Opportunity Alert! 2026 ACFW Conference

Christian fiction writer, have you considered the ACFW Conference? I've attended and loved the annual ACFW conference for twenty-five years. If you're looking to advance your craft, mingle with industry professionals, editors, and agents, register now and plan on attending this year's conference.

American Christian Fiction Writers is actually an international organization, so even if you live in a distant part of the world, you're welcome to join. "ACFW's mission is to help you tell your stories by inspiring you to partner with God in the creative process, learn the craft, and find your audience."

The 2026 ACFW Conference will be held Thursday, August 27th- Sunday, August 30th, at The Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee.

Conferences can be a great boost to your writing career. Not only will you learn tips and techniques for writing, but you'll also pick up valuable information about the industry and make good connections in the writing world. (Honestly, it's the other writers that keep you in the game and cheer you on.)

The super-saver rate expires May 31st, so if you're sure you're going, be sure to register this month.

The conference includes early-bird sessions with literary agent Donald Maass teaching Inner Story: Plot Meets Character, and USA Today Bestselling Author Susan May Warren & New York Times Bestselling Author Rachel Hauck, who will present The Page-Turner Masterclass: Crafting Unputdownable Fiction.

Attendees also have the opportunity to make appointments with editors and agents. You'll enjoy a zone dinner, where you'll meet other writers in your geographic area.

There are continuing education options, workshops, paid critiques, and an all-around amazing adventure waiting for you. The highlight of the conference is the awards gala, where the winners of the ACFW writing contests will be notified, as well as mentor of the year, agent of the year, and editor of the year will be awarded.

Here are a few tips that might help you prepare for a conference:

• Practice your pitch. You must be able to pitch your project in a 30-second speech. If you can memorize this blurb, it will help you greatly when you’re asked, “What’s your book about?”

• Get a good night’s sleep. It’s important to be well-rested before you arrive at the conference. There’s so much to learn, so many people to meet, and only so many hours in a day. Those attending conferences cram as much as they can into a few days. Be sure to start out the experience well rested and ready to go.

• Plan out your wardrobe. I usually pair pants and shirts and make note of what I’ll wear each day of the conference. It makes the day that less stressful when you don’t have to stand in front of the closet deciding what to wear.

• Pack Tylenol, Tums, whatever you may need. Bring business cards and perhaps a one-sheet that explains all the projects you have available. Pack your Bible and any inspirational reading that will feed your soul.

• Consider bringing some of the following items: Clorox wipes to disinfect telephone, doorknobs, etc., small packages of tissues to have on hand, breath mints to use before meetings, and a notebook/pens or a laptop for notes. I usually try to remember to bring blank note cards to write out and give to people who have been particularly helpful or kind (instructors or people who give critiques).

If you go, there's one important thing to remember: have fun. You'll be with folks who truly understand you. You'll make some great friends, and you'll be fired up to go home and get back to work.