Writer's Day - Free Workshops Presented by Jax Book Fest
About this Event
Local writers and aspiring authors: Join us for a full day of free writing and publishing workshops. Held in the Conference Center at Main Library, this free event offers 12 different workshops, led by authors, agents, educators, and publishing professionals.
Register now for free workshops at jaxlibrary.org/WritersDay
Workshops last 90 minutes, with a 45-minute break between sessions to allow time to network with local writers' groups, editors, and others from the local literary community.
Featured Workshop:
"How to Craft Characters that Connect with Readers" with New York Times bestselling author Madeline Martin. Offered three times, at 10 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
Funding for these programs was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities.
Exhibitors:
- Clay County Writers (local group sponsored by the Florida Writers Association)
- Collection Development (learn how to donate your book to the Library's collection)
- Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes (author, editor, and book launch coach)
- First Coast Romance Writers (for published and unpublished writers, any individuals involved in the writing/publishing industry)
- Indie Author Project, BiblioBoard Library, and Pressbooks Public (offering free tools to connect indie authors, libraries, and readers)
- Indigo River Publishing (collaborative hybrid publisher providing editing, cover design, formatting, and distribution services through Simon & Schuster)
- Jaimie Engle (award-winning novelist, ghostwriter, and editor who has helped hundreds of authors turn their ideas into polished, publishable works)
- Nefertiti Books & Gifts (local Black-owned bookstore specializing in cultural books)
- River of Ink Jacksonville Writers Guild (a group of Jacksonville writers dedicated to building their craft, alongside supportive and constructive community)
- Sci-Fi & Fantasy Writers of Jacksonville, FL (SFFJAX offers offers mentorship, workshops, and face-to-face meetups for writers of all experience levels in the North Florida area)
- Women Writing for (a) Change - Jacksonville (a growing community of writers with regular writing circles, art exhibits featuring women artists, and an annual anthology of women writers)
- Writers Alliance of Gainesville (network of aspiring and experienced regional writers who host free events, public readings, a writing contest, and the Sunshine State Book Festival)
Food Trucks in James Weldon Johnson Park
Serving from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.:
- Haylyn's Snack Station (Facebook/Instagram)
- Jax Lumpia ATBP (Facebook/Instagram)
Agenda
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Find Your Publishing Path
Host: Laurie Dennison
Info: An introduction to the world of publishing through the various publishing pathways in 2026, including traditional publishing, self-publishing, and hybrid models. Explore the similarities and major differences among the three models and learn to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks with a step-by-step walk through each process, giving you all the tools you need to decide which path is right for you. Presented by Laurie Dennison, an associate agent at Creative Media Agency.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
5 Key Strategies to Keep Writing When You Don't Feel Like It
Host: Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes
Info: Every writer hits the wall—those moments when inspiration fades, motivation dips, and the blank page feels heavier than usual. In this energizing and practical workshop, you’ll discover five powerful, real-world strategies to help you keep writing even when you don’t feel like it. Presented by Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, an editor, author, speaker, podcaster, and educational consultant. She is the production editor for Embolden Media Group and a member of Word Weavers International, serving as an online chapter president and mentor.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
How to Craft Characters that Connect with Readers
Host: Madeline Martin
Info: Characters are the heart of your story. In this interactive 90-minute workshop, attendees will learn techniques for crafting distinct, layered characters with unique voices that will connect with your readers. Writers will actively work on characters from their own manuscripts or create brand-new ones during class, immediately applying what they’re learning through guided exercises and discussion. Presented by Madeline Martin New York Times and International Bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Understanding Your Audience and the Neuroscience Behind Great Writing
Host: Licia Rester
Info: What if the secret to unforgettable writing isn't just craft, but chemistry? Our brains are wired for story. When you understand the neuroscience behind that wiring, you can create work that doesn't just entertain but leaves a lasting impression. In this eye-opening session led by a six-figure author, we'll unpack why some narratives captivate while others fade — and how decoding your audience's mental and emotional patterns can transform your writing. Whether you're crafting fiction, memoir, or nonfiction, you'll leave with tools to create stories that resonate deeply and stay with readers long after the last word. Presented by Licia Rester a partner at Indigo River Publishing, and Georgette Green a Partner and Publisher at Indigo River Publishing.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Pressbooks: How to Format Your E-Book or Print-Ready Manuscript for Free
Host: Nash Steele
Info: Are you ready to turn your manuscript into a professional-quality e-book or print-ready EPUB, PDF or MOBI book file? Bypass the high cost of traditional publishing and get your book ready to share with the world with free tools from your library! Nash Steele of BiblioBoard presents a 1-hour hands-on workshop on formatting and exporting your manuscript for e-book or on-demand printing using Pressbooks Public, an online DIY book design and production platform. Bring your own device (recommended) so you can follow along.
🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:45 PM
Adjust Your Lens: How to Expand and Refine Your Revision Practices
Host: Fati D. Ashley
Info: Either the topic, the time spent writing or both has you too close to develop your work through revision. Whichever category applies to you, join us as we set the stage for an energizing and productive revision session. This workshop is suitable for both prose and poetry writers who want to both expand and refine their revision practices. Presented by Fati D. a literary artist and educator and the Artistic Director of The CRAFT Institute.
🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:45 PM
Ekphrastic Poetry: How to Use Visual Art as Writing Inspiration
Host: Douglas Anderson School of the Arts
Info: Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Creative Writing majors and Élan staff members will guide participants through the creative process of Ekphrastic poetry as they use visual art published in recent and past issues of Élan to inspire poetic writing.
🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:45 PM
How to Craft Characters that Connect with Readers
Host: Madeline Martin
Info: Characters are the heart of your story. In this interactive 90-minute workshop, attendees will learn techniques for crafting distinct, layered characters with unique voices that will connect with your readers. Writers will actively work on characters from their own manuscripts or create brand-new ones during class, immediately applying what they’re learning through guided exercises and discussion. Presented by Madeline Martin New York Times and International Bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance.
🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:45 PM
Nonfiction that Connects: How to Create Books Readers Can't Put Down
Host: Licia Rester
Info: If writing your nonfiction or memoir feels harder than it should, there's a reason — and it's not because you lack expertise. Hidden obstacles often make even the best ideas feel overwhelming, time-consuming, or too scattered to gain traction. In this session, led by a six-figure author with four decades in the field of nonfiction writing, we'll reveal the core challenges that derail authors and show you a clear, strategic way to shape your insights into a focused, reader-driven book. You'll leave with practical tools to transform your lived experience or expertise into a compelling narrative that engages, informs, and inspires real transformation. Presented by Licia Rester a partner at Indigo River Publishing, and Georgette Green a Partner and Publisher at Indigo River Publishing.
🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:45 PM
Indie Author Project: Share Your E-Books with Florida Readers & Libraries
Host: Nash Steele
Info: Learn how to submit your self-published e-book(s) to the Indie Author Project so your work can be found by readers at Jacksonville Public Library and BiblioBoard Library users across the state of Florida. Presented by Nash Steele, Senior Operations Coordinator for the Ebooks and Community Engagement Division at Lyrasis.
🕑: 02:30 PM - 04:00 PM
How to Work with a Literary Agent
Host: Laurie Dennison
Info: You’ve written a manuscript and decided to pursue traditional publishing. What comes next? This workshop provides an in-depth look at the role of a literary agent, how to find the right author-agent match, and the ways authors work with agents after signing. Presented by Laurie Dennison, an associate agent at Creative Media Agency.
🕑: 02:30 PM - 04:00 PM
The Infinite Echo: Navigating the AI Revolution in Writing and Publishing
Host: Sid Dobrin
Info: This engaging session will explore how Artificial Intelligence is transforming the landscape for writers and publishers. Presented by Sid Dobrin, Professor in the Department of English at the University of Florida, one of the world’s most sought-after experts on Generative AI. He is the Founding Director of the Trace Innovation Initiative at UF and has been named a Digital Thought Leader by Adobe.
🕑: 02:30 PM - 04:00 PM
How to Craft Characters that Connect with Readers
Host: Madeline Martin
Info: Characters are the heart of your story. In this interactive 90-minute workshop, attendees will learn techniques for crafting distinct, layered characters with unique voices that will connect with your readers. Writers will actively work on characters from their own manuscripts or create brand-new ones during class, immediately applying what they’re learning through guided exercises and discussion. Presented by Madeline Martin New York Times and International Bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance.
🕑: 02:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Brain Chemistry and Page Turners: How to Craft Fiction That Hooks Readers
Host: Licia Rester
Info: What makes readers stay up way past bedtime, whispering "just one more chapter"? It's not just clever plots. It's brain chemistry and emotional truth working in tandem. In this fiction-focused session on storytelling science, emotional engagement, and character authenticity, six-figure author Licia Rester shows you how to grab readers by the heart and the nervous system. Presented by Licia Rester a partner at Indigo River Publishing, and Georgette Green a Partner and Publisher at Indigo River Publishing.
🕑: 02:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Pressbooks: How to Format Your E-Book or Print-Ready Manuscript for Free
Host: Nash Steele
Info: Are you ready to turn your manuscript into a professional-quality e-book or print-ready EPUB, PDF or MOBI book file? Bypass the high cost of traditional publishing and get your book ready to share with the world with free tools from your library! Nash Steele of BiblioBoard presents a 1-hour hands-on workshop on formatting and exporting your manuscript for e-book or on-demand printing using Pressbooks Public, an online DIY book design and production platform. Bring your own device (recommended) so you can follow along.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
