Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | ||
| 10:00 am - 9:00 pm | Bookstore: Drop Off Authors who have already signed up to have their books in the bookstore....bring your books and your inventory sheets, as well as any promotional materials you may have purchased packages to exhibit to the bookstore. | Continental Ballroom |
| 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Registration Welcome to the 2026 ACFW Conference! Come pick up your registration packet that will contain the conference booklet, your namebadge, tickets, ribbons, and personal schedule with your appointments. | Grand Ballroom Foyer |
| Thursday, August 27, 2026 | ||
| 8:00 am - 5:00 pm | Registration Pick up your registration packet | Grand Ballroom Foyer |
| 8:00 am - 3:00 pm | Early Bird Session #1 (optional add-on session) Inner Story: Plot Meets Character Presented by Donald Maass Powerful stories happen both inside and out. Character arc is just the start. The methods of highly-engaging inner journeys encompass interior narration, self-measurement, human longing, dual nature struggle, family shaping, social context, the influence of era, moral conflict and more. Deepen the other half of your work-in-progress with longtime master class instructor and agent Donald Maass. | Grand Ballroom EF |
| 8:00am-1:30pm | Early Bird Session #2 (optional add-on session) The Page-Turner Masterclass: Crafting Unputdownable Fiction With USA Today Bestselling Author Susie May Warren & New York Times Bestselling Author Rachel Hauck Your readers deserve a book they can’t put down. You deserve to know how to write it. Flat characters? Sagging middles? Stakes that feel more like suggestions than life-or-death choices? If your manuscript is stuck in “almost great” territory, this intensive 4-hour masterclass will show you exactly what’s missing—and how to fix it. Join two powerhouse authors who’ve sold millions of books and taught thousands of writers for a surgical deep-dive into the craft elements that separate forgettable fiction from stories readers lose sleep over. In this intensive workshop, you’ll discover: The Story Equation – The proven formula for creating characters so vivid, so real, your readers will feel like they know them personally The Revolutionary 4-Act Plot – The structural secret powering today’s bestsellers (and why the traditional 3-act structure leaves readers cold) High-Stakes Scene Mastery – How to raise tension in every single scene so your story crackles with the kind of energy that makes readers cancel plans The 4 Pillars of a Super Novel – The essential elements every powerful, marketable book needs to stand out in a crowded marketplace Perfect for: First-time novelists ready to nail their debut, seasoned authors wanting to level up, and anyone tired of writing books readers forget by Tuesday. Walk away with: Battle-tested frameworks, practical tools, downloadable resources, and crystal-clear direction for your work-in-progress. Stop guessing. Start mastering. Your super novel is waiting. | Grand Ballroom D |
| 8:00 am - 6:00 pm | Bookstore Come visit the bookstore, where you're sure to find your next best read! Other writerly items also available for sale! | Continental Ballroom |
| 3:00 pm - 3:45 pm | First Time Attendees Orientation This session is designed not only to orient you to the conference but also help you meet others, all while having some fun. | Hernando Desoto |
| 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm | Honoree Reception By invitation only: A private reception to honor all contest finalists, as well as other award recipients, special guests and speakers, and sponsors. | Plantation Roof & Skywalk |
| 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm | Opening of the 2026 ACFW Conference Official opening of the conference given by CEO, Kathleen Turner Prayer and Worship | Grand Ballroom ABC |
| 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm | Milestones Celebration Dinner Milestones Celebrations Dinner-Open to all registered attendees (included in registration price and guest meal packages). ACFW will bestow another honor for member novelists whose careers have reached significant publishing milestones. This special recognition will be awarded to novelists who have reached landmarks of 25, 50, 75, 100, or 100+ published novels (traditionally, QIP*, or a combination), and they will receive a beautiful ACFW pin marking that accomplishment. Pins will be reserved based on criteria determined during authors’ registration for the conference. An author must be present at the Thursday night dinner at the conference in September to receive their pin. As stated earlier, pins are awarded for book titles in increments of 25, rereleases not included. This is not only an honor, but a photo opp that will resonate throughout the industry. *Special guests are Storyfest readers* | Grand Ballroom ABC |
| Friday, August 28, 2026 | ||
| 8:00 am - 9:00 am | Zone Breakfast Come share breakfast with those from your zone! | Grand Ballroom ABC |
| 8:00 am - 11:45 am | Registration | Grand Ballroom Foyer |
| 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm | Registration | Grand Ballroom Foyer |
| 8:00 am - 12:15 pm and 1:45 pm - 5:45 pm | Bookstore | Continental Ballroom |
| 9:30 am - 11:45 am | Appointment Desk | Peabody Executive Center 3rd Floor |
| 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm | Appointment Desk | Peabody Executive Center 3rd Floor |
| 9:15 am - 12:15 pm | Continuing Education Tracks CE 01: Layering in Writing- Crafting Depth, Meaning, and Narrative Power by DiAnn Mills CE 02: The Story Cube: Rethinking Story From the Ground Up by Steven James CE 03 Special Presentation by HarperCollins Christian Publishing Team CE 04 Better Together: The Author-Influencer Partnership Blueprint by Jaime Jo Wright ***STORYFEST READERS INVITED TO THIS SESSION*** | |
| 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm | Lunch *Storyfest readers invited with specially hosted author tables** | Grand Ballroom ABC |
| 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Workshops 1-4 WS 01: Practical Creativity: Tips and Tricks for Living a More Creative Life with Ann Byle WS 02: Writing Engaging Nonfiction and Bible Studies with Donna Snow WS 03: Enduring on the Writer’s Journey with Rachel Hauck and Joy Massenburge WS 04: Editing as An Act of Love with Ami McConnell | |
| 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm | Workshops 5-8 WS 05: Breathing Life into the Past: Writing Immersive Historical Fiction with Cara Putman WS 06: From Spaghetti to Lasagna - Layering the Perfect Romantic Suspense with Kate Angelo WS 07: The Austen Method: Writing Romance According to Jane Austen with Pepper Basham WS 08: Transform Your Author Career: Start a Podcast with Rebecca Reed, Rebecca Yauger, and Melissa LaShure | |
| 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm | Workshops 9-12 WS 09: Creating Successful Author Events with Allie Plieter WS 10 : Don’t Break the Bank or Your Foot with Dr. Ronda Wells WS 11: First Five Pages with Angela Hunt WS 12: Intro to Kid Lit Book Proposals with a Picture Book Emphasis with Jennifer Jahn | |
| 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Genre Pizza Parties Opt-in inclusion of a pizza party (ticket required) by a fun night focusing on individual genres | |
| 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Storyfest Interactive Pizza Party Opt-in inclusion of a pizza party (ticket required) for an interactive pizza party with the Storyfest Readers | |
| 9:00 pm - 9:45 pm | Zone Meeting Meeting with the Zone Coordinator, Zone Directors, Area Coordinators, and Chapter Presidents | Brinkley Room |
| Saturday, August 29, 2026 | ||
| 8:00am - 8:45 am | Worship and Announcements Start your day off with morning worship and don't miss all of the daily announcements! | Grand Ballroom ABC |
| 8:00 am - 12:15 am | Registration Desk | Grand Ballroom Foyer |
| 1:45 pm - 3:30 pm | Registration | Grand Ballroom Foyer |
| 8:30 am - 12:00 noon | Appointment Desk | Peabody Executive Center 3rd Floor |
| 1:45 pm - 4:30 pm | Appointment Desk | Peabody Executive Center 3rd Floor |
| 9:00 am - 12:15 pm | Bookstore | Continental Ballroom |
| 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Bookstore | Continental Ballroom |
| 30 minutes after gala until 11:00 pm | Bookstore | Continental Ballroom |
| 9:00 am - 10:30 am | Booksigning Large books signing for all authors with books in the bookstore. Will be open and advertised to the public! | Continental Ballroom |
| 10:45 am - 11:45 am | Workshops 13-16 WS13: Publishing Contract Basics for Indie & Trad Authors with Rick Acker and Steve Laube WS14: Do You Need a Hero? We have a panel of them! WS15: Kiss and Tell: Writing Kisses That Matter with Pepper Basham and Bethany Turner WS16: Make Your Fiction Sparkle with Carol Post | |
| 12:00 noon - 2:45 pm | Lunch & Karen Kingsbury Speaking Noon - 1:15 pm Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, Karen Kingsbury 1:45 pm - 2:45 pm lunch | Grand Ballroom ABC |
| 2:45 pm - 3:15 pm | Gala Ceremony Rehearsal Rehearsal for all Carol Award and Genesis finalists | Grand Ballroom ABC |
| 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Workshops 17-20 WS17: Research Like A Pro with Joni Fisher WS18: Story Spark with Tara Johnson WS19: 10 Things I Like About You: Agent & Client POV with Stephanie Alton & Linda Kozar WS20: Get a Great Start as an Indie with Sara Turnquist | |
| 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm | Photo Booths Come take photos in the set up photo booths in and around the bookstore! | Continental Ballroom |
| 6:00 pm until... | ACFW Awards Gala Finalists WITH card allowed to enter at 5:30pm. MUST Have Ticket to Enter | Grand Ballroom ABC |
| Sunday, August 30, 2026 | ||
| 9:00 am - 11:00 am | Bookstore Close Out and Book Pickup We will begin book pickup and bookstore close-out on Sunday morning, beginning at 9:00 am. To expedite your pickup, please bring your inventory sheet, and be prepared to sign the accounting/inventory sheet. Please do not attempt to box the books yourself, as staff requires certain information and counts and will box your books. Books will NOT be available for pickup prior to Sunday morning at 9:00 am. IF your flight is prior to that, you MUST notify the staff at cd@acfw.com and ct@acfw.com prior to August 10, 2026. If books are not picked up by Sunday at 11:00 am, they will be considered donated to hotel staff. | Continental Ballroom |
Participation of an individual presenter, agent, editor, or publisher in the ACFW conference does not constitute endorsement by ACFW. Conference attendees are advised to use due diligence and take personal responsibility when choosing industry professionals with whom to schedule appointments or enter into agreement.