#UTOPiAcon2024: Writer Conference & Book Signing Event

#UTOPiAcon2024: Writer Conference & Book Signing Event

Join the Wild Hunt! Learn & Share w/ fave authors at conference, & Celebrate fave books at Awards. Cosplay, scavenger hunt & more!

By UTOPiAcon

Date and time

June 21 · 8am - June 22 · 10pm CDT

Location

Holiday Inn Nashville-Vanderbilt (Dwtn), an IHG Hotel

2613 West End Avenue Nashville, TN 37203

Refund Policy

No Refunds

Agenda

7:00 AM - 7:30 AM

Labyrinth Walk

A labyrinth walk is sometimes referred to as a walking or moving meditation. Labyrinths differ from mazes in that labyrinth's have only one continuous path, with no dead ends. By trusting and followi...

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

Summer Solstice Break Fast

A buffet breakfast in Susie Gray Dining Hall at Scarritt-Bennett Center

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Welcome to UTOPiAcon 2024

Janet Hudson Hagan

Welcome back to UTOPiA! Janet with share agenda updates, conference tips, and any other important info attendees need to know.

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Opening Keynote: C. J. Redwine

C. J. Redwine

NY Times bestselling author of the Ravenspire series and Rise of the Vicious Princess, and co-founder of The Writer's Sanctuary, retreats and resources for writers, C. J. Redwine will kick off UTOPiA...

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Brave New Writer - Laskey A

Bethany Adams

Whether still an aspiring writer, or a recently minted debut author, you're still learning the ins and outs of the craft of writing, the pathways to publishing, the new and established ways to marke...

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Representation in Books - Clyde & Mary

Jessica Cage

Cait Marie

Jaci Wheeler

Race. Sexual Orientation. DisAbility. You want to be inclusive in your stories, but are afraid to approach it. This panel talks about why it's important and how to handle inclusion with care. The pan...

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Two Heads Are Better Than One: Collaborative Co-writing - Laskey C

Lorelei M. Hart

Aria Grace

Elle Madison

Robin D. Mahle

**Sponsored by Delphina Miyares** What are the benefits of collaborative writing? How do you manage the writing schedule? How do you keep the story in the right tone when multiple people are behind t...

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

LUNCH

For those who purchased Litha Lunch tickets, lunch is in the Susie Grey Dining Hall from 11:30 am - 1 pm. For everyone else, there are off-campus options nearby with plenty of time to go grab some f...

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

The Future of Books, Sponsored by Book.io - Harambee Auditiorium (in Fondren)

Book.io

Josh Stone, Founder and CEO, Book.io

Sheila Dohmann, Dir. of Marketing & Operations, Book,.io

A thorough introduction to the BOOK.io company and proprietary eBook and Audiobook technology on the Blockchain, allowing users to truly own their digitally published assets. Also, a full explanation...

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

The Difference Between Alpha & Beta Readers and Critique Partners - Laskey A

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

The Blurred Lines in Romantasy - Clyde & Mary

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Books & Music - Laskey C

Beth Crowley

Casey Bond

Most authors these days have playlists that they write to, playlists for characters, books, and scenes. But what are all the possibilities available to authors to enhance the book's story off the pag...

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Build Your Author Platform - Laskey A

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Visual Book Branding & Special Editions - Clyde & Mary

Melissa Stevens of The Illustrated Author

**Sponsored by The Illustrated Author Design Services** — You've seen the pretties, those special editions with sprayed edges, embossed hardback covers, special inks, fonts, and interior formatting. ...

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Selling Direct to Readers - Laskey C

Nikki Jefford

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Writing Well-Rounded Characters - Laskey A

Robin D. Mahle

Elle Madison

Melissa Roerich

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Crowdfunding Your Book Project

Nikki Jefford

Alisha Klapheke

AK Koonce

Erin Bedford

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Formatting Your Book for KDP - Harambee Auditorium

Susan Burdorf

Learn the basics of how to format your book for KDP with a live, on-screen presentation. You're gonna want to take notes.

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Writer Wellbeing

In one of the last panels of the day it's time to address work-life balance and what authors absolutely must do for themselves to manage their mental, physical, and emotional self care. If you strugg...

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Beyond the Veil: Worldbuilding Excellence - Laskey C

Cait Marie

Rysa Walker

About this event

Join us for #UTOPiAcon2024!

Writer Conference & Book Signing Event on June 21-22, 2024 in Nashville, TN.

This is the perfect opportunity for writers to come together and learn from each other, attend workshops, and meet with publishers, vendors, friends, and fans.

We have an exciting lineup of speakers who will share their expertise on various topics related to writing and publishing, as well as writing sprints, raffles, and more. Don't miss out on the chance to network with other writers and get your books signed by your favorite authors. This is an in-person event, so we encourage everyone to come and join us for a two days of learning and fun. See you there!

UTOPiAcon, the trailblazing conference founded in 2012, and called "the con with heart" by Publisher's Weekly, is for writers and readers of supernatural, contemporary, and romantic fiction.


FRIDAY, June 21, 2024 — Conference Day — Scarritt Bennett Center

LOCATION: Scarritt-Bennett Center: 1027 18th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212
Breakfast and Lunch with some authors available.

Panels, speakers, sprints, raffles, readings, Q&As, scavenger hunt, and more!

Keynote Speaker: NY Times bestselling author of the Ravenspire series and Rise of the Vicious Princess, and co-founder of The Writer's Sanctuary, retreats and resources for writers, C. J. Redwine

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SATURDAY, June 22, 2024 — Book Signing Day & UTOPiAcon Awards Night + Wild Hunt Cosplay Runway

LOCATION: Holiday Inn Vanderbilt
2613 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203

Authors will be present at both signings.

9 AM - 12 PM Signing

2 PM - 4:30 PM Signing

Awards time TBD

Special guest, Beth Crowley, whose original songs inspired by books— The Cruel Prince, The Mortal Instruments, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Glamour of Midnight, Crooked Kingdom, and so many more— have made her an internet sensation, amassing over 181,000 subscribers on Youtube, and 262,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, not to mention her over 10k fans on Instagram.


THE FUTURE OF BOOKS is Sponsored by Book.io. The CEO, along with the Director of Marketing for Book.io will be at UTOPiAcon 2024 for a special 90-minute informative session on the future of books on the blockchain. We have an incredible gift for every attendee, as well. You will not want to miss it!

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Frequently asked questions

What is your refund policy?

There are no refunds. You may transfer your ticket to someone else up to May 31, 2024. Please email utopiaconvention @ gmail . com with that person's name as it is on their I.D. and their email address.

Are children allowed?

We recommend that no children come with you to the conference day. Please remove any children that are distracting from discussions. Any child over the age of 13 must have an admission ticket to conference or signing. All children must be accompanied by paying adult. Strong Language, Steamy books.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Scarritt Bennett Center is ADA compliant, and has elevators in both Laskey Hall and Fondren, where all the 2024 UTOPiAcon events take place.

What food options will be available at the event?

Scarritt Bennett Center does not allow outside food or drink on site. There will be water and coffee stations in both buildings. In addition, we are offering a limited number of LUNCH BUFFET tickets, where you can eat with some of the authors on June 21 & 22.

Can I bring my own food or drinks to conference/signing?

No outside food or drink is allowed at Scarritt Bennett Center, but there are water & coffee stations, a vending machine in Laskey Hall, as well as a lunch buffet option. There are many places to eat within walking distance, as well.

What should I wear to the Awards?

Most attendees and authors dress in semi-formal to formal wear. We also see a lot of cosplay. This year's theme is The Wild Hunt, so bring your best fae if you feel so inclined.

What should I wear to conference?

It's hot in June in Nashville so please dress comfortably. Bring a sweater if the conference rooms get too cold. Anyone wearing anything with offensive, degrading, or racist language on it ,or that encourage alcohol or drug use will be asked to leave/change.

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UTOPiAcon

Events for authors, readers, service providers in publishing.

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