May 13 Conference Canceled

Due to circumstances beyond my control, the May 13, A Reason to Write Conference has been CANCELED.

HOWEVER, I am considering hosting a Cecil Murphey mentor clinic. If anyone is interested in attending a mentor clinic in the North Jersey area, please contract me njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

For more information about Cec's clinics go to: http://www.cecilmurphey.com/mentor.html

You can also see comments from those who attended past clinics:
http://www.cecilmurphey.com/endorsements.html

NJCWG Update

Members of the NJCWG were informed yesterday evening that Louise Bergmann DuMont may need to step aside from her position as the group's facilitor. Members were encouraged to pray about the matter and to begin take ownership of the group.

God is calling for leaders.

Who will answer?

Further discussion will be forthcoming.

MEETING TONIGHT

IMPORTANT

Tonight's meeting of the NJCWG is going to be a very important one. If at all possible, every member should try to attend.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator

Next Meeting NJCWG

Next Meeting of the NJCWG
Monday, March 27, 2006
Important Announcements About the Future of the NJCWG Will be Made at the Meeting - All Members Should Try to Attend

6:15-7:00 - Chat Time
7:00-8:00 - Teaching Time "Lessons Learned From the Mentor Clinc"
8:00-9:00 - Critiques

Wrting Op - Decision Magazine

DECISION Magazine
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
1 Billy Graham Parkway
Charlotte NC 28201
Phone: (704)401-2432
Fax: (704)401-3009
E-Mail: submissions@bgea.org
Website: www.decisionmag.org

Non Fiction Needs: Personal Experience & testimony
Buys approximately 8 manuscripts/year.
Submission method: Send complete manuscript
Length: 400–1,500 words.
Pays $200-400.
TIPS: "Articles should have some connection to the ministry of Billy Graham or Franklin Graham. For example, you may have volunteered in one of these ministries or been touched by them. The article does not need to be entirely about that connection, but it should at least mention the connection. Testimonies and personal experience articles should show how God intervened in your life and how you have been transformed by God. SASE required with submissions."

Mentor Clinic

In the last few posts I shared a photos taken last week at Cecil Murphey's mentor clinic in Yorktown, VA. I have more photos but I'm having a hard time posting them. Hopefully I can get them up in a few days.

The photos are a nice rememberance, but what I learned at the clinic is what I will take with me for the rest of my life. Details will be forthcoming to the North Jersey Christian Writers Group at our next meeting - Monday, March 27. I hope to see you there!

Louise Bergmann DuMont

Teri Marriott - hard at work on her manuscript. 

Yvonne Ortega & Louise Bergmann DuMont
Yvonne's first book, a devotional for cancer survivors, is being published this year by Revel. 

Yvonne Ortega, the hostess of the Yorktown Mentor Clinic. 

Nancy Stevens having a moment of fun.

Jonathan Friesen & Sandy Wood. 

A Special night out with my new 'mentor friends'.

Yorktown Mentor Clinic - Cecil Murphey

Cecil Murphey at the Yorktown mentor clinic.

What a week! I learned more in four days that I could imagine learning in a month elsewhere. NJCWG members can hear all about the clinic at our next meeting - Monday, March 27.

Over the next few days I will post more photos and some valuable bits of info gleaned from those at the clinic.

Cec's Mentor Clinic

This is Rev Peter Lundell who is the pastor of a multi-cultural church in southern California.

Mentor Clinic

Tomorrow I leave for Cecil Murphey's mentor clinic in Yorktown, VA. You won't see any posts to the blog until I get back next week! Keep me in your prayers.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
www.louisedumont.com

William Paterson Writers Conference

Edward Hower & Alison Lurie

ANNOUNCEMENT

William Paterson is pleased to announce that they will again host a Spring Writers Conference.

The keynote speakers this year are the award-winning authors Alison Lurie and Edward Hower.

For more information go to:
http://euphrates.wpunj.edu/faculty/parrasj/Conference/WritersConferenceMain.htm

Tonight - Cancelled

NO NJCWG MEETING
MONDAY, March 13, 2006
Unfortunately, something's come up and I need to cancel tonight's meeting.
Our next meeting will be March 27, 2006.
NEXT MEETING
Monday March 27, 2006
6:15-7:00 Chat Time
7:00-8:00 Teaching
8:00-9:00 critiques
Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator NJCWG
http://www.louisedumont.com/

2006 A Reason To Write Conference

The North Jersey Christian Writers Group

is pleased to sponsor a

SPECIAL

one day event

2006 A Reason to Write Conference

May 13, 2006.

Guest Speaker Cecil "Cec" Murphey

~~~~~

About Cecil Murphey

~~~~~

Cecil Murphey (http://www.cecilmurphey.com/index.html) is one of the most noted ghost writers of inspirational nonfiction in the CBA. One of Cec's latest books, 90 Minutes in Heaven (by Don Piper w/Cecil Murphey) sold over 400,000 copies and is listed on the Barnes and Nobel Top 100 list. It is also #5 on the WalMart Book List. Cec also wrote I Choose to Stay: A Black Teacher Refuses To Desert the Inner City (by Salome Thomas-EL with Cecil Murphey) which is being made into a Disney movie tentatively titled The Great Bishops.

Cecil Murphey is an award-winning author (http://www.cecilmurphey.com/awards.html) who will be teaching a full-day of classes in North Jersey. The majority of the costs for this conference are being covered by generous benefactors.

~~~~~

May 13, 2006

A Reason To Write Conference
Conference Location: Ringwood Baptist Church,
30 Carletondale Road, Ringwood, NJ

Cost per attendee -- ONLY $30.00
(This includes four classes & lunch)

For more information contact the NJCWG Facilitator, Louise Bergmann DuMont at njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

CONFERENCE CLASSES

(taught by Cec Murphey)

1. Six Professional Secrets. These six factors mark the difference between want-to-publish and those who become professional writers. Follow them and move out of the amateur level.

2. Sell the Truth—Write Nonfiction. Nonfiction books outsell fiction and usually have a longer shelf life. You’ll learn the two absolutes of good nonfiction, how to incorporate fiction techniques, where to get ideas, how to grab readers’ attention, help on outlining your manuscript. Murphey offers inside information on editors, agents, and the publishing industry today. You’ll learn how to sell your book and what you need to do to promote your book.

3. The Interview: Asking and Active Listening. How do you prepare for the interview? How do you start an interview? What is active listening? What are the three crucial questions to ask? How important is empathy? What’s the one question not to ask?

4. The Self-disciplined Writer. How does individual personality affect self-discipline? How do you get more disciplined? Most important, how to link self-discipline with your personality type.

If you live in the NewYork/New Jersey/Pennsylvania area,

this is one conference you won't want to miss!

CANCELED - Mtg 3/13/06

NO NJCWG MEETING
MONDAY, March 13, 2006

Unfortunately, something's come up and I need to cancel Monday's meeting.
Our next meeting will be March 27, 2006.

NEXT MEETING
Monday, March 27, 2006
6:15-7:00 Chat Time
7:00-8:00 Teaching
8:00-9:00 critiques


Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator NJCWG
www.louisedumont.com

Writing Op - $150.00/story - Integrity House

From: Jessica Inman

Mark Gilroy is facilitating a new compilation project for Integrity House, and we’re looking for your true stories.

We need true stories that depict grace giving, falling within the following topics: Knowing How Much We’ve Been Forgiven; Seeing Others the Same Way God Does; Giving from the Heart and Laying Down Our Lives for Others; Experiencing--and Participating in---Miracles; Changing the World; Being Blessed as We Bless Others.

First-person is strongly preferred, though third-person will be considered as well.

Please note: We need these stories to stay centered on action and events, and we'd really encourage you to keep your "great story" antennae up and tell others' stories in first-person as-told-to format.

Stories should fall in the 500-1000 word range, and if possible, we'd like a quote and Scripture verse with each (neither of which would count toward the word count).

Payment will be a one-time $150 for non-exclusive rights.

Stories should be submitted before May 1, 2006.

To submit, send to jessica@markgilroy.com either as an attachment or pasted into the body of an e-mail.

Art/Poetry Exhibit - 3/10,11,12

ONLY TWO MORE DAYS!

Maude Carolan will be reading on Saturday!

7th Annual Photo, Art & Poetry Exhibition
March 10, 11 & 12, 2006
Sponsored by the St. Catherine of Bologna - Patron of the Arts Assoc.Place: St. Catherine of Bologna Parish Center, 112 Erskine Road, Ringwood, NJ
For information, go to: www.saintcatherinephotoart.com or call David J. Nocera, exhibition coordinator at (973) 962-0563

New Issue of The Writer

Articles, information and encouragement for every writer.
Subscribe to THE WRITER today.

"Every issue of THE WRITER will help you become the writer you've always wanted to be! You'll get practical, step-by-step solutions to common writing problems from experienced writing professionals like David McCullough, Sue Grafton, and Janet Evanovich, the latest tips from agents and editors, and more for fiction writers than ever before!

Plus, as your FREE GIFT for subscribing, you'll receive Get Published. This 16-page booklet is full of expert tips on how to succeed with nonfiction and fiction articles and books. It's nuts-and-bolts advice on getting story ideas, writing the perfect query letter, finding an agent and more!"

To Subscribe Today - Click Here

Copyright Article

The Dabbling Mum (Alyice Edrich) has a number of excellent articles on her website. One is about copyright laws - something every author needs to read. Check them out!
http://thedabblingmum.com/copyrights.htm

Free Images Website

Some of you have mentioned the need for photos to accompany your manuscripts. I recently stumbled upon a GREAT site. No copyright enfringement and every photo is FREE!

http://www.morguefile.com

Newspapers refer to their article and photo archives and the "morgue" and this site (a morgue of photos) contains thousands, maybe millions, of photos that are FREE.

Keep in mind that photos, like manuscripts, can not be reproduced without permission. Every photo on www.morguefile.com is in the public domain! Great news!

The Spirit Led Writer is Back!

http://www.spiritledwriter.com/
The Spirit Led Writers is back online! Check out the articles and opportunities there.

Art/Poetry Exhibition - March 10,11&12

Our own Maude Carolan will be reading at this exhibition!

7th Annual Photo, Art & Poetry Exhibition
March 10, 11 & 12, 2006
Sponsored by the St. Catherine of Bologna - Patron of the Arts Assoc.Place: St. Catherine of Bologna Parish Center, 112 Erskine Road, Ringwood, NJ
For information, go to: www.saintcatherinephotoart.com or call David J. Nocera, exhibition coordinator at (973) 962-0563

New Magazine - Wondertime

For a sneak-peek go to: http://wondertime.go.com/index.html

DAVID MEVORAH and LISA STIEPOCK were appointed to the newly-created positions of publisher and editor, respectively, of WONDERTIME magazine, a parenting magazine slated to launch in early 2006.

Wondertime is a new magazine dedicated to helping parents nurture their children’s love of learning. A blend of how and why, Wondertime inspires moms of infants through 6-year-olds to see the world through the eyes of their children, and to celebrate the wonder of this all-too-fleeting time.

Wondertime mixes playful activities and everyday adventures with compelling insights into the fascinating ways children develop physically, socially, intellectually, creatively, and emotionally. We hereby give moms permission to revel in the simple joys of raising a child, and to view the world as their children do — as an awe-inspiring place.

No writers guidelines available at this time.

Writing Op - Victory in Grace

Victory In Grace exists to clearly share the message of God’s grace to those who do not believe and to draw believers into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ by encouraging a daily walk and involvement in their local church. Victory In Grace is a ministry of the radio and television broadcasts of Dr. James A. Scudder.
To read their writers guidelines go to: http://www.victoryingrace.org/Default.aspx?tabid=55

Writing Articles

Are you looking for a place where you can read dozens and dozens of articles on writing for every market and genre? Check some of these out on Freelanewriting.com
http://www.freelancewriting.com/content/browse-articles-2-1.html

National Read Across America Day

CELEBRATE!!!
Today is Read Across America Day
sponsored by the National Education Association

Originally created as a one-day event to celebrate the joy of reading on March 2, Dr. Seuss's birthday, NEA's Read Across America has grown into a nationwide initiative that promotes reading every day of the year.
For more information go to: http://www.nea.org/readacross/index.html