In our Professional Writing major, we focus on writing in all kinds of professional and business settings, and we also learn all about taking those books we’ve been working on (sometimes since high school) into the publishing world. Book publishing is a business, and our students who come into the program wanting to become authors need to understand how to navigate that world. From learning about writing, editing, the publishing process, platform building, proposal writing, and working with publishers, our students are given a real-world understanding.
A key part of this is going to writers conferences.
Every summer, the Professional Writing program runs the Taylor University Professional Writers Conference (at which our students serve as staff). This is an opportunity for them to learn what a writers conference is about and how they run. And we encourage our students to attend conferences in their post-TU life. After they leave this enclave of writers here in the major, it can begin to feel a bit lonely. Going to writers conferences gives them the opportunity to recharge and remember what it’s like to nerd out among fellow writers.
Right now, I am at the Write to Publish Conference held every summer at Wheaton College in Illinois. I come to learn new things and to stay on top of what’s happening in the industry so I can stay current for my students. I also come to meet again many folks I’ve known across my decades working in the publishing industry — many of whom have poured into my students. I love that these people are so willing to invest in writers, help them succeed, and encourage them as they begin the writing or publishing process. And I also get to represent Taylor U Professional Writing in the process!
Conferences happen all over the country (and world) at all times of the year. Here’s a list of Christian writing conferences happening in 2025. And here is a list of all types of conferences, searchable by state.
I want to set my students up for success. They may have a day job but maintain their dream of one day getting their book published. The Professional Writing classes teach them the basics, and then their continued learning can happen at writing conferences.
And, of course, they can always come back to their alma mater for our conference!
PWR Blog 