2026 Session Schedule
LCC Conference Center
Lansing Community College West Campus
5708 Cornerstone Dr. Lansing, MI 48917
8:30 Registration and Coffee
9:00 Opening | Rob Edwards
9:00 Keynote | Stephen Mack Jones (free to the public)
Living the Writer’s Life
10:00 – 11:00 Session 1
Auditorium: CRAFT | Writing Stories from Place | Dawn Burns
How a place can be an active force that shapes characters, themes, conflict, and the emotional core of fiction and nonfiction.
Cadillac Room: POETRY | How Art Influences Writing – Music and Words | Mary Anna Kruch
Learn how your response to music can result in new ideas and answers, compose a poem, and receive resources.
Buick Room: Living, Breathing, Bleeding, Characters | Stephen Mack Jones
How to create characters that come to life on the page.
Chevrolet Room: From Michigan to Manhattan (Yes, it can happen to you) | Carrie Howland, Sara Maurer
Join an agent and author in candid conversation about turning writers conference connections into a Big Five book deal.
OldsmobileRoom: Book Swap/Swipe | Networking
Catch your breath, meet other writers, and take a book (or more).
11:00 – 11:30 Authors Alley: Break and Books
11:30 – 12:30 Session 2
Auditorium: CRAFT | The Hero’s Journey | Colleen Gleason
Understanding the structure and components of this classic character arc can help writers create compelling stories that help readers connect deeply.
Cadillac Room: POETRY | War Poetry | Esther Belin
Introduction to the history and function of War Poetry, including reading through examples and writing your own war poem.
Buick Room: Telling the Truth Without Telling It All | Holly Mayes
How memoir transforms lived experience into meaning. Find the central question beneath your personal stories and write with honesty and care.
Chevrolet Room: Fantasy Writing | Jim Hines
Beyond swords and wizards, learn to bring depth and originality to your magical world, characters, and story.
Oldsmobile Room: Book Swap/Swipe | Networking
Catch your breath, meet other writers, and take a book (or more).
12:30 – 1:30 Feeding the Soul: Lunch, Networking & Authors Alley: Break and Books
1:30 – 2:30 Session 3
Auditorium: CRAFT | Worldbuilding | Jim Hines
Whether your story is set in downtown Lansing or a galaxy far, far away, the world you describe has to feel real.
Cadillac Room: POETRY | Transforming Wounds into Wings | Marcel Fable Price
Explore the creative journey of self-transformation turning wounds into scars, and scars into stories.
Buick Room: Your Publishing Path | Jen Wahl
Compare the pros and cons of the three-types of publishing: Traditional, Independent, and Hybrid. Find which one is right for you.
Chevrolet Room: Telling the Short Story Backward | Kevin Fitton
Endings in short fiction can pose special challenges. Learn how to find and execute conclusions that feel both convincing and satisfying.
Oldsmobile Room: Book Swap/Swipe | Networking
Catch your breath, meet other writers, and take a book (or more).
2:30 – 2:50 Author’s Alley: Break and Books
2:50 – 3:50 Session 4
Auditorium: CRAFT | Charting Character Change | Bethany Neal
We read novels to watch a character grow, develop a new mindset, a new worldview, and a healthier way of coping with life. Learn how to map the kind of character arc that every story needs.
Cadillac Room: POETRY CRITIQUE | Marcel & Mary Anna
Bring a short poem to read for instant, honest feedback.
At least 10 people will be chosen to read their poetry.
Buick Room: The First Page | Erin Bartels
Improve your chances of getting an agent to read page two.
At least 10 people will be chosen to read their first pages.
Chevrolet Room: Healing in Writing | Julie Mariouw
Learn how to create the most effective environment to encourage healing in writing, using metaphor, the senses, the physical body and nature.
Oldsmobile Room: Book Swap/Swipe | Networking
Catch your breath, meet other writers, and take a book (or more).
A Rally of Writers 