2026 UPPAA Annual Conference, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front Street, Marquette, MI
Looking for the workshop for kids? See the Young Writers Storytelling Workshop.
Registration is NOT YET available – please check back in March 15, 2026
Friday Afternoon, May 15, 2025 – Pre-Conference Workshops (NEW!)
- Developing Your Poetic Voice, with Kathleen Carlton Johnson (2:00 pm to 5:00 pm)
- Create Your Writing Mini-Trail Guide, with Julie Covert (1:00 pm to 4:00 pm)
- Know Your Writing-Style Color and Make It Help You Write Better with Julie Covert (4:15 pm to 5:15 pm)
Friday Evening, May 15, 2025 – Pre-Conference Networking & Social Mixer
We will gather from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at The Crib, a cozy and comfortable coffeehouse with lots of seating located at 401 N. 3rd St. just steps from the Peter White Library. Light appetizers will be served, and a cash bar will be available. There will be a $15 cover charge when you purchase the Friday Night Event when you register for Spring Conference, or $20 at the door. Please help us plan the event effectively by registering in advance if you can. Members may bring up to 2 additional guests (separate cover charge for each).
The cash bar includes: a wide variety of coffee, tea, and other non-alcoholic drinks as well as white wine and a variety of local and imported beers and ciders.
An Open Mic night will be on the 2nd floor from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Open mics allow poets and storytellers — both seasoned and emerging — to share their work in a safe and welcoming space. Writers may bring something they’ve already published or something they are still working on. We’ll provide a place to stand, a lapel mic and a friendly audience for our members’ best Yooper creativity. You can sign up for a speaking slot at the door.
Saturday, May 16, 2026 – Spring Conference Day Schedule
This year, we’re providing both a Marketing track and a Writing track for attendees. You can choose sessions from either track when you register to attend the conference. Even though attendance is free for UPPAA members in good standing, we need to know your session choices in advance to right-size the rooms for each presenter.
- 9:00 – 9:30 – Registration: complimentary coffee, baked goods, fruit
- 9:30 – 9:45 – Opening remarks, Victor R. Volkman, UPPAA President
- 9:45 – 10:45 – Keynote, Sara Maurer, author of The Good Animal (St. Martin’s Press)
- 10:45 – 11:00 – Morning Break
- 11:00 – 12:00 – Morning Session
Nikki Mitchell –”Authentic Voices: Crafting Neurodivergent Heroes for Middle Grade Readers”
Deborah K. Frontiera – “Self-Publishing 101: Why You Should Self-Publish and How to Do It” - 12:00 – 1:15 – Lunch/Networking Hour
- 1:15 – 1:45 – UPPAA Town Hall moderated by Victor
- 1:45 – 2:45 Afternoon Session #1
– Dianna Stampfler – “Research & Records for Historical Writing”
– Michael Dwyer – “Finding the Courage to Be a Famous Writer by Building a Creative Author Platform” - 2:45 – 3:00 Afternoon Break
- 3:00 – 4:00 Afternoon Session #2
Sue Harrison – “Orchestrating Your Novel’s Plot”
Brandy Thomas, Marty Achatz, Nikki Mitchell — Creating and Marketing Audiobooks
- 4:00 – 4:15 Door Prize Giveaways/Concluding Remarks by the president
- 5:00 – Afterglow at the Crow’s Nest an informal gathering to take place
(top floor of the Landmark Inn, directly across the street)
Registration is NOT YET available – please check back in March 15, 2026
Session Descriptions
Keynote Speaker – Sara Maurer
SARA MAURER‘s debut novel, A GOOD ANIMAL, is forthcoming from St. Martin’s Press in February 2026. Place deeply informs Sara’s writing, particularly how it influences identity and choice. She attended Albion College and Eastern Michigan University and completed the Stanford Continuing Studies certificate in novel writing in 2022. In 2023, she was selected as a Suzanne M. Wilson Artist-in-Residence at the Glen Arbor Arts Center.
She lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with her husband, two kids, and mini Dachshund.
Morning / Post-Keynote Speakers
“Authentic Voices: Crafting Neurodivergent Heroes for Middle Grade Readers”
She is a native of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and is a proud member of the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association (UPPAA). As a mom of an autistic son, she continues to write fantasy tales with disabled characters, and characters with ADHD, anxiety, and Autism.
- Why neurodivergent representation matters
- Overview of what “neurodivergent” encompasses
- Creating Authentic, Nuanced Characters
“Self-Publishing 101: Why You Should Self-Publish and How to Do It”
DEBORAH K. FRONTIERA grew up in Lake Linden, MI. She taught in Houston public schools from 1985 until 2008 and then worked part time for Houston’s Writers In The Schools (WITS) program for six more years. In 2019, she and her husband moved back to The Copper Country, but they do head south for part of the winter each year. She has written for children and adults, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Three of her books, in and out of print, have won awards. She has published independently and gone the traditional publishing route. She does freelance editing for other authors in all genres and for all age levels. She is also the editor for the annual U.P. Reader, produced by the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association. Visit her website at www.authorsden.com/deborahkfrontiera
“Self-Publishing 101” will walk authors through the process of self-publishing a book from writing and self-editing to publication. Attendees will learn the basics of:
- The Pros and Cons of Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing
- Best writing practices to prepare your book for publication
- How to find and work with an editor
- The layout and cover design process
- How to get your book printed
- Different types of publications, including ebooks and audiobooks
- Book marketing tips
- Basic tips for running your own publishing business
Afternoon Session #1 Speakers
“Research & Records for Historical Writing”
DIANNA STAMPFLER began her historical research journey in 1980 when her family traveled to Gettysburg on a genealogical summer vacation. Little did she know then that that trip would lead her to a lifelong passion for exploration, writing and storytelling. Dianna is the author of Michigan’s Haunted Lighthouses, Death & Lighthouses on the Great Lakes and Kalamazoo County Characters. She contributes regularly to publications such as Michigan BLUE, Michigan Meetings + Events, Lakeland Boating, Group Tour Magazine and others. She is currently working on her first novel – an historical fiction piece set in Baltimore with a dual plot line tied to noted poet Edgar Allan Poe and his mysterious death in 1849.
Online resources make it easier than ever to make sure your writing – both fiction and non-fiction – is historically accurate. Much like an investigative reporter, crime detective or genealogist, you have so many resources at your fingertips to help set the tone of your work. While sites such as Newspapers.com, FindAGrave.com and Ancestry.com are common places to start, there are other sources that can provide valuable and authentic details – like city directories, plat maps and archives (found at local, college and state libraries), census data, Ellis Island passenger logs, veteran service records, death certificates and obituaries, cemetery sexton ledgers, regional Facebook history groups, and even eBay! Join in the digital scavenger hunt and learn how to find the hidden treasures you’re looking for to bring your stories to life!
“Finding the Courage to Be a Famous Writer by Building a Creative Author Platform”
MICHAEL DWYER is a freelance writer and managing editor. He has published hundreds of articles in local newspapers and in national print magazines. Michael writes about local lifestyle, Michigan travel, and worldwide destinations. In 2008, he founded Rochester Writers, an organization that supports writers with contests, conferences, networking, and a free monthly Zoom Meeting that discusses the Business of Writing. Visit www.RochesterWriters.com to find out more.
Crafting an authentic author platform attracts agents, impresses publishers, and turns readers into true fans. Focusing on offline opportunities, this presentation will explore practical in-person ways to build an audience and reach readers with higher visibility, creative content, and engaging communication. Key takeaways:
- Join professional organizations and networking communities
- Attend conferences, workshops, and critique groups
- Secure media appearances and guest spots on TV, radio, and podcasts
- Engage writers and readers with speaking gigs, book signings, and more
- Sharpen your skills with retreats, classes, and other continuing education opportunities
- Blend your offline initiatives with your online presence to build a better author platform
Afternoon Session #2 Speakers
“Orchestrating Your Novel’s Plot”
SUE HARRISON is a proud member of UPPAA and lives in Pickford, Michigan, with her husband Neil. Her novels have sold more than two million copies and have been published in more than twenty-five countries and in thirteen languages. Her most recent adult novel, The Midwife’s Touch, (first book in The Wish Thief Trilogy) was chosen as a 2024 Upper Peninsula Notable Book. Her middle-grade readers’ chapter book, Rescuing Crash, the Good Dog, was named a 2026 Upper Peninsula Notable Book. Harrison is also a member of the Michigan Upper Peninsula Literary Hall of Fame.
I will introduce the “Conductor’s Score” Method of Plot Development (drawing readers into your novel through virtuoso use of tension levels)
- Attendees will learn to divide a novel’s plot into five tension areas: the point-of-view character’s mental conflicts; the point-of-view character’s physical problems/danger; external setting and time period conflicts; conflict in auxiliary-character interaction; and all characters’ emotional responses.
- Attendees will learn how to diagram tension levels throughout the novel using a score sheet.
- Attendees will receive handouts including score sheets, sample plot diagrams, and plot development worksheets.
Brandy Thomas, Marty Achatz, Nikki Mitchell — “Creating and Marketing Audiobooks Panel Discussion”
Our esteemed panelists will first provide a review of the most important elements and things to remember about audiobook production that every author must know. Each of the three panelsists brings a unique experience to the table.
- Brandy Thomas is a professional editor with extensive training and experience in audiobook narration and the technical aspects of “mastering” an audiobook session so it can be sold on the dozens of online audiobook sales platforms such as Audible, iTunes, and library-lending systems like OverDrive.
- Nikki Mitchell is an independent author who has learned valuable lessons in taking her audiobooks to different marketplaces to reach readers in both retail and library markets. Reaching your audience can be one of the most challenging parts of a successful audiobook launch.
- Marty Achatz has self-narrated his poetry chapbook A Bigfoot Bestiary and Other Wonders. He will share the ups and downs of self-narration as well as explain what local resources are available for use as audiobook recording booths.
