On Writing: The Montrose Christian Writers Conference

On Writing: The Montrose Christian Writers Conference

One of the most meaningful experiences you’ll ever have as a writer is attending writers conferences. The knowledge gained, the friendships made, and the encouragement received is well worth the time, effort, and money invested in any writers conference you attend.
My attending the Montrose Christian Writers Conference, literally, changed my writing life forever.
In 2001, I met Barbara Scott, the acquisitions editor of Zonderkidz, and my Keystone Stables Series was launched, eventually becoming a best seller with over 100,000 in print.
The Montrose Christian Writers Conference in Montrose, PA, is one of the best conferences, in my opinion, that you’ll ever attend. The director, Patti Souder, always has at least 15 on faculty with numerous workshops and classes that will suit any writer’s fancy.
This year’s conference from July 21st to the 26th and entitled Words Wisely Written, will feature five continuing morning classes as well as 50 other afternoon and evening classes or workshops. If you leave this five-day conference without learning anything, I’d say you’re not cut out to be a writer.
I’ve been on faculty about five times in the last dozen or so years, and I’m scheduled for this year, as well. I’m excited about this assignment because I’ll be conducting a work-in-progress workshop for several hours in the morning for four consecutive days. I’ve asked Patti to limit the class size to no more than eight and ten, when we’re going to rip everyone’s work to shreds! (Translation: We’re going to make everyone in that class a better fiction writer by learning the basics of plotting, character development, narration, and excellent dialogue.)
If you’re considering attending this conference, I recommend you register as soon as possible, especially for my class. I expect it to fill up very quickly. For all the details about the conference, go to http://www.montrosebible.org/writers.htm

Enjoy suspense? Read Peril by Suzanne Hartmann A top-secret agent. A high-profile assignment. Danger at a NASCAR track. http://suzanne-hartmann.blogspot.com/

On Writing: The Susquehanna Valley Writers Luncheon

I want to invite all of you to a terrific day coming up way way in October. Yes, I said October, but if you mark your calendar now, you’ll not be surprised when October rolls around. The Susquehanna Valley Writers Group is having its second annual luncheon. I have all the details listed below, so if you’re interested in attending, you can go to the following site for a registration form: http://www.susquehannavalleywritersworkshop.wordpress.com

Here’s what you need to know in a nutshell:

SECOND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY WRITERS ANNUAL LUNCHEON

JOIN US ON OCTOBER 5^TH, 2013

Held at Carriage Corner Restaurant, Mifflinburg, PA

10:30 am until 2:30 pm

REGISTRATION FEE: ONLY $20

Soup and salad bar with beverage/Two workshops

Guest Speaker: Loree Lough

PERKS

1.      FREE Peer Critique Group – monitored by Dorothy Pollock

2.      Private Critiques with Loree Lough

                     CRITIQUE FEE: $20

             (Up to four private critiques – first come, first served)

3.      Book Table – authors’ books, budget books, and freebies

The Tentative Schedule

10:30 – 11:00   Registration, Book Sales, and Get Acquainted

11:00 – 11:45   Session One with Loree Lough:

IT’S ELEMENTARY, MY DEAR – Some experts claim three key elements are necessary in everything we write. Others insist there are five. Loree says when you’re writing articles, essays, short stories, or novels, you need seven…if you ever hope to sell what you write. And in this presentation, she’ll provide an interactive workshop that defines them all. (Handouts)

11:45 -12:00 – Break

12:00 -12:45 – Lunch

12:45 – 1:30 – Session Two with Loree Lough:

MAKE YOUR RESEARCH HOURS PAY…LITERALLY – As any writer knows, research is necessary, whether you’re writing articles, essays, short stories, or novels. What most don’t know is how to use that research as a springboard for other things. Loree will show you how she turned the research for one novel into a short story and 14 articles that earned $1,950.00. (Handouts)

1:30 –  Goodbye until next time

OR

1:30 – 2:30 Private Critiques ($20) with Loree

(Total of four critiques at 10-12 minutes each)

OR

  FREE Peer Critique Group – open to all (Monitored by Dorothy Pollock)

 

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT CRITIQUE SAMPLES – SEPTEMBER 5^TH

(After you register, contact Marsha Hubler at http://www.marshahubler.com  for the details to submit writing samples to either Loree or Dorothy for critique.

 

 About Our Guest Speaker Best-selling Author Loree Lough

 

Best-selling author Loree Lough once sang for her supper, performing all across the US and Canada. Now and then, she blows the dust from her six-string to croon a tune or two, but mostly, she just writes (2,500+ articles, 99 novels that earned hundreds of industry and “Readers’ Choice” awards, 4- and 5-star reviews, and 4 movie options).

Loree enjoys sharing learned-the-hard-way lessons about the craft and the industry, and her comedic approach to the boring “how-to write” makes her a favorite for writers’ organizations, private/government institutions, and high school/college writing programs across the US and abroad.

She and her real-life hero (her hubby) live in Maryland and love spending time at their cabin in the Alleghenies, where Loree loves showing off her “identify the critter tracks” skills.

 

Map and Directions to the Carriage Corner Restaurant

On the porch of Carriage Corner Restaurant

Open 7 days a week, Carriage Corner Restaurant is located on Route 45 just east of downtown Mifflinburg.

http://www.carriagecornerrestaurant.com/

GPS Coordinates: 40.923466,-77.030178

View Carriage Corner Restaurant in a larger map

FROM THE NORTH:
Take Route 15 South to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
Turn Right on Route 45, traveling approximately 8 miles to Mifflinburg.
Carriage Corner Restaurant is located on the Left at the first red light in town.

FROM THE SOUTH:
Take Routes 11-15 North towards Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania.
Turn Left onto PA Route 104. Travel approximately 25 miles to Mifflinburg.
Turn Right onto Route 45/Chestnut Street, traveling approximately 1.5 miles.
Carriage Corner Restaurant is located on the Right, just past the red light at Sheetz.

FROM THE EAST:
Take I-80 W towards Bloomsburg.
Take Route 15 South to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
Turn Right on Route 45, traveling approximately 8 miles to Mifflinburg.
Carriage Corner Restaurant is located on the Left at the first red light in town.

FROM THE WEST:
Take Route 45 East to Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania.
Route 45 becomes Chestnut Street – travel approximately 1.5 miles to the end of town.
Carriage Corner Restaurant is located on the Right, just past the red light at Sheetz.

So, writers of any genre, I hope you mark your calendar and plan to join us for this special writers’ event way way in October! (But before we know it, October will be here.)

MEET THE AUTHOR: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU

Meet the Author Linda Wood Rondeau

 

Linda Wood Rondeau has a life full of excitement, full of creativity, and full of published works. She says she has a wonderful life, and she gives all the credit to God.

After a long career in human services, Linda now resides in Jacksonville, Florida. Before moving to Jacksonville, Florida, the author was active in Community Theater, playing a variety of roles from M’Lynn in “Steel Magnolias” to a cigar-smoking elderly murder writer in the dinner theater production of “A Talent for Murder.” She has also had a hand at directing, working on the play, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” giving her much fodder for her best-selling short Christmas romance, It Really IS a Wonderful Life, published by Lighthouse of the Carolinas and is available wherever books are sold.

Many of the author’s works are set in the Adirondack Mountains, a beautiful backdrop for romance and intrigue as well as rich in historical significance. Her recent release, Days of Vines and Roses, is set in New Haven, Connecticut, where her son lived at the time the book was written.

Winner of the 2012 Selah Award for best first novel The Other Side of Darkness/Harbourlight,  Linda writes stories of God’s mercies. Walk with her unforgettable characters as they journey paths not unlike our own.

Linda’s books are also available in e-book format along with her other e-books by Helping Hands Press: I Prayed for Patience/God Gave Me Children and Days of Vines and Roses. Songs in the Valley is scheduled for release this fall by Helping Hands Press.

When not writing, Linda enjoys golfing with hubby, going for walks, and sightseeing at museums.  One interesting fact about Linda that she often doesn’t share is that she was once a legal witness for a wedding in Monterrey Mexico.

Readers may visit her web site at www.lindarondeau.com, email her at lindarondeau@gmail.com, or find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

MEET THE AUTHOR: DAVE FESSENDEN

Meet the Author: Dave Fessenden

 

It’s April Fool’s Day, But This is No Joke!

When I asked Dave Fessenden if he minded being my featured guest on April Fool’s Day, he said, “That’ll be a hoot!”  But Dave’s no fool when it comes to the writing and publishing world.

I’m not sure exactly where Dave Fessenden and I crossed paths, but it’s been a while back. I think it might have been at the Montrose Christian Writers Conference, where we’ve both been on faculty numerous times over the last 12 years or so. He’s taught workshops from not only an author’s P.O.V., but from an editor’s and publisher’s P.O.V. as well.

Dave is an independent publishing consultant with 20 years experience in editorial management for Christian publishers with a B.A. in journalism, an M.A. in religion, and over 30 years of experience in writing and editing. In previous positions Dave served on the communications staff of Elim Bible Institute and was an editor of a regional edition of the largest Protestant weekly newspaper in the country.
His Writing Career

Dave humbly tells me, “I’ve published five books, produced study guides for two titles by A.W. Tozer (published in the back of the books), written hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles, and edited numerous books. I’ve recently completed a 10-year stint as a regular columnist for Cross & Quill, a Christian writers’ newsletter, and I’m a frequent speaker at writers’ conferences.” Dave also conducts Sunday school teaching workshops based on his book, Teaching with All Your Heart. His latest book, Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book: Concept to Contract, was published by SonFire Media in 2011.

Dave’s quite excited about his latest project, his first novel, The Case of the Exploding Speakeasy. “In this book” he says, “Sherlock Holmes’ smarter brother, Mycroft, teams up with Dr. Watson’s son, Thomas, to solve the murder of a bootlegger and his card-playing cronies in 1920s Philadelphia. It’s scheduled to be published in 2013.”

Dave plays guitar and has written dozens of songs. When he proposed to his wife, Jacque, he did the logical thing: he wrote a song! “It must have worked,” he says, “because we’ve been married now for 34 years.” (Dave and Jacque live in Central Pennsylvania and have two adult sons.)

What About Dave’s New Book?

“There are three rules for writing a book,” a famous author once said. “Unfortunately, no one knows what they are!”

“It’s true—to some extent,” Dave says. “The process of writing a book is shrouded in mystery, and is probably the main reason why so many potential authors are simply treading water. Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book: Concept to Contract helps take the confusion out of the process. Concept to Contract merges practical advice with spiritual counsel so the approach emphasizes the inspirational impact of the author’s material.”

Dave is adamant about writers striving to publish a work of which they can be proud. “To produce a complete, publishable manuscript that will have a real ministry, you need to do a lot of praying, a lot of thinking, a lot of study, a lot of research—and very little actual writing at first—until the creative pressure, the spiritual burden, builds to a critical mass. At that point the book practically writes itself! Well, not really,” he adds. “But if you follow the methods I teach, writing a book should be a bit easier, a bit less mysterious. Concept to Contract can show you how.

A Few of Dave’s Endorsements:

Many would-be authors are passionate about their nonfiction topic, yet challenged to navigate the world of publishing. Dave Fessenden provides a focused plan for success. Read this book. No, do much more than read it; you need to study it carefully.

W. Terry Whalin, author of Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams (www.jumpstartdreams.com)

 I’ve compiled an anthology, Writers on Writing, and composed two of my own books for writers. Plus I’ve taught writing at hundreds of conferences and colleges during the past thirty years. But I have to admit I’m just a bit jealous of David’s Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book: Concept to Contract. He’s managed to collect and communicate—in his warm and witty style—all the basics from “concept to contract.” A great resource! I just wish I had written it.

                                                                                                                                James N. Watkins, author of Communicate to Change Lives and Writing with Banana Peels

Helpful, humorous, and honest, Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book: Concept to Contract is more like a comprehensive conversation on conceiving and crafting a quality book rather than a stiff, starchy how-to-write-a-book book. Laced with great quotations and personal anecdotes, it’s easy to follow and fun to read. Don’t be misled, however: Although this book eschews pedantic pedagogy, it delivers on its promise to clarify the process of crafting a concept so that it lands a contract. Thanks, Dave, for sharing these insider secrets!

Patti Souder, director of the Montrose Christian Writers’ Conference

 

 

Meet the Author/Editor: Barbara Scott

MEET THE AUTHOR/EDITOR: BARBARA SCOTT

 

I first met Barbara Scott at the Montrose Christian Writers Conference in July of 2001. She was then the acquisitions editor for Zonderkidz (the children’s division of Zondervan) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and I was a struggling writer who had gone to that writers conference to try to sell a series of Bible study guides to a company interested in Christian non-fiction. I had no idea who Barbara was nor did I think I’d be interested in writing juvenile fiction at that time in my writing career.

However, in one of the editor/conferee private appointments, on a whim, I met with Barbara and showed her a short story I had written about a girl in a wheelchair who learned to ride a horse. Unbeknown to me, Barbara was looking for someone to write a juvenile girl/horse series for Zonderkidz. We talked for a while on the front porch of Dreyer Hall at the Montrose conference, she liked my writing style and twenty-plus years’ experience with children and horses, and she shared her idea with me. Without going into much more detail, let’s just say the best-selling eight-book KEYSTONE STABLES SERIES was conceived, and the rest is history.

Barbara’s that kind of gal whom you want to be your best friend as soon as you meet her. She’s warm, friendly, and often laughs at your stupid jokes that aren’t funny at all. But on top of that sparkling personality, Barbara is “street-wise” and is a walking dictionary when it comes to writing, editing, and publishing.

Barbara Scott Has More Than 30 Years of Publishing Experience, ranging from newspapers and magazines to Christian books for all ages. As a senior acquisitions editor, she is credited for kicking off a well-rounded series of bestselling YA novels at Zondervan and quality, highly reviewed novels at Abingdon Press.

Barbara also says, “I’ve worked with both fiction and nonfiction authors and sold their work to numerous publishers while a literary agent for WordServe Literary Group. I’m also a published author, and currently I’m writing and editing under the banner of my own company, Heartland Editorial Management”  (http://www.heartlandeditorial.com ).

Barbara’s Credentials:

Barbara has a long list of credits that are quite impressive. “I’ve partnered with best-selling authors such as Brandilyn Collins and Melody Carlson for the YA fiction line at Zondervan, and many of the authors in my fiction launch at Abingdon Press received rave reviews in Publisher’s Weekly and Library Journal.” Two of her authors at Abingdon Press, Cynthia Ruchti and Richard Mabry, were nominated for Carol Awards by ACFW in 2011, and Nancy Rue, one of her authors at Zonderkidz has sold more than one million copies of her various children’s and YA series there. The fiction line at Abingdon Press exceeded all sales expectations.

Her Background:

Barbara’s educational background includes a M.A. in English from National University, a B.A. in English from Missouri Southern College, a Certificate in Film from the Mass Media Institute at Stanford University, a graduate-level course in child development from Calvin College, training in screen development with the Robert McKee Story Seminar in Los Angeles, and numerous sales, management, and customer service training courses.

I would say this woman is highly qualified to write and edit, wouldn’t you say?

Barbara’s “Secret” Life:

Asking this amazing gal to share something really interesting that most folks don’t know about her, I found that she’s definitely has had an exciting life.

 “As a teenager, I was a member of the Civil Air Patrol (an auxiliary to the Air Force) and went through ground flight school, two weeks of boot camp on an Air Force base, and learned how to rappel down cliffs, shoot a rifle, and hunt for downed civilian planes. I was a lot braver then and in much better shape! Also, by the time I finished college back in the Stone Age, I had attended twenty-seven schools, and I received my Master’s Degree in English at the age of sixty.”

What else can be said about a gal who’s “been around”?

All I can say is Barbara knows her stuff when it comes to the publishing world, and I’m eternally grateful to her and God for giving me the opportunity to write from my heart and to write about what I love: horses, kids, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Visit Barbara’s daily tips, inspirational quotes, and encouragement for writers on her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Barbara.Scott01 and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BarbaraScott01.

**************************************************************************

A HORSE TO LOVE

Volume One in THE KEYSTONE STABLES SERIES

 Purchase at http://www.amazon.com/A-Horse-Love-Keystone-Stables/dp/0310717922/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363616301&sr=8-1&keywords=A+Horse+to+Love+by+Marsha+Hubler

 

 

Meet the Author: Alison Treat

Meet the Author: Alison Treat

Alison has had the writing bug inside of her ever since she was a child. “I started writing in my first journal as a girl of eight,” she says. “It was probably part of my homeschool curriculum, so when my mother presented me with that blank book, I’m sure she had no idea how often she would find me scribbling away in it—or one like it—in the coming years.”

Alison wrote stories and poems and kept a detailed record of every facet of her life the whole time she was growing up. After finishing high school, she chose King’s College near her home for its “wonderful English Department.” She majored in English Literature because she believed the best way to learn to write well was by reading excellent writing.

Alison’s Writing as an Adult

“I planned to throw myself fully into writing just as soon as I could, but God often has a way of taking us on a slightly different, or at least a longer, path than we ever could anticipate. I never stopped writing, but rejection letters wore me down, and priorities changed as I got married and had children.”

Her First Novel is Out!

But Alison never quit writing! Now that her first novel is finally being released, she says she’s grateful that it didn’t come out ten years ago. “I would have been insufferable to live with. Today I know my husband and children come first, and I’m humbled and beyond grateful to see this book in print, regardless of what happens now that it is available.”

Life Outside of Writing

Alison says she and her husband have an adventurous side. “Before we had children, we spent a lot of time skiing and hiking. Now we drag our children with us on those excursions. One of our most exciting adventures during our pre-children days was hiking the Grand Canyon rim to rim. This was a longtime dream of mine and accomplishing it was exhilarating. We also traveled to Europe for two weeks, where we met my husband’s relatives in Italy and mine in Slovakia.”

Alison is very grateful to have had all those adventures, but she’s learning that life itself is an adventure—the smaller accomplishments in her life are just representative of the whole experience of living as God draws us farther along the path toward Him.

What’s Her New Book About?

One Traveler

by Alison Treat

In the spring of 1860, seventeen-year-old Sidney Judson loses his parents in an accident. Although he saw himself as a grown man before their deaths, now he cannot bear to stay at the home he shared with them. He leaves Roswell, Georgia, to journey to his father’s hometown of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he stays with his aunt and uncle, members of the Underground Railroad. While Sidney is facing the past his father tried to forget and is coming to terms with his own role in his parents’ deaths, his entire belief system is challenged by the community around him.

His attraction to the winsome Rachel further complicates his situation as her inner person far outshines that of his sweetheart in Georgia. He has made a promise to return home and, despite his misgivings, he keeps his word, only to break up with his girlfriend and discover that fighting for “The Cause” is not for him. In the end, Sidney deserts the Rebel army and travels once again to Pennsylvania, a changed man.

Check it out at http://www.amazon.com/One-Traveler-Alison-Treat/dp/1936936046/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1362413039&sr=1-1&keywords=One+Traveler+by+Alison+Treat

Meet the Author: Vie Herlocker

Meet the Author: Vie Herlocker

Over the last twenty years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting some fine people in the writing and publishing business. One of the finest I’ve ever known is Vie Herlocker from Fancy Gap, Virginia. Vie is one of those folks who has such a vibrant personality, you immediately want her to be one of your best friends. She’s witty, kind, and very professional, and she’ll do anything to help any writer be successful in this tough publishing world.

Vie Herlocker is the editor for Sonfire Media, a small Christian publisher in Virginia. Vie also provides freelance editing services through Cornerstone-Ink. Whether she’s editing for Sonfire or Cornerstone-Ink, her mission is the same:

“My desire is to encourage and mentor other writers as they develop the skills needed to answer their call to write. Each manuscript entrusted to me is a gift from God that I nurture with respect for the author and his or her voice, while moving the writing closer to publication quality.”

Vie is also known as Book Mama and her alter ego, Miz Moe. These personas add some fun at workshops where Book Mama is the cookie-sharing encourager for writers—kind of like their real moms. Meanwhile, Miz Moe (Measley Old Editor), is tough love, pointing out possible red flags to publishers.

Did You Know?

1. Vie lives in an RV four months at a time (with her sweet hubby, a goofy dog, an unstable cat, and a bunch of odd ducks).
2. She has two fabulous sons and two beautiful daughters-in-law.
3. She was a mud and dirt drag racer, winning more trophies than her husband, in the Mid-Atlantic Four-Wheel Drive Association in the late 1970s.

(And I’d give money to see some of those pictures!)

Personal Writing

Vie has published in Guideposts, Angels, Penned from the Heart, Miracles of Forgiveness, Chicken Soup for the Empty Nesters Soul, Mature Living, Church Libraries, and The Christian Communicator. She co-wrote Building Better Schools by Engaging Support Staff and ghostwrote a memoir. But her latest passion is seeing other fine authors have their books in print via the auspices of Sonfire.

The company’s latest works are Handing It Down: Teaching Your Children the Basic Truths of Faith, by Tim and Tami Thurber; With Each Passing Moment: Help and Hope for Caregivers, by Shirley Leonard; and Boundless: Discovering God in Your Eating Disorder, by Ashli Roussel (written when she was nineteen years old!) I was also privileged to have one of my juvenile fiction books published by Sonfire: The Secret of Wolf Canyon, and the company did a beautiful job with that book, of which I’m very proud.

I am also proud to call Vie Herlocker a very dear friend.