Learn how to avoid the telltale oversights that secretly undermine self-published books’ potential for success from the get-go.

Acquisitions Editor Chantelle Aimée Osman (Agora Books, Polis Books) will walk you through the steps needed to become submission-ready. From polishing your manuscript after you get that highly-anticipated “yes,” all the way to a stellar opening line—and even down to the proper font—Chantelle gives you the how-to in making your work stand out from the pile.

Whether you’re an author with a book to promote, or a writer seeking exposure as you navigate your journey, you may regard TikTok as a looming Gen Z storm cloud you can’t out-run. Join Romi Moondi as she shares her uncomfortable but ultimately useful experience with TikTok, in the run-up to the release of her first traditionally published novel.

Jeanne Veillette Bowerman, Executive at Pipeline Media Group and former Senior Editor at Writer's Digest, has a decade of experience speed pitching both literary agents and Hollywood producers. She'll share tips on how to hone your pitch to get a decision-maker excited about reading your work.

Foyinsi Adegbonmire, Associate Editor from Feiwel & Friends, will explain the publication process from the standpoint of a traditional publisher and what you can expect from a professional collaboration with your editor from the moment your book is acquired until it hits the shelves.

Literary agent Dani Segelbaum takes the helm on those answers. This talented agent will cover the golden rules of writing the perfect book proposal and help you unpack what's needed to write something enticing and salable. By the end of this presentation, you'll have the tools to craft a finished proposal, plus tips on getting the best possible agent and deal for your book.

Editor and literary agent Latoya Smith might be the next step along your way to publication, and lucky for us, this editor/agent super-combo is here to share her wealth of knowledge and plant helpful guideposts for authors who are ready to get their manuscript out into the world, rather than let it sit on their desktop.

What exactly is branding? Leah Lewis streamlines this topic so you can get a jump on branding strategies that fit your own creative trajectory. She is an independent content creator, documentary filmmaker, tech startup founder, and non-profit executive, and has a lot to say about developing a brand that can elevate your artistic career.

Have a great book but it’s not being picked up by editors or agents? Author and lit agent Stacey Graham from 3 Seas Literary Agency shares tips on where your book may have gone rogue and how to get it back on a traditional publishing path.

Jeanne Veillette Bowerman speaks with NY Times best-selling author L. M. Elliott to unpack the layered process involved in creating accurate and riveting historical fiction. This candid discussion dives into the challenges of forging back into history, sometimes where no original documents exist, including how to handle both the accuracy of little period details as well as larger historical facts, and where the appropriate line between fact and fiction lies.