Write His Answer

The August 10-13 GPCWC is the place to be if you’re writing a nonfiction book!

Dave Fessenden, Senior Editor/Acquisitions at CLC Publications is offering the hands-on help you need in his Nonfiction Books Clinic. Based on his new book, Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book: Concept to Contract, the clinic focuses on eight steps every book author must take to be successfully published. Merging practical advice with spiritual counsel, the emphasis will be on the inspirational impact of the author’s material. The clinic is limited to 10 serious writers and will meet during the six hour-long workshops. The prerequisite is a nonfiction book in-progress or completed and a teachable spirit. You will find more information and  the clinic application (due by email no later than July 16) at www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia/2011_clinics.htm.

Terry Whalin, author of more than 60 nonfiction books who is also serving on the faculty, says,”I resonated with Fessenden’s insight and instruction which are mixed with humor and honesty. He is a skilled communicator who has written Christian nonfiction books and guided other authors as a book editor. That experience shines in these pages.” Terry generously shares his publishing know-how in his blog, The Writing Life. I highly recommend that you subscribe. He also will be teaching four workshops at the conference including “Nonfiction Book Creation.” Through step-by-step instruction you’ll learn how to determine the big picture for a book project and how to use storyboarding techniques. There are five more workshops in the Nonfiction track plus workshops in the Get Published, Marketing, Writer’s Life, and Craft tracks nonfiction writers will find helpful.

GPCWC is offering a six-hour continuing session on Nonfiction Books taught by Craig Bubeck, Editorial Director for Wesleyan Publishing House. “Do you want to write nonfiction that will impact lives for the kingdom?” he asks. Beginning with a biblical examination of why we write nonfiction, Craig will discuss the practical applications of translating truth into powerful and relevant nonfiction concepts and manuscripts that audiences will want to read.

At GPCWC you’ll also have the opportunity to meet with editors who publish nonfiction and agents who represent nonfiction authors. The sooner you register the more likely you’ll be able to get your top choices.

God bless you as you “write His answer.”

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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 –

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Today I received the June issue of the American Family Association Journal. The Statue of Liberty on the cover and headline, “The decay of  Greatness,” immediately grabbed my attention. The article ends with the sobering words, “Should Christians fail to be salt and light, they will surely experience the bitter sorrow of watching their society fall, just as the Athenians and Romans before them.”

Franklin Graham’s June newsletter contains a similar message. “Our nation today is in trouble,” he wrote. “We see moral decay spreading throughout the land. Our country is deteriorating rapidly, an ever-tightening spiral downward-financially, socially, and spiritually. America is decaying from within.

“The real problem is that as a nation we have turned our backs on God, removing Him from schools, businesses, and government, and unfortunately  many a family has taken God out of their home as well. If this country hopes to make it through the enormous crises we now face, if we want America to be a nation worth leaving to our grandchildren, we have to turn back to God.”

In the midst of growing hostility to Christ we must not be silent. For such a time as this I believe God is raising up an army of Christians to “Write His Answer.” He can use you to make a difference!  Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, for children or adults, the August 10-13 Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference will equip you to write about a God who is real, who is reachable, and who changes lives.

Now that I’m almost caught up with work from the May 11-14 Colorado Christian Writers Conference and my veggie garden is planted I’ll be focusing on the Philly conference. Next week I’ll begin adding bios for our 68 faculty members and editorial needs to www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia. I’ll also be posting info about our Thursday, August 11, expanded Teens Write program. Today I posted some exciting updates and the application for the ten full scholarships covering the cost of registration that the Cec Murphey Foundation is providing. GPCWC also provides partial scholarships for those with financial need as well as time payments.

Remember, the sooner you register, the better opportunity you have to get your top choices for your free 15-minute appointments with faculty. And there’s still time to be among the first 100 to receive a  fifth appointment if you register for Thursday through Saturday.

I watched the Lord work in awesome ways in Colorado and I expect im to do even more in Philly as together we explore how to effectively Write His Answer” for such a time as this.

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