Jatin Gupta.
From walking on glass to identifying their next big ambitions, participants at the two-day gathering experienced a different side of the writing journey.
What does an author do after publishing a book? For many writers, the journey traditionally revolves around book launches, reviews and recognition. But at the ICA Conclave 2026 in Goa, the conversation took a different direction. Participants were encouraged to look beyond their published work, confront personal fears, share their expertise and identify the next goals they wanted to pursue.
Organised by the International Council of Authors (ICA), the two-day gathering took place on September 19 and 20 at Renaissance Goa, Arpora. Approximately 50 participants, including authors, community members, family and friends, came together for an event that combined professional discussions, author celebrations and experiential activities.
The conclave was founded on the idea that publishing a book should open doors to new possibilities rather than mark the end of an individual's creative journey. Its theme, "Connect. Create. Celebrate." and the message, "Your Next Chapter Begins Here," reflected this approach.
The initiative was led by Jatin Gupta, popularly known as Inspiring Jatin, Founder of International Council of Authors (ICA). An Author Coach, TEDx Speaker, four-time International Bestselling Author and Life Coach, Inspiring Jatin has worked with more than 2,000 students on their book journeys. His work spans authorship, personal branding, visibility and personal growth.
Recognised among the Top 50 Acclaimed Authors Worldwide, named Non-Fiction Author of the Year and featured among the Brightest Young Minds Under 45, Inspiring Jatin has been building platforms to help writers take their knowledge and experiences beyond the written page. ICA now has a community of more than 2,500 writers and authors.
A significant part of the conclave was dedicated to giving community members an opportunity to speak about their areas of expertise. More than 25 applications were received from ICA members and ambassadors. Seven speakers were selected after considering their subject knowledge and the value their proposed sessions could offer.
The sessions explored subjects ranging from health and wellbeing to financial freedom, mindset management, mindfulness, storytelling, intuitive writing, visibility and authority building. The initiative allowed participants to experience a different dimension of authorship: presenting their ideas directly to an audience.
Inspiring Jatin also led a session examining the distinction between expertise and authority. He explained that having knowledge is one thing, but establishing recognition for that knowledge among an audience is another. His central message was: "What you know is your expertise. What others know that you know becomes your authority."
While discussions and speaking sessions formed the professional side of the programme, the conclave also included activities designed to encourage personal reflection.
A guided meditation session gave participants time to pause and prepare themselves mentally. This was followed by a glass-walking activity, in which participants experienced confronting fear and challenging their own limitations.
Another activity that stood out was the "Next Tiger Wall". The concept used the tiger as a symbol of a major ambition, challenge or milestone. Participants were asked to identify their next Tiger , something they wanted to achieve in their personal, professional or business lives before the next conclave.
The exercise encouraged them to revisit goals they had put aside and consider what they wanted their next achievement to be. Its underlying message was straightforward: overcoming fear is the first step towards pursuing a bigger ambition.
The event also made space for the people who support authors behind the scenes. Members were given the option to bring their family members and friends voluntarily. Parents, partners, children and loved ones could therefore witness award presentations and book launches, making professional achievements a shared celebration.
Author recognition and on-stage book launches remained important highlights of the gathering. However, the opportunity to interact with fellow writers, exchange experiences and build relationships gave the event a community-oriented character.
For participants, the two days offered a combination of celebration and introspection , recognising what they had already accomplished while considering what they wanted to do next.The Goa conclave also represents a step in ICA's broader plans to create more opportunities for its members. These include speaking platforms, TEDx-related opportunities, podcasts, media features, articles, personal branding, thought leadership, training, networking and professional collaborations.
The organisation is also working towards developing an Author-to-Authority Framework to guide writers beyond the publishing stage and help them build visibility around their expertise.
For Inspiring Jatin, the larger purpose is to create an environment where authors can continue to learn, communicate their ideas and explore new professional opportunities. The first ICA Conclave brought that ambition into a two-day experience, combining recognition with activities that encouraged participants to think differently about their goals. In Goa, the focus was not only on the books authors had written, but also on the possibilities they could pursue after writing them.
