Write His Answer

Whew! This evening I finished adding bios for 17 more faculty members under the broad Agents and Other category. From literary agent Les Stobbe who will draw from his 58 years of experience as a writer in his continuing session for Advanced Writers to Suzanne Kuhn, owner of an author events company who has traveled with Karen Kingsbury to her arena events, this year’s GPCWC is, I believe, the strongest yet.

Are you interested in devotional writing? Beth Patch, editor of CBN.com’s Daily Devotional which averages over 125,000 page views per month, will teach a workshop on “Devoted to You.” You’ll learn  the basics of writing inspiring and encouraging devotionals from the new material  life gives you every day. Beth’s workshop will include story selection and development, scripture choices, following writers’ guidelines, and  self-editing. Get an editor’s viewpoint on what works and what doesn’t.

Do you know you need a website to promote your book(s) and a blog so your voice can be heard, yet you’re afraid of the cost and the unknowns  of creating a website? Website designer Jerry Thompson will offer a two-hour Website Clinic on Wednesday and meet with you one-on-one during the conference. By the end of the conference you will have a website and blog designed by you and for you which can be edited as often as desired. And you’ll have tutorials and other resources available as you move forward.

Need an agent? Diana Flegal from Hartline Literary Agency also will be with us. Diana’s focus is nonfiction but she entertains well-written fiction as  well. She has a passion for getting great writers published, also venturing into the ABA market. More info about the kinds of books and authors she is  interested in representing is on the conference website. If you are uncertain about “How How to Write an Attention-Getting Proposal” you’ll  want to attend her workshop.

Do you know the difference between “Good vs. Great?” Nicole Resciniti, a literary agent with The Seymour Agency, will provide an in-depth analysis of what distinguishes an amazing manuscript from an average one. She’ll also provide tips on how to improve your current WIP with an eye toward making the material marketable. Nicole is currently accepting submissions and actively building her client list. Again, there’s more info on the conference website.

Today’s authors are expected to be more and more involved in getting the word out about their books. Does the thought of publicity overwhelm you? In her workshop, “Creating Buzz for Your Book,” publicist and writer’s coach and consultant Twila Belk will discuss simple, silly, and strategic ways to create buzz and help you come up with a plan that works for you. Got stage fright when it comes to meeting the public? Angela Breidenbach and Suzanne Kuhn will teach a workshop on “Amazing Author Appearances.” From book signings to speaking events, learn how to manage the unforeseen and leap the avoidable potholes.

I could go on and on. If these 17 faculty members made up our entire faculty, it would be an amazing conference. But still to come are bios for 11 editors representing 16 periodicals and 24 authors in addition to the 17 book editors whose info I posted two days ago at www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia/2011_book_editors.htm.

Thank You, Father, for each faculty member and all the ways You will bless us through them.

In Him –