Press Release - Pecan Tree Publishing

PECAN TREE PUBLISHING
2221 Adams Street Suite 8 ~ Hollywood, FL 33020
WWW.PECANTREEPRESS.COM ~ Info@pecantreepress.com
P: 877-207-2442 F: 954-272-7041

For Immediate Release: 12-8-07

South Florida-based Publishing House Launches

Quarterly Christian Literary Journal

(Hollywood, FL) Celebrating the prominence of Christian literature in the current literary marketplace, Pecan Tree Publishing has announced plans for the first edition of a quarterly Christian literary journal. Parables Magazine will feature short Christian fiction from authors around the world. Co-publisher/Creative Director Craig Stafford says, “Parables is designed to offer quality stories with positive themes and images, that will evangelize as well as enrich the lives of spiritual people.”

Content of the magazine will also include original artwork from Christian artists, devotionals and words of inspiration from Parables‘ editorial staff including authors E. Claudette Freeman, Carol Watson and Stafford. The first issue of Parables Magazine is scheduled for release in March 2008. Pecan Tree Publishing is now accepting story and art submissions for the premier issue and forthcoming issues. Stories submitted must be between 2500 and 5000 words, must be the author’s original work and a letter stating ownerships must be included and must espouse Christian beliefs and doctrines. The genre is Christian fiction, therefore personal testimonies not written in that format, should not be submitted. Work may be of a suspense, romantic, urban or other fiction nature. Art submissions must show positive, uplifting imagery and celebrate Christian beliefs and doctrines. Work must be the artist’s original work and a letter verifying ownership must be included.

Stafford says, “we believe there is a bounty of good Christian writers out there who are looking for a reliable, quality and professional platform to get exposure. Parables Magazine is that platform and Pecan Tree Publishing is glad that God chose us to present it.”

Art and story submissions for the premier issue must be received by January 28, 2008. All submissions may be made via email to info@pecantreepress.com or may be mailed to: PARABLES SUBMISSIONS, PO BOX 470697, Miami, Fl 33247. Those submissions not selected for the premiere edition will be held for consideration for future issues. Authors and artists making submissions should include a professional, quality headshot and an one paragraph biography. Artists submissions should be in jpeg, gif or PDF format and must be at least 350 dpi for quality printing. For submission questions or advertising inquiries, Parables Magazine may be reached at 877-207-2442.

Promised Links - Merry Christmas

The December meeting of the NJCWG was a real blessing to me! Every single member of this group has been a blessing to me this past year.

Now, here are two things I promised to send the group via the blog.

1) a link to my latest column at the www.comfortcafe.net
http://comfortcafe.net/?p=613

2) You can read back issues of my column at my personal blog
http://www.cafemochalight.blogspot.com/

3) a link to vista print's free (250) business cards.
www.vistaprint.com

I pray that each of you will have a most blessed Christmas!

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG

Christian Market Guide Order

Sally Stuart's 2008 Christian Market Guide hits the books shelves in January. If you are a Christian writer you really MUST have a copy of this book AND it now with a CD-ROM!

This book contains complete information on book publishers, periodicals, specialty and foreign markets, newspapers, writing contests, editorial services, conferences, literary agents, and more. 640 pages, softcover with CD-ROM. Publisher - Waterbrook.

"An essential reference for anyone seeking to be published in the Christian community,"---Midwest Book Review.

A Note From Louise: Those of you who have been members of the NJCWG for a while know that I have a standing order with Sally (Stewart) for a dozen Christian Market Guides each year. Becuase my standing order was placed many years ago, I get an unbelieveable price. I sell these books to members of our group for a mere $21.00. That covers the cost of the book and bulk shipping. Please note that I do not make any money on these books. I pay for the dozen books and try to sell them at cost so that any new writer will have the wonderful market information that this book supplies.

The retail price of the 2008 Christian Market Guide is $34.99 (you can probably get a copy online for about $26.00 but then you'd still have to pay for shipping. That means that buying this book from me would save you around $10.00.

Since our group is small, I'm a little concerned that I will once again end up with copies that I must pay for but can't sell. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this book please let me know as soon as possible. If you have writing friends who want a copy, please feel free to ask for more than one copy. If I don't get enough people to request copies, I'm going to have to cancel my standing order. Unforntunately, I can no longer afford to pay for the books only to donate them to various libraries. Agian, let me know as soon as possible if you would like a copy.

NJCWG December Meeting

Wishing you all a most blessed celebration
of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

YES - The NJCWG will be hosting a December Meeting.

In the past, our December meeting has been a time fellowship and we did not have an actual "meeting". The financial constraints of the membership as well as timing did not allow us to host this year's event at a resturant as we have in the past. I will, however, bring some refreshments to our meeting and if anyone would like to contribute to the festivities, please feel free to do so (email me to let me know what you are bringing - louisedumont@gmail.com ).

I am putting our usual teaching session on hold for one month. The topic of this month's teaching will be: Holiday Articles and Stories -- How to Get Seasonal Materials Published.

Saturday, December 1, 2007
2:30-5:00
Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456

JANUARY MEETING - 1/5/2008
Our teaching session will continue with the "secrets" offered by Janet Orr in her book, No More Rejections. This Saturday's we will continue studying Passage 3 (Secrets 11-15). This includes information about supporting characters. It will help you portray your supporting cast in ways that enliven the overall plot and enhance the portrayal of your protagonist.

Out of Business

FYI - The following periodicals have gone out of business:
Christian Library Journal
Church Educator
Home-Based Mom: Audiozine
Hope for Women
Horizons (Canada)
TranscendMag.com

Writing Op - Vista

James Watkins, Editor, Vista

VISTA SEEKS SUBMISSIONS
Jim Watkins is new editor at Vista, and is looking for submissions of nonfiction and fiction (500-550 words), and humor pieces (250-300 words). Submissions can be on any subject related to Christian growth. In the past this publication was not open to freelance submissions.

Vista, PO Box 50434, Indianapolis IN 46250. Jim's e-mail is jim@jameswatkins.com.

Poetry - Writers Digest Poetry Contest

WRITER'S DIGEST POETRY AWARDS

December 20, 2007 is the deadline for the Writer's Digest Poetry Awards! If your poem is less than 32 lines it is eligible.
First Place: $500
Second Place: $250
Third Place: $100
Fourth - Tenth Place: $25
Eleventh - Twenty-Fifth Place: $50 gift certificate to Writer's Digest Books

First- Tenth-Place winners will have their names and the title of their poem printed in an upcoming issue of Writer's Digest.

All winners will receive a copy of the 2008 Poet's Market.
Details on Website: www.writersdigest.com/contests/poetry.

Poetry - Writers Digest Poetry Contest

WRITER'S DIGEST POETRY AWARDS

December 20, 2007 is the deadline for the Writer's Digest Poetry Awards! If your poem is less than 32 lines it is eligible.
First Place: $500
Second Place: $250
Third Place: $100
Fourth - Tenth Place: $25
Eleventh - Twenty-Fifth Place: $50 gift certificate to Writer's Digest Books

First- Tenth-Place winners will have their names and the title of their poem printed in an upcoming issue of Writer's Digest.

All winners will receive a copy of the 2008 Poet's Market.
Details on Website: www.writersdigest.com/contests/poetry.

November MEETING of the NJCWG
Saturday
November 3, 2007
2:30-5:00

Our teaching session will continue with the "secrets" offered by Janet Orr in her book, No More Rejections.

This Saturday's we will review Passage 3 (Secrets 11-15)
This includes information about supporting characters. It will help you portray your supporting cast in ways that enliven the overall plot and enhance the portrayal of your protagonist.

Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator of the NJCWG

WritersMarket.Com

http://www.writersmarket.com/ is a GREAT place to find markets for your writing. Check it out.

Writing Op - Seeds in Season

A writing colleague of mine, April Boyer, is looking for "kitchen" and "autumn" stories for her Seeds in Season online magazine. Check out this writing opportunity and tell April "Louise sent you."

http://aprilboyer.com/

48 Hours Mystery - Date Change

NEW DATE - NEW TIME
Saturday
October 20, 2007
10:00 p.m. EST

A message from Kent,

Well... 48 Hours Mystery! featuring our family's story has been moved once more, and will now be aired on Saturday, October 20 at 10:00 eastern time, and NOT on the 13th, as previously reported. Please correct your calendars to reflect this change. Sorry about the confusion, but they are trying for the largest potential audience, and there was a conflict with a local election in New Orleans which caused the first change, but that has been cleared up. Since the 20th was always the best option, now that the conflict with the election has been cleared up (the coverage will be over by the time the program aired) they are going back to it. Again, the program will be on CBS. Check your local listings.

This means that I will be out of town for the showing, but hopefully I will get a chance to see it while in New Mexico. This may be best. It will be hard to watch, but the Christian message of forgiveness is still the center piece. If it isn't too much trouble for somebody to record it I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

Kent

Writer Conferences

Here are a few upcoming Writer Conferences. Most are Christian conferences - I've indicated those that are not.

October 19-20, 2007. American Christian Writers Anaheim Conference (Jim Bell and
Steve Laube among the workshop instructors). http://www.acfw.com/conference/

October 17-21, 2007, Glorieta Christian Writers Conference, (Near Santa Fe, NM).
More info: http://www.classervices.com/CS_Glorieta_Conf.html

October 20, 2007. Oregon Christian Writers Fall One-Day Conference at Multnomah
Bible College, Portland, Oregon. More info:
http://www.oregonchristianwriters.org/calendar.htm

October 29-November 1, 2007. 2007 Fall Mentoring Clinic for Christian Writers at
Mt Hermon. More info: http://www.mounthermon.org/writersclinic/

March 14-18, 2008. Spring Christian Writers Conference at Mount Hermon. Debbie
Macomber and Jerry B Jenkins. More info: http://www.mounthermon.org/writers/

April 3-5, 2008. 2008 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop in Dayton, Ohio.
More info: http://www.humorwriters.org/2008SpeakerBios.html (Secular)

April 17-19, 2008. Delaware Christian Writers Conference. Newark, Delaware. More
here: http://www.delawarechristianwritersconference.com/

May 2-3, 2008. Northwest Christian Writers Renewal (formerly SPU Writers
Renewal). Northshore Baptist Church in Bothell, Washington. Cec Murphey will
keynote. Editorial reps include Mick Silva, Waterbrook; Don Pape, Cook; and
Jesse Florea, Focus on the Family magazines.

May 2-3, 2008. Antelope Valley Christian Writers' Conference. More info: www.avwriters.com

May 14-17, 2008. Colorado Christian Writer's Conference. More info coming soon
to http://www.writehisanswer.com/Colorado/

July 13-17, 2008. International Christian Retail Show. Orange County Convention
Center, Orlando, FL. More info: http://www.christianretailshow.com/

Next Meeting of the NJCWG

PLEASE READ MESSAGES POSTED PREVIOUS TO THIS MESSAGE. I POSTED SOME WRITING OP'S AND A FEW OTHER IMPORTANT NOTICES.

Our teaching session will continue with the "Secrets" offered by Janet Orr in her book, No More Rejections.

MEETING
Saturday
October 6, 2007
2:30-5:00
This week we will be working on characterization!

Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator of the NJCWG

Special Important Message

A friend who I met at Glorieta last year will be on 48 Hours Mystery! It is a story that Satan wanted to use to destroy but God used to His glory.

Here is the info. I beg your prayers for this man full of grace and mercy. This is one show you don't want to miss.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Message from Kent

Just got the word. The CBS show 48 Hours Mystery! which features the story of my wife and son's murder, and my other son's subsequent trial - and how God used this tragedy to bring about great good - will be aired a week earlier than expected. It will now be shown Saturday, October 13. Check your listings for the airing time - 10:00 p.m. eastern, 9:00 central.

Please pray every day that this program would reach millions with the story of God's grace.

Please pray that this program be a powerful a message for God's promises of forgiveness, unconditional love, and how He gives us the strength to do hard things when we trust him. I have a great hope that it will be used by God for this. They have titled it "Faith of a Father", so that is a good sign. Before agreeing to let them interview me their producer agreed in writing that the final, as-aired program would include the Christian message of salvation (why a relationship with Jesus was necessary to get into heaven), and the amazing story of how He gave me the ability to forgive everyone as I lay in the hospital that first night with my own near fatal wound. This forgiveness was given to a faceless stranger, long before I found out that my son was who I was actually forgiving.

While I don't trust the news media at all, and am aware that they could bend what I have said to whatever agenda they might have, I don't believe that is what this producer has in mind, and besides, God doesn't want us to stay safely on the sidelines of life. I don't think that is what the armor of God is for. So if they choose to twist things to make the silly Christian dad look like a fool, they can do it, but at least I will have been faithful. I believe we are in a culture war for our country, and wars are not won without taking risks and boldly entering the fight. So I am again asking for everyone's prayers, specifically that the program would be used in a great way to spread God's messages across America. And, yes, I hope that the national exposure will benefit my hopes for a book, but Janet will tell you that I have already been blessed financially and that I wrote it for the right reasons, so my request isn't as self serving as it may look.

Hope everyone will watch it, and that we will all be pleased with the results.

Yours and His,

Kent Whitaker

ps I just thought of something else. I am going to include a link to a story that came out last Thursday about a hearing for the young man who actually shot us all. He had pleaded guilty to a reduced sentence (from Capital Murder Life in Prison to First Degree Murder), and I was given the opportunity of making a victim impact statement once the proceedings were complete. Although there were 5 television camera crews in the room, and still photographers, the judge would not let them film my statement. This link takes you to the ABC Houston affiliate, Channel 13, and one of their reports. There is a link inside the story which takes you to my full statement, if you care to read it.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=local&id=5665662

New Column Posted

To read my latest column (Cafe Chocolate) you can go to http://comfortcafe.net/?p=564

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Author of Faith Dipped Chocolate: Rich Encouragement to Sweeten Your Day

SpiritLed Writer - Online Now

New issue of the SpiritLed Writer is online.
www.spiritledwriter.com

Writing Op - Woman's World

WOMAN'S WORLD
Bauer Publishing Co.
270 Sylvan Ave.
Englewood Cliffs NJ 07632

Phone: (201)569-6699
Fax: (201)569-3584

Contact: Kathleen Fitzpatrick, senior editor
Johnene Granger, fiction editor

Tips: "The whole story should be sent when submitting fiction. Stories slanted for a particular holiday should be sent at least 6 months in advance."
About

Format: Magazine covering "human interest and service pieces of interest to family-oriented women across the nation. Woman's World is a women's service magazine. It offers a blend of fashion, food, parenting, beauty, and relationship features coupled with the true-life human interest stories."
Frequency: Weekly


"We publish short romances and mini-mysteries for all women, ages 18-68."

Editor's Note: Woman's World is not looking for freelancers to take assigments generated by the staff, but it will assign stories to writers who have made a successful pitch.
Freelance Facts

* Established: 1980
* Circulation: 1,625,779

* Pays on acceptance.
* Publishes manuscript 4 months after acceptance.


Rights purchased:

* for First North American Serial rights for 6 months.

Accepts queries by: Mail

* Responds in 6 weeks to queries.
* Responds in 2 months to manuscripts.
* Sample copy not available.
* Writer's guidelines for #10 SASE.

Nonfiction

Dramatic personal women's stories and articles on self-improvement, medicine, and health topics. Please specify "Real-Life Story" on envelope. Features include Emergency (real-life drama); My Story; Medical Miracle; Triumph; Courage; My Guardian Angel; Happy Ending (queries to Kathy Fitzpatrick). Also service stories on parenting, marriage, and work (queries to Irene Daria).

* Pays $500/1,000 words
* Does not pay the expenses of writers on assignment.

Fiction

Short story, romance, and mainstream of 1,100 words and mini-mysteries of 1,000 words. "Each of our stories has a light romantic theme and can be written from either a masculine or feminine point of view. Women characters may be single, married, or divorced. Plots must be fast moving with vivid dialogue and action. The problems and dilemmas inherent in them should be contemporary and realistic, handled with warmth and feeling. The stories must have a positive resolution." Specify "Fiction" on envelope. Always enclose SASE. Responds in 4 months. No phone or fax queries. Pays $1,000 for romances on acceptance for North American serial rights for 6 months. "The 1,000 word mini-mysteries may feature either a `whodunnit' or `howdunnit' theme. The mystery may revolve around anything from a theft to murder. However, we are not interested in sordid or grotesque crimes. Emphasis should be on intricacies of plot rather than gratuitous violence. The story must include a resolution that clearly states the villain is getting his or her come-uppance." Submit complete mss. Specify "Mini-Mystery" on envelope. Enclose SASE. No phone queries.

Contact: Johnene Granger, fiction editor

Needs:
* Mystery
* Romance (contemporary)

Does Not Want: Not interested in science fiction, fantasy, historical romance, or foreign locales. No explicit sex, graphic language, or seamy settings.

* Submission method: Send complete manuscript.
* Length: Romances--1,100 words; mysteries--1,000 words.
* Pays $1,000/romances; $500/mysteries

Writing Op - Women Alive

WOMEN ALIVE
Women Alive, Inc.
Encouraging Excellence in Holy Living
P.O. Box 480052
Kansas City MO 64145

Phone: Phone/Fax: (913)402-1369
E-mail: ahinthorn@kc.rr.com
Web site: http://www.womenalive.org/magazine.php

Contact: Aletha Hinthorn, editor
About

Format: Magazine covering Christian living.
Frequency: Bimonthly

"Women Alive encourages and equips women to live holy lives through teaching them to live out Scripture."

Freelance Facts

* 50% freelance written
* Established: 1984
* Circulation: 4,000

* Pays on publication.
* Publishes manuscript 6 months after acceptance.
* Byline given.

Rights purchased:

* First North American serial rights
* First rights
* One-time rights
* Second serial (reprint) rights
* Simultaneous rights

* Editorial lead time 4 months.
* Submit seasonal material 4 months in advance.

Accepts queries by: Mail & E-mail
* Accepts simultaneous submissions
* Responds in 6 weeks to manuscripts.
* Sample copy for 9 X 12 envelope and 3 first-class stamps.
* Writer's guidelines for 9 X 12 envelope and 3 first-class stamps.

Nonfiction

Needs:
* Inspirational
* Opinion
* Personal Experience
* Religious
* Buys 30 manuscripts/year.
* Submission method: Send complete manuscript.
* Length: 500–1,500 words.

Photos

* State availability of photos with submission.

Wrting Op - Today's Christian Mag

TODAY'S CHRISTIAN
Christianity Today
Stories of Faith, Hope and God's Love
465 Gundersen Dr.
Carol Stream IL 60188

Phone: (630)260-6200
Fax: (630)480-2004
E-mail: tceditor@todays-christian.com
Web site: www.christianitytoday.com/todayschristian

Contact: Cynthia Thomas, editorial coordinator
About

Format: Magazine for adult evangelical Christian audience.
Frequency: Bimonthly

Tips: "Most of our articles are reprints or staff written. Freelance competition is keen, so tailor submissions to meet our needs by observing the following: Today's Christian audience is truly a general interest one, including men and women, urban professionals and rural homemakers, adults of every age and marital status, and Christians of every church affiliation. We seek to publish a magazine that people from the variety of ethnic groups in North America will find interesting and relevant."

Freelance Facts

* 25% freelance written
* Established: 1963
* Circulation: 125,000

* Pays on acceptance; on publication for humor pieces.
* Byline given.


* Editorial lead time 5 months.
* Submit seasonal material 8 months in advance.

Accepts queries by:

* Mail


* Accepts simultaneous submissions
* Responds in 1 month to queries.
* Sample copy for 5×8 envelope and 4 first-class stamps.
* Click here for manuscript guidelines

Nonfiction

Needs:

* Book excerpts
* General Interest
* Historical
* Humor
* Inspirational
* Interview/Profile
* Personal Experience
* Photo Feature
* Religious


* Buys 100-125 manuscripts/year.
* Submission method: Query with or without published clips or send complete manuscript.
* Length: 250–1,500 words.
* Pays $125-600 depending on length
* Pays the expenses of writers on assignment.

Reprint

* Accepts previously published submissions.
* Send tearsheet, photocopy or typed manuscript


Include:

* Rights for sale
* Information about when and where the material previously appeared


* Pays 35-50% of amount paid for an original article

Photos

* Send photos with submission.

Reviews:
* Transparencies
* prints

Photos Require:
* Identification of subjects
* Buys one-time rights
* Negotiates payment individually.

Columns & Departments

* Contact: Cynthia Thomas, editorial coordinator
* Columns open to freelancers: Humor Us (adult church humor, kids say and do funny things, and humorous wedding tales), 50-200 words.
* Pays $35.

Filler

Needs:

* Anecdotes
* short fillers
* Buys 10-20 fillers/year.
* Length: 100–250 words.
* Pays: $35.

September Meeting of the NJCWG

YES
The North Jersey Christian Writers Group (NJCWG) IS meeting this Saturday for our September meeting (despite Labor Day Weekend).

Our teaching session will continue with the "Secrets" offered by Janet Orr in her book, No More Rejections.

MEETING
Saturday
September 1, 2007
2:30-5:00
Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator of the NJCWG

Next Meeting

The North Jersey Christian Writers Group's next meeting is:

Saturday, August 4, 2007
2:30-5:00
Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456

See you then!

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Author and Speaker
njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

OOPS

OOPS
I accidentally posted our meeting as Monday -- Please, Please, PLEASE note that it is on SATURDAY.
Louise
~~~~~~~~~~
Hope you are all having a great summer and enjoying a bit of "vacation" time.

The next meeting of the North Jersey Christian Writers Group is
Saturday, July 7, 2007
2:30-3:30 Teaching Session
Lesson: Elements of a Hook - I know that some of you still struggle with developing a great opening line. I've created worksheets that will allow you to create eight different hooks for each story scenario.

3:30-4:30 Critique Session

4:30-5:00 Social Time

I look forward to seeing all of you there!

Next Meeting of the NJCWG

Hi Everyone
Hope you are all having a great summer and enjoying a bit of "vacation" time.

The next meeting of the North Jersey Christian Writers Group is
Monday, July 7, 2007
2:30-3:30 Teaching Session
Lesson: Elements of a Hook - I know that some of you still struggle with developing a great opening line. I've created worksheets that will allow you to create eight different hooks for each story scenario.

3:30-4:30 Critique Session

4:30-5:00 Social Time

I look forward to seeing all of you there!

NJCWG Quarterly Workshop

This Saturday, June 2, 2007 the North Jersey Christian Writers Group will host one of its quarterly "hands on" workshops. This is not something you want to miss!

I will have twenty four different photographs -- each presenting an unlimited number of stories. The first members to arrive at our workshop will get first choice of the photos. After choosing your photo you will be asked to create a story using a specific set of instructions. You will have 30-45 minutes to muse, outline and write. We'll break for refreshments (my treat), then come back to review what you wrote. After that, you will be given the choice to do a rewrite or to choose a second picture.

Questions? Drop me an email - njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Author & Speaker
NJCWG Facilitator

New Novel - Special Price

Joe Cellis, an excellent author and someone I've encouraged along his writing path, recently sent me an email asking that I post this message. Please do check out his work. You won't be sorry.

Louise

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greetings friends,

Since the debut of my first novel, The Healing Place, in April of 2001, many of you have been asking when will my next novel be published. That day has arrived. Murder at Whalehead is now available.

I am putting out a special lower-priced edition ($13.79) for family, friends, fans, and fundraisers before the novel is marketed nationwide. This summer I will be meeting with representatives from Outer Banks Press. If I work out a deal with them, the novel will be re-priced—probably around $18.95. Outer Banks Press will become the distributor along with the major online bookstores (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, etc.).

For now, Murder at Whalehead is only available through www.lulu.com at this price.

Here is the link if you would like to get one: http://www.lulu.com/content/811654

Here are some quotes about the novel:

“An atmospheric and thoroughly engrossing mystery of people and place, MURDER AT WHALEHEAD will absorb the reader from its first tantalizing page to its last satisfying conclusion. It’s a true page-turner, filled with fully realized characters who understand both faith and doubt.” Michele Rubin, senior agent at Writers House (one of New York’s top literary agencies)

“Joe Ellis weaves engaging characters, suspense, and triumph of spirit together in a great read.” Nancy Haddock, novelist at Berkley Books.

“I’ve read 37 novels so far this year. MURDER AT WHALEHEAD is at the top of the list. I loved it.” Gretchen Snodgrass, English teacher and avid reader.

I am also making signed copies of Murder at Whalehead available for fundraising purposes. All you have to do is make a list of people in your organization, church, neighborhood, etc. who are interested in a signed copy of the novel. Let me know how many books you need. I’ll deliver the books to you. The suggested donation per book is $15. You keep $5 per book and send me the rest to cover my costs. Twenty books= $100 dollars for your cause. Email me at joecellis@comcast.net for more information or call me (Joe Ellis) at 1-740-633-0423.

Blessings,

Joe C. Ellis

Maui Writers Conference

For information about this year's Maui Writers Conference go to: http://www.mauiwriters.com/

The Publicity Hound

From the Publicity Hound, Joan Stewart
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you've written a book, or you're thinking of writing one, or you're an expert who wants to turn a head full of knowledge into a career, don't miss the opportunities that 99 percent of all authors and experts miss.

These mistakes will keep your book off the best-seller list and severely limit your ability to turn all that knowledge into multiple revenue streams.

Steve Harrison, who has worked with thousands of authors and experts over the years, is presenting a complimentary teleseminar on Thursday, May 3. He'll talk about 12 mistakes authors make, and the 22 super-lucrative income streams which most authors and experts overlook -- but are surprisingly easy to implement (and certainly MUCH easier to produce than writing another book).

Choose from two times slots: 2 p.m. Eastern (11:00 am Pacific) or at 7 p.m. Eastern (4 p.m. Pacific). Because I work with authors, too, I'll be on the afternoon call soaking it all in.

Want to join me, or listen during the evening? Register at http://snipurl.com/QuantumLeapCall3

P.S. Steve will NOT record the calls, so this is your only chance to listen.

--------------------------------
Joan Stewart
The Publicity Hound

Randy Ingermanson Msg

Randy Ingermanson

Take a moment to read this note from Randy Ingermanson

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The second-smartest thing I did in the last five years was to invent that pesky "Snowflake method" for designing and writing a novel. No doubt about it -- the Snowflake has helped me write better and faster, and that's been worth a lot of money to me.

Want to know what's the SMARTEST thing I did in the last five years? That's easy: Posting the Snowflake method on my web site for free.

I've just posted an entry on my Advanced Fiction Writing Blog to explain why:
http://www.AdvancedFictionWriting.com/blog

Hope to see ya there!

Randy Ingermanson, publisher of: The Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine
The Mad Genius Writer E-zine

Randy Ingermanson
President and CEO of Ingermanson Communications, Inc.
2210 W. Main St., Suite 107, Box 103
Battle Ground, WA 98604

The next meeting of the NJCWG is May 5, 2007

Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456
Time: 2:30-4:30 pm

AGENDA

2:30 - Lesson
This month will dig into some good pieces of writing to discover what exactly makes each piece worthy of publication. We will also work on writing in active voice.

ALSO
~ The sister of an aspiring writer, who recently passed away, has generously offered to our group her sister's numerous writing books. She will bring them to our meeting and anyone who is interested in the books may take them as their own.

~ The winners of our DeClutter Your Writing, DeClutter Your Life question and answer contest will receive their autographed copies of Too Much Stuff: De-cluttering Your Heart And Home by Kathryn Porter.

3:30 - Critiques

REMINDER - June 2, 2007
June brings our next Writing Workshop
Be on time (2:30) and bring writing implements, paper and the beverage of your choice.
I'll provide other refreshments.

Latest Column

Comfort Cafe just posted my latest column - Searching. To read the column go to: Comfort Cafe - Espresso for the Heart - Searching by Louise Bergmann DuMont.

NYC Course of a Life Time - Bargin Price

From Editor - Terry Whalin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello Louise,

It’s Terry Whalin here, writing with an exciting announcement ...

The organizers of BookExpo America 2007 have persuaded my friend Mark Victor Hansen (co-founder of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series) to teach a special seminar on the cutting-edge – and proven -- ways to sell books.

Mark is one of – if not THE – most knowledgeable people on what it takes to sell books these days. After all, he and his co-founder, Jack Canfield, have sold more than 100 million copies of Chicken Soup, a feat that’s earned them a spot in the “Guinness Book of World Records”!
That’s why I thought you’d want to know about this incredible (and affordable) opportunity to learn from the master.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Announcing Mega Book New York Get the Full Story Here: http://www.markvictorhansen.com/cmd.php?Clk=1879832
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Mega Book New York is a special 1-day “crash course” in book marketing. Just like Mark’s full-blown 3-day conference, Mega Book Marketing University, Mega Book New York features a world-class faculty of best-selling authors and leading book marketing strategists:

> > > MARK VICTOR HANSEN ... co-founder of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series and “The One-Minute Millionaire,” will reveal the formula he used to climb from bankruptcy to the helm of one of the publishing industry’s most successful empires.

> > > LARRY KIRSCHBAUM ... former Chairman and CEO of the Time-Warner Book Group and Publishers Weekly’s 2005 “Publishing's Person of the Year,” will explain how to find the right publisher ... and how to play an active role in getting your book marketed properly

> > > ALEX MANDOSSIAN ... world-famous Internet marketer and creator of the revolutionary Virtual Book Tour™, will show you how to sell thousands of books in a single day to a global audience ... without ever leaving home.

> > > BRENDON BURCHARD ... life coach, author and change expert, will spell out how to use nonprofit and corporate partnerships and promotions to build a platform, spread your message, pay for marketing expenses, and net free publicity.

> > > RICK FRISHMAN ... the most respected book publicity expert in America, will help you understand the exciting world of PR and media -- and show you how to get booked on top shows faster and easier than you ever thought possible.

> > > TOM ANTION ... a premier Internet marketer, will share little-known, but easy-to-use Internet and sales techniques to use email, blogging, blooking and websites to sell tens -- if not hundreds -- of thousands of dollars of books each month.

Read more about what you’ll learn from Mark’s world-class faculty here: http://www.markvictorhansen.com/cmd.php?Clk=1879832

> > > Live Q&A With Agents and Publishers < < <
> > > It’s Easy to Register < < <

Register online using Mark’s secure electronic registration form http://www.markvictorhansen.com/cmd.php?Clk=1879832
To your publishing success, Terry Whalin Attend Mega Book New York “The One-Day Crash Course in Cutting-Edge Book Marketing Strategies For Authors, Publishers and Agents” May 31, 2007

Reserve your seat now at http://www.markvictorhansen.com/cmd.php?Clk=1879832

Prayer Request #2

A former member of the NJCWG (Jeff Schicke) moved to Texas after he got married. Here is his prayer request.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To beloved family & friends,

As many of you know, we have been in the process of adopting a young girl (Sarah Joy) from China. We have had to put it off earlier because we had moved from New Jersey and had to get reestablished in Texas with housing and jobs. Well, we no sooner were able to restart the process than the Chinese government (no doubt with the devil's help) threw us for a loop. They have decided to change the minimum marriage length for couples who have a spouse who has been divorced at one time (Kim was, despite her desire to stay married to her husband) to 5 years. That means over 2 more years for us. We've already invested so much time and effort and money into this; now we'll have to start all over.

But we know God is in control, and He still has Sarah Joy in His heart. He also has not led us to give up on our dream for her. The adoption agency we're pursuing her through, America World, is asking as many people as possible to do an Esther fast April 23 (yes, I realize I'm getting this out late) through April 25. Just as Esther and the Jews prayed and fasted (successfully) for the deliverance of their people who were about to be slaughtered, so we ask you to pray and fast in whatever way God leads you for Sarah's deliverance (and for the deliverance of other Chinese babies, mostly girls, who would otherwise be destined for a life of obscurity, prostitution, and who knows what else).

Also, please get as many other people on board to join in this most important effort. The policy change is supposed to take place May 1. But it doesn't have to.

God bless you and thank you all.

In His powerful, redeeming, rescuing love,

Jeff & Kim Schicke

Prayer Request #1

Carmen Leal, Author of WriterSpeaker.Com

Prayer Request
Many of those in the NJCWG have heard me mention my writing colleague & friend, Carmen Leal. She is an amazing person who who lives passionately and leaves her mark on everyone she meets. A Hawiann native, she recently moved back to Hawaii. Her son is 23 and graduating from the University of Hawaii next month. He had a heart attack on Friday while she was out of town. Please pray for healing and for wise medical intervention.

National Chocolate Covered Cashews Day

A bit of information for all you chocolate lovers...

April 21 - National Chocolate Covered Cashews Day!!!

For more information about really cool national holidays, go to:
http://www.brownielocks.com/april.html

Too Much Stuff - Answer 6

Answer #6 - Too Much Clutter

From Sue

Question: My husband is a packrat. I would be glad to get rid of a LOT of stuff, but he and I end up fighting every time I want to get rid of something. How do I get him to see that this makes our life so much harder and that taking care of his stuff often keeps me from doing the one thing I really want to do – write?

Answer: When I first started de-cluttering, my husband was a little apprehensive about getting rid of items that belonged to him or items which we shared joint ownership. Sometimes it takes time for our spouses to join the de-cluttering bandwagon, but with a little prayer and patience, it can happen. Here are some ideas you might find helpful:

* Ask him to help you de-clutter your stuff (not his) by dropping off items at donation centers.
* Share with him the specific benefits (such as increased energy, reduced stress, improved memory, etc.) you have experienced by letting go of things.
* Explain to him how your job becomes easier without the clutter in the way.
* When he does part with items belonging to him, thank him and let him know you appreciate it.
* Let him catch you in the act of de-cluttering so that he will learn from your example.

Also, determine your part as an enabler. I know firsthand that it’s easy to think that we are not part of the problem. While we can’t change others, we can change ourselves. Here are some questions to help you consider your role in this issue:

* Are you taking care of items belonging to your husband that he should be responsible for?
* How do you contribute to your husband’s clutter by purchasing material gifts for him on his birthday, holidays, or other occasions?
* Do you encourage him to buy more stuff as the supportive wife (especially when things he likes are on sale)?
* Might he perceive that his belongings are being singled out as clutter when you still have a large amount of collections that you keep?
* How might the way you communicate your desire for him to de-clutter discourage him from letting go of stuff?

De-cluttering is contagious. As your husband experiences the benefits from you downsizing your own stuff, he will be more willing to part with a few of his things. It’s a process. Don’t expect him to move at your rate. Celebrate progress—even the baby steps. In the mean time, focus on you. Continue to de-clutter your belongings. Do the best you can with what you have. And enjoy the journey.

Too Much Stuff - Answer 5

Answer #5 - Too Much Clutter

From Louise

Question: I live in houseful of men. How can I get them to keep the bathroom reasonably clean?

Answer: Do you have more than one bathroom in the home? If so, consider designating one as the men’s bathroom. Let them know that they will be responsible for cleaning it. Provide them with supplies and even offer a quick cleaning lesson.

If allotting the males in your home their own bathroom isn’t an option, here’s some things you can do to make life easier for you:

* Keep wet wipes near the commode so individuals can wipe any splash that missed the target. Communicate your expectations of how and when to use the wet wipes. Place a trash basket nearby as well. Make it easy for them.
* If clothes are left on the floor, create a “home repo hamper.” Buy a hamper that looks different from the ones you use now. Toss any clothes they leave on the floor into the hamper. Don’t worry about sorting clothes because you are not going to wash them. Let the men take responsibility for their own things.
* Hire a housekeeper just for the bathroom. I once thought housekeepers were only for the rich, but there are people who work as housekeepers who charge reasonable fees. Pay the housekeeper out of the boys’ allowances and bill the men who are employed for their share.

Too Much Stuff - Answer 4

Answer #4 - Too Much Clutter

From Rachel

Question: I would love to make my house easier to clean (more time for writing, less time to clean). I work at a full-time job, volunteer at our church, write in my "spare" time – all the while trying to keep after my house. I can't implement every trick in the book so I'm asking for only one. Give me one thing that will make my house easier to care for on a day-to-day basis.

Answer: Rachel, I love this “keep it simple” style question. The answer in one word is simplify. I do this by de-cluttering. Take a plastic grocery bag and walk around the house looking for clutter. Fill the bag and toss it in the trash. It’s quick and it’s easy.

Of course, there are many different ways to simplify, but you asked for only one. I’m sure you can think of lots of other ways to simplify your life to make housekeeping easier.

Next NJCWG Meeting

The next meeting of the NJCWG is May 5, 2007

Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456
Time: 2:30-4:30 pm

At this meeting a number of great things will be taking place.

1. The sister of an aspiring writer, who recently passed away, has generously offered to our group her sister's numerous writing books. She will bring them to our meeting and anyone who is interested in the books may take them as their own.

2. The winners of our DeClutter Your Writing, DeClutter Your Life question and answer contest will receive their autographed copies of Too Much Stuff: De-cluttering Your Heart And Home by Kathryn Porter.

3. We will be reviewing our Active and Passive Language Skills in preparation for our upcoming workshop session in June.

Writing Op - Together

TOGETHER

Shalom Publishers
1251 Virginia Ave.
Harrisonburg VA 22802

Web site: www.churchoutreach.com

About TOGETHER
Format: Tabloid covering religion and inspiration for a nonchurched audience.
Frequency: Quarterly

"Together is is directed as an outreach publication to those who are not currently involved in a church; therefore, we need general inspirational articles that tell stories of personal change, especially around faith issues. Also, stories that will assist our readers in dealing with the many stresses and trials of everday life--family, financial, career, community.

Key To This Market: "We aim for articles that are well written, understandable, challenging (not the same old thing you've read elsewhere); that stimulate readers to dig a little deeper, but not too deep with academic or technical language; that are interesting and fitting for our theological perspective (Christian), but are not preachy or overly patriotic. No mentions of smoking, drinking, cursing, etc."

Freelance Facts
90% freelance written
Established: 1980
Circulation: 50,000
Pays on publication.
Publishes manuscript 6-12 months after acceptance.
Byline given.

Rights purchased:
First rights
Electronic rights
Editorial lead time 6-9 months.
Submit seasonal material 6 months in advance.

Accepts queries by: Mail & E-mail

Accepts simultaneous submissions
Accepts previously published submissions
Responds in 2 months to queries.
Responds in 4 months to manuscripts.
Click here for sample copy
Sample copy available at website.
Click here for manuscript guidelines

Nonfiction
Needs:
Essays
General Interest
How-To
Humor
Inspirational
Interview/Profile
Personal Experience (testimony)
Religious

Does Not Want: No pet stories. "We have limited room for stories about illness, dying, or grief, but we do use them occasionally. We publish in March, June, September, and December, so holidays that occur in other months are not usually the subject of articles."

Buys 16 manuscripts/year.
Submission method: Query with or without published clips or send complete manuscript.
Length: 500–1,200 words.
Does not pay the expenses of writers on assignment.

Photos:
State availability of photos with submission.

Writing Op - Woman International

WOMAN INTERNATIONAL
Emblem Media LLC
9768 Belladonna Dr.
San Raman CA 94582

Phone: (925)336-9252
Fax: (603)794-5923
E-mail: editorinchief@womanintl.com
Web site: www.womanintl.com

Contact: Siara Nazir, editor-in-chief.

About WOMAN INTERNATIONAL
Format: Magazine covering Asian women, ethnic women, women's fashion, beauty, health, relationships, celebrity.
Frequency: Quarterly

"Slant towards community activity, spirituality, and emphasis on womanhood rather than ethnicity."

Freelance Facts
100% freelance written
Established: 2005
Circulation: 15,000
Pays on publication.
Publishes manuscript 4-5 months after acceptance.
Byline given.
Offers $25 kill fee.

Rights purchased:
First rights
Electronic rights
 Editorial lead time 3 months.
 Submit seasonal material 3-4 months in advance.

Accepts queries by: Mail, E-mail, Fax

Accepts simultaneous submissions
Accepts previously published submissions
Responds in 2 weeks to queries.
Sample copy for $3, SAE and 7 First-Class stamps.
Writer's guidelines available at website.
NONFICTION
Needs:
Book excerpts
Essays
Exposé
General Interest
How-To
Humor
Inspirational
Interview/Profile
New Product
Personal Experience
Photo Feature
Travel
women's causes

Does Not Want: Does not material not in line with our demographics.
Buys 1-2 manuscripts/year.
Submission method: Query with published clips.
Length: 500–700 words.
Does not pay the expenses of writers on assignment.

Photos:
State availability of photos with submission.

Reviews:
GIF/JPEG files

Photos Require:
Captions
Identification of subjects
Model Releases
Buys one-time rights
Offers no additional payment for photos accepted with ms.

Columns & Departments:
Columns open to freelancers: He Said, She Said (all Asians quotes, funny, humor), 10-15 words each quote/6-8 quotes total; Events International (international women's events), 300 words; Just Did It (Asian women who have success), 500 words; Cover Profile (profile of a celebrity of Asian descent), 500-700 words.
Buys 1-2 columns/year.
Submission method: Query with published clips
Pays 10¢/word.

Fiction:
Buys 3 manuscripts/year.
Submission method: Query with published clips.
Length: 500–700 words.
Pays 10¢/word.

Fillers
Needs:
Facts
Gags to be illustrated by cartoonist
Short Humor
Buys 20-25 fillers/year.
Length: 15–20 words.

Tips: "Just e-mail us, follow up with a phone call, and check back after 2 weeks."

Sandy Cove Christian Writers Conference

Coming this October - the Sandy Cove Christian Writers Conference. Plenty of time to save up enough to attend this fantastic conference!!!
Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Jeannette Scott and Sandy Cove

Just a heads-up that the most awesome writers conference is coming up again in October. I wanted to remind you now, so you can plan. I recommend registering in the next several months. Last year, we had a record-setting attendance and nearly sold-out!

Check out the details at: http://www.sandycove.org/docs/writers.php

There are also TWO great add-on workshops this year:

AuthorizeMe, a hands-on book proposal workshop taught by Sharon Norris Elliot. Back by popular demand, this eight-hour seminar will teach you how to organize and present your book in a way that will get attention.

AND,

Communicating to Change Lives, taught by Jim Watkins. Jim writes, "After teaching at fifty-plus writers conferences, I realized that the mechanics and marketing of writing was well covered, but no one taught a class on the manner in which we can actually change lives with our writing and speaking."

If you are anything like me, (on a tight budget, and thinking 'gee I just couldn't do that') do yourself, and your call to write, a big favor and start tucking away a little cash over the next few months so you won't feel strapped by conference time! It's only $100 to register, with the rest not due until Sept. 1. Dollar for dollar, compared to other writer's conferences, I don't think you can get a better setting, more intimate environment, and incredible workshops anywhere else! And note, the cost is inclusive of your lodging, meals, and the conference.

But the most impressive thing to me, is how bathed in prayer it is. You are sure to have an intimate touch from Our Father, and a perfect setting to "be still, and know that I am God."

Sure, I may be the Marketing Director for the conference. But that's only because I am SO PASSIONATE ABOUT IT. It has influenced me so profoundly over the years, that I am devoted to sharing it with other writers so they can be blessed too!

And I think you'll find that all of our faculty and committee have that same spirit and approachability. They are passionate about pouring into others who love our craft. Everyone wants to help others move forward in their call to communicate.

If you haven't experienced it yet, make this the year to come see for yourself that it's true. And as you move forward as a writer, you will be inspired to pay it forward, too.

If you have any questions not addressed at the link, let me know, I'm happy to help.

You're sure to make new friends at Sandy Cove. But hey, why not bring a friend or two to share the experience with you.

God bless you,

Jeannette Scott
www.AScribetoHim.com
"Telling the story, provoking response."

Christian Writers Cruise to Alaska!

Here is a note from a friend of mine at WinePress Publishing.
Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Christian Writers’ Group:

As a group leader you understand the importance of connecting authors with one another and with industry professionals. That’s why NCWA sponsors special events such as the 2007 Northwest Christian Writer’s Alaskan Cruise.

Please pass this announcement on to the members of your writers’ group. Encourage members to join us for a fantastic week of writing, networking, and sight seeing, August 26 – Sept 2, 2007. This is NCWA’s third cruise and each time we have had new authors published for the first time. We look forward to seeing the fruit of this voyage.

We will sail on the new luxury liner Norwegian Pearl through the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay, and wonderful ports of call. While on the cruise, find out ways you can do projects with your group to encourage writing and bring in extra funds. What a great way to write off a dream vacation, meet authors and editors, improve your writing skills, and relax all at the same time!

Keynote speaker: Bestselling author, James Scott Bell
Workshop leaders: Lin Johnson, editor, The Christian Communicator & The Advance Christian Writer. Nick Harrison, editor, Harvest House Publishers

Sign up soon—Norwegian is holding our prices until April 24th. After that the rates go up and our prime rooms go back on the market. Conferees can put down a deposit now and final payment is not due until May 29th.

Check the website for details of the workshops and events and to register.

http://www.nwchristianwriters.org/default.asp?id=9611

Questions? Email: events@nwchristianwriters.org

Hope to sail with you in August!

Carla Williams
NCWA Special Event Coordinator
Co-sponsored by WinePress Publishing Group www.winepressgroup.com


The WinePress Group Your Partner In Quality
PO Box 428, Enumclaw, WA 98022 • Phone: 360-802-9758 • Fax: 360-802-9992

The Writer Mag - Short Story Contest

The Writer Short Story Contest
Prizes: $1,000, first place; $300, second place; $200, third place.

The first-place entry, along with the finalist judge's comments, will be published in The Writer magazine. All three winning entries will be posted on The Writer Web site, http://www.writermag.com.

Entry fee$10 per entry, payable to The Writer. Payments must be in U.S. funds drawn from a U.S. bank.DeadlinePostmarked by June 30, 2007.
Rules
1. Submit two (2) copies of your story. Entries must be submitted with an official entry form, available at the website. Place the title only (not your name) on each page of the story.
2. All entries must be original and previously unpublished in a book, nationally distributed periodical or Web-based magazine. Entries must be in English and submitted by the author, who must be at least 18 years old.
3. Entries should not exceed 2,000 words. No explicit sex or violence.
4. Entries must be double-spaced in standard 10- to 12-point type, and each page must be consecutively numbered. Please paperclip pages together; do not staple or enclose in covers or binders.
5. A $10 nonrefundable entry fee, payable to The Writer, must accompany each entry. Please do not send cash in the mail. Entries will not be returned, so be sure to keep a copy for your records. We are unable to acknowledge entries.
6. One person may submit more than one entry, but each entry must be accompanied by a $10 entry fee. No simultaneous submissions are allowed.
7. Winners will be notified by Sept. 30, 2007.
8. Family members and employees of The Writer and its affiliates are not eligible to enter the contest.

How to submit
Download the entry form (at the website). To request a form by mail, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Guidelines, c/o The Writer, P.O. Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612. Send two (2) copies of your story, along with the completed entry form or cover page and total entry fee ($10 per entry). Payment must accompany all entries. Address entries to: Short Story Contest, The Writer, P.O. Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612.

Right Writing - Terry Whalin

Terry Whalin has a wonderful writers website ( http://www.right-writing.com/ ). It has information on everything from writing the nonfiction book to children's short stories. Terry also sends out a fantastic newsleter that I beleieve every writer (new or accomplished) should subscribe to. You can get this newsletter by going to his website and clicking on the subscribe button.

Terry also has a GREAT writers blog - The Writing Life. It would be worth your time to check that out as well.

Sinclair Lewis Quote

Sinclair Lewis

SINCLAIR LEWIS ON MAKING A LIVING AS A WRITER
"What the young writer of today should contemplate is a dual profession, and incidentally, it would be the best thing in the world for his tortured creativeness to be forced to touch some nonliterary world, forced to remember what saner folk are daily up to. Let the young Balzac or Byron not only wear his elbows shiny at his desk, but let him with equal assiduity learn another and slightly more lucrative calling. But I would like him to keep out of advertising, journalism and the teaching of literature, if possible, because they are too much akin to writing. No let him become a doctor or a grocer, a mail-flying aviator, a farmer or a bacteriologist, a priest or a communist agitator, and the two professions together, he may make a living."
From The Writer, September 1936

Randy Ingermanson

Here's an article on conference-going tips reprinted with permission from Randall Ingermanson's Advanced Fiction writing e-zine. Randy Ingermanson ("the Snowflake guy") is a physicist turned novelist. If you haven't read his novel Oxygen you really are missing a great read.
Louise Bergmann DuMont

Facilitator of the NJCWG

How To Have a Great Conference

Are you going to a writing conference this year? I hope you'll be able to. Writing conferences can be expensive, humiliating, and discouraging, but they can also change your life. My career began to blossom when I committed to going to at least one major writing conference every year. I know many writers who can say the same.

The problem is that writing conferences can also go horribly, frightfully, abysmally wrong. In this article,
I'd like to talk about a few things you can do to have a good conference and a few things you can avoid so as to NOT have a bad conference.

Here are some DOs and some DON'Ts:

1) DO set your expectations based on where you are in your writing career.

* Are you a "freshman" or "sophomore" writer? Then you shouldn't be expecting to sell a book at the conference or get an agent. You should be expecting to learn as much as possible about the publishing industry, to learn more about the craft of writing, and to make some friends. Those are doable goals for "freshmen" or "sophomores."

* Are you a "junior" writer? Then you still can't expect to sell your book, but you CAN expect to get some valuable feedback from editors or agents. You might possibly even find an agent who'd like to represent you. And you can expect to make new friends.

* Are you a "senior" writer?" Then it's very reasonable to see some real excitement among the editors and agents over your book. "Seniors" are pretty rare, and editors and agents are looking for them. You might not sell your book at the conference, but it's likely you'll get some requests to send in your proposal or manuscript. And you might well land an agent on the spot. Or not. Your mileage may vary.

* Are you published already? Then your goal might be to make new contacts with editors and agents. Or you might pitch book ideas. Or both. It depends on you, but you know that by now.

If you're not sure what stage you're at in your career, check out this page on my web site:
http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/talks/roadmap/index.php

2) DON'T try to cheat the system.

I once went to a weekend writing conference at San Diego State University. About 700 writers attended, so it was a big conference! The rules said that you could submit at most 5 pages of your work to a single editor. That was designed to keep the work load down for the editors and agents.

One writer at the conference decided to get around this restriction by submitting 30 packets -- each with 5 pages in it -- all to the SAME editor! Think that endeared the writer to the editor? Nope, it just irritated the bejeebers out of him.

3) DO be nice to everybody.

There is just no good reason to be rude to other people. Those other writers next to you are NOT your competition. They really aren't. If you let them, they'll be your friends, your coaches, your mentors, your cheerleaders, and your shoulder to cry on. And you'll be the same for them.

Want to know who your competition is?

It's you. The one person most likely to keep you from succeeding in your career is yourself. You probably think too highly of yourself OR you think too little of yourself. Sometimes you need other people to tell you that you really aren't Stephen King. And sometimes you need other people to tell you that you aren't kitty litter.

So be nice to other writers. That is the one thing you can do to make your conference stupendously wonderful. I'm assuming you already know to be nice to editors and agents. In fact, you might get carried away, so that brings us to the next DON'T . . .

4) DON'T freak out in the presence of famous editors, agents, and writers.

Look, famous people are a lot like you. I can pretty much guarantee they use the exact same technique you do to put on their pants in the morning.

No doubt when you put on your pants, you toss them up twelve feet in the air, do a triple back-flip with a full twist, plunge your legs into the pants at the peak of your trajectory, and then land lightly on your feet with the pants zipped, ready to go meet the day.

Famous people do that too. So don't freak when you meet them. They're just like you. It's OK to fawn a little, but freaking out is just a no-no.

5) DO expect the unexpected.

No writing conference I've ever been to has gone the way I expected. So I've learned to just go with the flow, try to meet people, set some reasonable goals, have fun, and be ready for anything.

Probably the most fun I ever had at a conference was the infamous "Shaving Babbitt" incident. I had that conference all planned out. It went exactly the opposite of what I had planned. By all rights, it should have been the most humiliating thing that ever happened to me. I loved every minute of it.

I could tell you more, but that's enough for now. To review:
* Set reasonable expectations
* Don't try to cheat the system
* Be nice to everybody
* Don't freak out with famous folks
* Expect the unexpected

Oh yeah, and . . . have fun!

Publisher, Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine
http://www.AdvancedFictionWriting.com

Conference Scholarship Opportunity

I have the opportunity to recommend one person for a 50% scholarship ($167) to the Colorado Christian Writers Conference ~ May 16-19, 2007. I need to have my recommendation to the committee no later than April 12 so let me know ASAP if you are interested in pursuing this.

If you accept the scholarship, you would still be responsible for the other half of the registration fee (due by April 16), transportation to and from the conference, and your lodging which includes meals and runs $44 - $112 a night depending on whether you to stay in Mt. Ypsilon or Wind River.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Author & Speaker
Facilitator of the NJCWG

Writing Op - SpiritLed Writer

From Lisa Crayton, Editor of the SpiritLed Writer

~~~ WRITE FOR US! ~~~

SPIRIT-LED WRITER needs writing-related articles and fillers (including book reviews, conference reports and devotionals). We also seek how-to articles on the business side of writing, and writing for children. Check out the guidelines
and query today.
http://www.spiritledwriter.com/guidelines.html

Yes, we're a paying market, and we accept reprints.

Handling Rejection Article

There is an EXCELLENT article by Sherri Langton at the SpiritLed Writer. Check it out!

* * *Handling Rejection: Don't Burn Your Bridges* * * by Sherri Langton
Snipit: "I'm not writing for you anymore!" Fortunately, the editor never heard those words; I internally screamed them at the computer when I read his e-mailed rejection notice.
To read the full article go to: http://www.spiritledwriter.com/mar07/bridges.html

St. Davids Christian Writers Conference

An educational retreat for writers serious about their craft.
St. Davids Christian Writers' Conference
50th Anniversary - June 18-23
Special Chicken Soup Feature
Grove City College, PA
http://www.stdavidswriters.com

Writing Op - Anthology

NOTE: This call went out to authors who submitted to Helen Kay Polaski's anthologies in the past. I am forwarding it on to you with permission. Be sure to get in on this right away! For author's 2007's Christmas is here NOW.

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Dear Authors,

Please feel free to share the following information will all of your writing groups and friends. Thank you for your patience! I hope to see many familiar names in my email in the near future.

Take care -- Helen


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CALL FOR STORIES - CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

From Adams Media/F + M Publications, home of the bestselling series, A CUP OF COMFORT, and the bestselling 2006 holiday anthology, CLASSIC CHRISTMAS, True Stories of Holiday Cheer and Goodwill, comes CHRISTMAS MEMORIES, an anthology of True Stories that Touch the Heart and Renew the Spirit.

Christmas is a time for making memories and sharing. All of the things we enjoy -- everything from visiting grandmother and grandfather’s house to opening presents, building snow forts, honoring the Christ Child, and enjoying a generous helping of plum pudding -- are more magical during this special time of the year. All of the holiday memories we've experienced in our lives seem to have been forged in our minds and souls to be shared again and again with others. In keeping with that sentiment, we would be honored if you shared your best Christmas memories with us and with the world.

LENGTH: Word count should be between 800 and 1,200. Please send only complete stories that are inspirational as well as emotional, have a dramatic flair, pack a punch, and bring all of the senses into play. The best stories will invoke tears and/or laughter, or make the reader sigh. In a nutshell, make us feel as though we’re in the story with you.

EMAIL STORIES TO: hkpolaski@yahoo.com

Submissions should be sent in the body of an email, as well as in attachment form. Include: name, address, phone number, email address, and 50-word bio. Please, also, only one submission per email.

RESPONSE: Because of the sheer numbers of submissions involved in a call for stories of this nature, it’s difficult to contact authors personally, however, upon receipt of submission an automatic response will be sent. This response will be your confirmation that your story arrived safely to my desk. (Please allow up to two days for a response. If/when time permits, the editor will do her best to contact authors personally.)

Authors of work that is selected to be in the book will be contacted prior to publication. Once selections have been made, entrants will be informed of the status of their work. (When in doubt, do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address.)

DEADLINE: May 30, 2007

COMPENSATION: $50 and a free book will be given to the author of each story that is accepted and published. Authors may submit more than one story for consideration. Authors will be limited to no more than three stories in the book.


Helen Kay Polaski
Book Editor: A Cup of Comfort for Weddings and Classic Christmas
http://www.gardenandhearth.com/Gift-Baskets.htm

CLASSeminar, an international Christian speakers organization, is once again coming to NEW JERSEY!!! I am a CLASS graduate and attending this seminar was one of the very best things I could have done for my writing career.

The early registration (April 21) is fast approaching for the first 2007 CLASSeminar, held at America's KESWICK in Whiting, New Jersey May 21-23, 2007. The CLASSeminar is for both aspiring and established leaders, speakers and writers--in fact those whom God has given a message to deliver. Register by calling today at 800/433-6633.

If you are intersted in knowing more about this,drop me an email.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
njcwg.dumont@gmail.com