DFWCon 2026: Full Schedule

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7:30am CDT

Conference Doors Open

Saturday October 3, 2026 7:30am - 5:15pm CDT

Hurst Conference Center

Saturday October 3, 2026 7:30am - 5:15pm CDT
Hurst Conference Center 1601 Campus Dr, Hurst, TX 76054

Event

8:00am CDT

Welcome to DFWCon 2026

Saturday October 3, 2026 8:00am - 8:20am CDT

Ballroom

We'll kickoff DFWCon 2026 with key information about this year's conference, hosted as always by horror writer and emcee for the weekend, Russell Connor.

Speakers

Russell C Connor

Russell C. Connor has been writing horror since the age of five. His short fiction has appeared in such publications as Black Petals Magazine, Alien Skin, Burial Day, Sanitarium, Beware the Dark, and the Stupefying Stories Showcase, as well as the anthologies Roadkill: Tex... Read More →

Saturday October 3, 2026 8:00am - 8:20am CDT
Ballroom

Event

8:30am CDT

Get Out of the Way: Writing First Person That Pulls Readers In

Saturday October 3, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT

Room 2

First-person POV can create an extraordinary bond between character and reader, but writing "I" doesn't automatically create intimacy. In fact, common first-person habits can unintentionally push readers away. In this practical, craft-focused workshop, literary agent Kelly Dyksterhouse explores narrative distance and the techniques that make first-person narration feel immediate, authentic, and emotionally compelling. Through examples from popular novels, writers will learn how to recognize distancing language, avoid common POV traps, handle description and interiority more naturally, and develop a character voice readers will happily follow.

Speakers

Kelly Dyksterhouse

Kelly Dyksterhouse is a literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency.

She represents picture books, middle grade and young adult, both fiction and nonfiction, as well as graphic novels. She also represents illustrators.

For middle grade, she loves books with ensemble casts, books about good kids making bad decisions and then having to get themselves out of it, quests and hijinks, spooky stories and mysteries, and historical novels that feel relevant. For YA, Kelly is looking for much of... Read More →

Saturday October 3, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Room 2

Business

8:30am CDT

Growing Up: Moving from Writing YA to Adult Fantasy

Saturday October 3, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT

Room 3

While YA books chronicle the trials and tribulations of adolescence, writing for adult readers has trials of its own, from exploring a different stage of life, to what content is allowed and expected and, especially for fantasy, making the magic feel 'grown up'. This class will cover a range of topics for those looking to make the switch, or write their first-ever adult fantasy. (Note, while my primary expertise in this regard centers around fantasy, I can and will include topics that cover the differences between the YA and adult genres overall, regardless of genre.)

Speakers

Sean Fletcher

Sean Fletcher is the award-winning, bestselling author of a number of fantasy series, such as the Savage Wilds, My Dearest Monster, Legacy of Dragons, Heir of Dragons, and more, in addition to forthcoming books whose characters will not give him a moment's peace until they get their turn in the spotlight. When not making up highly-enjoyable lies and putting them down on paper, he's often doing something most people find masochistic, like cyclin... Read More →

Saturday October 3, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Room 3

Business

8:30am CDT

Age Isn't Just a Number: Exploring Age Categories in KidLit

Saturday October 3, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT

Room 1

When it comes to kidlit, age is more than just a number. Our readers span the developmental stages from first steps to leaving the nest (with countless important moments in between) and our writing must keep pace. Understanding age categories is a vital part of our writing and illustrating practice, especially in the current climate of book banning. In this session, we’ll discuss the key differences of kidlit age categories, from board book to young adult, and why these distinctions matter now more than ever. Then, we’ll explore relevant examples and do hands-on exercises to practice what we’ve learned.

Speakers

Anna Lindsey

Saturday October 3, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Room 1

Craft

8:30am CDT

How to Revise a Chapter: Let's Edit a Chapter Together (Live!)

Saturday October 3, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT

Room 6

If you've ever wanted to see how real editor feedback shapes an author's work, this is the class for you! In this session, I'll share how the opening chapter of THE GREAT OUTDOORS iterated into its final, published version—including actual feedback I got from my editor at Simon & Schuster during the revision process! We'll do a live edit during class, which will include a mix of big-picture issues all the way down to tiny line edit tweaks, with bonus thoughts on "How do I know which notes I should take?" that you can apply to your own projects.

Speakers

Kayla Olson

Saturday October 3, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Room 6

Craft

8:30am CDT

✅ [START HERE] A FIRST-TIMER'S SURVIVAL GUIDE TO CON

Saturday October 3, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT

Room 5

Your first writers conference can feel like landing somewhere with no map. What do I say during my free agent pitch session, why is everyone buzzing about the Gong Show, and how does Read & Critique work? This survival guide session breaks down the conference’s structure, turns networking into something natural instead of forced, covers do’s and don’ts for pitching, and shows how to turn Con into real momentum for your writing. Taught by someone who was lost in your exact seat three years ago. Bring your questions!

Classes with ✅ in the title like this one are especially good for newcomers.

Speakers

Hayley Bell Parker

Saturday October 3, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Room 5

Event

Skill Level ✅ New Attendees

8:30am CDT

Dear Agent: Querying, Pitching, And Slush Piles

Saturday October 3, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT

Room E-F

Ask the agents anything about querying, pitching, and how to get "the call."

Speakers

Christine Goss

Christine Goss is a literary agent with FinePrint Literary Management.

She graduated from Lake Forest College with a BA in communications. Formerly a sales representative, her skills pair well with her love of reading and story development. As an author herself, the craft of writing is very important to her when she looks at manuscripts... Read More →

Kevin O'Connor

Kevin O’Connor has always worked at the intersection of business and creative. As an agent, Kevin takes on children's projects (Ziggy Marley's Pajammin') and serious adult nonfiction, Who We Are by Jeffery Robinson, with a forward by Tom Hanks.

Kevin is the founding director of The Center for Nonfiction, a Columbia University Community Scholars Project dedicated to helping journalists and scholars understand the formal needs of trade publishers. He is an adjunct professor at NYU and currently working on a maste... Read More →

Eloy Bleifuss Prados

Eloy Bleifuss Prados is a literary agent with Neon Literary.

For fiction, he is especially interested in literary fiction along with character-driven, elevated genre fiction. His favorite novels are ones that bridge the high and the low, the real and the imaginary, the trashy and... Read More →

Eva Scalzo

Eva Scalzo is the Agency Director and Senior Literary Agent at Speilburg Literary. A lifelong romance reader—ever since discovering Sweet Valley High in the fifth grade—she proudly inherited her grandmother’s collection of vintage Harlequins and never looked back.

She gravitates toward voice-driven YA and romance with heart, humor, and hope—stories where falling in love leads to self-discovery. She loves high-concept premises, lush and escapist settings, sharp banter, and joyful tones that embrace emotional depth. Eva actively... Read More →

Saturday October 3, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Room E-F

Panel

8:30am CDT

Read & Critique

Saturday October 3, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT

Room 4

Read a short piece of your writing, then get feedback from published writers and industry professionals.

Speakers

John Bartell

John Bartell is a past president of the Fort Worth Poetry Society and of the DFW Writer’s Workshop. His poems can be found in various journals, including The Orchards Poetry Review, Canyon Voices, The Loch Raven Review, Horror Writers Association Poetry Showcase X and XI, and... Read More →

Brooke Fossey

Brooke Fossey was once an aerospace engineer with a secret clearance before she traded it all in for motherhood and writing. She’s a past president and an honorary lifetime member of DFW Writers’ Workshop. Her work can be found in numerous publications, including Ruminate Mag... Read More →

Helen Dent

Helen Dent's career as a writer began at age nine, when her grandfather paid her a dollar a page for what turned into quite a lengthy story. She studied monster theory (among other things) in graduate school, taught English at a Chinese university, and toured the Scottish Hebrides... Read More →

Saturday October 3, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Room 4

Read & Critique

9:30am CDT

Creating An Online Presence As An Author

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT

Room 5

One of the most daunting things for authors in today's world of publishing is how to create an online presence. Whether you're still drafting, already agented, on submission, have a book deal, or are already published, there will be tips, tricks, and suggestions to help you through the process.

Speakers

Nikki Carrero

Nikki is a literary agent with The Rights Factory and has a background in education and in publishing.

Her love for the written word began when her grandmother brought her to the bookstore as a kid to pick out new books. She's currently looking for adult or young adult fiction in the following genres: mystery, thriller, romance, romantic suspense, magical realism, women’s... Read More →

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT
Room 5

Business

9:30am CDT

Bridge Over Troubled Water II

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT

Room 1

Last year, I discussed how using a "Bridge," like those used in music, can keep your story from sagging in the middle. This year, I'm going further. I'm explore the structure holding that bridge up. It's called a Problem Nest: The problems that the protagonist faces as they move from the midpoint to the final act of the story. We'll analyze the Problem Nests of popular movies and, more importantly, the archetypes of the allies solving these problems for the protagonists, as defined in Christopher Vogler's THE WRITER'S JOURNEY. With the aid of these problem-solving archetypes, the protagonist crosses the bridge, and enters the climax a character that readers can't wait to cheer for.

Speakers

Brian Tracey

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT
Room 1

Craft

9:30am CDT

Navigating Literary and Revelatory Poetry

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT

Room 2

This class seeks to create a distinction between two types of poetry, the literary and the revelatory, and how a healthy approach to that dichotomy can benefit all writers. With the former challenging poets to stress the boundaries of the poem and the latter teaching writers to capture the integrity and honesty of a first draft, the ability to recognize each camp and master their benefits galvanizes all writers towards greatness. This class will feature an educational lecture, followed by an interactive workshop experience.

Speakers

Moon Abbas

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT
Room 2

Craft

9:30am CDT

Your First Five Pages

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT

Room 6

Your first five pages are the seeds of your story—the moments that will hook readers and make them eager to turn the page. In this class, you’ll learn how to cultivate a compelling opening that sets the stage for an unforgettable narrative journey. We’ll review the essentials of an opening scene, common pitfalls, and what goes into a powerful beginning—all while having fun planting ideas you can grow in your own work. We’ll put these techniques into practice through writing prompts. This class is intended for writers who already have a firm story idea and are actively drafting, rather than those exploring new concepts.

Speakers

Jacquelin Cangro

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT
Room 6

Craft

9:30am CDT

✅ Understanding and Utilizing Narrative Position

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT

Room 3

Narrative position is one of the fundamental building blocks of storytelling, yet many authors struggle with to grasp it. Going beyond a simple matter of point-of-view, narrative position adds incredible layers to a story. In this class, I will teach narrative position by studying examples of effective and ineffective narrative position and equipping authors with the tools they need to deepen their story through their narrative position.

Is this your first writers conference? Classes with a ✅ in the title like this one are especially good for newcomers.

Speakers

Meg Blasingame

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT
Room 3

Craft

Skill Level ✅ New Attendees

9:30am CDT

Love Hurts: Conflict, Separation, And Angst In Romance

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT

Room E-F

How does conflict, separation, and emotional tension deepen a romance and make the eventual reunion more satisfying? Panelists will discuss balancing angst with hope, raising the emotional stakes, and creating obstacles that strengthen the love story rather than simply delay the happy ending.

Speakers

Sydney Applegate

Katherine Center

BookPage calls Katherine Center “the reigning queen of comfort reads.” She’s The New York Times bestselling author of over half a dozen books, including How to Walk Away, Things You Save in a Fire, and What You Wish For. Her latest, The Shippers, was released on May 19, 202... Read More →

Kayla Olson

Lauren Lanza Osias

Madeline Warthan

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT
Room E-F

Panel

9:30am CDT

So Here's My Problem: FIction

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT

Room 4

Everyone gets stuck. Ask published writers and industry professionals how they’ve worked through similar problems.

We have several So Here’s My Problem sessions, each covering a different topic.
This one focuses on Fiction.

Speakers

Dana Swift

Dana started making up fantasy worlds when she was eleven years old and hasn’t stopped since. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned degrees in English and Advertising. Dana currently lives in Austin with her husband and her two dogs whose... Read More →

Katie Bernet

Katie is The New York Times, USA Today, and #1 Indie bestselling author of Beth Is Dead. She’s an award-winning creative director and a long-standing member of the DFW Writers’ Workshop. As the oldest of three sisters, she’s a diehard fan of Little Women.... Read More →

Sarah Mensinga

Andy C. Naranjo

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT
Room 4

Read & Critique

10:30am CDT

Book Signing: Sydney Applegate, Kayla Olson, Brian Tracey, Madeline Warthan

Saturday October 3, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am CDT

Bookstore

Speakers

Sydney Applegate

Kayla Olson

Brian Tracey

Madeline Warthan

Saturday October 3, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
Bookstore

Book Signing

10:30am CDT

Reels, SEO & Carousels, Oh My! Intermediate Social Media Tips

Saturday October 3, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am CDT

Room 3

In this class, two social media professionals will teach you not what and when to post, but tips and tools to build your author presence online without wasting all of your time.

Speakers

Lauren Lanza Osias

Karoline Chapman

Saturday October 3, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
Room 3

Business

10:30am CDT

Character Assassination: How to Torture Your Characters with Their Past

Saturday October 3, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am CDT

Room 6

Build likable, relatable, and flawed characters who your readers will root for on every page. Use backstory and internals to dive into their troubled pasts without slowing the pace of your novel. Dig deep into why your characters act they way they do.

Speakers

Jennifer Moorhead

Saturday October 3, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
Room 6

Craft

10:30am CDT

How to Hide Research in Historical Fiction

Saturday October 3, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am CDT

Room 5

We love our research, but when it comes to writing historical fiction, we have to fight the urge to show it all off. Learn specific strategies for invisibly weaving facts into your fiction so the plot will keep moving, characters will keep developing and readers will keep reading.

Speakers

Laura M. Johnson

Saturday October 3, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
Room 5

Craft

10:30am CDT

✅ Mind Your Mannerisms

Saturday October 3, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am CDT

Room 1

When first writing, everyone imitates, but how do we get past that to create interesting stories? What’s the difference between an homage, a pastiche, a ripoff? Everybody borrows. Discover how to put your own spin on tired old cliches.

Is this your first writers conference? Classes with a ✅ in the title like this one are especially good for newcomers.

Speakers

A Lee Martinez

Sally Hamilton

Saturday October 3, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
Room 1

Craft

Skill Level ✅ New Attendees

10:30am CDT

✅ Read Like You Write: Unlocking the Wisdom of Your Literary Heroes

Saturday October 3, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am CDT

Room 2

We all recognize writing that makes our hearts soar and our pulses race, but how do we make that happen on our own page? Set the craft books to the side for an hour, and let's talk about strategies for finding practical answers to your thorniest writing questions, all within the pages of your favorite books.

Is this your first writers conference? Classes with a ✅ in the title like this one are especially good for newcomers.

Speakers

Laura DuPuy

Saturday October 3, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
Room 2

Craft

Skill Level ✅ New Attendees

10:30am CDT

Beyond The Default: Representation, Inclusion, and Authentic Storytelling

Saturday October 3, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am CDT

Room E-F

How can writers create stories that reflect the richness and complexity of the world around them? Panelists will discuss writing characters across identities, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences; avoiding stereotypes and tokenism; researching beyond one’s own perspective; and approaching representation with empathy, specificity, and care.

Speakers

Jade Wong Baxter

Jade Wong-Baxter is a literary agent with the Frances Goldin Literary Agency.

She's looking for adult literary and upmarket/bookclub fiction, as well as narrative nonfiction. She particularly enjoys coming-of-age narratives; novels exploring queer identity; stories set within a specific subculture or hidden world; grounded speculative (no high fantasy... Read More →

Nikki Carrero

Nicole Luongo

Nicole Luongo is an Associate Editor at Grand Central Publishing (GCP), part of Hachette Book Group. At GCP, Nicole acquires a wide range of edgy, voice-driven upmarket fiction, with a particular emphasis on amplifying marginalized voices.

Her editorial interests include upmarket speculative fiction (especially with a feminist bent); genre-subverting psychological thrillers (think cunning female perpetrators and unreliable narrators); select coming-of-age stories; and satire or dark comedy (she’s a sucker... Read More →

Andy C. Naranjo

Saturday October 3, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
Room E-F

Panel

10:30am CDT

Read & Critique

Saturday October 3, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am CDT

Room 4

Read a short piece of your writing, then get feedback from published writers and industry professionals.

Speakers

Mark Dye

Larry Enmon

Blair Lovern

Blair was a reporter when newspapers roamed the earth. Now he writes silly ghost stories.

Saturday October 3, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
Room 4

Read & Critique

11:30am CDT

Book Signing: Sean Fletcher, A. Lee Martinez, Jennifer Moorhead

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm CDT

Bookstore

Speakers

Sean Fletcher

A Lee Martinez

Jennifer Moorhead

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm CDT
Bookstore

Book Signing

11:30am CDT

How To Hook An Agent – From The Query Letter Through The Opening Pages

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm CDT

Room 2

From the query letter through the opening pages: An agent must sift through hundreds, even thousands of queries. Learn what makes an effective query letter and how to write a compelling opening for your sample pages. We will discuss how to write a grabby opening while avoiding the dreaded white room and its evil twin, the cliffhanger opening.

Speakers

Michael Carr

Michael Carr is a literary agent with the Veritas Literary Agency.

With a strong background in editing and writing, Michael enjoys teaching at workshops and conferences to help develop emerging writers. He is fluent in Spanish and speaks conversational French. Before joining Veritas, Michael had professions as diverse as programming simulators... Read More →

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm CDT
Room 2

Business

11:30am CDT

How the Door Swings: A Guide to Writing Romance Heat Levels

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm CDT

Room 6

Whether you keep the door closed, leave it cracked, or blow it off the hinges, there's an art to mastering the different heat levels in romance novels. This class is all about how you navigate which heat level best fits your brand and how to make it authentic for you and your readers.

Speakers

Sydney Applegate

Madeline Warthan

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm CDT
Room 6

Craft

11:30am CDT

Micro Expressions, Macro Impact: Writing Body Language That Speaks

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm CDT

Room 5

Facial expressions and body language are some of the most powerful tools in a writer’s arsenal—but they’re also some of the easiest to overuse. In this class, we’ll talk about how to write meaningful nonverbal communication without falling back on repetitive gestures, empty actions, or bloated stage direction. Learn how to assess the emotional undertones of a scene to choose movements, expressions, and physical blocking that deepen characterization and tension while keeping prose immersive and natural. We’ll also discuss the fundamentals of stage blocking in fiction and how to choreograph intentional, organic movement so your scenes feel alive on the page rather than mechanically arranged.

Speakers

Amber Helt

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm CDT
Room 5

Craft

11:30am CDT

Writing Human Women

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm CDT

Room 1

Female characters written to be strong are often swinging a sword, or wearing a pantsuit, or girl bossing it up. And that’s wonderful. But we can go further. We can reflect a whole range of female strength in our writing. In this class, we will explore different forms of strength, and complex traits, you can give your female characters. Come learn how to get your leading lady leaping off the page and becoming lifelike.

Speakers

Caitlin Jacobs

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm CDT
Room 1

Craft

11:30am CDT

✅ Treat Every Book Like a Thriller: Tips for Writing Page-Turners in Any Genre

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm CDT

Room 3

Join NYT bestselling author Katie Bernet for tips on how to write an “unputdownable” story in any genre.

Is this your first writers conference? Classes with a ✅ in the title like this one are especially good for newcomers.

Speakers

Katie Bernet

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm CDT
Room 3

Craft

Skill Level ✅ New Attendees

11:30am CDT

The Poet’s Eye: How Poetic Techniques Strengthen Every Writer's Work

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm CDT

Room E-F

Speakers

Moon Abbas

John Bartell

Brooke Fossey

Leslie Lutz

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm CDT
Room E-F

Panel

11:30am CDT

So Here's My Problem: Indie Marketing

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm CDT

Room 4

Speakers

Russell C Connor

Kay Goodnight

Matthew Rollins

Shawn Warner

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm CDT
Room 4

Read & Critique

12:30pm CDT

Lunch: Keynote Speaker Katherine Center

Saturday October 3, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm CDT

Ballroom

Saturday October 3, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
Ballroom

Event

2:10pm CDT

Book Signing: Katherine Center, Katie Bernet, Amber Helt

Saturday October 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT

Bookstore

Speakers

Katie Bernet

Katherine Center

Amber Helt

Saturday October 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT
Bookstore

Book Signing

2:10pm CDT

The Art Of The Elevator Pitch (Editor's Edition)

Saturday October 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT

Room 6

An editor-led workshop and deep dive into how editors pitch their books in-house — from editorial board meetings to formal sales presentations — feat. a group activity at the end of the session, "Pitch Wars," in which attendees will split into teams and role play as editors pitching a book internally.

Workshop goals: Offers insight into the kinds of questions editors ask themselves before pitching a book to an editorial board meeting or sales launch, and how this informs our acquisitions process. Authors will walk away from workshop with newfound tips/tricks on how to make your pitch stick and stand out on the publisher's side.

Speakers

Nicole Luongo

Saturday October 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room 6

Business

2:10pm CDT

The Art of Truth: Writing Nonfiction They Can't Put Down

Saturday October 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT

Room 1

This session teaches writers how to borrow narrative techniques from fiction—like pacing, tension, and "the hook"—to build a compelling structure that keeps readers turning pages. Learn how to bridge the gap between raw research and a finished manuscript that anchors every chapter.

Speakers

Dr. Kimberlee Mendoza

Saturday October 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room 1

Craft

2:10pm CDT

You Think That’s Funny?

Saturday October 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT

Room 2

Exploring the many styles and uses of humor in writing such as satire, dark humor, slapstick, and sarcasm. How and when each each of these humorous style additions can add depth to make characters unforgettable.

Speakers

BJ Sloan

Saturday October 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room 2

Craft

2:10pm CDT

✅ Book Balderdash: Play a Game, Fool Your Friends & Improve Your Writing!

Saturday October 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT

Room 3

Bluff your way to convention glory in a big game of book-themed Balderdash! Write short descriptions of imaginary plots and attempt to convince others you’re describing real, published books. The goal? Become a more concise writer who communicates ideas effectively, and explore how simple, direct writing makes for stronger storytelling. Oh, and be sure to bring your A-game because there will be PRIZES!!!

Is this your first writers conference? Classes with a ✅ in the title like this one are especially good for newcomers.

Speakers

Sarah Mensinga

Saturday October 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room 3

Craft

Skill Level ✅ New Attendees

2:10pm CDT

✅ Workshop: Top 5 Lessons from Self-Editing for Fiction Writers and How to Implement Them Now

Saturday October 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT

Room 5

Not every craft book is created equal, and Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King is a treasure of a book loaded with advice that can transform your book on every level. Bring a scene and work with a partner under the guidance of Kate Khavari, USA Today Best selling author and craft book snob, whether you think it just needs polishing or a total overhaul.

Is this your first writers conference? Classes with a ✅ in the title like this one are especially good for newcomers.

Speakers

Kate Khavari

Saturday October 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room 5

Craft

Skill Level ✅ New Attendees

2:10pm CDT

Literary Smackdown

Saturday October 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT

Room E-F

Speakers

John Bartell

Mark Dye

A Lee Martinez

Lauren Lanza Osias

Saturday October 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room E-F

Panel

2:10pm CDT

Read & Critique

Saturday October 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT

Room 4

Read a short piece of your writing, then get feedback from published writers and industry professionals.

Speakers

Leslie Lutz

Moon Abbas

Saturday October 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room 4

Read & Critique

3:10pm CDT

Book Signing: Kate Khavari, Sarah Mensinga, BJ Sloan

Saturday October 3, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT

Bookstore

Speakers

Kate Khavari

Sarah Mensinga

BJ Sloan

Saturday October 3, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT
Bookstore

Book Signing

3:10pm CDT

The Untraditional Choice: Indie Press or Self-Pub?

Saturday October 3, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT

Room 2

Lone wolf? Independent spirit? You're not alone! More and more authors begin their publishing careers with something non-traditional. Come learn the whys and why nots of going the indie press or self-published route to publication.

Speakers

Matthew Rollins

Shawn Warner

Saturday October 3, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room 2

Business

3:10pm CDT

Banter and Barbs

Saturday October 3, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT

Room 5

Nothing is born from the void--and neither are the fantasy worlds we love to read about and create in our own work. This class is designed to help attendees use the world they know--their homes, the familiar streets, and the places they see everyday--to create grounded worlds in their fantasy genre pieces. After all, authors put in little bits of themselves in everything they create, and what better way to build a fictional world than one that includes the cracked tiles of their bathroom or the vaulted ceilings of their local city hall.

Speakers

Dana Swift

Andy C. Naranjo

Saturday October 3, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room 5

Craft

3:10pm CDT

Character Driven Fiction

Saturday October 3, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT

Room 6

Discover how to use your main character's goal, motivation, and conflict to drive and enhance the plot of your novel.

Speakers

Madelyn Knecht

Saturday October 3, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room 6

Craft

3:10pm CDT

Me Write Pretty One Day

Saturday October 3, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT

Room 1

How do some authors do it? In just a few sentences, they evoke a kaleidoscope of emotions, set the mood, or draw an entire character. After dissecting the work of some incredible authors, this class will exercise their own writing abilities by workshopping a few underdeveloped passages into powerful ones. In the process, you’ll fill your sentence structure toolbox to improve your flow, style, tone, and impact.

Speakers

Brooke Fossey

Helen Dent

Saturday October 3, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room 1

Craft

3:10pm CDT

✅ Writing in the Margins

Saturday October 3, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT

Room 3

We've all seen how writing looks in the movies—aesthetic writing desk, soothing soundtracks, and perfect weather. But what happens when real life (neurodivergence, disabilities, parenthood, night shifts, etc.) gets in the way? This session explores practical ways to build a writing practice that fits your brain, your schedule, and your reality so you can hit your writing goals.

Is this your first writers conference? Classes with a ✅ in the title like this one are especially good for newcomers.

Speakers

Madeline Warthan

Saturday October 3, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room 3

Craft

Skill Level ✅ New Attendees

3:10pm CDT

Trust No One: Building Dread and Suspense in Thrillers and Mysteries

Saturday October 3, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT

Room E-F

Explore how thriller writers create unease, escalate tension, and keep readers anticipating what might happen next. Panelists will discuss pacing, atmosphere, foreshadowing, psychological pressure, and the careful release of information that turns danger into dread.

Speakers

Katie Bernet

Larry Enmon

Stacey Graham

Stacey Graham is a literary agent with 3 Seas Literary Agency.

Stacey has worked both sides of the literary door as a humor writer with the wickedly funny Zombie Tarot, screenwriter, ghostwriter, short story writer, and specializes in offbeat nonfiction.

She loves working with writers at all stages of their careers, representing talented authors and illustrators from around the globe in picture books, middle grade, romance, graphic novels, and nonfiction. She is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents... Read More →

Brian Tracey

Saturday October 3, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room E-F

Panel

3:10pm CDT

So, Here's My Problem: Querying

Saturday October 3, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT

Room 4

Speakers

Rosemary Clement

Sally Hamilton

Lauren Lanza Osias

Rebecca Seifert

Rebecca Seifert is an author living in Dallas, Texas, and the 2026 DFW Writers’ Conference Director.

Saturday October 3, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room 4

Read & Critique

4:10pm CDT

Book Signing: Helen Dent, Brooke Fossey, Matthew Rollins, Shawn Warner

Saturday October 3, 2026 4:10pm - 4:25pm CDT

Bookstore

Speakers

Brooke Fossey

Helen Dent

Matthew Rollins

Shawn Warner

Saturday October 3, 2026 4:10pm - 4:25pm CDT
Bookstore

Book Signing

4:10pm CDT

✅ Long Story Short: Tips On Writing The Synopsis

Saturday October 3, 2026 4:10pm - 5:00pm CDT

Room 5

If you’ve struggled to explain your many thousand word book in a few hundred words, you’re not alone! This workshop will cover tried and true tricks on getting the most important story beats into your synopsis.

Is this your first writers conference? Classes with a ✅ in the title like this one are especially good for newcomers.

Speakers

Eva Scalzo

Saturday October 3, 2026 4:10pm - 5:00pm CDT
Room 5

Business

Skill Level ✅ New Attendees

4:10pm CDT

Anatomy of the Unreliable Narrator

Saturday October 3, 2026 4:10pm - 5:00pm CDT

Room 2

We all love a good anti-hero character, but what about the unreliable narrator? What IS an unreliable narrator and why would a writer choose that approach? This class helps writers understand the purpose of the unreliable narrator by looking at successful examples in literature and film and dissecting the methods and outcomes that make it such a compelling point of view.

Speakers

Jalyn Renae Fiske

Saturday October 3, 2026 4:10pm - 5:00pm CDT
Room 2

Craft

4:10pm CDT

The Editorial Escape Room: Curse on a Doomed Draft

Saturday October 3, 2026 4:10pm - 5:00pm CDT

Room 3

Something has gone terribly wrong with this manuscript. Legend has it the draft is cursed—and only a team of sharp-eyed writers can break the spell.
In this hands-on, fast-paced workshop, participants will work in small groups to solve a series of editorial “puzzles” designed to rescue a story before time runs out.
Equal parts craft lesson, puzzle room, and collaborative chaos, this session transforms the editing process into an adventure. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned writer, you’ll sharpen your editorial instincts, learn how to identify (and fix) common manuscript mishaps, and have more fun editing than you thought possible.
Break the curse. Save the story. Escape the draft — if you can.

Speakers

Aubrey Green

Saturday October 3, 2026 4:10pm - 5:00pm CDT
Room 3

Craft

4:10pm CDT

Turn That Spark into a Blaze: 7 Steps to Crafting Compelling Conflict

Saturday October 3, 2026 4:10pm - 5:00pm CDT

Room 6

Conflict ignites every scene in your novel. But how do you stoke those fires to keep your readers engaged and your plot moving?
In this workshop, you'll learn that conflict isn't about confrontation; it's about character choices. This 7-step method will guide you in turning up the heat on your characters with intense stakes and escalating tension.
Get ready to light up your manuscript with the tools to craft a story so powerful, it will burn in the minds of your readers long after they turn the final page.

Speakers

Dawn Alexander

Saturday October 3, 2026 4:10pm - 5:00pm CDT
Room 6

Craft

4:10pm CDT

Writing for Kids These Days

Saturday October 3, 2026 4:10pm - 5:00pm CDT

Room 1

WRITING FOR KIDS THESE DAYS examines current reading/publishing trends in the YA spaces through research data and anecdotes from 7th grade readers. This class is designed to equip authors with the tools needed to create a youthful engaging voice to write a story “kids these days” are interested in reading.

Speakers

Meg Blasingame

Saturday October 3, 2026 4:10pm - 5:00pm CDT
Room 1

Craft

4:10pm CDT

Here Be Dragons: Making Exposition in Your Fantasy Invisible

Saturday October 3, 2026 4:10pm - 5:00pm CDT

Room E-F

How do you pitch fantasy without explaining the whole world? How much does a reader truly need to understand in the opening chapters? What are your favorite ways to reveal worldbuilding through action rather than explanation? What are the clearest signs that exposition has become an info dump? When can dialogue carry exposition successfully, and when does it sound like characters explaining things they already know?

Speakers

Kelsey Evans

Kelsey began as an editor, helping writers shape their work through developmental feedback, query critiques, and revision guidance.

Later, she moved into agenting, interning with Triada US and Creative Media Agency (CMA), where she gained hands-on experience in manuscri... Read More →

Sally Hamilton

Kate Khavari

Chelsea Moyer

Chelsea Moyer is a literary agent with the Raven Quill Literary Agency.

She loves genre fiction (especially mashups), speculative fiction, as well as contemporary. She's looking for stories that are fantastical, fierce, and filled with “big feelings" in Middle Grade, YA, and Adult categories. Prior to Raven Quill, Chelsea graduated with her M... Read More →

Saturday October 3, 2026 4:10pm - 5:00pm CDT
Room E-F

Panel

4:10pm CDT

Read & Critique

Saturday October 3, 2026 4:10pm - 5:00pm CDT

Room 4

Read a short piece of your writing, then get feedback from published writers and industry professionals.

Speakers

Karoline Chapman

A Lee Martinez

Sarah Mensinga

Saturday October 3, 2026 4:10pm - 5:00pm CDT
Room 4

Read & Critique

7:00pm CDT

Cocktail Reception

Saturday October 3, 2026 7:00pm - 10:00pm CDT

Hurst Conference Center

Join us in the Hilton Garden Inn grand ballroom for the Saturday night cocktail party. This is your opportunity to rub elbows with our literary agents in a relaxed atmosphere. Listen for the cowbell for your chance at door prizes!

Saturday October 3, 2026 7:00pm - 10:00pm CDT
Hurst Conference Center 1601 Campus Dr, Hurst, TX 76054

Event