When Words Collide 2026

Publishing has never changed at such a breakneck pace. But some authors not only survive, they thrive for decades, throughout those changes.

Veteran writers and industry experts Mark Leslie Lefebvre and Robert J. Sawyer draw on their many decades of experience in traditional, indie, and hybrid publishing to show how to build a career that lasts.

From big-box bookstores and ebooks to audiobooks, AI, and creator platforms, they’ll unpack the major shifts reshaping the industry and the strategic choices that keep an author’s work visible, viable, and earning over time. Attendees will learn practical approaches to managing their rights and IP, building and refreshing a backlist, embracing new formats and technologies, and cultivating a loyal readership that follows you from one era of publishing to the next.

Ideal for writers at any stage who want a long, sustainable, and adaptable career.