2026 SPRING BREAK FOR WRITERS CONFERENCE
“Revving Your Author Power!”
A Virtual Event ~ Saturday, June 20, 2026
Presented by the Sisters in Crime Grand Canyon Writers Chapter
Get ready for an inspiring, high-energy online event for those who
want to take their writing and careers to the next level!
We are Proud to Present an Amazing Ensemble of Exceptional Speakers
at This Year’s Conference.
8:00am – Virtual Doors Open*
8:10am – Conference Begins (Welcome and Announcements)
12:30pm – Lunch
1:00pm – Conference Resumes
5:15pm – Conference Ends
*Times listed above are in Arizona and in Pacific Daylight Saving Time.
Please verify start time in your individual time zone.
**Those who register in advance for the 2026 Spring Break for Writers Conference, will receive a password after the conference to view the recording, on line, for 90 days.
***Cancellation policy for 2026 Spring Break for Writers Conference: All registration cancellations incur a $25 cancellation processing fee. Cancellations must be made by June 1, 2026, to receive a partial refund. No refunds for any registrations cancelled after June 1, 2026 can be made.
Morning Session
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Hallie Ephron, New York Times Bestselling Author 8:15am to 9:30am"Writing the Wave: Establishing Narrative, Suspense, Action, and Reflection"
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MORNING BREAK 1 9:30am to 9:40am -
Karen Odden, USA Today Bestselling Author 9:40am to 11:00am"Finding True, Unique Voices for Your Characters"
- MORNING BREAK 2 11:00am to 11:10am
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Heather Weidner, Acclaimed Author & Promotions Expert 11:10am to 12:25pm"Websites, Newsletters, Social Media, Oh My!"
LUNCH BREAK
12:30 to 1:00pm
Afternoon Session
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Simon Wood, USA TODAY Bestselling Author 1:00pm to 2:20pm"CONFLICT--The Fuel That Drives Every Story"
- AFTERNOON BREAK 1 2:20pm to 2:30pm
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Ellen Byron, USA Today Bestselling Author 2:30pm to 3:45pm"Humor Hacks from a Sitcom Veteran!"
- AFTERNOON BREAK 2 3:45pm to 3:55pm
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Industry Experts Panel - Law Enforcement with Diane Fanning, Jeffrey James Higgins, D.P. Lyle, Adam Plantinga and Dr.. Candace Schoppe 3:55pm to 5:10pm"The 7 Deadly Sins to Avoid in Writing Cops, Feds & Other Law Enforcement"
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Conference Wrap-Up 5:10pm to 5:15pm"Special Announcements and Thank Yous"
- Hallie Ephron
“WRITING THE WAVE: ESTABLISHING NARRATIVE, SUSPENSE, ACTION & REFLECTION”
HALLIE EPHRON is a New York Times bestselling author, an Edgar Award finalist and a five-time finalist for the Mary Higgins Clark Award, who writes books she hopes readers can’t put down. Her gripping suspense, page-turner mysteries, and Edgar-nominated “how to” books for writers garner high praise and glowing reviews. Hallie teaches her outstanding writer workshops across the country and abroad. She was named the 2024 Dr. Herb Voigt Writer-in-Residence for Milton Public Library. - Karen Odden
“FINDING TRUE, UNIQUE VOICES FOR YOUR CHARACTERS”
KAREN ODDEN is a USA Today bestselling author whose novels have earned multiple New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards and been nominated for Lefty, Agatha, and Anthony Awards. In addition to the Inspector Corravan mystery series, Karen pens numerous standalone books. The launch of her sixth novel in June debuts the Kit Jimeson Mysteries. A former college instructor who earned her Ph.D. at NYU, Karen conducts highly-praised writing workshops for libraries, groups, and conferences. - Heather Weidner
“WEBSITES, NEWSLETTERS, SOCIAL MEDIA, OH MY!”
HEATHER WEIDNER is the author of four popular mystery series with a Southern Accent: the Pearly Girls novels, the Delanie Fitzgerald whodunits, The Jules Keene Glamping books, and The Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries. Her non-fiction in Promophobia and her workshops on maximizing author promotions both garner rave reviews. Her short fiction appears in the Virginia is for Mysteries anthology series, 50 Shades of Cabernet, and Deadly Southern Charm.
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Simon Wood"CONFLICT—THE FUEL THAT DRIVES EVERY STORY"
SIMON WOOD is the USA Today bestselling and Anthony Award-winning author of a dozen exceptional novels, more than a hundred short stories, and numerous “how-to” non-fiction articles. When Simon’s not tapping at a keyboard night and day, writing award-winning books and creating nationally acclaimed workshops for writers, the former race car driver, private detective, and casino fraud investigator relishes his passion for rescuing and fostering animals with his wife, Julie.
- Ellen Byron
"HUMOR HACKS FROM A SITCOM VETERAN"
ELLEN BYRON is a USA Today bestselling author and recipient of multiple Agatha and Lefty Awards for her Cajun Country Mysteries, Vintage Cookbook Mysteries, Catering Hall Mysteries (as Maria DiRico), and Golden Motel Mysteries. A two-time Anthony Award nominee, Ellen is also an award-winning playwright and a former Hollywood screenwriter of multi-award-winning sitcoms, such as WINGS and JUST SHOOT ME. Her novels have earned multiple Best Humorous Mystery awards. -
PANEL DISCUSSION
"THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS TO AVOID IN WRITING COPS, FEDS & OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT"
Join us for a candid conversation with this exceptional panel of specialized law enforcement pros, combining decades of criminal investigation expertise, involving realistic on-the-streets experience, homicide and violent crime cases, undercover assignments, federal crimes, and much more! Get the scoop on what really happens behind the scenes and learn “how to” create realistic, exciting, and captivating characters—who get the job done!
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Diane FanningNationally Bestselling Author
Diane Fanning is the Edgar Award-nominated, bestselling author of 15 true crime books and 12 crime novels. She is a recipient of the Defender of Innocence award from the Innocence Project and the Freedom Fighter Award from the NACG. Diane has served as a consultant to 48 Hours, was a regular presence on 14 seasons of Deadly Women, and appeared on the Today Show, 20/20, Forensic Files, Snapped, the Biography Channel, Investigation Discovery, E! and the BBC.
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Jeffrey James Higgins#1 Amazon Bestselling Author
Jeffrey James Higgins is a retired, DEA supervisory special agent who wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. The #1 Amazon bestselling author has won the Claymore Award, PenCraft’s Best Fiction Book of the Year, a Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal, and the Library Journal Best Book Award. He’s often appeared on probing TV shows, such as CNN Declassified and National Geographic’s Narco Wars. -
DP Lyle#1 Amazon Bestselling Author
Dr. DP Lyle is the Amazon #1 Bestselling, Macavity and Benjamin Franklin Silver Awards-winning author of 25 books, both fiction and non-fiction. Nominated for the Edgar, Shamus, Agatha, Anthony, Scribe, and Silver Falchion Awards, he’s also worked with screenwriters of over a dozen TV shows, including Law & Order, CSI: Miami, Cold Case, Medium, Women’s Murder Club, and Pretty Little Liars. He’s the co-creator of the Outliers Writing University and creator of the International Thriller Writers' craft school, CraftFest. -
Adam PlantingaUSA Today Bestselling Author
Adam Plantinga is the USA Today bestselling and Silver Falchion Award-winning author of both fiction and non-fiction. A patrol sergeant for the San Francisco Police Department, the twenty-three-year law enforcement veteran is a 2026 Edgar Award nominee and has been nominated for the Agatha and Macavity Awards. His novels have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and been chosen as an Amazon Editor’s Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense; with his non-fiction earning rave reviews nationally.
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Dr. Candace SchoppeForensic Pathologist and Deputy Medical Examiner
Dr. Candace Schoppe is is a highly experienced forensic pathologist and Deputy Medical Examiner at the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office. Her career of more than 15 years includes field training at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner and the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences. Candace frequently lectures on complex forensic issues, including asphyxia and homicide investigations. She is also a sought-after guest speaker for writers’ organizations, and many other professional associations.
