Session 1: Thursday, September 30 at 7pm central time

How to Be a Publishing Team’s Dream Author

Whether you’re a new writer or a multi-published author, working with editors, marketers, and other publishing pros can be tricky—but our panel wants to make it easier. They’ll share some dos and don’ts for working with your publishing partner, everything from reasonable expectations to pet peeves to the best way to talk through a conflict. If you’re not yet published, these tips will help with presenting yourself and your proposal to editors and prepare you for next steps, and if you’re a seasoned author, you’ll gain helpful insights to smooth the road for your publishing journey. Moderated by Amy Lokkesmoe.

About Stephanie Broene

Stephanie Broene is a Senior Acquisitions Editor of fiction at Tyndale House Publishers. For fifteen years, she has loved working with authors to help them cultivate and bring their stories to the page, managing the publishing process from the idea phase to finished product. She loves studying what makes a story work—in books, in movies, in almost any medium—and is constantly amazed at the way good stories can simultaneously entertain and communicate truth in a powerful way. Stephanie holds a bachelor of arts degree in English with minors in Writing and Psychology from Calvin College. Before coming to Tyndale, she learned the publishing ropes as a managing editor in the magazine industry. She now lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and enjoys spending her free time with her husband, son, and twin daughters. She also loves reading and watching movies (of course!) and diving boldly if somewhat naively into new home improvement projects.

About Amy Green Lokkesmoe

Amy (Lynn) Green Lokkesmoe has been connecting readers with books as the fiction publicist at Bethany House Publishers since 2013. She loves to help writers overcome their fear of marketing and brainstorm ways to reach new readers, because the best marketing is just storytelling in a different form. Her debut historical novel, Things We Didn’t Say, released in 2020, and gave her the chance to experience novel marketing from the other side of the desk.

About Becky Monds

Becky Monds is the associate publisher for fiction at HarperCollins Christian Publishing and has seventeen years of experience in the publishing industry. Starting as a bookseller and events coordinator at an independent bookstore in Nashville, she moved to the publishing side of the industry in 2007. She has edited New York Times bestselling authors and many award-winning novels. What she loves most about her job is finding new, passionate storytellers and watching her editorial team find their own successes.

About Chris Sigfrids

Chris is the Assistant Director of Marketing for WaterBrook & Multnomah, imprints of Penguin Random House. During his 13 years at WaterBrook, Chris has held a roles in digital marketing and has served authors including Tim Tebow, Michael Todd, Mark Batterson, David Platt, and Mark Moore. Chris and his wife Kelly live in Monument, Colorado and have two sons, Ransom and Lewis.

Session 2: Thursday, October 7 at 7pm central time

Book Promotion Design Principles for Non-Designers with Kristopher Orr, Art Director Random House

Book marketing is often a visual task, and many traditionally published and indie authors find it challenging to create graphics for their websites and social media. In this interactive presentation, a professional designer with experience creating book ads, quote memes, and Instagram posts will be given several terribly-designed author graphics to redesign. After presenting the “before” and “after,” the designer will explain basic principles that guide composition, color, and font choices, helping move your visual brand from off-putting to eye-catching. Moderated by Jamie Lapeyrolerie.

About Kristopher Orr

Kristopher is an award-winning Art Director at Random House where he manages the marketing design for WaterBrook, Multnomah, Ink and Willow, Convergent, and Crown Forum. He has had the privilege of working with authors such as Tim Tebow, Katie Davis Majors, Nick Vujicic, Erwin Raphael McManus, John Mark Comer, Randy Alcorn, John Piper, Cindy McCain, Lori Benton, Richard Rohr, Philip Yancey, and many others. Kristopher excels at discovering the core idea in a project and finding a creative way to say that visually to a specific audience. Kristopher greatly enjoys the deep thoughts and heart stirrings that come with experiencing art with his wife. When not engaged in marketing design, Kristopher can be found working his next painting, or exploring the beauty in nature with his family with their dog, Kona. You can find his work at Korrart.com and on Instagram @Kristopher.orr

Session 3: Thursday, October 14 at 7pm central time

Writing with Authenticity and Intentionality

This workshop will be a practical, deep-dive look at how outside experts can help give authors confidence in the accuracy of their stories, especially when writing about character backgrounds or experiences the authors don’t share. Panelists will offer live feedback on passages of fiction (created for this workshop) to point out blind spots an author might have, as well as how to revise them to create more accurate plots or well-rounded characters. We’ll present resources in areas such as portraying characters from other ethnicl backgrounds or with physical disabilities, as well as those dealing with abuse, addiction, or mental illness. Whether you’re considering using a sensitivity reader or just want to be more familiar with stereotypes that might appear in fiction, this will go beyond generalizations to specific feedback and frequently asked questions. Moderated by Amy Lokkesmoe.

About Jamie Lapeyrolerie

As a Senior Marketing Manager at WaterBrook and Multnomah (imprints of Penguin Random House), Jamie has worked on several books including New York Times best-sellers and award-winning books, as well as best-selling children’s illustrated books. She is part of the team behind WaterBrook’s newest imprint, Ink and Willow, a line of interactive products that infuse contemplation and inspiration into the regular spiritual practice of creative-minded Christians. She is also part of Penguin Random House Diversity and Inclusion committees, Entrusted Women, Christian Publishing Professionals of Color, and also does sensitivity reading for authors. A writer herself, her work has been featured in Christ & Pop Culture Magazine, Beloved Women, and Hope for Women Magazine. You can find her writings at www.musingsofjamie.com and connect around social @musingsofjamie.

About Quantrilla Ard, PhD

Quantrilla Ard, PhD, is a recent transplant to the Atlanta area along with her husband and three littles. A passionate creative at heart, she has answered the call to encourage women in all stages of life and of various backgrounds through empathy, transparency, and love. She shepherds stories as a literary agent for Embolden Media Group. She is a faith-based personal and spiritual development writer, dynamic speaker, and people-connector who believes in the power of collective strength, community, and fellowship. She recently graduated from Walden University with a PhD in Health Psychology and is an advocate for social justice with a focus on Black maternal and infant health and mortality. You can find her sharing stories of triumph at www.thephdmamma.com.

About Jevon Bolden

Jevon Bolden is the founder and CEO of Embolden Media Group, a publishing consulting firm and literary agency that helps authors and publishers reach growing, diverse, and global audiences with thoughtful content. Jevon is the author of seven books, including Pray Hear Write: 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting for Breakthrough in Your Writing.

Session 4: Thursday, October 21 at 7pm central time

Emotional, Spiritual, and Mental Health for Creatives

When you feel exhausted, anxious, or hopeless, your stories suffer—and attacks on your inner health are everywhere. That’s why our speakers, with credentials in mental health and knowledge of Christian writers’ particular struggles, will share strategies for writing from a place of courage. They’ll discuss details like setting boundaries, replacing lies with truth, and rearranging your priorities. You’ll leave challenged and refreshed to strengthen your writing career by strengthening your mental health and relationships with God and others. Moderated by Jamie Lapeyrolerie.

About Dr. Holly Oxhandler

Holly K Oxhandler, PhD, LMSW, is an associate professor and associate dean for research and faculty development at Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. For over a decade, Dr. Oxhandler has studied and developed tools to assess mental health care providers’ integration of clients’ spirituality in treatment, helping professionals’ infusion of their own faith in their work, and clients’ views toward discussing their spirituality in mental health care. Dr. Oxhandler has written extensively for top professional journals within social work and psychology, and her research has been featured within the Washington Post, Religion News Service, and more. She also co-hosts the weekly podcast, CXMH: A Podcast on Faith and Mental Health and is the author of the forthcoming book, The Soul of the Helper: Seven Stages to Seeing the Sacred Within Yourself So You Can See It in Others.

About Diana Gruver

Diana Gruver (MA, Gordon-Conwell) writes about discipleship and spiritual formation in the every day. She previously worked as a writer and communications director for Vere Institute, and her work has been featured in Outreach Magazine, Missio Alliance, and Core Christianity. She is the author of Companions in the Darkness: Seven Saints who Struggled with Depression and Doubt. Diana lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two children. You can find more of her writing and connect with her online at www.dianagruver.com or on Twitter @dianagruver.

Sarah J. Robinson

Sarah J. Robinson once believed her lifelong battle with depression made her a bad Christian. Now she’s an author and speaker who helps others discover that mental illness doesn’t disqualify them from living rich, beautiful lives in Christ. Drawing from a decade of ministry experience and the mental health field, Sarah helps readers fight for wholeness and cultivate joy.

Session 5: Thursday, November 4th at 11am central time

Free Yourself to Thrive in Your Publishing Mission

In conversation with bestselling award-winning novelist and radio host, Chris Fabry
With special guest reading by singer-songwriter, author, and Rabbit Room founder Andrew Peterson

If 2020 was a time of upheaval and crisis in the world, then 2021 certainly carries its aftermath of disorientation, disconnection, and isolation. The resulting cultural malaise and individual anxiety impacts each of us personally and professionally. Join New York Times bestselling author Jennie Allen for this interactive discussion that will help you thrive in your professional mission by tending to your mind and spirit. True freedom comes when we refuse to be victims to our thoughts and realize we have already been equipped with power from God to fight and win the war for our minds…. and then flourish in the mission to which we’ve been called. Jennie Allen is a Bible teacher and founder of IF:Gathering. She is also the author of the #2 ECPA bestselling book in 2020: Get Out Of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts (WaterBrook). Most recently she has written The Story of God children’s book series that help parents give their kids a big view of God. A frequent speaker at national events and conferences, she is a passionate leader, following God’s call on her life to catalyze a generation to live what they believe. Her webinar will conclude the Art of Writing for storytellers and will also be an opening keynote for the PubU Online conference for Christian publishing professionals. Registration for either event will automatically register you for this unique session.

About Jennie Allen

Jennie is the founder and visionary of IF:Gathering as well as the New York Times bestselling author of Get Out of Your Head, Made for This, Anything, and Nothing to Prove. A frequent speaker at national events and conferences, she is a passionate leader, following God’s call on her life to catalyze a generation to live what they believe. Jennie earned a master’s in biblical studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. She and her husband, Zac, have four children.

Our Directors

About Amy Green Lokkesmoe

Amy (Lynn) Green Lokkesmoe has been connecting readers with books as the fiction publicist at Bethany House Publishers since 2013. She loves to help writers overcome their fear of marketing and brainstorm ways to reach new readers, because the best marketing is just storytelling in a different form. Her debut historical novel, Things We Didn’t Say, released in 2020, and gave her the chance to experience novel marketing from the other side of the desk.

About Jamie Lapeyrolerie

As a Senior Marketing Manager at WaterBrook and Multnomah (imprints of Penguin Random House), Jamie has worked on several books including New York Times best-sellers and award-winning books, as well as best-selling children’s illustrated books. She is part of the team behind WaterBrook’s newest imprint, Ink and Willow, a line of interactive products that infuse contemplation and inspiration into the regular spiritual practice of creative-minded Christians. She is also part of Penguin Random House Diversity and Inclusion committees, Entrusted Women, Christian Publishing Professionals of Color, and also does sensitivity reading for authors. A writer herself, her work has been featured in Christ & Pop Culture Magazine, Beloved Women, and Hope for Women Magazine. You can find her writings at www.musingsofjamie.com and connect around social @musingsofjamie.

The Christy Award 'Winners Gala' Webcast:
Thursday evening, October 28 at 7pm central time

A Conversation on the Power of Story with Dallas Jenkins and his agent Steve Laube

How do storytellers ensure they wield the power of stories to convey truth and not lies? Good and not harm? What role does collaboration and spontaneity play in writing and executing scripts or novels, especially when an ancient biblical text is a foundational guide? In this conversation, we'll be given a behind-the-scenes look at one creative's process, its tensions and joys and wonder.

Hosted by Christy Award Hall of Fame bestselling author and radio personality CHRIS FABRY, this special evening will also feature the winning authors of last year's Christy Awards announcing this year's winners, including 2020's Book of the Year author AMANDA DYKES.

Our evening will honor the literary contributions of the late WALTER WANGERIN, JR., with tributes given by PHILIP YANCEY and PETE PETERSON. Wangerin is the author of the National Book Award winner The Book of the Dun Cow and a host of other classics over the past four decades.

About Dallas Jenkins

Son of celebrated Left Behind author Jerry Jenkins, Dallas first produced the independent feature Hometown Legend at the age of 25 and shepherded it to distribution by Warner Brothers. In the nearly 20 years since then, he has directed and produced over a dozen feature and short films for companies such as Universal, Lionsgate, Pureflix, Hallmark Channel, and Amazon. Dallas is the creator of the largest crowd-funded media project of all-time, a multi-season series about the life of Christ entitled The Chosen. He is also the co-author of a bestselling Bible Study based on the series called, What Does It Mean To Be Chosen? (David C Cook) with Amanda Jenkins and Douglas Huffman; and The Chosen: 40 Days With Jesus (Broadstreet), a devotional written with his wife Amanda and her writing partner Kristen.

About Steve Laube

Steve Laube, a literary agent and president of The Steve Laube Agency, has been in the book industry over four decades, first as a bookstore manager where he was awarded the National Store of the Year by CBA. He then spent many years with Bethany House Publishers where he was named Editor of the Year by AWSA. Over seventeen years ago he became an agent where he and his agency have represented nearly 2,000 new books and Steve was named Agent of the Year by ACFW. He was also inducted into the Grand Canyon University Hall-of-Fame by their College of Theology. In addition, he is the president and owner of Enclave Publishing and serves as president and owner of The Christian Writers Institute. He is the author of the annual Christian Writers Market Guide and Book Proposal Tips and Tricks. His office is in Phoenix, Arizona.

About Amanda Dykes

Amanda Dykes’s debut novel, Whose Waves These Are, is the winner of the 2020 Christy Award Book of the Year, a Booklist 2019 Top Ten Romance debut, and the winner of an INSPY award. She’s also the author of Set the Stars Alight, which received a Booklist starred review and was a Historical Novels Review Editors’ Choice. Amanda believes G.K. Chesterton said it best when he said, “I had always felt life first as a story: and if there is a story there is a story-teller.” She is grateful to be living this life’s redemption story.

About Philip Yancey

Philip Yancey is the author of twenty-five books, including The Jesus I Never Knew, What's So Amazing About Grace?, Soul Survivor and a new memoir titled Where the Light Fell. His books have garnered numerous Gold Medallion Awards and have sold more than seventeen million copies and been published in more than fifty languages. His writing has appeared in The Atlantic, Reader's Digest, National Wildlife, Books & Culture and Christianity Today, among many other venues.

About Pete Peterson

A. S. (“Pete”) Peterson is the author of the Revolutionary War adventure novel The Fiddler’s Gun and its sequel Fiddler’s Green, as well as a variety of short stories. As a playwright he has published The Battle of Franklin (first produced by Studio Tenn in Franklin, TN, in 2016 and revived in 2017), and an adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (produced by Studio Tenn in 2018), which was named “Best Original Work” by The First Night Honors in Nashville, and a newly commissioned adaptation of Corrie ten Boom’s The Hiding Place (produced by A. D. Players in Houston, Texas). He and his wife live in Nashville, Tennessee, where he is the Executive Director of the Rabbit Room and Managing Editor of Rabbit Room Press.

About Chris Fabry

Chris Fabry is an award- winning author and radio personality who hosts Chris Fabry Live on Moody Radio. He was recently inducted into the Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications Hall of Fame. A native of West Virginia, Chris and his wife, Andrea, live in Arizona and are the parents of nine children. Chris has won five Christy Awards, an ECPA Christian Book Award, and two Awards of Merit from Christianity Today. He was inducted into the Christy Award Hall of Fame in 2018. He’s written more than 80 books, including movie novelizations such as War Room and Overcomer, and novels for children and young adults. He encourages writers of all skill levels through his website, heyyoucanwrite.com. His latest novel, A Piece of the Moon, released in April, 2021.

RECORDED The Christy Award 'Finalist Reveal' Webcast:
Thursday, September 30 at 11 am central time

About Chris Fabry

Chris Fabry is an award- winning author and radio personality who hosts Chris Fabry Live on Moody Radio. He was recently inducted into the Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications Hall of Fame. A native of West Virginia, Chris and his wife, Andrea, live in Arizona and are the parents of nine children. Chris has won five Christy Awards, an ECPA Christian Book Award, and two Awards of Merit from Christianity Today. He was inducted into the Christy Award Hall of Fame in 2018. He’s written more than 80 books, including movie novelizations such as War Room and Overcomer, and novels for children and young adults. He encourages writers of all skill levels through his website, heyyoucanwrite.com. His latest novel, A Piece of the Moon, released in April, 2021.