Winona Christian Writers Conference
Description
Welcome to the Winona Christian Writers Conference, July 16-18, 2026! This second annual 3-day gathering in beautiful Winona Lake, Indiana, features workshops in six genres, readings, lectures, cultural events, a banquet, and keynote speaker Karen Swallow Prior.

Choose from six workshop tracks: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfic./Memoir, Writing for Children, Writing for Young Adults, and Generating Sonnets. Each track is capped to facilitate maximum engagement and individualized feedback. If your first choice of workshop tracks is already full, please choose another or join the waitlist by emailing wcwc@grace.edu .

A $100 deposit toward your registration fee is charged at the end of the registration process and is nonrefundable. The rest of your balance may be paid in full on registration or on a monthly automatic payment plan, paid in full by 6/30/2026.
Dates:
7/16/2026 9:00 AM - 7/18/2026 8:00 PM
Ages:
Ages 18 and up
Cost:
$425.00
Availability:
73 males
73 females
73 total openings
Registration will end on 5/30/2026.
Conference Tracks
Creative Nonfiction/Memoir Track – led by Shemaiah Gonzalez
This track features a series of three workshops designed to help participants refine their creative nonfiction craft. This track is ideal for individuals interested in memoir, lyric and/or personal essay, devotional writing, literary journalism, etc. Our Creative Nonfiction Guest Writer is Stephen Copeland.
Fiction Track – led by Sally Thomas
This track features a series of three workshops designed to help participants refine their fiction craft. This track is ideal for individuals interested in short story, flash fiction, novel, and literary fiction. Our Fiction Guest Writer is David Marsh.
Generating Sonnets Track - led by John Poch

This track features a series of three workshops designed to help participants write and refine new sonnets. This track is ideal for individuals interested in sonnet form and structure and careful attention to language. No prior experience or draft manuscripts required.
Poetry Track - led by George David Clark
This track features a series of three workshops designed to help participants refine their poetry craft. This track is ideal for individuals interested in poetic form and structure and careful attention to language. While the main focus of this workshop is on formal poetry, writers of free-verse poetry, verse novels, and song lyrics are also welcome. Our Poetry Guest Writer is Marjorie Maddox.
Writing for Children - led by Shannon Anderson
This track features a series of three workshops designed to help participants refine their craft as they write fiction aimed at children of all ages. This track is ideal for individuals interested in picture books, children's fiction, easy readers, and middle grade fiction (novels or short stories).
Writing for Young Adults Track – led by Gary Schmidt
This track features a series of three workshops designed to help participants refine their craft as they write fiction aimed at young adults (ages 12-18). This track is ideal for individuals interested in young adult fiction (novels or short stories). Our Writing for Young Adults Guest Writer is Claire Swinarski.
Discounts
Grace College Employee Discount
$50 off conference registration. Four Grace College faculty/staff discounts available on a first come, first served basis. To inquire about this discount, please email wcwc@grace.edu . 		$50.00
Grace College Student Discount
$125 off conference registration. Four Grace student discounts available on a first come, first served basis. To inquire about this discount, please email wcwc@grace.edu . 		$125.00