Monthly Events

Jan 3: Cindy Sproles: I Can Publish Just Because I Can

Description: I Can Publish Just Because I Can is a vital class for writers who have completed manuscripts and struggle with finding a publisher. In this class, we discuss the process of publication from writing, finding an agent, seeking a publisher, or self-publishing. Often writers get ahead of the process and seek an agent before they have completed work, or approach a publisher before their work is ready. We will discuss the importance of following the steps to publishing and if self-publishing is for you. We’ll discuss what is involved in self-publishing, costs, and business plans. We’ll address the attitude of gratitude vs entitlement. Before you move ahead to self-publish, join this class and learn the important details needed for success.

Bio: Cindy K. Sproles is an author, teacher, and conference speaker. She is the executive editor for ChristianDevotions.us and InspireaFire.com and she is the cofounder of WritingWrite, a mentoring service for authors.

Cindy was born in the mountains of East Tennessee and she loves her Appalachian heritage. She is a best-selling, award-winning author of Appalachian fiction.

Feb 7: Jan Kneeland, MD: ”Prescriptions and Poisons” (or How to pick your poison)

Description: ”Prescriptions and Poisons” (or How to pick your poison) navigates the critical questions writers should ask when selecting medications or toxic substances for their plot. Learn to match medical agents to your narrative needs through a systematic decision tree that ensures both dramatic impact and scientific plausibility.

Bio: Originally from OH, Dr. Kneeland obtained her undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Case Western Reserve University and her medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio. From an early age Dr. Kneeland felt called to missions, and later to medicine, and her family practice residency at Marshall University in Huntington, WV included an emphasis in International Medicine. When God closed the long-term medical missions doors, he opened another one at a largely Hispanic, very international practice in West Hartford, CT. While there, she met and married her husband, Andy, and in 2005 they moved to Simpsonville, SC where they are raising 3 boys, 3 cats and a dog. Dr. Kneeland considers her job to be her ministry and is passionate about sharing the love of Christ with her patients, teaching the next generation of medical providers, and learning just about anything! She loves the serious, funny and befuddling medical questions she gets from her author friends and is excited to share some of her medical knowledge with inquisitive authors!

Mar 7: E. Stephen Burnett: Fantastical Stories for God’s Glory

Description:  What’s the biblical purpose of fantastical fiction? How can we discern these stories’ graces and idolatries? And how can these stories serve the Church? Join us for a tour through God’s fantastical word across history, and explore how the gospel of Jesus Christ inspires our creation of fantastical stories for God’s glory. We will also discuss fictional magic cautions/celebrations.

Bio: E. Stephen Burnett explores fantastical stories for God’s glory as publisher of Lorehaven.com and its weekly Fantastical Truth podcast. He coauthored The Pop Culture Parent and creates other resources for fans and families, serving with his wife, Lacy, in their central Texas church. Stephen’s first novel, a science-fiction adventure, launches in 2025 from Enclave Publishing.

April: No Meeting – Write in the Springs

May 2: Taryn Souders: How Public Speaking and School Visits Can Become an Author’s Best Friend

Description: If you thought authors can only make money selling books, you’re wrong. Supplement your income by doing school visits! Schools often look for writers to come talk to students about the writing/publishing process. But have you ever listened to a presentation you’d just as soon sleep through . . . or sneak out of? Don’t be that speaker! Learn some do’s and don’ts of public speaking as Taryn Souders shares what she’s learned from years and years of doing school visits and teaching at conferences.

Bio: Taryn’s middle grade novels have been named to multiple state award lists, including Pennsylvania, Georgia, Alaska, Ohio, Wisconsin, Alabama, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, Maine, Indiana, Idaho, Nevada, Virginia, and Florida. She is also a two-time TOME Society Book Awards nominee. Her book, Coop Knows the Scoop (Sourcebooks Young Readers), was a 2021 Edgar Award nominee for Best Juvenile mystery novel, and a Maud Hart Lovelace Honor book. The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle (Sourcebooks Young Readers), is both an Agatha Award and an Anthony Award nominee, and a winner of the Florida Book Award. Her newest book, Secrets of the Broken House (Sourcebooks Young Readers, 2026), releases in January. She is a member of both Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, and is the President of Operations for Word Weavers International, and the co-director of Florida Christian Writers Conference. Tarynsouders.com

Jun 6: Katrina Glover, Maximize Your Author Website

Description: We will discuss the importance of having a website, review pages that every author should have, the need to keep websites up to date as well as how to make basic changes to website content, install plugins, creating backups, etc. The goal is to get rid of the “this is too hard” stigma that many authors feel when it comes to their website and help them maximize their sites potential.

Bio: In 2011, Katrina founded kikaDESIGN and began offering web design services to small businesses. It wasn’t long before writing friends began reaching out for help. With experience in both web design and marketing as well as knowledge of the book industry, Katrina found herself in a unique position to understand what authors needed and what readers, agents, and publishers wanted. Using this background, Katrina has helped authors all over the world establish their brands. She is also the proud developer a custom author system that allows authors to easily update their entire website within minutes.

Katrina graduated with honors from the University of Denver (Go Pios!) with a Bachelors in Digital Media & Marketing and also holds an Associates in Graphic Design.

kikawebdesign.com

Jul 11: Chapter Genre Gathering

Aug 1: Edwina Perkins, Inclusive Writing for Writers

Description:  Inclusive writing aims to achieve two main objectives: fostering inclusion and acknowledging diversity. Understanding cultural differences is essential to ensure that writing about cross-cultural topics remains accurate and appropriate. We’ll address how to write authentically when representing a marginalized community.

Bio: Edwina Perkins is the assistant director of Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. She is also the coordinator for Mentoring Moments and the manager for Sensitivity Between the Lines, both with Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. Edwina is the managing editor for Harambee Press, an imprint of End Game Press. As a longtime member of Word Weavers International, she now serves as a member of the advisory board.

Edwina is an award-winning writer, experienced teacher, speaker, freelance editor, and a sensitivity/authenticity consultant and has been published in numerous publications. One of her passions is to address the need for sensitivity and diversity in the publishing industry. She is also known as Nona to two precious grandchildren.

Sep 12: Tina Yeager, Psyched Characters

Description: Do your protagonists and antagonists rise from their pages to captivate a reader’s imagination? Sculpting characters with psychological depth infuses your story with power. Discover personality types, trauma responses, and potential effects of mental health diagnoses. Learn solutions for the ethical dilemmas involved with portraying mental health disorders. How does your character respond to crisis? How does she cope with pain? Get into your character’s head and make her unforgettable.

Bio: Award-winning author, inspirational speaker, and life coach, Tina also hosts the Flourish-Meant podcast and the Flourish Today radio show. She publishes Inkspirations Online, a weekly devotional for writers and has won over thirty writing awards, including a 2020 Golden Scroll Award and 2013 FCWC Writer of the Year. Her fiction and nonfiction strive to clarify how we might relate better to others, to ourselves, and to God. Licensed as a counselor since 2005, she has over twenty years of teaching adults, teens, and children in academic, clinical, and faith-based settings. Yeager serves on the steering committee of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, as Director of Traditional Groups with Word Weavers International, and as an active member of the Christian Authors Network and Christian Women in Media Association. Her courses on Subdue Stress and Anxiety, Psyched Characters and Kindle your Creative Spark are available online. Her book, Beautiful Warrior: Finding Victory Over the Lies Formed Against You, helps women identify and fulfill their potential as they discover Christ-centered significance and serves her mission of empowering audiences to become heroes in the Ultimate Author’s story.

Oct 3: Vincent B. Davis II—Amazon Ads Unlocked

Description: Amazon Ads can be one of the most powerful tools for authors looking to sell more books—but they can also be confusing, frustrating, and expensive if you don’t know what you’re doing. In this session, you’ll learn the fundamentals of Amazon Ads, why they matter, and how to use them effectively to reach more readers.

We’ll break down the key components of a successful ad campaign. Whether you’re new to Amazon Ads or struggling to see results, this class will give you a clear, step-by-step approach to setting up and running ads that work. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to start using Amazon Ads to grow your book sales.

Bio: Vincent B. Davis II is an author, entrepreneur, speaker, and soldier. His first novel “The Man with Two Names” was published in July 2017, and has since become an Amazon International Best Seller.

He is passionate about helping authors improve their brand and platform. He created Warrior Book Marketing Group in 2018 and now works with publishing companies and individual clients to help them sell more books in the modern publishing environment.

Nov 7: David Nabors – Overcoming Common Struggles in Creating Realistic and Engaging Crime Storylines

Description: This class addresses writers’ challenges when crafting realistic and engaging crime storylines. Participants will gain a general foundation of how to accurately depict police procedures and forensic science, develop believable characters, construct intricate plots, and balance legal and ethical issues.

Bio: David brings over 38 years of experience as a police officer specializing in crime scene and criminal investigations. He holds an MS from Texas A&M Commerce, a Master Peace Officer License from the State of Texas, and has completed over 6,800 hours of police training. For most of his career, he served as his department’s Criminal Investigations and Crime Scene Commander. David has overseen numerous high-profile capital murder cases in North Texas and has witnessed an execution in his home state.

David has appeared on CBS News 48 Hours (twice), NBC’s Prime Time Live, the Learning Channel’s Medical Detectives, A&E’s American Justice, Investigation Discovery Channel, Law Enforcement Training Network, and Emergency Training Network. He has presented cases and lectured at various police departments, universities, colleges, medical schools, forensic conferences, writers’ groups, and citizen groups across Texas and Kentucky.

A devout Christian, David is actively involved in his church and has participated in mission trips to Zambia, Africa. There, he provided management and leadership training to the Zambian National Police in Lusaka.

Dec 5: Christmas Party