU MARRY ME (Book Proposal)

WS 3: FIVE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE IN PROMOTING YOUR BOOK - Presented by Jeane Burgess of Tall Oak Media. Jeane discusses way to promote your book.

WS 4: WILL YOU MARRY ME (Book Proposal) - Presented by Betsy St. Amant. Just like an eager boyfriend spends time creating an irresistible proposal for his future bride, authors need to spend time creating an irresistible proposal to portray their book in the best possible light. Awarding-winning author Betsy St. Amant will thoroughly walk attendees through the main elements of a book proposal and show aspiring authors how to get industry professionals ready to say, “I do!” to their beloved novel.

Friday Workshops: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm CENTRAL(Required)

Workshop 5: HOW TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN TENSION

Workshop 6: SAVVY SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES

WS5: HOW TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN TENSION - Presented by Gayle Roper. Developing and maintaining tension is a quality that every story needs. Gayle will show you how to do this for your own book.

WS6: SAVVY SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES - Presented by Ronie Kendig. Tips & Tricks to make social media efforts more streamlined and efficient. Managing social media can be overwhelming . . . if we let it. Learn some tried and tested strategies to make social media work for you. (Not designed to be a comprehensive tool chest)

Friday Workshops: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm CENTRAL(Required)

Workshop 7: WRITING FAST TO MEET MULTIPLE DEADLINES

Workshop 8: SUPERCHARGE YOUR BRAIN TO GENERATE GREAT IDEAS

WS 7: WRITING FAST TO MEET MULTIPLE DEADLINES - Presented by Dana Lynn. Dana presents how-to's on writing fast so you can meet your writing deadlines.

WS 8: SUPERCHARGE YOUR BRAIN TO GENERATE GREAT IDEAS - Presented by Elizabeth Goddard. This is an interactive lecture with Q&A for fiction writers of all levels and genres and will aide both traditionally and indie published writers in building their book list for a successful career. Learn how to become prolific and more than a one-book wonder. The process starts with ideas and lots of them. A publisher (even if it’s yourself) doesn’t want a book, he or she wants an author. In this workshop you’ll learn where to find inspiration, how to become an idea ninja and a master curator, meaning you’ll learn techniques for developing an eye to see which in your idea collection is the absolute best of the best to present to the world—an idea you can transform into a great novel.

Saturday Workshops: 10:00 am - 11:00 am CENTRAL(Required)

Workshop 9: SELLING DIRECT

Workshop 10: WALKING THROUGH REWRITES

WS 9: SELLING DIRECT - Presented by Hallee Bridgeman. In this constantly changing industry, removing the middle-man and selling direct not only increases your income per sale, it also gives you valuable demographic information about your customers and the ability to market directly to people who purchase from you. Hallee will go over the options, the setup, and the execution of having a successful selling direct store.

WS 10: WALKING THROUGH REWRITES - Presented by Beth K. Vogt. Rewrites are always challenging for writers, whether republished or published. Beth will show you ways to face and conquer the challenge of rewrites.

Saturday Workshops: 11:30 am - 12:30 Pm CENTRAL(Required)

Workshop 11: GHOSTS, PARANORMAL, SUPERNATURAL, OH MY!

Workshop 12: THE TROPE ADVANTAGE

WS 11: GHOSTS, PARANORMAL, SUPERNATURAL, OH MY! - Presented by Jaime Jo Wright. why Christian fiction needs darker stories, and how to write them with hope and truth (without crossing lines).

WS 12: THE TROPE ADVANTAGE - Presented by Misty Beller. Craft unputdownable stories by connecting trope psychology to execution. In this class, we’ll discuss why tropes draw readers and reliably lift sales, then learn how to incorporate these insights into your writing, marketing copy, and book cover design to captivate readers and sell more books.

Saturday Workshops: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm CENTRAL(Required)

Workshop 13: DEVELOPING DEEP POV

Workshop 14: AI LITIGATION UPDATE

WS 13: DEVELOPING DEEP POV - Presented by DiAnn Mills. DiAnn walks you through ways to enrich your story by developing deep POV.

WS 14: AI LITIGATION UPDATE - Presented by Rick Acker. Attorney & author Rick Acker provides an overview of the Bartz v. Anthropic settlement and the other book-related AI lawsuits currently working their way through the courts.

Please note that all appointments are CENTRAL time.

I request an agent or specialty appointment, based upon availablity and schedule with:

Tamela Hancock Murray with Steve Laube Agency: As always, Tamela is looking for all types of Christian romance. She also enjoys other types of excellent Christian fiction that is polished to a brilliant sheen. If you also write nonfiction and have a great platform, Tamela is interested in talking with you. NOT SEEKING: Children's, YA, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Jen Babakhan with Books & Such Literary Management: looking for contemporary romance, women's fiction, historical fiction, historical romance, and romantic suspense.

Matt Jones with Jones House Creative: Matt Jones is the president of Jones House Creative, a Tulsa-based company with a focus on helping authors achieve their dreams of growing a successful writing career. He and the Jones House Creative team have worked with with hundreds of authors since 2010 to grow their online platforms, connect with their readers, and market their books online. Jones House Creative’s mission is to empower dreams, breathe life into visions, and remove burdens by walking alongside authors and helping them reach their audiences online.

Jana Nelson with PR by the Book: Jana will be happy to field questions about the publishing process - especially about marketing and publicity. She has been working publishing and communication for more than 20 years. Jana Nelson is a strategic communications expert with more than two decades of experience elevating voices and building movements at the intersection of book publishing, public relations, and social impact. Throughout her career, Jana has championed groundbreaking narratives across nonfiction genres—including social justice, culture, religion, science and environment, wellness, and business—as well as fiction and poetry. She has held leadership roles at acclaimed publishers including Augsburg Fortress and Graywolf Press. She has also run her own PR consultancy, scaled a nonprofit consulting practice that delivered measurable results for clients, and co-founded the inaugural Twin Cities Book Festival—establishing it as a cornerstone of the regional literary community. Jana has become known for her ability to match compelling stories with audiences who need to hear them, whether through strategic positioning, media relations, or grassroots community engagement. When she’s not strategizing the next big book moment, you’ll find Jana on the water in summer or carving through Minnesota snow in winter, ideally with her family and pup alongside.

I request an editor appointment, based upon availability and schedule:

Savannah Breedlove with HarperCollins Christian Publishing: Looking for Women’s fiction and/or strong female leads, contemporary romance, Cozy/cozy mystery, Mystery, Clean romantasy (if that exists!), Open to historical romance if the hook is fresh, but we’re pretty full on this otherwise. NOT looking for YA, Romantic suspense, Biblical fiction, Historical.

Amy Voss with Tyndale House Publishers: Amy is interested in proposals for full-length novels with great writing and compelling hooks in the following categories: Contemporary women’s fiction, contemporary romance, Southern fiction (historical or contemporary), historical fiction (including biblical and dual-timeline), historical romance, and mystery and suspense geared towards a female readership.

Amy's team does not acquire YA or children’s fiction and is not currently looking for sci-fi, thrillers, or fantasy, though they may be open to stories that include elements of magical realism if the overall concept is otherwise a good fit.

Virtual Conference: Member Pricing

Price:

Full virtual conference. Attend the classes you selected and then receive access to the other virtual sessions post-conference. Appointments as availability allows.

Virtual Conference: Non-Member Pricing

Price:

Full virtual conference. Attend the classes you selected and then receive access to the other virtual sessions post-conference. Appointments as availability allows.

Processing Fee

Price:

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Payment Options(Required)

Please Note

ALL conference registration orders will be charged a $35.00 processing fee. Full payment will be required to secure your registration. Payment can be made by credit card (through PayPal: you do NOT have to have a PayPal account) or check/money order. Your registration will be confirmed by a separate email after payment is received. Credit card payments are processed almost immediately; registrations by check payments will be confirmed by separate email after the check clears and is deposited to the ACFW account (approx. two weeks after receipt). Cancellations may be made until NOON CENTRAL March 2, 2026. Prior to the deadline, refunds will be made in the manner in which payment was received, minus $35 handling fee; cancellations after the deadline will not be refunded. There is a $50.00 fee for all returned checks.

Submit your form and mail your check to:

ACFW, PO Box 101066, Palm Bay, FL 32910. Put "ACFW Virtual Conference" in the memo. Once your check has been received and processed, you will receive a PAID RECEIPT email.