Presentations for the 19th 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 17, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Held in the Oakland Center at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan
Morning Keynote Address – Michigan Author – Sara Maurer
Sara Maurer‘s debut novel, A Good Animal, is out now from St. Martin’s Press. Place deeply informs Sara’s writing, particularly how it influences identity and choice. She attended Albion College and Eastern Michigan University and completed the Stanford Continuing Studies certificate in novel writing in 2022. In 2023, she was selected as a Suzanne M. Wilson Artist-in-Residence at the Glen Arbor Arts Center. She lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with her husband, two kids, and mini Dachshund. www.SaraMaurerWrites.com
Afternoon Keynote Address – Author & Illustrator Team – Karen Bell-Brege & Darrin Brege
As a husband and wife, author and illustrator, comedy team, when they present, their goal is to inspire, educate and entertain. All of their presentations are high-energy and interactive. Rochester Writers is please to welcome back Karen and Darrin. www.KarenAndDarrin.com
Literary Agent Panel
Three literary agents come together for a panel discussion on the current literary landscape, submission tips, and what agents are looking for in new writers. This session will offer practical advice for authors looking to navigate the publishing world. This panel includes a Q&A session for attendees.
- Audience: Both nonfiction and fiction writers
- Panel Discussion: Carrie Howland, Linda S. Glaz, Alice Speilburg, and Moderated by Lisa Howard
Making The Most Of Your Book Signing
This presentation covers how to prepare for a book signing, a thorough checklist of what to bring, demonstrations of various ways to display books to maximize sales, how to engage potential customers, and ways to make a book signing a success.
- Takeaways: Attendees will be given the link to the presentation.
- Audience: Both nonfiction and fiction writers
- Lecture: Brenda Hasse
The Top Three Revision Techniques I Learned from My Agent and Editor
How do you bring your characters fully to life and generate an emotional response in your readers? Kristin Bartley Lenz will walk you through the two very different editing processes for her published novels. She’ll share the top three revision techniques that elevated her writing, and provide takeaway exercises to improve your craft at home. This craft lecture is for both novice and experienced writers. The primary audience is novelists, but also applicable to those writing short stories and memoir.
- Takeaways: Participants will learn a journaling prompt to deepen character development, a new and practical understanding of show don’t tell, and accountability methods that will elevate their writing.
- Audience: Primarily fiction writers
- Lecture: Kristin Bartley Lenz
The Journey from Book to Audiobook
The Journey from Book to Audiobook will offer authors insight on how to transform their written manuscript into a compelling listening experience using a professional audiobook narrator. Authors will learn why having an audiobook can enhance sales, how to find the right narrator for their book and what costs are associated with creating a quality audiobook. Attendees will be guided through the audiobook production process: including script preparation, performance choices, recording, editing/mastering/proofing, and final delivery. The session will highlight the value of a strong author-narrator partnership. Attendees should be interested in creating an audiobook from their book using a live narrator.
- Takeaways: 1. How to engage a professional narrator and the audition process. 2. What costs are associated with creating an audiobook 3.The time commitment, skills needed and the process that narrators go through to create an audiobook.
- Audience: Both nonfiction and fiction writers
- Lecture: Rachael Doolen
Your Book Contract Is a Business Strategy: Understanding the Agreements That Shape Your Career
A book contract shapes far more than your advance; it determines your rights, creative control, financial compensation, and long-term opportunities. We’ll break down the essential elements of a book contract—from rights and royalties to deadlines and reversion clauses—in a practical and accessible way. Participants will come away with a better understanding of what matters most, what can be negotiated, and what questions to ask.
- Audience: Both nonfiction and fiction writers
- Workshop: Alice Speilburg
First Page Critiques
Authors may submit a print copy of the first page of their short story, memoir, or novel (maximum 242 words) at conference check-in. During the critique workshop, pages selected randomly from all of the submissions will be read aloud anonymously to the audience. A short peer review will be conducted to see the strengths and weaknesses of the first page. This presentation is open to all. Whether an author is sharing work or sharing opinions, everyone can gain insight on the importance of the first page. And more importantly, did the first page grab the readers’ attention?
- Takeaways: The importance of hooking your reader on the first page and the benefits of beta readers and peer critiques.
- Audience: Both nonfiction and fiction writers
- Workshop: Terry Hojnacki
Self-Published Indie Author Panel
From production to promotion, our panelists will share their experiences with self-publishing, offering insights into the challenges and rewards of going independent. This panel includes a Q&A session and discusses the ins and outs of indie publishing. Indie publishing, also known as self-publishing, is when an author takes full control of the publishing process, from production to promotion, without going through a traditional publisher.
- Audience: Both nonfiction and fiction writers
- Panel Discussion: Karen Bell-Brege, Darrin Brege, and Brenda Hasse
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.
Attendees may bring a fully charged laptop or tablet. Although not necessary, a computer will enhance the experience with a hands-on feel. Use the hashtag: #RochesterWriters before, during and after the event in your posts, likes, and tweets.
Fresh hot coffee and tea available throughout the day. Light breakfast snacks and a full lunch included with registration. Please contact us if you have special dietary concerns. A charging station will be available for mobile devices in the registration area.
Attendees will be able to choose one presentation per session time at the conference. Schedule could change without notice – Rochester Writers reserves the right to add, subtract, or substitute any of the presentations and speakers. Thank you.
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).
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