DFWCon 2026

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.