Book Editors
All times are Eastern Daylight Savings Time
Candy Abbott
Owner, Fruitbearer Publishing LLC
Author, Inspirational Speaker
Candy is an author, publisher, inspirational speaker, and grandmom. But most of all, she sees herself as a “fruitbearer” as it is her life’s goal to exhibit the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) in all that she does. She began writing in 1983, around the same time she co-founded Sisters in Christ, a women's prayer group. Candy is a charter member of Southern Delaware Toastmasters, and founder of Delmarva Christian Writers’ Fellowship. In January 2014, Candy founded Mothers With a Mission, an organization devoted to strengthening the moral and spiritual foundation of our homes, families, and communities. She owns and operates Fruitbearer Publishing LLC, an award-winning company, established in 1999. She is recently widowed and has three children, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, all near her home in Georgetown, Delaware. For more information visit www.fruitbearer.com.
Lunchtime Small Group Q&A – Fruitbearer Publishing Saturday 1:10 – 1:55
FICTION: Action/Adventure, Biblical Fiction, Contemporary, Fantasy/Speculative/Sci-Fi, General Market, Historical, Historical Romance, Inspirational, Issues Fiction, Legal/Political Thrillers, Literary, Romance, Romantic Comedy, Southern, Suspense/Crime/Mystery, Women’s Fiction
NONFICTION: Apologetics, Bible Studies, Biographies & Profiles, Christian Living/Ministry/Evangelism, Church Growth/Life/Renewal, Culture/Contemporary Issues, Curriculum/How-To/Teaching, Devotionals, Discipleship/Personal Growth, Gift Books, Marriage/Family/Parenting, Memoir/Personal Experience, Men’s Books, Prayer & Spiritual Warfare, Women’s Issues
CHILDREN & YA: Activity Books, Biographies, Chapter Books, Devotionals, Early Readers, Graphic Novels, Middle Grade Fiction,
OTHER: Humor, Poetry
Helpful Tips: Especially interested books for men, fathers, and teen boys
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 (Thursday, 2:45-3:45)
What constitutes an inspirational romance, and how far can a Christian writer realistically go with the romance between a man and a woman?
Susan Baganz Lodwick—Pelican Book Group
URL, Guidelines for Writers: http://pelicanbookgroup.com
FICTION: Contemporary* Historical Romance*Inspirational* Romance*Romantic Suspense*Romantic Comedy
NONFICTION: NONE
CHILDREN & YA: NONE
OTHER: NONE
Helpful Tips: I don’t take Amish Fiction. You can come brainstorm with me without pitching a story. I only request a manuscript if the book is completed.
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 more than 30 years). She is also the compiler/editor of four books.
Pre-conference Webinar – Nonfiction One Sheet
What to include and why this information is needed to interest an agent or editor in your book.
Lunchtime Small Group Q&A – Ampelos Press Saturday 1:10 – 1:55
Marlene Bagnull—Ampelos Press
URL: www.writehisanswer.com/ampelospress
FICTION: Issues Fiction
NONFICTION: Culture, Contemporary Issues, Memoir, Personal Experience
GREATEST EDITORIAL NEEDS: I’m 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.
Helpful TIPS: Ampelos Press publishes only one or two titles a year.
Karen Linamen Bouchard
Acquisitions Editor
Illumify Media Global
Editor, Power for Living
Best-selling Author, National Speaker
WordNinjas.com – Online Coaching & Training
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 – Go Indie, Part 3 & 4, Taking Your Self-Publishing from Good to Great: 6 Deadly Self-Publishing Mistakes and How to Fix Them (Friday, 10:30-11:45 and 4:10:5:15)
Publishing your own book may sound like a great idea – and it can be – IF you know how to avoid 6 major pitfalls that keep many self-published books from “WOW!”ing their audiences. Karen and Michael will identify deadly mistakes made by many self-published authors and provide simple fixes that will give your book a competitive advance in the marketplace. Topics will include:
Workshop 2B – Taking Your Craft to The Next Level: Quick Fixes For 7 Writing Mistakes Even Great Writers Make (Thursday 2:45-3:45)
Whether you’re a novice or veteran writer, how do you take your craft to the next level? It can be challenging to do on your own because if you’re not aware of mistakes you’re making, simply writing more may mean practicing the same mistakes over and over.
As a book coach and editor, I see the same mistakes made repeatedly in the work of novices and professional writers alike.
Many of the writing mistakes I cover in this workshop are easy to overlook, even for professional writers. You have a nagging feeling that your chapter, article, or blog post isn’t as powerful as you’d hoped it would be, but you can’t quite pinpoint where the problem lies.
In this workshop, I look at both the structural level of writing, and the word level, and point out common and often hard-to-spot mistakes made at each level. I also talk about how your reader’s experience is compromised in different ways when you make mistakes at the word level vs the structural level. Finally, I tell you exactly how to recognize and fix each mistake.
Workshop 5F - How to Write Great Marketing Copy and Get Your Work the Attention it Deserves! (Saturday, 11:50-12:50)
Do you know how to write persuasive copy that will:
From back cover copy to marketing emails, Facebook ads to web copy, you need to be able to write riveting copy that captures the imagination and inspires your reader to action. But writing good marketing copy is a different animal than writing articles or books. Karen is a bestselling author and professional copywriter, and in this workshop she’s going to walk you through the best-practices of crafting persuasive marketing copy. Whatever your genre or message, knowing how to write great copy can help you WOW editors and grow—and keep—your readership.
Dinner Small Group Q&A – Word Ninjas Friday 6:30 – 7:15
Lunchtime Small Group Q&A – Illumify Media Global – Saturday 1:10 – 1:55
Karen Bouchard—Illumify Media
URL, Guidelines for Writers: www.illumifymedia.com
FICTION: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Fantasy/Speculative/Sci-Fi, General Market, Inspirational, Legal/Political Thrillers, Suspense/Crime/Mystery, Women’s Fiction
NONFICTION: Articles, Christian Living/Ministry/Evangelism, Culture/Contemporary Issues, Devotionals, Discipleship/Personal Growth, Marriage/Family/Parenting, Memoir/Personal Experience, Prayer & Spiritual Warfare, Women’s Interests
CHILDREN & YA: Older Teens/YA Fiction
Greatest Editorial Needs: I work with writers of all genres but right now am particularly interested in working with authors of YA Fiction, Memoirs, Women's Interests, Devotionals.
Helpful TIPS: Illumify is a hybrid publisher open to most genres.
Larry A. Carpenter
Chairman and CEO
Christian Book Services LLC
Carpenter’s Son Publishing
Clovercroft Publishing
Larry serves as the Chairman and CEO of Christian Book Services. Through their three publishing imprints, Carpenter’s Son Publishing, Clovercroft Publishing, and Sports Publishing Group, Carpenter’s company helps authors independently publish their books. Larry has an MBA from the University of North Carolina. He began his career in package goods marketing at Procter & Gamble and Campbell Soup Company. He entered the book business, joining Ingram Book Company as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing in 1987. He was promoted to President and CEO of Ingram’s Spring Arbor division in 1997. In 2000, he started his own distribution company, FaithWorks. After FaithWorks was purchased by STL Distribution, Larry joined Thomas Nelson as Vice President of Marketing. In 2008, he became President and Publisher of Standard Publishing. He started Christian Book Services in 2010.
Continuing Session – Go Indie, Part 1, Introduction to Hybrid Publishing (Thursday, 10:30-11:45)
Traditional publishing contracts are hard to get, take away the author's control and provide little profit. Self-Publishing has quality concerns and lacks a sales force to get books in to bookstores. Hybrid publishing offers quality editing and design, restores control and rights back to the author, offers a top-of-the-line sales force to get your book in to stores, and offers the highest sales proceeds in the industry. Come see if this, the fastest growing segment of the publishing industry, works for you.
Lunchtime Small Group Q&A– Christian Book Services LLC – Saturday 1:10 – 1:55
Larry Carpenter, Chairman and CEO—Carpenter’s Son Publishing
URL: www.carpenterssonpublishing.com
FICTION: All Fiction Genres
NONFICTION: All Nonfiction Genres except for Articles
CHILDREN & YA: All Children and YA Genres
Greatest Editorial Needs: Sales of all genres were up in 2020. Christian Living is our bestselling category. But our children's books are always popular.
Overworked Topics: Memoirs from unknown authors are a tough sell to the bookstore buyers. However, if the author has a good platform (e.g. followers, speaking engagements, etc.) they can have strong direct-to-consumer sales.
Helpful Tips: Look in to getting a good content editor. A good copy edit is a must.
Leona Choy
Publisher, Golden Morning Publishing
Author, Broadcaster, Writing Coach
www.leonachoy.com
Leona served with her late husband Ted in mission, church, and university campus ministry and as
educational consultant in Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and the United States.
She was born in Iowa of Czech parents and graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois where she met her husband.
One of the co-founders of Ambassadors For Christ, Inc., a campus ministry among Chinese university students and scholars in North America, her quarter century of service with AFC was administrative and editorial.
Leona's numerous trips to the People's Republic of China were as a guide and escort for groups of American visitors, in private ministry with her husband to Christians in China, and as an English teaching consultant.
For 30 years she served as president of the Board of WTRM-FM (Southern Light Gospel Music Network) in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia on which she produced her daily radio program for five years.
For more than two decades she has been editorial director of Golden Morning Publishing which she established with her son, Rick.
Leona is the writer, editor and collaborator of more than 50 books and foreign language editions. Her two new books pictured will be off the press by conference time.
Four adult sons, 10 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren keep her busy when she is not in her writing studio in Winchester, Virginia where she lives.
For reviews and to place orders for her books or to inquire about her coaching, editing and book production services, view her all-inclusive author website: www.leonachoy.com. She may be reached at leonachoy@gmail.com, 540-877-1813 and at Golden Morning Publishing, PO Box 2697, Winchester, VA 22604.
Keynote – A Target on Our Back (Thursday, 7:30 pm)
As writers who are Christians, we can't afford to stand down, to back off from writing honest words in appropriate ways. God hasn’t called us to live or write on the safe side by avoiding controversial topics and issues of the day. We must tackle edgy subject matter. Wimpy writers don’t advance God’s Kingdom causes. Let's stand our ground and stand up for our faith and truth and righteousness. God has not yet called us to shed blood—so what, if we stand out with a target on our back for Christ and for righteousness? Is it such a big deal if we get “cancelled” or deplatformed or a publisher rejects our manuscript for not conforming to today’s p.c.? When we see deception and fakery, God is counting on us to pray and write well with courage. Remember, we are first of all “Writing for The Supreme Editor”!
Dinner Small Group Q&A – Writing Coach – Friday 6:30 – 7:15
Leona Choy—Golden Morning Publishing
URL: www.leonachoy.com
NONFICTION: All nonfiction genres
SPECIALTIES: Memoirs: Selfie writing, Poetry--who writes it anymore?, Super-blogging compiled into a book, Self-publishing and P.O.D., Ghostwriting secrets, Avoiding publishing scams, Self-editing before submitting, Morphing devotionals/inspirationals into a book, Book cover designs that shout "Buy me!", Fantasy & Personification, Niche writing, Markets for personal experience stories, Homespun family writing, Biographies.
ABOUT: Golden Morning Publishing is an INDIE publisher, encompassing the entire production of a book from a writer's well-edited, submitted manuscript all the way to holding their finished book in their hands.
As your cheerleader writing coach, Leona loves to see you fulfill your dream of (self) publishing your first book on a tight budget!
Amy Deardon
Author, Scientist, Former Skeptic
www.amydeardon.com
Publisher, EBook Conversion & Listing Services
Author
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 one child near Washington, D.C.
Continuing Session – Go Indie, Part 6, How to to Design Your Book Cover and Write Your Title and Back Cover Copy (Saturday, 3:15-4:30)
Make your book stand out from the crowd with irresistible book cover, title, and back cover copy. Studies have shown that if you are not a name author, these three factors are the most critical to entice a reader into looking closer at your book and making that sale. This workshop discusses how to create or find an affordable book cover, and tropes, guidelines, and keywords when writing descriptions that intrigue your reader into pushing the “Buy Now” button. Bring your titles and back cover copy to class so we can help you improve it.
Workshop 1A – Overcome Writer’s Block and Increase Productivity (Thursday, 11:50-12:50)
This practical class will separate the parts of the writing process and give you a list of specific actions to take when blocked so you can finish your project fast and well.
Lunchtime Small Group Q&A – EABook Listing – Amy Deardon
Amy Deardon—EBook Listing Services
URL, Guidelines for Writers: www.ebooklistingservices.com
FICTION: ALL Fiction Genres
NONFICTION: ALL NonFiction Genres
CHILDREN & YA: Biographies, Chapter Books, Devotionals, Early Readers-Fiction and Nonfiction, Middle Grade & Tween-Fiction and Nonfiction, Older Teens/YA Fiction and Nonfiction
EBook Listing Services is not a subsidy or hybrid. Rather, our company helps you SELF-publish, where you alone make all decisions, keep all rights and profits, and buy books/ebooks yourself at the lowest "printer's price." We believe in empowering YOU to be the publisher rather than publishing under another imprint or company.
Scoti Domeij—no appts
Publisher 
Blackside Publishing
Author, Editor
Gold Star Mom
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 and now publisher 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.
Workshop 3D – Verb Power (Friday, 11:50-12:50)
Are your sentences dying by verbicide? Verbs, the heartbeat of the sentence, pulse life through the body of your story or infuse life into your prose. Strengthen your writing voice. Discover how to turn passive verbs into action and picture verbs.
Scoti Domeij—Blackside Publishing
URL, Guidelines for Writers: http://www.blacksidepublishing.com/authors
David E. Fessenden
Publisher, Honeycomb House Publishing LLC
Editorial Coordinator, 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.
Continuing Session – Go Indie, Part 5, Front Matter, Back Matter – Yes, It Does Matter! (Saturday, 10:30-11:45)
The very beginning and very end of your manuscript are critical areas. The front matter (foreword, preface, acknowledgments, etc.) creates a first impression, and the back matter (appendices, endnotes, etc.) shows your attention to detail. Here’s how to do it right.
Workshop 6E – The Publishing Contract (Saturday, 2:00-3:00)
Just when you are rejoicing that your book is going to be published, you receive a thick evelope in the mail with the contract. This workshop explains the clauses in a standad book contract, from a layperson’s perspective. Disclaimer: Dave is not a lawyer and does not dispense legal advice!
Lunchtime Small Group Q&A – Honeycomb House Publishing – Saturday 1:10 – 1:55
URL: Guidelines for Writers: https://www.clcpublications.com/about/prospective-authors-submissions/
FICTION: None
NONFICTION: Bible Studies, Christian Living/Ministry/Evangelism, Church Growth/Life/Renewal, Culture/Contemporary Issues, Curriculum/How-To/Teaching, Devotionals, Discipleship/Personal Growth, Prayer & Spiritual Warfare
CHILDREN & YA: None
OTHER: None
Greatest Editorial Needs: Books on growing deeper in your Christian life
Overworked topics: Devotionals, how to become a Christian, basics for new Christians. We want books that reflect the apostle Paul's priority of going beyond elementary principles of faith and on to maturity (see Hebrews 6:1).
Helpful Tips: We are happy to review book proposals, with or without a partial or complete manuscript. No manuscript will be considered, however, without a book proposal. We are especially interested in books that reflect the author's serious study of Scripture.
___________________
2. David Fessenden—Honeycomb House Publishing, LLC
URL: Guidelines for Writers: https://www.davefessenden.com/honeycomb-house-publishing-llc
FICTION: All Fiction Genres
NONFICTION: All NonFiction Genres
CHILDREN & YA: All Children’s & YA Genres
OTHER: Gift Books, Humor, Poetry
Greatest Editorial Needs: We take our stand on Proverbs 16:24, “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” We are looking for clients with gracious words to publish, words that bring spiritual sweetness and healing.
Helpful Tips: Honeycomb House Publishing LLC is a Christian subsidy publishing house, assisting authors to publish their books at their own expense, so they can reap the full profit on the sale of their books. Looking to self-publish? Let us guide you through the maze. We believe there really is no such thing as pure self-publishing, because no one can publish a book entirely on their own.
Linda Goldfarb
Acquisitions Editor
Director, AudioBook Division
EABooks Publishing
Voice Professional
Author
Linda works with EABooks Publishing as the Audiobook Division Director, Acquisitions Editor, and Voice Professional. She loves helping writers and speakers take God’s next best step to reaching their publishing goals and beyond.
As the podcast host of Your Best Writing Life, Linda interviews industry experts weekly, keeping her current with all things writing related. She is also an award-winning author of the LINKED® Quick Guide to Personalities series, international speaker, professional actress, podcaster, and audiobook narrator. She is a traditionally and independently published author who holds a board-certified advanced diploma in Christian life coaching.
Continuing Session – Go Indie, Part 2, Understanding the Do-It-Yourself Process (Thursday, 4:00-5:15)
We'll look at the various things you need to master if you're going to indie-publish a print book.
Lunchtime Small Group Q&A– AWSA Coaches – Thursday 1:00 – 1:45
Lunchtime Small Group Q&A– EA Books – Saturday 1:10 – 1:55
Linda Goldfarb—EABooks Publishing
URL: www.eabookspublishing.com
FICTION: All Fiction Genres
NONFICTION: All Nonfiction Genres
CHILDREN & YA: Chapter Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Fiction, Nonfiction Ages 6-8, Nonfiction Ages 9-12, Picture Books, Older Teens/YA Fiction, Tweens Fiction
Greatest Editorial Needs: EABooks Publishing offers partnership publishing to authors desiring to self-publish.
Helpful Tips: I am happy to discuss your publishing options.
Deb Haggerty
Publisher & Editor in Chief
Elk Lake Publishing
Author
Blog: PositiveGrace.com
Deb is Publisher and Editor in Chief of Elk Lake Publishing, Inc., a traditional, royalty-paying Christian publisher that “Publishes the Positive.”
A published author, blogger, and professional speaker, she’s been writing stories for over 45 years. In 2019, she released two books: Experiencing God’s Love in a Broken World—A Spiritual Journey, co-written with her husband, Roy, and These Are the Days of My Life, a memoir with a bonus section of business tips.
Workshop 1E – Publishing 101 (Thursday, 11:50-12:50 – LIVE)
Presenting yourself and your work successfully to an editor/publisher requires certain skills and documents. Ways to ensure you make that very important great first impression will be discussed along with tips and techniques to aid in the creative process. This is an interactive workshop with questions and discussion actively encouraged. Participants will:
Workshop 3A – The Business of Writing/Editing (Saturday, 12:00-1:00 – LIVE)
When you turn on your computer to write, you are in business. Robert Benson has said every writer wears three hats—author, editor, and marketer. This workshop will cover what an author needs to know to set themselves up in business properly and to avoid mistakes that may befall them.
The topics covered will be business formats—their advantages and disadvantages; local and state rules for businesses such as sales taxes and business licenses; professionals you need in your camp; tracking—time, expenses, space; advertising/marketing vs. return on investment; networking with other writers; logos and service marks, DBAs vs name.
Deb Haggery—Elk Lake Publishing
URL—Guidelines for Writers: http://elklakepublishinginc.com
FICTION: All Fiction Genres
NONFICTION: Christian Living/Ministry/Evangelism, Church Growth, Life, Renewal, Culture/Contemporary Issues, Curriculum, Discipleship/Personal Growth, Marriage/Family/Parenting, Men’s Books, Prayer & Spiritual Warfare, Women’s Interests
CHILDREN & YA: Chapter Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Fiction, Nonfiction Ages 6-8, Nonfiction Ages 9-12, Picture Books, Older Teens/YA Fiction, Tweens Fiction (NO Proposals for Picture books until 2022.)
Greatest Needs: Fiction in the fantasy/sci-fi/speculative arena as well as suspense/crime/mystery
Overworked topics: Most Nonfiction
Helpful TIPS: 90% of what we contract for is fiction. Unless the nonfiction is highly unusual, don't pitch to me.
Pam Halter
Editor, Fruitbearer Publishing
Author, pamhalter.com
Children’s author Pam Halter and illustrator Kim Sponaugle are the creative team behind the Willoughby and Friends series, starring a young, somewhat clumsy, gentle dragon named Willoughby. The first book, Willoughby and the Terribly Itchy Itch (Fruitbearer Kids), won a Realm Award. Pam and Kim have been working together since 1995.
Before Pam could put thoughts on paper, she created stories for her younger sister and story lines for our dolls to act out. As she got older, she wrote skits for Girl Scouts and the church youth group. An avid reader, Pam devoured every book she could get my hands on and finished many of them by flashlight under the canopy of her blanket, well past my bedtime.
Life interrupts our dreams sometimes, and for a long while, Pam forgot she wanted to write. But in the spring of 1994, she had a late-term miscarriage. She was encouraged to write as an attempt to deal with her grief.She wrote a poem. Then another and another. She got an idea for a series of picture books for little girls. The love of writing welled up in her once more, and she began to write children’s books. Her first picture book, Beatrice Loses Her Doll, was picked up by Concordia Publishing House in 1998 and released in 2001.
Pam was selected to attend the Highlights Whole Novel Workshop for Fantasy in 2010, was named Writer of the Year in 2014 at the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, and won the Reader’s Choice Award in the short story contest hosted by Realm Makers and Brimstone Fiction in 2015. Her first YA fantasy novel, Fairyeater, was published in 2018.
Today Pam is a mom, grandmother, writer, and editor. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Daryl, special needs adult daughter, Anna, and four cats.
Dinner Small Group Q&A – Writing for Kids – Friday 1:00 – 1:45
Lunchtime Small Group Q&A – Fruitbearer Publishing – Saturday 1:10 – 1:55
Continuing Session – Picture Books Clinic with Kim Sponaugle
Read it again, please! Writing for kids is not easy. Authors have to keep kids interested and entertain the adult who will be reading to them. They also need to write in such a way as to inspire an illustrator they may never meet. Illustrators need stories that create pictures in their minds. Pam and Kim, an award-winning author/illustrator team, will break down the picture book process in such a way that participants will leave with a manuscript that is ready to submit to a traditional house or to self-publish with confidence.
Prerequisite: A finished picture book manuscript under 1,000 words. Click here for application. Clinic is limited to six people!
Pam Halter—Fruitbearer Kids
URL: www.fruitbearer.com/how-fruitbearer-kids-works
CHILDREN & YA: All except for Graphic Novels
OTHER: Poetry
GREATEST EDITORIAL NEEDS: Fruitbearer Kids welcomes books for children that include faith, family, friends, and anything that relates to them. They don’t have to be overtly Christian, but should have good morals from a Christian worldview; well-crafted stories that teach children without them being aware they are learning, stories that have truth and faith woven within them, and lots of fun and action.
HELPFUL TIPS: For our books aren’t overtly Christian: Life and Truth. Beauty and Goodness. Fun and Friendship. These are things which should be taught and celebrated. Children’s stories that don’t mention God by name, but show these things in an engaging way, are welcome at Fruibearer Kids. We also love beautiful bedtime story books, and welcome fresh, inventive story ideas.
Fruitbearer Kids is an imprint of Fruitbearer Publishing LLC. When you become a Fruitbearer author, you will interact with professional editors, artists, and designers who will walk you step-by-step from raw manuscript to finished book. This is a cooperative venture between you (the author) and Fruitbearer (the publisher). Fruitbearer is an independent (indy) publisher, not a self-publisher or a traditional publisher, but a combination where you retain all of the control but have none of the headaches.
Dr. John Herring
CEO, Iron Stream Media
John is the CEO of Iron Stream Media. John started his career servicing local churches as an executive pastor, discipleship pastor, and consultant. In 2006 one of his ministry clients invited him to work with them on an aggressive discipleship project. He has been in the publishing industry ever since. John has been serving churches or church-related entities for over 40 years. John continues to support churches and ministries in publishing, curriculum development, strategic thinking/planning, discipleship, staff development, mentoring, and connecting the dots between ministries and people. He is also an entrepreneur, having started several small businesses. John can see the potential of connections everywhere, especially between churches and ministry suppliers.
His favorite discussions include his Lord, his family (especially his grandsons), missions, business as ministry, and coffee.
John holds the Doctor of Educational Ministry degree and a Masters in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Samford University.
John presently serves on the board of Designs for Hope, a ministry working in developing countries through churches and ministries by providing engineering and technology solutions. John was focusing much of his attention on Sri Lanka before the pandemic.
John and his wife, Stacy, live in Birmingham with their little dog, Bo. They attend The Church of the Highlands, where they serve on the Dream Team and the Legacy Team. They have two children and two grandchildren.
Iron Stream Media is an emerging media company. It derives its name from Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” This sharpening describes the process of discipleship, one to another. With this in mind, Iron Stream Media provides various solutions for churches, missionaries, and non-profits, ranging from in-depth Bible study curriculum, Christian book publishing to custom publishing and consultative services.
Through the popular Life Bible Study, Student Life Bible Study, D-Life, and New Hope brands, ISM provides web-based full-year and short-term Bible study teaching plans and printed devotionals, Bibles, and discipleship curriculum. The recent addition of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas adds greater depth to their discipleship lines and a wide variety of fiction imprints and titles. And coming soon, Delineate Productions will join the Iron Stream family as well.
John Herring, CEO—Iron Stream Media
URL: www.ironstreammedia.com
FICTION: Contemporary, Fantasy/Speculative/Sci-Fi, General Market, Historical Romance, Inspirational, Issues Fiction, Romance, Southern, Suspense/Crime/Mystery, Women’s Fiction
NONFICTION: Bible Studies, Christian Living/Ministry/Evangelism, Church Growth/Life/Renewal, Culture/Contemporary Issues, Curriculum/How-To/Teaching, Discipleship/Personal Growth, Marriage/Family/Parenting, Men’s Books, Prayer & Spiritual Warfare, Women’s Interests
Overworked Topics: Bible studies based on personal tragedy. Rebuilding after major life events. Devotionals
Helpful Tips: We only accept agented submittals unless we meet authors at a writer's conference. Please be prepared with a one pager and sample writings. First time authors need to have a complete manuscript.
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 – Go Indie, Part 3 & 4, Taking Your Self-Publishing from Good to Great: 6 Deadly Self-Publishing Mistakes and How to Fix Them (Friday, 10:30-11:45 and 4:00-5:15)
Publishing your own book may sound like a great idea – and it can be – IF you know how to avoid 6 major pitfalls that keep many self-published books from “WOW!”ing their audiences. Karen and Michael will identify deadly mistakes made by many self-published authors and provide simple fixes that will give your book a competitive advance in the marketplace. Topics will include:
Workshop 5G – Secrets to Crafting a Talk that Sells Books (Saturday, 12:00-1:00)
The fastest way to create an income stream, even faster than building a social media platform, is to create a talk that places you in front of groups—rather than individuals—to sell your books. Michael J. Klassen, who has addressed multiple thousands of people multiple times, will show you how. During your time together, you’ll learn:
Fiction or nonfiction, putting all of this together really isn’t that hard. Michael will give you the tools to make it happen.
Workshop 6A – How to Make a Living as a Writer (Saturday, 2:00-3:00) – LIVE
Life as a freelance writer can be compared to riding a roller coaster. Up one day and down the next. But you can smooth out the dips and bends by following the practical advice offered in this workshop. Topics covered include:
You can make a living as a freelance writer and still pay the bills. Michael will show you how.
Dinner Small Group Q&A – Blogging – Thursday 6:30 – 7:15
Lunchtime Small Group Q&A – Illumify Media Global – Saturday 1:10 – 1:55
Michael J. Klassen—Illumify Media
URL, Guidelines for Writers: www.illumifymedia.com
FICTION: ALL Fiction Genres
NONFICTION: ALL NonFiction Genres
CHILDREN & YA: All Children & YA except for Activity Books
Greatest Editorial Needs: We're looking for transcendent books—well-written books that impart excellence and authority to the author, and inspire and seek to change the world.
Helpful TIPS: We love working with authors who want to make a difference with their books!
Catherine Lawton
Co-owner, Editor-in-Chief
Cladach Publishing
Author
Catherine has been editor-in-chief at Cladach Publishing for 20 years, where she has had a hand in the acquisition, production, and promotion of nearly 50 Cladach titles. She enjoys giving opportunities to talented authors, producing books that show God at work in our world and people working with God, for good. Cathy has a BA in English, training in education and music, and graduate studies in theology. Cathy has authored numerous published books, poems, and articles herself, including one novel and two poetry collections, and has contributed essays to two books on open and relational theology. She is a regular contributor to the Godspace blog as well as her own blog. She continues to produce poetry, essays, and memoir. She lives in Colorado where she is active in inner-healing prayer ministry in her church and outdoor activities with her husband.
Workshop 2F - Marketing for Introverts (Thursday, 2:45-3:45)
How to present yourself, grow your following by continuing to produce great content, develop a platform by being yourself, and connect authentically and helpfully with readers.
Workshop 4G – The How-to and Why of Writing Poetry with Angie Bass Williams (Friday, 2:45-3:45)
Two gifted poets will split this hour workshop.
Catherine will address how to improve, market, and publish your poetry. In the process, sharpen your observation skills, deepen your relationship with God, connect with and influence others.
Angie will talk about how poetry packs a powerful punch. Teach the Word, offer hope, and keep the reader engaged by using rhythmic flow and cadence. Convert your poetry into song lyrics or greeting cards.
Cathy Lawton—Cladach Publishing
URL, Guidelines for Writers: http://cladach.com/authors/
FICTION: None
NONFICTION: Culture/Contemporary Issues* Devotionals*Discipleship/Personal Growth*Gift Books/Poetry*Memoir/Personal Experience*Prayer & Spiritual Warfare
CHILDREN & YA: None
OTHER: Poetry
Edwina Perkins
Managing Editor
Harambee Press
An imprint of Iron Stream Media
Writing Coach
Freelance Editor and Writer
Speaker
Sensitivity Reader
Edwina is an award-winning writer, freelance editor, writing mentor, and a sensitivity reader. She is the Managing Editor of Harambee Press—an imprint which seeks to publish ethnic writers—with Iron Stream Media/LPC. As the Mentoring Coordinator with Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Edwina loves to work with new writers and help them develop their craft. She is a freelance writer for Guideposts Magazine and serves on the Word Weavers International Advisory Committee.
Edwina is a wife, mother of four adult children, and grandmother of two.
Pre-Conference Webinar – The Dreaded “E” Word (Link available for registered conferees.)
Getting the words on the page is only the first step. Next, time to edit. The ability to self-edit is an important component to polishing your manuscript. Any writer who is serious about publication needs to work hard to learn how to self-edit. This workshop will introduce you to some basic—and not so basic—self-editing tips to help take your manuscript to the next level. Participants need to email a copy of their first page of a writing project to haleybarb@yahoo.com one week before the workshop.
Workshop 1B - Does My Writing Offend You? (Thursday, 11:50-12:50)
For non-ethnic writers to understand how to include diversity in their manuscripts, they also need to address some important issues: Can white author write characters of color? What does diversity in Publishing look like in the Age of Black Lives Matter? Should white authors be afraid to write about BIPOC? Why are sensitivity readers necessary? Writers need to address the questions above because publishing houses are looking for more diversity in what authors are submitting. This workshop addresses the impact of writing about a culture outside of your own.
Workshop 3B – A Writer’s Armor (Friday, 2:45-3:45)
When under spiritual attack, Ephesians 6 reminds us to put on the entire armor of God. Why? To prepare for battle so we will still be standing afterward. As writers we need to understand spiritual attacks are real. The stories you pen today can impact generations to come. That’s a huge responsibility. No wonder we’re under attack. This workshop will address using a writer’s armor to fight against the battles we face.
Lunchtime Small Group Q&A– Sensitivity Readers Service – Thursday 1:00 – 1:45
Edwina Perkins—Harambee Press/Imprint of Iron Steam Media
URL, Guidelines for Writers: http://www.ironstreammedia.com/submission-process
FICTION: Contemporary, Historical, Historical Romance, Inspirational, Issues Fiction, Romance, Suspense/Crime/Mystery, Women’s Fiction
NONFICTION: Culture/Contemporary Issues, Marriage/Family/Parenting, Memoir/Personal Experience, Prayer & Spiritual Warfare
CHILDREN & YA: Older Teens/YA Fiction
Greatest Editorial Needs: Fiction – especially Women’s Fiction
Kathryn Ross
Editor and Publisher
Pageant Wagon Publishing
Author, Speaker, Dramatist
Kathryn ignites a love of literature and learning, equipping young and old to grow into the greater things God has purposed for them as readers, writers, and thinkers who can engage the world from a biblical worldview and impact their spheres of influence. She nurtures authors as leader of the Good News Christian Writers Critique Group, and as an independent publisher at Pageant Wagon Publishing (PWP), is building a network of authors who support each other in their writing and publishing goals.
Miss Kathy is the author of The Gatekeeper's Key, Fragrant Fields: Poetic Reflections for Journaling, and the Fable Springs Parables picture book series in addition to 30 years of theatrical dramas for church, school, and community theatre, and homeschool curriculum studies. In addition, she has published monthly columns online in RUBY Magazine, Almost An Author, and A Thyme for Writers, and has been featured in the Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania (CHAP) Magazine.
As owner of Pageant Wagon Publishing, Miss Kathy provides editing, design, and publishing services to tool Christian writers in their ministry objectives. As a book shepherd, she helps authors tell their story from idea development through to the finished print product with marketing tools and book launch plans to position PWP authors for success. Check out the Pageant Wagon Publishing Bookshop for more of her original works, plus new books from PWP authors young and old at www.pageantwagonpublishing.com.
Workshop 6B – Self-Editing Checklist (Saturday, 2:00-3:00)
Move from brain dump to a manuscript ready for submission.
Lunchtime Small Group Q&A – Pageant Wagon Publishing – Saturday 1:10 – 1:55
Kathryn Ross—Pageant Wagon Publishing
URL: www.pageantwagonpublishing.com
FICTION: Literary
NONFICTION: Bible Studies, Biographies/Profiles, Christian Living/Ministry/Evangelism, ChurchGrowth/Life/Renewal, Curriculum/How-To/Teaching, Devotionals, Discipleship/Personal Growth, Marriage/Family/Parenting, Memoir/Personal Experience, Prayer & Spiritual Warfare, Women’s Interests
CHILDREN & YA: Biographies, Chapter Books, Devotionals, Early Readers, Middle Grade Fiction, Nonfiction Ages 6-8, Nonfiction Ages 9-12, Picture Books, Older Teens/YA Fiction, Tweens Fiction
OTHER: Humor, Poetry
Janyre Tromp
Author Representative
Kregal Publications
Novelist
http://beautifuluglyme.com
Janyre has worked in the CBA industry for more than twenty years, spending time in both marketing and editorial. Currently she is an editor for Kregel Publications by day and a writer (represented by William K. Jensen Literary Agency) at night. And that all happens from her kitchen table when she’s not hanging out with her husband, two kids, two troublesome cats, and slightly eccentric Shetland Sheepdog. In case you’re wondering, you pronounce that first name Jan-air…kind of like the stove, but not like the book. She’s a graduate of Taylor University and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Workshop 4C – First Round Fiction Edits Using Story Structure (Friday, 2:45-3:45) – LIVE
Structure is key to a successful novel. In this workshop Janyre, a twenty-year veteran editor and novelist, discusses how to use structure to edit your manuscript like a developmental editor.
Workshop 5E – The Art and Science of a Fiction Proposal (Saturday, 12:00-1:00)
A proposal is key to winning a publisher. But how does an author capitalize on the opportunity? In this workshop, you’ll learn the secrets to developing a fiction proposal. Janyre has intimate knowledge of 3 of the 4 sides of the publishing world—author, marketing manager, and editorial representative.
Janyre Tromp—Kregel Publications
URL: https://www.kregel.com/contact-us/submissions-policy
FICTION: All Fiction Genres except Biblical Fiction, Fantasy/Speculative/Sci-Fi Fiction, and General Market
NONFICTION: All Nonfiction Genres except Articles, Curriculum/How-To/Teaching, Devotionals, or Gift Books/Poetry
CHILDREN & YA: Chapter Books, Devotionals, Early Readers, Nonfiction Ages 6-8, Nonfiction Ages 9-12, Picture Books
Greatest Editorial Needs: Kregel Publications acquires broadly in nonfiction and fiction. We’re especially interested in nonfiction titles that tackle contemporary issues using strong scriptural support, as well as new takes on perennial topics like women’s issues, marriage, and parenting. Kregel is always looking for excellent historical romance, contemporary romantic suspense, romantic comedy, historical fiction, and women’s fiction with biblical grounding.
Helpful Tips: One sheets, proposals, and synopses are helpful but not necessary. First-time authors welcome.
James N. Watkins
Acquisitions Editor
EABooks Publishing
Author, Speaker
www.jameswatkins.com
Jim is a writer saved by grace. That’s what’s most important. Not that his 20 books and over 2,500 articles have won numerous national awards, or that he has worked as a magazine and book editor since his sophomore year in college or even that he taught writing for fifteen years at Taylor University. And it’s really not important that he’s spoken around the world in churches, colleges and conferences. What is important is that he loves God, his family, writing, mentoring writers and Chinese food—in that order. He has been online since 1997 and has welcomed millions of visitors from virtually every country around the world. The site has grown from a few book excerpts to hundreds of posts, videos, and original music.
Four of Jim’s books have won national industry awards (Christianity Today “Book of the Year” award of merit and “Retailers Choice Award”) and for his reporting and editing (five Evangelical Press Association awards), as well as an “Amy” award for writing in the general market. He was also honored with an “Alumnus of the Year in Literature” from Indiana Wesleyan University. (Go Wilcats!)
His articles have been published by Christianity Today, Decision, Focus on the Family, Guideposts, Leadership, Ministry Today, Rev., Today’s Christian Woman, The Upper Room, USAToday, The Whittenberg Door, War Cry and many more.
His website has been honored by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for its creative Christian message.
Keynote – Keeping Your Dreams Alive (Saturday, 5:15)
Using the story of Joseph as an example of a dream received, the dreamer refined, the dream redefined, and finally, the dream realized in relationship to writing.
Continuing Session – Write Nonfiction Books that Change Lives
Learn biblical and behavioral principles for changing lives such as how to write and speak to cause people to change their hearts and minds, how to organize your writing and speaking to engage your readers and listeners, how to use humor and stoires to persuasively make your point, how to motivate without manipulating, and how to create effective marketing.
Dinner Small Group Q&A – Manuscript CPR – Thursday 6:30 – 7:15
Lunchtime Small Group Q&A – EA Books – Saturday 1:10 – 1:55
James Watkins—EABooks Publishing
URL: www.eabookspublishing.com
FICTION: All Fiction Genres
NONFICTION: All Nonfiction Genres
Periodical Editors
Karen Linamen Bouchard
Editor, Power for Living
Acquisitions Editor
Illumify Media Global
Best-selling Author, National Speaker
WordNinjas.com – Online Coaching & Training
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 – Go Indie, Part 3 & 4, Taking Your Self-Publishing from Good to Great: 6 Deadly Self-Publishing Mistakes and How to Fix Them (Friday, 10:30-11:45 and 4:00-5:15)
Publishing your own book may sound like a great idea – and it can be – IF you know how to avoid 6 major pitfalls that keep many self-published books from “WOW!”ing their audiences. Karen and Michael will identify deadly mistakes made by many self-published authors and provide simple fixes that will give your book a competitive advance in the marketplace. Topics will include:
Workshop 2B – Taking Your Craft to The Next Level: Quick Fixes For 7 Writing Mistakes Even Great Writers Make (Thursday 2:45-3:45)
Whether you’re a novice or veteran writer, how do you take your craft to the next level? It can be challenging to do on your own because if you’re not aware of mistakes you’re making, simply writing more may mean practicing the same mistakes over and over.
As a book coach and editor, I see the same mistakes made repeatedly in the work of novices and professional writers alike.
Many of the writing mistakes I cover in this workshop are easy to overlook, even for professional writers. You have a nagging feeling that your chapter, article, or blog post isn’t as powerful as you’d hoped it would be, but you can’t quite pinpoint where the problem lies.
In this workshop, I look at both the structural level of writing, and the word level, and point out common and often hard-to-spot mistakes made at each level. I also talk about how your reader’s experience is compromised in different ways when you make mistakes at the word level vs the structural level. Finally, I tell you exactly how to recognize and fix each mistake.
Workshop 5F - How to Write Great Marketing Copy and Get Your Work the Attention it Deserves! (Saturday, 12:00-1:00)
Do you know how to write persuasive copy that will:
Capture the attention of people scrolling through Facebook?
Sell a potential reader on the value of your book?
Sell an agent or editor on your idea?
Write emails that people on your author email list will actually open?
From back cover copy to marketing emails, Facebook ads to web copy, you need to be able to write riveting copy that captures the imagination and inspires your reader to action. But writing good marketing copy is a different animal than writing articles or books. Karen is a bestselling author and professional copywriter, and in this workshop she’s going to walk you through the best-practices of crafting persuasive marketing copy. Whatever your genre or message, knowing how to write great copy can help you WOW editors and grow—and keep—your readership.
Dinner Small Group Q&A – Word Ninjas Friday 6:30 – 7:15
Lunchtime Small Group Q&A – Illumify Media Global – Saturday 1:10 – 1:55
``Karen Bouchard—David C Cook’s Power for Living
URL, Guidelines for Writers: www.powerforliving.com
Submissions to Periodical Editors do not require a One Sheet. Please NOTE the word count limits carefully, though, and double-space you work. Thanks.
FICTION: none
NONFICTION:
Power for Living is a quarterly curriculum that publishes stories on God's intervention in our lives.
Greatest Editorial Needs: Articles for Power for Living. Email me at karenscalfbouchard@gmail.com for submission guidelines. Looking for 750 word columns and 1400 word articles that tell a story of God's intervention in someone's life.
Overworked Topics: Also, I help acquire books for Illumify Media. I work with writers of all genres, but right now am particularly interested in working with authors of YA Fiction, Memoirs, Women's Interests, Devotionals.
Helpful Tips: We highly recommend that you read past issues of Power for Living before submitting your work. Go to www.christianbook.com and type Power for Living in the search bar, then click on the SEARCH button. For a small fee, you can purchase a set of 13 issues published during a recent quarter.
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.
Pre-conference Webinar – Write 400 Words and Get Published! (Link to be provided to registered conferees.)
How would you like to get published in months, not years? Check out this workshop and learn some easy methods to improve your writing skills and see your work in print! We'll be learning the ChristianDevotions.US method and other formulas for putting your ideas into words.
Debbie Hardy—ChristianDevotions.us
URL, Guidelines for Writers: ChristianDevotions.us -- Click on "Write for Us" for instructions and examples
Submissions to Periodical Editors do not require a One Sheet.
Please note: 400 word limit for article or devotion – double-spaced.
Marti Pieper
Senior Editor, Charisma Media
Author, Collaborative Writer, Editor
Editor, GPCWC Team
Marti’s eclectic publishing career includes ghostwriting a young adult memoir that made the ECPA bestseller list and traveling to six Latin American countries to share stories of teen mission trips and an award-winning missionary memoir. She has written seven traditionally published nonfiction books and edited several more, written and edited for both print and digital publications, and taught at multiple writers conferences. A fulltime freelance writer and editor, she serves as senior editor for Charisma Media and hosts several podcasts on the Charisma Podcast Network. Find her at www.martipieper.com, where her “Snapshots of Dementia” blog details life with her husband, who suffers from an early-onset dementia.
Workshop 2D – The Genuine Article: From Idea to Acceptance (Thursday 2:45-3:45)
In her years of experiences as both writer and editor of hundreds of nonfiction articles and cover stories, Marti has learned how to take an idea, concept, or assignment and turn it into an article that not only sells but leaves a lasting impact. This workshop includes tips on brainstorming, identifying your target audience, focusing your idea, self-editing, and more. Learn to make editors smile and leave your audience asking for more.
Workshop 5D – Narrative Nonfiction: The Power of Story (Saturday 12:00-1:00)
How can I make my nonfiction more compelling? How can truth and creativity coexist in my work? In this workshop, which includes both practical tips and inspiring examples, Marti shares the basics of this popular genre. Larn how to transform your writing through the power of authentic storytelling while you catch –and keep your readers.
Marti Pieper—Charisma Media
URL: charismanews.com/charismamag.com/charismaleader.com
Submissions to Periodical Editors do not require a One Sheet.
Please NOTE: Articles should be between 500-1000 words and double-spaced. Nothing longer.
NONFICTION: Christian Living/Ministry/Evangelism, Discipleship/Personal Growth, Prayer & Spiritual Warfare
Greatest Editorial Needs: We do not currently accept much freelance material, but we will look at news stories that relate to the charismatic-Pentecostal market and strong nonfiction articles that speak to that market (prophetic words, miracles, healing, etc.). We do not accept freelance submissions for print, but writing well for us online can be an avenue to a request to write for us in print.
Overworked topics: Please, no crazy demon stories.
Helpful Tips: As with any publication, become familiar with the websites and their content before you submit. Any personal experience story is best written to illustrate biblical truth with a clear reader takeaway.
Beth Patch
Senior Producer
CBN.com’s Spiritual Life Channel
Beth manages CBN.com’s Spiritual Life channel, one of five magazine-style sections of the award-winning Christian website. She holds a Journalism Master’s from Regent University and a Communication Bachelor’s from the University of Virginia. She acquires, reviews, and approves all devotions, Spiritual Life-themed articles, and biblical studies on CBN.com. She publishes the approved content on the site and promotes it via subscription emails and social media. Beth also manages CBN’s Bible in a Year and Daily Devotion reading plans. On occasion, she interviews best-selling Christian authors and writes for the ministry.
Workshop 1D – How to Write Devotions People Love to Share (Thursday 11:50-12:50)
Each day, God gives you stories worth sharing. Learn how to recognize them and craft them into devotions using the basic elements of good inspirational writing.
Beth Patch, Senior Internet Producer—CBN.com’s Spiritual Life Channel
URL: Writer’s Guidelines not posted online. We provide them at the Writer’s Conference.
Submissions to Periodical Editors do not require a One Sheet.
Please NOTE: Articles for Beth Patch should be no longer than 400 words and double-spaced.
NONFICTION: Apologetics, Articles, Christian Living/Ministry/Evangelism, ChurchGrowth/Life/Renewal, Culture/Contemporary Issues, Curriculum/How-To/Teaching, Devotionals, Discipleship/Personal Growth, Marriage/Family/Parenting, Prayer & Spiritual Warfare
Greatest Editorial Needs: Articles for Family and Spiritual Life sections of CBN.com. Story-oriented devotions for CBN.com's Daily Devotion.
Helpful Tips: Look at these sections on CBN.com to know if your content will be a good fit - https://www1.cbn.com/family, https://www1.cbn.com/spiritual-life, https://www1.cbn.com/devotions
B.J. Taylor
Represents Guideposts, Angels on Earth
Mysterious Ways, and All Creatures
Author, Freelance Writer, Speaker
Ever thump a watermelon to tell if it’s ripe or stick your fingernail into the stem end of a cantaloupe to see if it’s soft inside? It’s hard to tell by a smack or scratch, but it does give you a clue. Thus, we have a few clues into B.J.
B.J. first began writing in grade school, with English as her favorite subject and spelling bees her specialty. A personal diary was her journal, hidden under her mattress during her teenage years. Her penned thoughts filled numerous notepads (which she still has in a box in the garage). She admits a lot of choices are scary at first, like signing up for a writing class, joining a writers group, or submitting a novel to an agent for consideration. She plunged into the deep blue sea, took a chance with her writing, and has been blessed abundantly.
A lover of true, personal experience stories, B.J. cut her teeth on a multitude of submissions to numerous markets. With publication success garnered in newspapers, magazines, and anthology collections like Chicken Soup for the Soul, along with winning the Guideposts Writers Workshop contest in 2004, B.J. has done a lot of nonfiction writing. She continues to write personal experience stories and is also working on her second novel that is based on a true story. She loves character development, primary plot and subplots, timing and tempo, and strives to deliver true emotion to her writing as she did in her memoir, Charlie Bear: What a Headstrong Rescue Dog Taught Me about Life, Love, and Second Chances.
An award-winning author and popular speaker at conferences around the country, B.J. has been a published writer for twenty-five years with credits ranging from newspaper articles for no pay, to magazine markets that pay quite well. She has sold forty stories to Chicken Soup for the Soul, two dozen stories to Guideposts and Angels on Earth, numerous articles to Writer’s Digest, Romantic Homes, Victorian Homes, John Gray’s Mars and Venus in Love, and many other publications along the way. B.J. represents the following magazines: Guideposts, Angels on Earth, Mysterious Ways, and All Creatures. She looks forward to talking with you about your stories for those magazines as well as other nonfiction markets. B.J. wrote a book to help writers titled, Writing True Stories: Using the Winning Formula P MS to a T.
Now that B.J. is retired from the business she and her husband ran for twenty-three years, she lives in Southern California half the year and in Northern Idaho the other half. She enjoys walking her scruffy dog Charlie Bear, golfing, aqua classes, traveling, and helping writers to reach their goals.
Continuing Session – Writing (and Selling!) Personal Experience Stories
Want to make money with your writing? Then this class is for you. Interactive sessions will cover the following (in no particular order):
1. Your Journey to Publication – How to Get Where You Want to Go.
2. Writing Personal Experience Short Stories That Sell (learn B.J.’s easy formula for writing great hooks, riveting dialog, satisfying endings).
3. Writing for Chicken Soup for the Soul.
4. Writing for the Guideposts family of magazines and how to submit to the Guideposts Writers Workshop contest.
5. Writing Book Length Stories (memoir, self-help, and a secret one).
6. There will be handouts and a little bit of volunteer homework (will you be the one to help the class learn?).
B.J. Taylor— Guideposts, Angels on Earth, Mysterious Ways, All Creatures magazines
URL, Guidelines for Writers: https://www.guideposts.org/writers-guidelines & https://www.guideposts.org/write-for-mysterious-ways
Please note that B.J. represents the magazines listed above, but she is not an acquisitions editor. She has come to the conference to help us improve our writing and our chances at being accepted for publication in the future!
FICTION: None
NONFICTION: Articles* Biographies/Profiles*Christian Living/Ministry/Evangelism*Church Growth, Life, Renewal*Culture/Contemporary Issues* Devotionals*Discipleship/Personal Growth* Marriage/Family/Parenting*Memoir/Personal Experience*Prayer & Spiritual Warfare*Women’s Interests
CHILDREN & YA: None
OTHER: None
Submissions to Periodical Editors do not require a One Sheet.
Please NOTE: Your story should be 1200 words or less and double-spaced.
Greatest Editorial Needs: Relationship stories for Guideposts
Helpful Tips: B.J. will look at all true, personal experience short stories including those targeted to other markets, like Chicken Soup for the Soul.
For info on booking your appointments click here.
For more information on editorial needs, be sure to check 2021 Christian Writer’s Market Guide
available at a discount from the Write His Answer Bookstore.
To help you prepare for GPCWC, I encourage you to browse the other titles in our bookstore.
There is no shipping charge for orders over $35, and all the books are discounted.
Book sales help us meet conference expenses.
