Writers Conference
Writers, come connect, share, and find your community—we've saved you a seat.
Our Writers Conference is Celebrating Our 10th Anniversary!
Join us at the Central Resource Library for this dynamic event featuring a keynote speaker, a specially selected Conference book, hands-on workshops, and more. Cost? FREE!
Immerse yourself in sessions on the craft of writing, take part in thought-provoking book discussions, and connect with fellow writers in a vibrant, creative atmosphere. You’ll find inspiration, collaboration, and learning at every turn.
We’d love to see you there—come be part of something inspiring!
Featuring:
Expert-led lectures | Craft workshops | Networking opportunities |
“Library as publisher” insights | Social media advice | Drop-in activities
Tracks
Musical Guests
Calvin Arsenia
Friday, Oct. 17 | 9:30am - 10:15 a.m.
Carmack Community Meeting Room
Central Resource Library
Amado Espinoza
Saturday, Oct. 18 | 9:30am - 10:15 a.m.
Carmack Community Meeting Room
Central Resource Library
Special Events
New York Times bestselling author and Writers Conference keynote speaker Steve Almond
Jazz Storytelling Team: American Jazz Museum
Oct 16th | 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Kick off the Annual Writers Conference with the unforgettable sounds and stories of Kansas City’s legendary jazz scene! The Jazz…
Meet the Author: Steve Almond
Oct 16th | 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Join us for an evening with bestselling author, essayist, and writing teacher Steve Almond.
You are Enough! A Writer’s Guide to Being Cool with Yourself
Oct 17th | 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Join veteran performer and author Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove for a dynamic and introspective discussion about self-worth.
You are Enough! Writer’s Guide to Being Cool with Yourself
Oct 17th | 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Join veteran performer and author Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove for a dynamic and introspective discussion about self-worth.
Craft of Writing
How to Conquer Writer's Block (& the Other Evil Voices)
Oct 17th | 11:00am - 11:45am
Online Event
This lecture focuses on the emotional struggles we bring to writing but rarely discuss. We’ll explore anxiety & crippling doubts.
KanMoWriCo Presents: Jumpstart Your Novel
Oct 17th | 11:00am - 11:45am
Embrace the scariest part of writing a novel: beginning!
KanMoWriCo Presents: Jumpstart Your Novel
Oct 17th | 11:00am - 11:45am
Embrace the scariest part of writing a novel: beginning! We’re here to help
A Journey from Japan to U.S. with Misako Rocks!
Oct 17th | 1:00pm - 1:45pm
Speaker Misako Rocks shares the story of leaving Japan at a young age to pursue a dream of becoming an artist in America.
Erin Beaty
Publishing
Hazel Krebs, The Pitch's Kansas City's Best Local Author 2024
Publishing
KC Book Beat 101: Local Stories, Big Impact
Oct 17th | 11:00am - 11:45am
Curious about KC Book Beat? We’re a nonprofit based in Kansas City that’s all about lifting local authors, small businesses and creatives.
Doing the Impossible: Promoting on Social Media
Oct 17th | 2:00pm - 2:45pm
A walking, talking embodiment of reading, writing, branding and marketing, Hazel Krebs (she/her) has made a name for herself.
Reverse-Engineering a Picture Book with Michelle Lin
Oct 17th | 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Online Event
In picture books with separate authors and illustrators, the author writes the text first, and the illustrator decides what to bring to life
Children’s Publishing 101 with Jody Jensen Shaffer
Oct 17th | 3:00pm - 3:45pm
This session covers everything from developing a winning picture book idea to building compelling characters and storylines. It’s designed…
Writing for Children
Storytelling That Sings: Writing for Children
Oct 17th | 9:30am - 10:15am
Online Event
Step into the joyful world of writing for children with award-winning kid rocker and author Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove.
Reverse-Engineering a Picture Book with Michelle Lin
Oct 17th | 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Online Event
In picture books with separate authors and illustrators, the author writes the text first, and the illustrator decides what to bring to life
Children’s Publishing 101 with Jody Jensen Shaffer
Oct 17th | 3:00pm - 3:45pm
This session covers everything from developing a winning picture book idea to building compelling characters and storylines. It’s designed…
Illustrator Michelle Lin
Poetry
Poet, Performer and Writer Natasha Ria El-Scari
Meditation to Manifestation: Using Mindfulness and Community
Oct 17th | 9:30am - 10:15am
While many religious prophets practiced meditation, it has since evolved into what we now call mindfulness. In this course, mindfulness…
Meditation to Manifestation: Using Mindfulness and Community
Oct 17th | 11:00am - 11:45am
While many religious prophets practiced meditation, it has since evolved into what we now call mindfulness.
Exploring the Intersection of Memory, Adaptation, & Place
Oct 17th | 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Jordan Stempleman invites you to explore the origins of the journal he co-edits, “Windfall Room.”
Finding Ourselves through Poetry and Oral Histories.
Oct 17th | 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Join us for this poetry and writing workshop where we will read poems, generate new ones using writing prompts and take time to share.
Tweens & Teens
Playing with Tropes: or how you can learn to stop worrying
Oct 17th | 1:00pm - 1:45pm
Forbidden Love. The Chosen One. An Unreliable Narrator. All of these are storytelling tropes that have been done to death, but…
Darius The Great Is Not Okay: From Idea To Novel
Oct 17th | 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Adib takes his audience through the process of writing “Darius the Great is Not Okay” – from initial idea to research, drafting, and on.
Look Who’s Talking with Mary-Lane Kamberg
Oct 17th | 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Dialogue is one of the best ways to reveal character and move a story along. It’s an exchange of ideas, perspectives or sentiments.
Ready to Bring Your Comic to Life? With Brandon Calloway
Oct 17th | 11:00am - 11:45am
Got a killer book idea? A passion for storytelling? This workshop will take you from concept to creation.
Manga artist Misako Rocks!
Online
Poet Jordan Stempleman
Storytelling That Sings: Writing for Children
Oct 17th | 9:30am - 10:15am
Online Event
Step into the joyful world of writing for children with award-winning kid rocker and author Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove.
Exploring the Intersection of Memory, Adaptation, & Place
Oct 17th | 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Jordan Stempleman invites you to explore the origins of the journal he co-edits, “Windfall Room.”
Everything I Need to Know About Writing
Oct 17th | 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Online Event
Everything I Need to Know About Writing I Learned From “Star Trek” with Adib Khorram explores storytelling lessons in the final frontier.
Making Sense of Experiences: Writing to Understand the Self
Oct 18th | 1:00pm - 1:45pm
How do we begin to write about our lives? How do we know which experiences shaped us and how can we connect.
Anytime Resources
news and resources
Writers Conference Recorded Sessions from 2024
Recorded sessions from the 2024 conference YouTube in Library OnDemand, as are the pre-recorded lectures.
The Great Courses
The best of The Great Courses featuring in-depth video lessons on hundreds of topics taught by expert professors. Stream through Kanopy.