2027 ACFW Virtual Conference Registration

2027 Virtual Conference Registration

February 19-20, 2027, with optional early bird on February 18.

2027 ACFW Virtual Conference Registration

Conference Datetime

Name(Required)

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Email You Use for ZOOM(Required)

Please make sure to use the email you use for ZOOM

Are you an ACFW member?(Required)

Please note that all workshops are CENTRAL time.

EARLY BIRD: Thursday, February 18, 3:00 - 5:00 pm CENTRAL - Optional Session presented by Angela Hunt(Required)

Yes, I want to attend for $35.00

No, I do not want to attend

THE BEST WAY TO USE AI TOOLS FOR EDITING AND MARKETING: Presented by Angela Hunt

Come join Angela Hunt as she shares insight and experience in utilizing AI tools for editing & marketing your book.

Friday, February 19th - Workshops: 9:00 am - 10:00 am CENTRAL(Required)

Workshop 1: TRAD AND HYBRID AND INDIE, OH MY!

Workshop 2: PROS AND CONS OF MULTIPLE PEN NAMES

WS01: TRAD AND HYBRID AND INDIE, OH MY! - Presented by Deborah Raney.
The decisions along the road to publication don’t have to be as scary as lions and tigers and bears (oh, my!) Here’s a look at one author’s decision to go hybrid, then indie, after a long traditional career, discussing pros and cons of each valid path, plus top tips for each.

WS02: PROS & CONS OF MULTIPLE PEN NAMES - Presented by Dana Lynn
Writing under a pen name presents some unique challenges. But what if you’re interested in juggling genres or building different brands? Are you wondering if multiple pen names will help you build your career or make your writing life more complicated? Is adding another pen name or two worth it? In this workshop, we'll explore the pros and cons of writing under different pen names, when they make sense, when they may confuse readers, and how they affect branding, marketing, discoverability, and reader trust. You’ll leave with practical insights to help you decide whether to keep it simple with one name or create separate author identities.

Friday, February 19th - Workshops: 10:15 am - 11:15 am CENTRAL(Required)

Workshop 3: PRINCIPLES FOR SUCCESS IN INDIE PUBLISHING

Workshop 4: THE BACKLIST PROFIT PLAN

WS03: PRINCIPLES FOR SUCCESS IN INDIE PUBLISHING - Presented by Lisa Phillips
A how-to workshop in terms of mindset and things to remember for indie publishing

WS04: THE BACKLIST PROFIT PLAN - Presented by Misty Beller
Whether you’re a traditionally published author getting your rights back, or an indie author seeking to increase monthly income, your older published works don’t need to languish any longer. Build a tactical plan for refreshed covers, sharper metadata, smart box sets, read-through tracking, and evergreen promo cycles that bring older titles back to life.

Friday, February 19th - Workshops: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm CENTRAL(Required)

Workshop 5: CRAFTING BELIEVABLE CHARACTERS

Workshop 6: CREATING CHEMISTRY AND TENSION BETWEEN CHARACTERS

WS05: CRAFTING BELIEVABLE CHARACTERS - Presented by Tricia Goyer
Led by multi-published Tricia Goyer, this workshop will give you insight in raising the stakes in your fiction.

WS06: CREATING CHEMISTRY AND TENSION BETWEEN CHARACTERS - Presented by Bethany Turner
No matter the genre, if characters are the heart of your story, the chemistry between them is the pulse. In this workshop, we’ll examine some practical steps for creating the chemistry and tension that will make your story come alive.

Friday, February 19th - Workshops: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm CENTRAL(Required)

Workshop 7: BEGIN & END WITH A BANG—CAPTIVATING YOUR READERS FROM START TO FINISH

Workshop 8: THE SPIRITUAL ASPECT OF WRITING

WS07: BEGIN & END WITH A BANG—CAPTIVATING YOUR READERS FROM START TO FINISH - Presented by Dani Pettrey
The most critical scenes in any story are the first and the last. Your opening scene sells your book; your final scene sells the next one. Learn how to craft compelling beginnings that immediately immerse readers in your character’s journey and create satisfying endings that leave them breathless, fulfilled, and eager for more.

WS08: THE SPIRITUAL ASPECT OF WRITING - Presented by Joy Massenburge
Let's discuss how God comes alongside us in our creative journey.

Friday, February 19th - Workshops: 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm CENTRAL(Required)

Workshop 9: THREE THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE WRITING FIGHT SCENES, BATTLES AND BRAWLS

Workshop 10: NAVIGATING THE NOVEL RELEASE

WS09: THREE THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE WRITING FIGHT SCENES, BATTLES AND BRAWLS - Presented by Carla Hoch
Fights begin long before the first punch both off and on the page. Learn what to consider before writing a fight scene including the why, the where and the three whos.

WS10: NAVIGATING THE NOVEL RELEASE - Presented by Robin Patchen
Taught by a USA Today bestselling author, this class will guide you through a book release checklist—a roadmap for moving your manuscript from your laptop into readers’ eager hands. You’ll gain an understanding of the process of bringing your novel into the world, with practical steps and insights to help you navigate an indie book release.

Saturday, February 20th - Workshops: 9:00 am - 10:00 am CENTRAL(Required)

Workshop 11: PRESENTING A PROPOSAL TO GET PICKED UP

Workshop 12: INTERACTIVE PITCHING 101

WS11: PRESENTING A PROPOSAL TO GET PICKED UP - Presented by Cara Putman
Join award-winning, best-selling author Cara Putman as she shares tips and insight in getting a proposal in top shape for submission.

WS12: INTERACTIVE PITCHING 101 - Presented by Kate Angelo
Come practice your pitches and get feedback from award-winning author, Kate Angelo.

Saturday, February 20th - Workshops: 10:15 am - 11:15 am CENTRAL(Required)

Workshop 13: THE AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO PINTEREST: TURNING PINS INTO LONG-TERM BOOK DISCOVERY

Workshop 14: FROM RESEARCH TO REALITY: FINDING THE DETAILS THAT MAKE FICTION

WS13: THE AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO PINTEREST: TURNING PINS INTO LONG-TERM BOOK DISCOVERY - Presented by Janice Thompson
Book launches have a shelf life. Your pins don’t have to. Discover how authors can use Pinterest as a powerful visual search engine to keep books, backlists, and author content discoverable long after launch day. You’ll leave with practical, manageable strategies for creating pins that attract readers, drive traffic, and give your books a longer marketing life.

WS14: FROM RESEARCH TO REALITY: FINDING THE DETAILS THAT MAKE FICTION - Presented by Jacinta Meredith
Ever feel like you don’t know where to start? Too many details, too little time? Or worse, you know what you need but not how to find it? Whether you’re researching the past or the present, this workshop offers practical strategies and reliable resources for finding the details that make fiction believable (away with you, Wikipedia!). You’ll also learn how to research efficiently without getting bogged down and get back to what really matters: writing your story.

Saturday, February 20th - Workshops: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm CENTRAL(Required)

Workshop 15: SEVEN STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL SELF PUBLISHING

Workshop 16: WRITING KISSES THAT MATTER

WS15: SEVEN STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL SELF PUBLISHING - Presented by Hallee Bridgeman
In this workshop, Hallee will go over the Seven Steps to Successful Self Publishing, including editing, formatting, metadata, publishing, and marketing.

WS16: WRITING KISSES THAT MATTER - Presented by Pepper Basham and Bethany Turner
In this lively workshop, award-winning authors Pepper Basham and Bethany Turner will explore the polarizing art of kissing (in our writing, that is) by teaching seven essential guidelines for writing kisses that matter.

Saturday, February 20th - Workshops: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm CENTRAL(Required)

Workshop 17: HOW TO WRITE A NOVEL IN 30 DAYS

Workshop 18: WRITING IN MULTIPLE GENRES

WS17: HOW TO WRITE A NOVEL IN 30 DAYS - Presented by Gabrielle Meyer
In this fast-paced, practical workshop, writers will learn how to take a story from the initial idea to completed first draft in less than a month. I’ll walk participants through my full process—developing a solid plot, building compelling characters, crafting an effective outline, and writing scenes that require minimal revision. By breaking the drafting stage into clear, manageable steps, I’ll show how writing quickly can lead to greater creativity, stronger momentum, and a prolific publishing schedule. Producing four to five novels a year isn’t just achievable—it’s enjoyable, energizing, and within reach for any writer who is ready to embrace a focused, thirty-day drafting approach.

WS18: WRITING IN MULTIPLE GENRES - Presented by Kathleen Y'Barbo
Juggling writing in more than one genre? Join this workshop to gain insight into how multi-published author Kathleen explains how to balance the ins and outs while keeping your voice, no matter the genre.

Please note that all appointments are CENTRAL time.

I request an agent or specialty appointment, based upon availability 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

Cynthia Ruchti with Books & Such Literary Management:
Cynthia Ruchti is a senior literary agent with Books & Such Literary Management. As a former radio writer/producer for a non-profit ministry, and an author of both fiction and non-fiction who trained primarily through ACFW and saw her novels climb from files to queries to slush piles to contest winners to contracts because of what she learned through ACFW and its instructors and mentors, Cynthia brings a variety of skillsets to the agenting process. She and her husband live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and seven grandchildren. Her tagline is: "I can't unravel. I'm hemmed in Hope." Cynthia is looking for novelists who have advanced in their craft, understand how their book fits in the current Christian market and their chosen category, and have taken the steps necessary to be ready to be agented. She appreciates projects with intriguing takes on timeless plotlines or characters. If it sounds like other books on the market, she will be less interested than if it is distinguished from what's already on the shelves, yet still well-rooted in the category of Romantic Suspense, Historical, Historical Romance, Contemporary, Rom-Com, some biblical fiction, or Women's fiction. She is not currently acquiring Sci-Fi, fantasy, speculative, or children's. Over-saturated eras are less appealing as well for historicals.

Stephanie Alton with The Blythe Daniel Agency, Inc.:
Stephanie Alton is a literary agent and marketer with The Blythe Daniel Agency, Inc. and represents adult non-fiction and fiction works. She has been with BDA for 12 years splitting her time between marketing and publicity campaigns, helping authors develop their message, and securing book deals with traditional publishers. Stephanie lives on the Texas Gulf Coast with her husband and two teens. She loves sunset cruising the bayou to the bay. Currently Seeking: Fiction - Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Rom-Com, Romantic Suspense, or Women’s Non-Fiction - She is looking at books written by leaders for leaders in addition to books on evangelism, discipleship, mental health, lifestyle books from a spiritual perspective, devotionals, gift books, and women’s issues. Overall she's looking at themes and concepts that we have not heard before with a message that is faith-based. Her favorite manuscripts are the ones that make her laugh, keep her scrolling the pages, and turn her editing brain mode off. She always have room for someone like this! Appointment Information: She would like to hear your pitch and about you during our appointment. She will accept one-sheets or business cards. Have your proposal ready to send to her if invited to.

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

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.

Savannah Breedlove with Harper Collins: Savannah is interested in the following: women’s fiction and/or strong female leads, contemporary romance, cozy/cozy mystery, mystery, and clean romantasy. She is also open to historical romance if the hook is fresh. Savannah is not currently looking for YA, romantic suspense, Biblical fiction, or historical genres.

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 January 18, 2027, 8:00 am central time. 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.