Schedule for the 19th Annual Rochester Writers’ Conference
Fiction, Nonfiction, 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
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. – 9:30 a.m. Check-in Registration – Founders Ballroom Lobby
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Coffee, Breakfast Snacks, Networking – Ballroom A
9:30 a.m. Morning Welcome from Michael Dwyer – Ballroom A
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Write Here. Write Now. Leaning Into my Roots Defined my Voice and my Story – Morning Keynote Speaker Sara Maurer – Ballroom A
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Break*
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Breakout Session One
- The Journey from Book to Audiobook with Rachael Doolan – Ballroom A
- Literary Agent Panel – Meet the Agents with Carrie Howland, Linda S. Glaz, Alice Speilburg, & Moderated by Lisa Howard – Ballroom B
- Making The Most Of Your Book Signing with Brenda Hasse – Ballroom C
11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Break*
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Breakout Session Two
- TBA – Ballroom A
- First Page Critiques with Terry Hojnacki – Ballroom B
- The Top Three Revision Techniques I Learned from My Agent and Editor with Kristin Bartley Lenz – Ballroom C
12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Lunch & Conversation – Ballroom A
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Write, Draw, and Laugh Through It Afternoon Keynote Address – Karen Bell-Brege & Darrin Brege with Q&A (Book Signing to Follow) – Ballroom A
2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Break*
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Breakout Session Three
- Open Room for Networking – Ballroom A
- Obstacles: Partners on the Path to Publication with Sara Maurer & Kate Crane – Ballroom B
- Write the Genre You Mean: Word Choice, Pacing, and Voice with Linda S. Glaz – Ballroom C
3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Break*
3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Breakout Session Four
- Open Room for Networking – Ballroom A
- Self-Published Indie Author Panel with Karen Bell-Brege, Darrin Brege, & Brenda Hasse – Ballroom B
- Your Book Contract is a Business Strategy: Understanding the Agreements that Shape Your Career with Alice Speilburg – Ballroom C
4:50 p.m. Raffle and Wrap-up – Ballroom A
Registration to attend the 2026 Fall Rochester Writers’ Conference includes keynote addresses, breakout sessions, coffee, snacks, lunch, and parking. Check-in will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the first session at 9:45 a.m. The conference will conclude 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).
