OUR SPEAKERS

Steven James is the critically acclaimed, national bestselling author of eighteen novels. His work has been optioned by ABC Studios and praised by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, the New York Journal of Books, and many others. He has served as a contributing editor for Writer’s Digest Magazine and is the author of two award-winning books on the craft of fiction, Story Trumps Structure and Troubleshooting Your Novel. In addition to his writing, he is a world-renowned fiction instructor who has spoken more than two thousand times around the globe. He teaches annual Novel Writing Intensives alongside NYT bestselling author Robert Dugoni and hosts the weekly writing podcast The Story Blender.

Amy Collins is an agent with the Talcott Notch Literary Services agency. She has more than 30 years in the publishing industry as a book buyer, Sales Director for a large non-fiction publisher, and the founder and President of New Shelves Books, one of the largest book sales and marketing companies in the US. Collins is a USA TODAY and WALL STREET JOURNAL bestselling author and has spent her career working with Barnes & Noble, Target, Costco, Books-A-Million, Wal-Mart, as well as bookstores and libraries. As well as an agent, Collins is a trusted expert, speaker, and recommended publishing consultant for some of the largest book and library retailers and wholesalers in the publishing industry. In her agent role, Collins focuses on non-fiction/ history, historical fiction, fantasy, and sci-fi. She can be found on Threads, Instagram, and Twitter at @askamycollins and online at www.amysadvice.com.

Vincent B. Davis II writes historical fiction books to keep the past alive through the power of storytelling. He is also an entrepreneur, speaker, and veteran who is a proud graduate of East Tennessee State University and was honorably discharged from the US Army in 2022. Armed with a pen and an entrepreneurial spirit, Vincent quit his day job and decided it was as good a time as any to follow his dream. He went on to publish six historical fiction novels, four of which have now become Amazon International Best Sellers. 

Vincent is also a devoted and depressed Carolina Panthers fan and a proud pet parent to his rescue pups, Buddy and Jenny. Join Vincent in celebrating the past through the pages of his books. Vincent also loves connecting with his readers through social media. Find him on Facebook or Instagram @vbdavisii.

Joshua Cooley is a New York Times bestselling author, an editor, and a speaker. He has 14 books to his credit (including titles for adults, teens, and children) and has freelanced articles for more than 30 different publications. In 2018, he teamed with Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles to co-author the star quarterback’s bestselling memoir, Believe It: My Journey of Success, Failure, and Overcoming the Odds. Joshua’s first illustrated children’s storybook is scheduled to release through 10Publishing in 2024. 

He is also a freelance copyeditor/proofreader whose clients include Tyndale House, traditionally published authors, self-published writers, and organizations submitting technical proposal bids for contract work. Joshua lives in Durham, N.C. You can visit his website at http://www.joshuacooleyauthor.com.