All faculty are available for free one-on-one 15-minute appointments!
Be sure to complete and return your Appointment Request form that you will receive when you register. For your appointments to be booked in the order that you registered, your form must be submitted online by July 15. That means early registrants do NOT need to rush. It is wise to wait until all the editorial needs are posted. All appointment requests must be received by August 1.
IMPORTANT
Be sure to also study the helpful info
under the Appointments tab above:
Appointments – Making the Best Choices
Preparing for Your Appointments
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Book Editors
Debbie Maxwell Allen
Project Manager
Good Catch Publishing
Scrivener Expert
Author, Freelance Editor
Debbie works as a freelance editor as well as a project manager for Good Catch Publishing. She writes young adult historical fantasy in the Rocky Mountains. Debbie also loves to revolutionize other writers’ lives with the wonders of Scrivener. The rest of the time, she keeps tabs on her husband, five children, two cats, and one new grandchild. She blogs about free resources for writers at https://writingwhilethericeboils.blogspot.com.
Workshop T1 – Practical Productivity: 10 Ways to Write More, Write Better, and Quash Your Inner Editor (Thursday, 1:00 – 2:00)
If the lure of laundry pulls you from your writing, if the fear of the blank page keeps you from your writing chair, if the siren song of social media spirits you away down the visual rabbit hole, this class is for you. We'll figure out your reasons for distraction and how to address each one. Before long, your words on the page will become an unstoppable snowball!
Workshop T5 – Scrivener from 0 to 60: Get up and running – and writing – with Scrivener TODAY (Thursday, 3:30 – 4:30)
Scrivener writing software: everyone says they love it, but what writer has time to learn something new? And most writers using Scrivener miss out on some of the program’s best elements. This workshop will help you start, literally, at zero, and get up and running right away. Even long-time users will learn to take advantage of features they didn’t know were there. Learn to navigate stunning elements to make writing – and research – faster and more efficient, no matter what genre. This workshop is for both fiction and nonfiction writers. Bring your computer with Scrivener already downloaded (you can try it free for 30 days).
Workshop T9 – Customizing Scrivener: Advanced Techniques for the Motivated Writer (Thursday, 4:45 – 6:00)
In this workshop, writers already familiar with the basics of Scrivener will discover the many ways Scrivener can be configured for novels and nonfiction projects. Find out how to customize Scrivener to your particular needs and take advantage of little-known elements to make your writing life easier to manage. Learn to plot your book with virtual index cards, how to manage scenes (and your own motivation) with the outliner, and how to fly through revisions with features most Scrivener users have not yet discovered.
Click here for areas of expertise and availability for paid critiques.
Susan Baganz Lodwick
Editor
Pelican Book Group
Author
www.susanbaganz.com
Susan chases after three Hobbits and is a native of Wisconsin. She writes adventurous historical and contemporary romances with a biblical worldview. She also speaks, teaches, and encourages others to follow God in being all He has created them to be. With her seminary degree in counseling psychology, a background in the field of mental health, and years serving in church ministry, she understands the complexities and pain of life as well as its craziness. She serves behind-the-scenes in various capacities at her church as well as serving on the board of her local American Christian Fiction Writer’s (ACFW) chapter. Her favorite pastimes are lazy . . . snuggling with her dog while reading a good book, or sitting with a friend chatting over a cup of spiced chai latte.
Workshop 2C – The Heartbeat of Inspirational Romance (Friday, 5:00 – 6:00)
What constitutes an inspirational romance, and how far can a Christian writer realistically go with the romance between a man and a woman?
Workshop 3B – Skittles & Editing (Saturday, 9:45 – 10:45)
Tools Susan uses to make her manuscripts shine before ever sending them to an editor. They are things you can do as well along with using critique partners to make your novel shine. Susan will feature and talk about the benefits of AutoCrit in the process but provide you with tools so you can do without it as well.
Click here for editorial needs and availability for paid critiques.
Marlene Bagnull
Conference Director
Publisher, Editor
Ampelos Press
Author, Speaker
www.writehisanswer.com
Marlene is the director of the Colorado and the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference and the publisher/editor of Ampelos Press, a small subsidy house that helps Christians self-publish affordably yet professionally. She has over 1,000 sales to Christian periodicals and is the author of five books including Write His Answer – A Bible Study for Christian Writers (in print for 28 years). She is also the compiler/editor of four books.
Editorial Needs – Ampelos Press publishes only one or two titles a year. I am especially interested in helping authors indie publish books about missions and the needs of children such as The Place of the Mourning Doves – Reaching Out to Romanian Orphans and Benard's Vision – The Quest of a Kenyan Pastor. I will also consider issues fiction.
Click here for areas of expertise for one-on-one appointments. I also welcome the opportunity to pray for you.
Michelle Booth
Acquisitions Editor
Marketing Coach
EABooks Publishing
Ghostwriter
Michelle has more than 20 years of experience helping clients tell their stories. In addition to her writing, editing, and proofreading expertise, she has proven skills in formulating and executing marketing communication plans; creating and implementing PR campaigns; planning advertising campaigns; and orchestrating special events and industry trade shows for domestic and international companies. Michelle is one of EABooks' Marketing Coaches and she is also a much sought-after ghostwriter. Michelle earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tulsa. She is a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and the Florida Authors & Publishers Association.
Workshop 1F – Marketing into Ministry (Friday, 3:45 – 4:45)
No one wants to hear about you and your book after the third week of your book's release, so how do you market your book without talking about your book? Come learn the proven strategy that turns marketing into ministry AND that sells books.
Click here for editorial needs and availability for paid critiques.
Karen Linamen Bouchard
Acquisitions Editor
Illumify Media Global
Editor, Power for Living
Best-selling Author, National Speaker
Karen is a best-selling author, national speaker, editor of David C Cook’s Power for Living magazine, and Acquisitions Editor with Illumify Media, a publishing company currently contracting 20-30 titles annually. She also provides one-on-one coaching to writers—published and not published—of all genres who want to polish their craft, publish their books, or grow their platforms. Karen has more than 30 years’ experience in writing and publishing, having written hundreds of magazine articles and authored fifteen books of her own under the name “Karen Linamen.” Her books include the bestselling Just Hand Over the Chocolate and No One Will Get Hurt, The Chocolate Diaries, Sometimes I Wake Up Grumpy (And Sometimes I Let Him Sleep), and many more.
Continuing Session – Your Nonfiction Book: From Good to Great with Michael J. Klassen
If you want to transform lives with your nonfiction book, there are steps you need to take long before you type your opening sentence—and steps you need to continue taking after your book hits the shelves. Michael and Karen break it all down and share practical strategies you can follow at every stage.
You’ll learn how to find your nonfiction sweet spot, how to identify specific words and phrases that will resonate with your audience, how to craft a riveting book proposal, and how to begin TODAY building or growing your author platform.
You’ll also learn how to organize content in your how-to, self-help, or inspirational book, and how to follow a fool-proof complication/resolution formula if you are writing a true story. We’ll even talk about the three unbreakable rules of writing a powerful memoir.
We’ll work through a few game-changing worksheets and exercises, and there will be time for questions. And if you’re working on a manuscript, bring it! We want to make sure you get exactly what you need out of these sessions to take your nonfiction book from good to great!
Workshop 4B – How to Add More Humor to Your Writing (Saturday, 9:45 – 10:45)
You don’t have to be a stand-up comic to win with humor. Whatever you are writing—fiction, nonfiction, how-to articles, blog posts, stand-up comedy, sermons, or speeches—humor keeps readers engaged and on your side. The author of a dozen humorous, inspirational books for women, Karen has also written a humor column for Women of Faith and was named “The queen of good humor and common sense” by The Literary Guild. Join her as she shares inside secrets to delighting your reader with humor, regardless of your style or genre.
Click here for editorial needs and availability for paid critiques.
Amy Deardon
Author, Scientist, Former Skeptic
www.amydeardon.com
Publisher, Taegais Publishing LLC
Amy is an award-winning author, publisher, and budding online entrepreneur. She is eager to help writers take their words to the next level through story or nonfiction coaching/editing and guiding them through the self-publishing minefield. In her life B.C. (before children), she was a Ph.D. scientist under a different name who did bench research. Now married, she lives with her husband and two children near Washington, D.C.
Click here for editorial needs and availability for paid critiques.
Catherine DeVries
Publisher, Kregel Publications
Author
Catherine has 25 years of experience in the Christian publishing industry, including Zondervan, United Methodist Publishing House, and David C Cook. As Publisher at Kregel Publications, she is responsible for leading acquisitions through identifying subject areas and possible authors for new titles. She oversees the cultivation and maintenance of Kregel’s relationships with established authors and agents and pursues and develops relationships with new authors and agents. She also oversees and participates in the evaluation of book proposals for review by the Acquisitions Committee, leads Acquisitions Committee meetings, and negotiates contracts with authors and other rights-holders. Catherine is the author of 25 books.
Workshop 2D – Theological Accuracy in Nonfiction (Friday, 5:00 – 6:00)
Errors can creep into publications due to lack of theological attention. Catherine DeVries shows examples of this and offers ways to raise awareness and increase accuracy.
Workshop 3C – Ethnic Diversity in Fiction (Saturday, 9:45 – 10:45)
As a push for diversity is reshaping the publishing landscape, the need for sensitivity awareness and sensitivity readers is on the rise. The number of books about ethnic characters has risen over the last few years. From 10 percent in 2013 to more than a quarter of young adult and children’s books featured characters of color in 2016. This workshop will address questions such as: What is a sensitivity reader? Does my project need one? What does a sensitivity reader do?
Click here for editorial needs and availability for paid critiques.
Scoti Domeij
Acquisitions Editor
Blackside Publishing
Director, Springs Writers
Author
Scoti has held various responsibilities with 10 traditional publishers including author; editor; senior research assistant; copywriter; marketing director; and production, art, and design coordinator. As Director of Springs Writers, which offers monthly conference-quality workshops and bi-annual writing boot camps, Scoti’s passion is to help writers hone their skills, pursue their passion, and publish the story God embedded in their hearts.
She has published over 400 articles in such diverse periodicals as The New York Times, Southwest Art, School Daze, Sam Journal, Contemporary Christian Music, Focus on the Family magazine and other parenting magazines. She contributed to Violence of Action: The Untold Stories of the 75th Ranger Regiment in the War on Terror (Blackside Concepts), Love is a Verb and Heaven Touching Earth (Bethany House), Christmas Miracles (St. Martin’s Press), Extraordinary Answers to Prayer: In Times of Change (Guideposts), and The Mommy Diaries: Finding Yourself in the Daily Adventure (Revell). She authored Bible Heroes (Rainbow Publishers) and co-authored Wrong Way, Jonah (Harvest House Publishers) with Kay Arthur.
Scoti is the proud Gold Star mother of Army Ranger Sgt. First Class Kristoffer Domeij, KIA October 22, 2011, in Afghanistan on his 14th deployment, the most deployed soldier in American history to be killed in action. As a result of her loss, God opened the door for Scoti to become the Acquisitions Editor for Blackside Publishing. In her role as an editor and a contributing writer for Havok Journal, an online Huff-post-style journal targeted to and written by military personnel and veterans, Scoti opens conversations on subjects-you’re-not-supposed-to-talk-about.
Keynote – Writing through Life’s Tsunamis (Friday pm)
Deluged by stressful circumstances? Suffocated by a life-altering event? Is it possible to reclaim the oxygen of motivation to write when you’re drowning and can’t remember how to swim? When swallowed by a monster billow, discover how the salty psychology of seismic circumstances will unleash a tsunami of words to comfort others and point them to the Lord.
Continuing Session – Social Media for the Clueless Author
Everything you need to know without calling a kid. Using social media isn't an option—it's a matter of your book’s marketing life or death. If you recoil at the thought of social media, aren’t tech savvy, or just don’t know where or how to start, Scoti will help you evaluate which popular social media network will work for you, decipher must-know social media vocabulary, discover where your book’s readers hang-out and the best platform(s) to reach them, set-up your social media account(s) in one day, and deploy tools to manage social media and to make the best use of your time.
Click here for editorial needs.
David E. Fessenden
Publisher, Honeycomb House Publishing LLC
Freelance Editor, CLC Publications
Literary Agent, WordWise Media Services
Author, www.davefessenden.com
Dave has degrees in journalism and theology, and over 30 years of experience in writing and editing. He has served in editorial management positions for Christian book publishers and was regional editor for the largest Protestant weekly newspaper in the country. He has published seven books, written hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles, and edited numerous books. He is a frequent speaker at writers’ conferences. Two of his books, Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book: Concept to Contract and A Christian Writer’s Guide to the Book Proposal, are based on his experience in Christian publishing. The Case of the Exploding Speakeasy, Dave’s first novel, reflects his love for history and for the Sherlock Holmes stories of Arthur Conan-Doyle. Dave and his wife, Jacque, live in south-central Pennsylvania and have two adult sons.
Workshop T8 – Turn Your Preaching or Teaching into Writing (Thursday, 3:30 – 4:30)
Are you a preacher or teacher? Do you do public speaking of any sort? If so, you no doubt have wondered how to put the content of your messages, lectures, etc. into written form. This workshop helps you move beyond a mere transcript to a polished piece.
Click here for editorial needs and availability for paid critiques. And click here for genres he is interested in acquiring as an agent.
Linda Howard
Associate Publisher, Children and Youth
Tyndale House Publishers
As Associate Publisher for Children, Family, and Youth at Tyndale House Publishers, Linda brings an extensive background working with children’s products to her role, including Adventures in Odyssey and Faith That Sticks brands, teaching preschool, and serving as Assistant Director for the Community School of the Arts. Linda has the honor of working with top-selling authors Ann Voskamp, John Ortberg, and more. Her passion for bringing children to a deeper understanding of Christ drives her acquisitions choices. Helping authors to create products that start children on a path to spiritual maturity is a responsibility she takes seriously.
Workshop 1C – Middle Grade and YA Fiction (Friday, 3:45 – 4:45)
Come learn about the latest trends, hear what publishers are looking for, and come away with the tools to track what is happening in the industry for yourself.
Click here for editorial needs and availability for paid critiques.
Michael J. Klassen
President, Illumify Media Global
Author, Ghostwriter
Book Coach
Michael is a bestselling, award-winning ghostwriter, author, freelance writer; book coach; and publisher. He has worked on projects with authors as varied as former president Jimmy Carter (Lessons From Life Bible), Michael John Cusick (Surfing For God), and Rafael Cruz (A Time For Action). He has also served as the theological reviewer for over 30 study Bibles and worked on over 70 traditionally published works. His published works have sold millions of copies and can be found in nearly every Christian bookstore in America.
Continuing Session – Your Nonfiction Book: From Good to Great with Karen Linamen Bouchard
If you want to transform lives with your nonfiction book, there are steps you need to take long before you type your opening sentence—and steps you need to continue taking after your book hits the shelves. Michael and Karen break it all down and share practical strategies you can follow at every stage.
You’ll learn how to find your nonfiction sweet spot, how to identify specific words and phrases that will resonate with your audience, how to craft a riveting book proposal, and how to begin TODAY building or growing your author platform.
You’ll also learn how to organize content in your how-to, self-help, or inspirational book, and how to follow a fool-proof complication/resolution formula if you are writing a true story. We’ll even talk about the three unbreakable rules of writing a powerful memoir.
We’ll work through a few game-changing worksheets and exercises, and there will be time for questions. And if you’re working on a manuscript, bring it! We want to make sure you get exactly what you need out of these sessions to take your nonfiction book from good to great!
Workshop 1B – How to Handle the Word of Truth (Friday, 3:45 – 4:45)
God’s Word changes lives. Knowing how to rightly handle the Word of Truth enables you to change lives without being misguided, mistaken, or manipulative. Michael will help you steer clear of common word-study mistakes, interpretation errors, and logical fallacies. He’ll also explain the differences in Bible translations and review software and websites that will help you dig deeper into God’s Word. The good news is, you don’t need to be a seminary graduate to incorporate God’s life-changing Word into your writing!
Click here for editorial needs and availability for paid critiques.
Edwina Perkins
Managing Editor
Harambee Press
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
Award-winning Writer
Speaker, Freelance Editor
Edwina is an award-winning writer, experienced teacher, speaker, and freelance editor and writer. She served on the Word Weavers Orlando Leadership Team and now is a part of the Word Weavers International Advisory Committee. She worked as a content editor with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas and is currently the Managing Editor for Harambee Press—LPC’s ethnic voices imprint which seeks to publish ethnic writers. She is also a contributing writer to Guideposts. Edwina is a wife, mother of four adult children, grandmother of two, and owner of a 16-year-old bichon poodle mix who believes the world revolves around him. Sometimes it does.
Workshop 2B – Your Writer's Voice (Friday, 5:00 – 6:00)
Voice is style, plus theme, plus personal observations, plus passion, plus belief, plus desire. Voice is bleeding onto the page, and it can be a powerful, frightening, naked experience. In this session, we will address techniques to help you developing your writer’s voice.
Click here for editorial needs and availability for paid critiques.
JP Robinson
CEO, Logos Publications
Author, Teacher, Historian
Inspirational Speaker
jprobinsonbooks.com
Author, teacher, historian, and international speaker, JP began writing as a teen for the Times Beacon Records newspaper in New York and won local recognition for his literary works. His historical fiction novels are high-adrenaline plots laced with unexpected twists. He is CEO of Logos Publications.
Workshop T3 – Resurrect the Past (Thursday, 1:00 – 2:00)
Combining scriptural principles with engaging dialogue, JP will talk about the art of researching and writing historical/biblical fiction, memoirs, or biographies. This dynamic workshop also targets tough questions, such as what to include—and exclude—when writing about the past.
Workshop 3E – Turn Your Writing into a Business (Saturday, 9:45 – 10:45)
What happens after your book rolls off the printing press or you hit "publish" on KDP? These days, both traditionally published and indie authors are expected to market and sell their own books. Every author has a message and the potential to reach the masses. Discover free to affordable strategies that will help you market to your full potential.
Click here for areas of expertise and availability for paid critiques.
Bill Watkins
Senior Editor
BroadStreet Publishing Group
President, Literary Solutions
Author
Bill is the president of Literary Solutions and senior editor at BroadStreet Publishing Group. He is an award-winning author with 7 published books and about 150 other kinds of writing, including essays, articles, dictionary entries, booklets, pamphlets, study guides, book reviews, and opinion pieces.
In his editing work, which has often included book acquisitions, he has worked with Thomas Nelson, Marvel, Bethany House, Baker Books, Chalice Press, Moody Press, NavPress, Broadman & Holman, Authentic, Servant, and the American Center for Law and Justice.
Bill loves to teach and mentor aspiring writers, and he has worked with hundreds of writers, helping a large number of them find publishing homes for their manuscripts. In his 35-plus years in publishing, he has worked with such authors as Mike Huckabee (the former governor of Arkansas), William Bennett (the former US Secretary of Education), Charles R. Swindoll, Josh McDowell, Norman L. Geisler, Leslie Vernick, Paula Rinehart, William Lane Craig, J. P. Moreland, Dallas Willard, Peter Kreeft, Gary Habermas, Cecil Murphey, Jo Kadlecek, and George Grant.
Bill is married and has 7 adult children and 6 grandchildren. He enjoys reading, movies, deep conversations, dating his wife, playing with his grandkids, and teaching every chance he gets.
Continuing Session – Write the Truth
American culture is growing increasingly dark and pagan. And hatred toward Christians is on the rise. What is going on, and what can Christian writers do about it? “Write the Truth” will answer this question, first by exploring the state of American culture and the church. Second, we will explain why Christians are increasingly hated and why nice won’t fix this. Finally, we will spend most of our time articulating what we, as Christian writers, can do to effectively engage our culture for Christ.
Click here for editorial needs and availability for paid critiques.
W. Terry Whalin
Acquisitions Editor
Morgan James Publishing
Author
Terry understands both sides of the editorial desk – as an editor and a writer. He worked as a magazine editor and his work has appeared in more than 50 publications. Terry is an Acquisitions Editor at Morgan James Publishing. A former literary agent, Terry has acquired books at two other publishing houses and been in publishing over 25 years. He has written more than 60 books through traditional publishers in a wide range of topics from children’s books to biographies to co-authored books. Several of Terry’s books have sold over 100,000 copies. Terry’s newest book, 10 Publishing Myths, is packed with insight. Terry has an innovative online training course to help authors effectively connect with literary agents and editors called “Write A Book Proposal.” Terry is a popular speaker and teacher at numerous writers’ conferences and an active member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors.
Continuing Session – Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams
In today’s competitive marketplace, to get published, you need three elements: insider knowledge about how book editors, magazine editors, and agents work; how to provide these professionals what they expect; and finally, strong storytelling skills. Terry has been in publishing for decades in almost every different role (magazine, book editor, literary agent, author). He will give you the insider information you need to jumpstart your publishing life. He will cover characteristics of successful writers, understanding and negotiating a book contract, building a platform, and much more.
Click here for editorial needs and availability for paid critiques.
Lisa Betz
Managing Editor
AlmostanAuthor.com
Writer, Speaker
Lisa is a writer and speaker who loves to encourage fellow writers to be intentional about their craft and courageous in sharing their words with others. Lisa worked as an engineer and substitute teacher before focusing on writing as vocation. She writes articles, dramas, and historical mysteries set in Ancient Rome. In her spare time she leads Bible studies, directs dramas, and volunteers at her local library. She is presently Managing Editor of Almost an Author, which has been listed in Writer’s Digest Top 101 Best Websites for Writers several years running.
Click here for editorial needs.
Karen Linamen Bouchard
Editor, Power for Living
Acquisitions Editor
Illumify Media Global
Best-selling Author, National Speaker
Karen is a bestselling author, national speaker, editor of David C Cook’s Power for Living magazine, and Acquisitions Editor with Illumify Media, a publishing company currently contracting 20-30 titles annually. She also provides one-on-one coaching to writers—published and not published—of all genres who want to polish their craft, publish their books, or grow their platforms. Karen has more than 30 years’ experience in writing and publishing, having written hundreds of magazine articles and authored fifteen books of her own under the name “Karen Linamen.” Her books include the bestselling Just Hand Over the Chocolate and No One Will Get Hurt, The Chocolate Diaries, Sometimes I Wake Up Grumpy (And Sometimes I Let Him Sleep), and many more.
Continuing Session – Your Nonfiction Book: From Good to Great with Michael J. Klassen
If you want to transform lives with your nonfiction book, there are steps you need to take long before you type your opening sentence—and steps you need to continue taking after your book hits the shelves. Michael and Karen break it all down and share practical strategies you can follow at every stage.
You’ll learn how to find your nonfiction sweet spot, how to identify specific words and phrases that will resonate with your audience, how to craft a riveting book proposal, and how to begin TODAY building or growing your author platform.
You’ll also learn how to organize content in your how-to, self-help, or inspirational book, and how to follow a fool-proof complication/resolution formula if you are writing a true story. We’ll even talk about the three unbreakable rules of writing a powerful memoir.
We’ll work through a few game-changing worksheets and exercises, and there will be time for questions. And if you’re working on a manuscript, bring it! We want to make sure you get exactly what you need out of these sessions to take your nonfiction book from good to great!
Workshop 4B – How to Add More Humor to Your Writing (Saturday, 2:45 – 3:45)
You don’t have to be a stand-up comic to win with humor. Whatever you are writing—fiction, nonfiction, how-to articles, blog posts, stand-up comedy, sermons or speeches—humor keeps readers engaged and on your side. The author of a dozen humorous, inspirational books for women, Karen has also written a humor column for Women of Faith and was named “The queen of good humor and common sense” by The Literary Guild. Join her as she shares inside secrets to delighting your reader with humor, regardless of your style or genre.
Click here for editorial needs and availability for paid critiques.
Dr. Charles W. Christian
Strategic Communications Coordinator
Church of the Nazarene USA/Canada
Managing Editor, Holiness Today and
Grace and Peace Magazine
Charles has served as a minister in the Church of the Nazarene for over 25 years. For over 20 years, he has also served as a professor at a wide range of universities and seminaries. His background is in theology and ethics, and he has had over 60 articles and reviews published, has contributed to several books, and his most recent book is entitled, Ethics in Christian Ministry: A Guide for Pastors and Mentors (Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 2017). Currently, Dr. Christian serves as managing editor of Holiness Today (the official magazine of the Church of the Nazarene) and of Grace & Peace (the official clergy journal of the Church of the Nazarene). Charles, along with his wife Edna and their two sons, resides in Cameron, Missouri.
Workshop T10 – Academic vs. Popular Writing: Navigating the Terrain (Thursday, 4:45 – 6:00)
This workshop gives characteristics of each type of writing and assists writers who may want to venture further into academic writing (i.e., writing for specialized academic publications). It also gives ideas about writing for a variety of popular magazines.
Workshop 3D – Writing Articles and Getting Them Published (Saturday, 9:45 – 10:45)
This is a basic overview for beginning writers, but it also includes creative ideas for experienced writers in regard to overcoming obstacles.
Click here for editorial needs and availability for paid critiques.
Terrence Clark
Founder & Chief Editor
The Glory Cloud Publications, LLC
Voice of One Online magazine
Creator of Club K4C
Minister, Elder, Author, Cartoonist
Terrence is a multi-talented and diverse minister and speaker. He is the founder of The Glory Cloud publications LLC and Voice of One CNC magazine—reporting on miracles, testimonies, and stories in the Christian community. He is the creator of ClubK4C, a multifaceted kids’ club which promotes wholesome virtues to kids throughout the world via the arts & media. This includes a 24/7 kids’ radio network and new kids’ magazine.
He is also a published author, cartoonist, and playwright. He is a powerful but smooth anointed vocalist ministering in music at many different churches, conferences, and events including television.
Terrence has a passion for helping people tell their story. He is a certified Life Coach and TGC publications helps authors develop their story from thought to print.
He has walked with the Lord and ministered for over 34 years serving at 2 churches in NJ. He has spent 28 years in corporate America and in leadership for 12. He has spoken at multiple churches, conferences, and workshops.
Married to Linda, they have 4 children, 6 grandchildren, and reside in Williamstown, NJ. They have opened their home, in the past, to teens, the homeless, and single women with children.
Summarized, Terrence’s ministry is communicating the gospel through every available means, thus making a difference and silencing all opposing doubts. Highlighting Luke 4:18-19, his life and mission stands upon the Word of God.
Workshop 1A – Give Purpose & Intent to Your Writing (Friday, 3:45 – 4:45)
Click here for editorial needs.
Minister Deanna L. Garlic M.A.
Founder & Chief Editor
Stay Focused Magazine
Editor, South Jersey Christian Voice
Deanna is the Executive Director and Founder of Stay Focused Magazine, Inc., a NJ nonprofit corporation. Through her coaching business she provides leadership skills, administrative management, and Christian focused support to various types of businesses, individuals, churches, and community organizations. The vision of Stay Focused Magazine, Inc. is to see you and your business prosper using principles of the Christian faith.
Deanna has over 21 years combined of direct service and working as an administrator fighting for children’s and parent’s rights both preventing and intervening in child abuse and neglect matters. Deanna also spent ten years working with Parents Anonymous of New Jersey, Inc., whose mission is the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. She served there as Coordinator of the 24-hour hotline, Volunteer Recruiter and Trainer, and Program Director of the Southern Region of New Jersey. She is trained in several parenting curriculums: Active Parenting, Effective Black Parenting, Nurturing Fatherhood, Dr. Dad, and 24/7 Dad to name a few.
Click here for editorial needs and availability for paid critiques.
Debbie Hardy
Representative, ChristianDevotions.us
Author, Speaker
Queen of Resilience
www.debbiehardy.com
Debbie, the Queen of Resilience, didn’t start writing until age 57. Since then, she has published three books; written devotions, blogs, and magazine articles; contributed to anthologies; and been interviewed on radio and TV over 200 times. A Colorado resident and accomplished pianist, Debbie is a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, National Speakers Association of Colorado, and writers groups where she mentors aspiring authors. She speaks at women’s meetings, retreats, and conferences, sharing ideas on how to fight age and become fabulous. Gramma Debbie is proof that you’re never too old to live your dream.
Workshop 4G – Write Devotionals and Get Published (Saturday, 2:45 – 3:45)
Learn to write concisely, share your experiences, and, most importantly, touch hearts and change lives through devotionals.
Click here for editorial needs and availability for paid critiques.
Stephen O’Rear
Associate Editor
Focus on the Family Clubhouse Magazine
Stephen writes for the hopeless middle-school nerd in all of us. An editor at Focus on the Family's Clubhouse Magazine since 2011, he specializes in puzzle-writing, story structure, and all things delightfully strange. He co-authored the children's comic Captain Absolutely, four-time EPA winner for Best Cartoon.
Workshop 1G – Writing for Focus on the Family (Friday, 3:45 – 4:45)
Focus on the Family produces four magazines, books on marriage and parenting, multiple websites, and the beloved radio drama “Adventures in Odyssey.” If you write biblical content for any age, we want to see it! This class reviews the submission guidelines and content needs for Clubhouse and Brio magazines, Boundless.org, and other Focus properties.
Teens Write – teaching a workshop on Saturday.
Click here for editorial needs and availability for paid critiques.
Karen Whiting
Representative, The Kids’ Ark
Award-winning Author
International Speaker
Karen has a passion for encouraging and helping writers. She writes to grow tomorrow's families today. She is an international speaker, the author of 25 books and more than 700 articles, a former television host, and a certified writing/marketing coach. When she's not writing, she enjoys adventure including Zumba, white-water rafting, riding camels, and cycling.
Learning Lab LL4 – Develop a Unique Marketing Plan (Thursday, 1:00 – 4:30)
Part 1: Polish your pitch into a power statement that shows the purpose, target audience, benefits, and uniqueness of your book idea, in one sentence.
Part 2: Develop a unique marketing plan that builds your platform and utilizes your strengths. This includes identifying how to reach your target audience, coordinate promotional efforts, follow a promotional timeline, use a spreadsheet to track marketing, and choose where to invest your efforts for maximum impact.
Workshop 1E – Creating a Book Proposal (Friday, 3:45 – 4:45)
The proposal shapes the book and marketing; and that makes it a valuable tool even if you go indie. The workshop will cover:
Workshop 4E – Heading Home with a Plan (Saturday, 2:45 – 3:45)
Don’t leave the conference without a plan or goals. Learn how to continue taking advantage of the conference long after it ends.
Click here for editorial needs and availability for paid critiques.