Catholic Writers Conference Live 2024
The Catholic Writers Guild will hold its annual live conference Tuesday, May 28 - Thursday, May 30, 2024, in conjunction with the Association of Catholic Publishers meeting at the Holiday Inn O'Hare, 5615 N Cumberland Ave, Chicago, IL 60631. We have a full day of activities scheduled for Thursday at this year's conference, so plan to make Friday your travel day so you can take full advantage of the opportunity to participate in some of ACP's workshop breakout sessions!
Before you register, make sure to make your lunch choice (the menu is at the bottom of this page).
REGISTER NOW! If you've already registered, scroll down below the schedule for hotel reservation info.
The 2024 Conference Schedule is below. Bookmark this page for more information, and be sure to watch our member newsletter and social media updates.
Registration for the conference and info about the hotel room block is now open and is available at the bottom of this section. Registration is made through the Association of Catholic Publishers. (You do not have to join the Association of Catholic Publishers to register; proceed to register as a guest.)
Conference registration closes when we reach our limit of 100 registrants. There will be no registration at the door.
2024 Conference Schedule:
Tues. 5/28
1-2:15 PM Opening/ice-breaker
2:30-3:45 PM Panel: What Publishers (and Readers) Really Want: Two Editors Share Advice on Reaching your Target Audience (Moderator: Carmela Martino, Panelists: Sr. Maria Grace Dateno and Rebecca Martin)
4:00-5:00 PM KEYNOTE: Consecrating our Writing to Mary (Fr. Edward Looney)
5:15-6:00 PM Crafting Your Story for a Wider Audience (Allison Gingras)
Pitch Prep session at the same time in one of the small conference rooms on the second floor (required for authors who have appointments to pitch books to a publisher during the conference)
Wed. 5/29
9-9:45 AM Setting SMART Goals for Your Writing (Marge Steinhage Fenelon)
10-11:15 AM Panel: What is Catholic Fiction and Why Do We Need It? (Moderator: Arthur Powers; Panelists: G.M. Baker, Sr. Maria Grace Dateno, Rebecca Martin, Amy Schisler)
11:30 AM-12:15 PM Cover Letter Vs. Query Letter: What’s the Difference, When Do You Need Them, and How Do You Write Them? (Amy Cattapan)
12:45-1:45 PM Meals with Mentors: signups are now open!
2-3 PM KEYNOTE: For Such a Time as This: Three Powerful Lessons I’ve Learned From the Catholic Writing Community (Claire Dwyer)
3:15-4:30 PM Panel: Marketing and Social Media: Strategies for Connecting with Readers (Moderator: Maria Riley; Panelists: Sarah Anne Carter, Antony Barone Kolenc, Amanda Lauer, and Erin McCole Cupp)
4:45-5:45 Final main session in large conference room: Book raffle, introduction to the Association of Catholic Publishers schedule for Thursday, and more
Thur. 5/30
8-12 Pitch sessions in two rooms (learn more and sign up here)
In other rooms:
9:00-10:00 Workshop A: Deacon Arthur Powers on Faith and Writing
10:30-11:30 Workshop B: Erin McCole Cupp on Create and Sell Your Own Online Course
Thursday afternoon: Attend ACP's breakout sessions on these topics:
- Targeting Audiences in Social Media Today
- Best Practices on Key Words and Metadata
- Social Media and Influencer Marketing
- Ethics and Legal Ramifications of AI-Generated Images
- Design as a Service and Vocation
- Book Design as Branding Design
- Non-Fiction Developmental Editing
- Recruiting Diverse Talent as Authors and Editors
- What Are the Best Ways to Use Writing and AI
- Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and Christian Publishing: Issues & Opportunities
- How to Shape Our Organizational Culture in the Post-Pandemic World (2 part session)
Room rates are $119.00. Mention that you are with the "Association Catholic Publishers" to get this special rate. The cut-off date for this rate is May 8, 2022.
Call 1-800-HOLIDAY (1-800-465-4329) or 773-693-5800. Please mention the group name ACP at the time of resevation to obtain the discounted rate. Or go to hiohare.com and type in the Group code: ACP
The CWG has been a blessing at both local and national levels. With the encouragement and support from you, I have truly grown as a fledgling writer. I look forward to next year! Paula Babadi
Through all this week's seminars I was so encouraged by such friendly members, and especially the liberty to express our faith throughout the writing process. Colleen Blevins