BEYOND “THE END”:
Turning Your Book Into A Published Reality

Award-winning authors Nancy Klann, Kathleen Troy, and PJ Colando come together for a practical, experience-driven discussion on self-publishing from the ground up. Ring in 2026 with this panel of seasoned independent publishers who will walk you through what to do before you publish, preparing and uploading your book to Amazon, and the range of self-publishing options available today. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to hit “publish,” they’ll share hard-earned insights, lessons learned, and best practices—followed by an interactive Q&A session designed to answer your most pressing questions.

Bio

Nancy Klann is an award-winning independent author whose writing journey began as a creative escape during long business trips in advertising and marketing. What started as short fiction on airplane rides grew into a body of work recognized in anthologies and awards, culminating in her acclaimed short story collection Like the Flies on the Patio. A pivotal workshop moment pushed her from short stories into novel writing, resulting in The Clock of Life, a powerful coming-of-age novel set against the backdrop of American social protest. The book has earned honors from Writer’s Digest, Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Readers’ Favorite, Kindle Book Awards, and more, establishing Nancy as a distinctive voice in character-driven, socially resonant fiction.

Kathleen Troy, JD, PhD, is a children’s and young adult author, publisher, movie producer, and professor whose multifaceted career spans law, education, and storytelling. A member of Sisters in Crime and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, she has won multiple awards for her middle-grade and YA novels.

PJ Colando is a Southern California–based author of commercial women’s fiction whose writing career bloomed after a successful profession as a speech-language pathologist. Born and raised in the Midwest, she draws on her deep familiarity with small-town and rural life in her humorous, satirical series Faith, Family, Frenzy!. PJ writes with a literary sensibility and a sharp sense of humor, delighting in the freedom of fiction—especially the ability to “hit delete” when characters misbehave. She has published four novels and two short story anthologies, with more on the way, and enjoys engaging with readers and writers through speaking events and book clubs. For PJ, writing may be a silent sport—but it’s one she’s having an absolute blast playing.