WriteHive Annual Conference Schedule
Panels & Presentations
Below is a schedule of all panels and presentations during the Conference. Click on the date to see the day’s events. ALL TIMES ARE IN EDT. To see how this translates to your time zone, we suggest using a time and date converter, such as this one.
You may also RSVP for desired panels and presentations on the private WriteHive Conference Discord (once it is open), which will send you alerts so you don’t miss a session. If you don’t know if you have notifications on, not to worry! This link will show you all the ins and outs of Discord notifications.
All events prerecorded unless noted. Event times may change before the conference.
Opening Remarks
LIVE VIA DISCORD AUDIO -- Join us to officially kick off this year's conference!
WriteHive Staff
How to Choose an Editor
It takes a village to publish a book, but finding the best people for your village is hard. Join our panel of editors as they discuss what you should look for in an editor, red flags to avoid, and how to know when an editor is right for you. (Moderator: Justine Manzano)
Chyina Powell
Multimind
Jennifer L. Collins
Justine Manzano
In This Economy? How to Fund Writing on a Shoestring Budget
The many approaches to self-publishing have one thing in common: they require investment, often in the form of cold hard cash! If your income is limited and you're not sure where to start, attend this panel to learn about fundraising, pitfalls to avoid, and general ideas for publishing on a budget. (Moderator: Tej)
Jen Karner
Neal Holtschulte
Samantha Bryant
Sylvester Barzey
Tej
On Indie Bookstores by Booksellers
Congratulations, you've published your book! But now, how do you get your words into the hands of eager readers? Independent bookstores are an excellent option for selling and marketing your work. This panel of booksellers will teach you how to connect and work with stores in your area! (Moderator: Adria Bailton)
C. Rae D'Arc
Erica Rose Eberhart
Adria Bailton
Amena's Top 10 Cybersecurity Recommendations
Cybersecurity auditor and consultant Amena Jamali will provide some easy ways to increase authors' and creatives' cybersecurity online. In this unstable world, digital security is becoming trickier. These are her Top 10 recommendations to help combat rising risks. (Moderator: Justine Manzano)
Amena Jamali
Justine Manzano
Guest of Honor: DeAndra Davis
Join us for an exclusive interview with Guest of Honor DeAndra Davis! We'll talk about her writing journey, influences, challenges, and more! DeAndra Davis is an award-winning, neurodivergent, Jamaican-American author whose books feature main characters as messy as she is. She loves 100%'ing video games and reading worlds more interesting than her own. She has too many kids, dogs, and songs from Wicked on her phone. (Moderator: Hien Nguyen)
DeAndra Davis
Hien Nguyen
Check Your Bias: Reading and Editing Mindfully
Recognizing one's own biases when beta reading and self-editing can be challenging, but it is an essential skill for writers and readers to develop. Join this panel to learn why understanding biases is important and how to address them in your work. (Moderator: Stefanie Contreras)
Briana N Cox
Dr. Lara Ameen
Priscilla Thomas
Robin LeeAnn
Stefanie Contreras
Legislators Gonna Legishate: A Book Ban Discussion
"Book banning" is all over the news, but what does it really mean for readers, authors, and society as a whole? Learn why this controversial practice might do more harm than good and what we can do to oppose it. (Moderator: Samantha Bryant)
Diane Billas
Eira Brand
Lauren T. Davila
Samantha Bryant
Tone/Word Choice Game (LIVE)
LIVE VIA ZOOM - How do the specific words you write affect the tone of your story? Can you use the same adjectives in a light and airy YA romance that you would use in a gothic horror? Join author Lexi Smith McNicholas in this LIVE workshop to have fun with word choice! (Moderator: Julie Savage)
Lexi Smith McNicholas
Julie Savage
Ask the Expert Roundtable: Animals in Fiction (LIVE)
LIVE VIA DISCORD AUDIO - Join authors and animal experts Jessica Lewis and Keshe Chow in an informal discussion and Q&A about how we write about animals in fiction, the roles animals play, and how Jessica and Keshe's professional backgrounds are reflected in the books they write. (Moderator: Elle Zi Dong)
Jessica Lewis
Keshe Chow
Elle Zi Dong
Predicting the Future: Where Science Fiction Could Explore Next
Science fiction is often a way for authors to explore real life scientific possibilities in imaginary circumstances, and sometimes these fictional stories accurately predict the future! Join this panel to see what our authors think the genre is going next. (Moderator: Adria Bailton)
Cristina Jurado
Robert Jeffrey II
Valerie Valdes
Adria Bailton
Staying Safe While Marketing
Some authors will do anything to get their work into reader's hands. However, in the current world, steps must be taken to maintain privacy and safety. Our panel will discuss the potential dangers writers face while promoting their work and how to ensure safety. (Moderator: Hien Nguyen)
Christiane Knight
Lacy Phillips
Hien Nguyen
A Matter of Perception: Creating or Minimizing Distance in POVs
Authors agonize over which point of view to choose, but it can strengthen a story to be just as intentional about the distance used in the narration. Distance can determine how close a reader feels to the character and events, not to mention how deeply they feel the emotions within the scene. In this panel, authors discuss how to utilize distance and how it can enhance your writing style. (Moderator: Sean Morrissey Carroll)
Brenda LaTorre
Hien Nguyen
Kionna Walker LeMalle
Moniza Hossain
Sean Morrissey Carroll
Query Letter Workshop (LIVE)
LIVE - Author Lindsay Merbaum leads this workshop all about the all-powerful query letter! Lindsay will dissect existing letters to show you why they work (or why they don't!) and teach you how to write your own. (Moderator: Brianna Heath)
Lindsay Merbaum
Brianna Heath
Practical Tips for Avoiding Ableism in Your Writing
Despite best intentions, some authors can struggle to write disabled characters without defaulting to harmful language and cliches. Join author Nicoletta Poungias as they share practical tips for portraying disabled characters while avoiding ableist language. (Moderator: Jerusha Rene)
Nicoletta Poungias
Ask the Expert Roundtable: Publishing (LIVE)
LIVE VIA DISCORD AUDIO - Have questions about the publishing process? Our panel of experts with editing and small press experience are here to help! If you have questions about editing mistakes or publishing paths, you're invited to come ask them here! (Moderator: Adria Bailton)
EA Noble
Lauren T. Davila
R.J. Joseph
Sara-Jayne Slack
Adria Bailton
Futurism in Fantasy
Readers often associate futurism with science fiction, but futurism can also be explored via the genre of fantasy. Our panel discusses the subgenre and how its settings are developed through myth, magic, technology, and visionary worldbuilding. (Moderator: Solar Hoàng)
Joshua D. Martin
Robin LeeAnn
Sean Morrissey Carroll
U.M. Agoawike
Solar Hoàng
Aspec Love: Putting the A in Romance
Most stories assume that romantic and sexual attraction are universal, intertwined, and necessary for a fulfilling relationship. But asexual, aromantic, and other aspectrum experiences challenge that assumption and reveal hidden mechanics behind all human connections. This panel explores what writers can learn about aspectrum romance in fiction, whether their characters are allo, ace, aro, or anywhere else on the vast spectrum of attraction. (Moderator: R.A. Shadel)
Dr. Lara Ameen
Harper Kinsley
Marie Parks
Multimind
R.A. Shadel
Poetry Open Mic (LIVE)
LIVE VIA DISCORD AUDIO - Come read your poems and listen to other poets in this karaoke-style Poetry Open Mic with host Dawn Vogel!
Sandra Bond
Dawn Vogel
Media Literacy 101
Every piece of writing, whether fiction or nonfiction, has an author with their own background, biases, and goals. Acknowledging this context can help a reader understand each piece and what to take away from it. In this panel, you will learn about what it means to be media literate (or media illiterate), what that means for today's world, and how to be mindful about the way you tell stories. (Moderator: Stefanie Contreras)
Brad Lee
Katta Kis
Matthew Phillion
Ryan C. Bradley
Stefanie Contreras
Women in Horror
For decades, we've heard that horror is a male-dominated field. However, since the inception of horror, women have been writing it. In this presentation, author Brenda LaTorre will reflect on female specific fears, female writers, and the history of women in horror, from the gothic tradition of Castle of Otranto, to the non-gothic Latin American tradition of magical realist horror. She'll also touch upon intersectional feminism and why reading diverse women is important, from trans women authors like Alison Rumfitt to African American authors like Helen Oyeyemi, we all have something different to tell. (Moderator: Alma Raymer)
Brenda LaTorre
Alma Raymer
Crafting a Killer Opening
Gothic suspense author Paulette Kennedy presents a webinar on crafting a "killer" opening, using examples from a variety of genres, helping you learn to apply compelling elements to your opening chapters that will hook readers and keep them invested. She'll cover opening lines, pacing and voice, whether or not to include a prologue, and more. After watching this presentation, you'll have the confidence to craft your own killer opening. (Moderator: Valerie Valdes)
Paulette Kennedy
Valerie Valdes
Authors as Reviewers and Bookbloggers
Authors are readers as well as writers, and our panelists are book reviewers and podcasters who discuss how they review and interact with books by other authors. They talk about the benefits reviewing can have on your own writing and some tips and tricks for those interested in becoming reviewers, as well as some things to avoid or be careful about. (Moderator: Dawn Vogel)
Michael Vadney
Nicholas W. Fuller
Nuhaa Bardien
Sylvester Barzey
Dawn Vogel
Fantasy as Social Commentary
Fiction has always been a medium through which authors can explore real-world issues through the filter of fantastical people and places. From escapism to political parallels, tune in to Fantasy as Social Commentary to learn how to write it effectively and why it's important. (Moderator: Jesse Pohlman)
Annie McCann
Julie Lew
Marve Michael Anson
Rose Black
Shepard DiStasio
Jesse Pohlman
Roundtable: Romance with a Capital R (LIVE)
LIVE VIA DISCORD AUDIO - Bring your romance questions to our panel of romance experts! (Moderator: Samantha Bryant)
Jessika Grewe Glover
Laura Lopes
Nuhaa Bardien
Sabina Nordqvist
Samantha Bryant
Kickstart Your Author Career
Are you ready to become an author but don't know where to start? You may already have everything you need to move forward. Join K. J. Harrowick, Alli Martin, and Kira Anderson for how to get down to business and kickstart your author career. (Moderator: AJ "Poppy" Alexanders)
Alli Martin
K. J. Harrowick
Kira Anderson
AJ "Poppy" Alexanders
Guest of Honor: Shepard DiStasio
Join us for an exclusive interview with Guest of Honor Shephard DiStasio! We'll talk about his writing journey, influences, challenges, and more! Shepard DiStasio (he/they) is a trans, disabled author with an affinity for dark fantasy and the gothic. He is a Swarthout Award winner in poetry, and his debut novel, VEIL US IN GOLD, was an Indie Ink Awards finalist for Trans/Non-Binary Representation. They have poetry in Passionfruit Review, DOG TEETH, Reverent: An Anthology of Divinity, and Wasteland Review. He has two cats with his partner, and loves to translate Attic Greek poetry between writing gay angst and replaying their fav video games (gay, always). (Moderator: Nicholas W. Fuller)
Shepard DiStasio
Nicholas W. Fuller
Elevator Pitch Workshop (LIVE)
LIVE - Author Patchree Jones talks about elevator pitches for books from a communications theory background, with plenty of tips for traditionally and indie published authors. (Moderator: Dawn Vogel)
Patchree Jones
Dawn Vogel
How to Level Up Your Self-Editing Skills
Self-editing is an essential part of writing, but that doesn't mean it's easy! Join our panelists as they discuss exactly what is involved with self-editing and then share mistakes to avoid and resources to make the process easier. (Moderator: A.P. Hawkins)
Heather Eng
James Lloyd Dulin
Rachanee Lumayno
Sarah Joy Adams
A.P. Hawkins
Painting the Scene: How to Describe with Voice and Clarity
A simple scene can be described in an infinite number of ways, but how do you make sure readers understand exactly what you want them to? And trickier yet, how do you make sure to do it in your voice (whatever that means!)? Join our panelists as they share what they have learned in their own writing experiences. (Moderator: Jonathan Nevair)
Jasmine Skye
Moniza Hossain
Robin Alvarez
Yxavel Magno Diño
Jonathan Nevair
Horror Writers Association Roundtable (LIVE)
LIVE VIA DISCORD AUDIO - The HORROR WRITERS ASSOCIATION (HWA) is a nonprofit organization of writers and publishing professionals around the world, dedicated to promoting dark literature and the interests of those who write it. Learn more about HWA and horror writing in general in this discussion where audience questions are answered! (Moderator: Christina Rosso)
L. Marie Wood
R.J. Joseph
Christina Rosso
Monstrous Love: Monster Romance as a Growing Genre
Monster Romance is a rapidly growing niche of books featuring relationships with monsterous love interests. Where did this start, and why are we seeing such an uptick in such fictional relationships? Join our panelists on a discussion of monster romance: its history, how to write it, and where you can find the monster niche you're looking to read. (Moderator: Samantha Bryant)
B.L. Brown
M.L. (Mel) Eaden
Raven Belasco
Stefanie Contreras
Samantha Bryant
Cozy Stories and Why They Matter
Cozy stories have been on the rise in recent years. Join our panel of cozy authors to explore why this is, how to write an effective cozy story, and where the future of cozy stories might be heading next. (Moderator: Valerie Valdes)
AJ "Poppy" Alexanders
Ash Kreider
Chyina Powell
E.M. Anderson
Yxavel Magno Diño
Valerie Valdes
A Few Strange Things: The World of an Unreliable Narrator
Most of the time, readers are meant to root for their main characters. We empathize and cheer them on as we follow their stories. But what happens when your MCs can't be trusted? How are you supposed to feel when your characters are intentionally unreliable? This panel explores the motivations, implications, and techniques of unreliable narrators. Whether we love or hate our MCs, unreliable narrators serve a unique and realistic foundation for so many stories. Or do they? (Moderator: Patchree Jones)
A.M. Shilling
Ashley N. Y. Sheesley
L. Marie Wood
Livia J. Elliot
Sierra Elmore
Patchree Jones
Master Class on Writing Dystopian Literature
Dystopian stories are opportunities for authors to explore what could be -- or what shouldn't be. This panel defines dystopian literature and its tropes, themes, and how it is related to science fiction and post-apocalyptic stories. (Moderator: Sean Morrissey Carroll)
H.M. Joinville
Ian Patterson
S. Morgan Burbank
Sonido Reyes
Sean Morrissey Carroll
Planning the Past: How to Create a Successful Prequel
Have you ever wondered how your characters got to where they are? Well then you might consider writing a prequel! But how do you tell a new story while maintaining consistency with the one that's already set in stone? Join our panel of prequel-writing authors to explore how to plan and write the perfect story-before-the-story. (Moderator: Brad Lee)
Amena Jamali
Justine Manzano
T.C. Smith
Brad Lee
Read Anything: 3 Min ‘Karaoke’ Open Mic (LIVE)
LIVE VIA DISCORD AUDIO - Got something you'd like to read before a live audience? Or just want to listen to authors read samples of their work? Come to the karaoke-style Read Anything Open Mic, where you can read for three minutes before we go to the next author! (Moderator: Dawn Vogel)
Marley Rose-Teter
Dawn Vogel
Ways to Protect Your Stories from AI
Generative AI is everywhere these days, and it feeds on hard work from real human authors. It can feel impossible to hide from AI, but join our panelists as they discuss strategies and platforms that could offer protection. (Moderator: Brianna Heath)
Matthew Phillion
T.C. Smith
Brianna Heath
Representation Matters: Bridging Creative Gaps
Representing marginalized communities in your writing without relying on harmful tropes or stereotypes is a crucial skill to develop. Join our panelists as they give tips on learning from lived experiences and ensuring positive and accurate representation. (Moderator: Hien Nguyen)
Annie McCann
Arini Vlotman
E.M. Anderson
Hien Nguyen
L. Marie Wood
What Writers Should Know about Libraries from Librarians
Libraries are an important resource for readers but for writers as well! Learn about what they can offer you including hosting your book on their shelves, holding promotional events, and other benefits you might not have thought about! (Moderator: Valerie Valdes)
H.M. Joinville
Lisa Rabey
Valerie Valdes
Recovering Creativity After Burnout
Creating art when life gets in the way can feel impossible. Join author Dianna Gunn for her presentation on finding your way back to writing after burnout. (Moderator: Brianna Heath)
Dianna Gunn
Brianna Heath
Red Flags to Watch for Before Signing Contracts
Signing a contract with an agent, publisher, or editor is exciting but can also be overwhelming. With all the tiny legal details to consider, you want to make sure you're making the best decision possible for your work. Join our panelists as they discuss what makes a good contract and red flags that should make you think twice before signing. (Moderator: Brad Lee)
Adria Bailton
AJ Super
Geoff Habiger
Solar Hoàng
Brad Lee
Steering Fiction Away From Abusive Characters (featuring Authors Against Abuse)
Depictions of abuse and violence against women and children are everywhere. In stories, in the media, in both our lives and escape mechanisms. Join K. J. Harrowick, Justine Manzano, and Kasey Rogers of Authors Against Abuse in this panel discussing the pitfalls of abuse in fiction and strategies for writers to avoid reinforcing this narrative. (Moderator: AJ "Poppy" Alexanders)
K. J. Harrowick
Justine Manzano
Kasey Rogers
AJ "Poppy" Alexanders
Writing Hopeful Futures
As more grim and dystopian stories hit the shelves, it is important to also offer hopeful narratives in these times. In this workshop, BrightFlame will discuss reasons for writing hope, methods for doing so, and offer a solarpunk how-to with story and resource examples. (Moderator: Alma Raymer)
BrightFlame
Alma Raymer
Small Press Roundtable (LIVE)
LIVE VIA DISCORD AUDIO - Bring your questions all about publishing with a small press to this panel of small press experts! (Moderator: Dawn Vogel)
Eliwood S. Gheist
Geoff Habiger
Lauren T. Davila
Sara-Jayne Slack
Dawn Vogel
Avoiding Bi-Erasure: Writing Bisexual/Pansexual Representation
Ships love to qualify relationships as straight or gay, and when a character is in a relationship, readers tend to define this by the gender of their partner. But how do we combat this with bi characters in committed relationships? Join our panel on Avoiding Bi-Erasure for tips and tricks on how to write awesome bi relationships and where to find them in fiction! (Moderator: AJ "Poppy" Alexanders)
Alethea Lyons
Julie Lew
Mia Moss
Paulette Kennedy
AJ "Poppy" Alexanders
How to Research for Historical Fiction
Historical fiction requires research to produce a believable setting, but how much is too much? What details of a specific time and place will carry the most weight? Join our panelists as they discuss their strategy and tips and tricks for finding the right balance. (Moderator: Brad Lee)
Diana Giovinazzo
Kionna Walker LeMalle
Lindsay Marie Morris
U.M. Agoawike
Brad Lee
Worldbuilding Workshop: Crafting a Queernormative World (LIVE)
LIVE - Join C.M. Rosens in this interactive workshop to explore worldbuilding specifically for queernormative worlds. (Moderator: Patchree Jones)
C.M. Rosens
Patchree Jones
Writing Scripts for Comics and Graphic Novels
Writing scripts for comics and graphic novels requires a different approach than writing prose. Join our panelists as they discuss their strategies and what to do (or avoid!). (Moderator: Jesse Pohlman)
Joshua D. Martin
Liam Quane
Melati Lum
Rachanee Lumayno
Jesse Pohlman
Healthy Agent-Author Relationships
Finding an agent is tough, and so can ensuring they're the right agent for you. This panel discusses what pitfalls and warning signs to watch for before signing with an agent, as well as what a healthy working relationship looks like. (Moderator: Carmeline Melchior)
DeAndra Davis
Jessica Lewis
M. Stevenson
Solar Hoàng
Carmeline Melchior
Trains are Awesome: Transportation in Fiction
Moving a character from one location to the next can be as easy as writing, "They left and then they arrived," but there are also plenty of opportunities for development and worldbuilding during these scene changes! This panel discusses how to get your character where they need to go, literally and metaphorically. (Moderator: S. Morgan Burbank)
Liam Quane
Patchree Jones
Rosemary Jones
Sean Morrissey Carroll
S. Morgan Burbank
Popular Poetry: Why the Forms Work and What’s Next (LIVE)
LIVE - Poetry—it's not just for books and literary journals. And in some cases, it might even make you a tiny—tiny—bit of money or be helpful as a promotional tool. We'll talk about a few tricks to sharpen your poetry and discuss some places to find, publish, or perform poetry for a popular audience: science fiction and fantasy poetry, social media/Instagram poetry, slam poetry, found poetry, self-printed/made chapbooks, and more. (Moderator: Dawn Vogel)
Mari Ness
Dawn Vogel
Guest of Honor: Carmeline Melchior
Join us for an exclusive interview with Guest of Honor, Carmeline Melchior! We'll talk about her writing journey, influences, challenges, and more! Born in Bangalore, India, and raised in Dubai, UAE, Carmeline Melchior strives to depict the cultures she grew up in accurately and authentically. Her writing is inspired by her challenges growing up in a patriarchal society, her experience as a former strategic affairs journalist, and her love for the great outdoors. Carmeline is represented by Marsal Lyon with the Tobias Literary Agency, and Carolina Beltran and Nicole Weinroth with MWE for film and television. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and baby dog. (Moderator: Patchree Jones)
How to Write Effective Anti-heroes and Anti-villains
Do you like your heroes and villains with a twist? Maybe writing anti-heroes or anti-villians could be what you need! Join this panel to learn all about them and how to make them work in in your story. (Moderator: Jesse Pohlman)
AJ Super
Marve Michael Anson
Michael G. Williams
Sierra Elmore
Jesse Pohlman
How to Find the Right Home for Poems and Short Stories
While many of us trudge through the trenches with our numerous novels and long-form work, there's another side of the industry one may have never considered. Literary magazines, small presses, and online publications often host calls for submissions of short-form work like flash fiction, poetry, and short stories. Sometimes, focusing on short form work has its advantages. This panel discusses the ins and outs of submitting poems and short stories for publication. From the benefits and challenges, to agents and trends, learn about how you can break into publishing with your poems and short stories! (Moderator: Patchree Jones)
Adria Bailton
Chyina Powell
Dawn Vogel
Mari Ness
Patchree Jones
Pro Secrets for Book Signings
While many authors never get to meet their readers, those that hold book signings get to connect with them face to face! But how do you schedule one? And where and when? And what do you do when you get there? Our author panel offers their tips and strategies for getting the most out of your book signing. (Moderator: Nicholas W. Fuller)
C. Rae D'Arc
R.J. Joseph
Samantha Bryant
Vanessa Ricci-Thode
Nicholas W. Fuller
Roundtable: Thrillers and Suspense (LIVE)
LIVE VIA DISCORD AUDIO - Bring your questions to this panel of thriller and suspense writers! (Moderator: Jonathan Nevair)
Eira Brand
Jennifer L. Collins
Laura Lopes
Jonathan Nevair
How to Use Commissioned Art for Book Promotion
Self publishing can be overwhelming: commissioning art and advertising doubly so. Join our panel of indie professionals to learn how best to commission art and use it to promote your books effectively. (Moderator: Brad Lee)
Makana Yamamoto
Rachel Kitch
T.C. Smith
Brad Lee
What to Know about Political Writing
What does it mean for your writing to be "political"? And is all art inherently political? Join our panel for a discussion about intention, the purpose of art, and taking a stand. (Moderator: S. Morgan Burbank)
Ian Patterson
Jesse Pohlman
Livia J. Elliot
S. Morgan Burbank
If I Could Turn Back Time: What We Wish We Knew Before Publishing
Whether traditionally or self-publishing, it always seems like there are a hundred new things to learn to become an effective author. Join our panel of author pros to learn the biggest tips and tricks these authors wish they knew before they published. (Moderator: James Lloyd Dulin)
Bruce Buchanan
Lucy A. McLaren
Robert Gwaltney
Tasneem Alam
James Lloyd Dulin
Closing Thoughts (LIVE)
LIVE VIA DISCORD AUDIO - Join us as we bring the 7th Annual WriteHive Conference to a close. A thank you to all our panelists, sponsors, and attendees. We will also be announcing the winner of the Sponsored Writer Award!
WriteHive Staff
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