DFWCon 2026: Full Schedule

12:00pm CDT

Pre-Con Workshop: Pitch Perfect SOLD OUT

Friday October 2, 2026 12:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

This Class has SOLD OUT

Get a jumpstart on the weekend and come perfect your pitch! Young adult authors, Katie Bernet and Dana Swift, will lead a speed-dating style pitch practice class alongside 10 agented members of the DFW Writers’ Workshop. You’ll learn how to pitch your book, how to query, then practice your pitch in person and receive feedback in real time.

Katie and Dana have attended DFWCON for over 10 years and were both agented at the conference. Learn from those who know what it takes to get signed. You could be next!

We’ll bring the refreshments but there’s limited seating, so don’t miss out.
All proceeds go directly into supporting the nonprofit DFW Writers’ Workshop.

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 →

Friday October 2, 2026 12:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 4:10pm - 5:00pm CDT
Room 5

Business

Skill Level ✅ New Attendees

9:00am CDT

Publishing 101

Sunday October 4, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

Room 5

How publishing works: basic jobs, P&Ls, advances, contracts, royalties, marketing, and publicity.

Speakers

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 →

Sunday October 4, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 5

Business

10:00am CDT

✅ Feed Your Readers: All About Social Media Content For Authors

Sunday October 4, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Room 5

Tired at staring at a blank post wondering what to share? Let’s fix that! This class will help you up your social media game and tackle the creative side of author marketing. We’ll break down your brand, brainstorm content, and craft a content strategy that connects with your ideal audience—without draining your writing time.

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

Speakers

Sydney Applegate

Madeline Warthan

Sunday October 4, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 5

Craft

Skill Level ✅ New Attendees

11:00am CDT

Grammar AMA

Sunday October 4, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 5

(Ask Me Anything) Let’s face it: grammar isn’t everybody’s strong suit. So come field all your grammar questions and concerns with someone who has taught language, usage, and mechanics for over a decade, because I know there’s that one grammar rule you’re ashamed you’ve never learned. Is it the Oxford comma (I’ve used one in this course description)? Is it the proper use of the semicolon? Subjunctive mood? Predicate nominatives? Passive voice? Participles?! We can discuss it all without shame and without judgment, and I’ll give you tips for using these concepts to elevate your writing!

Speakers

Mark Dye

Sunday October 4, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 5

Craft

1:40pm CDT

Write a Picture Book with Me!

Sunday October 4, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm CDT

Room 5

Team up with author/illustrator Sarah Mensinga to write an amazing picture book. As you and other class attendees combine forces to create a brand-new story, you’ll explore theme and plot, craft unique characters, discuss potential illustrations, and consider what makes picture books appealing to young readers… as well as agents, editors, and booksellers. Become a better picture book author through hands-on creative collaboration.

Speakers

Sarah Mensinga

Sunday October 4, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm CDT
Room 5

Craft

2:40pm CDT

The Art of the Breakup

Sunday October 4, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm CDT

Room 5

In romance writing, breakups and major conflicts aren’t just dramatic twists; they’re essential turning points that test your characters and make the happily-ever-after truly satisfying. This beginner-friendly class will help you understand how to write emotionally impactful breakups that deepen your story rather than derail it. We’ll explore the role of the breakup in romance: what drives it, how to make it believable, and why it’s crucial for character growth. If you've ever struggled with writing the “breakup beat” or feared pulling your couple apart, this workshop will give you tools to craft breakups that feel earned, while avoiding melodrama or cliché, and you’ll learn how to rebuild the relationship in a way that reflects growth, trust, and lasting connection.

Speakers

Jacquelin Cangro

Sunday October 4, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm CDT
Room 5

Craft

3:40pm CDT

The Art of the Memoir: Telling Your Story

Sunday October 4, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT

Room 5

Many aspiring memoirists begin with journals of their personal stories, but a memoir is more than a record of what happened. While a journal is written for the writer, a memoir is crafted for the reader! The difference lies in structure, scene selection, pacing, and emotional resonance. In this class, we'll explore how to transform real-life experiences into a compelling narrative that remains authentic while keeping your reader hooked! Learn how to identify the heart of your story and shape meaningful life events into a cohesive narrative arc that balances vulnerability and authenticity with the craft of storytelling. Whether you're writing about grief, faith, family, healing, or personal transformation, this session will empower you to write a memoir that honors your experience while grabbing your reader.

Speakers

Carrie Turner

Sunday October 4, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
Room 5

Craft

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