Author Media presents the first-ever in-person Novel Marketing Conference. It will be held in Austin, Texas, on January 26th and 27th, 2024.

This is not a typical writers conference where you learn how to write and publish a book. The Novel Marketing Conference is focused on helping you sell more books while spending less time on marketing. 

We want 2024 to be your best year ever for book sales. This is a conference for published authors or writers releasing their first book in 2024.

So what makes this conference special? Three things.

#1: Expert Coaching

Thomas Umstattd Jr. and his team of author masterminds will coach you in crafting a marketing plan that actually works! No more cookie-cutter approaches that leave you stressed and overwhelmed. 

You will leave this conference knowing how to get more readers and sell more books. The key to low-stress success is to know what to do, when to do it, and what you don’t need to worry about.

You will also learn:

• how to spend less time on marketing. 
• how to create an irresistible brand.
• how to quickly get more email newsletter subscribers.
• how to confidently ace TV, radio, and podcast interviews.
• how to advertise your book on Amazon, Facebook, and others.
• And so much more!

#2: Interactive Workshops

Sessions will be packed with fun, interactive elements. You won't want to miss a minute!

You will get help from Thomas Umstattd Jr., the instructors, mastermind coaches, and fellow authors. You will leave with a written plan to make 2024 your best year ever as an author.

#3: Writers Groups

Mastering book promotion can supercharge your book sales, but success is more than just technique. It’s also about who you know.

One advantage of in-person events over virtual summits is that you can make real-life friends in person. Online connections are good, but real-life friends are better. And that is where the Novel Marketing Conference is going to shine.

Before the conference, you will be added to a writers group of seven similar authors. This will be your group during the conference. At the hands-on breakout sessions, you will work together as a group to hone your pitch, your brand, and your promotion.

Don’t worry. If you’re extroverted and want to meet everyone, you’ll get lots of chances, but even if you’re shy, you’ll leave the conference with seven author friends.

This tentative schedule is subject to change.

Thursday, January 25

10:30 am Pre-Conference Website Workshop

7:00 pm Patron Appreciation Ice Cream Social

Friday, January 26

8:15 am Registration Opens (Breakfast Tacos)

9:15 am Opening Keynote (Thomas Umstattd)
10:00 am Coffee Break

10:15 am Crafting An Irresistible Author Brand (Thomas Umstattd)

11:15 am Branding Writers Group Breakout (Thomas Umstattd)

Noon Lunch

1:30 pm How to Spend Less Time on Marketing (Thomas Umstattd)

2:30 pm Writers Group Breakout (Thomas Umstattd)
3:15 pm Coffee Break 

3:30 pm How to Rapidly Get More Email Subscribers (Evan Gow)
4:15 pm Coffee Break 

4:30 pm Open Q&A Panel (All Faculty)
5:30 pm Dinner (on your own)

Saturday, January 27

8:30 am Breakfast Tacos

9:30 am Cost Effective Advertising (Tracy Higley)
10:15 am Coffee Break

10:30 am How to Craft an Irresistible Sales Pitch For Your Book (Thomas Umstattd)

11:30 am Pitch Group Excercise (Writers Group Breakout)

12:15 am Lunch  

1:30 pm Podcast Interview Secrets (Thomas Umstattd)

2:30 pm Podcasting Practice (Writers Group Breakout)
3:15 pm Coffee Break 

3:30 pm How to Sell to Homeschoolers (Tricia Goyer)
4:15 pm Coffee Break 

4:30 pm Balancing Creativity and Discipline: Joyful Productivity in 2024 (Tracy Higley)

Breakfast

Each morning, you will enjoy world-famous Austin-style breakfast tacos. If you have never had Austin-style breakfast tacos, taste and see how good they can be. 

Lunch

We will also provide an Austin-style lunch on both days. On Saturday, enjoy some of the best Texas Style Barbeque Austin has to offer. We're talking meat so tender you can eat it with a flimsy plastic fork. 

Dinner

For dinner, you will be on your own. We recommend carpooling with some of your new author friends to check out Austin’s fantastic food scene. If you have never experienced Austin food, you are in for a treat. People visit Austin just for the amazing food.

If you have dietary restrictions, let us know, and we will do our best to make accommodations. 

When is the registration deadline?

January 19, 2024.

Do I need to be published to attend this conference?

The 2024 Novel Marketing Conference is for authors who either plan to launch their first book in 2024 or currently have a book for sale.

If you don’t have a book for sale and don’t plan to launch one in 2024, you may find a regular writers conference a better fit. If you want help with the publishing process and improving your craft, we recommend the Write to Publish conference.

Is this conference for novelists only?

Nonfiction, fiction, and children's authors are all welcome.

Is this conference for indie or traditional authors?

Both are welcome.

How will the writers groups be selected?

Our sorting hat will look at multiple factors like email list size, genre, website, and number of books published. 

What are the hours of the conference?

• Friday: Breakfast Starts at 8:15am. The first session starts at 9:15am. The final session will conclude around 5pm. 
• Saturday: Breakfast Starts at 8:30am. The first session starts at 9:30am. The conference will conclude by 5:30pm

Note: We are still finalizing details, and these times may be tweaked. 

Why is this in January? No one hosts events in January. 

We picked January for a few reasons:

• Flights and hotels are cheaper in January.
• Austin often has amazing weather in January. 
• January is a great month for planning out the next year.
• There are fewer other conferences competing for attention.

Will there be recordings of the presentations?

No. This is a live, interactive, in-person experience. This kind of marketing revolution cannot be televised.

Is parking free?

Yes, there will be free parking at and around the Fickett Center. 

What is the closest airport to the venue, and how far away is it?

The closest airport is Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), and it's about a 20-minute drive away from the Fickett Center. 

Will there be refunds if I can’t attend the conference?

No, but you can sell your ticket to another author if you can’t attend.

What should I wear?

The dress code is business casual, but you are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes. The Hilton Garden Inn is a five-minute walk with a skipping five-year-old (I timed it). It’s not far, but you’ll still want comfortable shoes. Springhill Suites is only a two-minute walk.

In Austin, nice jeans and boots count as business casual, especially when paired with a nice shirt and belt buckle. You might call it Western Business Casual.

What is Austin weather like in January?

On average, Austin has a high of 61° and a low of 41° in January. These are averages. It’s not uncommon to be 70-something and sunny. But when it rains, it rains cold. We get, on average, five days of rain in January. Those days are much colder than the average. We typically can see the storms coming from about a week out, so keep an eye on Austin’s weather as you pack.

What should I bring?

• A Laptop with an All-Day Battery. You don’t need to bring a laptop, but if you do, I recommend one that can go all day, like the M2 Macbook Air (Affiliate Link). I will provide some extension cords and power strips, but I can’t guarantee a power strip for every table. We will have charging zones in the back of the room as well.
  
• An Umbrella. The walk between the hotels and the Fickett Center is outside. Chances are you won’t need an umbrella, but if you do, you will really want one. January rain in Austin is intense and cold. 

How can I connect with others to find a roommate or ride-share?

Join us in the Novel Marketing Conference space at AuthorMedia.social to introduce yourself to other attendees, find a roommate, or coordinate a ride from the airport.

Will coffee be available throughout the day?

Yes. We will also have proper English tea.

Will there be a place to sell my books?

At the Patrons-Only Ice Cream Social, we will have a table to display our patrons’ books. You are welcome to sell copies there if you bring extras. 

At the conference, we will not have a bookstore. But you are encouraged to sell your books one-on-one.

Will there be a place to display business cards?

Yes. We will have a table in the coffee break room at the conference where you can display your business cards and bookmarks.

How do I become a patron so I can attend the Patrons-Only Ice Cream Social? 

You can become a patron here! In addition to ice cream, you’ll also get access to our monthly Patrons-Only Q & A Episode as well as discounts on many courses for authors. Add to that the warm feelings you’ll get from supporting the podcast, and signing up is a no-brainer.