The Art of Writing 2026

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for the 

Art of Writing 2026, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Conference

The Art of Writing conference will be held on November 6 in Nashville at the Sonesta Nashville Airport Hotel, Tennessee. This focused, four-session conference will bring together writers, storytellers, and publishing professionals, curated by Thomas Nelson Fiction's Laura Wheeler.

 

Session One: State of the Industry: What's Changing, What's Selling, and What You Can Do About It

The Christian fiction marketplace is shifting—and the authors who thrive will be the ones who understand why. This panel of publishing professionals opens with a data-driven look at the current state of Christian publishing, drawing on the latest market research to map what's actually moving books today. From there, the conversation gets practical: how platform sales really work, what authors can do to actively support their books, and why audio is the format no one can afford to ignore. Whether you're traditionally published or exploring indie paths, you'll leave with a clearer picture of the industry landscape and concrete next steps for your own author education. 

Panel moderated by Laura Wheeler, and featuring Kelsey Bowen, Stephanie Broene, Nick Gilbert, Becky Monds, and Kerri Potts.

Session Two: AI and the Christian Author: Ethics, Opportunity, and a Rapidly Changing Landscape

 

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the publishing landscape faster than anyone predicted—and for many authors, it's raising as many questions as it eyebrows. This panel brings together diverse industry voices to cut through the noise with clarity and hard-won wisdom. What can AI legitimately help you do? Where are the ethical lines—and why do they keep moving? What do you need to know to protect yourself legally and act with integrity as a creative? This session is about being informed, staying anchored in your values, and navigating a fast-changing landscape with wisdom. 

Panel moderated by Jeff Crosby, and featuring Chad Harrington, Hannah Johnson, and Joshua Tallent. 

Session Three: Soul of the Writer, Heart of the Story: Writing Fiction That Reaches Every Reader

The metrics are loud. The algorithms are relentless. And somewhere in the middle of it all, there's a writer trying to create something that actually matters. This session begins with the writer and asks what it takes to stay spiritually and creatively whole in an industry that never stops measuring. From that foundation, the conversation moves into craft: how do you write fiction that carries deep conviction without losing readers who don't share your faith? What's the difference between a story that illuminates and one that lectures? How do you make those choices at the level of character, scene, and structure? This is a session for authors who believe their stories are for something—and want to write them in a way that proves it. 

Panel moderated by Amanda Cox, and featuring Amanda Dykes, T.I. Lowe, Johanna Vann, and Roseanna M. White. 

Session Four: Fix That Manuscript: Inside the Author-Editor Relationship 

What actually happens when an editor gets their hands on your manuscript—and how do the best author-editor partnerships improve the work without making it smaller? This Q&A session pulls back the curtain on the editorial process with real manuscript pages, real edits, and a real conversation between an author and editor who have done this work together. You'll learn the difference between different levels of editing and walk away with a clearer understanding of what to expect—and how to get the most—from your editorial relationships. 

Panel featuring Laura Wheeler, Vanessa Miller, and Marybeth Whalen.

Learn More about Art of Writing 2026

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New: Beyond the Books

Add-On: Get to Know the Finalist Authors during this special morning gathering of authors and readers. 

Meet and hear the hearts of the 2026 finalist authors in this intimate time of connection between authors and their readers, hosted by Amanda Dykes and ECPA President Jeff Crosby. Available to anyone registering for a single event or the bundle. Featured finalist authors will be posted on The Christy Award website after the Finalists Reveal webinar.

Learn More about Beyond the Books

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The Christy Award Finalists Reveal

Christian fiction fans are invited to register and watch the free webcast announcement of The Christy Award finalists in nine categories live on September 11 at 10 a.m. CST, featuring Christy Hall of Fame author Chris Fabry and ECPA president Jeff Crosby.

“With each passing year, I am more aware of the power that stories have to communicate goodness, truth, beauty and hope in our world,” states ECPA president Jeff Crosby. “And because of that, I am honored to be associated with the annual Christy Gala, which honors excellence in Christian fiction, and the Art of Writing conference that nurtures the work of writers of faith and contributes tools as they refine their craft.” The Christy Award® is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and is the foremost award honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction since 1999. For more information about ECPA, visit ECPA.org. For more information about the Christy Awards and Art of Writing conferences, visit ChristyAwards.com or email TheChristyAward@ecpa.org

Register Now for The Art of Writing & The Christy Award events

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive their choice of The Art of Writing registration OR print copies of The Christy Award finalist titles for one category!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 4, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 11, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Rendezvous 2024 ~ Event Spotlight

Today, I'm spotlighting the upcoming JustRead Rendezvous 2024.

That's right the JustRead Rendezvous is back for another year!

Read on to get all the info about what's happening and 

be sure to read all the way to the end for a chance to win prizes.

Welcome to the Blog Tour for
JustRead Rendezvous 2024, 

hosted, sponsored, and organized by 

JustRead Publicity Tours!

You are Invited

JustRead Rendezvous
November 15, 2024
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel & Conference Center Chicago-Downers Grove

Join fellow readers and authors at the JustRead Rendezvous to celebrate Christian fiction and sweet reads. This event, modeled after the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat, aims to sweeten reading and storytelling experiences with fellowship and encouragement. Activities will include corporate worship, speaker sessions, author panels, small group discussions, games, giveaways, a pop-up book shop, and author signings. 

Baker Publishing Group fiction imprints (Bethany House and Revell), Enclave Publishing, and Kregel Publications have joined JustRead Publicity Tours as event sponsors.

Learn more about the 2024 JustRead Rendezvous

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Participating Authors

first row: Amanda Barratt, Amanda Cox, Amanda Dykes, Angela Ruth Strong, Becky Wade, Elizabeth Goddard, Elizabeth Musser, Emily Conrad, Gabrielle Meyer. 

second row: Janilise Lloyd, Kate Breslin, Katie Powner, Kimberley Woodhouse, Kristi Ann Hunter, Laura Frantz, Linda MacKillop, Lisa Phillips, Lynn Austin. 

third row: Mesu Andrews, Nancy Mehl, Nicole Deese, Robin W. Pearson, Ronie Kendig, Sara Brunsvold, Sara Davison, Sara Ella, Sara Watterson

Keynote speakers include Amanda Dykes, Becky Wade, and Ronie Kendig. Kimberley Woodhouse and Lisa Phillips will lead worship. More authors will be added to the event as reader registration increases!  

Check out recent releases by participating authors in the JustRead Amazon Storefront.

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Register

The registration fee (including a book tote, lunch, afternoon snack, and more) is $124 for readers. We’re nearing the reader registration mark to add more best-selling, debut, and indie authors to the 2024 event. Tell your friends and register today to pave the way by August 1! 

Subscribe to email updates and learn more about each author on the JustRead Rendezvous website. Connect with other attendees and hopefuls in the Rendezvous Roomies & Logistics ’24 private Facebook group to arrange shared experiences or cost-sharing opportunities. 

Register Now

P.S. Join us on Thursday at the same location for the Art of Writing conference and The Christy Award Winners Gala. The Christy Award honors and promotes excellence in Christian fiction and is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. 

Visit christyawards.com for more information and registration.

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Giveaway

(1) winner will receive one paid registration to JustRead Rendezvous 2024
courtesy of '23 Rendezvous author Tamara Leigh

(1) winner will receive a canvas tote bag, an A6 journal notebook
with a ballpoint pen, a 12 oz enamel mug,
a scented candle, and a reading blanket

(5) winners will receive a $10 egift card
(Baker Book House, Christianbook, or Amazon)

Full tour schedule linked below.
The giveaway begins at midnight June 4, 2024, and will last
through 11:59 PM EST on June 11, 2024.
Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway
and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize.
US only for physical prizes.
Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Presenting The Christy Award Finalists 2022

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for The Christy Award Finalists 

organized by ECPA and hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! 

Today is all about the Christy Award Finalists for 2022.

See who is up for each category, and get ready to cheer on your favorite.

Which is, in several cases, hard - having read many of these books 

I don't envy the judges having to pick one winner.

Congratulations to ALL The Christy Award 2022 Finalists!

May the odds be ever in your favor!

The Christy Award Finalists 2022

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter (Thomas Nelson Publishers), Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong (Kregel Publications)

FIRST NOVEL

All That Is Secret by Patricia Raybon (Tyndale House Publishers), Recorder by Cathy McCrumb (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media), Sugar Birds by Cheryl Grey Bostrom (She Writes Press)

GENERAL FICTION

The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin (Thomas Nelson Publishers), The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group), Under the Magnolias by T. I. Lowe (Tyndale House Publishers)

HISTORICAL

Between the Wild Branches by Connilyn Cossette (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), Drawn by The Current by Jocelyn Green (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), The Widows of Champagne by Renee Ryan (Love Inspired), Yours is the Night by Amanda Dykes (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham (Barbour Publishing), Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group)

MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER

Aftermath by Terri Blackstock (Thomas Nelson Publishers), On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor by Jaime Jo Wright (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), The Barrister and the Letter of Marque by Todd M. Johnson (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) 

SHORT FORM

A Texas Christmas Carol (in Under the Texas Mistletoe) by Karen Witemeyer (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group), False Pretense by Heather Day Gilbert (WoodHaven Press), Mr. Nicholas: A Magical Christmas Tale by Christopher de Vinck (Paraclete Press)

SPECULATIVE

A Time to Seek by Tracy Higley (Stonewater Books LLC), Dark Intercept by Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson (Tyndale House Publishers), Recorder by Cathy McCrumb (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media), Windward Shore by Sharon Hinck (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media)

YOUNG ADULT

A Gentle Tyranny by Jess Corban (Wander, an imprint of Tyndale House Publishers), Realms of Light by Sandra Fernandez Rhoads (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media), Shadow by Kara Swanson (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media)

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive print copies of The Christy Award finalist titles from one category of their choice!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. 

The full tour schedule is linked below. 

The giveaway began at midnight on November 3, 2022, 

and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on November 10, 2022. 

The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway 

and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. 

US only. 

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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REGISTER FOR THE CHRISTY AWARD 2022 EVENTS

YOU ARE INVITED:

Art of Writing on November 17, 12:30-5 pm at Lipscomb University in Nashville $99
A conference for writers, storytellers, and publishing curators.

The Christy Award Gala on November 17, 7-9 pm at Lipscomb University in Nashville, $89
Celebrate this year's finalists and winners with authors, editors, publishers, and readers!

Bundle the Art of Writing Conference & The Christy Award Gala $139

REGISTER*

The Christy Award® is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and is the foremost award honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction since 1999. For more information about ECPA, visit ECPA.org. For more information about the Christy Awards and Art of Writing conferences, visit ChristyAwards.com or email TheChristyAward@ecpa.org

*First 100 to register are entered to win a set of Jan Karon novels!

The first 100 registered for The Christy Award events will automatically be entered to win a full set of The Mitford Series novels by our evening's honoree, Jan Karon -- including a signed copy of At Home In Mitford. Karon will address our attendees via video cast.

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!