ACFW Genesis Contest

Sushi for One by Camy Tang

I recently accepted Camy Tang's invitation to judge the ACFW 2008 GENESIS CONTEST

The 2008 ACFW Genesis contest is open to ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) members unpublished in adult or young adult fiction in the last seven years (no published fiction print or electronic works of 20,000 words or more). Authors of non-fiction or library bound fiction dissertations are eligible.

This is an excellent organization and very worthy contest. Use the links above to check out both the organization and the contest.

And I've read Camy excellent novel, Sushi for One. Definitely worth the read. Her next book Only Uni is due out this February.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG

February Meeting of the NJCWG

I am looking forward to the February meeting of the North Jersey Christian Writers Group. I hope you are as well! Sally Stuart's Christian Writers Market Guide arrived last week. I will distribute them to members who ordered them at our February meeting. Our lesson time will be spent learning how to use the book to our best advantage.

Saturday, February 2, 2008
2:30 pm
Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ


Louise Bergmann DuMont
Author & Speaker
http://www.louisedumont.com/

1st 2008 NJCWG Meeting

Get creative!
WRITE!

First meeting of the North Jersey Christian Writers Group for 2008

Saturday, January 5, 2008
2:30 pm
Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ

Happy New Year!

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Author & Speaker
http://www.louisedumont.com/

Writing Op

Msg From Jim Watkins from the Wesleyan Publishing House
`````````````````````
Help! Don't you just love it when editors beg!
I'm in NEED of short articles and anecdotes with Christian message (250 words).
I'm also DESPERATE for humor with a Christian message or thought (250-300 words).
SEND THEM TO wphsubmissions@yahoo.com and include the article right in the email body (NO ATTACHMENTS).
Thanks!

"Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well" (3 John 2).
Jim Watkins
Author-Editor-Speaker-Threat to Society
http://www.jameswatkins.com/
_______________________________________
COMMUNICATE TO CHANGE LIVES (Wesleyan Publishing House) is now available.
Visit site above to learn more about this life changing book!

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