Catholic Marketing Network's Momentum '22 Tradeshow and Conference will be in Schaumberg, Illinois from July 25-28, 2022, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel. More details on the Catholic Writers Conference Live, held in conjunction with Momentum '22, below!

Please be sure when registering to select the Catholic Writers Guild Track. Doing so ensures that you are registered for our sessions and allows the Guild to receive payment for your registration.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:

All Catholic Writers Guild sessions will be held in the Nirvana B and Nirvana C Ballrooms on the second floor.

Monday, July 25, 2022

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Booth set-up (volunteer opportunity*)

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

6:30 - 7:00 a.m. Morning Rosary

7:00 - 8:00 a.m. Mass - Celebrant: Fr. Chris Alar, MIC

8:00 - 8:15 a.m. Procession of Blessed Sacrament

8:15 - 9:00 a.m. Blessing of Expo Hall by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC

9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Catholic Writers Guild booth open on trade show floor (volunteer opportunity*)

10:00 - 10:45 am. Welcome Session (Nirvana C Ballroom)
Come learn about the Catholic Writers Guild, participate in a Meet and Greet, and get an overview of the conference.

11:00 - 11:45 a.m. Writing as Ministry Panel (Nirvana C Ballroom)
Hear from a variety of authors how writing fits into their ministry as speakers, podcasters, and more!
Moderator: Amanda Lauer
Panelists: Jean Heaton, Marcia Lane-McGee, Caitie Crowley, Marge Steinhage Fenelon

Pitch Preparation - Joe Durepos and Stephanie Landsem (Nirvana B Ballroom)Joe Durepos, along with historical fiction author Stephanie Landsem, will help those preparing to pitch their book ideas to publishers at the conference. Joe Durepos is an author coach and literary agent who has helped bring more than 500 books to market in the Catholic and spiritual marketplace. Learn the do’s and don’ts of pitching from an industry expert and perfect your pitch.

12:00 - 1:45 p.m. Lunch break on your own (Stay tuned for information on opportunities to sign up for the “Meals with Mentors” program.)

2:00 - 2:45 p.m. Solutions for Writers - Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers (Nirvana C Ballroom)
New technology options and cautionary tales from world-renowned Catholic author and speaker Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers ("The Dynamic Deacon")

3:00 - 3:45 p.m. Tips and Tools to Succeed in Marketing - Cathy Gilmore (Nirvana C Ballroom)
Cathy shares valuable insights from her work doing marketing and communications for Catholic Marketing Network. Plus: get info about the new online virtue-based marketing platform Cathy has created called
VirtueSearch.

Pitch Sessions (Nirvana B Ballroom)
Stay tuned for information on signing up to pitch your book to a Catholic publisher.

4:00 - 4:45p.m. Honing Your Authorial Voice - Jane Lebak (Nirvana C Ballroom)
Agents and editors will always say they want a "strong authorial voice," but what is it? How do you develop it, and how do you know when it's just right? In this seminar, novelist and short story writer Jane Lebak will cover voice and how you can use it to enhance your characters, your story, and maybe even your chances at publication.

Pitch Sessions (Nirvana B Ballroom)

5:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception (Cash Bar)
6:30 p.m. Author/Artisan Meet and Greet

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

6:30 - 7:00 a.m. Morning Rosary

7:00 - 8:00 a.m. Holy Mass - Celebrant: Most Reverend Joseph Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago

8:00 a.m. Keynote Breakfast - Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers (extra ticket required)

9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Catholic Writers Guild booth open on trade show floor (volunteer opportunity*)

10:00-10:45 a.m. Who REALLY Types on My Keyboard? - Marge Steinhage Fenelon (Nirvana C Ballroom)
Marge Steinhage Fenelon is an award-winning author, veteran journalist, international speaker, retreat leader, and popular radio personality. Marge will provide steps for making sure that you’re writing what God wants you to write.

11:00 - 11:45 a.m. The Editing Process Panel (Nirvana C Ballroom)
Learn what it’s like to work with an editor on your manuscript and what you can do to get your manuscript in shape.
Moderator: Karen Ullo
Panelists: Barb Szyszkiewicz, Rhonda Ortiz, Karina Fabian, Rebecca Martin

12:00 - 1:45 p.m. Lunch break on your own (Stay tuned for information on opportunities to sign up for the “Meals with Mentors” program.)

2:00 - 2:45 p.m. Social Media for Fostering More Than Sales - Allison Gingras (Nirvana C Ballroom)
The origin of social media was to help people connect; over the years, using social media to sell products has clouded that original goal. Good social media strategies for evangelization include a balance of faith and work. Showing who you are in Christ—how you pray, play, and share—leads to more success with your overall goals.

3:00 - 3:45 p.m. New Ways to Grow Your Newsletter List - Stephanie Landsem (Nirvana C Ballroom)
Your newsletter is still your most valuable resource for book sales. Discover new ways to grow your email list that AREN’T asking for sign-ups on social media. Stephanie will talk about author collaborations, lead magnets, and QR codes that expand your list and keep your subscribers engaged.

4:00 - 4:45 p.m. How to Get Traditionally Published – and Why! Panel (Nirvana C Ballroom)
Hear from editors at four major Catholic publishers about what it takes to land a book contract and why you should consider traditional publishing over self-publishing.
Moderator: Lisa Hendey
Panelists: Sr. Maria Grace Dateno, FSP (Pauline Books & Media), Rhonda Ortiz (Chrism Press), Rebecca Martin (OSV), Heidi Hess Saxton (Ave Maria Press)

5:00 - 5:45 p.m. Panel: The Author Platform: Understanding What It Is and Why You Need One  (Nirvana C Ballroom)

Joe Durepos, former Loyola Press acquisitions editor, Catholic literary agent, and Association of Catholic Publishers Hall of Fame Member, will moderate a panel on that nemesis of all writers: The Author Platform.

Panelists: Tony Kolenc, Stephanie Landsem, Jean Heaton

Thursday, July 28, 2022

6:30 - 7:00 a.m. Morning Rosary

7:00 - 8:00 a.m. Holy Mass - Celebrant: Fr. Richard Heilman

8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Light breakfast (extra ticket required)

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Book Sale at the Catholic Writers Guild booth - Guild members with SOA books (or books with an Imprimatur), as well as presenters from the conference, will be selling and autographing copies of their books.

10:00 - 10:45 a.m. Character-Driven vs. Plot-Driven: A False Dichotomy - Karen Ullo (Nirvana C Ballroom)
Author and editor Karen Ullo will debunk the myth that fiction must be either character-driven or plot-driven and show how the two elements should shape each other.

10:00 - 10:45 a.m. Legal Issues for Writers - Tony Kolenc (Nirvana B Ballroom)
Tony, an author and a lawyer, will share information writers need to know regarding legal topics.

11:00 - 11:30 a.m. Closing Session–with door prizes! (Nirvana C Ballroom)

Stick around for the closing session to provide feedback on the conference, discuss possibilities for future Catholic Writers Guild activities, and win some door prizes! We’ll be giving away a one-year membership to the Catholic Writers Guild, one free registration for next year’s Catholic Writers Conference Online, and some amazing books!

12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Booth Take Down (volunteer opportunity*)

The Catholic Marketing Network is delighted to sponsor the Catholic Writers Guild Live event as a CMN Conference Partner. Guild members are welcome to drop in on any CMN Momentum session hosted by any Conference Partner (Law of Life Summit, CEMA Pillars of Faith, Retailer Seminar). Plus…please welcome event attendees to the Guild sessions who are not currently members of the CWG.

*Please note: volunteers will be needed to assist in various areas. Members who volunteer for at least six hours will be reimbursed their $100 registration fee by the Guild after the conference. To sign up, see our link in the left sidebar.

Opportunities for volunteering include the following:
● Booth set up on Monday and booth take down on Thursday
● Monitoring the booth during trade show hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
● Assisting with pitch sessions on Tuesday afternoon
● Assisting with introducing speakers (one assistant needed to introduce Tony Kolenc)