This summer, aspiring writers, seasoned adults and alumni are all welcome to attend Taylor University’s annual Professional Writer’s Conference.
The conference is held at Taylor University from July 23-25. The event offers a pre-conference track from July 23-24 and a general conference from July 24-25. Each course costs $159, or $249 for a bundle. There is also a special offer, including the same experience for high school students, $99 per event and $175 combined.
Most people attend the general conference, Taylor said. It offers a keynote speaker and four concurrent 50-minute sessions on numerous topics throughout the day, Taylor said. Steven James, an author, podcaster and speaker will be this year’s speaker.
Linda Taylor, assistant professor of professional writing, launched the conference with a colleague in 2016.
“(Our conference’s) unique niche is that we’re trying to be short, inexpensive and not too big,” Taylor said.
The pre-conference tracks include sessions on fantasy writing and self-publishing, she said.
The conference is held entirely on Taylor University’s campus. Taylor said the event is held in Rupp’s classrooms and atrium. The conference also hosts a bookstore where attendees can bring and sell their own published books.
The conference features literary agents, social media specialists and marketers. Attendees are invited to join together and become what’s known as a “tribal group.” These are writers at the conference who are interested in similar genres such as nonfiction and fiction. Additionally, lessons on taxes, self-publishing, Biblical fiction, children’s picture books and running a business as a writer are available.
“We try to care about a lot of different genres,” Taylor said, “so that everybody who comes, there’s something for them to really enjoy learning.”
Many writing conferences are offered over the summer, but Taylor’s is distinct. It includes several sessions and opportunities to meet with professionals, amongst a smaller environment and for less cost. However, other conferences around the country include many events, but with nearly 600 people and a total cost of about $3,000.
Taylor is happy to see that the conference has grown to attract attendees beyond professional writing students. The conference has attracted students from all over the country, professionals and alumni. Once a student graduates college, it can be hard to form connections within the industry, she said.
“So if you go to writer’s conferences,” Taylor said, “you get to keep getting training, you get an opportunity to learn a little more, to meet some more people and to sit under people who have been doing it for a long time.”
Taylor invites former colleagues and other connections to attend and speak at the conference. Taylor’s 30 years of experience in Christian publishing has provided her connections that could be helpful to attendees aspiring to publication, she said.
“It’s a highlight for me because there’s a lot of people I’ve known for many years across the industry, and they’re so kind to come,” said Taylor.
The conference is a busy event spent talking, meeting and eating, revolving around all things writing.
Tim Pietz (‘20), professional writing alumnus, has experienced Taylor’s conference firsthand, as well as several other Christian writer’s conferences. Taylor’s experience and price cannot be beat, he said.
“The price is the lowest I’ve seen,” Pietz said, “but the quality of the keynote speakers is still high, and there are ample opportunities to sign up for one-on-ones with industry professionals.”
Concerning James, Taylor said that despite his success, he is personable, helpful and down-to-earth, she said. He has written over 40 books, primarily in the fantasy and psychological thriller genres.
Attendees have opportunities to sit down for one-on-ones with professionals, pitch a book to an agent or talk about their manuscript to gain advice, Taylor said. There are headshot opportunities available and an, “open mic” evening where attendees can read their work aloud.
Once people attend the conference, they often become regular attendees, she said
The event isn’t just a Taylor thing, people from all over the country, any age above 16 are permitted to attend. Taylor says people arrive from many different places, some have even been flown in.
Since Taylor is retiring Spring 2027, as the conference grows each year, Taylor is working to create a committee to organize the conference in the future
Online registration closes on July 7. After this date, late-registration can be completed through a mail-in check.
