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GPCWC Faculty in the News

July 20, 2012 by Marlene Bagnull

ANN TATLOCK – Christy Award Winner at this year’s ICRS

CONTEMPORARY STANDALONE
Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock (Bethany House, a division of Baker
Publishing Group). Eleven-year-old Roz Anthony and her family have just moved to Mills River, IL, to escape an abusive situation. Only days after settling into their new home, they discover that the elderly former resident, Tillie, is determined to keep living there. Out of sympathy, they agree to let her stay. When danger stalks the Anthonys, it’s Tillie who exhibits unimaginable courage and selfless love in her determination to protect the family she has adopted as her own.

In addition to the Thursday Special, Telling the Truth, Ann will be teaching two workshops:
Making POV Work (Fri, 4C) – Tools to stay in your character’s POV and make your character’s POV stronger. How your readers will know whose POV you’re in, and when you can break POV rules. Note: Ann will be teaching this workshop for Lynn Coleman who is unable to come this year.

Putting Up the Frame (Sat, 5C) – Before you jump into your story, it’s important to pin down the genre, theme, and POV even if you’re a “seat-of-the-pants” writer.

 

JEANETTE WINDLE – The Beyond Me award at AWSA

The Advanced Writers & Speakers Association honored Jeanette Windle with the Beyond Me Award presented by Kathi Macias. “No one better epitomizes a ‘beyond me’ life than Jeanette,” Kathi said. “She selflessly gives herself away, both at home and on the mission field, and abundantly blesses those she meets. I’m honored to know this devoted lady, and to call her my friend.”

Jeanette will be leading a Novelist’s Clinic and representing Kregel Publications.

 

NANCY SEBASTIAN MEYER – Guest on Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk

“Thriving in a Spiritually Divided Home”
July 23-24 Click here to find the program time and radio station nearest you. If you are a spiritually single mom or know of one, this broadcast will bring hope!

Nancy discusses with Dr. Dobson her own story and how others like her can thrive in a spiritually divided home.

Nancy will be teaching two workshops:
Building a Speaking Ministry (Weds E15) – An active speaking calendar will help sell your book to a publisher. Come to a crash course on how to sound like you know what you’re talking about while not getting nervous! Kidding aside, expert tips can make you an expert speaker.

The Valuable Versatile Outline (Sat, 6B) – From this amazingly simple outline format you can speak ten minutes or two hours, write a magazine article, or pen a complete book.

There’s still time to register for GPCWC. And you can still beat the $10 – $20 price increase by registering today or Saturday. You can register securely online with a $25 deposit and pay the balance at the door or in time payments.

Posted in Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference | Leave a Comment »

Exciting GPCWC Updates

July 18, 2012 by Marlene Bagnull

It’s not too late to register for the August 1-4 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference although the price increases July 22. If your time and household budget prohibit coming to the entire conference, you can register for one or two days. If needed, some scholarship help is available.

Some Important Updates:

Barbara Scott, agent with WordServe Literary has revised her list of what she is interested in representing. You’ll find this updated information at www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia/News_&_Updates.htm.

New Faculty Members

We’ve added four editors to the faculty! See News &Updates

New Workshops

Craig von Buseck, Ministries Director, CBN News, will be teaching a 2-part workshop, Narrative Nonfiction, Changing Culture through the Power of True Stories, Thursday and Friday from 1:00 – 2:00 pm opposite the Ask the Agents panel (Thursday) and Writer’s Helps (Friday). A new and exciting genre, Narrative Nonfiction is a literary style that presents a true story written in a style more closely associated with fiction. Learn how to develop your plot, structure, characters, and themes to make your true story read like a novel. Learn how to turn your true stories into true art.

Suzanne Kuhn, Founder of SuzyQ, a full-service author promotion firm, will teach her popular Getting the Social Back in Social Media workshop as a substitute for Mike Delloso’s E18 workshop from 5:00 – 6:00 on Wednesday, August 1. Suzanne’s workshop focuses on engagement, building true fans and readers through the process and becoming relevant to your audience. (This is not a mechanics workshop.) Wednesday earlybird workshops are only $25 for one, $40 for two, $55 for all three.

Mike’s workshop, More than a Tale has been moved to Thursday afternoon. Mike says, “Every story has a theme. We’ll not only discuss some of the most popular themes but you’ll also learn to develop your own theme and weave it seamlessly into your story. Do you want readers to walk away from your stories feeling challenged or encouraged or in some way changed? In this workshop you’ll learn how to do that.”

Maurice M. Gray II, a new faculty member, will be teaching a Wednesday earlybird at 1:30 In Hope Flinchbaugh’s E3 slot. Hope’s workshop, Common Mistakes that Make Fiction Editors Cringe, has been moved to 5:00 pm. The blurb for Maurice’s workshop, Why Do I Need an Editor? reads: There are thousands of authors out there, and with the advent of e-publishing, more and more join the ranks daily. For many of these authors, the editing process is a mystery they aren’t willing to explore. Those who are accepted for traditional publishing believe that their publisher will take care of that for them, and those who intend to self-publish often skip over professional editing in their rush to get their work into print because they believe they don’t need it or can’t afford it. In this hour long session, Maurice (an editor and an author) addresses both of those fallacies and more. He walks participants through the editing process, and explains from both points of view why professional editing is vital for every author, the different tiers of editing, and how to find the best editor for your particular project.

As Rob Cook, a newly published author as a result of meeting his agent and publisher at GPCWC, says:

Before I attended the conference in Philly I had not ever considered that my work would be published. Now, after two of your conferences, I have a book deal through a publisher I met at the Philly conference. My first book releases this summer. I signed with an agent I met at your conference and she is shopping my current book around and representing four more. Am I a believer in the effectiveness of your conferences? That’s like asking me if I love my wife . . . ABSOLUTELY. Thanks a million.

Ask Father if He wants you to come to GPCWC 2012, and trust Him to make the way possible if He says yes!

Posted in Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Publishing journey | Leave a Comment »

Preparing Teens for “The Publishing Games”

July 18, 2012 by Marlene Bagnull

“A picture,” it’s been said, “is worth a thousand words.” Then are these ten pictures worth 10,000 words? For teens who love to write and dream of one day becoming an author, yes!

Teens Write, Thursday, August 2, at the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference offers a team of ten professionals who will train teens to participate in The Publishing Games. This year’s workshops all receive a TEN in helping young writers win a Gold Medal.

The training schedule is at www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia/Teens_Write.htm. It’s not too late to register, but the price increases after July 21 so don’t delay! Scholarship help is available if needed.

Teens Write is a full day workshop, running from 10am – 6pm, and includes lunch and snacks. It will be held on the campus of Philadelphia Biblical University in Langhorne, PA.

Bring a notebook and pen, the first page of your manuscript, and get ready to work out.

Pam Halter, head coach of Teens Write

P.S. Parents, teachers, and pastors are encouraged to attend the writers’ conference or our Thursday Specials for concered Christians during Teens Write.

Posted in Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Publishing journey, Uncategorized, Writing Fiction | Leave a Comment »

So what’s the big deal about writers’ conferences?

July 12, 2012 by Marlene Bagnull

 Guest blogger – Margie Vawter

So what’s the big deal about writers’ conferences? They’re a big investment of my time and money. Are they worth it? And aren’t they all the same? What’s in it . . . for me?

Ever asked these questions? I hear them (or some similar) over and over on various writers loops and forums I’m a part of . . . or I get them by e-mail, on my Facebook page, or in person.

I’ve been attending writers’ conferences nearly twenty years now, and I’ve made a few observations during that time.

First, not all conferences are created equal. For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamed of being a published author. After my daughter was born, I felt the Lord’s nudging to do something about it. I applied for and was accepted into the classes from The Institute of Children’s Literature where I got my first glimpse into the world of writing conferences. But those were secular, and some of the reports of the competitiveness and backbiting that came from those were discouraging.

Then I heard of an ACW (American Christian Writers) conference only three hours from our home in central Illinois. Trusting the Lord, hubby and I cut some more corners on our already tight budget and I was able to go.

At that first conference, God solidified His calling on me to write—something that is reaffirmed every time I attend a conference.  In addition to receiving confirmation of the Lord’s calling, I’ve found great encouragement and support at the conferences I’ve attended. Writers are a unique group of people with unique ways of looking at our world. Even those closest to us—our spouses, children, friends—don’t always “get” us. So I find a great deal of encouragement when I’m around other writers.

It was when we moved to Colorado that the Lord expanded my conference horizons and I attended the first Colorado Christian Writers Conference (CCWC) Marlene directed. And later, when hubby was working on the East Coast, I was able to attend the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference (GPCWC).

For me, I’ve found the spiritual emphasis and encouragement I get at GPCWC is absolutely invaluable. As part of the conference prayer team of over 100 pray-ers, I know this conference is covered in prayer. Writing aside, I could attend this conference for the spiritual value alone.

Many of my best friends today are those I’ve met at writers’ conferences. And with today’s technology none are ever very far away, even though they are spread across the country. Whenever I’m in need of encouragement, I know I can call on them to pray. That connection with other Christian writers means a lot to me as do the connections I’ve made with editors, publishers, and agents.

One of the major strengths of GPCWC is the number of free one-on-one appointments offered to every conferee. In today’s market, these appointments can be the “foot-in-the-door” opportunity we need since many editors and agents no longer accept unsolicited proposals or manuscripts.

Another reason I invest my time with GPCWC is to stay on the growing edge as a writer and freelance editor. The workshops are specifically designed to teach the nuts and bolts of the writing craft as well as keep us up-to-date with what’s happening in the publishing world. It’s changing daily with all the new technology and outlets for the written and spoken word. We need to be aware of those changes and how we can best use them to “write His answer.”

These days it’s my privilege to serve CCWC and GPCWC as a faculty member and Marlene’s assistant. The Lord has brought me a long way from that first ACW conference I attended. The time and money invested in the conferences has been returned to me ten-fold over the years in so many unexpected ways. So whenever someone asks me, “What’s the big deal about writers’ conferences?” I’m more than happy to tell them.

My able assistant and good friend, Margie Vawter, was offered her first book contract this year at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference. Visit her at The Writer’s Tool blog for thoughts on “self-editing, writing, and reviewing Christian fiction . . . with a little bit of life thrown in.” Margie offers proofreading, editing, and critiquing through her Shevet Writing Services.

The price for the August 1-4 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference increases July 13. But if you mention this blog, I’ll be glad to extend that date through July 21. You can still register after July 21 but it will cost you a little more. Walk-ins are welcome, but we’ll need to add on our $15 “procrastinator’s fee.” 🙂

Posted in Called to write, Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Publishing journey | 2 Comments »

Reflections on Psalm 40:1-3

July 11, 2012 by Marlene Bagnull

My main website, www.writehisanswer.com, has been redesigned by SKWD Associates and I couldn’t be more excited. If you visited the site in the past couple of  months,  you found only one page with no banner or navigation buttons. There was more; it just wasn’t accessible. I’m praising God for the new look and SKWD’s EZ-CMS (content management system). It’s amazing and really is easy, just as Bruce promised. He told me it’s like using a word processor. And it is!

I hadn’t seen EZ-CMS in action, and I admit I was a little anxious. (I didn’t realize there is a video on their website.) I don’t do well with the learning curve of using new software (a computer can make me feel so stupid!), and with the Philly conference just three weeks away this was far from an ideal time. I’m so grateful Father encouraged me to trust Him and SKWD. I’ve not been disappointed!

Finally, I have a website that is EZ and FUN to use. I can make changes, deletions, add photos, and add pages so easily from the management menu. It’s quicker and easier than having someone else do it for a price that would have been more than I could afford. PTL! No more HTML code or CSS Style sheets!

I’ve got lots more I’m eager to add to the site but it, and the “real” shopping cart that SKWD is going to build, will need to wait until after the conference.   

A professional website is such an important ministry tool, but creating one on our own can be an enormous challenge. Been there – done that! Tried so hard  and yet, as I shared in a recent blog, I became very discouraged by the accusations of the evil one that my best was not good enough.

I really can’t recommend SKWD highly enough. Not only are they gifted professionals, they love the Lord and have a heart for ministry. They are certainly the answer to my prayers. Perhaps yours too!

SKWD will have a table at the August 1-4 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.  If you’re able to come, I hope you’ll stop by. But don’t wait until then! Click here for the special offer for conferees good through August 4. If you’re not able to make the conference, SKWD is still offering a discount because you’re on my mailing list.

Thank You, Father, for connecting me with SKWDMinistries. Thank You for “Their Heart” for ministry and their primary goal is also mine.

 Our primary goal is to bring glory to God in all that we do . . .
            with our lives,
                   in our websites,
partnering with other ministries,
       reaching our towns, cities, country, and world . . .

Reflections on Psalm 40:1-3 (TLB)

I waited patiently for God to help me;
Well, I waited because I didn’t know how to fix the website problems.
As for patiently, let’s not go there . . .

then he listened and heard my cry.
It is clearly not a “coincidence” but a “God-incident” that a postcard connected me with SKWD Ministries.

He lifted me out of the pit of despair
After MONTHS of trying to learn Expression Web I was despairing.

Out from the bog and the mire
HTML and CSS Style Sheets were so beyond me.

and set my feet on a hard, firm path,
Through SKWD Ministries He has given me a beautiful new website 

and steadied me as I walked along
and an EZ-CMS (content management system) that really is easy and FUN to use.

He has given me a new song to sing, of praises to our God.
But help me, Father, not just to praise You when everything is going well.

Now many will hear of the glorious things he did for me,
Father, please use the new www.writehisanswer.com website in Ephesians 3:20 ways.

and stand in awe before the Lord, and put their trust in him.
Help us  to “write Your answer” so that many will come to know You as Savior and Lord!

Posted in God's promises, Our Christian witness, Pondering Biblical Truth | 1 Comment »

Let Freedom Ring!

July 4, 2012 by Marlene Bagnull

Father, help us to move beyond the celebration of Independence Day to repentance. Heal our land, Father. 

I encourage you to make time to read the insightful article below written ay Cheryl Meakins who spoke at this year’s Colorado Christian Writers Conference. Posted with her permission.

Does Freedom Ring or Clang?

by Cheryl Meakins

FREEDOM – we celebrate our freedom today, this Fourth of July.  We remember the Declaration of Independence of 1776 and the Revolutionary War that cost so many lives but gave us our life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

But freedom was challenged when our nation divided two generations later, experiencing a Civil War.  Brother fought and killed brother – in the name of freedom. The Civil War was launched by the South’s rebellion against a national government’s policies regarding what they believed was personal property: slaves. When Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation, the war’s rationale was transformed from states’ rights to freeing slaves.

Just as freedom rang clearly from our Liberty bell after the Revolutionary War, after the Civil War it rang for repressed African-Americans in our land. The next swing of liberty rang for the freedom of women – voting and workplace rights. 

Americans have always been abolitionists, fighting for freedom, taking up the challenge to tackle each form of oppression as it was revealed. In succession we fought England, then those that held others captive even among our own members, and extended that fight for equal representation of women. We have always risen to the call to arm ourselves and fight against any form of oppression. 

We only hesitate when the oppression has crept its way into our culture and claimed our own as the culprits and propagators of evil.  We hesitate because repentance is the only way out.

It is easy, looking back, to think there was a clear beginning and end to the war for freedom.  Maybe the war’s beginning is clear but the sin that was propagated and became the basis of the war was not.  The truth was that slavery was etched into the southern culture, to the extent that the “negro” of that day was bought, held captive, bonded, fed and bred like any other livestock.  And even today, we have a new culture of slavery. There has too often been a perception, most notably before the Civil War, but present in every generation, that people are animals, owned and used for the enjoyment or service of others. 

I question today if our Liberty Bell, rung for freedom, is presently Ringing… or Clanging?

I am involved in yet another movement of abolitionists.  Human trafficking is our modern-day slavery, and its very existence causes me to think our bell can only clang.  It no longer resonates clear and crisp.  Its tone is marred and muted. 

Human trafficking exists as part of our “tolerable” culture.  We have taken our liberty to pursue the happiness of sexual freedom, and a person’s freedom has been ransacked, manipulated, coerced, and extorted in the process.  No, not a person: 30 million worldwide; and even 200,000 U.S. children, our citizens, taken captive every year. 

When did we as a nation close our eyes and stop our ears against the cries of this earth?  When did we begin our journey to the pit of tolerance, not wanting to see the end result of so many “Johns” who provide the demand for the business of trafficking?  When did we begin to extoll promiscuity as the right and symbol of a woman’s independence? When did we begin to allow ourselves so much freedom that we have robbed others of theirs?

The little foxes have spoiled the vine of genuine relationships between Man and Woman, and have muted our once-clear eyes, ears, and consciences. 

I will repent for all the ways that I have turned a blind eye, convincing myself that prostitution is a personal choice instead of a crime perpetrated against women and children, only to find victims prosecuted as criminals; where the Johns who increasingly demand more flesh to consume get off for mere coins; where Pimps become icons in Hollywood, elevated and esteemed – Pimps who establish their rank, power, and prosperity on the altar of innocent lives.

I will lead the charge in repentance and be a part of those who restore the Bell of Liberty and Freedom.  Not freedom from religion; freedom of religion.  Not freedom from the law; freedom to honor all through upholding the law.  I join with my friend the author Charles Patricoff when he states, “by fighting to provide freedom for others, we preserve freedom for ourselves.” 

Like an annoying alarm clock, Americans today keep hitting the snooze button.  We are reluctant to wake up to our own condition.  I have started to clean up that Liberty Bell of Freedom by purging my own house.  And I will do my part, to keep cleaning because I long to hear the clear and crisp tone resonating across our country, for all those oppressed, longing to be free…

LET FREEDOM RING!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=K0MuQnCnKIE

Cheryl Meakins is an author and speaker called and compelled to ignite the power of women who exchange curses for blessings, insecurities for confidence, and self-reliance for giving and receiving. Cheryl is author to her blog Cheryl Meakins Speaks, as well as a contributing author to “If I can do all things through Christ, why can’t I find my car keys” and “Dream Big from Small Spaces” both scheduled for release in the fall of 2012 by Group Publishing. She has been a guest speaker for women’s events and is following the call to become an advocate for the fight against Human Trafficking.  Cheryl currently serves as Chair for ministries of Compassion, Mercy and Justice for Women Ministries of the Covenant Church in her region. She can be reached at www.MeakinsSpeak.com.

Charles Patricoff is another conferee from the Colorado Christian Writers Conference who is making a difference. I highly recommend his novels, Separation (OakTara 2010) and Emancipation (OakTara 2011).   

Posted in Pondering Biblical Truth, Praying for our nation | Leave a Comment »

When Your Best Isn’t Good Enough – Overcoming the Accuser

July 1, 2012 by Marlene Bagnull

Have you ever been ready to give up? Have you tried everything you know but feel like you’re banging your head against a brick wall?  What do you do when the accuser tells you that your best isn’t good enough – that it never has been and never will be?

Perhaps it’s a manuscript you’ve been working on for years. You’ve rewritten it not just once or twice but many times. Still you’ve been unsuccessful in finding anyone interested in publishing it. And it makes no sense because you know it’s something God has called you to write. You’ve studied the craft. You’ve  gone to critique groups and conferences  trying to find that missing something.  And now . . . now you’re not sure you can keep on keeping on.

That was my experience with my first book that some of you know was rejected by 42 publishers over a six year period . If I had given up (and believe me, there were many times I wanted to), it and the six books that followed would never have been published. I would not have founded the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference in 1983 or said yes in 1997 to directing the Colorado Christian Writers Conference.

Yes, there have been many times when I’ve doubted and when, as my writing mentor Lee Roddy said years ago, I’ve “listened to the wrong voices.” For the past five months it’s been the voice of the accuser telling me that my best isn’t good enough as I’ve struggled with the websites for the Colorado & Philly Christian Writers Conference and the transition from FrontPage 2002 to Expression Web. The tapes from my childhood have started to play again. “You’re not smart enough. No matter how hard you try, you’re going to fail.”

Many days I’ve sat in my office and wept. Frustrated and discouraged I’ve told the Lord, “I can’t.” And I know that’s true. Without His help I can’t learn Expression Web or pull together the countless details that go with directing two conferences.  

But what can I do, can you do, when He doesn’t seem to be listening? Has He abandoned us? Or is He using the problem(s) we’re facing to strengthen our faith muscles so that when the stakes are even bigger we won’t get discouraged and give up?

I’m learning that there are lots of lessons I thought I’d learned (that I’ve even written about in my book, Write His Answer – A Bible Study for Christian Writers) that I need to relearn!

Keep your eyes on the Lord, on how far you’ve come, and on the prize.  It’s easy to allow problems and challenges to consume us and to blind us to the Lord’s presence, to how far we’ve come, and to the prize.  “I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us” (Philippians 3:14 TLB) Paul wrote from prison in Rome. He had reason to be greatly frustrated and discouraged by the loss of his freedom. He could have questioned the Lord and concluded that his ministry was over. Instead he focused on the needs of the churches and wrote letters that continue to encourage Christ-followers almost 2,000 years later.

Cut the tapes from your past. Although Paul never forgot the person he was before he encountered the Lord on the Damascus Road, he did not wallow in the past or dwell on what others thought or said about him. Instead he embraced the truth of Zephaniah 3:17: “He is a mighty Savior. He will give you victory. He will rejoice over you with great gladness; he will love you and not accuse you” (TLB). Paul was able to preach and write about the message of salvation because he had experienced firsthand God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness.

Don’t grieve the Lord by your lack of faith. Although sometimes it does seem that He’s not listening, we need to trust that He will equip us with all we need for doing his will (see Hebrews 13:20). It’s not easy to wait on the Lord and to have Hebrews 11:1 faith in what we can’t yet see, but “God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn; he will never go back on his promises” (Romans 11:29 TLB).

Do your best and trust God for the rest. The fear of failure can paralyze us if we let it, and that’s exactly what our adversary wants. I grieve for the books that have not been published and the ministries that have been abandoned because of the evil one’s accusations that our best will never be good enough.

Sitting beside me are the “pictures” my almost four-year-old granddaughter drew in Sunday school this morning. I have absolutely no idea what she drew, and she can’t tell me because she has apraxia and is unable to speak more than a few words. But, of course, I told her that her pictures are beautiful. She did her best and that’s all that matters. And that’s all the Lord expects. When we give our best to Him, He is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV).

Father, help us to believe You and not the accuser. Thank You for loving us and for being bigger than our perceived failures. Thank You for encouraging us not to give up. We will keep on expecting you to help us. We will praise you more and more. We will walk in the strength of the Lord our God (Psalm 71:14, 16 TLB).

* * *

I’m so grateful for what Father has taught me spiritually through my struggles with Expression Web and for His patience with my learning curve. Although the formatting of the website for the August 1-4 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference is not perfect, I’m not going to give up or to believe the accuser’s lies that I’ve failed. I know that Father knows it is the best I can do. And He is faithful! He has heard my prayers and led me to SKWD Ministries. I’m very excited about the work they are doing on my main website, www.writehisanswer.com, which right now appears to be only one very unprofessional looking page. In the transition to Web Expression I lost the page banner and footer and all the navigation buttons. They are rebuilding it using their EZ-CMS (Content Management System) that will allow me to add, move, and delete web pages from one central screen and to edit them as I would do in a word processor. I won’t have to use HTML and CSS and style sheets! I’ll let you know when it’s uploaded and send you info on a special they are offering GPCWC conferees and those on my mailing list.

Posted in Called to write, God's promises, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Overcoming self-doubts, Pondering Biblical Truth, Publishing journey | 9 Comments »

GPCWC – Editorial needs and advice for “nervous Nellies”

June 30, 2012 by Marlene Bagnull

It’s taken longer than I hoped and planned, but I trust you’ll agree it’s worth waiting for good things and that you’ll overlook the formatting errors. Expression Web is the most challenging software I’ve ever tried to learn.

Editorial needs and bios are now posted for everyone on faculty at the August 1-4 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference. That includes:

Diana Flegal, Hartline Literary – Diana has “a passion for getting great writers published.”

Bill Jensen, William K. Jensen Literary Agency – Bill has worked in book publishing for over 35 years.

 Amanda Luedeke, MacGregor Literary – Amanda is interested in representing African American fiction, women’s fiction,  fantasy, and more.

 Barbara Scott, WordServe Literary – Barbara provided a long list of specific interests from children through adult.

Rob Eagar, author of June 2012 Writer’s Digest Book, Sell Your Book Like Wildfire, who is teaching the continuing session, “Marketing for the Promotionally Challenged Author.”

Suzanne Kuhn – founder of SuzyQ, a full-service author promotion firm. We’ve added an additional workshop for her on Wednesday at 5:00 pm, “Getting the Social Back in Social Media,” where you’ll learn how to build true fans and readers.

  •  Book editors – 16 editors representing 23 publishers offering exciting break-in opportunities in a wide variety of genres.
  • Periodical editors – 13 editors representing 22 periodicals. (My first sale was to a Christian periodical. It led to over 1,000 more sales plus 8 books.  Father, please open the door for many first sales through this year’s GPCWC.)
  • Authors – 19 authors available to meet with you one-on-one.

Although this is my 29th year directing GPCWC, I never cease to be amazed at the faculty Father provides and how He connects His people. “God-incidents” abound!

With the 4th of July falling mid-week this year, I know some of you will turn either this weekend or next into a holiday weekend. As a result, I’m extending the July 7 registration price through July 12, the same date applications are due for GPCWC’s clinics. I encourage you to register ASAP to give yourself the best opportunity to receive your top appointment picks. And for those who are nervous about meeting with an editor, here’s more encouragement from faculty member, Patti Shene, vice president and editor with Written World communications.

Part 3 of Donna Brennan’s Interview
with Patti Shene

Question: New writers (and some not-so-new writers) are often nervous about meeting an editor face-to-face. Do you have anything you want to say to the nervous Nellies among us?

I came up with an acronym for a simple approach to conference appointments that may prove helpful.

Smile! Don’t approach your appointment as though you are headed to the dentist’s chair! Editors are human too. A smile exudes confidence and puts both of you at ease.

Introduce yourself. Even though a list is available to the editor, appointments are sometimes shifted. Be sure the editor knows who he is speaking with from the start of the meeting.

Make known your intentions. Explain why you chose to speak to that particular editor. Have questions prepared and easily accessible. Are you pitching a manuscript for a specific book imprint or simply seeking general information about the publishing house?

Provide paper. Present the editor with something visual, such as a one-sheet that contains the maximum information attractively arranged in a minimum amount of space. Don’t expect her to keep it. Paper adds weight to luggage and can be cumbersome to manage. Email is more convenient, but visual works for initial contact.

Listen! Pay attention to what the editor tells you. Has he expressed an interest in your work or referred you to someone else who can better meet your needs? Have you been asked to provide further information? Make notes to ensure follow through. File business cards where they can be easily found after the conference.

Express your appreciation Thank the editor for her time, even if she is unable to use the work you presented. Recognition of her efforts builds a positive relationship for future contact.

Thanks, Patti, for this helpful advice, and thank You, Father, for the opportunities at this year’s conference. Help us to look to You and to trust You to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond.

 

Posted in Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Marketing, Publishing journey | 2 Comments »

More GPCWC News and Part 2 – Interview with Patti Shene

June 26, 2012 by Marlene Bagnull

There are so many opportunities at the August 1-4 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference to connect with professionals who can help you grow your writing ministry and get your work in print. The bios and editorial needs for GPCWC’s 16 book editors are now online at www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia/book-editors.htm. Info on our agents, periodical editors, and authors will be posted in the next few days.

GPCWC happens just once a year! I’m praying you won’t miss it. Partial scholarships are still available for those with financial need. Time payments can also be arranged if needed.

When you visit the conference website, be sure to click on the News & Update page. We’ve added two more book editors and have had some changes in workshops including the addition of a new 5:00 – 6:00 pm Wednesday earlybird workshop. Suzanne Kuhn will be presenting her popular workshop, Getting the Social Back in Social Media. This workshop focuses on engagement, building true fans and readers through the process and becoming relevant to your audience. (This is not a mechanics workshop.)

Suzanne has more than 20 years of book retailing experience, working in all areas of book retailing and event sales, including traveling as part of Karen Kingsbury’s team. In 2010 Suzanne launched SuzyQ, a full-service author promotion firm that works with authors, publishers and retailers, helping to coordinate any type of live event and training authors to engage and connect with readers. Suzanne’s experience and knowledge in the book retailing venue gives her an edge when facilitating book tours, arena events, and speaking engagements, ensuring a more successful and profitable event. Suzanne truly believes in the power of Christian literature to impact and change lives.

Enough from me. 🙂 Now . . . here’s Donna and Patti!

Part 2 – Interview with Patti Shene
An Editor Who Mentors and Encourages Both Young and Old

by Donna Brennan

Question: Where do you get your passion for mentoring youth and publishing the writing of teens and young kids?

I truly believe God puts us in certain places in our lives to prepare us for work He has for us in our future. I am a retired RN and practiced mainly in the psychiatric nursing field. I worked at a residential child care facility for several years. My husband and I raised two children, but my time with those troubled young boys in the clinical setting helped me realize some of the tougher issues young people face today.

Add to that the fact that my granddaughter is strongly interested in writing. She is my assistant. She gives me a kid’s opinion of some of the work that is submitted and she proofreads, in addition to helping me keep track of email and paperwork.

The written word is one way for young people to express their frustrations, fears, dreams, and aspirations. It also serves as an effective means to advocate for young people.

Question: What are some of the things you like most about working with young writers?

I love their creativity, their realistic view of the world, the way they analyze and study the things we adults take for granted. Their dreams are boundless. They have ambitious goals and they are willing to work hard to reach them.

When I was approached about WWC and the editorship of Starsongs, I developed a vision for the magazine. Over the past few months, I’ve been rewarded with the excitement and enthusiasm kids experience when they are published.

Some of our Starsongs contributors are crafting novels and a couple of them already have novels in print! I think this is amazingly wonderful. My dream is that someday I’ll walk into a major bookstore and find that one of our Starsongs contributors is a multi-published author.

Question: Tell us about Written World Communication’s annual writing contest for kids. Where can we go to get more information?

This contest has two facets, novella length work for young people ages 9-12 and novel length work for ages 13-19. This is open to all genres, again as long as the “R” rating restriction is met. The grand prize is publication with Written World Communications. Contest rules, including judging criteria and due dates can be found at the Starsongs blog, www.kidspublished.blogspot.com.

Question: From teaching teens and younger kids to teaching adults starting their writing career after the age of 50—you definitely cover both ends of the spectrum. Why do you feel it’s never too soon or too late to begin the writing journey?

It’s never too late to begin any journey! We tend to impose limitations on ourselves all the time, and age is one of them. Young writers bring innocence and a sense of curiosity to writing that we older writers tend to lose over the years. On the other hand, over 50 writers contribute a factor that young people can’t claim – experience – years of it!

God can and, if we let Him, does use each and every one of us to fulfill His purpose. He places no restriction on age or any other factor for those who are willing to spread His Word.

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Editor at GPCWC shares exciting writing opportunities

June 22, 2012 by Marlene Bagnull

Guest blogger Donna Brennan
Interviews Patti Shene
Editor with Written World Communications

One of the benefits of going to a writer’s conference is the opportunity to meet face-to-face with agents and editors. Both the August 1-4 Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference and the Colorado Christian Writers Conference each May allow you four agent/editor appointments if you attend all three days. That’s more than most other conferences offer.

Patti Shene is one of the editors you can meet with this year at the Philly conference. She is Division Manager for YA and Children’s Imprints with Written World Communications (WWC) and Executive Editor of Starsongs Magazine, one of WWC’s publications.

In addition to taking appointments, Patti will be teaching a session for the over 50 writer. And she will be one of the instructors for the Teens Write full-day program on Thursday, August 2.

I got in touch with Patti to ask her some questions about what type of books and articles she’s looking for and to find out some more information about the sessions she will be teaching.

Question: Most people deciding on editor appointments are interested in what each editor is looking for. You are representing several imprints; can you give us a brief description of each one and what their current needs are?

Hi Donna. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share with our conferees. I’m excited to meet with some great writers!

As Division Manager for YA and Children’s publications with Written World Communications, I will represent those three imprints.

Starsongs books can encompass several genres, from fantasy, mystery, and horror, to romance and historical. This is a secular market imprint. These stories showcase characters faced with challenges they confront with determination and resourcefulness. These books are meant to carry the reader beyond their everyday existence, yet provide a take away that leaves the reader with a life lesson learned.

Untapped books launch teen readers into a tempest of troubling scenarios that force them to examine their own beliefs, values, and decisions. These stories, whether contemporary or historical, carry a non-preachy Christian theme that guides the reader along a winding path of spiritual discovery concluding at the throne of grace.

Patchwork books is a Christian imprint that covers stories for pre-school through middle grade readers, homeschool curricula, parenting books, and family devotionals.

Starsongs magazine is a quarterly general market publication for kids written primarily by kids. We feature original short stories, essays, articles, poetry, photography, and artwork by young people ages 9-19. Each issue contains an article by an adult mentor related to writing or photography. Editorial needs: short stories, essays, articles, and poetry that reflect a young person’s view or opinion of his or her world, problems encountered and positive ways to resolve them. We accept secular and light Christian content.

Untapped magazine is a soon to be launched publication that will provide sound Christian content to teens. It will feature fiction and non-fiction, devotionals, thought-provoking articles, and address the edgy issues that today’s world forces teens to face. Editorial needs: We are looking for pieces that offer ideas for teens about how to live out their faith in active and exciting ways in today’s world.

Patchwork – We have just acquired a brand new editor for this future publication. Information about the magazine will be posted on the WWC web site at www.written-world.com.

Christine Richards and Rowena Kuo will be representing other WWC imprints at the Philly conference. Information about all our book imprints and magazines can be found on the web site at www.written-world.com.

Question: I noticed your reviews on Amazon and your blog covered a wide range of genres including suspense, romance, historical, YA, and western. You even covered non-fiction. Are your editorial interests just as wide?

I created the blog (Patti’s Porch found at www.pattishene.com) long before I was involved with WWC and mainly used it to promote the work of writing peers and favorite authors.

However, the editorial needs of WWC in general pretty much encompass all of those genres. We are always looking for unique work in just about any genre, For non-fiction, we would love to see parenting advice of special needs children from a Christian world view, Christian living books, and unique Bible study material. We are not interested in memoirs.

Question: Are there any types of writing you are definitely not interested in? Does length matter?

We are not interested in any material that contains graphic sex or violence. In other words, we do not accept work with an “R” rating or above. We limit book length to 90,000 words. Magazine length is addressed in Starsongs guidelines at www.kidspublished.blogspot.com.

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Thanks Donna and Patti and for parts 2 and 3 to come when Patti will provide encouragement for those nervous about meeting with an editor and share her passion for mentoring young writers and those over 50.

 

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