Publishing 101

Finding Your Place in the World of Writing

Dennis E. Hensley

If you've always enjoyed writing but have never had a chance to learn how to prepare, package, and market your written materials, this session is designed for you. Through overheads, handouts, lectures, and your questions, you'll learn about manuscript format, copyrights, discovering markets, analyzing magazines, pitching ideas, discovering topics to write about, expanding from articles to books, and finding time to write. It's fun, painless, and designed to meet your needs as a developing writer.

Part one: What Do Editors Want from Writers?

Discover topics editors want to buy articles about, ways to analyze the specific needs of a print or online publication, find writers guidelines, and learn how to target a project's research.

Part two: Finding Time and Energy for a Writing Career

Learn specific ways to manage time effectively, set reasonable writing goals, hit deadlines, prioritize career-advancing assignments, and gain maximum financial returns for the hours invested in writing.

Part three: Ways to Raise the Quality of Writing

We will focus on aspects of meticulous proofreading, mastering techniques of copyediting, and improving grammar, syntax, spelling, and punctuation.

Part four: Down to the Nitty Gritty of Creating Manuscripts

Get specific training on how to write attention-arresting titles, grabber leads, and effective closings. These methods will apply to both fiction and nonfiction.

Dennis E. “Doc” Hensley is director of the professional writing program at Taylor University , where he holds the rank of full professor. He is a contributing editor and columnist for Advanced Christian Writer and Writer's Journal. His more than 50 published books include eight texts on writing, such as How to Write What You Love and Make a Living at It (Random House) and Writing for Profit (Thomas Nelson). His 3,000 freelance articles have appeared in such publications as Reader's Digest, The Writer, War Cry, Writer's Digest, People, Vital Christianity, and The Upper Room . He serves on the editorial advisory board of Christian Writers Guild.

Fiction 101

Decked-out Fiction

Brandilyn Collins

What's decked-out fiction? A story that's ready to grab attention, that will make readers go “wow!” A story that zings. Everybody wants it. Too few write it. Decked-out fiction can be written in any genre. But you have to put its components to work: desire, emotion, conflict, and kick.

Part one: Desire

No, not your desire to write — the character's desire to do . What does your character want ? Do you really know the answer? (Many novelists think they do — until their story starts to sag.) You need to understand this concept completely. Because what your character wants — what deep down drives his actions and reactions, his thoughts and dreams — will catapult him through your story. Weak desire equals weak novel.

Part two: Emotion

Human emotions are interconnected and multilayered, building upon each other. These emotions force action, which in turn produce more emotion. Novelists need to understand human passions and the way they act upon each other. All too often, authors don't go far enough. The result is a shallow novel that fails to move the reader. You'll leave this hour understanding more about emotion than you ever have.

Part three: Conflict

Do you understand conflict as it springs from and works against your protagonist's desire and his or her conflicting emotions? When we look at conflict this way, we see it's not an entity to itself, something out of left field that knocks your characters around. Many times it's driven by your characters' choices.

Part four: Kick

Here's where you add the extra zing. We'll look at techniques such as chapter hooks, tone, book titles, effective backstory, and opening sentences.

Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her Seatbelt Suspense ® . Brandilyn's novels have been awarded the ACFW Book of the Year (three times), Inspirational Readers' Choice, and Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice. She is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors.

Fiction 201

Viewpoint: The Capstone of Characterization

Kathy Tyers

Immersing readers in a story requires a solid grasp of fiction techniques. Viewpoint — showing how the characters experience the story — integrates them all, creating a rich and satisfying reading experience. Here's a workshop on consolidating a strong arch of writing skills with point-of-view as the capstone. Examples and practice exercises will include basic and more advanced viewpoint techniques, using viewpoint to show how characters are affected by setting and conflict, and effective self-editing.

Part one: Point of View, the capstone

There's more than one way to tell a character-driven story: past or present tense, first or third person, limited or omniscient, deep or shallow viewpoint. What works in print isn't necessarily what we're used to seeing on a screen. Why not, and how can we take advantage of the difference? This session will explore various uses of viewpoint and how other writing skills strengthen it.

Part two: Immersing the reader in story time

What does it mean to “show, don't tell?” Effective POV gives a reader access to a character's inner life. This session will cover practical techniques, including do's and don'ts, with a focus on the power of dialogue attributions. Examples, exercises, and discussion will help link POV with “showing.”

Part three: Conflict and setting: viewpoint matters

Showing how your characters experience conflict and setting is central to character-driven storytelling. Using vivid viewpoint can keep the reader turning pages, drawn into the story along with the characters.

Part four: Effective self-editing

Your mission is to convince an editor you're way past making amateur mistakes. Spelling errors, grammar gaffes, sloppy format, and botched detailscan kick a reader out of the story. Still, sometimes it's better to break the rules than follow them. Learn when and why.

Kathy Tyers is the New York Times best-selling author of ten novels for the CBA and ABA markets, including the Firebird series and two licensed Star Wars © novels, several short stories, a travel book, and a co-written memoir for classical guitarist Christopher Parkening . Kathy recently earned a Master's degree in Christianity and the Arts from Regent College in Vancouver , British Columbia . She teaches Apprentices and fiction-intensive students with the Christian Writers Guild and works as a freelance editor and mentor.

Nonfiction

Writing Nonfiction Books That Sell and Keep Selling

Karen O'Connor

Focused teaching and class interaction on discovering, learning, and applying the principles of nonfiction book writing — from Christian living to advice and how-to.

Part one: Searching For That Needle In A Haystack — A Big Idea!

How to locate and capture the kind of big ideas that motivate editors and inspire readers.

Part two: Testing Your Big Idea

Learn ten tips to help participants discover whether their idea is book-worthy.

Session 2 ( Saturday, 9:30 to 11:45 )

Part three: Building a Nonfiction Book

How to take your big idea and create the structure and approach, and outline the elements to be included in a nonfiction book that motivates, inspires, and sells.

Part four: Writing Your Nonfiction Book (or Kicking ‘But')

This hour will motivate you to stay committed to yorr idea and faithful to the writing process ? by eliminating six key ‘buts' that are ready to stand in their way.

Articles

Spreading Your Message Through Magazines

Cynthia Schnereger

A “successful” nonfiction book may sell 7,500 copies and can take years to write and produce, but a magazine article reaches many thousands — even millions — and can move from writer to reader in months. This class will equip you to write for magazines. Learn to identify and target your message, craft it professionally, and partner with God to change even more minds and hearts.

Part One: Perceive Your Message

Beginning with “write what you know,” this session will help you convert personal experiences into multiple types of magazine articles — and broaden your articles' impact through interviewing and research.

Part Two: Prepare Your Message

We'll cover market research, writers guidelines, and targeting your message; as well as how to use fiction techniques, dialogue, and other tools to create powerful leads, conclusions, and body copy that will keep readers on the hook to the last word.

Part Three: Perfect Your Message

The magazine article market changes continually. Old favorites fold or go online; hundreds of start-ups appear annually. Competition is tight. In this session learn tips and tricks for producing professional, high-quality articles properly formatted, grammatically correct, and self-edited to perfection.

Part Four: Pray, Wait, and Then …

One of the most wonderful aspects of being a Christian writer is knowing that God is involved in every step of the process. This session will look at what happens after an article reaches a magazine. Learn about the selection process, how titles and graphics are married to article content, how we should be praying about ? and receiving ? editors' decisions, and what to do when an article comes back with a rejection slip.

Cynthia Schnereger is managing editor of Light & Life magazine, where her writing appears regularly. Her articles have appeared in Christian Communicator, Focus on the Family , War Cry, The Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide, and the book, Seasons of a Woman's Heart. She wrote the 2010 Upper Room online Lenten Study Series. Cynthia holds a degree in journalism (with a news/editorial emphasis) from the University of Colorado and worked for 15 years in the semiconductor industry — writing, editing, and managing accounts in public relations firms and directing PR and advertising at companies such as National Semiconductor. A frequent teacher at writers conferences, Cynthia also mentors Christian Writers Guild Apprentice, Journeyman, and Articles That Sell students.

Marketing

Engage Editors with a Professional Book Proposal

Les Stobbe

Only proposals that immediately gain an editor's or literary agent's attention get considered. Many get turned down after just a few sentences. In this class you will discover the skills to engage an agent and editor with your book proposal.

Part One: Analyzing the Book Publishing Environment

Why are so few first book authors succeeding in efforts to get published? We'll discuss both ever-changing favorable and unfavorable book publishing environments that will affect engaging the attention of agents and editors with your book proposal.

Part two: Determining Your Projects' Feasibility

We'll focus on research specific to your book too often overlooked as you set out to capture the attention of an agent and editor. We'll introduce examples and discuss their possibilities—how authors were able to overcome biases against their theme or genre.

Part Three: Developing Your Proposal Elements

We'll identify book proposal elements that will gain the attention of agents and editors and the Publication Committees at publishers. We will examine selling hooks, convincing synopses, uniquenesses growing out of market research, the role of author credentials, your marketing contributions, and the contribution of endorsements.

Part Four: Presenting Engaging Sample Chapters

How can you get beyond what you consider your message to what editors and readers are looking for? We consider how editors treat sample chapters. This is where the market savvy developed in stages 1 and 2 enhances chances of gaining a contract.

Les Stobbe has been an active literary agent for 17 years. Editor-in-Chief of the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild, Les Stobbe mentors Apprentices in the Guild's What's Your Story? course and serves as director of International Christian Writers. He has been a denominational editor, newsletter editor, book editor, book club vice-president, curriculum managing editor, and president of a book publishing house. He has written 14 books and hundreds of magazine articles.

Marketing

Fine-tuning Your Pitch

McNair Wilson

Hone what you say to editors and agents, and learn to present it with confidence.

Session 1 ( Friday, 9:30 to 11:45 )

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Part two: Title Goes Here

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This class will not meet Saturday. Instead, McNair Wilson will be available throughout the conference to take individual appointments, when those who attended Friday morning can received individual coaching about their pitch.

McNair Wilson

A n author, actor, playwright, and humorist, McNair spent ten years as a Disney Imagineer. He now assists corporations and faith-based organizations through workshops and coaching in public speaking and creative thinking. His books include Donuts on the Moon: Brainstorming Secrets of a Theme Park Designer and Raised In Captivity: A Memoir of a Life Long Churchaholic.

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Professionalism

Become a Writer Editors Love

Jessica Strawser

Everything from being savvy about your market to building a platform that will make you more attractive to editors/publishers, to submitting your work, to working with your editor after you get the first article assignment/acceptance or book deal, to extending that relationship to other projects..

Learn how to set yourself apart from the pack — from day one through your first assignment and beyond. You'll learn how to build a platform that will show editors, agents and publishers that you have what it takes. You'll learn the do's and don'ts of successful submissions. And you'll get tips for working with your editor after you get that first assignment, acceptance or book deal — and for extending that relationship in ways that will grow your professional writing career

Thick-skinned Manuscript Clinic

Jerry B. Jenkins & Andy Scheer

Two doctors of wordiology will diagnose and treat the opening pages of fiction and nonfiction samples submitted in advance by conferees — demonstrating and explaining the required changes to make the work publishable.

( Repeats Saturday with new conferee examples. )

To submit a sample: Evaluation is limited to the first 12 conference registrants (six fiction, six nonfiction) who submit a two-page prose sample (no poetry or writing for children) to Andy@ChristianWritersGuild.com . Mark the subject line “2010 Thick-skinned Manuscript Clinic” and “ fiction ” or “ nonfiction .”

Acceptance: Samples are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. An email acknowledgement will notify whether a sample will be critiqued on Friday or Saturday. No samples will be accepted after Feb. 1, 2011 .

Format: Fiction samples should be the first two pages of a novel or short story; nonfiction samples the first two pages of a book or article. Submissions must be attached Microsoft Word or Rich Text Format documents ( .doc or .rtf files), double-spaced using 14-point Times New Roman with 1.25 inch side margins and 1 inch top and bottom margins.

About the instructors:

Jerry B. Jenkins is author of more than 175 books, with sales of more than 70 million copies, including the best-selling Left Behind series. He is former vice president for publishing and currently chairman of the board of trustees for the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. Jerry's writing has appeared in TIME , Reader's Digest , Parade, Guideposts, and dozens of Christian periodicals. Twenty of his books have reached the New York Times best-seller list (seven in the number-one spot).

Andy Scheer is Managing Editor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild in Colorado Springs . An editor since 1976, he served for 18 years with Moody magazine in Chicago — from 1990 to 2002 as Managing Editor. A journalism graduate of Colorado State University , he also studied at Denver Seminary. Andy is a frequent teacher at writers conferences and has served as a judge for several national magazine and book contests.

First-page Clinic

Dennis Hensley

Editors and literary agents often judge a manuscript on the impact of the opening page. Writers have about 20 seconds to sell their premise and hook their readers. In this session, Doc Hensley will review what makes a good lead for both fiction and nonfiction. Then first pages submitted by conferees will be projected on screen and will be critiqued by the instructor

( Repeats Saturday with new conferee examples. )

To submit a sample: Evaluation is limited to the first 12 registrants who submit the first page of their novel or nonfiction book to Andy@ChristianWritersGuild.com . Mark the subject line “2011 First-page Clinic.”

Acceptance: Samples are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. An email acknowledgement will notify whether a sample will be critiqued on Friday or Saturday. No samples will be accepted after Feb. 1, 2011 .

Format: Samples should be the opening page (no more than 250 words) of a book. Submissions must be attached Microsoft Word or Rich Text Format documents ( .doc or .rtf files), double-spaced using 14-point Times New Roman with 1.25 inch side margins and 1 inch top and bottom margins.

About the instructor:

Dennis E. “Doc” Hensley is director of the professional writing program at Taylor University , where he holds the rank of full professor. He is a contributing editor and columnist for Advanced Christian Writer and Writer's Journal. His more than 50 published books include eight texts on writing, such as How to Write What You Love and Make a Living at It (Random House) and Writing for Profit (Thomas Nelson). His 3,000 freelance articles have appeared in such publications as Reader's Digest, The Writer, War Cry, Writer's Digest, People, Vital Christianity, and The Upper Room . He serves on the editorial advisory board of Christian Writers Guild.

Fiction Dialogue Clinic

Kathy Tyers

In this hands-on clinic, we'll discuss effective dialogue techniques such as staying in character, using attributions to enhance viewpoint, and correctly formatting conversations. By analyzing and editing dialogue samples submitted by conferees, you'll gain practice for polishing your own characters' dialogue.

( Repeats Saturday with new conferee examples. )

To submit a sample: Evaluation is limited to the first 12 registrants who submit a dialogue sample to Andy@ChristianWritersGuild.com . Mark the subject line “2010 Dialogue Clinic.”

Acceptance: Samples are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. An email acknowledgement will notify whether a sample will be critiqued on Friday or Saturday. No samples will be accepted after Feb. 1, 2011 .

Format: Samples should be between 125 and 250 words and be drawn from only one scene. Submissions must be attached Microsoft Word or Rich Text Format documents ( .doc or .rtf files), double-spaced using 14-point Times New Roman with 1.25 inch side margins and 1 inch top and bottom margins.

About the instructor:

Kathy Tyers is the New York Times best-selling author of ten novels for the CBA and ABA markets, including the Firebird series and two licensed Star Wars © novels, several short stories, a travel book, and a co-written memoir for classical guitarist Christopher Parkening . Kathy recently earned a Master's degree in Christianity and the Arts from Regent College in Vancouver , British Columbia . She teaches Apprentices and fiction-intensive students with the Christian Writers Guild and works as a freelance editor and mentor.

Magazine Query Letter Clinic

Judy Bodmer

Come to this session for query letter tips and hands-on editing. We'll review the basics of a magazine query, then dissect samples submitted anonymously by conferees. We'll learn from each other's query letters and equip you with the knowledge to craft your own killer query!

( Repeats Saturday with new conferee examples. )

To submit a sample: Evaluation is limited to the first 12 registrants who submit a query letter to Andy@ChristianWritersGuild.com . Mark the subject line “2010 Magazine Query Clinic.”

Acceptance: Samples are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. An email acknowledgement will notify whether a sample will be critiqued on Friday or Saturday. No samples will be accepted after Feb. 2, 2010 .

Format: While actual queries should be a one-page, single-spaced letter, clinic s amples should be two pages, double-spaced, using 14-point Times New Roman with 1.25 inch side margins and 1 inch top and bottom margins. Submissions must be attached in the form of a Microsoft Word or Rich Text Format document ( .doc or .rtf file).

About the instructor:

Judy Bodmer has been a freelance writer for 20 years. Her articles have appeared in such publications as The Writer, Writer's Digest, Today's Christian Woman, Reader's Digest , and Focus on the Family . She's taught creative writing at Lake Washing Technical College , and at several writers conferences throughout the country. She speaks nationally to women's groups on topics gleaned from her books What's in the Bible for Mothers (Bethany House) and When Love Dies (Thomas Nelson). A mentor for Christian Writers Guild, her website is judybodmer.com .

Critiquing Your Video (Saturday)

Dallas Jenkins

Get a Hollywood professional's instant assessment on how to maximize strengths and minimize weaknesses . The best way to learn is by experience, and the first step toward improvement is to learn what needs improving. It can also be invaluable to watch and analyze the work of others, borrowing from the strengths and learning from the weaknesses. Director and producer Dallas Jenkins will view a few minutes of seven submitted videos live with the class and provide detailed analysis. All videos welcome, including cheap home videos, as everyone has to start somewhere!

About the instructor:

Dallas Jenkins is president of Jenkins Entertainment. He produced the feature film Hometown Legend, co-executive produced the Hallmark Channel movie Though None Go With Me, and directed Jenkins Entertainment's newest films, Midnight Clear and What If... . The company's website is jenkins-entertainment.com .

To submit a sample: Evaluation is limited to the first 7 registrants whose sample videos are received at the Christian Writers Guild office. Sample should be sent to: 2011 Writing for the Soul Video, Christian Writers Guild, 5525 N. Union Blvd., Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80918,

Acceptance: Samples are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. An email acknowledgement will notify if a sample has been received and will be critiqued. No samples will be accepted after Feb. 2, 2010 .

Format: Videos must be in DVD format .

Establishing an Online Presence

Brandilyn Collins

As if writing a book and selling it to a publisher weren't enough of a challenge, now publishers want authors to be aggressive team-members when it comes to marketing. Establishing a solid online presence is a big piece of that marketing puzzle. This class will cover such things as websites, newsletters, blogging, Twitter, and Facebook. We'll talk about how and when to build your presence online. This class is not highly technical. It's a broad overview of how a writer without technical skills can establish an effective online presence.

About the instructor:

Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her Seatbelt Suspense ® , Brandilyn's novels have been awarded the ACFW Book of the Year (three times), Inspirational Readers' Choice, and Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice. She is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From   Actors. Her website is brandilyncollins.com her blog is forensicsandfaith.blogspot.com and her newsletter is at brandilyncollins.com/newsletter.html

Finding and Keeping an Agent

Janet Kobobel Grant

Does having an agent really help a writer? This workshop addresses what an agent does for his or her clients; how to decide if and when an agent is right for you; and what qualities to look for in an agent, including which ones to avoid. Once you acquire an agent, how can you make sure the relationship is working for both of you? Not all agents are created equal. How do you know you've found the right one? Bring your questions, your ambiguities, and your wish list for what you hope an agent can do for you.

About the instructor:

Janet Kobobel Grant founded the Books & Such Literary Agency in 1996. Working with three other agents at Books & Such, Janet represents several best-selling authors and winners of the Gold Medallion, Christy Award, Holt Medallion, and RITA. Among her clients are Patsy Clairmont, Robin Jones Gunn, Dale Cramer ,and Joanna Weaver. Previously Janet was a book editor for more than 12 years, an imprint editor at Zondervan, managing book editor at Focus on the Family, collaborator on 17 books, and writer of two books. As a result, Janet knows the publishing world from the perspective of a writer, an editor, and an agent.

Make 'em Laugh

Ken Davis

How to use humor in your writing and speaking.

About the instructor:

Speaking around the world, Ken Davis combines side-splitting humor with the heart-piercing truth of the gospel ? and teaches speaking skills to ministry professionals and corporate executives. His inspirational program, Lighten Up with Ken Davis , is heard on more than 1,500 radio stations. Ken's books have received both the Book of the Year and the Gold Medallion Award.

Breaking Into Hollywood (Friday)

Dallas Jenkins

Many Christians want to get involved in the entertainment industry, and many writers would love to see their work on screen. However, Hollywood is one of the most difficult industries to break into — and often provides the most pain and disappointment. For those Christians willing to work at it and make the necessary sacrifices, director and producer Dallas Jenkins offers practical tips on increasing your odds in this important mission field.

About the instructor:

Dallas Jenkins is president of Jenkins Entertainment. He produced the feature film Hometown Legend, co-executive produced the Hallmark Channel movie Though None Go With Me, and directed Jenkins Entertainment's newest films, Midnight Clear and What If... . The company's website is jenkins-entertainment.com .

Registration is full-time only. Spouses are welcome to stay with you at The Grand Hyatt (more information about transportation and lodging). General sessions, workshops, and meals, however, are open only to registered WRITING for the SOUL conferees. If you'd like to have your spouse join you for the meals and the special speaker presentations at mealtime please see fees below.

Conference Fee (Meals are included. You are responsible for your own lodging and transportation costs. Spouses may stay in your room for no additional charge but must purchase the special Meal/Speaker pass to eat with you.)

Early Bird Prices cannot be combined with other discounts.
Early Bird price expires August 1, 2010.
Payment plans available.  See registration page for details.

Cancellation Policy. Refunds must be requested in writing prior to January 5, 2011. Written cancellations received before the deadline will be promptly refunded, less a lost deposit (nontransferable) of $150. After the refund deadline, no refunds will be issued.