Comedy!

Those of you who are interested in comedy might enjoy The American Bridget Jones's Diary blog published by an up and coming comic - Chris Falcon:

http://andtheplotthickenz.blogspot.com/

AuthorizeMe Seminar

Dear Writers:

The AuthorizeMe Seminar is ready to launch you into your publishing future for the fourth year in a row at Sandy Cove Christian Conference Center. Immediately following the new Arts & Communicators Spiritual Retreat, you’ll have 9 hours of coaching instruction helping you get your book idea out of your head, down onto paper, completely outlined, and into a professional book proposal format.

Please e-mail Sharon Elliott, AuthorizeMe founder and CEO, with your intention to attend at AuthorizeMe@sbcglobal.net. We need a minimum number of attendees, so I need to hear from you right away. Please let me know you’re coming by August 6th.
(Send your intention to attend. Registration for the seminar is handled directly through http://www.authorizeme.net/ and will begin in late August.)

Here are the AuthorizeMe particulars:
Price includes an overnight stay, 3 meals, and seminar tuition.
Dates: October 1 – 2, 2010
¨ Single occupancy = $375 per person
¨ Double occupancy = $325 per person (must have your own roommate)
¨ Triple occupancy = $295 per person ( “ “ “ “ roommates)
¨ Quad occupancy = $275 per person ( “ “ “ “ “ )

****************************

And don’t forget the new Arts & Communicators Spiritual Retreat - Ignite the Passion of your heart September 28-30, 2009 - A Unique Writer’s Retreat
http://www.sandycove.org/arts/
New affordable two day format
with the option of adding a third day for additional content.

Retreat rates begin at $258 per person (quad occupancy) and include 2 nights lodging, all meals, sessions, specialty tracks and activities. ($269 triple, $289 double, $299 single)
Three night package: Single $449 / Double $434 / Triple $404 / Quad $387
Register for the retreat directly with Sandy Cove.

Contracts & Writing Ops

Hi everyone. Hope you are having a great summer. I sure am.

1) Please check out the last few posts on this blog if you are looking for some interesting writing opportunities.
2) I would like to extend my sincerest congratuations to Susan Panzica who has won a full scholarship to the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference - August 6-8, 2009. (http://www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia/)

The next meeting of NJCWG is on Saturday, August 1, 2008, 2:30 p.m. Hope to see you there!

Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456

Facilitator, NJCWG
Louise Bergmann DuMont

Writers Digest Fiction Contest

Writer's Digest Popular Fiction Awards
http://www.writersdigest.com/popularfictionawards
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Short Story Competition from Writer's Digest

Compete and Win in All 5 Categories!

* Romance
* Mystery/Crime Fiction
* Science Fiction/Fantasy
* Thriller/Suspense
* Horror

The Grand Prize-Winner will receive $2,500 cash, $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books and the 2010 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market.

Entry Deadline: Monday, November 02, 2009.

For entrants paying with a credit card, we will accept manuscripts submitted online.

Entry Fee: All entries are $15.00 each

Writing Op

Writing Op From Guideposts
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seeking Manuscripts

Dear Valued Writer,
We are now in phase two of the Incredible Power of Prayer series and I welcome you to join us. Guideposts is launching a series of 12 books on various aspects of prayer and how people from every walk of life have been transformed through God's response to their prayers. These books will be available by mail only, sent monthly as part of a book series promotion.

You may have contributed to the first three titles in this series (Praying from the Heart, The Healing Touch, and Expecting Miracles) or perhaps to my Cup of Comfort, Life Savors, or Love Is a Verb brands. Or perhaps I'm contacting you for the first time. Whatever the case, I eagerly seek your participation in this next phase of prayer volumes.

Book four, From Tragedy to Triumph, deals with the pervasive issues related to our trials, hardships, and suffering in life, whether physical, emotional, relational, financial, etc. The focus should not be so much on the trials or the stress they cause, but on how the power of prayer eliminated or helped you deal with these trials. What lessons did prayer teach you through these ordeals and how did God use them for good for your life or others?

Book five, Refreshed by the Spirit, focuses on prayers we send to God when we are spiritually dry; when situations might be okay but we don't feel His presence; or during a dark night of the soul when life is difficult. The fault may be our own because we're not walking with the Lord, or He may seem distant because of struggles in our lives. As we continually pray for His presence, suddenly things change and we are refreshed and filled with his reassurance, peace, and joy. How did God visit you in a new way that caused praise and thanksgiving and may have even changed your life?

Book six, Love and Forgiveness, deals with relationships that have been strained or broken due to offenses against us, or our own faults. When we pray for love for those who mistreat us and pray for the willingness to seek restitution and restoration we regain our families and friends and change the hearts of our enemies. How was prayer the determining factor in a renewed love, forgiveness, and eventual restoration of relationships?

We would be pleased to consider as many stories for these three volumes as you wish to submit. We'll look at stories of up to 2,000 words and prefer that they be at least 1,000 words. The stories should have a creative title, an attention-grabbing introduction, main body with a conflict or challenge, and a clear, satisfying resolution. They need to be descriptive, rooted in time and place, compelling personal experience stories with a realistic portrayal of the people involved. They need to be stories rather than testimonies, Christian living articles, and shouldn't focus on mere feelings or mental states.

Most important, they need to revolve around prayer itself and not the circumstances of the story. These are themed books but the purpose is to convince the reader of the power of prayer in these situations.

We prefer original stories but you may also submit previously published stories that you have full rights for and are not currently in print with a major publisher. We pay $25 fo stories under 1200 words, and $50 for stories over 1200 words. You may retain the right to publish the stories in magazines and in books with less than national distribution and not carried in nationwide bookstores.

We are accepting manuscripts for all three volumes until December 15, but the sooner you submit the better your chance of acceptance. We will notify you by February and send you a permission form if your story is a finalist for any of these volumes.

Please send your manuscript attached to the e-mail rather than pasting text in the email
Window. Feel free to send your manuscript in normal manuscript formatting, with your full contact information—name, address, phone number, email address—and whether you're offering First Rights or Reprint Rights at the top of each manuscript. Please include a biography of 30 words or less at the end of each manuscript.

Please direct all inquiries and manuscript submissions to my colleague, Jeanette Littleton, at incredibleprayers@earthlink.net. If this email has been forwarded to you and you can't submit to this call, but would like to hear about other editorial needs as they arise, please send us your email address and we'll add you to our notification list. Also please pass this along to any writing or praying friends who might be interested.

Blessing to you and yours,

Jim

James Stuart Bell
Compiler, Guideposts Incredible Prayer series

Incredible Prayers
A Guideposts Series
with James Stuart Bell

NJCWG PICNIC

NOTE: This picnic is on RAIN OR SHINE... Inside or Out. Don't miss it! Hope to see you there.

The June (6/6/09) meeting of the North Jersey Christian Writers Group will take place at Marilyn Gardullo's home. Instead of the usual agenda we will be hosting our Annual NJCWG Picnic. A special thanks to Marilyn for offering her beautiful home for this event.

Where: Due to limited parking around Marilyn's house, meet in the Ringwood Baptist Church parking lot cnd car pool over (only minutes away).

When: June 4, 2009 - Rain or Shine -- 2:30 at the church - we'll head over no later than 2:45. If you find you'll be late, call me for directions - Louise DuMont, Cell: 551-427-3794.

What to Bring: Bring a covered dish to share with the group.

ALSO Bring: A short story to be read out loud to the group.

Story Topic: The Best Summer Vacation -- EVER!!! I know you may be tempted to write about something else (or use an old piece you've already written) - but please don't. Take this opportunity to write something fresh and creative. Your story can be fiction, nonfiction, or anything in between. BUT, keep the story to ONE side, ONE page. It isn't that we don't enjoy longer pieces, but time is limited and everyone should to get a chance to read.

Hope that all of you can make it. I know I'm looking forward to some great fun and fellowship.

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

SPECIAL NOTE: There will be NO July Meeting (7/5/09) of the NJCWG due to the Independance Day Holiday.

May Meeting of the NJCWG

Yes, the NJCWG is meeting this Saturday
May 2, 2009
2:30
Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Rd
Ringwood, NJ 07456

... and YES, I am a grandmother

Jocelyn Grace DuMont
Born 3/8/09, 5:17 p.m.
7 lbs 4 oz
20 inches long

Writing Opportunity

James Scott Bell

James Scott Bell is looking for freelance contributions for his new books. Wouldn't it be great if a number of our members were selected for publication in these books? Why don't YOU give it a try? See below

Louise DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Writer,

I’d like to invite you to be part of an exciting new series that Guideposts is sponsoring: The Incredible Power of Prayer.

You may have contributed to one or more of my story volumes in A Cup of Comfort, Life Savors, or Love is a Verb. Great! I’d love to hear from you whether you’re a previous associate or have not yet submitted anything to my projects.

Prayer is the heartbeat of the Christian life and is an amazing gift from God to us. A prayer in faith can spur God’s heart to “move mountains” on our behalf. The incredible power of prayer can accomplish miracles that go far beyond anything we humans can accomplish on our own.

Guideposts reaches millions of Americans with their upbeat message of God empowering us. And now, Guideposts is launching a series of 12 books on various aspects of prayer and how people from every walk of life have been transformed through God’s responses. These books will be mailed monthly as part of a book club promotion, and will be exclusive to this readership.

I am now collecting submissions for the first three books in the series and would welcome as many stories as you wish to submit. The first volume is Praying from the Heart and covers God answering our deeply felt prayers of great passion, sincerity, and trust. These prayers may be repentant, express deep gratitude, or describe desperate cries that lay bare a person’s deepest needs.

The second volume, The Healing Touch, deals with stories about prayers that lead to physical, spiritual, relational, or emotional healing. They may involve relationships that don’t resolve perfectly, but bring a closer relationship with God and a new sense of purpose and greater ability.

The third volume, Expecting Miracles, includes personal experience stories about audacious prayers with powerful answers. This is where the need is great and God responds extraordinarily. The answers don’t need to be purely supernatural; God can work in mysterious ways using all kinds of means.

Submissions can be up to 2000 words. Each story should have a creative title, an attention-grabbing lead, main body explaining a conflict or challenge, and a resolution. These need to be descriptive and compelling personal experience stories—not simply testimonies. We prefer original stories but you may also submit previously published stories. The payment is $25 for stories under 1000 words, and $50 for longer stories. You may retain the rights to publish the stories in magazines and books with smaller distribution sources.

We are accepting manuscripts from now until at least June 15 for the first three volumes. We’ll announce the finalists for the first volume around October 15.
Please include on each manuscript—not in headers or simply in the e-mail—your name, contact information (address, phone, e-mail, rights offered) and a bio of up to 30 words. Please attach to the e-mail rather than pasting text in the body.

Please direct all inquiries and manuscript submissions to my colleague, Jeanette Littleton at IncrediblePrayers@earthlink.net. And please feel free to let others know about this project. If this e-mail has been forwarded to you, and you can’t submit to this call, but would like to be notified about other editorial needs as they arise, please send us your e-mail address and we’ll add you to our notification list (we do not sell or distribute these e-mail addresses).

Blessings to you and yours,

Jim

James Stuart Bell
Compiler, Guideposts Prayer series

JSB/jgl

Guest Speaker - Chris Sagona

Hi everyone. I have GREAT treat for you. Our own Chris Sagona will teach a class on writing news at our next meeting. You will NOT want to miss this.

~~~~~~~~~~

Bio - Chris Sagona

Chris Sagona is an American journalist and the winner of the 2005 Society of Professional Journalists' Award for Best Feature Writing. She also won the 2004 Awbery Award for Excellence in Journalism for Distinguished Public Service and the New Jersey Press Association Awards for First Amendment Writing. She also won the 2006 Deadline Reporting Award from the NJ Press Association.
Author of the book, Park Ridge, by Arcadia Publishing Sagona is also a Board Member of the Pascack History Project.
She was Managing Editor of Community Life for two years, crime beat reporter and Religion Editor at The Montclair Times, and a journalist for North Jersey Media Group, with her work appearing in the Herald News and The Record. She also did photography for publications including the Herald News.
Sagona moved to television in 2006, as Associate Producer, then Assignment Editor, for News 12. She is currently Foreign News Assignment Editor for Fox News Channel and does online reporting for FoxNews.com out of New York City.
~~~~~~~~~

The next meeting of NJCWG is on Saturday, March 7, 2008, 2:30 p.m.
Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456

Note: I have a few copies of Sally Stuart's 2009 Christian Market Guide left. This year they retail for $34.99 per copy. Your copy, if purchased through me, will cost $21.00. If you want one, bring your money to the meeting. They will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.

Blessings,

Louise DuMont

Gifted Hands 2/8/09

Ben Carson

A Message From Cecil Murphey


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

Greetings friends,

Don't forget to watch GIFTED HANDS tomorrow night at 8 p.m (Eastern time) on TNT

Here's a blurb from the movie Web site ---

A frustrated young boy with problems in school overcomes the obstacles in his life to become a world-renowned neurosurgeon in the new TNT Original movie GIFTED HANDS: THE BEN CARSON STORY. This uplifting and inspirational JOHNSON & JOHNSON SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATION® stars Oscar® winner Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire) and two-time NAACP Image Award winner Kimberly Elise (The Great Debaters, The Manchurian Candidate). It is based on the true story of Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, whose lifelong journey led him to become director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, a best-selling author and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The movie premieres Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), exclusively on TNT.

More information about the movie can be found at this link: http://www.tnt.tv/movies/movietitle/?oid=44656

Books are available for purchase through your local bookstores, online, or by contacting Twila Belk at twilabelk@mchsi.com.

Sincerely,

Twila Belk (for Cec Murphey)

Next Meeting & Market Guide

Hi everyone. The next meeting of NJCWG is on Saturday, February 7, 2008, 2:30 p.m.
Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456

AND my ten copies of the Sally Stuart's 2009 Christian Market Guide have arrived. This year they retail for $34.99. Your copy, if purchased through me, will cost $21.00. I have only ten copies, so bring your money to the meeting if you want one. They will be given out on a first come, first serve basis. I'll do a quick run down on how to use the guide at the meeting.

Questions? Call Louise 551-427-3794 or 973-926-9267.

Blessings,

Louise

2009 - Jan Meeting of the NJCWG

1) Have you made the commitment to follow Christ's plan for your life?
2) Does this include His call to write?
3) If you feel the call to write, do you write every day?
4) Do you write what, when and how He instructs you to write?
5) Are you only flirting with writing, or are you ready for a serious commitment?

We will discuss these topics and more at the first meeting of the NJCWG in 2009 on Saturday, January 3. Don't forget to bring your critques.

NJCWG
Saturday, January 3, 2008
2:30 p.m.
Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456

Questions? Call Louise 551-427-3794 or 973-926-9267.

Thanksgiving Note

Here are a few writing prompts for the Holiday weekend:
1) Write a letter to God thanking Him for one specific blessing you received this past year.
2) Write a letter to one person who influenced you for the better - tell them what they did for you and why you are a better person for it.
3) Write a letter to one person forgiving them for a past grievance.
4) Write a letter to one person asking for forgiveness - for something you've done or said that may have offended them.
5) Write out five blessings in you life - expand each to include who God used to bring that blessing about.

• Please note that there will be NO December meeting of the NJCWG. I apologize for this, but it could not be helped (read previous blog-note).
• FYI - the Ringwood Library is sponsoring a new critique group - the second session begins Thursday evening, Dec 6 at 7:00 p.m.
  

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

Louise Bergmann DuMont

Dec Cancelation... and more

I'm sorry to say that I have to cancel the December meeting of the NJCWG. Tim, my son, is hosting a Sr. High youth retreat that weekend. The mother of one of his primary speakers has been very ill (a tumor on her heart). This speaker now won't be able to make the retreat and Tim needs me to step in on the afternoon of Sat, Dec 6 to help him.

I know you all look forward to our meeting but we will meet again on Saturday January 3, 2009.

On a happier note, if you want to see some of Tim & Amanda's wedding photos (and a whole bunch of others), you can go to the DuMont family blog at: http://www.dumontfamily.blogspot.com/

Blessings,
Louise

November Meeting

The next meeting of the North Jersey Christian Writers Group is here!

Where: Ringwood Baptist Church, 30 Caroletondale Rd, Ringwood, NJ 07456

When: November 1, 2008 -- 2:30

Bring the items you critiqued and bring a piece you've written (one page, double spaced, with your name & address at the top).

See you Saturday!

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG

Yes - NJCWG Meets in October

Yes, the NJCWG IS meeting in October - finally...

Saturday, October 4, 2008
2:30 p.m.
Ringwood Baptist Church
Ringwood, NJ 07456

Our topic of discussion:
Finding Your Writing Voice

Hope to see you there!

NJCWG SEPT MEETING CANCELED

SEPTEMBER NJCWG MEETING CANCELED
So sorry, but I think we are going to cancel our NJCWG meeting for tomorrow 9/6/08. With Hurricane Hanna coming in (the worst to hit late tomorrow afternoon) I think it would be best to just wait one more month before we meet.

Hope to see you in October!

Louise Bergmann DuMont

September Meeting of the NJCWG

Timothy & Amanda DuMont
July 11, 2008


We ARE having a NJCWG meeting this September

Next Meeting of the NJCWG
September 6, 2008
Ringwood Baptist Church
Ringwood, NJ
2:30 p.m.

... and YES, I am bringing wedding pictures (grin).
See you there.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator of the NJCWG

BEWARE ....

I am both embarased and distressed to tell you all that my website has been taken over by a porn group. Please do NOT go to www. louisedumont .com

My sincerest apologies if any of you recently tried to go to my website. My husband is trying his best to take back what was mine but they are asking a large sum of money to turn over the site name.

On a much happier note, my son's wedding was WONDERFUL !!! They should be returning from their honeymoon tonight.

Our next meeting will NOT be in August -- we are taking a summer break and will return to our regular meetings in September.

Hope to see you all there. Have a most blessed summer and KEEP WRITING!!!

Louise Bergmann DuMont
louisedumont@gmail.com
Facilitator of the NJCWG

www.cafemochalight.blogspot.com

No July & Aug Meetings

Wishing a Happy Summer Time to all our NJCWG Members!

PICNIC
Our June NJCWG picnic was a wonderful success. The weather was hot but gorgeous right up to the moment that I climbed back into my car. Then the heaven's opened up with a torrent of rain. God just wanted to let me know once again how good He was to allow us that beautiful afternoon.

REMINDER
There will be no NJCWG meetings for July & August. My son's wedding, vacations and numerous other summer activities have led me to believe that we need to take this break. We will resume our meetings on their regular schedule on September 6, 2008.

DO CHECK THE BLOG REGULARLY THIS SUMMER.
Because we suspended meeting for July & August, I will share writing opportunites, conference information, and other writing related topics on the blog during that time. I also have some pictures that Marilyn took at the picnic and I'll post them as soon as I get the chance - probably after the July 4th holiday.

Blessing to you all. Have a safe and happy summer. And KEEP WRITING!!!

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, North Jersey Christian Writers Group