Schedule for the 17th Annual Rochester Writers’ Conference
Fiction, Non Fiction, and Business Topics presented as Lectures, Workshops, and Panel Discussions. Featuring Michigan Authors, Speakers, Agents, and Educators.
- Saturday | October 19, 2024 | 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
- Amazon 101: Kindle Direct Publishing: Sylvia Hubbard – LECTURE – Ballroom A
- Literary Agent Panel – Meet the Agents: Carrie Howland, Linda S. Glaz, and Justin Brouckaert Moderated by Lisa Howard – PANEL DISCUSSION – Ballroom B
- Choosing the Best Point-of-View for Your Story: Linda Sienkiewicz – WORKSHOP – Ballroom C
11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Break*
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Session Two
- Making Keywords Count: Increasing Your Book’s Discoverability on Amazon: Sabrina Wagner – LECTURE – Ballroom A
- How to Build Your Author Platform: Lisa Howard – WORKSHOP – Ballroom B
- He Said, She Said. How to Write Opposite Genders Correctly: Linda S. Glaz – LECTURE – Ballroom C
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Lunch & Conversation – Ballroom A
1:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Surviving the Writing Life with Bonnie Jo Campbell – KEYNOTE – Ballroom A
1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Break*
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Session Three
- AI Tools for Writers: Donovan M. Neal – LECTURE – Ballroom A
- Polishing Your Novel: Key Points And Tips In Editing: Brenda Hasse – LECTURE – Ballroom B
- Are We There Yet? How Place Informs Writing: Carrie Howland – LECTURE – Ballroom C
3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Break*
3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Session Four
- Creating Collections: Bonnie Jo Campbell – LECTURE – Ballroom A
- Indie Publishing Panel: Sabrina Wagner, Donovan M. Neal, and Brenda Hasse – PANEL DISCUSSION – Ballroom B
- What Happens After the Book Deal: Justin Brouckaert – LECTURE – 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.
- At-the-door Registration is $190.00 CASH, CHECK, OR CARD
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 