Pre-conference Sessions
Attending a speaking and writing conference is a big step, and you want to get the most from the experience. Do you want to go deeper? Add a pre-conference session hosted live on July 13th + 14th. Start learning before the conference begins on July 14th.
$100 each (unless specified) including materials
Must be purchased with a conference ticket
Our Premier Ticket includes 1 pre-conference session
You can purchase more than one session. Option at checkout.
Writers’ Pre-Conference Options
Co-Taught by Bethany Jett & Michelle Medlock Adams
Length: 3 hours
Did you know that you naturally point your knees and feet towards the person you’re most interested in? Only 7% of communication is verbal, so writers must pack more in their arsenal than a long list of publication credits and a thirty-second elevator pitch.
The tone of voice, posture, clothing choice, firmness of handshake, and body language more than communicate who we are, even at the subconscious level.
In this session, you will learn:
- The Do’s and Don’ts for meeting with editors and agents
- How to engage others with or without a formal introduction
- Social media etiquette: the good, bad, and ugly
- How to use body language to your benefit
Taught by Bob Hostetler
Length: 3 hours
An author and literary agent of deep and wide experience offers three hours of instruction on writing all forms of nonfiction, from newspaper and magazine to book and more.
Includes:
- a discussion of often overlooked opportunities for publication
- what you need to know about rights
- how to put your best foot forward
- kinds of articles to write
- and how, queries and one-sheets, and essential elements of a nonfiction book proposal.
$100 – Book Proposal Intensive Clinic
Presented by Dave and Cindy Lambert
Limit: 25 registrants
Length: 3 hours
• Non-fiction Proposal Template
Prerequisite: Complete and bring with you a working proposal. Please download and use one of the templates above, or you may use a proposal model you’ve found on your own.
A winning book proposal is a tool that entices seven audiences to grasp a contagious vision for a book, and then equips them to successfully play their parts in placing the book into the hands of its ideal readership.
In this three-hour intensive clinic, you will be introduced to:
- the business side of publishing decisions
- the real details behind the closed doors of editors and publishing boards
- the craftsmanship to write an enticing proposal that captures the interest of publishing professionals.
“Proposal-writing classes have always left me feeling a bit bewildered. Each instructor had their own, different list of “musts,” “do’s,” and “don’ts.” The fog lifted for me after working with Cindy Lambert at the Colorado Christian Writers' Conference.” Lori Hynson, Author of SuperGal vs God
Presented by Kathy Bruins and Kim de Blecourt
Limit: 25 registrants
Length: 3 hours
• Non-fiction Proposal Template
Prerequisite: Attendees for this session should come with a first draft completed using one of our two proposal templates above. Registered attendees will receive directions (via email, before the conference) to help you pull together the necessary information for your proposal
The BOOK PROPOSAL STUDIO is for writers in the process of preparing a book-length manuscript to present to agents or editors for traditional publication consideration. A well-written book proposal helps you to clarify your project so you can clearly communicate your idea for publishing consideration. Your book proposal must also answer the questions on an agent or editor’s mind, such as:
- the message of your book idea,
- your book idea’s audience,
- your book idea’s competition,
- and more.
“Kathy & Kim walked us through each step of writing a book proposal and equipped us with the tools necessary to go home and start the process right away. I highly recommend their wisdom and expertise.” --Barbara Winters, Attendee
Co-Taught by Suzanne Kuhn & Vincent B. Davis II
Length: 3 hours
In an ever-growing field of content how are you discovered? How will your book stand out to readers? Join Vincent Davis and Suzanne Kuhn of Brookstone Creative Group as they dig into Amazon best practices.
You will learn how to utilize the world’s largest bookseller to not only sell books by gaining new readers, but to turn those readers into your fans, and your fans into a career-long platform opportunity.
By Blythe Daniel
$50
Literary agent Blythe Daniel is offering to do critiques for up to twenty attendees prior to the conference. She will read 10 pages of a book proposal or manuscript, whichever you prefer, in Word format. She will provide detailed feedback with comments and recommendations of next steps, and critiques will be returned by email before June 30.
By Shellie Arnold
FINAL EXTENSION of deadline: Only ten spots left for those who want to participate in the Advanced Manuscript Review. Interested Speak Up attendees will pre-submit their manuscript synopsis, outline, and up to the first fifteen pages, no later than July 1, 2021. Shellie will evaluate for clarity, focus, continuity, market viability, and presentation. She will also do a deep edit of portions of the manuscript itself and return to the author no later than July 10, and will meet virtually with each individual writer for forty-five minutes by Zoom between July 1 through July 20 to answer questions and assist in finalizing edits. Keep in mind you must be registered for the 2021 conference--this review is available to Speak Up conferees only.
Speakers’ Pre-Conference Options
$100— 7 Strategies to Secure Speaking Engagements (3 hours)
Taught by Robyn Dykstra
Are you searching for more audiences to benefit from the messages God has given you?
Let Robyn Dykstra provide the inside scoop on securing more opportunities to speak. You’ll leave this interactive session with:
- 7 tried and true strategies to secure events.
- A great elevator pitch that will capture an event planner’s attention.
- The pro-tips you need to find, land and negotiate as many gigs as your calendar can handle.
Taught by Jill Savage
Length: 3 hours
Years ago, a speaker’s primary stage was one he or she actually stood on in front of an audience sitting in chairs. The internet and social media have completely changed that. There are dozens of stages you can “stand” on each and every day. In this 3-hour pre-conference session, you will:
- Expand your understanding of what a stage is.
- Identify next steps to embrace each kind of stage.
- Discover different audiences who need your message and influence.
- Learn the language of online marketing and educational platforms.
- Be inspired to broaden your influence.
- Strengthen your ability to deliver a power-packed message on any stage.
$100 — 15-minute video presentation with one-to-one critique with a Speak Up faculty member – 30-minute time slot
The final product will include your 15-minute (max) ZOOM video, and specific verbal feedback that will move your speaking to the next level. Your 30-minute appointment will begin with reviewing the answers to the questions below. Then you will view your pre-recorded video with your Speak Up faculty member. Your content can be a complete talk, or a portion of a longer talk. You will be given feedback on both content and delivery during your 30-minute appointment. Video Worksheet - printable instructions
"How to" instructions will be available guiding you through taping your 15-minute presentation.
Ministry Development Options
$100 – Essential Tech Tools—for Writers, Speakers & Leaders (3 hours)
Co-Taught by Carol Ensminger & Shawna Culp
Length: 3 hours
In this Pre-Conference session, we will discuss key components to help you take your story to the world using the latest technology. We will help erase any fears of tackling technology in your ministry by presenting key ideas and then spend some time with hands-on support implementing the ideas.
In this course, you will:
- Learn how to create a framework to sell your story.
• Receive marketing tips to help your online presence come alive.
• Find out what words to never use on social to get more viewers and interaction.
• Review the benefits of apps and online programs to save time and money.
• Learn how to take one talk and make money through online courses.
• Receive a FREE eBook to manage a quality book launch team.
Join us as we help you use technology to take your book, speech, or ministry to the next level.
An excellent session for both writers and speakers.
$100 - How to Make a Living as a Writer and Speaker (3 hours)
Co-Taught by Pam and Bill Farrel
Length: 3 hours
International speakers and best-selling authors of Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti, Pam & Bill Farrel, will teach you how to take an idea, a thought, or a truth and begin building a full-time ministry around it. Pam & Bill will share their journey from being a struggling young couple who invested their last $25 in a writers’ conference that grew into a full-time writing, speaking, and coaching ministry, membership community, as well as for profit and non-profit organization experience.