OCTOBER 15–16, 2026
SAN ANTONIO RIVER WALK
LIMITED TO 120 SEATS
TURNÂ YOUR MESSAGE
INTO MOMENTUM
Stages & Pages 2026
 — three days on the San Antonio Riverwalk for women authors + speakers who already have the work and are ready for the next stage.
San Antonio River Walk
100Â GA & 20 VIP
Leave With Real Assets
Walk in with a book, a keynote, or a coaching business. Walk out with stages to be booked, your book outline, or a visibility plan and a curated network of women playing the same game at the same level.
Co-hosted by the Women in Publishing Summit and LIGHTbeamers.
Â
Â
Stages & Pages is for you if...
- You're a published author ready to turn your book into stages, fees, and a media platform that pays you back for the years you spent writing it OR
-
You're an experienced speaker earning fees and you know your next book multiplies your authority — and your rate OR
-
You're a coach, consultant, or expert who's already built the business and is done being the best-kept secret in your industry
-
You're done with conferences that promise the room and deliver a hashtag
-
You're ready to spend the three days on the actual work, not on networking small talk
Â
Â
Stages & Pages is not for you if...Â
-
You haven't published a book yet or haven't started speaking — this room moves fast and assumes you already have the baseline
-
You're looking for a 101 on writing, publishing, or how to get your first speaking gig
-
You want a passive conference where you sit and absorb — every session here is built around you doing something with what you came in with
-
You're not ready to invest in your visibility — the room is full of women who already are, and the conversations reflect that
Â
Still with us? Good.Â
Here's how to get in the room..
Â
Turn this 2-day event into months (or years) of opportunity.
General Admission
$497
Two days. One room. The strategies, the connections, the momentum.
→ Reserve My Seat — $497VIP TICKET
$1,497Â
Everything in GA — plus the room where the actual work gets done.
Reserve My VIP Seat — $1,497
Hosted by:
April Adams Pertuis and Alexa Bigwarfe — two women who have spent a combined 20+ years getting authors and speakers seen, booked, and paid
You’ve already done what most people only talk about. Either you wrote the book or you've been on stages — or you’re booking them (or both!). You have a message that matters and people who need to hear it.
But somewhere between where you are and where you know you could be, there’s a gap. Not a knowledge gap. Not a talent gap. An access gap.
Â
The right rooms. The right relationships. The right people seeing your work at exactly the right moment. That’s what separates the authors who become sought-after speakers from the ones still chasing stages. That’s what separates the speakers who get booked again and again from the ones who are still waiting for their big break.
Stages & Pages is where you close that gap.
Not someday. In October. In San Antonio. In this room.
It started with a question we couldn’t stop asking.
Alexa has spent years helping authors write, publish, and launch their books. April has spent years helping speakers and entrepreneurs craft their stories and build their authority on stage. Their paths kept crossing — most recently when Alexa joined April’s program to develop her own keynote.
Â
Sitting in that program, surrounded by coaches and thought leaders and business owners who all had powerful stories to tell, Alexa noticed something. They were all asking the same question she had heard for years as a publisher.
“Why do so many brilliant people stay invisible?”
The speakers in April’s community kept saying: “I know I need a book — but I don’t know where to start.”
The authors in Alexa’s community kept saying: “I wrote the book — now how do I actually get on stages?”
And both groups kept saying the same thing underneath it all: “I’m doing the work, but I still feel invisible.”
Â
April had spoken at three of Alexa’s Women in Publishing events. Their communities had overlapped, collaborated, and cheered each other on for years. They’d watched the same people struggle with the same gap — the space between having something worth saying and being widely known for saying it.
Â
At some point, the conversation stopped being “someone should create this” and became “we should create this.”
Â
So we did.
Â
Stages & Pages is the event we wished existed — built specifically for authors who are ready for stages, speakers who are ready for a book, and everyone in between who is done being the best-kept secret in their industry.
Â
We’re not here to teach you how to become a speaker or author from scratch. We’re here because you already have something worth sharing — and it’s time more people knew about it.
April Adams Pertuis
Founder, LIGHTbeamers | Storytelling and Visibility Expert
April has helped hundreds of speakers, coaches, and entrepreneurs, including Alexa, develop their message, craft their keynote, and build authority that opens doors. Her community is full of thought leaders and business owners who have a story to tell — and are ready to tell it at scale.
Alexa Bigwarfe
Founder, Women in Publishing | Author Advocate
Alexa has spent over a decade supporting authors and turning their books into speaking careers and thriving businesses. She went through April’s program, which means she’s been in your seat. She built Women in Publishing into one of the most respected author communities in the world.
This is not your typical conference.
You won’t leave with a notebook full of ideas you might implement someday. You’ll leave with content, connections, visibility, and real opportunities to grow your platform.
Â
We’re not here to overwhelm you with information. We’re here to help you do the thing. Because visibility doesn’t come from learning more. It comes from being seen.
Â
The format is built around teaching panels — not typical panels. Every speaker comes prepared to teach something specific in 15 minutes, then stays in the room for guided discussion and real Q&A. Day Two breaks into hands-on tracks so you can go deeper on exactly what your business needs right now.
Inside this experience, you’ll:
- Step into visibility in real-time — not as homework for after you get home, but in the room, on the day
- Connect with podcast hosts who are actively booking guests, event organizers who hire speakers, and fellow authors and entrepreneurs who become collaborators and referral partners
- Get face-to-face with the agency owners, brand partners, and decision-makers who are sponsoring this event specifically to meet people like you
- Capture content you can use immediately — video footage, professional photos, a recorded interview, or a speaker reel — with a professional team already on-site
- Build momentum that continues after the event — not just inspiration, but actual relationships, opportunities, and assets in hand
Â
Â
This room was built for you — specifically.
Not for someone who’s thinking about writing a book someday. Not for someone testing the waters of public speaking. For someone who is already doing the work and is ready for the next level.
Â
If you’re an entrepreneur, coach, thought leader, or business owner with a book or a speaking business — and you want more visibility, more bookings, and more opportunities — this room was built for you.
Â
Â
If you’ve been thinking…
“I’m a speaker and I’m ready to take it to the next level — more stages, better stages, bigger fees.”
“I’ve already written a book and I need to figure out how to turn it into speaking opportunities.”
“I know my content is good. I need more people in the right places to know I exist.”
“I want a book that actually builds my business, not just something I sell at the back of the room.”
“I’ve been to conferences that leave me inspired and stuck. I want something that actually moves things forward.”
Three tracks.
One room.
Your next level.
Â
Stages & Pages is built around a simple insight: authors need stages, and speakers need books. Most people are one move away from unlocking both.
Â
That’s why Day Two splits into three dedicated tracks — so you can go deep on exactly what your business needs right now.
The Author Track
You’ve written the book. Now let’s get you on stages.
We’ll give you the tools, the pitch, and the relationships to begin your speaker journey — or accelerate the one you’re already on. By the end of the day, you’ll know exactly how to position your book as a gateway to speaking opportunities.
The Speaker Track
You’re already on stages. Now let’s get you a book.
We’ll set you up to become a published author in a way that amplifies everything you’re already doing. By the end of the day, you’ll have a clear path to a book that builds your authority, your fees, and your reach.
The Visibility Track
You're looking for support in getting more visibility.
Meet with podcast hosts, branding experts, PR reps, and social media experts to work on your visibility plan.
Here’s what two days in this room will do.
Â
Stages & Pages is structured so that by the time you leave San Antonio, you’re more visible than when you arrived. Not eventually. Not after you implement. Right now, with assets in hand and a plan already in motion.
Every session, every track, every conversation is designed to move you through four stages — in order.
What’s waiting for you in San Antonio:
Live Podcast Interviews
Limited spots to be featured as a guest on a live recording during the event. Apply early — these go fast.Â
Decision-Maker Access
Get face-to-face with event organizers, agency sponsors, and people who hire speakers — in the room, by design.
Key Partnerships
Opportunities to connect and build collaborations and partnerships with sponsors as well as your fellow attendees (Speakers, Authors, Podcasters, Experts).Â
Author Showcase Wall
Your book displayed and visible to every attendee, speaker, and sponsor in the room all weekend.
Real-Time Content Creation
A social media professional will be on site to help guide you and give photo and video content advice, with roving opportunities to record onsite.Â
River Walk Setting
Morning coffee by the water. Evenings that turn into impromptu dinners. This magical city is part of the experience.
Two days. Real structure. Zero filler.
Thursday, October 15 — Teaching Panels
- Teaching panels — speakers teach, then stay for real Q&A
- Live podcast recording during lunch (limited spots)
- Mini brand photo sessions on-site (add-on)
- Author showcase wall open all day
- Door prize drawing + evening on the River Walk
Friday, October 16 — Hands-On Tracks
- Choose your track: Author Platform or Speaker Journey
- Speaker reel / sizzle reel recording (add-on)
- Office hours with speakers + sponsor meetings
- Hot seat coaching + attendee breakthroughs
- Closing keynote + celebration
Saturday, October 17 — VIP Day
An intimate, invite-only experience for the 20 VIP ticket holders. VIP brunch with April, Alexa + speakers. Private deep-dive workshop. One-on-one sponsor meetings. Upgrade your ticket to join us
Reserve your spot
Turn this 2-day event into months (or years) of opportunity.
General Admission
$497
Two days. One room. The strategies, the connections, the momentum.
→ Reserve My Seat — $497VIP TICKET
$1,497Â
Everything in GA — plus the room where the actual work gets done.
Reserve My VIP Seat — $1,497
LOCATION! LOCATION!
San Antonio River Walk
We’ve chosen a setting that’s just as inspiring as the conversations that will happen inside the room.
Stages & Pages takes place in San Antonio, Texas, right along the iconic River Walk — a vibrant, walkable destination filled with restaurants, culture, and energy.
Â
Hotel booking:Â
We are currently finalizing a special group rate at a nearby hotel within close proximity to the event.
Once booking is available, you’ll receive:
- A discounted room block link
- Details on how to reserve your stay
- Recommendations for making the most of your time in San Antonio
October 15-17, 2026
00
DAYS
00
HOURS
00
MINS
00
SECS
Hey, we're your hosts!
April Adams Pertuis
Founder, LIGHTbeamers | Storytelling and Visibility Expert
April has helped hundreds of speakers, coaches, and entrepreneurs, including Alexa, develop their message, craft their keynote, and build authority that opens doors. Her community is full of thought leaders and business owners who have a story to tell — and are ready to tell it at scale.
Alexa Bigwarfe
Founder, Women in Publishing | Author Advocate
Alexa has spent over a decade supporting authors and turning their books into speaking careers and thriving businesses. She went through April’s program, which means she’s been in your seat. She built Women in Publishing into one of the most respected author communities in the world.
Your questions, answered.
What are the dates and location?
Who is this conference for?
What’s the difference between General Admission and VIP?
Is there a payment plan?
What is your refund policy?
Will there be a hotel room block?
How many people will be at the conference?
I’m not a published author yet. Can I still attend?
Will sessions be recorded?
Still have questions?
Â
Â
The Schedule
Day 1: Teaching Panels
Doors open · Coffee + connection
Author showcase wall live. Photo/video team on-site.
Opening keynote · April & Alexa
Why this room, why now.
Teaching Panel 1: Get on More Stages
Speaker pitching, booking strategy, what event hosts want.
Teaching Panel 2: Your Book as a Business Card
How authors leverage their book for speaking + media.
Lunch + live podcast recording
Selected attendees featured (limited spots). Sponsor activation.
Teaching Panel 3: Content That Creates Visibility
Repurposing, reels, presence that turns expertise into momentum.
Mini brand photo sessions begin Upsell
10–15 min sessions. Sign-up required.
Teaching Panel 4: Pitch + Partner
How to work a room, connect with decision-makers, follow up.
Day 1 close + door prize drawing
Sponsor recognition. Prizes drawn.
Optional River Walk dinner (self-organized)
Hosts suggest 2–3 local spots.
Day 2: Hands-On Tracks
Morning coffee + networking
Sponsor tables open. Sizzle reel sessions begin.
Day 2 welcome + track overview
Tracks run simultaneously until noon
Author Track · Speaker Track · Content Creation Track
Lunch + sponsor showcase
Office hours with speakers.
Full group: What's Your Next Move?
Hot seat coaching. Attendees share breakthroughs + commitments.
Closing keynote + celebration
Recognition. Group photo. Send-off.
General conference ends
Sizzle reel sessions continue until 5pm for booked attendees.
VIP Day Ticket upgrade required
VIP brunch with April, Alexa + speakers
Small-group, informal. The relationship-building moment of the weekend.
VIP deep-dive workshop
"What's your next 90 days?" · Private coaching with both hosts.
One-on-one sponsor meetings VIP priority
VIP close + farewell
Still with us? Good.Â
Here's how to get in the room..
Â
Turn this 2-day event into months (or years) of opportunity.
General Admission
$497
Two days. One room. The strategies, the connections, the momentum.
→ Reserve My Seat — $497VIP TICKET
$1,497Â
Everything in GA — plus the room where the actual work gets done.
Reserve My VIP Seat — $1,49714-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE
If you aren’t completely satisfied with your Influential Artist course, let us know within the first 14-days for a full refund. No questions asked.