The Nonfiction Writers Conference is one of my absolute favorite writers conferences–especially for those writing nonfiction. Founder and host Stephanie Chandler always creates a terrific line-up of presenters, and this year–WOW!
What’s Working Now and What You Need to Know
Book sales are one of the biggest challenges for authors, and what works is ever-evolving. This is a writers conference where you can expect to get the latest information about what’s working now and what you need to know to reach readers and increase book sales!
Of course, there’ll be plenty of crucial advice and guidance on writing and publishing. And you can attend in your bunny slippers, never leaving your home, which makes for a very affordable price.
Lisa: I’m thrilled to be part of the Nonfiction Writers Conference again. Should we start at the top? New York Times bestselling author Roxanne Gay is the featured guest. Can you share why you’re especially excited to have Roxanne joining us and some topics you plan to cover in your interview?
Stephanie: I’m especially excited about our opening speaker, New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay. She will share her tips on creating a writing practice, writing with courage, and creating a legacy, which will be valuable for new and experienced writers. Newer authors will also benefit from discussing with retired literary agent Michael Larsen and publisher Crystal Daye how to choose your publishing path. Sandra Beckwith will give a session on creating the building blocks for book promotion.
The Most Significant Challenges Authors Face in Publishing
Lisa: What are the most significant challenges authors face in publishing – traditional or self-publishing? And how will this conference help?
Stephanie: There is a lot of conflicting advice out there. Our mission for both the Nonfiction Writers Conference and the Nonfiction Authors Association is to empower our community with clear answers. We explore the pros and cons of each publishing option (traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing) and guide authors in making the best choice to meet their unique needs.
Effective Book Marketing and Sales Strategies
Lisa: You and many presenters offer the freshest and most effective book marketing and sales strategies. While generalizations can be tricky, what are the strategies you are seeing as most effective for nonfiction book sales right now?
Stephanie: Nonfiction books benefit significantly from Amazon ads, which will be covered at NFWC by Janet Margot, a former Amazon employee. This is one of the top strategies I always recommend to authors because they can boost book sales when done correctly. The key is to learn how to effectively set them up to earn back more than you spend on ads.
Other Topics Speakers Will Address At the NFWC
Lisa: What are some book marketing topics you and other speakers will address at the Nonfiction Writers Conference this year?
Stephanie: Besides Amazon ads, we have Lynell Green covering how to break into professional speaking, a powerful way to sell books. We also have a panel of author-entrepreneurs who will share how they have built thriving communities and host their online and in-person events. Fauzia Burke and Anne Janzer will share tips for using AI for book promotion. I’m personally excited to hear what they have to say!
Pitch-An-Agent Sessions
Lisa: I love the pitch-an-agent sessions, which all registrants can attend, and those at the Gold, Platinum or VIP level can apply to pitch. Please share more about how it works and a story to go with it.
Stephanie: The agent pitches happen live via Zoom during a two-hour conference session. Attendees can apply to participate and give a pitch, and we will select 16 participants by random draw. Each participant gets five minutes to share a concise pitch and get feedback from four participating literary agents. These agents are actively seeking authors to represent. They’re also the same agents who participated last year, and two 2024 participants signed book deals with publishers!
Ask-A-Pro Sessions
Lisa: I always enjoy serving as a “pro” in the ask-a-pro sessions and learning about the book projects attendees are working on. Can you share a bit about how those work and the types of guidance attendees might look for in these sessions?
Stephanie: The Ask-a-Pro sessions are a complimentary benefit that allows attendees to register for up to three 15-minute virtual consultations with various industry pros, including book coaches, ghostwriters, editors, marketing professionals, agents, and more. Many conference attendees have reported that these consultations are worth the price of admission alone! This is an excellent opportunity to get feedback on your book idea or ask questions about writing, publishing, and marketing your book. It’s important to register for the conference early and be ready when we announce these sessions are open for registration since only a limited number of appointments are available, and they go quickly.
Lisa: Anything else you want to share about this year’s Nonfiction Writers Conference with us?
Stephanie: We’ve been hosting this event entirely online since 2010 and attract attendees from around the globe. While I realize it sounds challenging to sit in front of a Zoom screen all day, I can assure you that we do a great job of ensuring the content is high in value and engaging. Attendees get to participate in Q&A with the speakers and attend a fun virtual networking event, which even introverts enjoy! If you can’t join live sessions, the replays are shared the same day so you can keep up with the content. And we always offer a satisfaction guarantee so there is no risk, but great potential reward for attending.
Helping Nonfiction Writers Achieve Their Goals
As the event host, I love learning more about our attendees. So many are writing books with a mission to make a difference in the world, which is exciting and exactly why our organization exists. We aim to help nonfiction writers achieve their goals, and attending the conference can absolutely help move your author career forward. I hope to see you all there!
Get More Information on The Nonfiction Writers Conference Here
About Stephanie Chandler
Stephanie Chandler is the author of several books, including The Nonfiction Book Marketing and Launch Plan ( which I loved so much that I bought copies as gifts for everyone in my Get Your Writing Done Program a few years ago) and The Nonfiction Book Publishing Plan. She is CEO of the Nonfiction Authors Association, a vibrant educational community for experienced and aspiring writers, and the Nonfiction Writers Conference, events conducted online since 2010. A frequent speaker at business events and on the radio, she has been featured in Entrepreneur, BusinessWeek, and Wired magazine.
