Schedule for the 18th Annual Rochester Writers’ Conference
Fiction, Non Fiction, Craft, and Business Topics presented as Lectures, Workshops, and Panel Discussions. Featuring Michigan Authors, Speakers, Agents, and Educators.
- Saturday | October 18, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Held in the Oakland Center at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan
Presentations for the Conference will consist of Lectures (classroom style), Workshops (hands-on lecture), and Panel Discussions (Q&A). Breakout sessions run one hour.
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Check-in Registration – Founders Ballroom Lobby
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Coffee, Breakfast Snacks, Networking – Ballroom A
9:45 a.m. Morning Welcome from Michael Dwyer – Ballroom A
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Session One
- Open Room for Networking – Ballroom A
- Literary Agent Panel – Meet the Agents with Carrie Howland, Linda S. Glaz, and moderated by Lisa Howard – PANEL DISCUSSION – Ballroom B
- Writing to Capture and Engage Your Reader with Stan Williams – LECTURE – Ballroom C
11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Break*
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Session Two
- Mining Your Life for Story with Lynne Golodner – WORKSHOP – Ballroom A
- Write Smarter, Stay Private: Self-Hosted AI for Indie Authors with Donovan M. Neal – LECTURE – Ballroom B
- Flash Your Muse: Your P.A.T.H To Beating Writer’s Block with Allison Spooner – LECTURE – Ballroom C
12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch & Conversation – Ballroom A
1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Mapping your Author Path with Lynne Golodner – KEYNOTE – Ballroom A
1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Break*
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Session Three
- LinkedIn 101 for Authors with Brenda Meller – LECTURE – Ballroom A
- Self-Published Indie Author Panel with Donovan M. Neal, Allison Spooner, Sabrina Wagner, and Moderated by Terry Hojnacki – PANEL DISCUSSION – Ballroom B
- The Independent Middle-Grade Author – From Inspiration to Distribution with David Stricklen – LECTURE – Ballroom C
3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Break*
3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Session Four
- Open Room for Networking – Ballroom A
- Author Branding 101: Build a Lasting Impression with Sabrina Wagner – WORKSHOP – Ballroom B
- First Page Critiques with Terry Hojnacki – WORKSHOP – Ballroom C
4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Break*
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Raffle and Giveaways – Ballroom A
One Registration to attend the Rochester Writers’ Fall Conference. Includes keynote, breakout sessions, coffee, snacks, lunch, and parking. Check-in will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the first session 10:00 a.m. The conference will end by 5:00 p.m.
Please Note:
*Breaks allow presenters to set up for the next session and offer attendees a chance to visit the restroom, grab a fresh coffee, and network with other writers. Bring business cards. Presenters’ books will be available for purchase at the registration table.
Please Note: All events take place in the Oakland Center of Oakland University (312 Meadow Brook Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326). Use the parking lot (P1) and walk East for the shortest distance into the Oakland Center. Use the Interactive Map to zoom in and view parking and building information. The Oakland Center is positioned between the parking lot and the Clock Tower. Look for Bright Yellow Signs. The Oakland Center on this Campus Map (zoom in for a better view).
Rochester Writers 