A ONE-DAY EVENT FROM SFWC
The Virtual Writing for Change Conference
Learn how to turn meaningful ideas into books that move readers—and reach the people who can help bring those books into the world.
*Price goes up to $109 on Oct. 11th. There will be no refunds given for any reason.
Write something that matters.
The Virtual Writing for Change Conference offers a stellar line-up of publishing pros and authors to support you on your journey toward writing for change. Whether you write nonfiction, fiction, or creative nonfiction, this one-day event will provide you with the information necessary to successfully write for change.
Discover how to:
Write for impact
Craft books that inspire and motivate readers to new action
Find a partner
Attract a publisher or agent to your cause
Build your movement
Effectively promote your book movement or mission
Gain an agent's perspective
Get feedback from a literary agent
Conference Schedule
Oct 24, 2026, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
All sessions take place online. Times are in Pacific Time.
9:00 AM
Introduction: 3 Necessary Steps Toward Writing for Change
Start the day by exploring three essential steps for writers who want their words to make a meaningful difference.
Nina Amir
Nina Amir, the Inspiration to Creation Coach, is an Amazon bestselling hybrid author. She supports writers on the journey to successful authorship as an Author Coach, nonfiction developmental editor, Transformational Coach, and Certified High Performance Coach (CHPC®)—the only one working with writers.
Nina’s most recent book, Change the World One Book at a Time: Make a Positive and Meaningful Difference with Your Words, was published in January 2026 by Books that Save Lives. Previously, she wrote three traditionally published books for aspiring authors—How to Blog a Book, The Author Training Manual, and Creative Visualization for Writers. Additionally, she has self-published a host of books and ebooks, including the Write Nonfiction NOW! series of guides. She has had 20 books on the Amazon Top 100 List and as many as six books on the Authorship bestseller list at the same time.
To further support writers, Nina created the Nonfiction Writers’ University and Author of Change Transformational Programs. Nina also founded the Inspired Creator Community, which provides group transformational coaching around the topic of creating what matters.
9:45 - 11:00 AM
Crafting Change-Inspiring Books (Fiction & Nonfiction)
Explore the craft behind books designed to create change across genres.
Stacy Ennis
Stacy Ennis is a best-selling author, nonfiction book strategist and coach, and speaker on a mission to help leaders clarify their ideas and harness their unique story to make an impact. She specializes in books that create change—both within readers' lives and society at large. Her background includes impacting more than 100 books in her 17-plus years in publishing; ghostwriting for a Nobel Prize winner in medicine; and leading as executive editor of Sam’s Club’s Healthy Living Made Simple, a publication that reached around 11 million readers. Stacy’s work and writing have been featured in Yahoo!, Inc., Insider, Publisher’s Weekly, Katie Couric Media, and the TEDx stage. Stacy is also the host of the podcast Beyond Better and holds a master’s in writing and editing from the University of Cincinnati. Learn more at www.stacyennis.com.
Susan Chang
Susan Chang is a freelance developmental editor with thirty years of experience acquiring books at Big Five publishers. She began her publishing career at HarperCollins Children’s Books, where she worked for nine years before moving on to shorter stints at Hyperion Books for Children (a former imprint of Disney Publishing Worldwide) and Parachute Publishing, a book packager. She was a senior editor at Tor Publishing Group (Macmillan Publishers) for seventeen years before launching Susan Chang Editorial (susanchangeditorial.com). She lives in Queens, the most diverse borough of New York City.
Diana Ventimiglia
Diana Ventimiglia is a New York Times bestselling editor, content developer, collaborator and speaker. For the last 20 years her passion has been working with authors who speak to the diversity of our lived experiences. She believes that everyone has a story to tell and lessons to share, and the best part of her job is partnering with incredible people who are dedicated to starting bigger conversations and inspiring change. When she's not collaborating with authors, you'll find her working through the 5 plus books on her nightstand and yelling at her cat, Phillip, to stop knocking things off the shelf. But he's so cute!!
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Leading Your Movement: Becoming a Thought Leader, Influencer, or Expert Author
Learn how blogging, social media, speaking, and thought leadership can expand your audience and amplify your ideas.
Chris Garrett
Chris Garrett is a marketing technologist, online business consultant, blogging coach, teacher, author, writer, speaker, co-author of Problogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income, and all-around geek. He has a diverse tech and marketing background, having previously served as marketing director at WP Engine, vice president of educational content at Copyblogger Media, and Chief Digital Officer at Rainmaker Digital, as well as a builder at MakerHacks.com.
Becky Robinson
Becky Robinson is the Founder and CEO of Weaving Influence, a full-service digital marketing and public relations agency that enables thought leaders and authors to build their brands, drive visibility, and increase sales. Since launching more than a decade ago, under Becky’s leadership, the firm has helped clients launch more than 250 books.
Becky has authored two books—her first, Reach: Create the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause, received the prestigious Axiom Business Book award in the Advertising/Marketing/PR category. Her second is Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times, which debuted as a #1 New Release on Amazon in September, 2025.
Gail Larsen
Gail Larsen has spent more than three decades helping authors and thought leaders turn their ideas into presentations that inspire people to act. Author of Transformational Speaking: If You Want to Change the World, Tell a Better Story, she coaches New York Times bestselling authors and visionary leaders to bring their books to life when they speak.
Rather than teaching speaking as performance, Gail cultivates authentic presence and helps speakers discover the stories only they can tell. Her approach transforms talks from the delivery of information into experiences that create connection, inspire action, and build lasting influence. www.realspeaking.com
12:30 - 1:30 PM · Break
Stretch. Breathe. Remember to eat something.
1:30 - 2:45 PM
Enlisting an Agent and Publisher in Your Cause
Hear how experienced publishing professionals evaluate mission-driven work, position projects, and identify authors with the potential to partner with.
Brenda Knight
Brenda Knight is the founder and publisher of Books that Change Lives. She also is an author and editing executive with over 30 years of experience in the literary industry. She has directed acquisition and marketing strategies for several major publishing houses and serves as an advocate for independent writers. Beyond her executive corporate work, she is an American Book Award-winning author.
Kate Zimmermann
Kate Zimmermann is the executive editor at Andrews McMeel Publishing (AMP). Appointed to the role in April 2025, she focuses on identifying new authors, creators, and fresh content to advance the publisher's lineup of distinctive, bestselling books. Outside of her corporate editorial work, she is also an illustrator and comic artist. Prior to joining AMP, Zimmerman was the executive editor at Union Square Books, where she successfully led the Sterling Ethos imprint. Her editorial background spans mind, body, spirit, and lifestyle genres. At AMP, she brings this expertise to their core market of culturally relevant, illustrated humor, comics, and inspirational content.
Haven Iverson
Haven Iverson is a senior acquisitions editor at Berrett-Koehler Publishers as well as a prominent book editor, publishing strategist, and children's book author who served as the editorial director of Sounds True. With over two decades of experience in traditional trade publishing, she has edited and shaped close to 100 adult non-fiction books. Her work primarily focuses on the categories of self-development, psychology, parenting, creativity, and spirituality. During her extensive tenure as editorial director for Sounds True, she oversaw the development of key literature in the mindfulness sector. She has edited and collaborated on manuscripts with some of the world's most renowned spiritual teachers and New York Times bestselling authors, including Pema Chödrön, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Jack Kornfield, Caroline Myss, and Clarissa Pinkola Estés. Additionally, she founded a boutique developmental agency, Wordhaven Studio. As a freelance editor, book proposal coach, and ghostwriter, she helps independent authors land publishing deals with major houses like HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Hay House.
3:00 - 4:30 PM
Creating a Commercially Viable Book—An Agent’s Perspective on Your Book Idea
Look at your work through an agent’s lens: what makes an idea translate to a successful book in both mission and market?
Speaker details coming soon
Ready to Write for Change?
*Price goes up to $109 on Oct. 11th. There will be no refunds given for any reason.