Sally Apokedak – Agent

Sally Apokedak owns the Apokedak Literary Agency, a boutique agency specializing in Christian-worldview children’s books aimed at the general market. She currently has two agents onboard, a few hardworking interns, and a select group of wonderful clients.

She’s been working in children’s publishing for 20-plus years. As the manager of the Kidz Book Buzz blog tour she was privileged to work with best-selling authors such as Jeanne DuPrau, Ingrid Law, and Shannon Hale. Now she represents her own list of bestselling and award-winning authors and she teaches online courses to thousands of students in over 90 countries.

Building Story Worlds for Novelists, Parts 1 and 2

When you write a novel, your goal is to pull the reader into your story world so that he forgets what’s going on around him. You want to make him suspend his disbelief and to come to accept your story world as the real world, for the few hours it takes him to read the book. In order to do that you need a story world that feels real. In this four-part class we’ll look at award-winning MG and YA novels to see how the authors enriched their story worlds to make us long to go there. We’ll look at the physical aspects, the societies, and the religious practices that make story worlds feel real.

Building Story Worlds Part 1 Description—sensory details and social, economic, religious, and cultural details

Building Story Worlds Part 2 character histories and habits, and theme

Candy Arrington

Candy Arrington has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotionals published by numerous outlets including: Focus on the Family, Clubhouse, Encounter, The Lookout, The Upper Room, CBN.com, Care.com, Healthgrades.com, CountryLiving.com, NextAvenue.org, The Writer, Writer’s Digest and the Chicken Soup and Cup of Comfort series. Her blog, Forward Motion, covers various topics related to moving beyond what holds you back. She is a member of  CAN (Christian Authors Network) and ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors). She often writes on tough topics (caregiving, grief, loss, difficult relationships, suicide) with a focus on moving beyond difficult life circumstances. Her books include When Your Aging Parent Needs Care: Practical Help for This Season of Life (Harvest House) and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).

Nonfiction Book Building Blocks

It’s not unusual for aspiring writers to have a beeline focus on publishing a book. But like assembling and implementing the necessary building materials to construct a house, writers need to gain skills and establish credibility before attempting a book. Writing and speaking on your topic lay a good foundation, but there are other skills to master. In this workshop, learn the essential building blocks to construct your book and boost your chances of getting a nonfiction contract.

Tackling Tough Topics

Do you feel compelled to write about a difficult life circumstance? If so, you have the opportunity to reach those who are hurting, feel alienated and alone, and are searching for ways to heal their pain. But if you are writing from personal experience, it’s important to make sure you are ready to write and not still processing your experience. Also crucial is how to structure your content, what to include and what to omit. In this workshop, learn methods to craft your tough topic and write with a level of transparency that touches hearts and inspires hope.

Optional – Welcome to the Conference: Making the Most of the Conference

Attending a writers conference is exciting, but it can also be a little intimidating and overwhelming. This preview class is designed to assist you in navigating the conference like a pro. We’ll discuss the importance of networking, taking notes, being teachable, following up on what you learn, and provide tips on choosing classes and making appointments. So plan to sign up for this free pre-conference class (11:00 a.m. till Noon on Friday) to enhance your experience.

Misty M. Beller 

Misty M. Beller is the managing editor of Wild Heart Books, a traditional publisher focusing in Christian Historical Romance novels. She’s also a USA Todaybestselling author with over 20 novels published, as well as a non-fiction book for authors, How to Market a Book Release.

After thirteen years working in professional project management and marketing, Misty uses her experience in the corporate world to develop best practices in her writing and book marketing efforts. It is her passion to help other authors on this same journey.

Misty teaches courses and workshops at writers’ conferences around the U.S., educating authors on effective book marketing approaches and helping them apply that knowledge to their own books.

Bring Your Backlist to Life 

With a few new tools, your backlist can spring to life and find a whole new readership.

A career of writing means you likely have a solid “book inventory.” Whether you’re a traditionally published author getting your rights back, or an indie author seeking to increase monthly income, your older published works don’t need to languish any longer. With the variety of tools available to authors today, it’s never been easier to reinvigorate your backlist with a whole new readership. In this course, we’ll unpack some of those options:

New covers (And how not to confuse readers)

Kindle Unlimited – a great discoverability tool

Box sets – the advertiser’s friend

Email automation – the selling engine behind the scenes

Can your standalones become a series? 

Writing as a Career:

With the right strategies and a healthy dose of hard work, your dream of becoming a career author can turn into reality.

In this class, we’ll talk through many of the considerations and best practices of career authors—whether traditionally published, indie, or a combination of the two.

Thinking like a businessman (or businesswoman)

• Covering every part with prayer
• Mission statement
• Annual goals (book production, platform, skills/knowledge)
• Production schedule
• Bookkeeping
• Quarterly review

Multiple streams of income: Even if your books are in KU or with a single publisher, there are other smaller income sources you can and should utilize.

• Affiliate income
• Audiobooks
• Large print books
• Foreign translations
• Signed books or book gifts from your website
• Patreon

Release schedules

• Best practices for planning
• Consistent income
• Top promotion for each book

Michelle Cox

Michelle Cox is a speaker and the bestselling author of fourteen books. Her newest books are When God Calls the Heart: Devotions from Hope Valley (based on Hallmark’s mega-hit When Calls the Heart and co-authored with Executive Producer Brian Bird) and the When God Calls the Heart Journal.

Michelle’s “Life with a Southern Grandmother” posts run each Monday and Thursday at www.Guideposts.org. She has been the food blogger for Fox News Personality Todd Starnes and has written for FoxNews.com, Focus on the Family, Christian Cinema, Whoa Magazine for Women, Leading Hearts Magazine, and numerous other publications. Michelle is the creator of the Just 18 Summers® brand of parenting products and resources, which will include movies, a documentary, music, books (the Just 18 Summers novel released from Tyndale), and other products. The Just 18 Summers® parenting blog (featuring a staff of writers) has a new post each Monday-Friday. Michelle has been a guest on Home and Family, Hannity, The Harvest Show, Focus on the Family, Babbie’s House, Atlanta Live, and on numerous other radio and television stations.

Lessons Learned from the World’s Bestselling Author

Hidden between the pages of the Bible are writing lessons from the world’s bestselling author—lessons that will equip, inspire, and teach us as we seek to reach hearts and lives through the words we write. Join me as we use the example of what Jesus wrote to make our writing better.

Managing the Writer’s Life

You’ll soon discover that juggling your writing life with the rest of your life can sometimes be challenging and overwhelming. Join me for tips and skills that will help you cope and thrive despite the physical, spiritual, and emotional challenges of the writing journey. We’ll talk about ways to manage your time and become more disciplined, how to deal with rejections and stay motivated, about the rejuvenating power of cupcakes, and a bunch of other stuff.

Jimmie Davis

Jimmie Davis is the author of Virtual You, the Girls’ Ministry Handbook and the Girls’ Ministry Idea Book for Lifeway. Jimmie has led workshops for women, teenage girls, and girls’ ministry leaders all over the US.  She has contributed to several women’s ministry books for Lifeway and several books as a ghostwriter. Jimmie has written numerous articles and currently serves as a ministry assistant editing and working with printed materials for First Baptist Spartanburg.

Jimmie Davis served in Student Ministry alongside her husband, Sam, for over 25 years. She served on staff as the Girls’ Ministry Director at First Baptist Spartanburg in SC for 8 years and as Director of the Deaf Ministry at First Baptist Atlanta for 3 years. Jimmie attended Converse College and has an Advanced Certificate in Women’s Ministry from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Writing Articles and Books from Your Speaking and Teaching

What are you teaching others from your personal study and life? What is your expertise? You can write a book from mentoring one on one, leading a small group, or speaking to larger groups. Whether it is teaching from your own personal speaking or writing for others who speak, Jimmie will teach you how to take your writing from podium to print.

Lynette Eason

Lynette Eason is the best-selling, award-winning author of over fifty books including the Women of Justice series, the Deadly Reunions series, the Hidden Identity series, the Elite Guardians series and the Blue Justice series. She writes for Revell and for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line. Her books have appeared on the CBA, ECPA, and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller lists. She has won several awards including the Carol Award, the IRCC award, the Selah, and the Christian Retailing’s Best Award. She placed in the top ten in the James Patterson 2016 co-writer contest. The movie, Her Stolen Past, based on Lynette’s novel with the same title, aired February 2, 2018, on the Lifetime Movie Network. Lynette is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Romance Writers of America (RWA), Mystery Writers of America (MWA), International Thriller Writers (ITW), and Faith, Hope, and Love (FHL) chapter of RWA as well as the Kiss of Death (KOD) chapter. Lynette can be found online at www.lynetteeason.com and www.facebook.com/lynette.eason and @lynetteeason on Twitter.

Nuts and Bolts of Suspense

Learn what elements make up a rocking, edge of the seat, suspense story. Come prepared for a hands-on experience that you can take home and implement immediately. Workshop will include topics such as:  Openings, Using all five senses, Subtexting, Red Herrings, Dialogue, Internal and External Conflicts, Character development in suspense, and ending scenes and chapters.

Point of View

Description to come.

Edna Ellison 

Dr. Edna Ellison, a humorist, poet, and storyteller known as “the Christian mentoring guru,” lives in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Former editor of a national Christian women’s magazine, Royal Service, she later served as a denominational consultant, speaker, and writer in Alabama and California. Currently Edna is the national president of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.

Edna has been a keynote speaker in London, Frankfort, Panama City, and other world class cities. She has spoken and led writing conferences in almost every US state, including Alaska and Hawaii. An award-winning poetry and writing teacher on the high school, college, and post-graduate level, Edna is the author of 23 books and over 400 magazine articles. Her life has been featured in a Focus on the Family magazine, where she has also been published. A people-lover, she also loves teaching Bible studies, editing, and leading prayer retreats—and most of all, playing with her granddaughter, Blakely.

The Art of Laughter: Introducing Humor in Your Masterpieces 

Learn about Forest Showers, Past-Meditation, and Storytelling with a comic twist. This workshop includes instructions on inserting humor into an otherwise serious or boring passage, when needed. Participants will enjoy telling their humorous anecdotes, discover how to raise their IQ, and share samples others can take with them for later use.

Beth Fortune

Beth Fortune is co-founder of Extreme Joy Ministries where she shares heart, humor, and hope through writing, teaching and speaking. Speaking is her true love (25 years now) but she has been published in magazines and anthologies, written for Chicken Soup for the Soul, blogged for websites like Charles Stanley’s In Touch Ministries and other devotional sites.

She is a graduate of CLASS Seminar and Christian Communicators. She is a pastor’s wife, active member of Word Weavers-Upstate SC and lives in Greenville, SC with her husband and their rescue Jack-A-Bee, Gracie. You can find her at www.bethfortune.net.

From Paper to Podium – Developing A Presentation

In the publishing world today agents and publishers are looking for writers with a platform. And how do we gain a platform? One way is by speaking. The challenge is that while some people are speakers who write others are writers who need to speak but lack confidence. Sharing a message while speaking in public is much different than sitting in front of a computer. As a new speaker how do you take your message from paper to podium and present it with poise? And what if you feel called to speak? How do you begin? Let me show you how.

Linda Gilden – Director, Carolina Christian Writers Conference

Linda Gilden is an experienced writer, speaker, editor, and writing coach. Author of the popular Love Notes series, Mommy Pick-Me-Ups, Called to Write, Why You Do What You Do, Words To Live By, and many ghostwritten books, and with hundreds of magazine articles to her credit, Linda Gilden loves to share a great story.

A national speaker on the training staff of CLASSEMINARS, Inc., Linda enjoys helping others discover and grow their communication skills. She teaches at national writers conferences and “Writing to Expand Your Ministry” in the Women’s Ministry Degree Program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  A wife, mother, and grandmother, Linda’s favorite times are those spent with her family. Linda finds tremendous joy in directing the Carolina Christian Writers Conference and the CLASS Christian Writers Conference in NM. Lindagilden.com

Articles, Articles, Articles!

Learn the basics of magazine article writing in this information-packed class. Topics addressed will include how to break in to the magazine market, where to find marketable ideas, how to study the markets to find a perfect fit for your manuscript, contemporary article format, and much more. Discover how to make the most of your research by repurposing it for other articles and books. Find out how to give editors what they want so that your work stands out from the slush pile. Network with other writers for research as well as for encouragement and fellowship and use article placement as a successful marketing tool.

Lori Hatcher – Chaplain

Lori Hatcher is a women’s ministry speaker, author, magazine editor, blogger, minister’s wife, and healthcare professional. She shares an empty nest in Lexington, South Carolina with her husband, David, and her vast collection of books.

Lori’s the editor of South Carolina’s Reach Out, Columbiamagazine, a Christian magazine dedicated to celebrating the life and work of Jesus Christ. A homeschool mom for 17 years, she’s the author of three devotional books,Hungry for God … Starving for Time, The Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year; and Joy in the Journey – Encouragement for Homeschooling Moms.Her latest book, Uncommon Insights for an Unbounded Life,is due out in the spring of 2020. Lori’s also a freelance writer for Crosswalk.com. Her feature articles and devotions have been published by publications such as Proverbs 31 ministries, The Upper Room, War Cry, Today’s Christian Living, Christian Living in the Mature Years,Evangel, The Mother’s Heart, Inspired Women, The Old Schoolhouse, andColumbia Metropolitan Magazine.

A contest-winning Toastmasters International speaker (ACG, ALB), Lori loves to use stories to impart spiritual truths. Encouraging, inspiring, andentertainingare the words people use most to describe her. You’ll find Lori her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Hungry for God. . . Starving for Time(www.lorihatcher.com). You can reach her at LoriAHatcher@gmail.com.

(Practically) Painless Editing for a Stellar Submission

Genius isn’t enough when you send your blog post, article, or book out into the publishing jungle. Not only does your work need panache, it also needs polish. Because even the most seasoned writer has weak areas, magazine editor Lori Hatcher will walk you through a 10-point checklist to ensure your work is stellar and ready to submit.

How to Write a Book—From Concept to Contract to Completion, It’s Not as Hard (or as Easy) as You Think

Whether we admit it or not, most writers dream of seeing our name on the cover of a book someday. But becoming a published writer requires more than a dream, it requires concrete steps over a period of time. These steps can be quite mysterious if you’ve never done it. This workshop will take you on a journey from concept to contract to completion, cracking the curtain on what has to happen to bring a book into existence. Lori will draw from her experience with self-publishing, small press publishing, and large press publishing to break down the process so you know just what to expect, at whatever stage of publishing you’re in.

Jayme Hull

Jayme Hull is an award-winning author, speaker, mentor and life coach. She is a graduate of New York University with a teaching degree in Speech Communications and Musical Theater. In addition to teaching and speaking, she has spent a lifetime encouraging people to invest in others and make apositive difference in today’s culture for Christ. She loves to help writers and speakers take the next confident step forward in sharing their message with their audience on and off the stage. Jayme works with EA Book’s Published Authors to help them market their books.

In Jayme’s personal ministry she is the host of the Face-To-Face Mentoring Podcast and writes articles for numerous websites including Lifeway Women, More To Life, and others. Jayme and her husband John live in the Nashville area and have 3 adult married children with 5 happy grandkids.

Evaluating Your Publishing Options

Choosing which publishing path to take can be overwhelming and confusing. In this workshop, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of traditional, independent and hybrid publishing and the differences between them so you can decide which option is best for you and your project.

How To Get Started Listening and Creating Podcasts for Beginners

You keep hearing all about podcasts but what are they? How do you start listening and finding them? This workshop will cover how to get started listening to podcasts and the first steps to creating your own show.

Jayme is the host of her own Podcast,  Face To Face Mentoring Podcast on iTunes and her website www.JaymeLeeHull.com with 60+ Episodes and 8000+ downloads. Her Podcast was listed in the 2019 Top 20 Mentoring Podcasts and 2020 Top 50 Mentoring Podcasts.

Tammy Karasek

You’ll find Tammy seeing humor and causing laughter in every aspect of life. Her past, filled with bullying and criticism from family, is the driving force of her passion to always encourage others and give them The Reason to smile. She’s been married to her college sweetheart, Larry, for 38 years, a mom to their grown daughter, Kristen, and wrapped around the paw of a little dog named Hattie. Born and raised in Ohio, her family now resides in South Carolina. She is the President of Word Weavers Upstate SC, Vice President of ACFW-SC and member of My Book Therapy/Novel Academy. She’s the Blog Editor for Word Weavers International. A Conference Assistant for Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. A monthly contributor for The Write Conversation. A contributor in the 2018 Divine Moments Compilation Book—Cool-inary Moments. Also a regular contributor to several other blogs.

Connect with Tammy:

Website: https://tammykarasek.com

Beta Reader, Street Teams and Launch Teams—Oh My!

I have been a participant on Launch Teams, probably between 45-50 over the last couple of years. This presentation on explains what is the difference between them and when do you need any of them. I have been on some that were very successful and I will give some hints and ideas on how to choose what fits for you to make your team as successful as possible.

Beginning Bookkeeping Basics for the Writer

As self-employed writers, it is up to us to keep appropriate and detailed records. Whether you will prepare your own taxes or hire a Tax Specialist, you will need your receipts and royalty stubs to have those figures for our tax forms. In this class I will give you easy ways to keep your financial records organized and ready to use before that April 15th deadline. This class will not cover tax particulars as each state has specifics, but it will touch on the Schedule C form categories. Once I started this system, my accountant said, “Thanks, you make my job of preparing your tax forms quick and easy.”

Larry J. Leech II

Writing coach of award-winning novelists, Larry J. Leech II has spent nearly 40 years working with words. After a 23-year journalism career that began in 1981, Larry moved into freelance writing and editing in 2004. He has ghostwritten nearly 30 books, edited more than 250 manuscripts, and written back cover copy and press releases for numerous publishers. Larry teaches at numerous conferences nationwide and can be found online on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and his website, www.larryleech.com.

Say What?

How to write snappy dialogue can be a tad tricky. In fiction, dialogue is not two people talking with each other. Dialogue is about demonstrating character through conflict. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to write believable dialogue, evoke senses, and, most important, how to create tension, even between allies.

Strong Foundation, Strong Fiction

Every builder will tell you that a strong foundation is needed to build. In fiction, that means correct use of POV, character arc, story arc, emotion, setting and description. Knowing when and how to use each will lay the perfect foundation on which to build your story. Even if you feel you have a grasp on these, come see if you have the right mixture in your foundation so your story won’t crumble.

Interview Workshop

Blah, blah, blah, yada, yada, yada

This quick-hitting workshop will help you create a succinct message for radio and TV interviews, and review the do’s and don’ts of interviews for research, podcasts, or blogs. Come prepared for some on-the-spot role playing. No costume required. Just come prepared to talk … and listen.

Karen Porter

Karen Porter is an international retreat and seminar speaker and a successful businesswoman. She is the author of seven books, including If You Give a Girl a Giant…Fighting for Your Life; I’ll Bring the Chocolate: Satisfying a Woman’s Cravings for Friendship and Faith; and Amplify!

Karen is a frequent guest on regional and national radio and TV programs. She writes a regular leadership column for Leading Hearts Magazine and has contributed to national magazines such as Focus on the Family, Discipleship Journal, and American Taste. She has also written curriculum for Lifeway Resources.

Business/Professional

Karen and her husband, George, own Bold Vision Books, a traditional Christian publishing company. The two also own Stone Oak Publishing, a hybrid publishing company, and Kae Creative Solutions, a communications consulting firm.

Karen served as Vice President of International Marketing of a major food company in Texas for more than 30 years. She traveled around the world and her varied experiences (including dinners with Fidel Castro and other heads of state) contribute to the richness and depth of her writing and speaking.

Trainer/Mentoring Ministry/Certified Coaching

As a certified coach of speakers and writers, Karen helps aspiring writers learn the craft of writing, as well as editing and developmental book doctoring. Karen coaches speakers in her Amplify! program, helping speakers refine content development, stage presence, and storytelling.

Karen served on the board of CLASSEMINARS, INC, as well as lead trainer on the national staff. She also serves on the board of First Place 4 Health, one of the nation’s top health and nutrition programs, and she is president of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.

Personal

Karen is a people person, plain and simple and you will love to laugh with her and maybe even cry a little as she shares her joys and struggles. Karen says her marriage to George is her greatest achievement, but she’d love to talk to you about her five grandchildren! In her spare time, Karen continues her life-long quest to find the perfect purse.

Excellence in the Craft of Writing

Take your writing style and voice to the next level by understanding how to improve your language and writing skills. You will be inspired to write with elegance and flair and clarity. Catch the attention of an editor with excellence.

George Porter

George Porter is a brother, husband, father, and grandfather who loves God. As a science teacher for more than 23 years, George bring the scientific world to life in his presentations, Bible teaching, and writing as he helps his audiences embrace the God who made us all.

George is co-owner of Bold Vision Books, an independent, Christian publishing company. George serves as general manager, acquisitions editor, and publisher.

As a teacher in both public and private schools, George served as curriculum team leader and on campus site-based committees. He judged Science Olympiads, implemented pilot curriculum on drug awareness in cooperation with Baylor College of Medicine, and coached tennis teams.

George is a graduate of Texas A&M University and has done graduate work in physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, and cell biology at Baylor College of Medicine. He served as a combat medic and paratrooper in Vietnam and as a bacteriologist in the Surgical Research Unit at Brooke Army Medical Center in projects involving the treatment of burn patients.

George is married to Karen and has two children. He makes his home in Texas.

How to Wow a Publisher

As a publisher, George sees all kinds of queries, proposals, and writing. In this workshop, he will give you the tips you need to make a publisher choose your manuscript over the others that come across the acquisitions desk. You will discover the secrets of formatting, presentation, focusing your materials, and hooking the editor’s interest.

Molly Jo Realy

A Southern Belle from Southern California, Molly Jo is a writer, editor, social media ninja, and producer of Aaron Gansky’s Firsts in Fiction podcast. She has been featured in children’s magazines, on blogs and devotional websites, and her short stories have earned her awards and scholarships from nationally acclaimed writing programs. She is the founder of New Inklings Press and author of The Unemployment Cookbook: Ideas for Feeding Families One Meal at a Time and other books available through her website and on Amazon. She offers seminars and personal coaching on self publication and building social media/marketing platforms. Frankly, My Dear . . . is her blog where she shares her thoughts on Faith, Family, Food, and Fun, and her corner of the world affectionately known as Bedford Manor (the lesser known one, of course), named after Bedford Falls because, after all, it is a wonderful life. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and as a regular contributor to several blogs.

Come Alive and Stay Wild!

Writing is about grabbing the reader’s attention, and telling the story only you can tell. Embrace your personality and experiences, and let them flow into the characters you write. This course will cover different ways to write (organic v. outline), better self-talk, and how to recognize triggers to writer’s block and other distractions, to turn you into the writer you are supposed to be.

 

Rhonda Robinson 

Rhonda Robinson is an author, speaker, and marketing coach with EA Books Publishing. She began her writing career as a mommy blogger, back in the day, when they were called newspaper columnists. As the managing editor for a large content marketing company Rhonda taught and led teams to create high traffic, viral content, and engagement rich social media management.

Hundreds of her articles and columns have been published in magazines, newspapers, and influential conservative sites. Her new book, FreeFall: Holding on to Faith When the Unthinkable Strikes,released in January, 2020.

Rhonda’s greatest accomplishment was gaining 574 pounds and losing 500 to win the grand prize of nine children with an unexpected bonus of 32 grandchildren. As a recovering political junkie, she restores her barefoot soul in the peaceful hills of Tennessee with her high school sweetheart.

Friday Morning Workshop

Gathering Your Tribe: How to Grow an Email List From Zero – 1000.

Do you have a large dusty email list? Or have you just realized you need a list and don’t know where to begin? This hands-on class will show you how to rapidly build an email list that connects with your readers. An email list is your direct contact people who want to hear from you. In this step-by-step class Rhonda Robinson will take you through every stage of the process, from setting up your email, creating content, and strategy, to cultivating a tribe of readers eagerly awaiting your next book.

Get Noticed On Amazon

Amazon currently has 32.8 million books listed for sale—how will your readers find you? Like Google, Amazon is a search engine. This workshop will show you how to stand out in the Amazon algorithms, create an author page that gets noticed, and get your book discovered in searches.

 

 

Craig von Buseck

Dr. Craig von Buseck is a published author and Editor of Content for Inspiration.org, the website of Inspiration Ministries in Charlotte, North Carolina. Craig’s new book, “I Am Cyrus: Harry S. Truman and the Rebirth of Israel”, is being released by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas on April 22. Learn more at vonbuseck.com.

Fiction Techniques in Nonfiction Writing:

Have you heard this quote? “Give me 26 lead soldiers and I will conquer the world.” Did you know that both Benjamin Franklin and Karl Marx said it – and they were both correct? In this class you will learn that writing is a transaction between the writer and the reader. Your job is to give them an entertaining read, full of hard-hitting facts and heart-tugging stories. In response they will read your book to the end – and hopefully will recommend it to others. The best way to achieve this goal in the nonfiction realm is by learning how to use the techniques of fiction writers to make your writing soar.

Narrative Non-Fiction

With blockbusters like “Grant”, “The Zookeeper’s Wife” and “Leonardo Da Vinci” dominating the best-seller lists, the narrative non-fiction and biography genres are burgeoning markets for writers who want to tell true stories with powerful messages. Learn the difference between narrative non-fiction, biography, and historical fiction. Discover how true stories can unlock the hearts of your readers to the ways God can move supernaturally in the lives of people who seek Him – and the tragedies of those who go their own way.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarship application for the 2020 Writers Conference.

Carolina Christian Writers Conference

Scholarship Application

First Baptist Church, Spartanburg, SC

Title ________ First Name _________________ MI ___ Last Name _____________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________

City __________________________________________________ State ______ Zip ________

Phone ____________________________________ Website ___________________________

Email _________________________________________________ Date ________________

I am ____ published ___ unpublished.

My current project is

My writing goals are

What I am doing to reach these goals

I want to attend this conference because

I need a scholarship because

• Submit your application via email to linda@lindagilden.com not later than Feb. 1, 2020. Recipients will be notified by Feb. 8, 2020.
• Scholarship is for full tuition only. Does not cover lodging, meals (except lunch on Saturday), the optional Friday morning session, or transportation.

Friday Morning – 11-noon  

Free Welcome to the Conference Workshop:

Making the Most of the Conference

Attending your first writers conference is exciting, but it can also be a little intimidating and overwhelming. The Welcome to the Conference Workshop is designed to help you learn how to navigate the conference like a pro. We’ll discuss the importance of networking, taking notes, being teachable, following up on what you learn, and provide tips on choosing classes and making appointments. So plan to sign up for this free pre-conference class to enhance your experience.

MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE GUIDELINES

Critique fee is $35.

* Critiques are available for both pre-published and published writers.

* You must register and pay for the conference in order to submit a manuscript for critique.

* The critique fee is $35.00 per manuscript and includes comments on your manuscript and a 15-minute private appointment with your critiquer.

* Manuscript format: double spaced, (unless noted below), Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri font, one side of the paper. Do not bold, italicize, or use all caps for emphasis.

* Please submit your manuscript prior to the conference via email to the critiquer of your choice. The list of critiquers will be added below by the first week of January. You will contact them and pay them directly. Please write “CCWC Manuscript Critique Submission” in the subject line. Please revisit this page for the complete list of names and availability and deadlines.

* Submissions must fit the following criteria. If submissions are longer than the specified guidelines, the critique will not extend beyond the amount listed below.

Devotions: (limit of three – no longer than two pages each)

Poetry: three poems or three pages

Articles: up to 1500 words

Nonfiction book: outline and first 10 pages

Nonfiction book proposal: single spaced complete proposal

Novel: single spaced synopsis (no more than two pages) and first 10 pages (a prologue is included in this page count)

Novel proposal: single spaced proposal and synopsis

Short stories (fiction): up to 2000 words

Personal experience story (nonfiction): up to 1500 words

Bible Studies: outline (single spaced) and up to 10 pages

Children’s picture book: entire book

Children’s chapter book: synopsis and up to 10 pages

Manuscripts that include sexually explicit material or profanity will not be accepted for critique.

Deadline for critique submissions is up to the critiquer and will be listed beside his or her name. Most critiquers have limited the number of manuscripts they will critique so you are urged to send your submissions ahead of the deadline.

Below is a list of critiquers (they will do a limited number of critiques).

Larry Leech             larry@larryleech.com  –  Preferred genres are memoir and fiction.  Deadline for submitting manuscript is March 15

Linda Gilden            Linda@LindaGilden.com   –    non-fiction   –  Deadline for submitting manuscript is March 20.

Sally Apokedak       sallyapokedak@outlook.com  –  picture books, middle grade, young adult, fiction or nonfiction books for children or adults  – Deadline for submitting manuscript is – No cut-off date—I’m also willing to do walk-ons at the conference

Lori Hatcher      loriahatcher@gmail.com  – Articles, blog posts, Bible teaching pieces, non-fiction book chapters  – Deadline for submitting manuscript is – March 20

Edie Melson    ediegmelson@gmail.com  – Fantasy, SciFi, Nonfiction, Proposals (fiction & nonfiction), I will also do social media evaluations and website/blog evaluations    – Deadline for submitting manuscript is – No cut-off date  – I’ll take walk-ins, if possible to get them done

Tammy Karasek   t.karasek@yahoo.com  – Fiction, (Contemporary Romance/Women’s Fiction) Nonfiction  – Deadline for submitting manuscript is March 18

Candy Arrington   cnansptbg@aol.com  – nonfiction book proposals, nonfiction one-sheets, blog posts, devotionals, articles  – Deadline for submitting manuscript is March 25

Misty Beller    misty@mistymbeller.com  – All fiction genres  –   Deadline for submitting manuscript is March 13 (will take walk-ins at the conference)

Nancy Lohr  –  Nlohr@bjupress.com  –  youth novels, prefer not picture books  – Deadline for submitting manuscript is March 13

Edna Ellison  ednae9@aol.com  –  Poetry, Magazine Articles, Books on Christian Life, Bible Studies  – Deadline for submitting manuscript is March 27 (noon)

Beth Patch   –  Beth.Patch@cbn.org  –  Devotions  – Deadline for submitting manuscript is March 6

Jayme Hull  – jaymehull@gmail.com  –  Devotions

Dalene Parker  – worddoctor13@gmail.com  –  non-fiction  – Deadline for submitting manuscript is March 10

Craig von Buseck  – craigvonbuseck@gmail.com  – Narrative non-fiction, biography, historical fiction chapter; web articles (up to 1,000 words); devotions (up to 1,000 words)  – Deadline for submitting manuscript is March 25

Molly Jo Really  – mollyjo@newinklingspress.com  – Novels, Short Stories  – Deadline for submitting manuscript is March 7

Rhonda Robinson  –  mothering9@gmail.com  –  non-fiction   

Additional Critiquers will be added

Say Cheese!!!

Sharon Brisken, of Sharon Brisken Photography, will be on site Friday and Saturday as your headshot photographer to capture your photo for your book, website, blog, printed material, posters, business cards and even your FB profile picture!  You will receive images using a variety of backdrops, professional editing, a fast turnaround time and guaranteed satisfaction at a very reasonable price, $45.00.  Sharon is prepared to photograph any special requests, including props and clothing changes.  Special sessions require prior knowledge of your specific needs to allow for time.  Additional rates may apply.

For more info on your photo session and to secure your session time, please contact Sharon either by email, sabrisken@mac.com or by phone (864) 497-9702.