Fall Conference

2026

Strength for the Journey “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (NIV)

Saturday, October 10, 2026 (9:00 AM-4:30 PM)

River Center, 3000 S Santiam Hwy, Lebanon, OR 97355

KEYNOTER: Bob Welch

Bob Welch is the author of 21 books, including his latest, Seven Summers (And a Few Bummers): My Adventure Hiking the 2,650-Mile PCT. A former columnist for the Eugene Register-Guard, he also served as an adjunct professor of journalism at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. Bob lives in Eugene, Oregon.

Workshops

● Why Write Fantasy? (Dawn Shipman) – No one can deny the popularity of the fantasy genre—in books, movies, role-playing games, art, and more. But why? What is the appeal, and how should the Christian writer respond to this popular wave?

● The Christian Author’s Journey (Dawn Shipman) – Explore the different pathways God uses to bring His creative people to the place He always planned for them. Knowing He is not only an active participant in—but the source of—the dreams we thought were only our own truly makes all the difference.

● From the Heart: Write Profound and Poignant Poetry (Jennifer Anne F. Messing) – Explore what poems are and where they originate. Learn how poets can find their unique voices and use journaling techniques to awaken and ignite creativity. Discuss poetic techniques including simile, metaphor, rhyme, imagery, and alliteration. Drawing from life experiences and the things one deeply loves, discover ways to craft meaningful poems that stir hearts and touch readers. Jennifer Anne will also cover self-editing, proper submission formatting, entering contests, and submitting to US and international magazines and book compilations.

● Writing in Place (Tracie Heskett) – Writers often seek to write in the elusive “zone.” Discover what it means to write from a sense of place as Tracie shares her experience as a Writer in Residence participant. Learn tips to create your own “residence” writing experience. This workshop will include exercises.

● How to Present a Dynamic Workshop (Tracie Heskett) – Keynote speakers inspire, but conference workshops provide valuable insight into the nuts and bolts of the writing craft. In this workshop we’ll discuss how to engage your audience and help them remember and apply your great content. We will cover interactive ways to present information and how to encourage people to think about what they learn from you.

● How to Record an Audiobook (Amy Earls) – Discover the basics of recording your own audiobook with confidence. This workshop covers essential equipment, recording setup, vocal performance, and editing basics. Whether you’re an indie author preparing to narrate your book or simply curious about the process, you’ll learn practical steps for producing a polished audiobook listeners will enjoy.

● A Cup of Soup: Writing for Anthologies (Heidi Gaul) – Bring your funniest, sweetest, and most heartfelt moments to the table. In “A Cup of Soup,” longtime Chicken Soup for the Soul writer Heidi Gaul will show you how to stir ordinary experiences into irresistible essays editors love. Expect laughter, inspiration, and a recipe for publication‑ready storytelling.

● How to Complete Those Unfinished Projects Before They Drive You Mad (Heidi Gaul) – If your hard drive looks like a museum of noble writing intentions, this workshop is your intervention. Join Heidi Gaul for a humorous, hope-filled session on taming the middle, outsmarting procrastination, and turning “someday” manuscripts into completed, celebratory victories.

● Increasing Your Book Sales with Foreign Publishing (and Why “Going Wide” and “Amazon Expanded Publishing” Don’t Cut It) (Julie Bonn Blank) – Come learn what it takes, what to watch out for, which countries are highly in need of your material, how to translate well, and tips for getting your books into the markets where they are needed most.

● What C.S. Lewis Taught Me About Writing (Terry Glaspey) – “What C.S. Lewis Taught Me About Writing” looks to one of the finest Christian communicators to explore practical ways to improve your own writing and become a more effective communicator of the gospel. His example is one both fiction and nonfiction writers can learn much from. The talk will be enriched by insights from the author’s biography of C.S. Lewis.

● What Jane Austen Taught Me About Writing (Terry Glaspey) – “What Jane Austen Taught Me About Writing” examines the life and work of the beloved author to gather practical and inspiring insights about becoming a better writer and coping with the challenges of the writing life. The talk will include insights from the author’s biography of Jane Austen.

● Small Stories, Big Readership: Building a Series with 90-Minute Reads (Christina Suzann Nelson) – A shorter book still needs a complete story, memorable characters, emotional depth, and a reason for readers to come back. In this practical workshop, we will explore how to turn a focused story idea into a satisfying short read—and how to think beyond one book toward a sustainable series. Writers will learn how to create a compelling hook, structure a compact plot, use setting and recurring characters to build momentum, and avoid the most common mistakes that make short fiction feel rushed or incomplete. Come with a story idea; leave with a framework for a short read that can stand alone while opening the door to more.

Faculty

Terry Glaspey (Workshop Teacher) is an award-winning author and seminary professor. His books include 75 Masterpieces That Every Christian Should Know (Christianity Today Book Award and Evangelical Christian Publishers Award), Discovering God Through the Arts (Christianity Today Book Award and Gospel Coalition Book Award), Not a Tame Lion (ECPA Silver Medallion), The Prayers of Jane Austen, and others. His most recent book, The Faith of Jane Austen, was released February 2026. He worked in publishing for more than 35 years and was a winner of the AWSA Editor of the Year Award. Terry currently teaches at Northwind Seminary and has given talks across the United States as well as in Canada, Britain, and Taiwan.

Dawn Shipman (Workshop Teacher and Mentor) wanted to be a writer since her high school Creative Writing class. Since then, she has written and published articles, short stories, poetry, quizzes, plays, and, most recently, a YA Fantasy trilogy—Lost Stones of Argonia—published by Elk Lake. When she isn’t writing, Dawn loves reading, riding her horse, and exploring the God-graced beauties of the Pacific Northwest.

Jennifer Anne F. Messing (Workshop Teacher) is the author of three award-winning books including a poetry collection, Morning’s Promise: Poetic Moments in His Presence, that was an International Book Awards top finalist. She is also a two-time Cascade Writing Contest winner (Published Short Story). She has had 250 articles, short stories, and poems published in 75 magazines, including: Woman’s World, Guideposts, Today’s Christian Living, Micromance, CaféLit, FellowScript, LIVE, Standard, Purpose, and Seek. She’s a poet, speaker, graphic designer, and past president of Cascade Christian Writers. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Philippine-born, Jennifer Anne is a wife, mother, and doting Nana. www.JenniferAnneMessing.com

Tracie Heskett (Workshop Teacher) is a best-selling author who has written numerous teacher resource books as well as fiction and nonfiction children’s books. She wrote for educational publishers for more than 20 years. Tracie has a completed novel under contract and two others in progress. A lifelong learner, she holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a biblical counseling certificate. Recently, she participated in a writer in residence program. Her passions include equipping others in their life and work, presenting writing workshops, and researching. Tracie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and enjoys quilting, hiking, reading, playing piano, and cooking with her grown twin sons.

Award-winning author Amy Earls writes fiction that explores intersections between life issues and faith. A college advisor, she holds a master’s degree in education for adult learners, with an emphasis on writing. Amy lives in Oregon’s Willamette Valley with her husband and daughters.

An award-winning devotional writer, Heidi Gaul has contributed to twenty-five Guideposts books, including the popular Mornings with Jesus (2019−2026 editions). Her entertaining stories are included in more than a baker’s dozen of the Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies. She enjoys keynoting, leading writing workshops, and mentoring at writers’ conferences.

Julie Bonn Blank (Workshop Teacher and Mentor) experienced heaven during a clinical death experience (near death; NDE) when her heart stopped from an allergic reaction. She writes about her heaven learnings on a popular Substack blog. As part of her ongoing research about heaven, she now carefully pursues and relishes the Bible, Christian prophecy books, theological eschatology books, and near-death experience stories. Routed to Heaven is the first book in the Heaven Journeys collection, and several more are planned.

Christina Suzann Nelson (Workshop Teacher and Mentor) is an inspirational speaker and the award-winning author of If We Make It Home, Swimming in the Deep End, More Than We Remember, and The Way It Should Be She writes and speaks about hope after dysfunction. Christina is over the top about her passion for faith, family, fiction, and foster care. When she’s not writing, she’s working with the Every Child initiative, chasing escaped steers, reading, breathing in the sweet smell of her horse, hiking with her dog, or enjoying her just-as-crazy family.

Kendy Pearson (Workshop Teacher and Mentor) spent decades teaching high school before stepping into a professional writing career. She is a multi-award-winning author and owner of Pear Blossom Books—purposeful publishing where craft meets calling. She teaches writing workshops across the U.S. and enjoys connecting with Jesus-loving writers and readers.
Acquiring: Pear Blossom Books is looking for the following Christian fiction: middle grade, chapter books, historical, romance, suspense, western, biblical, and faith‑forward fantasy. In nonfiction, I’m looking for anthology contributions for (When Did I Become My Mother?) and two specific devotional target projects: grief and empty-nesters. I’m open to other devotional and nonfiction, but no memoir at this time.
Mentoring: authoring in general / pitching to publishers / preparing proposals / historical fiction / software / marketing questions

Mentor & Editor Appointments

Want to meet one-on-one with a mentor for advice and encouragement? Or meet with an acquisition editor? For only $10, you can sign up for two 15-minute appointments. Learn more about our mentors and reserve your sessions here.

– Dawn Shipman
– Christina Susann Nelson
– Julie Bonn Blank
– Kendy Pearson

Other Information

• Prayer will be available throughout the conference in the Prayer Room (location TBA).
• Pastries, fruit, coffee, and tea will be available in the morning.
• A snack will be provided in the afternoon.
• Tea and coffee will be available throughout the day.
• There is a filtered water station. Feel free to bring your own water bottle.
• Please bring your own lunch, or plan to walk to a nearby lunch place (approximately three minutes away).

Pricing

CCW Member Registration: $79.00
Nonmember Registration: $109.00

Early Bird Discount: Use code “EarlyBird20” for 20% discount
Note: Coupon code expires after September 1st