Get to Know Our 2027 Speakers

Leonard Sweet is a theo-semiotician, historical theologian, and preacher who grew up with two brothers under a preacher-mom (see Mother Tongue). Author of almost eighty books, hundreds of articles, and almost 2000 published sermons, his most recent publications include his lifelong semiotic study of the Jesus story, Jesus Human and Designer Jesus, as well as an introductory textbook on theo-semiotics, Decoding the Divine. His pastoral sensibilities are currently evident in The Sound of Light (with Lisa Samson) and an upcoming The Advent Adventure book of meditations. His semiotic “LenTalks” are posted on YouTube, and his “Napkin Scribbles” podcasts can be accessed on leonardsweet.com or Spotify. After a lifetime in academic administration as Dean, Provost, President, and Chancellor, Sweet now works with graduate students at four institutions: Drew University, where he has occupied the E. Stanley Jones Chair, George Fox University, Northwind Seminary, and Southeastern University. One of the most sought-after speakers in the religious world today, he and his family reside on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands, where they operate a hospitality resort (or “advance center”) called Sanctuary Seaside. His next book (with Chris Eriksen) is a theology of football called Gridiron Gospel: Faith That Moves Chains.

Amanda Held Opelt is an author, speaker, and songwriter. She writes about faith, grief, and creativity, and believes in the power of community, ritual, shared worship, and storytelling to heal even our deepest wounds. Amanda studied Liberal Arts at Bryan College and is pursuing a Masters in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University. She has spent 15 years serving in the non-profit and humanitarian aid sectors, and has written for Christianity Today, Premier Christianity, and 100 Days in Appalachia. A proud resident of Boone, North Carolina, Amanda enjoys life in the mountains with her husband and two young daughters.

Daniel Nayeri was born in Iran and spent some years as a refugee before immigrating to Oklahoma at age seven with his family. He is the author of several books, including EVERYTHING SAD IS UNTRUE (A TRUE STORY), winner of the Michael L. Printz Award, the Christopher Medal, and the Middle Eastern Book Award, THE MANY ASSASSINATIONS OF SAMIR, THE SELLER OF DREAMS, winner of the Newbery Honor, and THE TEACHER OF NOMAD LAND, winner of the Newbery Honor and the National Book Award. He lives in the U.S. with his wife and son.

S. D. Smith is the author of The Green Ember Series, a million+ selling adventure saga featuring heroic #RabbitsWithSwords. The Green Ember spent time as the number one bestselling audiobook in the world on Audible. In 2025, Smith authored a new adventure novel and wrote its video-gamization story. Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb is the first time a novel and its video game have released at the same time. He is also the author of the madcap Mooses with Bazookas: And Other Stories Children Should Never Read as well as the touching throwback adventure, The Found Boys. Finally, he has co-authored two fantasy adventure novels with his son (J. C. Smith), Jack Zulu and the Waylander’s Key and Jack Zulu and the Girl with Golden Wings.
Smith’s stories are captivating readers across the globe who are hungry for “new stories with an old soul.” Though packed with old school virtue and moral imagination, Smith doesn’t merely create “safe” stories, but bold, daring, truthful tales of light that help shape children who become dangerous—dangerous to the darkness.
Smith is a founder and owner of Story Warren, a publishing, events, and IP development house based in rural West Virginia. Story Warren exists to serve families as “allies in imagination.”
S. D. Smith lives in Grandview, West Virginia with his wife and four kids.

With more speakers to be announced soon!

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HopeWords Grew

from two friends determined to help their community reclaim the story being told about Appalachia.
They wanted to gift their neighbors with permission and resources to tell a story of hope. As ideas were sown and watered through conversation and prayer, a conference began to take root.
In 2019, the first HopeWords Writers’ conference nurtured radical hospitality and brought renowned authors directly to Bluefield, West Virginia. It wasn’t just locals who wanted to partake in the gathering, though. Guests from around the country turned out for a pilgrimage all about cultivating hope through the Christian imagination.
Each year we come back to this city and gather together, carrying the light forward. We invite you to gather with us for a Christian writers conference unlike any other.

For lovers of God and story.

Join us in the Appalachian Mountains, where storytelling is in our blood.

Enjoy Southern hospitality among our friends in historic Bluefield, West Virginia.

Meet writers and storytellers carrying the light of Jesus throughout all the work we tend to.

Learn from celebrated authors and artists whose work brings hope into being.

Be refreshed and inspired, returning to your work with something worth saying. Find renewal and connection as part of the HopeWords family.

Join us at the HopeWords 2027 Writers’ Conference

April 9-10 at the Historic Granada Theater

537 Commerce St, Bluefield, WV 24701

From Previous Attendees

“I was only able to attend online, but what a blessing it was to feel the warmth and hope of the conference, even through my computer screen.

I've gone back multiple times to the encouragement of many speakers to be "close to the Source" as we seek to tell great stories for the glory of God.”

— Sarah

“I absolutely loved the atmosphere of the whole experience. It was very engaging and friendly. I loved being surrounded by fellow authors. I was very impressed by the speakers and learned a lot from them. I came home feeling motivated to continue my writing project and serve my readers by bringing them positivity and love.”

— Aleigha

“One of my most favorite things about this conference was that the speakers and authors were gracious enough to "live among us." There was no waiting in long lines to talk for thirty seconds to an author sitting behind a table. Every speaker was approachable, kind, patient, down-to-earth, and generous with his or her time.”

— Jussley