Join over 400 other attendees in the biggest event for Latter-day Saint publishing professionals, authors, and media creators!
The annual conference for Latter-day Saints in Publishing, Media, and the Arts (LDSPMA) is a multi-day event where Latter-day Saint authors, publishers, editors, artists, songwriters, and students can gather to network with each other, develop their professional skills, and seek inspiration in a faith-fostering environment.
How It Works
1. Choose a main conference (October 21–22) registration option:
- In-person and Virtual ticket $300 (or $150 for a one-day-only option)
- Virtual-Only ticket $200
2. Then add (or purchase independently):
- Up to two Thursday Deep-Dive Workshops (October 20) $130 each
- A ticket to the Praiseworthy Awards Gala (evening, October 21) $60
Students pay half price for the main conference and the Thursday workshops.
The Main Conference
Virtual Portion
Included with both an “In-person and Virtual” ticket and a “Virtual-Only” ticket.
September 7–October 11, 2022
Tuesday & Thursday nights @ 6:00–7:20 MST
Saturday mornings @ 10:00–11:20 MST
✓ Seven tracks of 25 breakout sessions over Zoom
✓ Virtual networking events
✓ Virtual Fast Pitch and Quick Critique sessions
✓ Livestreams of the 4 keynote sessions on October 21–22
In-Person Portion
Included only with an “In-person and Virtual” ticket.
Friday–Saturday, October 21–22
BYU Conference Center in Provo, Utah
✓ 4 keynote sessions
✓ Seven tracks of 42 breakout sessions
✓ Interactive sessions, including Fast Pitch, networking groups, and book signing events
✓ Friday and Saturday catered lunch
✓ Snacks and swag bag
Recordings
Included with both an “In-person and Virtual” ticket and a “Virtual-Only” ticket.
After the conference is over, attendees will have on-demand access to recordings until January 31, 2023.
✓ All 25 virtual breakout sessions
✓ All 42 in-person breakout sessions
✓ 3 keynote sessions (all except Gerald N. Lund’s)
Included in the Main Conference
4 Keynote Speakers
Jennifer Nielsen
New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction and YA fantasy, including the Ascendance series
Mauli Junior Bonner
Musician, vocal director, and writer and director of the award winning film His Name is Green Flake
Gerald N. Lund
Bestselling author of The Work and the Glory series and many other fiction and nonfiction works
Jane Clayson Johnson
Nationally recognized news journalist on KSL, ABC, CBS, and NPR
Seven Tracks of 65 Breakout Sessions
The conference will also feature over 75 other leaders in publishing, media, and the arts who will share best practices, life lessons, and industry knowledge.
Breakout sessions are organized into 7 tracks:
- Publishing
- Media
- Fiction Writing
- Nonfiction Writing
- Editing, Design, and Production
- Marketing
- Music and Visual Arts
Each track with have 6 in-person classes on October 21–22 and 2–3 virtual classes between September 5 and October 11.
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. (Available both in person and virtually this year.)
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.)
Demo Palooza
Share 2-to-4-minute excerpts of your videos, podcasts, songs, and other audio/video creations, share your creative process, and receive feedback from your peers. (Available in person only.)
Real-Time Reactions
Hear acquisitions editors and agents share what immediately attracts their interest and what turns them off as they react on-the-spot to real query letters—submitted in advance by attendees—for fiction and nonfiction books. (Available in person only.)
Networking Groups
Meet other conference attendees in your niche, connect with industry leaders, and find collaborators and potential critique group partners. (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.
Thursday Deep-Dive Workshops
Thursday, October 20
BYU Conference Center, Provo, UT
Purchased separately
The keynote sessions, breakout sessions, and interactive sessions are all included in regular conference registration. In addition, you can register separately for any of our 11 half-day, hands-on, action-learning workshops on Thursday, October 20, led by top professionals as instructors.
These deep-dive workshops will be available in person only and will not be video recorded, available virtually, or broadcasted later. You can attend up to two workshops (one in the morning and one in the afternoon).
Lunch is included for those who register for two workshops.
Morning Workshops (8:30 am–12:30 pm)
Paper and Scissors ROCK! Paper Arts and Crafts for Fun, Gifts, Book Illustrations, Videos, and Other Media
Taught by professional storyteller, puppeteer, artist, and entertainer Randel McGee.
Building and Marketing a Music Business
Taught by Blomberg Music Productions founder Daniel Blomberg and music composer, marketer, and business coach Douglas Pew.
Book Marketing for Authors: How to Publicize, Promote, and Launch Your Publication
Taught by Scott Jackson, author and marketing professional at Cedar Fort Publishing and Media.
Developmental Editing for Fiction
Taught by BYU editing and publishing program professor and former LDSPMA president Suzy Bills.
How to Write Your Second Novel (and Start Re-Writing Your First One)
Taught by Cheri Pray Earl, BYU creative writing instructor and Honors Professor of the Year as well as author of adult and young adult novels.
Afternoon Workshops (1:00–5:00 pm)
Writing a Song That Connects: Discover the 65 Critical Elements Found in a Great Song
Taught by popular songwriter, songwriting coach, and music producer Rich Parkinson and by Blomberg Music Productions founder Daniel Blomberg.
Social Media Marketing Strategies That Sell More, Build Automated Campaigns, and Attract Raving Fans
Taught by best-selling author, strategic marketing instructor, and author coach Trina Boice.
Developmental Editing for Nonfiction
Taught by BYU editing and publishing program professor and former LDSPMA president Suzy Bills.
Buzzworthy Podcasts: How to Develop, Produce, and Market Your Podcast for Success
Taught by KaRyn Daley Lay, host, producer, and strategist for award-winning LDS Living podcasts that have reached over 3 million people.
Historical Fiction: History or Fiction?
Taught by award-winning authors and popular creative writing instructors Dean Hughes and Chris Crowe.
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.
Praiseworthy Awards Gala
Friday, October 21, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Provo Library Ballroom, Provo, UT
New this year is the Praiseworthy Awards and Fundraising Gala on the Friday evening of the conference. This celebration will include:
✓ A catered dinner and an engaging program with musical performances and spotlights of winning works.
✓ Kirby Heyborne (The R.M., Saints and Soldiers, and The Best Two Years) and Lisa Valentine Clark (Once I Was a Beehive) as Masters of Ceremony.
✓ Announcement of the winners of the 2021 Praiseworthy Awards—and bestowal of the awards to recipients—in 22 different fiction, nonfiction, multimedia/audiovisual, and music categories.
✓ Honoring the winners of the Emerging Author awards, in 9 fiction and nonfiction categories.
✓ Recognition of our five 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients:
Jack Welch
(Publishing)
Founder of the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS) and Book of Mormon Central.
Carole Mikita
(Media)
Emmy-award-winning correspondent for KSL-TV since 1979.
Don L. Brugger
(Editing and Design)
Managing editor of FARMS, the Maxwell Institute, and the BYU Religious Studies Center.
Gladys Knight
(Arts)
Seven-time Grammy Award winning singer and performing artist.
Brandon Sanderson
(Writing)
#1 New York Times best-selling author of epic fantasy novels.
Your Ticket Matters
The Praiseworthy Awards Gala is not just an awards banquet—it is our annual fundraising event. Funds from ticket sales will support our mission of empowering Latter-day Saints to spread light and truth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is your refund policy?
We will offer full refunds through September 5, and 50% refunds from September 6 to October 15. To request a refund or to upgrade or downgrade between an in-person ticket and a virtual-only ticket, or for any other questions, email us at info@ldspma.org.
Do you offer bulk registration discounts?
Yes! If you order 5–9 registrations at one time, you get an additional 10% off the current discount rate. If you order 10+ registrations at one time, you get an additional 15% off the current discount rate. Email us at info@ldspma.org to arrange a bulk registration.
How do I sign up for the interactive sessions? (Fast Pitch, Quick Critiques, etc.)
Signups for the interactive sessions will begin in August. We will send an email to conference registrants about how to sign up for each opportunity.
Who qualifies for the student discount?
Middle school, high school, undergraduate, and graduate students (full time or part-time) qualify for the student registration rate.
Can I volunteer at the conference?
We have already filled all our volunteer needs this year. Check back in 2023!
What Past Attendees Are Saying:
Our thanks to our sponsors and partners!
Gold Sponsors
Other Partners and Sponsors
