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.
Thomas Umstattd Jr.
Thomas Umstattd Jr. has been speaking at writers' events since 2009. His podcast Novel Marketing is the longest-running book marketing podcast in the world. He also hosts the Christian Publishing Show.
He has advised New York Times bestselling authors and helped many first-time authors launch their careers.
You can learn more about Thomas’s story here.
Tricia Goyer
Tricia Goyer is a USA Today Best-selling Author of over 90 books in several genres, from accurate historical fiction to inspiring nonfiction on family and parenting. As a podcaster, Tricia hosts the Tricia Goyer Show and co-hosts The Dai with Michelle Hill.
Evan Gow
Evan Gow is the indie developer of StoryOrigin, a marketing tool and a community of authors who work together to find reviewers, build mailing lists, increase sales, and stay on top of deadlines.
Tracy Higley
Tracy Higley has authored nearly twenty books. Tracy’s passion for marketing helped her build both a writing career and a successful logistics company. She loves applying business advertising techniques to the world of publishing.
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)
2:15 pm Coffee Break
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)
11:15 am Coffee Break
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 Open Q&A Panel (All Faculty)
Fickett Center
The 2024 Novel Marketing Conference will be held at the Fickett Center located at 12500 North IH 35, Austin, Texas 78753.
The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is a 20-minute drive away.
Several excellent hotels are within a short walk, including the Hilton Garden Inn and Springwood Suites.
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.
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.
