Schedule
Thursday, June 9
Noon – Lunch with Palomar staff for early arrivals (only for those who signed up and paid for this in advance)
1:00 – 4:00 pm – Registration check-in
Note: Lodge rooms will not be available until 2:00 pm
4:00 – 4:30 – Welcome/Announcements and Get-to-Know you Activity
4:30 – 5:15 – “There and Back Again – A Publishing Journey” – Joanne Bischof
Experience a hope-filled discussion with Joanne Bischof on her journey from publishing her debut novel with one of the Big Six publishers in Christian fiction to self-publishing three books—all of which went on to final in the Christy Awards—then back to Big Six traditional publishing. She’ll share the highs and lows involved with both publishing paths, insights she’s gained, and how success is less about the avenue a book takes to be printed than doing our best and leaving the rest to God.
5:30 – 6:30 pm – Dinner
6:45 – 7:45 pm -Worship and Spiritual Session #1: Surrender Your Words – Kelly Harrel
8:00 – 9:00 pm – Resource Team and Mentors Private Reception
Free time for everyone else.
Friday, June 10
8:00 – 9:00 am Breakfast
9:15 – 10:15 am Worship/Spiritual Session #2 Surrender Your Talents – Kelly Harrel
10:30 – 11:00 am – Free time. Prayer team members Jody Evans and Jeri Meeks will be available in the second meeting room (Pine) for one-on-one prayer. (For more privacy, you may move to an outdoor location after meeting there.)
11:00 – 11:45 am – Writing the Killer Nonfiction Book First Chapter – Joseph Bentz
The first chapter can make or break a nonfiction book. For readers, that chapter invites them in, introduces them to the author’s voice, and lets them know where the journey of this book will take them. For writers, the first chapter can establish the book’s purpose, tone, and approach. This workshop offers specific guidance on how authors can construct a first chapter that will win readers over and propel them into the rest of the book.
12:00-1:00 pm – lunch
1:30 – 5:30 pm – Afternoon Recreational Activities Available (see schedule)
1:15 – 2:00 pm – How to Market Your Book Your Way – Joanne Bischof
Marketing. A word that often strikes panic in the hearts of writers. We envision Facebook analytics, expensive giveaways, and eye-catching Instagram posts with hashtags galore. But as a published author for over ten years, Joanne Bischof has learned that marketing can be approached by highlighting your strengths and passions, not forcing you into boxes where you don’t thrive. In this session she’ll discuss methods to getting the word out about a book while balancing your time, energy, and talents. Instead of spouting intimidating statistics on how often a writer should be posting, tweeting, blogging, etc., Joanne will share an approach that will help you connect with your audience in an enjoyable and authentic way while maintaining your sanity and peace of mind.
2:15 – 3:15 pm – Genre Meet-ups
3:30 – 5:15 pm – Free time
4:45 – 5:15 pm – Group Photo (gather in or just outside of Canyon View/main meeting room)
5:30 – 6:30 pm Dinner
6:45 – 7:45 pm – Worship/Spiritual Session #3 Surrender Your Fears – Kelly Harrel
8:00 – 10:00 pm – S’mores at fire ring #2
Afternoon Recreational Activities Available:
Archery 1:30-4:00
High ropes and zip line 1:30-4:30
Gun range and swimming pool 1:30-5:00 pm
Ping-pong, corn hole, Frisbee golf, hiking trails, and horse shoes available anytime
Saturday, June 11
8:00 – 8:45 am – Breakfast
9:00 – 9:45 am – Worship/Spiritual Session #4 Surrender Your Expectations – Kelly Harrel
10:00 – 10:45 am – Strategies for Becoming a More Productive Writer – Joseph Bentz
You are a good writer who would love to spend more time practicing your craft. The problem is, your day job keeps getting in the way—oh, and so does your family, your church responsibilities, your household chores, and the rest of a list that is too long to mention. Tempted to give up? Don’t. Learn proven strategies for maintaining your writing even in the midst of the busiest schedule. Taught by an author-father-husband-professor-Sunday school teacher-shrub trimmer-laundryman-family taxi driver.
11:00 – 11:45 – Writing Diverse Characters – Breeann Kyte Kirby
Learn how to create diverse characters that don’t appropriate, stereotype, or demean. Rather than a draconian set of “don’t do that” rules, we will focus on human compassion for diverse individuals as well as ways writers can represent the image of God present in all humans.
12:00 – 1:00 pm – Lunch
1:30 – 5:30 pm – Afternoon Recreational Activities Available (see schedule)
1:15 – 2:00 pm – The Art of Writing Tight – Joanne Bischof
As a professional writing coach, Joanne Bischof will share her top tips for crafting your novel’s synopsis. Writing a good synopsis will hone your self-editing and storytelling skills, and it will be a valuable resource when submitting your work to an acquisitions editor or literary agent. If you’re self-publishing, it will assist in crafting stellar back-cover copy and Amazon summaries. The same principles used to write a clear and concise synopsis can be applied to all areas of writing a novel, equipping you to create engaging prose.
2:15 – 3:15 pm – Genre Meet-ups
3:30 – 5:15 Free time
3:30–4:00 pm – Prayer team members Jody Evans and Jeri Meeks will be available in the second meeting room (Pine) for one-on-one prayer. (For more privacy, you may move to an outdoor location after meeting there.)
4:15 – 5:15 pm – Brainstorming Characters with Breeann Kyte Kirby
For those who attended the morning’s lecture on Writing the Other, this workshop will include writing exercises and dialogue. It will create a safe space for creative vulnerability and open conversation.
5:30 – 6:30 pm – Dinner
6:45 – 7:45 pm – Worship/Spiritual Session #5 Surrender Your Relationships – Kelly Harrel
8:00 – 10:00 pm – Social Time/Book Tables
Afternoon Recreational Activities Available:
Archery 1:30-4:00
High ropes and zip line 1:30-4:30
Gun range and swimming pool 1:30-5:00 pm
Ping-pong, corn hole, Frisbee golf, hiking trails, and horse shoes available anytime
Sunday, June 12
8:00 – 8:45 am – Breakfast
Must be checked out of the lodging rooms by 9:00 am
9:00 – 9:45 am – Connect and Farewell Time
10:00 – 10:45 am – Worship/Spiritual Session #6: Surrender Your Future – Kelly Harrel
10:45 – 11:30 – Sharing Sessionin Pine meeting room
Main meeting room must be cleared out by noon.
Noon Lunch with Palomar staff for late departures (only for those who signed up and paid for this in advance)