Make a Spark! Conference 2026

Early Bird Registration Is Open!

Regular registration closes Feb. 21 at Midnight EST

Early Bird Pricing ends January 31, 2026

A One-Day Online Conference from Spark Flash Fiction

Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Time: 11 AM – 4 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Price: $35 Early Bird Pricing
(regular price: $40)

Writing is a long, arduous, and oftentimes solitary, endeavor. But you don’t have to go it alone. Spark is here to help!

Join us for our 5th annual one-day, online conference! We’ll have classes on writing flash fiction, writing romantic fiction of any length, and other craft and industry-related topics. And, we’re pleased to have best-selling romance author Pepper Basham with us this year!

We also have a special “Lunch & Learn” panel that will be discussing how to write for Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense.

*All classes will be recorded and links sent to registrants the week following the conference.

Schedule:

11:00-11:15 – Welcome and Introductions

11:15-12:15 – Class 1 (two options)

Option 1: How to Write Flash Fiction & Grow Your Author Platform
(taught by Hope Welborn)
Flash fiction can help any writer at any experience level to hone their craft, experiment with other genres, and even break out of writer’s block. In this class, students will gain a better understanding of flash fiction, how to create a satisfying story in 1,000 words (no matter the genre), and the various ways flash fiction can be used to grow an author platform.

Option 2: Using Flash Fiction as a Marketing Tool
(taught by Jennifer Purcell)
Once you master writing flash fiction, what do you do with it? From magazines to social media, flash fiction is a great tool to reach potential readers. This class will discuss different ways you can use flash fiction to market your writing and build an audience.

12:15-12:30 – Break & gather lunch

12:30-1:30 – Lunch & Learn Panel: How to Write for Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense
(led by Spark staff)
Our staff members who have published books with Love Inspired will share tips and strategies for creating and pitching stories that appeal to the LI audience and grab an editor’s attention.

1:30-1:40 – Break

1:40-2:40 – Class 2: Wise Ways to Put AI to Good Use
(taught by Abbey Downey)
Are you looking for ways to make AI useful in your writing life? Or are you hesitant to use it because you’re unsure how to navigate the ethics? Just curious if it might work for you? If used correctly, AI can be a powerful tool to enhance parts of the writing process. This class will cover basics about what AI is, how it functions, and what that means for writers, as well as exploring some useful ways to include it in your writing life that don’t need to leave you feeling guilty.

2:40-2:50 – Break

2:50-3:50 – Class 3: Laugh Lines and Love Stories
(taught by Pepper Basham)
Love stories are a vital part of our lives and should be taken seriously…well, at least a little seriously. 🙂 Join Pepper Basham as she discusses the chemistry of writing a good romance. From meet-cutes to grand gestures, this session unpacks the story beats, delicious chemistry, and delightful humor that leaves our readers (and maybe ourselves) smilng, sighing, and maybe a little swoony. Perfect for writers who want to craft love stories that incite swoons, laughter, and hope.

4:00 – The Sparkie Awards announcement & closing remarks