April 12, 2025

Great news for conference attendees! Beginning Thursday, you’ll have the opportunity to register for exclusive one-on-one sessions with industry professionals. These sessions include:

• Author Styling: Learn how to present yourself and your brand effectively.
• Headshots: Get a professional headshot to elevate for use on your website, book jacket and other promotional materials (additional fee required)
• Author Website: Get guidance on creating or enhancing your author website.
• Writing Coach: Receive personalized coaching to refine your writing skills.
• Pitch Sessions: Practice and perfect your pitch for your book or project.

Please note that these sessions are only available to conference attendees, so make sure to secure your spot early!

Author Styling

You’ve written an amazing book that readers will connect with. Now comes the hard part: marketing. How can you stand out? An important and often overlooked way is to match your appearance with your brand. Be instantly recognizable!

In a 40-minute 1:1 session, Author Stylist Bek Bryan will walk you through her questionnaire to determine how you can mirror your writing voice. Whether it’s picking a jaunty hat, establishing a color palette, or wearing a full-on costume, Bek will work with you to develop your personal style as an unmistakable author brand.

Professional Headshots with Shaena Friedman and Andrea Holmgreen
A professional photographer and makeup artist will be on-site to create quality headshots for use on your book jackets, website and marketing materials.

Each session includes light styling, light make-up and hair touch-up. Five professionally edited headshots will be emailed directly to you. Fee is $85 and due at the time of your session. Session will last approximately 15 minutes; you’re welcome to bring different outfits!

Website Coaching with Celeste Anton

Meet with Dandelion Web Marketing and Consulting owner Celeste Anton to discuss options for enhancing your existing author website or how to begin creating a website. Ask questions about the other pieces of an online writer’s platform such as social media marketing, email lists and google analytics. Each session will be 15 minutes.

Writing Coaching with Kate Penndorf

Kate Penndorf of Much Ado About Writing will offer 15-minute, individual writing coaching sessions.

Option 1: Submit 300 words & get a critique

Option 2: Sit, chat, and ask questions
Don’t have words to page yet, but have questions about an idea or plotting? Get answers for all genres of both fiction and non-fiction.

Pitch Sessions with Fresh Water Press Owner/editor Tracey Koach

Fresh Water Press elevates local writers by publishing their work and promoting a rich literary landscape on the Lakeshore. The Press publishes multiple genres with a unifying mission to promote the voices of Northeast Wisconsin. While the subject matter or setting need not be limited to this area, the authors themselves must have a tie to this beautiful part of the state.

To make the most of your 10-minute pitch session, please review these helpful tips prior to your appointment.