Sarah Penner is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary and The London Séance Society. Her books have been translated into more than forty languages and her debut, The Lost Apothecary, has sold over one million copies worldwide. Her newest book, The Amalfi Curse (April 2025), contains powerful magic, a hunt for sunken treasure and forbidden love on the high seas.

Jump into the world of storytelling with our Opelika Book Festival Writer’s Workshops! These in-person sessions are perfect for anyone looking to sharpen their writing skills, share ideas, and have fun. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned writer, come and connect with fellow book lovers and creative minds. Don’t miss this chance to boost your creativity and bring your stories to life! Your $35 (plus fees) ticket includes a full day of workshops, breakfast, snacks, and lunch.

Tentative Schedule:

8:00 – 8:45: Arrival, Check-in, & Breakfast

9:00 – 10:00: Marketing & Social Strategy with Sarah Penner

10:15 – 11:15: It’s Not Just You: Networking for Authors Who’d Rather Be Writing

11:30 – 12:30: Gone digital! Tech Tools for Landing a Literary Agent

12:30 – 1:00: Lunch Break!

1:00 – 2:00: Yes, We Love Books… But It’s Complicated

2:15 – 3:15: Pen Names and Sales Tracks and Genres, Oh My! with Rachel Hawkins

3:30 – 4:00: Final Chapter: Wrap-Up, Takeaways, and Making Connections

Born in Virginia and raised in Alabama, Rachel Hawkins has been writing since Kindergarten when her first book, a tense thriller involving a unicorn, a witch, and a princess, was called, “very imaginative!” by her teacher and “a searing work of genius” by her mother.

Since then, Rachel has written over a dozen books for children and adults (sadly all unicorn-free thus far), and been published in more than twenty countries. As Rachel Hawkins, she wrote the New York Times bestselling The Wife Upstairs, a Southern Gothic twist on Jane Eyre that the Southern Review of Books called, “a thrill ride,” and Entertainment Weekly dubbed, “a gothic thriller laced with arsenic.”

When not writing modern Gothic thrillers as Rachel Hawkins, she also pens paranormal romantic comedies under the name Erin Sterling. Her debut romance, THE EX HEX, was a Book of the Month pick as well as a New York Times and USA Today Bestseller.

2026 List of Authors

  • Aldrenna Pope
  • Barbara Curry
  • Becky A
  • Bob McGough
  • Bri Kittrell
  • Charisa Hagel
  • Christine Roberts
  • Cindy Criswell Ducker
  • Deborah Kaskinen Crandell
  • Devon Jeffers Valdes
  • Dr Jamey (GAP) Haigh
  • Dr. Delesa Roberts
  • Felicia Coleman
  • Fran Groover
  • Frazelma Lynn
  • Garrett Ashley
  • Jenny Filush-Glaze
  • Jeremy Walden
  • John Ryland
  • Kathryn L. Beasley
  • Keon Addison
  • Kermit Jones, Jr.
  • Kimber Delaney
  • Larry E Ninas
  • Larynn Ford
  • Laura Fryar
  • Livell James
  • Matt Nagin
  • Melanie Allen
  • MJ Mango
  • Moriah J. Hagel
  • Nadia Nicole
  • Negrita Smart
  • Pelham Pugh
  • Scott C Pyron
  • Selah
  • S.M. LaDuke
  • Susan Campbell
  • Susan Pope Sloan
  • Taylor Belich
  • Valarie Thomas
  • Valerie Pepper
  • Vernet Clemons Nettles
  • Zenene Davis