Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference’ Category

Preview of August 8-10 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference

Posted in Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference on April 1, 2019| Leave a Comment »

GPCWC registration opens April 15.
No fooling!

Yes, I had announced that online registration would open today, April 1. It wasn’t meant to be an April Fool’s joke. I simply couldn’t get it together in time. While the faculty and program is 95% in place, I haven’t begun updating the website. And I need to give Scott at Celebration Web Design time to update the registration form.

But I am praising God and thanking Him for answering the many prayers for my husband. Paul is now almost fully recovered from his September 30 fall. I never imagined that Sunday morning when he tripped over a curb going into church that it would be more than four long months before he was again able to drive and get around without a walker. He’s eating again and has gained back half of the 40 pounds he lost. I’m so grateful for all the prayers and encouraging emails.

Now for the exciting news about the August 8-10 GPCWC! We presently have 40 agents, editors, and authors on faculty. Eleven (including 6 editors) have never been to GPCWC. Fourteen were not with us last year or, as is in the case of one of our keynoters, Bill Myers, have not been with us for a number of years.

Thursday afternoon from 1 – 6 pm now includes a FULL program. We’ve got 4 learning labs and 14 workshops to choose from followed by an Italian Buffet and Michael Gantt’s important keynote address, “Cry Mercy!”

Our continuing sessions are now 5 hours long instead of the 3.5 hours I allowed for them last year. I decided that just wasn’t enough time to give you the in-depth instruction you need. So this year each continuing session will include 4 workshops, 75-minutes each – two on Friday and two on Saturday. The topics are:

Write the Truth
Unforgettable Storytelling
You CAN Indie Publish & Market Your Book
Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams
Social Media for the Clueless
Your Nonfiction Book – From Good to Great
Authentic Writing that Changes Lives

In addition, there are 14 workshops on Friday and 14 on Saturday – your choice of two each day – panels, 5 challenging keynotes, one-on-one appointments, and author interviews and book signings.

The conference will again be held at Dock Mennonite Academy just off the Lansdale exit of the North/South PA Turnpike. The campus is lovely with a short walk along a tree-lined path between the main building and classrooms. I’ve reserved a block of rooms at a discounted price at the Holiday Inn in Kulpsville just five minutes from the campus.

I’ll try and send emails to let you know when I’ve posted specifics on the website. But to be in the know ASAP visithttp://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com frequently.

I hope you’ll save August 8-10 for what I know will be another life-changing and writer-enabling conference. A few comments from last year’s conference:

“I actually saw how Jesus personalized this conference for me
and showed me my dream of writing
wasn’t just my imagination.”
Lisa Brooks – Hammonton, NJ

“Loved Dock Academy.
Good meeting spaces close together.
Caterer was awesome.”*
Toni Campbell Crosswicks, NJ

* Lisa M. Bohar and Chef Fred of Villa Vito’s Partnership will again cater the conference!

Read Full Post »

Don’t Just Be Anyone

Posted in Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Indie publishing on March 31, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Reposted with permission from Sarah Bolme’s blog, Marketing Christian Books.

The growth of independent publishing is truly astounding. Consider these figures from Bowker (the ISBN provider):

  • The number of print books independently published grew from 235,639 titles in 2012 to 879,587 in 2017. That is 273% growth in six years.
  • In 2017, 85% of all independently published print books were published through Amazon (CreateSpace) for a total of 751,924 titles.
Photo courtesy of NeONBRAND.

Amazon has leveled the playing field for publishing a book. Almost anyone can publish a book through Amazon (using Kindle Direct Publishing—previously through CreateSpace). Of course, the ability for anyone to publish a book has both positive and negative consequences.

Positive Consequences

1. Anyone can now be an author.
Anyone means anyone. Amazon does not discriminate with respect to whom they allow to upload a book.

2. No gatekeepers.
No subject is taboo. No one has to approve of the content, style, or quality of the writing.

3. It’s free.
Yes, absolutely free to upload a book to Amazon. It does not cost a cent. All it requires is Internet access.

Negative Consequences

1. Anyone can now be an author.
Anyone can be an author whether or not they take the time to hone the craft of writing, understand proper book design, or learn anything about marketing a book.

2. No gatekeepers.
Anything goes. This means that there is no check on quality. There are no guarantees for buyers.

3. It’s free.
The easier and cheaper it is to publish a book, the more people will publish books. The more books published, the more competition all books have for readers’ eyes.

Here’s the deal: Don’t just be anyone.

In other words, be an informed author. If you are thinking about publishing a book, don’t do it just because you can. Take the time to hone your writing, learn about proper book design and layout, and understand what you need to do to market your book. Both you and your book will be better for it.

I am thankful that it is both easy to independently publish a book and it is easy to learn what you need to know to do this. Many sources exist to help independent authors who want to learn.

You have the opportunity to learn directly from me at the upcoming Colorado Christian Writers Conference in Estes Park May 15-18, 2019. I will be teaching a Continuing session on “You Can Indie Publish & Market Your Book.” This session will teach you what you need to know to publish an industry standard book and to begin the process of promoting your book.

Colorado Christian Writers Conference

NEWSFLASH: Sarah will also teach this continuing session at the August 8-10 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.

If you can attend either conference, I encourage you to do so. You will learn valuable information, not just from me, but from the other presenters as well. Don’t take my word for it; here is what a couple people said about my “You Can Indie Publish & Market Your Book” sessions on Facebook:

Don’t just be anyone. Learn what you need to know and be an author that people want to read and share with others.

Related Posts:
Conferences Are Worth It
Are You In a Rush?
Proof! Author Platform Building Works

Don’t miss out on any of the great information Sarah shares in her blog. Subscribe to receive each post in your email box. Just click here.

Sarah Bolme is the Director of the Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA) and the author of Your Guide to Marketing Christian Books. The 4th edition of this must-read book was released March 5, 2019.

Read Full Post »

Urgent – we must not be silent!

Posted in Called to write, Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Issues, Persecution of Christians, Praying for our nation on March 22, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Storm over city

It’s been almost 30 years since Against the Night, Living in the New Dark Ages by Chuck Colson was published. He writes,

‘Dark Age’ is a strong term. I recognize that. Yet  in recent  years I’ve had a growing sense of storm clouds gathering on the horizon . . . The forecast is foreboding . . . We scan the horizon with unease.

We sense that things are winding down, that somehow freedom, justice, and order are slipping away. Our great civilization may not yet lie in smoldering ruins, but the enemy is within the gates.

The times seem to smell of sunset. Encroaching darkness casts long shadows across every institution in our land. . . . We do face a crisis in Western culture, and it presents the greatest threat to civilization since the barbarians invaded Rome.”

Chuck Colson – Against the Night, Living in the New Dark Ages

If you are not aware of  H.R. 5, known as the Equality Act, that was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives March 13, you need to Google it – NOW! This bill, if passed, would end our freedom as Christians to live out our faith not just in our workplaces but in our homes.

Liberty Counsel says,

HR 5, wrongly named the Equality Act, is the most extreme threat to religious freedom, free speech, privacy, and to women’s rights that has ever been proposed by Congress. The impact of HR 5 will be widespread – affecting churches; religious colleges and universities; public, private, and Christian schools; curriculum; religious and private organizations; employers; employees; individuals; foster care and adoption; shelters; local, state, and federal entities; privacy; women’s rights; and more. Click here to read more.

Yes, we must “love without stopping” (1 Cor. 16:14 MSG). But that does not mean we can ignore what God clearly says in His Word.

If we have eyes to see, the moral fabric of our nation is not just unraveling – it’s being torn apart. How much longer can a righteous God withhold His judgment of a nation that has turned away from His Truth?

The 23 years the Colorado Christian Writers Conference and 36 years the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference has focused on the need for God’s scribes to “Write His Answer.”

Michael Gantt, who is again keynoting at both conferences, says:

MK gantt watchman

I urge you to subscribe to Michael’s blog at https://mkgantt.com and to read his post about the conference and why I’ve given him a standing invite to keynote. In part he says,

Writers have always been among the most feared by despots and dictators. Truth tellers have been imprisoned and executed, their writings banned and burned, their character brought into question by allegation and accusation. The written word is among the most powerful weapons of history. . . .

I realized this weekend that my part in standing before these conferences of writers and publishers is to represent the Word of God that it might not be bound; to communicate with a deep sense of urgency that we are not writers who are coincidentally Christians, but we are Christ followers who have been given a gift to write and that we bear a grave and dangerous responsibility to guard the deposit of truth that has been entrusted to us and to ensure above everything that the Word of God is not bound.

I also urge you to check out my blog post, “Write His Answer to Issues at this Year’s CCWC,” I posted on March 3. If you are unable to come to the conference, you can order a CD of one or more of the workshops in our Issues track:

America at the Crossroads
The Rocks Cry Out
Speaking Life to a Culture of Death
Answering Christianity’s Critics
The Burden of the Watchman
Make Some Noise!

Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, for children or adults, God can use you to write words that, as Michael says, “can shape lives and maybe, just maybe, change the world.”

Read Full Post »

Why not quit?

Posted in Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Overcoming self-doubts on February 13, 2019| Leave a Comment »

a-full-inboxFive days! It’s taken me five days to resolve the latest problem with my Outlook email – a problem that four Geek Squad techs spent over eight hours trying, unsuccessfully, to fix!

Somehow my Outlook folders got corrupted and scrambled. The folder properties showed they contained emails, but they would not open. And, again, the same as last May, the folders that were affected (or infected?) were critically important conference folders.

More times than I can count I’ve told Father, “I can’t. I CAN’T do this!” The deadly Ds of doubt, discouragement, and yes, even despair have almost defeated me. But I’ve not told Father “I won’t.” And thanks to the prayers of many and the Facebook friend who told me about “Kernel for Outlook PST Repair” I’m finally able to retrieve the emails I need to complete the website and brochure for the May 15-18 Colorado Christian Writers Conference and finish planning the August 8-10 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.

I admit there were times I asked myself, “Why? Why go through all this stress? Why not quit?” know Father has called me to direct the Colorado and Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference. He hasn’t promised it would be easy or that I would be immune from the evil one’s efforts to defeat me. But He has promised to be with me and  has again confirmed that He is using the conferences in Ephesians 3:20 ways.

I am so encouraged by Eric Sprinkle’s testimony below.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWhile reading updates on all the mayhem in Marlene’s life these last few months, I couldn’t help but wonder, “What if the CCWC (Colorado Christian Writers Conference) went away? What if it had never even been around these last five years?”

It didn’t take long to reflect on the impact Marlene’s conference has had on my own personal publishing career lately.

As an overwhelmed first-timer back in 2013, I clearly remember clumsily trying to find conference rooms, manage armloads of notes, chat with people over lunch, and keep up with numerous sessions all ranging from editing tips, improving your writing, and the potential growth of something called IndiPub.

Fast forward to 2018 where I was able to serve on Faculty, facilitate training sessions, field hundreds of IndiPub questions, and finally end the year with my name listed on two books…as Author.

So amazing.

And where did I even begin to learn all the ins-and-outs of the Indi Publishing process? At CCWC.

  • Where did I find the typesetter for my projects? At CCWC.
  • Where did I find our book’s cover artist? He’s a good friend…of a guy we met at CCWC.
  • My branding manager? He was my roommate three years ago at the conference.
  • Where did I meet my Editor? Okay, she’s a member of my small group Bible study, but where did I meet my brilliant co-author? Yup, only just the year before, at Marlene’s CCWC in Estes Park, Colorado.

I can hardly believe all that God has done in my life, and in my writing, since that first conference five years ago, but I do know that oh, so much of it has been a direct result of the time, the teaching, and the people attending the Colorado Christian Writers Conference these last few years.

How has God used these very same things in your life recently? How could he impact you through the people and training you’d experience by attending this year?

My name’s Eric Sprinkle, author of some crazy fun devotionals called Adventure Devos, and Adventure Devos: Women’s Edition, and I can’t imagine either one of these books being a realty, except for our gracious Lord God using an amazing writers conference, located in the heart of the Colorado wilderness.

God is speaking, and the mountains are calling. I look forward to seeing all of you at this year’s CCWC in May!

2019 CO banner & website2019 GP Banner 2

Read Full Post »

Ministry / Marketing?

Posted in Called to write, Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Marketing, Writer's Life on January 25, 2019| 1 Comment »

Question Mark Key Shows Doubt And Help

Years ago, I sold a packet of “Ministry and Marketing” resources for Christian writers. One side of the twin pocket folder had Bible studies as well as articles from my column in The Christian Writer that later were compiled into my book, Write His Answer – A Bible Study for Christian Writers. (It’s now in its third edition and has been in print for 28 years!) The other side had how-to articles on writing and, yes, on selling our writing. My “Market Analysis Charts” helped many get their work in print.

I’m certain my kids and husband were happy when I stopped selling the packet and they no longer had the job of collating the 50-plus pages and pasting on the front and back cover.

Much has changed since I started writing for publication in 1972 after our second child was born. Wannabe writers and those already published now are able to access a huge amount of how-to information on the Internet. Writers’ conferences, seminars, podcasts, webinars, and coaches provide exciting opportunities to become better wordsmiths and marketers. And, of course, there are more how-to books than any of us will ever have time to read.

But sadly, the tension between ministry and marketing still exists. In fact, I think it’s grown more intense. Yes, we want to get the message we believe God has entrusted to us into print and into the hands of readers, but all too easily we can get caught up in doing things the world’s way.  We can spend lots of dollars and hours on building our “platform” and push God into a corner of our busy lives. In the process, it can become all about us and not about Him.

For the past 35 years as the director of the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference and 22 years as the director of the Colorado Christian Writers Conference I have sought to find the balance God wants us to have between ministry and marketing. Of course, I offer workshops to help writers find a publisher for their manuscripts and readers for their books. But hopefully our “Write His Answer” theme keeps the focus clearly on the Lord and on writing as a ministry to point readers to Him and not to ourselves.

Father, please help me and Your people, Your scribes, to seek You and Your plans for our writing. Give us wisdom to know what learning and platform-building opportunities You want us to invest in. Help us to be realistic and not to focus on what we hope to gain but rather on what You would have us give.

How do you deal with the tension between ministry and marketing?

Read Full Post »

Write Right Now

Posted in Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Writer's Life on July 21, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Verna Bowman 3 from FB
Guest post
Verna Bowman

 

In the past few weeks I’ve spoken to a few writer-friends about the upcoming conference in our area. It wasn’t surprising to hear that some were feeling that they didn’t have anything valuable to offer and identified their work as just a keepsake for the family. I understand, I felt that way once.

Writing matters.

One sage-lady simply jots down life but has the unique charm of telling a story to take you along to live with her right on the pages. As I listened to a few others, I was inspired by a handwritten poem, moved by a passionate article concerning our critical times, encouraged by a woman’s heartwarming experience of finding her biological family, and motivated by a manuscript on ministry leadership.  All needed – all good.

They should attend the July 26-28 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference – every one of them. And maybe you should too! It’s not too late to register at http://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com.

A writers conference provides the tools to turn valuable writings we’ve been hoarding or unsure of to be used to bring hope to a needy world. I’ve regularly attended GPCWC for over three decades.  And yes, there have been times I’ve left dazed and confused, wondering if I fit – tempted to quit.  However, the dedicated lady who directs the conference, Marlene Bagnull, believed in the calling and mentored me along the journey.  Gratefully, through many connections, I’ve had the opportunity to share faith stories in several publications, one the feature cover story in Guideposts, have my books published and encourage women through a personal ministry blog.

What compelled me to wipe the dust off of decades of random scribblings stored in the abyss of a drawer were the jewels I’ve extracted through keynotes and workshops led by gifted presenters and professionals in the industry.  It has been a blessed benefit to polish my craft and grow spiritually through these events.

Whether you’re a new or seasoned writer or maybe stuck in the dry in-between – you’ll find rich resources at the conference to awaken your writer’s heart.

Please join us July 26-28th (one or all days) at Dock Academy in Lansdale and also come out for the evening keynotes, free of charge to the community:

  • Declaring God’s Truth in a Digital Age of Half Truths
  • The Freedoms of a Christian Writer
  • Be Still and Know
  • The Arm of Flesh Will Fail
  • Finish Strong
Be blessed,
Verna

crumbs_coverNote from Marlene:

I had the privilege and joy of publishing Verna’s first book.

Crumbs Along the Broken Path walks us through Verna’s rebellion, redemption, and restoration by following scattered crumbs on her path that led to a deep relationship with the Lord. Verna’s stories can bring each one of us to a deeper understanding of how God uses tragic circumstances in our lives.

This one woman’s story will help you discover a faith that cannot be shattered by brokenness and how you, too, can walk through and not around adversity.

Crumbs are symbolic of the things the Father uses in our life, the good and the not-so-good, to get our attention and keep us on track. While walking over broken pieces of life, I have found keepsakes leading to wholeness. I share my story so you can, also.

For more information and to read Verna’s blog go to https://vernabowman.com.

 

 

Read Full Post »

Have you ever felt like giving up on your writing ministry?

Posted in Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Indie publishing on July 17, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Barb Haley apr 2016 croppedA Message from Barb Haley

CCWC and GPCWC Registrar
and Appointments Coordinator

 

Have you ever felt like giving up on your writing ministry?

 

Perhaps that’s why haven’t yet registered for the July 26-28 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference or decided to go to any writers conference this year.

 

Or maybe you are SO majorly busy that you can’t imagine taking several days from your schedule for a conference – especially if you’ve attended one in the past and you’re still not published. Or maybe you just can’t justify spending the money to support a hobby you love, but that – face it -doesn’t promise any financial returns.

 

I’ve definitely felt the same way a LOT of times. I go to workshops and conferences, get all excited, and … nothing. Either I don’t hear from the faculty member who asked me to send my writing, or I receive a note that says I’m a strong writer, but the piece just doesn’t meet the publishing house’s needs at this moment. Oh, and P.S. (they add) Please don’t give up. I’m sure there’s another publishing house out there who will want to give your manuscript a home.

 

Ha. So reassuring. Right?

 

Not.

 

Well, I was there when I was spending hunks of time on my first novel. What I once loved had turned to a burden. Getting published seemed to rest on my shoulders. Twitter, Facebook, website, blog, etc. Daily deadlines that did nothing to inspire me to keep writing my book.

 

But what was worse was realizing that if my writing was never published, I was wasting time that could be better spent in some sort of ministry related activity. So I talked to God about it.

 

“I don’t know what to do, Lord,” I prayed. “I thought You called me to write. The words come easy. Ideas flood my mind. But I don’t want to waste time if I’m not in Your will.”

 

The answer was immediate. God spoke to my spirit. “Barbie, if the novel you are working on ministers to just one person, will that be enough for all the time you’ve spent working on it?”

 

Tears flooded my eyes. My Father understood me. Loved me. Heard even the unspoken words of my heart.

 

“Of course, it would,” I answered. “But it’s not my time I’m concerned about. I love writing. I’m concerned that what I’m doing isn’t what You want me to be doing.”

 

Again: “If what you are doing ministers to one person, do you think that could be My plan?”

 

“Oh, yes, Father.”

 

I thought about the beta copies I’d just sent out to a dozen friends when I finally finished my novel (for the zillionth time-ha!). Many had responded with how the words had touched their hearts. How they could relate to the character’s issues and struggles in her Christian walk. How the answers God gave her spoke to them, the readers.

 

I thought about the seven devotionals I write each year for piddly-little money. But it’s not about the money. It’s about spreading the gospel. And I thought about my blog. Every time I post, God seems to use the words to minister to someone. Usually just someone I already know. Not like my readership has blossomed.

 

But could it be that this is the very audience God desires for me to minister to? Could it be I got so excited about being called to write that I quickly assumed that meant to be in print? In the bookstores?

 

Or could God be calling me to reach the ones I already know with His love and encouragement? Would that be enough for me? For God?

 

Okay. I can’t tell you what a release I felt when the truth sank in. God had called me to write. I just needed to take the future results out of the box I’d filed them in and allow God to shape my writing future in any way He deems best. He didn’t call me to publish. He called me to write.

 

Then God spoke one more time to my heart. He confirmed His call so strongly I will never doubt it again.

 

But first, let me ask about you. Has God called you to write? Has a lack of “success” blocked you from moving forward? From attending a conference?

 

Sixteen years I’ve been coming, and you know, I strongly believe all these years of preparation and learning the craft of writing have enabled me to be used by God. To put His words and thoughts on paper. To share what He’s done for me, and what He wants to do for readers.

 

Lord Get Your NeedleSo I continue. Last year I self-published my first non-fiction book, a set of devotionals: Lord, Get Your Needle-I’m Falling Apart at the Seams. Subtitle: The Emotional Strain of Chronic Pain. And this May I self-published my first novel, Biz On the Go.

 

Huge sales? Nope. But many, many confirmations of God using the words to minister to His hurting children. Worth my time and effort? Definitely.

 

Biz AmazonToday, the fact that we can self-publish is HUGE. In fact, many big-name authors are going this route. Does it take work? Yes. But how exciting to know that we now have an avenue to put our words out there for others.

 

What did God say to me that cemented His call in my heart?

 

After I assured Him I was willing to write my whole life for just one person and that I knew He would be pleased, He said, “Good, because that one person is you.”

 

Oh, my. The love of God overpowered me. For me.

 

I knew my main character in the novel was much like me. In fact I’d hoped that I could share the lessons God had taught me through the character.

 

But what I didn’t realize was that in writing – in asking God constantly what He wanted to say to the character next – I was allowing God to speak to my life. The conflict and situations that seemed to spontaneously come to my mind for my character came from the Holy Spirit, and as I worked through them, on my character’s behalf, I worked through them for me. Deep, hidden questions. Wounds. Self-doubts. Painful honesty and surrender.

 

I’m a new creation because of what I experienced as I wrote. The truth I searched for on behalf of my main character has set me free on so many levels. Glory be to God!

 

So, before this email becomes a book, I want to encourage you to register for the July 26-28 Philly conference. Marlene is MORE than willing to work with you on time payments. We don’t want you to miss out.

 

Come spend time in the presence of God. Hear His voice and allow Him to rekindle the flame under your writing ministry and passion. Join with other writers and discover that friendship and support we all crave and need. Listen and improve your writing skills. Allow God to prepare you for what He has in mind for your future. For your world of influence.

 

Love in Christ!

 

Barb Haley
2018 GPCWC Registrar/Appointments Coordinator

 

Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest
if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9

P.S. from Marlene

 

Thank You, Father, for speaking so powerfully to Barb and giving her the gift of words to share her story with us.

 

If you have a book manuscript you’ve been unable to place with a traditional publisher, do pray about indie publishing. Bestselling author, Dan Walsh, is teaching a continuing session on “The Brave New World of Indie Publishing” at the July 26-28 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference. After successfully publishing 13 novels the traditional way, in 2015 Dan joined a large number of fellow authors who were all starting to publish their books on their own as indies. He’s now done 5 and says he “absolutely loves it.”

 

Six other continuing sessions, 3 new learning labs on Thursday afternoon, 35 workshops, 6 keynotes, panels, and one-on-one appointments with our faculty of 40 agents, authors, editors, and other professionals make GPCWC 2018 a not-to-miss conference. And it’s not too late to register!

 

We’ve moved to Dock Mennonite Academy, just off the Lansdale exit of the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike. Lodging is only five minutes away at the Holiday Inn. We hope to see you there!

Read Full Post »

It’s not too late! Why you need to come to the July 26-28 GPCWC!

Posted in Called to write, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Uncategorized on July 16, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Without a doubt I KNOW the July 26-28 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference is going to be a powerful and life-changing conference!
How can I be so certain?
  • Our outstanding faculty of 40 agents, authors, editors, and other professionals. Almost half (18) have never been to GPCWC; 5 were not with us last year.
  • New three-and-a-half-hour Learning Labs on Thursday afternoon:

    Build Your Author Platform with Sarah Bolme, Director of CSPA
    (The Christian Small Publishers Assoc.)

    The Making of a Nonfiction Book with literary agent Diana Flegal

    Focus on Fiction with bestselling author Dan Walsh

    or three hour-long workshops from 1:00 – 4:30:
    Mining for Stories, Get the Most Out of Your Appointments,
    The Care and Feeding of Editors.

  • Six keynotes that will address the critical need for us to “Write His Answer” and will encourage us to grow closer to the Lord and not give up.
Launch Your Writing Ministry
The Successful Author of Nonfiction
Brave New World of Indie Publishing
Hook that Editor!
Speaking and Writing
Take Your Fiction to the Next Level
Writing Narrative Nonfiction
  • Thirty-five workshops in 7 tracks: Writer’s Life, Craft, Fiction, Nonfiction, Get Published, Marketing, and Issues.
  • Catered meals – Friday and Saturday dinner and Friday lunch; Honey Baked Ham box lunch on Saturday. Yum! No one else will be using the cafeteria, so faculty will have a name card on their table and you can sit with them.
  • Our new location at Dock Mennonite Academy – lovely campus just five minutes from the Lansdale Exit of the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike (I-476).
  • Lodging at the Holiday Inn just off the turnpike exit and five minutes from the conference. You can cut your cost in half or by a third if you share a room with one or two friends who write. Our block has been released and the price slightly increased, but there are still rooms available.

I’m excited and praising God for all He is doing, all He will do, and for how He has carried me through the countless obstacles this year’s three conferences have faced. They’ve been over the top! You may have read about some of them on my blog. Things have happened for which there is no explanation other than the conferences must be a threat to the evil one.

 

A week before I left to direct the Colorado conference Outlook crashed and deleted all the emails in my 2015-2018 Colorado and Philly conference folders. Strangely, emails in more than a hundred non-conference folders were not touched. Six hours with tech support did not recover the emails but did intensify the time pressures and stress I was under. For the first time since delivering my three babies I ended up in the hospital for a day with symptoms of a heart attack. PTL I did NOT have a heart attack, but with all the time lost I was unable to get the Philly brochure to the printer before I left for Colorado.

 

The same evening Outlook crashed the latest copy of my 13,000 name mailing list in Access also mysteriously disappeared. When the Philly brochure finally came off press (a month late), I thought I had found an earlier copy of the mailing list that included everyone who came to last year’s GPCWC. Sadly, I later discovered the names of over 70 writers who attended the last two conferences were missing from the list.

 

I’ve never forgotten what my friend, Jim Watkins, said a number of years ago. “You can’t get hundreds of Christians together and equip them to write for the Lord and have the devil say, ‘Isn’t that nice.’”

 

So . . . I want to encourage you to pray about coming. If you can’t make the entire two-and-a-half-day conference, you’re welcome to come just for a day. Time payments can be arranged if needed, but don’t delay if you want to order meals. We MUST get the count to the caterer Thursday, July 19. And the conference registration fee increases July 22.

 

I know Father is going to use GPCWC 2018 (our 35th conference!) in Ephesians 3:20 ways. I’m praying you’ll be able to come.

 

God bless you and your writing.

page 1 markets

 

Read Full Post »

Writing Saved My Life

Posted in Called to write, Craft of writing, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference on July 4, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Barb Haley apr 2016 cropped

Guest Blogger
Barbara Haley
Registrar &
Appointment Coordinator
Colorado & Greater Philly
Christian Writers Conference

I was ten years old when I asked God to show me if He was real. The next day my sixteen-year-old sister was killed in an automobile accident. God was real. I shouldn’t have asked.

Of course, I didn’t tell anyone. Instead, I stuffed the guilt and the excruciating pain when my parents said things to me like, “You may look like her, but you’ll never be as good as her.” Or, “Comb your hair a different way; I can’t stand to look at you.”

Thirty-five years later, I finally opened up to a therapist. He sent me home to write a letter to my big sister from the point of view of a ten-year-old child.

After just a few sentences, my heart connected with the hurting little girl inside, and she began to voice her pain. Begging forgiveness from her precious older sister for causing her death. Suggesting that everyone would have been better off if only she could have died in her sister’s place that day. And finally, admitting how very much she hated God for what He’d done.

My next letter was to that sweet child—explaining to her that she didn’t cause her sister’s death and that God was not angry with her for her honest feelings and reactions. I released that child to be exactly that. A broken and confused child who desperately needed to know she was loved by God and family.

That writing changed my life and instilled in me a desire to learn how to use my life experiences to minister to others through the written word.

But I needed to learn how to write tight. To eliminate wordiness. To organize my thoughts. To connect emotionally with the reader. To stick to one point of view. To create a setting that captures the reader’s imagination and transfers them from their everyday life to an exciting new story world.

Writing conferences. This is where I’m learning the craft. Where I connect with other writers to encourage and be encouraged. Where I receive one-on-one feedback with paid critiques. And where God speaks clearly to my heart through inspiring worship and keynote speakers, informative workshops and continuing sessions, life-changing editor appointments, and most of all—the day to day rapport with fellow writers while sharing meals, waiting in line at the book table, or joining together for intimate prayer and Bible study.

Sure, you can buy books about the craft of writing. My shelves are loaded with them. But only when I began to consistently attend conferences did I really improve as a writer. I needed the immediate feedback and the hands-on practice provided in small groups led by experienced teachers. I grew in leaps and bounds as I jotted down strategies mentioned by other writers and began implementing them in my own writing. And, as I stood amazed, listening to big-name authors share their overwhelmingly deep love for God and His people, I realized just how sacred the ministry of writing is.

Let me encourage you to come and grow in your ministry as a writer at the July 26-28 Greater Philly Christian Writers’ Conference. The friendships you’ll form will develop into a network of love and support in all areas of your life, and your writing friends will truly become your family. I promise.

______________

Biz AmazonThanks, Barbie, for sharing your heart and for serving as the registrar and appointments coordinator at both the Colorado and the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference. You are a HUGE blessing! And I love your latest book! (Available on Amazon – click here.)

NOTE: The Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference is celebrating our 35th year of ministry. We’ve moved to a new location, Dock Mennonite Academy just off the Lansdale Exit of the North/South PA Turnpike (I-476). The registration fee increases July 8 so don’t delay. And reserve your room at the Holiday Inn (also by July 8) before our block is released and the price increases.

Read Full Post »

Growing Your Platform

Posted in Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Marketing, Platform building on June 30, 2018| Leave a Comment »

You know you need to grow your platform but . . .

pexels-photo-2 women 2 men1162964

you’re not smiling as you hold up that BLANK page of your book proposal. Yes, you could add your willingness to go on a nationwide book signing tour, but who would pay for it? The publisher? Not likely. And if you’re going indie, well unless you have a rich uncle, you’ve probably used all your available funds for an editor and cover designer.

pexels-photo-online marketing 266176Then you remember the promises from the marketing experts that frequently turn up in your inbox. Success is within your reach! Online marketing is the key.

You need a website with keywords that will draw readers.

You need to be active on social media, not just posting but responding to comments.

Of course, you need to blog and not just on your own site.

And then there’s the need for everything to be search engine optimized (S.E.O.) plus the need to outsmart the constantly changing algorithms.

All this and you still need to find time to write!

Sarah Bolme, director of CSPA, the Christian Small Publishers Association, and the author of Your Guide to Marketing Books in the Christian Marketplace, is teaching a 3-1/2 Learning Lab from 1:00 – 4:30 on Thursday, July 26, at the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference. She will teach you six manageable steps to building and growing your online author platform through CONTENT MARKETING. To find out more, click here for Sarah’s blog, and click here for info on all three of our learning labs. Best-selling author Dan Walsh will teach the ”Focus on Fiction” Learning Lab, and literary agent, Diana Flegal, will teach “The Making of a Nonfiction Book.”

Thursday’s Learning Labs, catered dinner, first-timer’s orientation, and opening keynote, “Declaring God’s Truth in a Digital Age of Half Truths” is just the beginning of this year’s 2-1/2 day conference – our 35th! But keep in mind:

— The cost of lodging at the Holiday Inn (5 minutes from the conference at Dock Mennonite Academy in Lansdale) increases July 7.

— The conference registration fee increases July 8.

— Meals – Thursday’s chicken dinner, Friday’s Italian Buffet, and Friday and Saturday’s box lunches – must be ordered by July 15.

If you need some scholarship help or time payments, click here. If you’d like our 16-page brochure, please email me at mbagnull@aol.com. It’s also available online at http://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com.

Page 16 cover

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »