It begins with a knock at the door.
A body discovered.
A startling crime.
But how do you keep readers turning pages long after that inciting incident? How do you build tension that tightens chapter by chapter, plant red herrings without losing track of them, and deliver twists that surprise and satisfy?
In this session, thriller-award-winning author Lauren Nossett will break down the architecture of a gripping story. She’ll discuss how to raise the stakes, design layered characters, and craft suspense.
You’ll learn how to:
- Craft a compelling inciting incident and a can’t-look-away opening scene
- Create imperfect heroes and complex villains
- Layer in escalating obstacles and conflicting motivations
- Build suspense using pacing and the ticking clock
- Write plot twists, turning points, and cliffhangers
- Deliver a satisfying ending while resolving red herrings
You’ll leave with practical tools you can immediately apply to your manuscript and a clearer roadmap for keeping readers up all night.
Commercially Driven Decisions
The Commercially Driven Choices session by Court Stevens reveals what separates stories that are simply well-written from those that truly connect and sell. This dynamic session unpacks the strategic decisions writers must make to increase reader engagement—focusing on transformation, satisfaction, opposition, scope, and consumability as the core drivers of commercial storytelling. By understanding how scope shapes audience reach and how emotional relatability fuels momentum, attendees will learn how to intentionally design stories that resonate on a larger scale .
Through clear frameworks and memorable examples, this session equips writers to move beyond instinct and into purposeful craft. Attendees will gain insight into aligning character wants and needs, building meaningful opposition, and creating stories that feel both deeply human and widely accessible. The result: writing that not only matters—but moves the commercial sales needle.
Takeaways for Attendees:
- How to balance scope and plot to increase the commercial reach of a story
- A practical understanding of wants vs. needs and how they drive transformation and reader satisfaction
- Tools to build compelling opposition (physical, emotional, systemic, or relational) that strengthens narrative impact
The Plot Wheel is more than a structure—it’s a storytelling engine designed to create connection, momentum, and reader satisfaction. In this engaging presentation, Court Stevens breaks down the eight essential movements of story into a clear, repeatable framework that helps writers move from idea to fully realized narrative. Writers will gain the power to intentionally shape both the emotional journey and the commercial appeal of their work.
Attendees will leave with a practical, scene-by-scene understanding of how to build tension, deepen character, and deliver a satisfying resolution. Whether you’re drafting your first novel or refining a manuscript, The Plot Wheel offers a roadmap and checklist that aligns character transformation with reader emotion—ensuring your story doesn’t just work, but resonates.
Takeaways for Attendees:
- A clear 8-step framework to structure any story from opening “Handshake” to final Resolution
- Tools to increase reader engagement by aligning character goals with emotional stakes
- Practical strategies to strengthen pacing, tension, and commercial appeal in your writing
Beyond the Happy Ending: The Psychology of the Rom Com
You already know they’ll kiss in the rain. You know she’ll overcome that self doubt with a moment of empowerment (and maybe a new outfit). You know he'll realize he was wrong all along. And you'll feel it every single time.
This course digs into the psychology behind why romantic comedies work so well on us—the attachment science behind the slow burn, the dopamine hit of the first kiss, and what our favorite on-screen relationships say about what we actually want in real life. This journey through the tropes and the psychology of the genre will aid the way you write and cause you to think twice about the lessons we have taken away about love.
The Said and the Unsaid: Writing Your Characters Through Dialogue
Great dialogue works on two levels: what’s said on the surface and what’s happening underneath.
A smile that doesn’t reach the eyes. A pause that stretches too long. A joke that hides a wound. Dialogue isn’t just conversation, it’s character, conflict, and subtext on the page.
In this session, we’ll explore how great dialogue reveals motive, deepens relationships, and drives plot. You’ll study memorable exchanges, analyze what makes iconic lines unforgettable, and learn how to translate body language and subtext into compelling prose.
Perfect for writers who want sharper, more dynamic dialogue, this session will give attendees practical tools to strengthen both verbal and nonverbal communication in their work.
You’ll learn how to:
- Write dialogue that sounds natural
- Use dialogue tags effectively (and avoid common mistakes)
- Reveal character through subtext and contradiction
- Craft dialogue that creates tension and moves the plot forward
- Layer action and body language into conversation
- Put wisdom into the mouths of your characters
- Shape your characters’ distinct voices
You’ll leave with stronger dialogue instincts and techniques you can apply to your current and future projects.
Deconstructing Books for Craft and Marketability: Read Like a Writer
“Read, read, read,” William Faulkner famously advised.
But reading alone is not enough. To grow as writers, we have to study the page and ask not just what we loved or hated, but why it worked and how it was built.
In this session, you’ll learn how to turn every book you read into a craft lesson. We’ll analyze openings, character construction, themes, and endings to uncover the mechanics beneath the magic.
Because the truth is, one of the most powerful (and affordable) ways to improve your writing is by studying published books. Instead of guessing what works, you’ll learn directly from stories that have already earned their place on the shelf. Think of it as a hands-on education in craft without the price tag of an MFA.
Together, we’ll “take apart” successful novels to see how they function: how authors hook readers, build momentum, and deliver satisfying endings that helped them secure publication in the first place.
You’ll learn how to:
- Move beyond “I liked it” to meaningful craft analysis
- Deconstruct powerful opening lines and scenes
- Identify themes and motifs
- Diagnose why an ending succeeded or fell short
- Break down published works to understand what makes them marketable
- Apply what you learn directly to your own writing
By the end, you’ll have a practical framework for reading with intention, analyzing like a writer, and turning every book you pick up into a masterclass in storytelling.
What Attendees Have Said ...
"I especially liked the use of examples to show (in addition to telling...) Lauren's points. I will use the slides to not only dissect other works, but use the points to improve my own writing."
"Great presentation by someone well read with a lot of critical thinking and analysis experience. Great PowerPoint. In recent years, I've seen some writing classes presented by experienced authors and editors who just talk. I really appreciate classes that are accompanied by a good quality, well-organized and informative PowerPoint, so that I can refer back to it whenever I want to. This PowerPoint was extraordinary, really miniature craft articles."
"I loved how Lauren broke everything down and offered clear examples of the way stories work and how fully realized characters and themes need to be delivered to readers. The elements were presented elegantly and clearly."
"The clear presentation of points to evaluate as I read and view was more helpful than other presentations I've attended on this topic. The encouragement to explore the 'why' of my likes and dislikes made 'analysis' feel less daunting."
Building a Powerful Query Letter
A strong pitch is only the beginning. Once you can succinctly articulate your story, the next step is transforming that short pitch into a compelling query letter that captures and holds an agent or publisher’s attention.
In this practical session, author Angela Douglas will show you how to take the key elements of a strong pitch: your logline, comparable titles and bio and turn them into a clear, engaging query letter that stands out in a crowded inbox. Writers who attended her pitching workshop can build on what they’ve already created, but this session also stands on its own.
You’ll learn the essential elements of an effective query, including the opening hook, story summary, comparable titles, and author bio, along with guidance on personalization, what metadata to include, and finding those strong comps.
Beyond the letter itself, Angela will walk you through the querying process: how to research and choose agents; whether to query agents, publishers, or both; and strategies for submitting via QueryTracker and email, organizing batches, and following up after pitch sessions or when deadlines pass.
Because querying can feel daunting, Angela will also talk honestly about rejection, expectations, and how to maintain momentum and positivity throughout the process.
Whether you’re preparing to query soon or just starting to explore the submission process, you’ll leave with a clear framework, actionable strategies, and the confidence to turn your pitch into a polished submission.
What attendees have said ...
"Very impressive. Thorough. Well researched and presented. A lot of info and all good and practical."
"Very informative in a simplified way which I appreciated."
"Loved her answer to my question about a book series. Full marks and glowing marks. Really can't think of how she could have done a better job. Highly recommend this seminar and others she may offer."
Proven Framework for Successful Collaboration
Writing can be lonely. You brainstorm alone, draft alone, revise alone. Maybe you are lucky enough to have a beta reader or editor at the end. But what if you could build the story with someone from the beginning?
We know what you’re asking:
Will I lose creative control?
What if our styles clash?
What if one of us writes faster?
How do we even start?
In this candid, craft-focused session, authors Lauren Nossett and Rea Frey share what they have learned from co-writing together, from early brainstorming sessions to managing deadlines and dividing responsibilities.
Attendees will walk away with a practical, step-by-step framework for successful collaboration.
You will learn how to:
- Find the right creative partner and build a strong author community
- Brainstorm collaboratively without sacrificing your voice
- Establish a writing schedule and clear expectations
- Divide tasks strategically based on individual strengths
- Navigate creative disagreements productively
- Give and receive constructive feedback in service of the storyUse collaboration to expand reach and strengthen promotion
By the end of the session, you will have the tools and confidence to decide whether co-writing is right for you and, if so, how to do it successfully.
Resources:
Slideshow Presentation
Rea’s Website
Rea on IG: @reafreyauthor
Rea’s Book Coaching
Lauren’s Website
Lauren on IG: @laurennossett
Lauren on Substack
Lauren’s Developmental Editing Services
Nashville Authors
Rea’s Symposium Host Page
Lauren’s Symposium Host Page
Relevant On-Demand Symposiums:
“How to Approach Editing Without Losing Your Sh*t” by Rea Frey
"The Book Skeleton Workshop: How to Structure Your Story Before Writing a Single Word" by Rea Frey
Surveillance: What is It, How to Write It
This symposium explores the reality of physical and technical surveillance so authors can write more compelling mysteries and thrillers. Additionally, as an indirect benefit, attendees will also learn how they can better protect themselves against cyber criminals and identity theft, and ensure safety and security for all the tech in our daily lives.
Adam Sikes is a former paramilitary officer with the CIA and an expert in physical and technical surveillance, and he will examine the following topics:
- What is surveillance and what is the point
- The different kinds of surveillance
- Surveillance methods and techniques
- What makes us vulnerable
- How to protect against surveillance
- Q&A
At the conclusion of this class, attendees will have a deeper understanding of how to follow someone, detect if someone is following them, monitor phone and social media activity, the vulnerabilities of location sharing and GPS, password and identity security, commercially available technical and surveillance tools, and a host of skills and methods. These insights will make your writing more compelling and authentic to readers, helping hold them to the page.
What attendees have said ...
"Truly could have talked about all of this for hours."
"Adam's presentation was amazing! It's invaluable to get insights from an actual former spy!"
"Far exceeded my expectations, not only for authenticity in my writing, but also for protecting myself from cybercrime."
Pitching your book isn’t just for landing agents, it’s a skill that carries you through every stage of your writing career. Whether you’re approaching an agent, publisher, bookseller, or reader, a confident, polished pitch can open doors.
In this practical session, author Angela Douglas will break down what pitching really is, why it matters, and how to craft a clear, compelling hook that works whether you’re drafting your first novel or preparing for a major pitch event.
You’ll learn the core elements of effective pitching, the different types of pitches you’ll encounter online and in person, and how to make the most of the elevator pitch and the typical three minutes you’ll get to sell yourself and your manuscript.
It is never too early or too late to learn how to pitch with confidence. Angela will walk you through the exact criteria she uses to prepare for agent or publisher pitch sessions, giving you tools you can use immediately to talk about your book with clarity and impact.
You’ll leave this session with a deeper understanding of hooks, loglines, and short verbal pitches and practical strategies to reduce nerves.
Bring something to take notes with, and your questions. This is a session you won’t want to miss, no matter what stage of writing you’re at.
What attendees have said ...
"Angela Douglas was an excellent speaker. Knowledgable, relatable and empathetic. Angela came prepared. Her pacing was great. I enjoyed her talk very much."