Writers Conference

Are you having a hard time finding a critique partner who’s brave enough to give you solid, honest, constructive feedback on your stories, essays, query letters, and other writing? Brainfuse might be a solution! The library provides free, on-line writing feedback, usually within one business day. All you need is a library card, a computer or tablet with internet access, and an uploadable and editable file!

You'll find Brainfuse HelpNow in the eLearning section of our eLibrary.

Are you having a hard time finding a critique partner who’s brave enough to give you solid, honest, constructive feedback on your stories, essays, query letters, and other writing? Brainfuse might be a solution! The library provides free, on-line writing feedback, usually within one business day. All you need is a library card, a computer or tablet with internet access, and an uploadable and editable file!

You'll find Brainfuse HelpNow in the eLearning section of our eLibrary.

This spring Kansas City Repertory Theatre will be bringing Broke-ology to Johnson County Library as a part of their KC Rep for All community tour. Inspired by The Old Globe’s Globe for All program in San Diego, the program breaks down economic and geographic barriers and makes KC Rep more accessible as they travel across Kansas City to meet people where they are.  

Broke-ology is a play that explores the complexities of family, sacrifice, and resilience. Whether you get to see the play at KC Rep, at Johnson County Library, or aren’t able to engage in either, we want to hear your story. Our spring writing contest will center around Family.

How is your family complex? What sacrifices have you or your family members made, and what does resilience look like to you? Resilience. Do you have it? Where did it come from? How will you build it if you don’t?

It’s never too late to explore your passions; whether you have always dreamed of becoming a writer or have many years of experience under your belt, Johnson County Library’s Writers Conference is a wonderful resource to explore the topic and connect with others who share your interest.  

Now in its ninth year, the Writers Conference will be held Friday, Nov. 15 at Central Resource Library (9875 W. 87th St, Overland Park). Normally a multi-day event, the conference is shifting this year to focus on a single day of deep learning, as well as encompass other writing events happening that weekend in the metro area. On Nov. 14 Johnson County Library and Olathe Public Library will host a Writers Social at the Olathe Downtown Library (260 E. Santa Fe, Olathe), and on Nov. 16, Mid-Continent Public Library will host a local author fair at Woodneath Library Story Center (8900 NE Flintlock Rd, Kansas City, MO). 

This year’s conference will also offer several pre-conference lectures available on youtube.com/jocolibrary, via Library OnDemand. Watch online for inspiration, then bring your drafts, plans and questions to the conference ready to workshop.  

Feedback from past years’ events influenced the theme of this year’s conference: community building. Expect to find intimate book discussion groups and opportunities to workshop your writing in small groups. Typically drawing several hundred attendees of all ages, this year’s conference features something for everyone—from poetry sharing, to writing book reviews, navigating social media and even writing without thinking. 

This year’s conference texts that will be referenced throughout the event are “Save the Cat Writes a Novel” by Jessica Brody and “Wired for Story” by Lisa Cron, both available for checkout at the Library. All attendees will receive a free conference notebook. There is no cost to attend this event; to register for the conference or get more information about the schedule of events, visit jocolibrary.org/writersconference or call (913) 826-4600. 

Whether you write fiction, creative nonfiction, or screenplays, one of the most important aspects in engaging your readers is your story’s voice. But what even is “voice”? Why does Stephen King sound completely different than Jane Austin? And how exactly does a writer connect to the right voice for their story? In this four part recorded lecture Trai Cartwright will break down this crucial craft element into its components, and then give you a step-by-step guide for engaging your own voice!

Watch Cartwright’s series on Library OnDemand, or here:

Finding Your Story’s Voice, Part 1

Finding Your Story’s Voice, Part 2

Finding Your Story’s Voice, Part 3

Finding Your Story’s Voice, Part 4

Then, join us at the 2024 Writers Conference on Friday, Nov. 15 to workshop your story with Cartwright and fellow writers.

In this three-part recorded lecture, Jenifer Boles walks authors through building a social media calendar.

From #Booktok and #Bookstagram, this series will help you get started developing your brand, find and grow your audience, and design a content routine. 

Watch Boles series here: 
Part 1: Branding 
Part 2: Growth 
Part 3: Content Routines

Then join Jenifer Boles at the Nov. 15 Writers Conference, where Boles will workshop your social media platforms with our local author community to develop a monthly #jocowrites content calendar and engagement group.

Do you have a completed manuscript? Are you wondering if it’s time to self-publish or submit to an agent? It’s not! Now is the time to find a Beta Reader. In this recorded video class Jessica Conoley, who specializes in helping creatives learn the business side of writing, will explain what a beta reader does, how to find one, and why you should definitely have one.

After viewing, join us at the 2024 Writers Conference on Friday, Nov. 15th where Jessica and her team from The CE Coaches will facilitate matching you with the perfect reader.

2024's Writers Conference will be one day, Friday, Nov. 15, and it will be a day of deep learning. 

Nov. 14 Writers Conference Pre-Party - Registration »
Nov. 15 - Writers Conference - Registration »
Schedule at a Glance »

Amber Logan and Amy Leigh Harden will be offering book discussions on Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brady and Wired for Story: the Writer’s Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence by Lisa Cron. After registering you will receive instructions for picking up copies on a first-come, first-served basis.

In our discussions of Save the Cat Writes a Novel, we’ll apply the story structure of the Save the Cat! Screenwriting methodology to novel writing. With Wired for Story under our belts, we’ll learn about cognitive storytelling and how to craft captivating stories.

Get inspired pre-conference with Amber Logan at our September author series where she’ll be in conversation with Adam Simcox and Richard Swan, discussing the inspiration for her retelling of The Secret Garden set in Japan, and workshopping the ins and outs of writing these types of stories.

We will discuss Amber Logan’s The Secret Garden of Yanagi Inn this Fall as a part of our regularly offered book discussion groups.

As always, conference registration gives us an idea of how many writers to expect. Let us know that you’re coming!

Until then, write on!

Buckle your seatbelts, writers! We’re trying something totally new this year! 2024's Writers Conference will be one day, Friday, Nov. 15, focused on deep learning. If you’ve been to our conference before you know it’s a come, learn, and leave situation. Not to worry . . . you can still do that. We’ll have plenty of craft lectures and book discussions for you. Conference registration »

We’re excited to offer pre-conference lectures via our YouTube channel on “Social Media for Introverts” with Jenifer Boles, and “Beta Reader Matchups” with Jessica Conoley. You watch, do homework, and come to the conference ready to workshop. These lectures will be available soon.

Writers conference book discussion titles will include Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody and Wired for Story by Lisa Cron.