Archbold, Ohio — Fiction and nonfiction writers alike won’t want to miss the second annual Sauder Village Storytellers Conference on Saturday, April 4, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Carolyn Sauder Education Center.
Join fellow writers for a day full of workshops, lectures, writing sessions, oral storytelling and networking opportunities for all literary genres.
“The Storytellers Conference provides the opportunity for writers to connect with authors while honing their writing skills,” said Deb Ridgway, Sauder Village Adult Education Manager. “Presenters will share their writing journey, offer tips and stories and lead writing sessions sure to inspire a variety of genres.”
The conference will include workshops taught by a variety of authors and writers, including keynote speaker Kate Zirkle, founder and executive director of the American Diary Project.
Zirkle’s talk, titled “What We Leave Behind: Diaries and the Stories That Shape Us,” will focus on how journaling shaped her life and inspired the creation of the American Diary Project. She will explore why preserving everyday stories matters and how writing helps us make meaning of the lives we’re living.
Other speakers include Katie Gilliand, editor and owner of Finch & Fern Book Co.; Autumn Owens, playwright; Ann Weir, author; Rose McWilliams-Nowak, author; Don Allison, author, journalist and oral storyteller; Bill Senegal and Steve Engel, oral storytellers; and David Timm Jr. and Cody Karamol, authors and founders of IronClad Comics.
Each workshop will tackle different topics, from dealing with writer’s block to polishing your work, with the goal of encouraging and inspiring attendees.
Four vendors — Finch & Fern in Sylvania, Ohio; Gathering Volumes in Perrysburg, Ohio; IronClad Comics in Liberty Center, Ohio; and the American Diary Project — will set up shop selling books, gifts, journals, t-shirts, and other unique book-themed items throughout the conference. Conference registration is not required to browse the vendors, and the public is welcome to shop for free.
Following the conference is a Spoken Word Night at 6:30 p.m., where storytellers will have up to eight minutes to share their fiction, nonfiction or poetry in a supportive environment with fellow writers.
Conference attendees are encouraged to attend the Spoken Word Night for free, but the public is also welcome to purchase tickets to the event.
For more Archbold and Fulton County events, see Ohio Goes To The Movies At Sauder Village.
View the full conference schedule, learn more about the speakers and vendors and register at saudervillage.org or call 1-800-590-9755.
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