The Christian Author Publishing Summit
A first-of-its-kind event bringing together Christian writers and publishing experts from around the world with the sole purpose of teaching Christians everything they need to know about the book writing and publishing process and beyond.
This is the first annual summit, and we have 20+ speakers to kick us off!
Each year, the summit will be providing fresh speakers, insights, and updates to help Christian writers learn how to share their message with the world.
This is a completely live, 5-day, virtual event taking place during the first week of November so you can kick NaNo writing month off on the right foot and with a renewed mindset!
What you'll learn
How to go from idea to first draft
What you need to get your manuscript publication ready
Which publishing route works best for your goals
Anti-hustle visibility tips that grow your audience and drive book sales
What to do to build authority and revenue beyond book sales
What’s included in a free ticket
Five Days of Live Sessions
Join us for the week of the summit to hear from 20+ Christian book coaches, editors, authors, marketers, publishing companies, and more. There will be speaker sessions, author insights, networking opportunities, and speaker Q&A panels.
20 Free Gifts from the Speakers
Sign up for the summit, and you will receive free gifts from the speakers as a thank you for attending. These include quizzes, guides, templates, frameworks, and more!
Live Giveaways from the Speakers
Tune in live each day, and you will have a chance to win special giveaways from the speakers, including free coaching calls, courses, books, and more! Note that you must attend live to be entered in the drawings each day.
Access to the Recordings for One Week
Purchase a free ticket and receive access to all the recordings, free gifts, and other materials provided by the speakers for one week after the summit, so you can catch up, rewatch, or proceed at your own pace.
Two ticket types:
Free and All Access.
A free ticket gets you access to the entire live 5-day summit, including speaker Q&A panels, one-week access to all recordings, and 20 free resources from the speakers.
An All Access Pass gets you lifetime access to all recordings and summit resources, as well as 3 bonus sessions and 10+ additional speaker gifts and opportunities exclusively for All Access Pass holders.
Take advantage of early bird tickets for the All Access Pass.
$97 for regular tickets.
$47 for early bird tickets.
The early bird discount runs until the last day of the event.
So, between now and when the summit ends at 4:00 pm EST on Friday, November 6, 2026, the early bird price will be available for the All Access Pass.
Once the summit ends, the ticket price will go up to $97 for those who want to purchase the summit recordings and materials.
Subscribers to When Calls the Pen get extra discounts on the All Access Pass.
When Calls the Pen is a Substack community that helps Christian creatives and entrepreneurs share their message and turn their passion for writing into income.
If you're a member of the When Calls the Pen community, which is hosting this summit, be sure to check your email and use the discount link sent directly to you for the All Access Pass.
Meet Your Host, Alex Faith
"I’m building what I would have wanted a few years ago as I struggled to figure out how to build a sustainable writing career from scratch."
Alex Faith is a Christian author, speaker, ghostwriter, and community builder with a heart for helping others grow in their faith and calling. She founded When Calls the Pen, a faith-led writing community dedicated to helping Christians learn how to share the message God has given them, write for a living, and build their Substack publication as their writing home.
This summit was inspired by my dream of becoming an author. Through trial and error, research, networking, and dedication even in the unknown, I fulfilled my dream of becoming a published author (before the age of 30!).
Now, I'm paving the way for aspiring Christian authors to do the same. While I attended dozens of writing summits, most of them were not specifically for Christian writers, and none of them gave a full, comprehensive overview of the book publishing process from beginning to end.
So, I wanted to build this space for Christian writers to learn everything there is to know about becoming a published author, the journey to get there, and what comes next from speakers who are currently working in the industry.
I pray this summit will be a blessing for you in your writing journey!
Summit Week 2026
Monday, November 2 - Friday, November 6
11:00 am - 4:00 pm EST
Zoom link provided each day for speaker sessions, giveaways, Q&A panels, and more!
Day One
WRITE: How to go from idea to first draft
Speakers will cover how to get your idea out of your head and onto the paper, the purpose of your first draft, overcoming writer's block, and the reason behind your writing.
Day Two
POLISH: Get your manuscript publication ready
Editors, cover designers, and formatters will discuss the various steps you need to take to polish your rough draft into a final manuscript that's ready for readers.
Day Three
CHOOSE: Determine which publishing route works best for your goals
Authors and publishers will present on the three different publishing routes you can take and the pros and cons of each (traditional, hybrid, and indie/self).
Day Four
MARKET: Anti-hustle visibility tips that grow your audience and drive book sales
Marketing experts will discuss launch strategies and timelines, as well as marketing tips that connect with your readers and drive book sales in a non-salesy way.
Day Five
GROW: What to do to build authority and revenue beyond book sales
Speakers will close with a conversation about growing a loyal reader base that wants to hear from you and how you can turn your book into multiple revenue streams after it's been published.
Summit Speakers
Day 1: WRITE
Emily
Nols
The Mindset Side
of Writing:
Why Working on Your Mindset Is as Important as Learning the Craft
Day 1: WRITE
Dr. Paulette
Harper
Your Book Has a Job:
Position It Before You Write It
Day 1: WRITE
Desiree
Young
Your Story is Your Legacy
Day 1: WRITE
Clara
Rose
Creating the Right Book to Use As a Tool for Your Business, Ministry, Cause, or Brand
Day 2: POLISH
Alexa
Johansen
Equipped by an Editor:
How to Tackle Key Developmental Edits Within Your Genre
Day 2: POLISH
Joel
Balkovec
As Iron Sharpens Iron:
A Christian Editor's Perspective
Day 2: POLISH
Mikaela
Mathews
Your Reader Needs a Journey, Not Just Information:
Developmental Editing for Nonfiction Authors
Day 2: POLISH
Takhia
Gaither
Formatting Basics for Self-Published Authors
Day 3: CHOOSE
Terrie
Hellard-Brown
Which Door Is Yours?
Choosing Your Publishing Path with Eyes Wide Open
Day 3: CHOOSE
Morenike
Oyenusi
Is Independent Publishing Right for You?
What Christian Authors Need to Know Before Making the Choice
Day 3: CHOOSE
Jessica
Hieb
The Hidden Costs of Publishing
Day 3: CHOOSE
Gary
York
Hybrid Publishing:
Can You Have the Best of Both Worlds?
Day 3: CHOOSE
Danelle
Harvey-Jacob
Legal Wisdom for Faith-Fueled Writers:
A Writer's Guide to Contracts, Publishing, and More in the AI Age
Day 4: MARKET
Dr. Carolyn
Wiley
Selling Is Sacred:
How a Christian Author Sells With Guidance and a Clear Conscience
Day 4: MARKET
Melissa
Dyess
Where Does Your Book Need to Go?
Anti-hustle Visibility That Follows the Assignment, Reaches the Right Circles, and Supports Book Sales
Day 4: MARKET
Raewyn
Sangari
The Glimmer Effect:
Stop Selling Your Book and Start Inviting Readers In
Day 4: MARKET
Sarah Grace
Kuhlman
Beyond the Launch:
Keep Your Book Selling Long After Launch
Day 5: GROW
Natalie
Lavelock
Turning Your Book into Multiple Streams of Income
Day 5: GROW
Karen
Pina
The Authority Upgrade:
5 Ways to Monetize & Scale Your Expert Status
Day 5: GROW
Jessica
DeYoung
Beyond the Book:
Building Genuine Community Outside Social Media
Day 5: GROW
Daniella
Ordonez
From Published to Positioned:
How Authors Build Authority, Attract Opportunities, and Monetize Their Message
Bonus Session
Lyn
Mueller
Coming Soon
Bonus Session
Cherrilynn
Bisbano
The Publishing Crossroads:
Traditional, Hybrid, or Indie
Bonus Session
Michelle Dennis
Evans
Coming Soon
Summit Host
Alex Faith
Here to help you on your author journey
Whether you've already written books before or you're brand new to it, there is something here for everyone.
20+ speakers will share their best tips and expertise with you, starting with writing your first draft all the way to using your book to build revenue beyond book sales.
If you have a passion for writing, want to share the message God has placed on your heart, have always longed to be a published author, or need some help demystifying the book writing and publishing process, this is the summit for you!