Writing Op - The Christian Century

THE CHRISTIAN CENTURY
104 S. Michigan Ave.
Suite 700
Chicago IL 60603-5901

Phone: (312)263-7510
Fax: (312)263-7540
E-mail: main@christiancentury.org
Web site: www.christiancentury.org

About THE CHRISTIAN CENTURY

Format: Magazine for ecumenically-minded, progressive Protestant church people, both clergy and lay.

Frequency: Biweekly

"Authors must have a critical and analytical perspective on the church and be familiar with contemporary theological discussion."

Freelance Facts
* 90% freelance written
* Established: 1884
* Works with new/unpublished writers.
* Circulation: 30,000
* Pays on publication.
* Byline given.

Rights purchased: All rights

# Editorial lead time 1 month.
# Submit seasonal material 4 months in advance.

Accepts queries by: Mail & E-mail
* Responds in 1 week to queries.
* Responds in 3 months to manuscripts.
* Sample copy for $3.
* Click here for manuscript guidelines

Nonfiction:
"We use articles dealing with social problems, ethical dilemmas, political issues, international affairs, and the arts, as well as with theological and ecclesiastical matters. We focus on issues of church and society, and church and culture."

Needs:
* Essays
* Humor
* Interview/Profile
* Opinion
* Religious

Does Not Want: No inspirational.
* Buys 150 manuscripts/year.
* Submission method: Send complete ms; query appreciated, but not essential..
* Length: 1,000–3,000 words.
* Does not pay the expenses of writers on assignment.

Photos: State availability of photos with submission.

New Spirit Led Writer Online

The latest issue of the Spirit Led Writer is online.

ARTICLES
Market Guidelines: Seven Steps on the Path to Getting Published
Conquering Mountains
Feed the Sheep: Writing for the Weary and Scattered
Analyzing a Magazine
Overcoming the Fear of Submission

COLUMNS
Parchment and Scrolls
You may have heard someone say, "Experience is the best teacher," but the words mean nothing unless they motivate you to action.
Encouraging News
Knowing the alphabet is an important part of being a writer. Find out how to use that knowledge to take your writing to the next level.
Inspired Romance
Where should I begin? This is a common question for a writer, but time and experience shows that a beginning should: open at the point of change, open with action, and should capture the reader's interest.
Polishing Your Prose
This article describes a handful of writing and editing jobs. (I have written several of the descriptions from personal experience, and the rest come from interviews with other people.)
Nuggets for Personal Journaling
Can you recall some things in your life where you said, "I will never do that?" Certainly, I can.
Poetry Potpourri
NEW When an inner voice tells you to write, and when your poetic cup runneth over, write. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh— and so does the pen.

Bare Your Bookshelf

As Christians and writers we likely have a number of Bibles and and other Christian books on our bookshelves. Christian Resources International has begun a program called BARE YOUR BOOKSHELVES. This program provides individuals with everything they need to send a box of Bibles and Christian books to a pastor in a needy third-world area. Your name and address never appears on any of the materials so you don't have to worry about someone getting a hold of your information. Here is a link to this worthy ministry: http://cribooks.homestead.com/bareyourbookshelf.html

Christmas Break

Well, my Christmas "break" is over and we all have to get back to writing. I'll be posting a few dozen items here over the next few days. Please drop me an email to let me know if these are helpful or if there are other types of posts you would rather see.

Merry Christmas and may you and yours have a blessed New Year in Christ our Lord.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG
njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

NJCWG Changes

NEW - NEW - NEW - NEW - NEW
JANUARY MEETINGS
NEW - NEW - NEW - NEW - NEW
Starting in January, NJCWG meetings will take place on a new day and time. This decision was made with a great deal of prayer and the consideration of its members.

CHANGES:
* Meetings will no longer be twice each month (previously 2nd & 4th Monday), they will now be held only once each month. I am hoping that by reducing the number of meetings, more people will be able to fit the NJCWG into their schedule. I would like to see the group grow and mature.
* Meetings will be held on Saturdays (previously Mondays). This should accommodate those who are taking evening classes, those who have to work late, those who need a spouse to babysit, and those who have evening church conflicts.
* Meetings will be in the afternoon (previously evening). Some members found it difficult to maneuver the narrow, winding Ringwood roads in the dark – especially during the winter months when snow and ice makes our roads even more treacherous. By moving the time to late afternoon, I hope that more members will be comfortable attending.
* The new schedule will be tentative. After a few months the group can re-evaluate the arrangement and we can decide if we like Sat afternoon meetings or if we want to go back to evening meetings.

NEW DATE AND TIME
Meetings will be held the FIRST SATURDAY of every month, in the afternoon
2:30-3:30 - Meeting
3:30-4:30 - Critiques
SATURDAY
January 6, 2007 - FIRST MEETING
February 3, 2007
March 3, 2007
April 7, 2007
May 5, 2007
June 2, 2007
July 7, 2007
August 4, 2007
September 1, 2007
October 6, 2007
November 3, 2007

NJCWG Changes

NEW - NEW - NEW - NEW - NEW
JANUARY MEETINGS
NEW - NEW - NEW - NEW - NEW
Starting in January, NJCWG meetings will take place on a new day and time. This decision was made with a great deal of prayer and the consideration of its members.

CHANGES:
* Meetings will no longer be twice each month (previously 2nd & 4th Monday), they will now be held only once each month. I am hoping that by reducing the number of meetings, more people will be able to fit the NJCWG into their schedule. I would like to see the group grow and mature.
* Meetings will be held on Saturdays (previously Mondays). This should accommodate those who are taking evening classes, those who have to work late, those who need a spouse to babysit, and those who have evening church conflicts.
* Meetings will be in the afternoon (previously evening). Some members found it difficult to maneuver the narrow, winding Ringwood roads in the dark – especially during the winter months when snow and ice makes our roads even more treacherous. By moving the time to late afternoon, I hope that more members will be comfortable attending.
* The new schedule will be tentative. After a few months the group can re-evaluate the arrangement and we can decide if we like Sat afternoon meetings or if we want to go back to evening meetings.

NEW DATE AND TIME
Meetings will be held the FIRST SATURDAY of every month, in the afternoon
2:30-3:30 - Meeting
3:30-4:30 - Critques
SATURDAY
January 6, 20067 - FIRST MEETING
February 3, 2007
March 3, 2007
April 7, 2007
May 5, 2007
June 2, 2007
July 7, 2007
August 4, 2007
September 1, 2007
October 6, 2007
November 3, 2007

DECEMBER MEETINGS
There will be NO NJCWG Meetings in December. Please use this time to reflect on Christ's gift to humanity and to enjoy your family & friends.
Have a blessed, blessed Christmas!
Meetings will resume in January.

CHRISTMAS PARTY
There will be no NJCWG Christmas Party this year.

NEW - NEW - NEW - NEW - NEW
JANUARY MEETINGS
Starting in January, NJCWG meetings will take place on a new day and time. This decision was made with a great deal of prayer and the consideration of its members.

CHANGES:
* Meetings will no longer be twice each month (previously 2nd & 4th Monday), they will now be held only once each month. I am hoping that by reducing the number of meetings, more people will be able to fit the NJCWG into their schedule. I would like to see the group grow and mature.
* Meetings will be held on Saturdays (previously Mondays). This should accommodate those who are taking evening classes, those who have to work late, those who need a spouse to babysit, and those who have evening church conflicts.
* Meetings will be in the afternoon (previously evening). Some members found it difficult to maneuver the narrow, winding Ringwood roads in the dark – especially during the winter months when snow and ice makes our roads even more treacherous. By moving the time to late afternoon, I hope that more members will be comfortable attending.
* The new schedule will be tentative. After a few months the group can re-evaluate the arrangement and we can decide if we like Sat afternoon meetings or if we want to go back to evening meetings.

NEW DATE AND TIME
Meetings will be held the FIRST SATURDAY of every month, in the afternoon
2:30-3:30 - Meeting
3:30-4:30 - Critques
SATURDAY
January 6, 20067 - FIRST MEETING
February 3, 2007
March 3, 2007
April 7, 2007
May 5, 2007
June 2, 2007
July 7, 2007
August 4, 2007
September 1, 2007
October 6, 2007
November 3, 2007

NJCWG Holiday Schedule

There are NO Meetings of the North Jersey Christian Writers Group (NJCWG) for the remainder of 2006. Our next meeting will be Monday, January 8, 2006.

I am considering moving the meetings to once per month - on the first Saturday of the month form 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
MEMBERS ONLY - if this appeals to you, please contact me via email

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG
njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

Upcoming Christian Writers Conferences

NOTE: This is a LONG Blog Entry
A number of you seem interested in attending a Christian Writers Conference. Here is a list of some of the upcoming conferences. It is not all inclusive, nor should you think that this is a list of my "favorite" conferences. I've attended some of these and others I am listing simply because the came to me through other reliable sources.
~~~~~
2006

November HEART OF AMERICA CONFERENCE – Kansas City MO
Mark LittletonPhone/fax 816-459-8016
MLittleton@earthlink.netwww.HACWN.org

November SOUTHWEST WRITERS MINI CONFERENCE – Albuquerque NM
Southwest Writers505-265-9485
swriters@aol.comwww.southwestwriters.org

November BAYOU WRITERS GROUP WORKSHOP - Lake Charles LA
Randy DuprePO Box 602Iota LA 70543

11/17-19: MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY WRITERS' RETREAT – Schuyler NE
Cheryl Paden402-727-6508

11/18: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE - Orlando FL
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

11/26-Dec. 3: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS CARIBBEAN CRUISE
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.com www.ACWriters.com

2007
JANUARY
January 12-16: CATHOLIC WRITERS RETREAT - Tucson AZ
Vinita Hampton Wright520-744-3400
office@desertrenewal.orgwww.desertrenewal.org

January 29-February 3: ADVANCE 2007 (CBA) – Indiana Convention Center
800-252-1950
www.cbaonline.org

February (early): SCBWI WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS CONFERENCE IN CHILDREN'SLITERATURE - New York City
Lin Oliver323-782-1010
SCBWI@SCBWI.orgwww.SCBWI.org

February – SOUTHWEST WRITERS MINI CONFERENCE – Albuquerque NM
505-265-9485
Info@southwestwriters.comwww.southwestwriters.org

February: WRITERS SYMPOSIUM BY THE SEA - San Diego CA
Dean Nelson619-849-2592
deannelson@ptloma.eduwww.ptloma.edu/writers

February 7-11: CATHOLIC WRITERS RETREAT - Tucson AZ
Vinita Hampton Wright520-744-3400
office@desertrenewal.orgwww.desertrenewal.org

February 9-10: CASTRO VALLEY CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE - Castro Valley Ca
Pastor John Drury510-886-6300
jond@redwoodchapel.org

February 9 -11: WORD WEAVERS RETREAT – Leesburg FL
Eva Marie Everson407-695-9366
EvaMarieEverson@aol.com

February 10: AUSTIN CHRISTIAN WRITERS WORKSHOP - Austin TX
Lin Harris512-601-2216
linharris@austin.rr.com

February 15-18: JERRY JENKINS WRITING FOR THE SOUL CONFERENCE – Colorado Springs CO
Wayne Atcheson866-495-5177, ext. 37
wayne@christianwritersguild.comwww.christianwritersguild.com

February 16-17: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS DALLAS CONFERNECE - Dallas TX
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

February 17: OREGON CHRISTIAN WRITERS WINTER CONFERENCE – Salem OR
D. J. Young360-828-7036
djbeyoung@yahoo.comwww.oregonchristianwriters.org
Sally Stuart speaking

February 23-24: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS OKLAHOMA CITY CONFERENCE –
Oklahoma City OK
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

February 23-25: WRITERS WEEKEND AT THE BEACH - Ocean Park WA
Birdie Etchison360-665-6576
etchison@pacifier.comwww.patriciarushford.com

Spring: BONEFIRE! CONFERENCE - Durham NC
Gail Hayes(919)286-4200
gmhayes@daughteroftheking.orgwww.aacmcoalition.com

March: COMIX35 CHRISTIAN COMICS TRAINING SEMINAR - Mexico City, Mexico
Nate Butler
COMIX35@comix35.orgwww.COMIX35.org

March 1-4: FLORIDA CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE – Bradenton FL
Billie Wilson321-269-5831
billiewilson@cfl.rr.comwww.FLWriters.org

March 2-3: BETHEL COLLEGE CHRISTIAN WRITERS WORKSHOP – Mishawaka IN
Dr. Christian DavisKim Peterson574-257-3427
petersk@bethelcollege.eduwww.BethelCollege.edu/writersworkshop

March 10: HEART TALK - Portland OR
Beverly Hislop503-517-1881
bwhislop@westernseminary.eduwww.westernseminary.edu/women

March 12-13: HEART OF AMERICA MENTORING CONFERENCE - St. Louis MO
Mark LittletonPhone/fax 816-459-8016
HACWN@earthlink.netwww.hacwn.org

March 16-17: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS GREENSBORO CONFERENCE - Greensboro NC
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

March 24: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS CLEVELAND CONFERENCE - Cleveland OH
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

March 30-31: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS FORT WAYNE CONFERENCE - Fort Wayne IN
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

March 30-April 3: MOUNT HERMON CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE - Mount Hermon CA
David Talbott831-430-1241
dtalbott@mhcamps.orgwww.mounthermon.org/writers
Sally Stuart leads Career Track

March 31: WRITE ON! WORKSHOP - Dayton OH
Valerie Coleman937-307-0760
colemanbfp@aol.comwww.penofthewriter.com

Early April : MINNESOTA CHRIST. WRITERS GUILD SPRING SEMINAR - Minneapolis/St. Paul MN
Nancy Hudson952-881-1470
nancyah@earthlink.netwww.mnchristianwriters.org

April: BLUE RIDGE MT. CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE – Nashville TN
Yvonne LehmanRon Pratt
Ron.Pratt@lifeway.com

April 1-3: HEART OF AMERICA MENTORING CONFERENCE - Kansas City MO
Mark LittletonPhone/fax 816-459-8016
HACWN@earthlink.netwww.hacwn.org

April 13-14: QUAD-CITIES CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE - Bettendorf IA
Twila Belk563-332-1622
iamstraightway@aol.comwww.gottatellsomebody.com

April 13-14: CALLED TO WRITE - Girard KS
Deborah Vogts620-244-5619
debvogts@terraworld.netwww.christianwritersgirard.org

April 14: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS MEMPHIS CONFERENCE - Memphis TN
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

April 14: INSPIRATIONAL WRITERS ALIVE! AMARILLO SEMINAR – Amarillo TX
Jerry McClenagan806-355-7117jerrydalemc@sbcglobal.net

April 19-21: DELAWARE CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE - Newark DE
John Riddle302-834-4910
Delawarewriters@yahoo.comwww.DelawareChristianWritersConference.com

April 20-21: OBADIAH PRESS CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE – Merrill WI
Tina Miller715-536-3167
tinamiller@charter.netwww.obadiahpress.com/conference.htm

April 21: ORANGE CO CHRISTIAN WRITERS FELL. SPRING WRITERS DAY – Lake Forest CA
John DeSimone714-538-7070
John@occwf.org

April 21: WFCA WRITERS CONFERENCE - Milwaukee WI
Andrea Boeshaar/Patti Wolf414-355-5202
andrea@andreaboeshaar.comwww.wisconsinchristianauthors.com

April 26-28: HEART OF AMERICA MENTORING CONFERENCE - St. Louis MO
Mark LittletonPhone/fax 816-459-8016
HACWN@earthlink.netwww.hacwn.org

April 28: MERCER ONE-DAY WORKSHOP - Mercer PA
Evelyn Minshull or Gloria Clover724-475-3239 or 724-253-2635
eminshull@certainty.net"
mailto:gloworm@certainly.net">gloworm@certainly.net
www.stdavidswriters.com

May: ANTELOPE VALLEY CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE – Quartz Hill CA
Don Patterson661-722-0891
donpatterson@verizon.netwww.theology.edu/writers

May – SOUTHWEST WRITERS MINI CONFERENCE - Albuquerque, NM
Southwest Writers505-265-9485
Info@southwestwriters.comwww.southwestwriters.org

May: INSPIRATIONAL WRITERS ALIVE! EAST TX SEMINAR – Tyler TX
Maxine Holder903-795-3986
mholder787@aol.com

May: NORTH JERSEY A REASON TO WRITE CONFERENCE – Ringwood NJ
Louise Bergmann DuMont551-427-3794
njcwg.Dumont@gmail.com

May 4-5: SPU CHRISTIAN WRITERS RENEWAL – Seattle WA
Clint Kelly206-281-2723
christianwriters@spu.eduwww.spu.edu/fellows

May 5: GEORGIA CHRISTIAN WRITERSÕ SPRING FESTIVAL – Atlanta area GA
Lloyd Blackwell770-421-1203
lloydblackwell@worldnet.att.net

May 16-19: COLORADO CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE - Estes Park CO
Marlene BagnullPhone/fax: 610-626-6833
mbagnull@aol.comwww.writehisanswer.com

May 19: OREGON CHRISTIAN WRITERS SPRING CONFERENCE – Eugene OR
D. J. Young360-828-7036
djbeyoung@yahoo.comwww.oregonchristianwriters.org

June: WRITERS ALASKAN CRUISE – AK
Louise B. Wyly763-533-6207
Lsnowbunny@aol.comwww.nhcc.mn.edu/ctd

June: FICTION INTENSIVE - Tehachapi CA
Lauraine Snelling661-823-0669
tlsnelling@yahoo.comwww.laurainesnelling.net

June: KARITOS CHRISTIAN ARTS CONFERENCE – Wheaton IL
Bob Hay847-749-1284
bob@karitos.comwww.karitos.com

June: ST. DAVIDS CHRISTIAN WRITERSÕ CONFERENCE – Beaver Falls PA
Audrey Stallsmith724-253-2738
registrar@stdavidswriters.comwww.stdavidswriters.com

June 1-2: ARKANSAS WRITERS CONFERENCE – Little Rock AR
Barbara Mulkey 501-312-1747
blm@aristole.net

June 2: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS LOUISVILLE CONFERENCE - Louisville KY
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

June 2: EAST TEXAS CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE – Marshall TX
Dr. Jerry Hopkins903-923-2269
Jhopkins@ETBU.eduwww.ETBU.edu/news/CWC/default.htm

June 6-9: WRITE TO PUBLISH CONFERENCE – Wheaton IL
Lin Johnson847-296-3964
lin@writetopublish.comwww.WriteToPublish.com

June 8-9: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS COLUMBUS CONFERENCE - Columbus OH
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

June 13-16: CHRISTIANS IN THEATRE ARTS NETWORKING CONFERENCE - Chicago IL
Bryanne Barker864-679-1898
admin@cita.orgwww.cita.org

MidJune: SOUTHEASTERN WRITERS CONFERENCE – St. Simons Island GA
Sheila Hudson
Info@southeasternwriters.comwww.southeasternwriters.com

June 17-22: WESLEYAN WRITERS CONFERENCE – Middletown CT
Anne Greene860-685-3604
agreene@wesleyan.eduwww.wesleyan.edu/writers

June 22-23: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS GRAND RAPIDS CONFER. - Grand Rapids MI
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com
Sally Stuart speaking

June 22-24 : FAITH-BASED ARTS CONFERENCE – Durham NC
Fbliterary@nc.rr.comwww.fbfictionlovers.com.

July 1-31: ACT ONE: WRITING FOR HOLLYWOOD - Hollywood CA
Chris Riley323-464-0815
info@actoneprogram.comwww.ActOneprogram.com

July 6-7: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS ATLANTA CONFERENCE - Atlanta GA
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

July 22-27: MONTROSE CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE - Montrose PA
Patti Souder570-278-1001
mbc@montrosebible.orgwww.montrosebible.org

July 26-28 – MIDWEST WRITERS CONFERENCE – Muncie IN
Midwest Writers765-282-1055
midwestwriters@yahoo.comwww.midwestwriters.org

July 28: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS DAYTON CONFERENCE - Dayton OH
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

July 30-August 2 – OREGON CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE – Canby OR
Pat Rushford360-449-0456
patrushford@comcast.netwww.oregonchristianwriters.org
Sally Stuart teaching

July 30-August 5: GMA MUSIC IN THE ROCKIES CONFERENCE – Estes Park CO
John W. Styll615-242-0303www.gospelmusic.org

August (early): SCBWI WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS CONFERENCE IN CHILDRENÕS LITERATURE - Los Angeles CA
Lin Oliver323-782-1010
SCBWI@SCBWI.orgwww.SCBWI.org

August – SOUTHWEST WRITERS MINI CONFERENCE – Albuquerque NM
Southwest Writers505-265-9485
Info@southwestwriters.comwww.southwestwriters.org

August: STATE OF MAINE WRITERSÕ CONFERENCE – Ocean Park ME
Jim Brosnan401-598-1424
Jim.Brosnan@jwu.edu

August: GREEN LAKE CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE – Green Lake WI
Russann Hadding800-558-8898
RussannHadding@glcc.org
mailto: Program@glcc.org
www.glcc.org

August 2-6: THE WRITING ACADEMY SEMINAR - Minneapolis MN
Mar Korman218-792-5144
pattyk@wams.orgwww.wams.org/pages/2seminar.htm

August 4: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS INDIANAPOLIS CONFERENCE – Indianapolis IN
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

August 4: TEXAS CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE – Houston TX
Martha Rogers713-686-7209
marthalrogers@sbcglobal.net
Sally Stuart speaking

August 4-5: DAYTON CHRISTIAN WRITERS GUILD CONFERENCE – Dayton OH
Tina V. Toles937-836-6600
August 10-11: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS MINNEPOLIS CONFERENCE - Minneapolis MN
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

August 10-12: FAITHWRITERS.COM WRITING CONFERENCE – Livonia MI (Detroit Metro area)
Scott Lindsay
support@faithwriters.comwww.faithwriters.com/conference.php
Sally Stuart speaking

Mid-August: GREATER PHILADELPHIA CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERNECE - Langhorne PA
Marlene BagnullPhone/fax: 610-626-6833mbagnull@aol.comwww.writehisanswer.com

August 18: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS SPRINGFIELD CONFERENCE - Springfield MO
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

August 19-24: CAPE COD SUMMER WRITERS CONFERENCE and YOUNG WRITERSÕ WORKSHOP (ages 12-16) - Cape Cod MA
Jacqueline M. Loring, dir.508-420-0200
writers@capecodwriterscenter.orgwww.capecodwriterscenter.com

August/September: NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN WRITERS ALASKAN CRUISE – AK
Carla Williams360-802-2547
events@nwchristianwriters.orgwww.nwchristianwriters.org

Fall: ACW DETROIT SEMINAR - Detroit MI
Pam Perry248-426-2300
pamperry@ministrymarketingsolutions.comwww.ministrymarketingsolutions.com

September: SAN DIEGO CHRISTIAN WRITERS GUILD SEMINAR - San Diego CA
Robert & Jennie Gillespie760-294-3269info@sandiegocwg.orgwww.sandiegocwg.org

September: NORTHWEST OHIO CHRISTIAN WRITERSÕ CONFERENCE - Toledo OH
Diane Kashmer419-898-1343
kamio@cros.net

September: GEORGIA WRITERS ASSN./CHRISTIAN WRITERS POD - Woodstock GA
Lloyd Blackwell770-421-1203.
lloydblackwell@worldnet.att.net

September 7-8: NORTH TEXAS CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERNECE - Keller TX
Frank Ball817-915-1688
frank.ball@ntchristianwriters.comwww.ntchristianwriters.com

September 7-8: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS COLORADO SPRINGS CONFERENCE - Colorado Springs CO
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.com
www.ACWriters.com

September 9-15: MARANATHA CHRISTIAN WRITERS SEMINAR – Muskegon MI
Verna Kokmeyer231-798-2161
info@maranatha-bmc.orgwww.maranatha-bmc.org

September 14-15: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS SPOKANE CONFERENCE - Spokane WA
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

September 30-October 3: SANDY COVE CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE – North East MD
Jim Watkins800-234-2683
info@sandycove.comwww.sandycove.org/docs/writers.php

September/October: AD LIB CHRISTIAN ARTS RETREAT – Allenspark CO
Judith Deem Dupree619-473-8683303-823-9938
adlib@ixpres.comwww.adlibchristianarts.org

Early October: MINNESOTA CHRIST. WRITERS GUILD FALL SEMINAR - Minneapolis/St. Paul MN
Nancy Hudson952-881-1470
nancyah@earthlink.netwww.mnchristianwriters.org

October: SPAN SMALL PUBLISHERS MARKETING CONFERENCE - San Mateo CA
Scott Flora719-475-1726
scott@spannet.orgwww.spannet.org/conf-home-2006-htm

October: RICHMOND CHRISTIANS WHO WRITE SEMINAR - Richmond VA
Rev. Thomas C. Lacy804-749-4050
RichmondCWW@aol.com

October: CHRISTIAN AUTHORS GUILD FALL SEMINAR - Woodstock GA
Diana Baker770-928-2588
dianajbaker@cs.comwww.christianauthorsguild.org

October: WEST BRANCH CHRISTIAN WRITERÕS ONE-DAY CONFERENCE - Montoursville PA
Cindy Emmett Smith
Cswriter@yahoo.com

October: SMALL PUBLISHERS MARKETING CONFERENCE - San Mateo CA
Scott Flora719-475-1726
October 5-6: PEN TO PAPER LITERARY SYMPOSIUM - Dayton OH
Valerie Coleman937-307-0760
colemanbfp@aol.comwww.penofthewriter.com

October 6: SANTA BARBARA CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE - Santa Barbara CA
Opal Mae Bailey805-682-0316
opalmaedailey@aol.com

October 11-13: OZARK CREATIVE WRITERS CONFERENCE – Eureka Springs AR
Clarissa Willis423-929-1049
ozarkcreativewriters@earthlink.netwww.ozarkcreativewriters.org

October 12-13: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS ANAHEIM CONFERENCE – Anaheim CA
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

October 13: REVWRITERS CONFERENCE - Bucks County PA
RevWriter - Sue Lang215-453-5066
conference@revwriter.comwww.revwriter.com

October 17-21: GLORIETA CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE - Glorieta NM
CLASServices505-899-4283
info@classervices.comwww.glorietaCWC.com

October 19-20: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS PHOENIX CONFERENCE - Phoenix AZ
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

October 19-20: EARLHAM SCHOOL OF RELIGION COLLOQUIUM: THE MINISTRY OF WRITING – Richmond IN
Director800-432-1377765-983-1423
esr@earlham.eduwww.esr.earlham.edu

October 20: OREGON CHRISTIAN WRITERS FALL CONFERENCE – Portland OR
D. J. Young360-828-7036
djbeyoung@yahoo.comwww.oregonchristianwriters.org

November: OAKWOOD COLLEGE CHRISTIAN WRITERS SEMINAR - Huntsville AL
Dr. Cecil Daly256-852-8656
November – SOUTHWEST WRITERS MINI CONFERENCE – Albuquerque NM
Southwest Writers505-265-9485
Info@southwestwriters.comwww.southwestwriters.org

November 3: SOUTH-EASTERN ARIZONA CHRISTIAN WRITERS WORKSHOP – Benson AZ
Floyd Pierce520-384-3064

November 12-15 (tentative): MOUNT HERMON MENTORING CLINIC - Mount Hermon CA
David Talbott831-430-1241
dtalbott@mhcamps.orgwww.mounthermon.org/writersclinic

November 16-18: MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY WRITERSÕ RETREAT - Schuyler NE
Cheryl Paden402-727-6508

November 17: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS ORLANDO CONFERNECE - Orlando FL
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

Nov 25-Dec. 2: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS CARIBBEAN CRUISE
Reg Forder1-800-21-WRITE
ACWriters@aol.comwww.ACWriters.com

December: EAST METRO ATLANTA CHRISTIAN WRITERS SEMINAR - Covington GA
Colleen Capes Jackson404-444-7514
cjac401992@aol.comwww.emacw.org

Next Meeting NJCWG

Next Meeting -- NJCWG
Monday, November 13, 2006
6:15-7:00 Chat Time
7:00-8:00 Lesson (Tapes from 2006 Glorieta)
8:00-9:00 Critiques

I am considering moving meetings to once each month on the first Saturday of each month from 3:00-5:00 pm and I would like to know what the rest of the members think of this....

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG

Screen Writing

Ambassador Communications Inc., the home of Christian screenwriting and the Christian Screenwriters' Newsletter, invites you to enter the 1st Annual Faith and Values Screenwriting Competition, honoring the best in faith-based TV Series Pilots and Feature Length Screenplays. The winners will receive cash and sponsor prizes, and will be considered for representation by WGA agent TERRY PORTER of AGAPE PRODUCTIONS. In addition, the winning scripts will be read by FOX FAITH, JENKINS ENTERTAINMENT, NUMENOREAN FILMS, REVOLUTION MEDIA, DISTILLERY PICTURES, PURE FLIX ENTERTAINMENT, DUSTSTORM PRODUCTIONS, L.A. PICTURES, and SAYLORS BROS. ENTERTAINMENT. To enter the contest, please log on to http://www.ambassadorcommunications.biz/faithandvalues.html or email info@ambassadorcommunications.biz or call 204-292-4095. The deadline for entries is January 15, 2007.

Thank you very much for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Claire Hutchinson

President

Ambassador Communications Inc.

www.ambassadorcommunications.biz

NJCWG Important Info

For the remainder of 2006 there is
ONLY ONE MEETING
Next Meeting - Monday, 11/13/06

NO MEETING - 11/27/06 (due to Thanksgiving)
NO MEETING - 12/11/06
NO MEETING - 12/25/06 (due to Christmas)

ALSO - due to a lack of... ??? -- there will be NO NJCWG Christmas Party this year.

Online Writing Groups

So, you want to be published? Get connected.
Can't find a writers group near where you live? Join an online group!

For your convenience, I am once again listing a number of great online writers groups you can join.

FCW - Fellowship of Christian Writers
Excellent group that shares writing help along with promoting accountability
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FCW/

TWV1 - TheWriters View 1
For published authors only - lots of marketing and industry info.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheWritersView/

TWV2 - TheWriters View 2
For writers who are just starting out - GREAT group.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TWV2/

CWG - Christian Writers Group
General discussion group.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CWG/

Writing Exercise

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is a writing exercise for those writers who need a bit of inspiration - or a kick in the you-know-what to get them started.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Most of you know the line "It was a dark and stormy night.." made famous by the THE most famous (infamous?) writer of our century - Snoopy. This line was originaly penned by Victorian novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton, as the beginning of his 1830 novel Paul Clifford. Here is the complete opening line.

"It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents, except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness."

Your assignment -- rewrite this opening using Showing techniques rather than Telling ones. Don't overwrite. Don't use a lon list of adjectivs. Break up the sentence into manageable bites. In other words -- write tight -- write clean -- write a great opening.

If you are interested in a free critque of your rewritten paragraph, drop me an email.

Louie Bergmann DuMont
Author, Speaker & Facilitator of the North Jersey Christian Writers Group (NJCWG)

Book Proposals That Sell

"If you are currently writing a book or even thinking about writing a book, you won't want to miss this online event. "
Louise Bergmann DuMont, NJCWG

---------------------------------
From Editor and Author - Terry Whalin
---------------------------------
Let's Talk About Book Proposals
On Thursday, October 26th, I will be chatting for two hours at the Institute of Children's Literature. The topic is book proposals and how as writers submit better proposals, then they will improve the results from their submissions.
If you can, join us for the chat. I recommend you go to the chatroom ahead of time to register (free) then participate.
Here’s the times:
9-11 p.m. Atlantic/Canada
8-10 p.m. Eastern
7-9 Central
6-8 Mountain
5-7 Pacific

If you are reading this article after October 26th, the transcript for this chat are stored online. These archives are a rich resource of writing information on a variety of topics from many different participants. In the past, I've been in this chatroom--in fact three times but Thursday will mark the first time talking about Book Proposals That Sell. I hope to see you there.

Chat with Terry Whalin

On Thursday (10/26/06), Terry Whalin is going to be chatting about Book Proposals That Sell for two hours at the Institute of Children's Literature website. This event is free--but he advises that you register ahead of time so you will be ready to participate. If you can't make it, the transcript will be stored on the ICL website--after the chat.

Here's where you can learn the details: http://tinyurl.com/ygvrps

Writing Op - Morning Song

This just came across my desk
Facilitator, NJCWG
-------------------------------
I am the publisher of a new e-Newsletter called "Morning Songs". The newsletter is about Christian and Gospel music, Christian life, faith, spirituality, and just life in general. If you are interested in contributing to this monthly publication, send me a 500 word article along with your contact information. We'll review it for potential publication. If you have any more questions about it you can contact me directly at morningsongs_newsletter@yahoo.com. I think there can be some great, ongoing contributions that come from you. I can't wait to hear from you. If you just want to read it when its done, you can also email me. We hope to have the first publication ready in November, just in time for Thanksgiving. Be blessed.

Chance Glenn
Editor - Morning Songs

Next Meeting - NJCWG

Louise Bergmann DuMont at the Glorieta Christian Writers Conference
She is teaching her KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE/WRITE TO MARKET class.

I'm SO excitied about our next meeting. I hope to share some of the many things I learned at the 2006 Glorieta Christian Writers Conference.

The worship, devotionals, opening and closing sessions were amazing.

The classes exceeded everyone's expectations.

God brought me so much more than I ever expected during the faculty to faculty sessions (you will be nearly as excitied as I am when you hear about it all).

The attendee to faculty appointments that I participated in were awsome as well.

And of course I reconnected with great old friends and made dozens of new ones.

To be the first to hear all the details, come to our next NJCWG meeting.

Next meeting -- NJCWG
Monday, October 23, 2006

Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456

6:15-7:00 - Chat Time
7:00-8:00 - Lesson / Glorieta
Networking Ops, Classes, Connections, , CD's Available, Writers Guidelines & Sample Copies... and so much more.
8:00-9:00 - Critiques

Terry Whalin, Fiction Acquisitions Editor Howard Books

Terry Whalin, Fiction Acquisitions Editor Howard Books, and author, Louise Bergmann DuMont, pose for a picture after dinner at the 2006 Glorieta Christian Writers Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Editor Appointments

Attendee and editor in the midst of an all-important appintment.