CREWS
2025 WRITERS CONFERENCE
Looking to get even more out of your conference experience? This add-on day offers more focused instruction and interaction in a small-group setting with an expert mentor. Limit one per registrant.
CONNECTION
REFINEMENT
EQUIPPING
WISDOM
Extend your conference experience and take your writing to the next level with specialized small-group instruction on Thursday, October 23 (in-person). CREWs are limited to eight people and spots are available first come, first serve. At $179, this popular add-on sells out, so don't delay! Returning for 2025: a career CREW group for intermediate to advanced writers, by application only. See below.
Developing Your Brand Across Genres
Having a writing brand helps readers understand what a writer is all about. In this CREW writers will establish their mission and vision statements and a branded tagline. Then they will create a plan to build that brand into various genres, as well as a one-sheet for speaking on related brand topics.
Marketing
Janet McHenry
Mastering The Voice & Vulnerability of Young Adult Fiction
In this in-depth series of sessions, award-winning YA Author Kara Swanson will dive into the five keys of writing for young adults and teens — crafting coming-of-age stories that truly resonate with the voice and vulnerability that teens are drawn to. We will also discuss why this genre at the intersection of adulthood is so important, the unique strengths that YA fiction has from a marketing standpoint, as well as why so many adults are drawn to this genre as well.
Fiction
Kara Swanson
Self-publish with Confidence
This CREW is for writers who have a manuscript completed and are considering self-publishing. We'll cover: How to avoid scams. What you can expect to invest. Why you need an editor and a cover designer. You will come away knowing the steps to self-publish your book.
Publishing
Keri Wyatt Kent
Surrendering Yourself to the Lord
In these sessions, writers will discuss how they need to surrender various parts of their lives to the Lord to truly enhance their writing career. The four topics include: Surrender Your Words, Surrender Your Talents, Surrender Your Fears, Surrender Your Expectations. Authors will examine their own lives and make a plan to practically apply the Scripture.
Writing Life
Kelly Harrel
Write to the Finish: Fiction Intensive
You’ve got the idea, the characters, and the passion—now let’s get that story across the finish line. Write to the Finish: Fiction Intensive is a full-day workshop designed to help you tighten your plot, deepen your characters, and break through obstacles. Let’s dig in, do the work, and create something unforgettable!
Fiction
Christina Suzann Nelson
Book Proposals and First Chapters From Start to Finish
If creating a nonfiction book proposal feels daunting, this may be the CREW for you. We will carefully work through steps and strategies for each section of the proposal. We will also explore approaches for creating a compelling first chapter. What are the best techniques to make your proposal and opening chapter stand out, and how can you avoid raising red flags in the minds of editors and agents?
Nonfiction
Joseph Bentz
Script to Screen: Screenwriting Basics to Box Office
Screenwriting, that ever elusive mystical beast of creative writing. This CREW begins with screenwriting basics and will include discussions and practice sessions covering story structure, script watchouts, marketing your script, what producers are looking for, and working in the industry of filmmaking.
Specialty
David Hyde & Leann Barna
For intermediate and advanced writers, by application only.
Career CREW
Elevate Your Craft, Career, and Connections
Specialty
You are invited to join other career writers for a full day of interactive community, learning, and discussion. Faculty are invited to register for Career CREW, to be held on Thursday, October 23, the day before the main conference, co-hosted by WCCW Executive Director Susy Flory and Kathi Lipp along with several guest speakers. Bring your latest book or article, business card or flyer, and get to know the other intermediate-to-advanced writers who are there by application only. This is the kind of day where great friendships and productive collaborations are birthed!
Career CREW highlights:
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Industry updates: What industry experts are talking about
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The latest on AI issues and tools for writers
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Thoughtful, high-level discussions on the craft of writing
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A survey of the publishing ecosphere
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What’s new and popping in the area of platform
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The business side of writing: How do writers pay their bills, earn a profit, and even save up money? Leave with a basic business plan
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Navigating divisive topics (ie, politics?!)
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Kelley Way, an attorney on the WCCW Board, will be on hand to give a talk and answer questions on author legal issues
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The spiritual life of the writer: What keeps you sane and grounded in Christ in an ever-changing and sometimes chaotic world?
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NEW: Mastermind moment (by application): Bring a current writing or business worry to the group for feedback and wise guidance.
Whether you're an established author seeking to reinvigorate your brand or a seasoned freelancer exploring new ventures, this collaborative experience will provide the time to think through and discuss writing, publishing, marketing, and the writing life, and how to mindfully and prayerfully assess and prepare for the upcoming years.
To apply, select the career CREW during registration, answer the questions in the registration form, and submit your registration. If you don't qualify, we will refund your CREW ticket. Please note that this CREW will have a larger group size, with up to twenty attendees. Questions on this CREW group? Email info@westcoastchristianwriters.com.
