Pre-Conference Timeline

Important: Scroll down below the timeline
for important last-minute notes!

Due	Task	Done
June 22	If you prefer to stay at The Radisson (at your expense) rather than on   campus, you need to book your room by June 22. Click here for details.
July 8	Book flight and send itinerary to Marlene.   Run info by Marlene first if she is paying all/part of this.
July 8	Return contract to Marlene.    Note lodging preference on contract. If staying off campus (your expense), make reservation ASAP.   Return Book Order/Recommend/Donate form to Marlene. Scan, save as PDF or JPEG, and e-mail. Include titles you will recommend in class.
July 10	Mail free-lit and give-away books to          Cairn University          Attn: Events & Facilities          Writers Conference Freebies          200 Manor Avenue, Langhorne, PA 19047 NOTE: The university would appreciate receiving these no more than a week before the conference.   Mail items you want to sell to the address above unless you prefer to bring with you. (20% consignment fee on items sold) Click Here for consignment form REQUIRED to be included.   E-mail hand-outs to haleybarb SPACE @yahoo.com We're going GREEN! Handouts will be on website instead of being printed out.
July 10-15	Expect to receive (via e-mail) manuscripts for your paid critiques (if any).
July 21	Expect to receive approximate count of number in your workshop.   Expect to hear from driver if you need a ride from the airport.
July 26	Feel free to attend Early Bird Workshops at 1:00, 2:45, and 5:00.   Rooms at Cairn University available at 12:30.   Optional first-timer's orientation at 4:00. Focus on conferees but also helpful for first-time faculty.   Faculty dinner at 5:45. Get food in cafeteria and bring tray to Eagle's Nest.   Opening session at 7:30 with Clarence Jordan concert and Rob Cook keynote.

Now . . . for some last minute info:

Counts 
Below is the present count of the number signed up for workshops and continuing sessions. This number is likely to change since, as usual, not everyone has told us what they plan to take. Then, too, I tell them they are not locked into their choices but are free to go wherever Father leads them. I trust we'll get last minute registrants and walk-ins. We now have 182 conferees less 6 cancelations. That's a far cry from the 250 we’ve averaged throughout our 34 year ministry. Father, please help me to remember that You see hearts, not numbers, and that You are faithful to provide.

Wednesday Early Bird Workshops 
If you arrive early, plese slip into a workshop. There is, of course, no charge!

1:00 - 2:30
E1 Scrivener from 0 to 60, Part 1 - Debbie Maxwell Allen (13)
E2 Indie Publishing - Kathryn Ross (12)
E3 HT Sell Your Book to an Agent - Tessa Emily Hall (9)
E4 Subplot Sanity - Amy Deardon (1)
E5 Writing for Children - Karen Whiting (7)
E6 Tag Lines, Action Beats & Character Voice - Susan Lyttek (1)

2:45 - 4:00
E7 Scrivener from 0 to 60, Part 2 - Debbie Maxwell Allen (11)
E8 Ebooks that Sell - Amy Deardon (4)
E9 Demystifying Digital Design - Angela Schans (4)
E10 It Takes One to Know One (Character Development) - Michele Cynoweth (9)
E11 Write for AlmostAnAuthor.com - Cyle Young (4)
E12 Devotional Writing: Daily Devotions, Books & More - Karen Whiting (9)

4:15 - 4:45 First-timer’s Orientation

5:00 - 6:00 
E13 Writing Suspense & Mysteries - Gayle Roper (3)
E14 Create or Resurrect Your Writing Career - Diana Flegal (8)
E15 Pump Up Your Writing: Using Strong Verbs - Debbie Maxwell Allen (6)
E16 The Most Common Writing Mistakes & How to Fix Them - Rowena Kuo (10)
E17 Hook that Whale! - Jeanette Windle (3)
E18 Brainstorm Your Online Book Launch Party - Kathryn Ross (5)
E19 Writing Over 50 - Chris Richards (3)
E20 The Bible Is Not a Quote Book - Dave Fessenden (3)

6:15 Dinner – Please take your tray to the Highlander Cafe down the hall for our faculty/staff dinner.

7:30 Concert - Terrence Clark | Keynote: Hidden in Plain Sight - Rob Cook

Continuing Sessions
1   The Chase (for novelists & screenwriters) – DJ Williams (22)
2    You can Indie Publish & Market Your Book – Sarah Bolme (16)
3    Reaching Women through Writing & More – Linda Evans Shepherd (25)
4    Podcasting Your Passion – Dr. Harold Arnold Jr. (11)
5    Revive Your Spirit; Revive Your Message – Al Janssen (7)
6    12 Questions a Novelist Must Answer – Gayle Roper (14)
7    Your Book Launch Game Plan – Scoti Domeij (35)
8    The Christian Communicator – Kevin Wayne Johnson (16)

Remember – You are welcome to slip in and out of continuing sessions and workshops if you do not have appointments scheduled. Just let the appointment desk know where you will be.

HANDOUTS - Available online. Click here.

   

How to interpret? Column 4, row D, with 24 signed up is “Nonfiction Book Creation from the Ground Up.”

We have 27 conferees in a clinic instead of taking workshops and, of course, a number who have not yet told us what they are taking. Unlike Colorado, we also have more one and two-day conferees. With late registrants, walk-ins, undecideds finally deciding :), and possible faculty attending your workshop I expect the above numbers to grow.

When you arrive on Wednesday, July 26

Before 12:00 noon - Go to the downstairs floor of the Biblical Learning Center (#1 on map). This is where you'll pick up your packet and name tag (probably not available until mid-afternoon), consign your books, and drop off any free lit. It is also where the early bird workshops will be held beginning at 1:00 pm. Again, you are welcome to attend them.

After 12:00 noon - If you’re staying on campus, you can go to Heritage Hall (#12 on map) to check in. There’s a lovely “Great Room” where you’re welcome to fellowship.

Dinnertime (5:45 pm - cafeteria open until 7:00 for late arrivals) - Go directly to the  Mason Activity Center (#7 on map). Go through the cafeteria to get your food and then walk down the hall to the Highlander Cafe for the faculty/staff dinner. Important: We are not using meal tickets this year.

7:15 pm and later - Go to Chatlos Chapel (#3 on map) for our opening session with Terrence Clark in concert. I can’t think of a better way to begin the conference than worshiping with Terrence. Following worship, you will not want to miss Rob Cook’s keynote:

Hidden in Plain Sight
The world of 2017 has built a wall to resist the truths of God. It has become almost impossible to have an overtly Christian message read by a hostile, resistant audience. We need to conceal the seeds of truth in interesting stories that connect and open hearts and minds previously closed to the gospel message. 

If you’ve not yet checked into your room in Heritage Hall, there will be someone at the desk throughout the evening.

Please note: You will receive sheets, a thin blanket  (there is a heater/air conditioner you control in each room), pillow, towel, and washcloth when you get your room key. I always bring a larger towel from home and my favorite blankie. :) Unlike a hotel, you will not find complimentary soap, shampoo, toothpaste etc. We have a small stash of essentials at the desk in Heritage Hall if you forget to bring something. 

Click here for detailed Wednesday schedule.

Need a ride on campus or help with your luggage?
See numbers are below.
 

Weather & What to Wear? 
Well the weather is anyone’s guess :), but it does look like we will be in the 80s instead of the 90s. I know that’s not really hot for some of you, but add Philly’s humidity and it can get quite uncomfortable. So, please, dress cool and comfortable. Shorts and capris are fine. Seriously! This is NOT a dress up
conference. There’s the possibility of rain every day, so bring an umbrella!

Questions?

Marlene –  484-991-8581 (home & office) 
Cell – 267-436-2503 (only during conference)

Laura Shaffer – our “go-to” girl for questions
303-669-6383

Eric Sprinkle – our “go-to” guy for 
rides, help with luggage, etc.
719-322-6992

Roland Bubaker – snacks and beverages in Appointment Room
Rides, help with luggage, etc.
 267-978-9221

Paul Bagnull - rides between buildings on campus & Langhorne train station
215-353-2464

Assistance with AV in classrooms & recording
Rob Bagnull - 610-662-8807

 

It's a good idea to review the following information that I posted earlier:

 

Keynotes and General Sessions

Please view as a PRIORITY! Come ready to focus on the Lord and hear from Him through our keynote speakers.

• Located in Chatlos Chapel. Click Here for a map of the campus.
• ANNOUNCEMENTS: This is the only venue I have to speak to everyone at once. Attendance is much appreciated.

Continuing Sessions

Meet five times throughout the conference.

• TH: 10:15-11:45 and 4:45-5:45 FR: 10:45-11:45 and 4:45-5:45 SA: 1:00-2:15

Workshops

These last 60 minutes (except E7 through E12 on Wednesday that are 90 minutes).

• Please be considerate: end on time and clear the classroom for the next instructor.

Handouts We've gone GREEN!

Email your handouts to Margie at [email protected] no later than July 15.

• Margie will post these to the website. Conferees really appreciate handouts.
• We will be able to print these at the conference for conferees who don't have them, but want to avoid the last minute scramble.
• Only conferees, faculty, and people purchasing CDs post conference will have access to the handouts.
• URL http://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com/2016handouts

Paid Critiques

A written critique is not expected, but conferees appreciate notes jotted directly on the manuscript.

• I suggest using Track Changes and printing a copy for the conferee.
• Please spend at least 30 min PRE-conference in preparation.
• Appointment with conferee at conference is 30 minutes.
• Because we have a large list of faculty available to do these, you may not be called on for this service.
• The conferees choose, based on who they feel can help them the most.

One-on-Ones

For more information about how our appointment system works, click on Appointments.

• Many conferees consider this the most important part of the conference.
• Please do not disappoint them by being late for their appointments.
• Please sandwich constructive criticism between positive encouragement, but be careful not to give false encouragement.

Father, please give us all much wisdom to know
how You would have us respond to the conferees we meet with.
And please help them to hear what we're saying; not what they want to hear.
Giv

Keynotes 

• Please view as a PRIORITY! Come ready to focus on the Lord and hear from Him through our keynote speakers.
• Located in Chatlos Chapel. Click Here for a map of the campus.
• ANNOUNCEMENTS: This is the only venue I have to speak to everyone at once. Attendance is much appreciated.

Continuing Sessions

• Meet five times throughout the conference.
• TH: 10:15-11:45 and 4:45-5:45 FR: 10:45-11:45 and 4:45-5:45 SA: 1:15-2:30

Workshops

• These last 60 minutes (except Wednesday E1 through E6 that are 90 minutes and E7 through E12 that are 75 minutes).
• Please be considerate: end on time and clear the classroom for the next instructor.

Handouts We've gone GREEN!

• E-mail your handouts to Barb at haleybarb SPACE @yahoo.com no later than July 10.
• Barb will post these to the website. Conferees really appreciate handouts.
• We will be able to print these at the conference for conferees who don't have them, but want to avoid the last-minute scramble.
• Only conferees, faculty, and people purchasing CDs post conference will have access to the handouts.
• URL http://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com/2017handouts

Paid Critiques

• A written critique is not expected, but conferees appreciate notes jotted directly on the manuscript.
• I suggest using Track Changes and printing a copy for the conferee.
• Please spend at least 30 min PRE-conference in preparation.
• Appointment with conferee at conference is 30 minutes.
• Because we have a large list of faculty available to do these, you may not be called on for this service.
• The conferees choose, based on who they feel can help them the most.

One-on-Ones

• For more information about how our appointment system works, click on Appointments.
• Many conferees consider this the most important part of the conference.
• Please do not disappoint them by being late for their appointments.
• Please sandwich constructive criticism between positive encouragement, but be careful not to give false encouragement.

Father, please give us all much wisdom to know
how You would have us respond to the conferees we meet with.
And please help them to hear what we're saying,
not what they want to hear.
Give them teachable spirits and give us sensitive hearts.

An important note to editors and agents - We are all pressed for time, but if you take a manuscript with you or request that it be sent to you, please try your best to get a response to the conferee in at least three months. If your policy is that no answer within three months means you're not interested, please make that clear to the conferee at the conference.

Panels

• Ask the Agents, FR 1:15-2:00 Informal Q & A with our agents.
• Indie Publishing, FR 1:15-2:00 If you provide services for indie authors or have independently published a book or ebook, please join this panel.
• Book Editors/Agents Panel or Magazine Editors Panel, FR/SA 9:45 am
  Each year we have several missing-in-action editors and agents. Please don't disappoint our conferees. Thanks!

Book Signing
We encourage you to be part of this on Friday evening and not to miss Terry Brennan’s keynote.

Lodging
Cairn University's Heritage Hall was purchased and renovated in 2005. It has a wonderful great room with lounge areas, and there is air conditioning (with a thermostat in each room) as well as wireless Internet connectivity.

• Faculty are housed two to a room with a private bath and two beds - debunked! Linens are provided. There is no need to bring your own pillow unless you sleep better with it. :) You will need to bring toiletries and an alarm clock.
• If the conference is covering your lodging, please note your roommate preference on your contract or you may upgrade to a single at your cost of $20 a night.
• If there are meals you do not plan to eat in the campus dining hall (meals are included from dinner day of arrival through lunch date of departure whether or not they are eaten), please note this on your contract so I can use them for late registrants.
• If you need Saturday night lodging, please note on your contract if you're open to staying in a home of a member of my church. We'd like to avoid having to drive back to the university on Sunday to get you to the airport.
• If GPCWC is NOT covering your lodging and you want to stay on campus, please let me know so I can hold a room for you. The cost is $85 a night for a double or $105 a night for a single and includes meals from dinner day of arrival through lunch day of departure. If there are meals you are not planning to eat, let me know by July 10 and I’ll deduct them from the cost of your lodging and use them for late registrants.
• Saturday night dinner is at my Lansdale home or on your own.
• If you prefer to stay at The Radisson Philadelphia Northeast at your expense, you will need to make your own reservation by June 30. Click here for details. Be sure to mention the Group I.D. "Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers” for the special price of $112 a night plus 11% sales tax. The Radisson is about 15 minutes from Cairn University. We will provide transportation (if needed) in the morning and evening, but obviously it will be easier to have you stay on campus. Click here for directions from Cairn University to The Radisson.

Meals

• NEW Cairn University policy - Meals are now included with lodging whether or not they are eaten.  If you know there are meals you do not plan to eat in the campus dining hall, please let me know so we can use that meal for a commuter. (I am not able to provide meals or lodging after July 10 beyond the number I will probably pad, although that is risky financially. If I know there are some meals that will not be eaten, that will be helpful.)
• On Saturday night faculty and staff are invited to a picnic at the Bagnull's in Lansdale.
• Please note that the campus cafeteria will not be open Saturday night or Sunday morning and that dinner is at your own expense if you decide not to come to the picnic.
• Important for those with special dietary needs – Note from Cairn U’s dining hall manager: I will stock a cooler and small shelf with assorted gluten free and dairy free items for those who are medically required to avoid gluten and dairy.  We will have some gluten free/dairy free items on the lines as well, but I cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide GF/DF entrees every meal.  I cannot guarantee that we can accommodate other dietary restrictions and/or preferences, so please advise your conferees accordingly.

Travel

• See Arrival and Departure info below before finalizing your plans.
• For directions to the conference click on Location and Lodging; for directions to The Radisson (if you opt to stay there at your expense), click here.

Fly-ins
If GPCWC is covering all or part of your airfare, please run the itinerary and price past me before booking to give me the option of using my Frequent Flyer Miles if the price is too high. (If you need to be reimbursed before the conference, let me know.) I suggest you visit www.orbitz.com or www.kayak.com for a helpful overview of times, prices, and airlines. The conference provides shuttle service between the airport and the conference; therefore, we are unable to reimburse you for the cost of a rental car.

Arrival

• Travel time from Philadelphia Int'l to the campus is approx. 45 minutes (longer during rush hour).
• Hopefully you can arrive in time for the 5:45 pm faculty dinner/meeting Wednesday.
• The cafeteria will be serving through 6:45 for those who can't make it by 5:45. You'll need to go through the cafeteria line and bring your food to the Eagles Nest down the hall.
• The conference officially begins Wednesday evening at 7:30 with Terrence Clark in concert. If you’ve been with us before and have heard Terrence sing “Days of Elijah” on Thursday morning, you know he’s got a powerful voice and anointing. Rob Cook will also keynote Thursday evening. 

Departure

• I recommend allowing 2 hours for check-in and 45 minutes travel time, but check with your airline.
• If you're leaving Saturday, we hope you can stay through the closing that ends around 5:15. Ideally, this means the earliest you should book your flight is 8:00 pm.
• Lodging is available Saturday night as well as a picnic at my home in Lansdale.
• If you're leaving Sunday morning, please keep the 2-3/4 hour lead time in mind so your driver does not need to get up at the crack of dawn.

Special Needs

• Please note your audio-visual needs. Power-Point is available in the chapel for the general sessions and keynotes.
• If you are teaching a continuing session or workshop and Power-Point is an essential part of your presentation, we will provide it but you MUST note this on your contract.
• If you are bringing your own projector and are willing to share it when you are not using it, please let me know.
• Classrooms have a whiteboard or chalkboard and Internet access.
• Be sure to also let us know any special dietary or other needs.

Permission to Record

• CDs of keynotes and general sessions, continuing sessions, workshops, and panels will be reproduced on site and sold to conferees. We’re hoping to also make them available on the website as MP3 files.
• You will receive one free CD of each session or workshop you teach, to be picked up at the conference.
• In order to expand the conference's ministry and recoup the cost of recording, GPCWC reserves the right to make and sell CDs (or MP3s) at the conference and afterwards through our website. All other rights belong to you.
• CDs will carry a copyright notice in your name and will be professionally produced. (My son, Rob, is a sound design engineer.) If there is any reason why you do not want to be recorded, be sure to note this on your contract.

Contact Info

• Please fill in all of this info even though, obviously, I already have it. It makes working from a briefcase at the conference much easier.
• FYI, we no longer print a roster because of serious abuse one year. (We had a conferee who felt she was being stalked by another conferee!) Be assured that your info will not be shared with conferees without your permission.
• Our Appointments Coordinator, Barb Haley, and the captain of our Appointment Desk, Chris Richards, have requested your cell phone number so they can reach you during the conference if needed. We will, of course, also give your cell phone number to your driver if you're being picked up at the airport.
  

A FEW MORE DETAILS - thank you for reading this far.

• Help spread the word - If you have a website and can link to http://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com and let your visitors know you'll be serving on our faculty, we'd appreciate it. Please also "like" our Facebook page. I will mail you extra brochures and postcards along with your contract. if you'd like more, let me know.
• Conference book table - You are welcome to consign books, CDs, and other special products for sale at our book table. We charge a 20% consignment fee on items sold.
• Please use the Book Order/Recommend/Donate form to let me know by June 30 if you are shipping or bringing your product as well as any books you recommend I order. If you are shipping, please ship no earlier than July 10 to:

Cairn University
ATTN: Events & Facilities
Writers Conference
200 Manor Avenue
Langhorne, PA 19047

• All items need to be priced individually. Please do not offer a quantity price (i.e., 3 for $10 or $4 each) since we can't track these sales. If you are shipping, click here for a consignment form. You may list your titles, quantity, and price on this form or include your own form in the box. If you are bringing your product with you, it will save time at check-in if you have the consignment form completed.

• We are glad to obtain your books directly from your publisher and apply the sales profit to conference expenses if you prefer. (Thank you!) Please include titles and publishers on the Book Consignment/Order/Donation form.
• Please help us make this year's book table the best yet by including a list of titles you will recommend to your class. Book sales not only help us meet our budget, they provide continued learning after the conference. We encourage you to browse the book table and borrow titles for "show and tell" in your class.
• How many books should you bring or ship? While we sell a huge number of books, there is no way of knowing how many copies of specific titles will sell. Typically the biggest sellers are writing how-to books and books by our keynoters and continuing session instructors.
• Give-aways - We're delighted to have books you've authored or your house has published as give-aways. If shipping (to the above address), please clearly note titles that are for give-away.
• Free Lit - Our conferees appreciate free copies of your magazine or book catalog as well as your guidelines for writers and list of upcoming themes, if any. We are unable to make copies. We are planning for 230+ conferees. Not everyone takes a copy of everything that we make available on the free lit table, so use your best judgment when deciding how many to send. We know it costs money to print and send literature to us, so we encourage conferees to take left-over free lit home to their writers' group or church. Please ship no earlier than July 15 to:

Cairn University
ATTN: Events & Facilities
Writers Conference Free Lit
200 Manor Avenue
Langhorne, PA 19047

• Other Free Lit - If you have flyers for resources for writers or info about a ministry you are a part of that you'd like to add to the free lit table, we'd be glad to have it.
• What to Wear The campus is air conditioned (suggest you bring a sweater), but there is some walking outside. Philly summers can be very hot and humid or cold and rainy. Check the forecast but know it can change. Casual attire is encouraged. Women – capris are fine. Men - please NO suits or ties!

Father, thank You in advance for what You're going to do through this year's conference. I especially pray that you will bless each faculty and staff member in special and unexpected ways.

Questions?

Marlene 484-991-8581 (home & office) or mbagnull SPACE @aol.com
Cell – 267-436-2503 (only during the conference)

Barb Haley (Registrar & Appointments Coordinator)
haleybarb SPACE @yahoo.com

Roland Bubaker – rides between buildings on campus, Langhorne train station,
Radisson, and airport. Also assistance with luggage and boxes of books 267-978-9221

Paul Bagnull - rides between buildings on campus, Langhorne train station,
and the Radisson - 215-353-2464

Assistance with AV in classrooms & recording
Rob Bagnull - 610-662-8807