Writers’ Workshop Intensive
January 23, 2026, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Best Western Gateway Grand Ballroom
4200 NW 97th Blvd. Gainesville, Florida
This day-long Intensive learning experience will consist of four 90-minute sessions by subject matter experts. The sessions will be deep and detailed, aimed at giving attendees a clear, readily applicable understanding of each topic.
Registration for the workshop is separate from the Book Festival Exhibitor registration, and you do not have to be an exhibitor to register for the workshop. The workshop fee is $80 and includes lunch. (Pay below.)
Workshop Agenda
8:30 –10:00 a.m.
Enhance Your Prose
Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, learn how to tWhether you write fiction or nonfiction, learn how to take your writing to the next level.
- Heighten the flavor with stories that capture the imagination, characters that enchant, and impact that matters
- Amp up the heat with words, paragraphs, and pages that sizzle
- Deliver a story that keeps readers turning pages
If you’re serious about up-leveling your expertise, whether you’re a new writer or a veteran, this is a workshop you won’t want to miss.
About the Presenter:
Pat Caren is an award-winning author who, under her pen name, Marie Q Rogers, has published four novels — Trials by Fire, Quest for Namai, Season of the Dove, and Notebooks Hidden in an Abandoned House — and several short stories. She is also a professional editor and past president of Writers Alliance of Gainesville.
10:30 a.m. –12:00 noon
Indy Publishing without pulling your hair out
Many authors run into problems setting their book up on the major indy publishing platforms. This session will go step by step through the entire process, from typesetting to final printing. It will focus on Kindle Direct Publishing and IngramSpark, pointing out where user errors occur and how to prevent them.
About the presenter:
Richard Gartee is an award-winning novelist, poet, and nonfiction author who has been involved with Indy publishing since its earliest days. In related experience, he has also owned and operated a bookstore, managed two printing companies, traditionally published fourteen editions of his textbooks, and Indy published twenty books.
1:00 -2:30 p.m.
Building your platform as a writer—website, social media, and more
Whether you write riveting fiction or powerful nonfiction, your voice deserves a spotlight! This fun, practical workshop will show you how to grow your audience, boost your visibility, and turn your passion into a professional presence your readers—and publishers—can’t ignore.
About the presenter:
Jolene MacFadden is an author, web designer, and digital marketer with years of hands-on experience helping writers build powerful, authentic brands. She’s the author of Authors: How to Brand You and Your Books and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Social Media at the University of Florida. She presents no-fluff tactics you can use today.
3:00 -4:30 p.m.
Marketing your books based on a business plan
No matter your genre or whether you’re traditionally or Indy published, this session will provide a basic business plan form coupled with a variety of marketing tools. Learn a few pearls of wisdom to improve what you’re already doing and find marketing avenues you haven’t tried
About the presenter:
Vickey Wollan is the author of multiple book series. She has a Biomedical Communications degree from The Ohio State University and a Master’s in Business Administration, with a focus on marketing and operations, from Rollins College. In her presentation, she will share the marketing and business knowledge she has applied as a published author.
Key Workshop Info
The ballroom can be accessed from an outside entrance located to the left of the main hotel doors or from the hotel lobby.
Start time is 8:30 a.m. January 23, 2026. Please be on time. Coffee will be served starting at 8 a.m.
Eat breakfast before you come. Only coffee, tea, and similar beverages will be provided until lunch. Lunch will be provided, but not breakfast.
You may wish to bring a pen and notebook to take notes.
Registration
Important: Workshop registration is a two-step process that must be completed in a single session. Once you make your secure credit card payment, you must finish the registration form and click the Submit button.
To register, click the Pay Now button below. On the PayPal screen, select to pay with a PayPal account or click the option to pay with a credit card. The fee is $80.
When the payment transaction is complete, click the “Return to Merchant” option once and wait for the Registration form to display.
Fill out the form and click Submit. Do not quit without submitting the form.
