Think Care-Bear Was An Overnight Success?

Guess Again!!

American Idol or The Voice?

Chances are great that you’ve watched one of those TV shows. There’s something magical about following the story of a nobody who becomes a somebody in the world of entertainment.

Kelly Clarkson

Carrie Underwood

Jennifer Hudson

Morgan Wallen

But I’m going to let you in on a secret: none of those contestants stepped on the stage for the very first time when they appeared on the show.

Every one of them were already paying their dues, learning their craft, and honing their performance skills.

I’m going to let you in on another secret: no successful author sells a ton of copies on their first attempt at writing a book.

READ. THAT. AGAIN.

How many football players skipped high school and college athletics to became professional football players?

Hmmmm...none come to mind.

Please stop me if you’ve heard me say this before: Every author needs guides to help them write a book that people will actually read.

The quickest way to sharpen your writing skills?

Attend writers conferences. As many as you can. Acquire the skills from the people who have already been successful.

Today, I’m excited to announce two writers conferences that will help you sharpen your skills.

Let’s go!

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Welcome to the Power Writers Report, our weekly update, packed full of powerful writing tips, productivity tools, platform-building strategies, author best practices, resources, and free stuff. 

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Click  here  to subscribe to the weekly Power Writers Report.

Click  here  to schedule an author strategy session with me.

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Penning the Past Workshop: Storytelling through Genealogy

March 15, 2025

8:30-4:30 PM

The Reel Factory Events Center

10488 W. Centennial Rd

Littleton, CO 80127

Hosted by The Colorado Genealogical Society

Have you come across some amazing family stories while working on your ancestry, and now you want to transform them into relatable characters and drama? 

Attend this one-day workshop and discover tools and inspiration from successful authors to help you overcome writer’s block, enhance your storytelling skills, and bring your ancestors’ stories to life.

Penning the Past is a writer’s workshop for genealogists and nonfiction writers who wish to preserve and share their family stories by way of vivid characterization and compelling narrative. Whether by memoir, fictionalized facts, or straightforward storytelling, discover some writing techniques for approaching your past and engaging your present readers.

In the morning, bestselling British author Nathan Dylan Goodwin will conduct two workshops: The Journey and Process of Writing Genealogical Crime Mystery Stories and Using Fact in Fiction.

In the afternoon, Illumify Master Book Coach Karen Bouchard and I will tag-team as presenters.

I will be giving two workshops: 

• Unlock Your Story: The Must-Know Basics for Writing a Compelling Book and 
• A Writers Best Friend: Putting AI to Work as Your Research Assistant.

Karen will be presenting her popular workshop Writing For Story.

The cost for this amazing day? $30 for CGS members and only $60 for non-CGS members. Price includes lunch if you register before March 8.

Click here for more information and to purchase your tickets.

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Rocky Mountain Christian Writers Conference

From Pen to Purpose: Writing that Changes the World

May 17

8:00am – 5:00 PM

Leprino Hall

Colorado Christian University

8787 W. Alameda Ave

Lakewood, CO 80226

After the Colorado Christian Writers Conference in Estes Park went solely online, a half dozen of us started meeting regularly to organize an annual in-person conference to replace it. Eventually, we hope to grow into a multi-day conference.

But this conference is going to be amazing!

>28 workshops including

• Scrivener from 0 to 60 with Debbie Maxwell Allen
• Top 10 Self-Editing Tips with Illumify copyeditor Deb Hall
• Identity, Culture, and the Hero’s Journey with Illumify ghostwriter Rick Killian
• How to be a Great Radio/Podcast Guest with Tez Brooks
• 10 Ways ChatGPT Can Make You A Better Writer with Michael J. Klassen
• Introduction to Screenwriting with Diane Butts

>Consultations with 13 agents and editors

>Our morning livestream keynote speaker will be Catherine de Vries.

Catherine is a dear friend whom I’ve known for 25 years. In my opinion, she’s the top Christian children’s publisher in the US. She’s the brains behind The Jesus Storybook Bible and the Action Bible. She’s currently the publisher of Kregal Publications.

>Our afternoon in-person keynote speaker will be Linda Evans Shepherd

Linda is a bestselling author, speaker, and leader in Christian publishing. She is the founder of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA), as well as the Golden Scroll and Christian Market Book Awards. She also serves as the publisher of Leading Hearts Magazine and the daily devotional Arise Daily.

If you register in the next week, your cost is only $89. Then it goes up to $99. Price includes lunch buffet. We're capping the attendance at 200.

Regardless of your genre or experience, you're going to find what you need to take your writing to the next level.

If you're more interested in one-one-one coaching, we have a stable of thoroughbreds who will help you cross the finish line. The first step is to schedule a no-obligation appointment so I can learn more about you and your book idea. Then I'll find the best match for you.

Let’s bring your book to life!