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FridayWebinar Presenter
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NOTE:ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN/NYCFriday, Jan 30Moderator
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8:30-9:00 a.m.PrayersPeggy Bluijus
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9:00-10:00“You Have a Gift – Use It!”

Citing the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25), Lisa Livezey will share how, after burying her talent for decades, she opened herself to God’s call.

The purpose of this workshop is to encourage others to use their God-given talents, to be consistent and persistent, and to show Our Lord’s amazing hand in the journey of one everyday Catholic writer.

Lisa presented this at her parish recently and was well-received.
Lisa LivezeyJennifer Thomas
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10:30-11:30"The Power of Networking: Marketing Your Brand through the Right Connections"
In this talk, I will discuss three main points:
1. Identifying and Cultivating the Right Connections
2.Leveraging Community to Amplify Your Message
3.Using Social Networking and other Online Platforms Strategically		Amy Brooks
Melissa Knoblett-Aman
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12:00-1:00 p.m.More Than a Worldview: Writing Catholic Sci Fi/Fantasy

How can Catholicism be woven into sci fi, fantasy, and other genres in a way that strengthens the story rather than detracting from it? Can Catholic storytelling go beyond good morals and a Catholic worldview? Sr. Allison explores approaches to telling Catholic stories in unconventional genres, sharing tips on how to remain both true to the faith and true to your story.
Sr. Allison Regina Gliot, fspMaria Gallagher
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1:30-2:30 pmPanel: What to do when the story won't work. This is something I've been seeing in the Guild chat: people in thier fifth, tenth, fifteen rewrite of the same story; others who can't seem to make the story sing; others who are simply stuck on an idea. I'd like to get a few veteran authors to talk about the story that never worked for them, the ones that took complete rewrites, etc. The goal is to encourage folks as well as give practical advice. I'd like to have Karen Ullo at least, and I'm not sure who else. This can be nonfiction as well as fiction.Karina Fabian, Erin Lewis, Ginny Kochis, Allison RamirezKarina Fabian
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3:00-4:00 p.m.Reaching Global Audiences: An Introduction to Foreign Rights for Authors: What exactly are foreign rights? How do translation deals work? And how can Catholic authors benefit from them? In this session, foreign rights agent Mariana Dean provides a clear, accessible overview of the foreign rights process and offers practical guidance on navigating inquiries, negotiating terms, and preparing your book for international reach. Perfect for authors seeking to expand both their readership and their impact across borders. Mariana Dean Allison Ramirez
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4:30-5:30 p.m.Title: All About Author Visits, a presentation on how to create resources to pitch to schools and parishes, examples of what to offer as an author, and tips from someone who has done manyColleen PressprichJennifer Thomas
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6:00-7:00 p.m.Novels on a napkin: Seasons in the mom-writer life, and how to embrace them allRoxane B. SalonenMelissa Knoblett-Aman
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7:30-8:30 p.m.How to Develop a Captivating Plot:
Have you ever become bored with a story because it wasn’t going anywhere?
Don’t let your story suffer that fate.
Michelle BuckmanMaria Gallagher
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9:00-10:30 p.m.Branding for the Soul: How to Create a Faithful + Authentic Author Platform
Your author brand is more than a logo—it's a reflection of your mission. This talk will guide you in building a cohesive platform that speaks with clarity, beauty, and integrity. We’ll cover visual branding, messaging, and audience engagement, all through a lens of discernment, virtue, and authenticity.		Sophia LebanoAllison Ramirez
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10:30 p.m.Prayers and socialAllison Gingras
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Saturday, Jan 31
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8:30-9:00 a.m.PrayersKarina Fabian
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9:00-10:00 a.m.The Magisterium in the Machine: How AI Can Strengthen - not Replace - Catholic WritersMatthew Harvey SandersMaria Gallagher
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10:30-11:30The Pros, Cons, and How-tos of Writing Work-for-Hire Children’s Books

A publisher has a topic, a concept, maybe even a title. Now all they need is a writer. How can that writer be you? Vijaya will guide you in cracking this lucrative market, writing to specifications, and on a tight deadline that result in beautiful books, a real paycheck, and the boost of confidence that comes from being published. 		Vijaya BodachAllison Ramirez
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12:00-1:00 p.m.Writing a series (CWCO 2023) - We all want to write a series, but what are the best ways to do it?Jane LebakMaria Gallagher
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1:30-2:30 p.m.AI Language in Traditional Publishing Contracts - A presentation on what authors may expect to encounter when signing a publishing contract, as well as what they might choose to have inserted before signing. This talk is aimed at helping authors discern how using - or abstaining from - AI might affect their publishing opportunities. (I have not presented this before, but will be chatting about it informally on YouTube soon. The situation will no doubt evolve even more between now and January.)Annjanette BarrMelissa Knoblett-Aman
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3:00-4:00 p.m.Tips on Relevant Religious Writing This workshop will offer budding authors tips on how to present Catholic doctrine and catechetical material in a written manner that is both inviting and relevant to the life of the reader. Dr. Mary AmoreMelissa Knoblett-Aman
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4:30-5:30 p.m.Panel: Writing Challenges: Making Time and Overcoming Blocks!Allison Gingras
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6:00-7:00 p.m.Character Arcs and Roller Coasters in a Four Act Structure: An in depth exploration of character arcs in relation to the plot roller coaster and the four act structure. I presented this a few years ago at the CWCO.Christina WeigandAllison Ramirez
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7:30-8:30 p.m."How to avoid social media burnout as an author"
We'll explore foundational principles and key mindset shifts that can take your author experience on social media from agonizing obligation to authentic revitalization. We'll especially focus on crafting your social media voice, personal discernment vs. algorithm requirements in posting, and metrics vs. mission mindset.		Sr. Orianne Pietra RenéJennifer Thomas
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9:00-10:00 p.m.Substack for Catholic Writers: Build Community, Not Just a Platform
Tired of chasing algorithms? Substack offers something better—a way to build authentic connection with your readers. In this session, discover how Catholic writers can use Substack to grow an engaged audience, blend faith with thought leadership, and steward their creative work sustainably. We’ll cover strategy, storytelling, and the spiritual mindset behind building platform with purpose--that fits in YOUR digital rule of life!		Samantha N StephensonMaria Gallagher
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10:30 p.m.Prayers and socialAllison Gingras
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Sunday, Feb 1
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12:00-1:00 p.m.Making and Responding to Legal Demands, Real and Imagined. As an attorney and author, I will cover how to deal with copyright, trademark, and related problems: not just the legal background, but what to actually do if you get a nasty letter, how to make your own legal demand, and what to say to an editor worried about whether something infringes (will use a personal example on that.J.C. MillerAllison Ramirez
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1:30-2:30 p.m.Why Agents and Editors Are Saying No to Your Work - An overview of the most common reasons projects get rejected in the traditional publishing space, and what to do about it.Anjanette BarrJennifer Thomas
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3:00-4:00 p.m.Panel: Self PublishingKarina Fabian, Devin Rose, Matthew Schmidt,Karina Fabian
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4:30-5:30 p.m.Catholic writers: Your best work starts with your lived faith.

Join Allison Gingras as she shares how the 'Grace Trifecta" of prayer, sacraments, and Scripture form the foundation for writing that reflects, communicates, and inspires faith—whether you're writing about Catholicism or simply from a Catholic heart.		Allison Gingras
Melissa Knoblett-Aman
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6:00-7:00 p.m.DOs and DON'Ts for Critiques and Beta Reads: A great critique can mean all the world to a writer's progress, but how many of us know what makes up a great critique? We'll discuss useful advice, how to present hard opinions, the balance between encouragement and constructive criticism, and general rules for recieving critiques. Karina had been part of crit groups for over a decade and has seen the best and the worst.Karina FabianMaria Gallagher
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7:30-8:30 p.m.What an Editor Looks for in a Manuscript

Michelle will go through the first three pages of one fiction and one nonfiction manuscript to show what an editor would change. 		Michelle Buckman
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9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
ScreenwritingKaren UlloAllison Ramirez
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10:30 p.m.Prayers and socialKarina Fabian
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Monday, Feb 2, 2:00 p.m.Pitch Practice Session 1
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Tuesday, Feb 3, 7:00 p.m.Pitch Practice Session 2
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