SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, September 26th

6:30–9:30 p.m. | Industry Mixer

Kick off the conference weekend with one of our most anticipated events: the Industry Mixer—a relaxed, invitation-only gathering where publishing professionals and creators come together to connect, celebrate, and build lasting relationships.

SATURDAY, September 27th

NOTE: ALL pitches, critiques, portfolio reviews are VIRTUAL on Sept 29th, 30th, and Oct 1st

NOTE: There are 3 tracks offered this year, pertaining to craft: novel, PB, illustrator. Please register for a track. If you straddle these topics, you are welcome to join different sessions if there is a seat available day-of.

8:00 - 8:30 a.m. | Registration (Portfolio Showcase setup)

8:30 - 8:50 a.m. | Coffee + Portfolio Showcase viewing

8:50 - 9:00 a.m. | Welcome Remarks + Scholarships + Awards Mention

9:00 - 9:40 a.m. | Opening Keynote: Tiffany Yates Martin, Editor & Book Coach

9:40 - 9:50 a.m. | Break

9:50 - 10:30 a.m. | Breakout 1

• Novel: Emotion in Action: Crafting High-Stakes Scenes (Erin Cotter)
• PB: How to Add Tension in Picture Books (Vanessa Roeder)
• Illustrator: Using Line Quality to Convey Mood and Movement (Tracy Shaw)

10:30 - 10:40 a.m. | Break

10:40 - 12:00 p.m. | Workshop 1

• Novel: Using Nonverbals to Bring Scenes to Life (Tiffany Yates Martin)
• PB: First Draft Frenzy (Chris Barton)
• Illustrator: Joy & hilarity in your illustration process (Eliza Kinkz)

12:00 - 12:30 p.m. | Lunch

12:30 - 1:10 p.m. | Breakout 2 (Lunch & Learn)

• Novel: Diagnose your manuscript's problem: Character, Pacing, Plot? (Monica Rodriguez)
• PB: Stealing from Comedians: Learn practical comedic “hacks” (Cate Berry)
• Illustrator: Building Dynamic Character Designs (Includes color theory) (Tracy Shaw)

1:10 - 1:20 p.m. | Break

1:20 - 2:40 p.m. | Workshop 2

• Novel: Character Evolution: Creating Relatable Arcs  (Adrianna Cuevas)
• PB: Writing what's trending vs. writing what you want (Claire Tattersfield)
• Illustrator: Discovering your publishing niche: more than just picture books (Mallory Grigg)

2:40 - 2:50 p.m. | Break

2:50 - 3:20 p.m. | PAL Panel (Host: Former Austin RA, Samantha Clark)

3:20 - 4:00 p.m. | Closing Keynote: Mallory Grigg, Art Director

4:00 - 4:10 p.m. | Closing Announcements

4:10 - 5:00 p.m. | Book Signings + Portfolio Showcase + Door Prizes

NOTE: ALL pitches, critiques, portfolio reviews are VIRTUAL on Sept 29th, 30th, and Oct 1st