WRITE: Florida Christian Writers Conference

Posted by Marti on September 28, 2011 in Florida Christian Writers Conference, WRITE, writers conference | 3 comments

 

Where can I find help to polish my novel?

  I’ve heard of book proposals, but the thought of writing one overwhelms me. Where can I get help?

 I’d love to submit articles to a magazine, but I don’t know a thing about the process. How can I learn?

            I think I’m ready for an agent. Where do I find one?

           The idea of marketing my book scares me to death. Can I get lessons?

            I’ve always wanted to write, but life got in the way. How can I get started?

As a writer, editor, and mentor of writers, I’ve heard various forms of all these questions—all with the same answer. I find myself giving it in different ways to almost every writer or writer wannabe I know: Go to a writer’s conference. The best place to get started is a writer’s conference. You’ll get expert advice and instruction at a writer’s conference.

Today, I want to highlight an event I’ve grown to love, the wonderful FloridaChristian Writers Conference. March 1-4, 2012 marks its 25^th anniversary. I’m giving you plenty of notice on this one because you’ll want to pray about attending. 

As you do, you may want to read my first blog about the conferencewhen I attended back in 2010. Or you may want to note the following facts provided by conference director Billie Wilson:

The Florida Christian Writers Conference offers:

·                     Appointments with Agents and Editors

·                     Manuscript Submission to Agents & Editors 

·                     7 Continuing Classes (6 hours of instruction in a genre)

·                     Mentoring Tracks limited to 10 participants in each track – take place during Continuing Class time

§  Fiction Project  – Eva Marie Everson, Ken Kuhlken  

§  Nonfiction Project – Janis Whipple

§  Writing for Children – Christine Tangvald, Carol Wedeven

·                     72 Elective Workshops

·                     12 “After Hours” Workshops

Scholarships: To apply for all scholarships please email  billiewilson@cfl.rr.com a brief bio, financial situation and a snippet of your current writing project. We are grateful that Cecil Murphey has made scholarships available from the Cecil Murphey Scholarship Fund.

Cash Awards: Manuscripts submitted are considered for an award in the following categories:  Poetry, Drama/Screenwriting, Children’s Book or Short Story, Curriculum , Short Story for Teens or Adults , Article, Devotional, Novel, Non-Fiction Book, Best Work for a First Time Conferee plus Writer of the Year Award of $200 from WinePress Publishing Group.

The conference provides some additional benefits in the form of its beautiful central Florida setting at the Lake Yale Conference Center; delicious meals (including a full salad bar at lunch and dinner); and the opportunity to build relationships with writers, authors, agents, editors, and others in workshop, meal, and other settings. I’ll serve on the faculty as I represent SUSIE Magazine and teach some workshops, too.

For more information:

Conference blog: http://www.floridachristianwriters.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/flwritersconf 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Florida-Christian-Writers-Conference/147564825201

Have you attended this conference? What would you say to someone considering it for 2012? And if you’re one of those still thinking about it, share your questions. I hope to see you there!

Also, I’m trying out a new look for my blog. Any thoughts?