The best networking, learning, and professional development opportunity for Latter-day Saints interested in publishing and media is back—for both in-person and virtual attendance! The Seventh Annual Conference of the Latter-day Saint Publishing and Media Association (LDSPMA) will be held at the BYU Conference Center in Provo, Utah, on October 7–9, 2021. This year’s theme is “Voices of Light.”
Conference registration covers both in-person and virtual attendance at the main conference—whichever you prefer (or a combination of both). The keynote sessions, the award ceremonies, and the six tracks of breakout sessions will all be available for in-person viewing, for live virtual viewing, and for later virtual viewing on your own schedule. Video recordings will be made available to watch on-demand until November 30, 2021, so you can watch any sessions you missed or want to watch again.
Keynote Speakers
We will be privileged to hear from four distinguished keynote speakers: Alex Boyé (multicultural singer), Lisa Mangum (managing editor of Shadow Mountain), Derral Eves (executive producer of The Chosen), and Laurel Christensen Day (president of Deseret Book).
The conference will also feature over 90 other leaders in publishing and media who will share valuable instruction in 42 breakout sessions, 10 interactive sessions, and 9 preconference workshops.
Six Tracks of 42 Breakout Sessions
There will be 7 sessions in each track, featuring classes and panels taught by many leaders in publishing and media.
- Publishing Track
- Media and Entertainment Track
- Fiction Writing Track
- Nonfiction Writing Track
- Editing, Design, and Production Track
- Marketing Track
Interactive Sessions
These interactive ways to connect, learn, and receive feedback are some of the most useful and popular aspects of the conference:
- Fast Pitch: Pitch your book project to agents and publishing company representatives and receive immediate feedback. (Both in-person and virtual Fast Pitch appointments will be scheduled.)
- Online Presence Audit: Get a professional evaluation of where you land in a Google search and how to improve your visibility, message, and clarity. (Available in-person only.)
- Quick Critiques: Receive instant feedback on your manuscript from professional editors. (Both in-person and virtual appointments will be available.)
- Networking Groups: Meet other conference attendees, share “lessons learned” from the conference, and get help with your publishing challenges. (Both in-person and virtual networking sessions will be held.)
- Mass Book and Media Signing: Meet many conference speakers as well as other authors and artists participating in the conference; view their books, audios, videos, and other works; purchase any you are interested in; and get them signed by the authors and artists. (Available in-person only.)
Preconference Deep-Dive Workshops
All of the above sessions are included in the main conference registration and will take place on Friday, October 8, and Saturday, October 9.
In addition, you can register separately for any of our 9 half-day, hands-on, action-learning workshops on Thursday, October 7, led by top professionals as instructors. Unlike the main conference sessions, these deep-dive workshops will be available in-person only and will not be videorecorded, available virtually, or broadcast later. You can attend up to two workshops (one in the morning and one in the afternoon); their schedule is on the registration page.
- Fiction Writing (with a Fantasy Emphasis). Taught by New York Times best-selling author of the Fablehaven, Beyonders, and Five Kingdoms series Brandon Mull.
- Power Storytelling Techniques to Captivate Readers: The Hero’s Journey, Writing Juicy, and the Three-Act Play. Taught by New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Bridget Cook-Burch.
- Developmental Editing for Fiction: Character Development, Dialogue, Pacing, Setting, Head-Hopping, Etc. Taught by BYU professor and former LDSPMA president Suzy Bills.
- Preparing a Book Proposal and Finding a Publisher. Taught by literary agent and writing coach at Gateway Literary Agency Terri Baranowski.
- Successful Self-Publishing: How to Craft and Market a Book that Stands Out from the Crowd. Taught by award-winning self-published author and founder of Skyrocket Press Laurisa White Reyes.
- The Finances of Successful Publishing. Taught by Cedar Fort publishing company CEO Bryce Mortimer.
- Book Marketing Blueprint: 10 Strategies for Fiction and Nonfiction Book Launches. Taught by best-selling author and CEO of digital marketing agency DreamBoard Media Michelle McCullough.
- Social Media Marketing, Blogging, and Podcasting: What’s Working for Authors and Other Creative Artists. Taught by best-selling author, strategic marketing instructor, author coach, and LDSPMA marketing director Trina Boice.
- Marketing for Freelancers: Becoming a Pro at Bringing in Business. Taught by BYU professor and former LDSPMA president Suzy Bills.
We look forward to seeing you at our conference!