When you pour your heart out on the page, getting feedback from others can be a terrifying experience. Especially if you’re personally close to them. How can you become the kind of person who can take critical feedback without being crushed by it? In this opening keynote, Josiah DeGraaf will share what he’s learned over the years about becoming a resilient storyteller.

Characters are the heart of any story, and therefore the most important part to get right. From arc to traits to dialogue, learn how to write characters that leap off the page. We’ll study what makes characters feel real, examples of good and bad characterization, and why the ultimate test . . . is memes!

Great stories aren’t just written—they’re refined. In Become a Self-Editing Pro, you’ll learn how to spot plot holes, strengthen character development, and fine-tune your story for maximum impact. Master the art of self-editing so your manuscript shines before an editor ever sees it!

Books that create buzz often contain deep themes pulled from the author’s personal experiences. Using examples and brainstorming prompts, this workshop will guide participants through an idea generation process to unearth themes that will resonate with both author and reader.

When burnout and weariness threaten to snuff out your creativity, this session is a reminder that the spark God has given you still flickers, even in the quiet moments. Come be encouraged and given practical insights on how to guard that light, trust its purpose, and keep creating—even in the hard seasons.

Brett Harris is the bestselling co-author of Do Hard Things and co-founder of The Young Writer’s Workshop and The Author Conservatory, which have trained thousands of writers since 2017. For the past 17 years he has served as a mentor and coach for many of the world’s top young writers and authors and his mission is to raise up the next C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien by 2050.

From building a platform to networking with other writers on the internet, teen writers navigate both the benefits and risks of the online world. Learn about common tools teen writers may consider using online, how to recognize patterns that can lead to dangerous situations, and how to help your teen use the internet in a way that is safe and healthy for their long-term career.

You have many, many stories you want to tell, but what do they all have in common? How do you discover what makes you unique as a writer? And how do you communicate that in a way that connects with readers? It all comes down to the fundamentals of branding—not fonts and colors, but who you are as a writer and what kind of reader needs your stories. This session is targeted toward YDubbers looking to build writing careers, but it will benefit anyone who wants to explore what their writing reveals about themselves and how it can connect with other people.

Learn more about how Kara and the programs of YWW and The Young Writer serve the next generation of authors. Kara will take you on her personal journey from author to Co-Founder and President, including the importance of mentors along the way. Then stick around for a panel with Kara and YWW staff for a Q&A on the topics that mean the most to our YWW parents and families.

From social media likes to book sales to email subscribers to wordcounts, the writing life is packed full of numbers. These numbers are important, but many writers struggle with feelings of comparison, dissatisfaction, inferiority, and pride. This session covers how to engage with those numbers and analytics in a healthy way, how to avoid the burnout that comes from chasing validation, and where we should really center ourselves in the writing journey.

How much thought have you put into your book’s narrative point of view? Many writers simply sit down and write, using whatever PoV just happens to happen. But what if that’s not the best PoV for your story? Is there a way to find out?

Join Lauren as she explains the strengths, weaknesses, and practical uses of different types of point of view. From deep first to omniscient third to the editor-devastating second-person-present, she’ll bring clarity and fun to discovering which PoV can bring your story to life and make it shine.

When your child develops an interest in writing (or in publishing), it can be easy to feel lost and overwhelmed with the number of options out there and all the new terms they begin using. In this workshop, Josiah will break down common writing terms and practices so you can keep up with your child and know how to best guide them as they consider the role writing may play in their life.

Struggling to balance writing with life’s demands? In this 60-minute session, we’ll explore practical time management strategies designed specifically for writers. Learn how to carve out focused writing time, beat procrastination, and make steady progress on your projects—even with a busy schedule. Whether you’re juggling a day job, family responsibilities, or multiple creative projects, this session will help you build a writing routine that works for you.