Writers from across the world gathered at the Storymakers Conference in Provo, from May 14-16. The conference provided writers with opportunities to take classes, hear keynote speakers and network within the publishing industry.
The conference was hosted by the Storymakers Author Guild — an organization for both aspiring and published authors who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The conference, however, is not a religious event and is attended by people from many backgrounds.
Storymakers Conference Chair Tiana Smith said attending the conference before becoming a published author helped her find community within the industry.
“This conference is amazing in terms of community. I started coming before I was published, and it helped me find critique partners. It helped me find people who were in the same struggle as I was and people who understood what I was going through,” Smith said.
For many attendees, the relationships built at Storymakers become a source of encouragement and support.
Conference attendee Loralie Pearce recalled an experience from her first year attending Storymakers. Self-described as a “wannabe author,” Pearce entered the conference’s first chapter contest and won second place. She said she was surprised by the encouragement she received from the strangers at her table when her name was called.
“They didn't even know who I was. And they just started clapping when they called my name. They were cheering for me. They actually filmed me going up and everything,” Pearce said.
Each year, the conference features keynote speakers, including best-selling authors Brandon Sanderson, Lois Lowry and Shannon Hale. This year’s speakers were Jennifer A. Nielsen and Beth Brower.
“The keynote speakers are one of my favorite things. I love listening to people in the industry who have a lot of experience. The keynotes are so motivating to me, no matter where I’m at in my journey,” Smith said.
Bonnie Jo Pierson — a committee member and published author — has been attending the conference for years.
“Every year there is something that just moves my soul. I love learning from others’ lives and what they’ve been through,” Pierson said. “We have experiences that have molded us and shaped us into this creative creature that uses our pain, our happiness, and we pour it into our novels.”
Planning for next year’s Storymakers Conference is already underway, with committee member applications now open on the organization’s website, continuing the work of building a space for writers to learn and connect.