August 13—15, 2026
A free anti-gatekeeping event to help you plan, write, and publish your book. You'll learn from 17 experts who'll share their knowledge, resources, and advice. That way, we can add more color to the bookshelves!
The BIPOC Author Summit is here to both share high quality writing education (for free) and give BIPOC authors a space to find community—the kind that only comes from being with other people who just get it. (“It” being everything that comes with being a writer of color in an industry that’s white AF.)
Writing advice is as easy to find as bookish tea on Threads.
And yet, figuring out what all goes into actually writing and publishing a book still feels like trying to pick your next read from your never-ending TBR: super hard and like there’s always a better choice.
Trust me. There was a time when I used to stare at my laptop with fifty-leven tabs open, trying to understand everything from how to use Save the Cat to what the hell “show don’t tell” really means. I know you’ve googled “do you need a book proposal for a nonfiction book deal?” and “best time to pitch agents” more times than you’d like to admit.
If you’re anything like the writers I mentor, every single time you go down a writing research rabbit hole, you notice two things:
1. It’s hard to know what’s actually helpful and what’s just random advice a writer gives because it worked for (only) them, and
2. Not enough of the prominent or popular writing educators out there look like you.
And no, it’s not that big a deal to learn from white writers—excellent writing is excellent writing—but when you do have conversations with and learn from people who share your life experiences? It feels sooo different!
Whether you’re a writing newbie or a seasoned author, the drive to learn more and keep getting better never goes away.
Wouldn't it feel great to…
Determine if your book idea is viable (i.e., good and marketable);
Learn a new way to plot your novel (that doesn't feel like pulling out your own teeth);
Create a sustainable writing practice or learn ways to reinvigorate your existing one;
Have a revision plan you can execute with less overwhelm and more direction; and
Understand what you need to do to pitch your book and get it published?
And what if you could gain all this knowledge from other BIPOC writers and publishing professionals?
Good news: those were not hypothetical questions.
You’re getting all that and more in the BIPOC Author Summit!
An online event where writers of color will learn from 17 writing and publishing experts, hear from published authors, and find community. By August 15, you’ll feel more equipped to finally finish your book, and you’ll have new writing friends along with you on the journey.
Meet the Speakers
Karla Diaz | Book Coach + Developmental Editor
Olivia Bedford | Book Coach + Developmental Editor
Ching-Lo Hsu | Book Coach
Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer Author + Writing Instructor
Massiel Valenzuela-Castaneda | Certified Book Coach + Award-Winning Podcaster
Massiel Valenzuela-Castaneda | Certified Book Coach + Award-Winning Podcaster
Dr. Raquel Corona | Spiritual Guide + Creativity Doula
Amelia Elsie Buxton
Writer + Creator
C.T. Luna | Multidimensional Author + Creative Advocate + Communications Strategist
Tyesha Maddox
Brand + Web Designer
Bethany Hensel
Author + Expert Writer Bestie
Sabrina Estudillo Butler
Book Coach + Editor
Geneva Holden | Aspiring Novelist + Media Personality
Regina Anaejionu | Author + Thought Leadership Strategist
Sheila Akbar, PhD. | CEO, Signet Education; Author
Delise Torres
Author + Book Coach
Raquel Brown
Fiction Coach + Editor
Jamison Shea
Award-Winning Author
Meet Your Host
Hi, I’m Sabrina :)
Latina Book Coach, Chronic High Achiever, and Giant Nerd
So of course I’ve been dreaming for literal years about bringing some of the best book coaches, editors, writers, and other publishing professionals together to share their expertise. In my own coaching work, I help BIPOC authors (like you!) figure out where to start and what to do next so you can write and publish that book you can’t stop thinking about.
I know I already said this, but it’s important enough to say again: I created the BIPOC Author Summit to both share high quality writing education (for free) and give BIPOC authors a space to find community—the kind that only comes from being with other people who just get it. (”It” being everything that comes with being a writer of color in an industry that’s white AF.)
I’m on a mission to add more color to the bookshelves, because I envision a future where books by us are as widely known, loved, and revered as the “classics.”
The BIPOC Author Summit—where writers like you will learn how to plan, write, and publish your book.
(Plus, the vibes will be immaculate.)
Here’s what’s in store
When + Where
The BIPOC Author Summit will run from August 13-15, with multiple presentations to choose from each day—so you can watch what’s relevant or inspiring for you. Plus, it’s entirely virtual, so you can attend from wherever you are in the world.
Expert Presentations
Attend presentations from our lineup of 17 speakers featuring topics like choosing the right book idea, coming up with a great table of contents, speed drafting, revising without headaches, querying strategies, and more. Your free ticket includes access to each presentation from the day it goes live until August 23 (yep—a whole week after the summit ends).
Summit Community
Join your fellow writers in the BIPOC Author Summit Instagram broadcast channel and Threads topic. This is where you’ll be able to connect with the speakers and other attendees before and during the event! Our online community is a bonus, so if you’re not a social media person, don’t worry. You won’t miss out.
Live Co-Writing Sessions
Throughout the summit, there will be 5 LIVE co-writing sessions, so you can actually implement some of the things you learn. Plus, we all need dedicated time to write and doing it together is just better.
Upgrade for a VIP experience
After registering, you can upgrade to the All-Access Pass, which includes access to the presentations for a full year after the summit wraps up, premium bonuses from our speakers, and more! You’ll get all the details after grabbing your free ticket.
Being in community is what this is all about.
Let’s be real: Publishing is white as f*ck, and we will always need more spaces that cater to us. We need editors and writing partners and book coaches and more writing partners to learn and practice and grow with.
I’m tired of attending overwhelmingly white events and feeling like no one is going to really understand me or my story—and I’ll bet you’ve felt the same.
You’re ready to experience The BIPOC Author Summit
It’s time to get some real, focused, expert advice from people who’ve been exactly where you are. Get your free ticket and join us!
Frequently Asked Questions (also TL;DR)
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Nope! The BIPOC Author Summit is open to everyone as long as you align with our values! What that means: We are actively anti-racist, we know that white privilege exists, we understand that racism is systemic, we know that Black Lives Matter, we will always say "publishing is white as fuck" with our whole chest, we know that trans rights are human rights, we know that love is love and gender is fluid and a spectrum, and we believe no one is "illegal" on stolen land. If you agree, we’re good to go!
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If you are writing a book, thinking about writing a book, revising for the first or millionth time, in the querying trenches, or getting ready to pitch your book proposal or manuscript, this summit is for you! And you can still come even if none of this applies to you—it’s always fun to learn things. :)
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Presentations will be geared toward both fiction and nonfiction (including memoir).
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The summit runs from August 13–15, but you’ll be able to join the Instagram broadcast channel as soon as you register! Remember, it’s all happening online, so you can join us from anywhere in the world.
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No problem! All of the presentations are pre-recorded, and as long as you’re registered, you’ll have access to them from August 13 to August 22. (Unless you get the All-Access Pass, which gives you access for a whole year!)
Also, there will be live co-writing sessions each day, and we’d love to have you there, but it’s totally fine if you can’t make them. Just make sure to join the Instagram broadcast channel if you want to chat with your fellow writers.
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Each day’s presentations will go live that morning, and you’ll have access to them all through August 22. (Unless you get the All-Access Pass, which gives you access for a whole year.)
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All the presentations are pre-recorded so you can pick and choose the ones you want then watch them at your own pace.
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No (that’s illegal)! When you register, you’ll be added to the Unpolished Words email list so we can send you updates for the event and links to each day’s presentations. After the summit is over, you’ll continue to hear from us, but you can unsubscribe at any time.
Each of the speakers will have free resources available that you can access by providing an email address, but the speakers will not get your email address unless you choose to give it to them specifically. That way, you only hear from the people you really love and don't have to worry about getting added to email lists you're not interested in.
You can learn more in our Privacy Policy.
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Yep. All presentations have closed captioning and transcripts will be available for each right there on the presentation page.
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It’s free! And after you register, you have the option of upgrading your ticket to the all-access pass—just $27 if you buy it right away, and $57 if you buy it after the summit starts.