My Christian Writers Conferences

Follow Up Etiquette

The 2011 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference gave us a great opportunity to network with professionals in our industry. I’m sure you all came home with a stack of business cards (I know I did). But you may be wondering how—or even if—you should keep the connections current. Here are some basic guidelines to help you on your way.

First, I’d spend some time on Facebook and friend those you met during the week. This is often the first line of getting to know someone (even someone famous and important, like Alton Gansky). I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t want more friends or fans on Facebook. The same is true of Twitter. This is also a good way to network with your fellow attendees.

Second, Get ready to write…thank you notes. If you met with someone or took a class or if they helped you, and you have their snail mail address, send them a note of thanks. This will immediately help you stand out in their memory, and your grandmother would be proud!

Next, I’d look over my list (see previous post) of who asked me to submit something. Then, incorporate anything you learned before you send something in. Let me repeat—TAKE YOUR TIME SENDING THINGS IN. The biggest mistake writers make is submitting something before it’s ready.

You don’t have to worry about that editor or agent sitting at their desk with nothing to do. They have plenty to keep them busy and they’re not counting the hours until your submission comes in. As a matter of fact, I know of several who have turned down a submission because it was sent too soon after the conference because they didn’t think the writer had time to incorporate what they’d learned.

Important tips on sending submissions.

• Make sure you spell the name right. I know it sounds basic, but you’d be surprised what we’ve heard.
• If you’re sending an email put “Requested Material from Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference” in the subject line. This will keep your email submission from getting pushed into the slush pile.
• If you’re mailing the submission write, “Requested Material: Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference” on the envelope for the reason mentioned above.
• If you’re including a cover letter with a mailed submission or a brief email with an attachment, be sure to remind the editor/agent a little about your material. Many of the faculty meet with hundreds of new writers every conference season and there is no way they can remember everyone. So save us all a little embarrassment and include some history.
• After you’ve sent your submission be ready to be patient. Don’t expect to receive a confirmation email or postcard, although some will do this. Don’t expect to hear back before three months. This is the busiest part of the conference season and many editors and agents are on the road more than they’re in the office. Give them some time to wade through all the paper work. 
• If you still haven’t heard anything after three months send a polite email inquiry. If they don’t answer, assume no. DO NOT call them and DO NOT risk being labeled a pest. This is a small industry and people talk.

Follow these tips and you’ll be able to navigate the minefields of industry etiquette. 

Edie Melson, Assistant director

What’s Next—Getting Organized after the Conference

The Blue Ridge Conference is now just a memory (hopefully a really GOOD memory) and the euphoria of being with other writers has dissipated. You may have noticed a correlation between the excitement waning and the doubts returning. It’s not uncommon to come away from a conference with enthusiasm, only to have it replaced with insecurity after a few days at home.

My suggestion—don’t let that insecurity dig in and take root—get organized and get busy. Here are a few things you can do to capitalize on the connections you made and the things you learned while in the mountains.

• Make a list. Actually, make several. Start by writing down every one you talked with who asked you to submit something. Then list everything you learned that you want to immediately incorporate into your writing life. For example, if you’re a novelist you make have learned the difference between showing and telling and want to go back and incorporate it into your current manuscript. Finally, make a list of all the confirmations and positive things you heard during the week.
• Set your priorities. Obviously you can’t do everything at once. I recommend you pick a couple of things to start on immediately. Pick one short thing and one longer. 
• Commit to a due date. Even if you haven’t been given a date by someone else, set your own. Otherwise you’ll find the days become weeks, the weeks become months, and next year you’re right back where you started.
• Find an accountability partner or group. For me, it’s easier if that person’s also a writer. Other writers seem to instinctively know when I need a kick in the pants or a shoulder to cry on. Here are a couple of ways to find one if you don’t already have one.
  • Look at the contacts you made at Blue Ridge and start sending emails. It doesn’t matter if the writers you connect with are near or far—with the Internet we’re all just a click away.
  • Look for a local writers group and visit. 
• Come up with a schedule. Look at your lifestyle and carve out some regular time to write. It doesn’t have to be a normal time—but it does need to be consistent. When I first started out my kids were little, so my writing time was unconventional. I waited until my kids and my husband were asleep and then I wrote from about midnight until three or four in the morning. My husband would get the kids up and off to school and I would sleep in. Then I’d do my household stuff and be fresh when the kids got home from school. We’d have family/couple time in the evenings and then I’d be back to writing. Like I said, unconventional, but it worked for us. That’s the key—find what works for you.

Hopefully these tips will help keep your writing on track. If you’ve come up with other ways to get on track after the conference, leave a comment and share them with us!

Edie Melson, Assistant Director

2011 BRMCWC Contest Results [Updated . . . again]

[Updated. Thanks to everyone who reminded me that I had left off a few categories. I've added the categories to the Unpublished Authors Contest. I apologize for the oversight. --ALG

YA winners were added 5-22-11]

This year we held three contests: one for unpublished authors; one for conferees who had books published the previous year; one industry wide contest.

The contest for Unpublished Authors has been around for several years. The contest is meant to encourage conferees who have yet to be published in a particular category. This contest is judged my faculty volunteers. Submissions are made by conferees. Edie Melson provided oversight for this contest.

The Director's Choice award is meant to honor conferees who have published between conference dates. The conference director judges submissions for this contest. Submissions are made by the author or publisher.

The Selah Award is an industry wide contest open to anyone who has published in the Christian market. Judges were selected readers outside the rank and file of the conference. Submissions come from authors, agents, or editors. Eva Marie Everson designed and managed this contest.

Here are this year's winners.

 

Unpublished Authors Contest

Articles – Print and Web combined

• First Place: Julie Webb Kelley, How Your Lifestyle Affects Your Breast Cancer
• Second Place: La-Tan Murphy, Sweet Tea with Lemon
• Third Place: Tawnya Shaffer, Joy of Humdrum 

Devotions

• First Place: Tawnya Shafer, A Bump in My Sock
• Second Place: Jim Burke, Out of the Depths
• Third Place: Dee Dee Parker, Beautiful Feet

Dramas/Plays/Scripts

• First Place: Carlton Hughes, Where is He?
• Second Place: Donnalyn Davis, A Real Christmas Blessing
• Third Place: Dana Ketchum, The After Life

Non-Fiction Book

• First Place: Christine Hoover, Cultivating Tender Soil
• Second Place: Wendy Saxton,  How to Forgive What You’ll Never Forget
• Third Place: Aggi Stevenson, Upon My Tiny Shoulders

Bible Study

• First Place: Katy Kauffman, 2 Timothy
• Second Place: Aggi Stevenson, God’s Wounded Warriors
• Third Place: Virginia Carr, Take Control of Your Thoughts

Novellas

• First Place: Kimberli Buffaloe, Eternal Weight of Glory
• Second Place: Kay Chandler,  Unforgettable
• Third Place: Mary Beth Dahl, 100 Days

 Novel

• First Place: Lori Roeleveld, The Overcomers
• Second Place: Kay Chandler,  Sweet Lavender
• Third Place: D’Ann Renner,  Normal is Just a Point of View

 Blog

• First Place: Alycia Morales, www.amoralesthinks.blogspot.com
• Second Place: Lori Roeleveld, www.loristanleyroeleveld.blogspot.com
• Third Place: Christine Hoover, www.hooverhousehold.blogspot.com

 

[Winners not listed in previous post:]

Poetry

• First Place:  Stacey Burke,  My Lord, My Life
• Second Place:  Julie Webb Kelley, Listening through the Rain
• Third Place:  Cathy Baker,  Soft Clover

Short Story/Flash Fiction

• First Place:  Lori Roeleveld, Through the Waters
• Second Place:  Kimberli Buffaloe, Saints and Sinners
• Third Place:  Dee Dee Parker, Gnarly Knotts 

Childrens

• First Place:  Darlo Gemeinhardt, Abra-Cadaver Dog
• Second Place:  James Booth,  Help Each Other
• Third Place:  Mitzi Smith,  A Valentine for Lucy

Young Adult

• First Place: Diana Sharples, Running Lean
• Second Place: Kay Chandler, When the Tide Ebbs
• Third Place: Darlo Gemeinhardt, The Heart of Dixie

 

 

Director's Choice Award 2011

• First place: Marcia Gaddis, When God Comes Near, Longbranch Press
• Second place: Ginny Dent Brant, Finding True Freedom, CLC Publications

Selah Awards 2011

• FICTION:  Amy Clipston, A Promise of Hope, Zondervan
• YA FICTION:  Larry Jones, The Curse of Captain LaFoote, Port Yonder Press
• CHRISTIAN LIVING:  Louise Looney, Hidden Treasure for Golden Years, XP Publishing
• INSPIRATION & GIFT:  Marcia Gaddis, When God Comes Near, Longbranch Press
• CHILDREN'S:  Dan & Ali Morrow, That's Where God Is, David C. Cook
• WINNER OF THE 2011 SELAH BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD:  Marcia Gaddis, When God Comes Near, Longbranch Press

 

Conference Recap

We were blessed with a great conference this year. Our numbers were down some but our spirit and enthusiasm was off the charts (cliche intended). I'm still receiving e-mail and Facebook posts of praise. Thank you for that. Those short notes are reminders of why we do what we do and see us through the pressing, stressful days leading to the conference. 

In the days ahead you can expect to see:

1. Photos of the events. Feel free to send you photos to me or post them to Facebook. (By doing so, you are allowing us to use the photos.)

2. Words of praise from conferees.

3. Names of contest winners.

4. Maybe a little video here and there.

5. Announcement about recorded sessions.

6. And more stuff.

There were some real highlights for me this year. Major Jeff Struecker was fabulous and his message on point. Hearing Jim Rubart sing a bluesy song about pizza will never be forgotten. Kicking it with conferees and faculty in the after hours is always fun. Talking writing with new writers and experienced professionals. Making new friends in the profession was an added bonus.

We added two new contests, something made possible by the work and planning of Eva Marie Everson. The Awards Banquet was the jewel in the crown. The LifeWay staff did a remarkable job and Jane Herzog was hilarious. Giving awards is fun.

Edie Melson was remarkable in all respects, from her administration to the devotion she gave. Her contribution made this year's conference possible.

I'm back in my office now finishing up detail work, editing, starting another book, and planning my lessons plan for a teaching expedition to Southern California. Yes, I'm back in the Here & Now. And so are you. That's not a bad thing. A conference is a place to learn, recharge batteries of creativity, and get a spiritual lift--then it's back to work. 

In some ways, the end of a conference is just the beginning of a new leg of the journey. Look down the road. What course will you chart?

So, what was the highlight for you?

Stay tuned. There's more coming about this conference and the New Mexico conferences.

Alton Gansky, Director.

Remember. this blog site is your year-round source of encouragement and information about writing. 

Are You Ready?

Well, I've been plugging away on a project I need to finish this week and trying to do last minute conference stuff. Wow, things are moving fast now. In a few days, I'll get to see you're smiling faces. With that in mind, I thought it might be good to kick off a discussion of last minute advice. Feel free to add to my suggestions by using the comments feature below.

1. First, get rid of the nerves. Every year we have conferees who arrive feeling intimidated by the conference, the editors, agents, and writers. Don't. I've seen these people eat. They are just like the rest of us. To prove this, Eva Marie Everson is once again heading up the Faculty Talent Show. That should prove how human we all are.

2. Wear comfortable shoes. There's a fair amount of walking. Great exercise unless you're wearing three-inch heels (or so I've heard).

3. It can get chilly at night in the mountains, so a light coat is suggested. It usually rains at least once.

4. The Awards Banquet is the social event of the year (at least at our conference). Some folk choose to dress up. That's not required but some enjoy it. I will be wearing a coat and tie and maybe shoes. Assuming I can remember what I did with my ties.

5. Bring your favorite note taking technology: laptop computer, iPad, pencil and paper (still a favorite). Edie Melson--the real brains behind the operation--has an excellent article at her website. It's called "Get Organized for a Writers Conference" and she describes a notebook she used as a conferee. Scroll down to Tuesday, April 26, 2011.

6. If you're planning to pitch your work to editors and agents, then practice, practice, practice. Find the screencast post I did on how to pitch to an editor or agent. It's a few posts down from this article.

7. Expect some last minute changes. Experience teaches that a few things, usually very small, will change between now and when you arrive. Such is life. We have to be a little flexible.

8. If this is your first time at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference then plan on attending Michelle Cox's "Maximize Your Conference Experience," which is held in the Jim Henry Auditorium (the bottom level of Mountain Laurel Hotel). Last year was standing room only and I received many compliments about Michelle's presentation.

10. Don't be overwhelmed. I know we have 45 or so faculty and over 185 classes but you need to concern yourself only with those in your field of study. What if you don't know what you want to focus on? Well . . .

11. Consider sampling some of the classes. If you don't have a goal such as, "I want to write articles," then you may want to attend those classes the snag your interest, helping you fine tune your goals.

12. Yes, we will be recording as many classes as we can. I can't say every class because sometimes there are copyright matters to consider. I believe we will be able to offer most, if not all the classes. We will tell you how to get that material at the conference.

13. Ridgecrest will be recording the keynotes and plenary sessions. Information about that will be shared during the conference.

14. When you see Yvonne Lehman take a moment to say, "Thank you." This conference exists because of her vision and determination.

15. When you arrive and register, you will receive a booklet with the schedule, class locations, a map, faculty bios, and class descriptions. You will want to keep that with you.

16. There will be a book signing following the Award's Banquet so purchase your books from the LifeWay bookstore before the event.

17. Relax. Have fun. Enjoy the beauty. This is gonna be great.

Have any tips to share? If so, then click on the comment link below. If I think of more, I'll add them in the comments. Now back to my deadline . . .

Have your registered yet? 1.800.588.7222 or click here.

Alton Gansky, Director

 

One More New Addition

Meet Shelly:

Shelly Ballestero is the leading inspirational expert in beauty and health from a positive perspective in a contemporary culture that is too often overly and overtly image-obsessed.

Shelly is the author of Beauty by God, Inside Out Secrets for Every Woman,(Regal Books, 2009), its companion DVD Behind the Scenes for Beauty by God, and the inspirational CD Beauty by God, Speak Out…I Am Beautiful. She serves as an inspirational beauty coach, licensed esthetician, nutritional consultant, certified herbalist, speaker and beauty editor for A Distinctive Style Magazine. Shelly is frequently called on as a beauty expert for CBN.com and contributes to such national publications as Natural Solutions Magazine, HairCut & Style Magazine, Celebrity Hairstyles, Short Hair Style Guide, Woman’s World, The Family Grove and OnCourse magazine. 

Shelly has also appeared as a beauty expert for Better TV New York, NBC Midday Nashville, NBC Morning Show Orlando, The Today Show NBC New York, Every Day With Marcus & Lisa Atlanta, TBN International- Praise The Lord Show and Better Mornings CBS Atlanta. She is a recurring beauty expert for Martha Stewart Radio.

Shelly created and developed Creative Confidence as an outreach of Orlando’s “House of Hope.” This hands-on strategic program educates teen girls in the areas of health, beauty, self-worth, and purpose. 

Shelly lives in Florida with her husband and their two boys.

Stage Image do’s and don’ts Part 1 and 2

Trends come and go but your message stays the same—

This workshop will be fun and informative— includes 

• How to stay focused even when your audience is not.
• Don’t be an on stage distraction
• Performance vs authentic stage presence...BE yourself, original.
• Presentation/attitude starts the moment you leave your home; points will be given on making an entrance, tips & exercises for best speaking voice, Your best style (colors etc.), a  streamline outline and Model/professional makeup tips plus demonstration.
• Get your best TV interview/radio interview and tips on getting booked again. Need to drop a size before that TV interview? Gotcha covered on that too.

Shelly will also be taking appoints to hear pitches for her magazine.

[Note: Since Shelly is such a recent addition, her class time is yet to be scheduled, but we'll have it figured out before the conference begins.]

Have your registered yet? 1.800.588.7222 or click here.

 

New Additions

It is my pleasure to announce the recent addition Dr. Samuel Lowry, President and CEO of Ambassador International publishing and Timothy Lowery, COO. Both will be at the conference to take conferee appointments and listen to pitches.

The Company:

Ambassador International is a Christian publishing company that exists to glorify Christ, encourage believers and spread the Gospel. Over three decades, Ambassador International has published thousands of Christian books through our offices in Belfast Northern Ireland and Greenville, South Carolina.

Dr. Samuel Lowry, President and CEO: As a young man in Northern Ireland, Samuel Lowry determined to establish a Christian publishing company dedicated to magnifying the Lord through books and materials. So in 1980 Samuel founded Ambassador International. The company soon became well known for its extensive series of Christian biographies and Classic Christian reprints. Each year, the company began printing and releasing more and more new titles including theological, devotional, inspirational, and historical works. Through the years the company has also produced videos, calendars, cards, magazines and pictures for the Christian marketplace. In 1995, Ambassador International opened offices in Greenville, South Carolina to better serve the US market. Samuel can be contacted at publisher@emeraldhouse.com

The Representatives:

Timothy Lowry, COO: Timothy Lowry grew up in Northern Ireland and in 2005, moved to the US to oversee operations in the company’s Greenville office. Timothy’s focus has been on enhancing the company’s partnership with both experienced and first-time authors, increasing circulation and expanding distribution of the hundreds of titles Ambassador International currently prints. Timothy can be contacted at tlowry@emeraldhouse.com

Have your registered yet? 1.800.588.7222 or click here.