Schedule of Events
Writing can be a lonely business. But it doesn't have to be. Self-published authors achieve the greatest success when we lift one another up.
The ASPC offers multiple opportunities to grow through both learning and connections. Below you will not only find a full schedule of educational presentations but also multiple opportunities for connecting with other self-published authors.
During every presentation, the vendor area will be open to anyone who needs a place to think, mingle, or ask professionals questions about the industry.
From the beginning of our day with coffee and conversations all the way into the evening with an AWC member-only networking opportunity, the ASPC provides ample opportunities for development.
Learn how to make the most of ASPC with these tips from Kindlepreneur.
DEADLINE TO REGISTER: APRIL 13TH, 2024 at 12:00 PM EST
Walkups at the conference will be welcome (cash or card only, no checks will be accepted)
The ASPC offers more than a single day of presentations. For members of the AWC who attend the ASPC, there will be multiple virtual presentations leading up to the in-person event on April 27th. Members will have access to webinars on Market Industry Update, How to Work with an Editor, and Building Your Social Media Toolkit. Members also receive ASPC Perk Packs and will be invited to a member-only networking event after the conference.
If you are not currently a member but want access to member-only events, you will have the option when you register for ASPC. AWC also offers regular meetings with publishing professions, writing contests, workshops, webinars, and more.
THE ASPC 2023 EVENT SCHEDULE
Coffee & Conversations
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Are you an early bird? Do you love coffee as much as we do? Come early to meet and network with other self-published or aspiring authors and start building your own authors' network of support.
Welcome to ASPC
9:00 am - 9:30 am
After networking in our vendor area, be ready to start at 9:00 am to kick off the 3rd annual Atlanta Self-Publishing Conference with conference director J. M. Tompkins! We will briefly discuss how to get the most out of your ASPC experience, the conference agenda, and more.
Presented by J. M. Tompkins
Character-Driven Plotting (A Workshop)
10:00 am - 11:00 am
The best stories feature character motivations driving plot and plot driving character change. In this workshop, we'll explore a method of plotting that begins and ends with character development. We'll review the key questions that can test the quality of your plot, and show how to build a character whose internal characteristics make your external plot choices feel unexpected yet inevitable. We'll also examine other key plotting concepts, such as obstacles, stakes, scene to scene causation, and the connection between your theme and your character's core misbelief. There'll be time for questions at the end, and we may even get a little advice from the creators of South Park along the way.
Presented by Chris Negron
Using Tropes to Enhance your Reader’s Journey
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Do you want to hear from your fans that they couldn't put your book down? That they had to stay up late into the night because they had to keep reading one more chapter? Tropes have been used by indie authors as a key tool to build a fan following, but they can also be tweaked to keep your readers gripped within your story. Join Danielle Kiowski to learn how to keep your readers captivated within your genre's tropes.
Presented by Danielle Kiowski
Finding Success: Where Networking and Volunteering Meet
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Building a strong and supportive network is key to finding success as an indie author, but where do we start? How do we connect with industry professionals, including other authors, in a meaningful way? Join Brittany Dowdle, co-author of the IBPA award–winning book Networking for Freelance Editors, to discover how to build the connections and network you need. In this session you’ll learn to redefine networking, position yourself for success, and discover how volunteering can supercharge your network.
Presented by Brittany Dowdle
Business Basics
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
As aspiring indie authors, we’ve heard a lot about where to click publish. But how do you start your own business? What is a FEIN? Why do you need a business plan? AWC treasurer Jerry Weiner will answer your questions about business basics and guide you through the steps necessary to get started. Jerry has decades of experience helping others in this area and will provide the critical information you need to form your own small business – and keep it going.
Presented by Jerry Weiner
AWC MEMBER ONLY NETWORKING EVENT
5:30 pm
AWC members will receive an invitation for the networking event not to be missed. We'll meet with authors within our genres, get to talk with the presenters, and more.
DEADLINE TO REGISTER: APRIL 13TH, 2024 at 12:00 PM EST
Walkups at the conference will be welcome (cash or card only, no checks will be accepted)