Schedule for 2026 Southern Christian Writers Conference
Note:
Sessions marked with asterisks ** will also be available virtually.
Workshops are not assigned rooms on this schedule; the final schedule will include those.
You don’t have to select workshops ahead of time; you will simply attend the ones you wish at the conference.
Workshops are not assigned rooms on this schedule; the final schedule will include those.
You don’t have to select workshops ahead of time; you will simply attend the ones you wish at the conference.
The SCWC takes place in the Student Center at The Church at Brook Hills. Follow the signs once you enter the church campus directing you to this building down the hill from the main building. The address for The Church at Brook Hills is 3145 Brook Highland Pkwy, Birmingham, AL 35242.
Keynote and general sessions are in Main Room. Workshop sessions are in Main Room, Modular (M) rooms outside, 101, and 204.
THURSDAY, JUNE 18
(The Thursday event is only for those registering/purchasing it as an add-on to the conference.)
6:00 p.m.: Doors open for Share & Critique Party
6:30-8:00 p.m.: Share & Critique Party
FRIDAY, JUNE 19
11:00 a.m: Check-in begins
12:00 p.m.: “SCWC 101: Tips for First Timers,” with Stephanie Rodda (MAIN ROOM)
12:45 p.m.: Worship music & gathering, led by Delaney Holloway ** (MAIN ROOM)
Book Room, Prayer Room (104), & other areas open
1 p.m.: Opening Session: “Welcome to the 2026 SCWC” **
2 p.m.: Workshops #1
1. “Writing Devotionals that Speak to the Heart” with Cindy Sproles ** (MAIN ROOM)
2. “ Plotting and P.O.V. in Fiction” with Ellen Sallas ** (M1)
3. “How Spiritual Gifts Shape your Words” with Shirley Crowder ** (M3)
4. “Christian Book Publishing Today” with John Herring ** (M4)
5. “Persistence in the Writing Journey “ with Kristy Ensor (207)
6. “Brainstorming with SCWC Staff” with Stephanie Rodda (101)
3 p.m.: Workshops #2
1. “Creative Marketing Techniques” with Tanya Eavenson ** (MAIN ROOM)
2. “Group Coaching Workshop” with Sue Mohr (M1)
3. “The Joy of Creativity: Tips for Enhancing Productivity and Finding Joy in your Writing” with Christopher Sloan (M3)
4. “Writing for Lifeway Publications” with David Bennett ** (M4)
5. “Telling and Writing Stories for Children” with Linda Holloway ** (207)
6. “Brainstorming with SCWC Staff” with Cheryl Wray (101)
4 p.m: Break time; Book Room, Prayer Room, and other areas open
5 p.m.: DINNER (MAIN ROOM)
Joanne Sloan National Award for the Encouragement of Writers presentation
6 p.m.: Keynote presentation, “Father Goose and the Power of Poetry and Picture Books” with Charles Ghigna ** (MAIN ROOM)
7:15 p.m.: Workshops #3
1. “Writing Bible Studies that Lead Scripture Speak for Itself” with Heather Iseminger ** (MAIN ROOM)
2. “Writing for Denominational Publications” with Dianna Cagle (M3)
3. “So You Want to Write a Cozy Mystery” with Deborah Malone and S.C. Merritt ** (M4)
4. “Writing as Outreach: Reaching Readers with Hope” with Vernet Nettles (207)
5. “Brainstorming with SCWC Staff” with Shirley Crowder (101)
8-8:30 p.m.:
Breakout Sessions
(Small discussion groups on a variety of writing topics, according to participants’ interests. MAIN ROOM)
8-9:00 p.m.:
Book Room & Prayer Room open
9 p.m: Doors close for the night
SATURDAY, JUNE 20
8:00 a.m.: Check in & BREAKFAST
Book Room, Prayer Room, & other areas open
9 a.m.: Opening Session: “Welcome Back for Day 2” (MAIN ROOM)
9:30: a.m. Workshops #4
1. “Travel Writing Road Map: Pitch, Plan, Produce” with Valerie Luesse ** (MAIN ROOM)
2. “Organizational Skills for the Writing Life” with McKenna Erwin ** (M3)
3. “The Rights of the Writer” with Heather Iseminger (M4)
4. “Newsletters for Authors” with Tanya Eavenson ** (207)
5. “Brainstorming with SCWC Staff,” with Vernet Nettles (101)
10:30 a.m.: Workshops #5
1. “Finding and Following God’s Purpose for your Writing” with Anna Nash (MAIN ROOM)
2. “Generating Ideas for your Writing” with Joanne Sloan (M1)
3. “Substack Simplified” with Stephanie Miller ** (M3)
4. “The Nuts and Bolts of Self Publishing” with Steve and Laura Young ** (M4)
5. “Feature Stories that Shine” with Solomon Crenshaw Jr. ** (207)
6. “Brainstorming with SCWC Staff,” with Diana Cagle (101)
11:30 a.m.: LUNCH (MAIN ROOM)
12:30 p.m.: Keynote presentation, “To Tell the Truth” with Cindy Sproles ** (MAIN ROOM)
1:30 p.m.: Workshops #6
1. “First Person: Writing from your Personal Experience” with Javacia Bowser ** (MAIN ROOM)
2. “Group Coaching Workshop” with Sue Mohr (M1)
3. “Querying and Writing Magazine Articles” with Cheryl Wray ** (M4)
4. “A Novella Approach” with Stephanie Rodda ** (207)
5. “Brainstorming with SCWC Staff” with McKenna Erwin (101)
2:15 p.m.: Break; book room, prayer room, and other areas open
3:00 p.m.: Question and Answer Panel with Ramona Richards and Cheryl Wray ** (MAIN ROOM)
3:30 p.m.: Closing Session (including door prizes and 2026 SCWC Writing Awards ceremony) ** (MAIN ROOM)
(The Thursday event is only for those registering/purchasing it as an add-on to the conference.)
6:00 p.m.: Doors open for Share & Critique Party
6:30-8:00 p.m.: Share & Critique Party
FRIDAY, JUNE 19
11:00 a.m: Check-in begins
12:00 p.m.: “SCWC 101: Tips for First Timers,” with Stephanie Rodda (MAIN ROOM)
12:45 p.m.: Worship music & gathering, led by Delaney Holloway ** (MAIN ROOM)
Book Room, Prayer Room (104), & other areas open
1 p.m.: Opening Session: “Welcome to the 2026 SCWC” **
2 p.m.: Workshops #1
1. “Writing Devotionals that Speak to the Heart” with Cindy Sproles ** (MAIN ROOM)
2. “ Plotting and P.O.V. in Fiction” with Ellen Sallas ** (M1)
3. “How Spiritual Gifts Shape your Words” with Shirley Crowder ** (M3)
4. “Christian Book Publishing Today” with John Herring ** (M4)
5. “Persistence in the Writing Journey “ with Kristy Ensor (207)
6. “Brainstorming with SCWC Staff” with Stephanie Rodda (101)
3 p.m.: Workshops #2
1. “Creative Marketing Techniques” with Tanya Eavenson ** (MAIN ROOM)
2. “Group Coaching Workshop” with Sue Mohr (M1)
3. “The Joy of Creativity: Tips for Enhancing Productivity and Finding Joy in your Writing” with Christopher Sloan (M3)
4. “Writing for Lifeway Publications” with David Bennett ** (M4)
5. “Telling and Writing Stories for Children” with Linda Holloway ** (207)
6. “Brainstorming with SCWC Staff” with Cheryl Wray (101)
4 p.m: Break time; Book Room, Prayer Room, and other areas open
5 p.m.: DINNER (MAIN ROOM)
Joanne Sloan National Award for the Encouragement of Writers presentation
6 p.m.: Keynote presentation, “Father Goose and the Power of Poetry and Picture Books” with Charles Ghigna ** (MAIN ROOM)
7:15 p.m.: Workshops #3
1. “Writing Bible Studies that Lead Scripture Speak for Itself” with Heather Iseminger ** (MAIN ROOM)
2. “Writing for Denominational Publications” with Dianna Cagle (M3)
3. “So You Want to Write a Cozy Mystery” with Deborah Malone and S.C. Merritt ** (M4)
4. “Writing as Outreach: Reaching Readers with Hope” with Vernet Nettles (207)
5. “Brainstorming with SCWC Staff” with Shirley Crowder (101)
8-8:30 p.m.:
Breakout Sessions
(Small discussion groups on a variety of writing topics, according to participants’ interests. MAIN ROOM)
8-9:00 p.m.:
Book Room & Prayer Room open
9 p.m: Doors close for the night
SATURDAY, JUNE 20
8:00 a.m.: Check in & BREAKFAST
Book Room, Prayer Room, & other areas open
9 a.m.: Opening Session: “Welcome Back for Day 2” (MAIN ROOM)
9:30: a.m. Workshops #4
1. “Travel Writing Road Map: Pitch, Plan, Produce” with Valerie Luesse ** (MAIN ROOM)
2. “Organizational Skills for the Writing Life” with McKenna Erwin ** (M3)
3. “The Rights of the Writer” with Heather Iseminger (M4)
4. “Newsletters for Authors” with Tanya Eavenson ** (207)
5. “Brainstorming with SCWC Staff,” with Vernet Nettles (101)
10:30 a.m.: Workshops #5
1. “Finding and Following God’s Purpose for your Writing” with Anna Nash (MAIN ROOM)
2. “Generating Ideas for your Writing” with Joanne Sloan (M1)
3. “Substack Simplified” with Stephanie Miller ** (M3)
4. “The Nuts and Bolts of Self Publishing” with Steve and Laura Young ** (M4)
5. “Feature Stories that Shine” with Solomon Crenshaw Jr. ** (207)
6. “Brainstorming with SCWC Staff,” with Diana Cagle (101)
11:30 a.m.: LUNCH (MAIN ROOM)
12:30 p.m.: Keynote presentation, “To Tell the Truth” with Cindy Sproles ** (MAIN ROOM)
1:30 p.m.: Workshops #6
1. “First Person: Writing from your Personal Experience” with Javacia Bowser ** (MAIN ROOM)
2. “Group Coaching Workshop” with Sue Mohr (M1)
3. “Querying and Writing Magazine Articles” with Cheryl Wray ** (M4)
4. “A Novella Approach” with Stephanie Rodda ** (207)
5. “Brainstorming with SCWC Staff” with McKenna Erwin (101)
2:15 p.m.: Break; book room, prayer room, and other areas open
3:00 p.m.: Question and Answer Panel with Ramona Richards and Cheryl Wray ** (MAIN ROOM)
3:30 p.m.: Closing Session (including door prizes and 2026 SCWC Writing Awards ceremony) ** (MAIN ROOM)
_____________________________
We are praying for the 2026 Southern Christian Writers Conference! We have prayerfully sought our leaders, and believe that they will provide you with quality information and meaningful encouragement.
Email Coordinator Cheryl Wray at scwritersconference@gmail.com if you have questions.
If you have friends, fellow writers, or others who may be interested in attending the Southern Christian Writers Conference...We have FIVE slots available for in-person attendance.. If you can't attend in person, but want to sign up for virtual access you can also do that at the form below.
REGISTRATION FORM LINK HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdduaqNdMx4YyzXEyi-XAbFCzaNxTEeZ6ao7HzfLTqzVPwDXA/viewform?usp=header
For more information about the conference:
Email Coordinator Cheryl Wray at scwritersconference@gmail.com if you have questions.
If you have friends, fellow writers, or others who may be interested in attending the Southern Christian Writers Conference...We have FIVE slots available for in-person attendance.. If you can't attend in person, but want to sign up for virtual access you can also do that at the form below.
REGISTRATION FORM LINK HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdduaqNdMx4YyzXEyi-XAbFCzaNxTEeZ6ao7HzfLTqzVPwDXA/viewform?usp=header
For more information about the conference:
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