Abigail Drake is the award-winning author of twenty-two novels, but she didn’t start her career in writing. She majored in Japanese and economics in college, and spent years living abroad, collecting stories wherever she visited. She collected a husband from Istanbul on her travels, too, and he is her favorite souvenir.

Abigail is a coffee addict, a puppy wrangler, and the mother of three adult sons. She writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction, and, in her spare time, she enjoys traveling, blogging about her dog, Capone, and teaching writing classes for children and adults.

In 2024, Abigail won the Stiletto Prize from Contemporary Romance Writers for her book “A Royal Pain.” She has also won the Stiletto for her romantic comedy, “Love, Chocolate, and a Dog Named Al Capone.”

Abigail was awarded an honorable mention for “Love, Chocolate, and a Dog Named Al Capone” in the 2019 Writer’s Digest Self-Published E-book Awards. She is the winner of the 2017 Prism Award for her book, “Traveller,” and the International Digital Award for her young adult novel, “Tiger Lily.” In addition, she was named a finalist in the Golden Pen, the Golden Leaf, the Dante Rossetti Book Award, and the Cygnus Award for Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction.

Abigail is a member of NINC (Discounts Chair), Pennwriters (former keynote speaker and conference chair), Mindful Writers, and Inkers Mastermind. She has attended NINC conferences, as well as Pennwriters, RWA, Inkers, and Romance Author Mastermind. She has presented workshops at Pennwriters, Maryland Writers, West Virginia Writers, and Contemporary Romance Writers of America. She was artist in residence for a year at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts High School in the Writing and Publishing Department.

Abigail is represented by Lauren Bieker of FinePrint Literary Management, and she is the cofounder of Romancing Your Muse (www.romancingyourmuse.com). For more information, visit her website at www.abigaildrake.net.

Workshops Abigail is presenting:

Creating a Strong First Act
The beginning of your story is the most valuable real estate in your entire book. Some agents and editors don’t make it past the first chapter. Many don’t get past the first page, and the same goes for your readers as well. How can you create a first chapter that not only hits all the marks, but also leaves them dying for more?

  • From writing a fabulous hook, to finding a way to break into act two, there are steps that must be taken to ensure you set a solid foundation for the rest of your novel. It’s not rocket science, but it does involve a bit of thought and planning.
  • In this session we’ll discuss all the elements that must come together to create a great start to your book. Prepare to roll up your sleeves and get to work, because we’re going to figure out how to polish up that first chapter (and your first act) to make it shine!

Self Publishing for Beginners

  • In this course, we will:
    • 1. Make sure your book is ready to be self-published.
    • 2. Learn exactly how to put your book up on Kindle Direct Press. 
    • 3. Go over what to consider when choosing genres and keywords.
    • 4. Discuss the back cover blurb.
    • 5. Figure out pricing, preorders, and distribution.
    • 6. Analyze the merits of Kindle Unlimited and discuss going wide.
    • 7. Decide when and how to hit that magic “publish” button.
  • This is a class intended for anyone considering taking the leap and trying out self-publishing for the first time. The first step is often the scariest. This class is designed to take away that worry, and help you realize your dreams of publication.

Panels Abigail is participating in:

  • Promo Panic: What to Do, What to Skip, and What’s Free The only thing scarier than writing a synopsis? Book marketing. Where should you spend your time—and your money? Is it possible to build buzz without breaking the bank (or your spirit)? This candid panel shares real-world tips, tricks, and hard-earned lessons to help you market smarter, not harder. With Abigail Drake, Casey Bond, Amanda Hooser, and JT Cooper
  • Genre Fiction: How to Meet Expectations Without Becoming Cliché
     Every genre has its rules—romance wants the swoon, thrillers want the chase, and mystery readers will riot if it’s not solved. This panel will chat about what not to do and how to meet the expectations of readers and editors without selling your soul—or your plot twists. Come for the tips, stay for the tea. With everyone!