Contemporary Christian Inspirational Poetry

POETRY NEWS...
Have you marked your calendar yet to save the date?
Saturday, May 21, 2005
1 to 3 p.m.

A reading of:
CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN INSPIRATIONAL POETRY
at Christian Publications Bookstore (Cornerstone Chapel)
620 Route 46 North, Pompton Plains, NJ

Participating Poets:
NANCY BAKER
MAUDE CAROLAN
GLORIA HEALEY
BARBARA WILLIAMS HUBBARD
ANN LEFEVRE
ELIZABETH MARCHITTI
VALERIE SCHERMERHORN
NANCY STOPPELKAMP

Website - Writing Op

I spent this morning updating my website. It contains new information, additional pages and a number of recent NJCWG member photographs on the NJCWG page. Now you have two great places to send your friends who are also aspiring writers. You can send them to our blog and to the NJCWG page on my website - www.louisedumont.com

A CALL FOR WEB CONTENT
I am still looking for chocolate/coffee related stories AND I've added a book review page. I you recently reviewed a good book, please send the review along with a jpg photo of the cover.

Please check out my website and let me know if anything doesn't work with your browser.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
word.worker@verizon.net

For NJCWG Members Only

I NEED THE HELP OF MY NJCWG MEMBERS

Our October 8, A Reason to Write Conference will be honored to have on staff fiction author, Colleen Coble.

This can ony happen IF one of our members is willing to offer their guest room for her two night stay. If you have a nice home that can accommodate our guest, please notify me as soon as possible. Once her housing is covered I can finalize the deal.

If you would like to know a little about Colleen Coble you can go to her website:
http://www.colleencoble.com/

Essay Vs Article

A number of people have asked me what the difference is between an essay and an article.

Essays usually inject more of the author's opinions and emotions. Articles are more fact based and offer only generic or "public" opinions. Here's a website that shows essay writing step-by-step. It has printouts and lots of good essay-related resources:

http://members.tripod.com/~lklivingston/essay/

Writers Digest 100 Top Markets

Photo: Charles Dickens

When you go to the website below, you will find the top 100 writers' markets as listed by Writer's Digest magazine.

http://www.writersdigest.com/topics/wdtop100_listing.asp

Upcoming Christian Writers Conferences for 2005

Dear NJCWG and others who may be reading this blog...

Here is a 'short-list' of Christian Writer's Conferences that are available in 2005. I've listed even those that are not local to the North Jersey area because NJCWG members may have friends or relatives in other parts of the country. The NJCWG Blog is also receiving traffic from writers outside our local group.

Central Ohio Writers of Literature for Children, April 23, 2005.
Columbus, OH
http://www.sjms.net/conf/

Orange County Christian Writers Fellowship 20th Annual Spring Writers Day Saturday, April 30, 2005.
Santa Ana, CA
http://www.occwf.org/

Colorado Christian Writer's Conference, May 11-14, 2005.
Denver Colorado
http://writehisanswer.com/Colorado/index.html

Oregon Christian Writers. One-day conference. May 14, 2005
http://www.oregonchristianwriters.org/

Lighthouse Christian Writers, Oconto, WI. May 21, 2005
http://www.mychristiansite.com/ministries/lhchristianwriters/ancv.html

Kentucky Christian Writers Seminar, June 3-4, 2005.
http://www.kychristianwriters.com/Seminar2005.dsphttp://www.kychristianwriters.com/Seminar2005.dsp

Southern California Writers' Conference, Palm Springs. June 10-12, 2005.
http://www.writersconference.com/ps/psmain.html

Chenango Valley Writers Conference, June 19-25, 2005.
http://people.colgate.edu/cvwritersconference/

Sewanee Writers' Conference, July 12-24, 2005.
http://www.sewaneewriters.org/

Oregon Christian Writer's Summer Coaching Conference, August 1-4, 2005.

Texas Christian Writers Forum, August 6, 2005
http://writehisanswer.com/

Greater Philadelphia Christian Writer's Conference, August 18-20, 2005.
http://writehisanswer.com/

2nd Annual North Texas Christian Writers Conference, September 9-10, 2005.
http://www.ntchristianwriters.com/

4th Annual American Christian Fiction Writer's Conference, September 15-18, 2005
http://www.americanchristianfictionwriters.com/conference/

Sandy Cove Christian Writers Conference, October 2-5, 2005
http://watkins.gospelcom.net/sandycove.htm

NJCWG 2nd Annual, One-Day, A Reason To Write Conference, October 8, 2005
Email: word.worker@verizon.net
Web Information will be available shortly

Ohio Christian Writers' Conference 2005. October 12 - 15, 2005
http://www.christianwritersgroup.org/answer/index.php

Bev Caruso's Writers' Weekend, October 14-16, 2005
http://www.across2u.com/writersweekend.html

Glorieta Christian Writers Conference, October 26-30, 2005
http://www.classervices.com/CS_Glorieta_Conf.html

The NJCWG - A Reason To Write Conference

The date has been set for our NJCWG A Reason To Write Conference.
Saturday, October 8, 2005
Due to formerly unanticipated changes in ownership, the conference will not be held at the Christian Publications Bookstore. The Ringwood Baptist Church has offered to act as host to our conference this year. Praise God.

So now the work begins. It looks like we are going to have quite a staff. I'm fine-tuning a few more details but Rebeca Seitz from Glass Road Public Relations in TN has offered her services as a speaker for our conference and she may bring along one of her latest Fiction Authors! Rebeca brings with her substantial experience as a publicist. Her primary concern right now is fiction and she recently launched Thomas Nelson's fiction line, WestBow Press. She includes among her credits authors scheduled on the Today Show, in Southern Living, and in all the major trades (Publishers Weekly, Christian Retailing, CBA Marketplace, Library Journal, etc.). This is quite a nice addtion to our conference. I've asked Maude to teach a poetry class and Patrick to return with a class on scripts. I'm also working on having the creator of Dora the Explorer teach our children's tract.

God is calling His people to put their thoughts and words into action. Many of you exprssed gratitude for last year's conference and many asked about the 2005 conference. Now it is time to get to work. To build a conference that will truly glorify the Lord I will need your help. 1) I will possibly need an offer of housing for Rebca Seitz (this would include meals). She is picking up her own tab for the travel (God bless her). 2) I will need someone to solicit, store and arrange for disply of writing literature and a book table. 3) I'm considering offering critiques, IF someone in our group would be willing to coordinate this part of the conference. 4) I will need someone to handle the food & beverages for lunch and breaks 5) and last but certainly not least, I need someone to handle the overall registration

Pray. Offer your heart and your hands to God. Let me know what YOU will do to help!

Louise Bergmann DuMont
word.worker@verizon.net

Writing Op - Children's Stories

GUIDE MAGAZINE http://www.guidemagazine.org
Guide is a Christian story magazine for young people ages 10-14. The 32-page four-color publication is published weekly by Review and Herald Publishing Association. Our mission is to show readers, through stories that illustrate Bible truth, how to walk with God now and forever. Pays $0.07-0.10/word upon acceptance for first serial rights. For submission and complete guidelines, see http://www.guidemagazineorg/aboutguide/writersguidelines.asp

Review of *Circles of Seven*

My review of Bryan Davis' latest book, Circles of Seven, is now online at WordSmithShoppe

http://wordsmithshoppe.com/Reviews/circlesseven.htm

Louise Bergmann DuMont

CBA Industry News

INTEGRITY PUBLISHERS SIGNS WITH INGRAM. Ingram Publisher Services (Ingram) will provide Integrity Publishers with fulfillment services beginning July 3. Ingram branched into fulfillment services in March, and Integrity is the first CBA-member publisher to sign on.

NAVPRESS/ZONDERVAN TO PUBLISH PARALLEL BIBLE. Zondervan and NavPress will co-publish the TNIV/Message Remix Parallel Bible in September. The new Bible is part of the companies’ strategy to reach a younger generation.

PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE NO. 1 ON MULTIPLE LISTS. Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life (Zondervan) is No. 1 on The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly best-seller lists last week. The accomplishment is notable because the best-selling book has been in print since 2002.

FINDEX TO RELEASE QUICKVERSE FOR MACS. Findex.com will launch QuickVerse Mac, a Macintosh edition of its QuickVerse Bible study software, this spring. Logos Bible Software recently announced all its software would be available in a Mac version in December.

LOGOS TO ADD MAC RESOURCES. Logos Bible Software announced it will release a Macintosh version of the company's digital library software in December. The Macintosh version will read the same book files as the PC version.

Writing Op - Youth Worker Journal

Kids on the Fringe
November/December 2005

How can we improve our ability to minister to at-risk kids? Those with
physical handicaps, ADHD, or depression? Substance abuse issues or
cutting/self mutilation? How can reach kids most youth ministries miss?
Where do we go for help? And how do our teaching and disciplinary styles
need to adapt?

If you have article ideas on this theme, write November/December 2005
proposal in the e-mail subject field, and send an outline and opening
paragraph within the e-mail body by June 15 to proposals@youthworker.com. You'll receive a reply no later than October 1.

To improve the chances of being published, we encourage you to check out our
writer's guidelines at www.youthworker.com/writers_guidelines.php

Woman's Day "Put It In Writing @ Your Library"

Last Tuesday's "Put It In Writing @ Your Library" (sponsored by Woman's Day Magazine at the Montclair Public Library) was a wonderful event! I was pleased to see Stephainie there and we had a nice chat afterward. The freelance writer who presented the information was well spoken and offered some interesting information about getting published in the "glossies" as well as specific information about publishing in Woman's Day.
I encourage members of the NJCWG to attend local writing events . The Montclair library was one of only twelve libraries across the country that was offered this program. What a blessing to have this right in our own backyeard. Its true that I needed to take the afternoon off from work, but it was well worth the time.

Keep your eyes open for other events of this nature and share them with the group.

Jehovah-Tsidkenu
The Lord is My Righteousness
Jeremiah 23:1-6

Louise Bergmann DuMont


*GRACE BY THE CUP: A BREAK FROM THE DAILY GRIND* (Revell)
*FAITH-DIPPED CHOCOLATE: RICH ENCOURAGEMENT TO SWEETEN YOUR DAY* (Revell)
Coming Soon -
*LISTEN FOR THE WHISPER*

Writing Op - YouthWorker Journal

Here is the September/October 2005 Theme List sent to me by YouthWorker Journal
Deadline: April 15, 2005
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"Coming of Age"
In many ways, youth ministry has grown up; how does that change our field? What happens when countries come of age? Or cultural movements (or church movements)? As the adolescent stage grows longer on both ends, how does that affect our understanding of what it means for kids to come of age? How useful are rites of passage in that context? What about a global youth culture? And adults not wanting to grow up?

If you have article ideas on this theme, write "September/October 2005 proposal" in the e-mail subject field, and send an outline and opening paragraph within the e-mail body by April 15 to proposals@youthworker.com You'll receive a reply no later than August 1.

To improve the chances of being published, we encourage you to check out our "writer's guidelines" at http://www.youthworker.com/writers_guidelines.php

Writing Op - Adoption Issues

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:
DEADLINE: May 31, 2005

We are seeking 100-150 word devotions regarding adoption, God’s love of children, and specifically God’s love of orphans. Think of how adoption has touched your life, your family, or your close friends. Of course, please specify which Biblical passage is most pertinent to your devotion. Please include a brief (1-2 sentence) prayer at its close.

We would like either a picture of the family referenced in your adoption (with permission to use the picture in this book) or a drawing from the adopted child to be used on the page opposite your devotion. However, if you cannot provide this, it does not mean your devotion will not be chosen.

This book will be published by Christian World Adoption (www.cwa.org) for fundraising purposes. It will be sold at speaking engagements by the Director of Development for CWA in churches and civic organizations. Proceeds will be used to help fund international adoptions as well as orphanages and primary schools in other countries (mainly Africa).

Writers of published entries will be given the option to purchase books at cost and will have a short bio and picture included in the book.

Please put CWA ADOPTION BOOK in the subject line of your emailed submission and send to rebeca@emailaccount.com. Sorry, no snail mail submissions, please. If you have any questions, feel free to reply to this email. Happy writing!!


Rebeca DeBoard Seitz
Rebeca D. Seitz Public Relations
Phone (615) 986-9516
Fax (615) 986-9517
email: rebeca@emailaccount.com
www.RDSpr.com

Writing Op - True Tales of Weddings & Honeymoons

A writing colleague recently sent me this opportunity and gave me permission to share it with you.
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THEY LIED! TRUE TALES OF WEDDINGS AND HONEYMOONS
Halyna M. Parypa
Viva Voce Press Inc.
http://www.theyliedtruetales.com
---
Deadline October 15th, 2005. Need those funny, unexpected, knee slapping stories about weddings and honeymoons. You know the kind of story we mean - the ones that sound a little hard to believe and may not have seemed all that funny at the time, but you look back on them now and can't stop yourself from laughing out loud - that's what we want! From off-beat engagements, to ceremony catastrophes; from dueling in-laws and reception disasters to honeymoon hijinks, we want to hear it all.

This is your chance to share your story with the world and become a published author. If your story is selected, you will be paid a one-time fee of $100 US.

THE CHRISTIAN FICTION REVIEWER SHORT STORY CONTEST

Christian Fiction Reviewer is sponsoring a writing contest for Adult Christian fiction short stories. All entries must be previously unpublished, with a 5000 word maximum. Each submission will receive comments and feedback from our judges.

Contest begins April 5 2005, closes July 1 2005 and the winning entry will be announced on August 15 2005.

First prize is $500 *
There is a $25 entry fee per short story. (If submitted by email there is an extra $2.50 printing charge.) The winning entry has the opportunity to be published on the Christian Fiction Reviewer Website. Go to the www.christianfictionreviewer.com website for contest rules and submission form. Please subscribe to the newsletter so you can receive periodic updates on the contest. Entries may be submitted by snail mail or by email. (Email submissions must be paid by PayPal)

*The winning entry will receive $500 cash prize.* (The contest must draw at least 20 entries in order to award the $500 prize. In the event the contest does not draw sufficient entries, the amount it does draw, will be awarded to the winner.)

Writing Op - Marriage Topics

I recently recieved this request along with permission to pass it on to the NJCWG.
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I work part-time for a magazine and do freelance on the side.

I'm helping leaders of a marriage ministry gather non-fiction, upbeat articles on the topic of marriage. You're welcome to send articles of less than 600 words, for possible use in an e-zine and/or web site, to marriagearticles@yahoo.com.

Payment is $25 if your article is accepted. New pieces and reprints are welcome--but do explain where else your article appears/appeared. No queries.

Thank you and may God bless all of your various projects.

Colette Walters Walden
wordmeisters@sbcglobal.net

Marion Fairman Writing Contest

Editors evaluate manuscripts quickly; if the first 1,000 words don't hold their interest, they read no farther.

The Writing Academy's writing contest for 2005 asks you to introduce your work in progress to an editor. Works in Progress: these include short stories, essays, personal experience stories, books (fiction and nonfiction), and poetry.

Entries will be limited to the first 1,000 words of a longer manuscript. The judge will read only the first 1,000 words of a work in progress, a work in the planning stages, or a completed work, and offer constructive feedback as to how the manuscript might be revised to enhance its marketability.

The Writing Academy's annual writing contest is offered each year in loving memory of Marion Fairman--a former Executive Director of the Academy and a writing teacher par excellence. She was known as a tough critic of student writing, but her famous red pen helped countless students to become better writers.

First Prize: $100.00
Second Prize: $50.00
Third Prize: $25.00

CONTEST GUIDELINES
1. The entry should be the original, previously unpublished work of the person submitting it. New, Associate, Active, and Reserve members of the Writing Academy are all eligible to enter without a fee. Non-members must include the processing fee of $5.00 per entry.

2. The contest entry should represent the opening pages of a longer work--a short story, novel, article, or nonfiction book.

3. If prose, the entry should be no more than 1,000 words in length; if poetry, no more than two pages.

4. Entry should be titled.

5. Entry should be typed or computer-printed, double-spaced.

6. Please submit two copies—one without ID, the other with author's name, address, phone number and email address in the upper LEFT-hand corner of the first page.

7. In the top RIGHT-hand corner of page one on both copies, please state the type of manuscript you are introducing--for example, a novel, a memoir, a poetry chapbook.

8. The copy with ID becomes the property of The Writing Academy and will be considered for publication on-line in Showcase! and in print form in The Writing Academy News. (By entering the contest, you are consenting to publication.)

9. Mail-in entries only.

10. Postmark deadline: June 1st, 2005

11. Send to Kay J. Clark,
985 Clark Avenue,
Chesterfield, Indiana 46017-1437

12. The contest judge will be Holly Miller, an editor with The Saturday Evening Post for more than 20 years.

Spiritual Journaling

For those of you interested in journaling, there is a good book on the subject of spiritual journaling called: Journaling A Spiritual Journey by Anne Broyles

There is also a very interesting website by Dan Phillips, dedicated to the same subject: http://edge.edge.net/~dphillip/Journal.html

Quotable Quote

“Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it, picturesquely so they will remember it and, above all, accurately so they will be guided by its light.”
—Joseph Pulitzer