New Writing Website - Writer's Block

There is a wonderful article by Cecil Murphy on Show vs Tell on the Writer's Block website.

http://www.writers-block.info/Show%20Me%20Show%20Me%20by%20Cecil%20Murphey.htm

And don't forget to check out the other great information at this website. The Writer's Block website has only been up for a few months but it is already one of the better writing websites around.
http://www.writers-block.info/

Next Meeting
of the
North Jersey Christian Writers Group

Monday, April 24, 2006
6:15-7:00 Chat Time
7:00-8:00 Teaching
8:00-9:00 Critiques

Free Bible Searchs and Tools

Are you looking for just the right Bible verse to accompany your devotional? Do you need commentary quotes for your article?

Here are a few good online Bible search sites:
http://www.searchgodsword.org/
http://www.biblestudytools.net/
http://www.e-sword.net
http://www.biblestudycentral.net
http://bible.crosswalk.com/

Writing Op - True

Got a TRUE God story?

If God has made himself evident through an experience in your teen or young adult life or that of someone you know, share that story!

Irene Dunlap is a co-author of 6 books in the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series and is now in production with True Volume 2, Who's this God Guy?, the follow-up book to her Zondervan anthology, True: Real Stories about God showing up in the Lives of Teens.

The mission of TRUE is to bring a higher understanding of God's character to teens and young adults.

A wide array of issues are covered in the stories in TRUE Volume 1, including sexual temptations and pregnancy, pressures to drink and do drugs, as well as true experiences depicting how God worked in various life situations in the lives of teens and young adults.

For writing guidelines as well as general information regarding TRUE Volume 2, go to: http://www.lifewriters.com and click on the book icon for TRUE Vol. 2.

Please send all submissions to true@lifewriters.com May 15, 2006.

75th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition

75th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition

For 75 years, the Annual Writer’s Digest Competition has rewarded writers just like you for their finest work. And best of all, we’re celebrating our milestone year by giving away more than $30,000 in cash and prizes! Win a trip to New York City ! GRAND PRIZE: $3,000 cash and an all-expense paid trip to New York City to meet with editors or agents. Writer's Digest will fly you and a guest to The Big Apple, where you'll spend three days and two nights in the publishing capital of the world. While you're there, a Writer's Digest editor will escort you to meet and share your work with four editors or agents! Plus, you'll receive a free Diamond Publishing Package from Outskirts Press.
Entry Deadline: Monday, May 15, 2006. For entrants paying with a credit card, we will accept manuscripts submitted online. Manuscripts in the script categories must be submitted via regular mail.

P.U.G.S. for Writers

Kathy Ide has a wonderful website for writers. Her PUGS Pointers (Punctuation, Usage, Grammar, and Spelling) provide some amazing writer helps. Check it out!

http://www.kathyide.com/pointers.php

Realms Fiction

A Strang Company (publishers of Charisma magazine and books by popular Christian authors like John Hagee) have a new publishing line for Christian fiction. Its called Realms Fiction. They are targeting a Christian audience that leans more towards the supernatural and suspense lines.

Of the four books they are currently marketing, one is a time travel tale, one is fantasy, one is thriller/suspense (fleas juiced on the bubonic plague are unleashed in NY), and the last is about Lucifer--before and after the fall.

I haven't been able to locate submission guidelines. If anyone reading this knows how to submit to Strang, let me know.

NJCWG Members

If any NJCWG have items to post on this blog, send them to the facilitator.
Louise Bergmann DuMont
Author & Speaker

Writing Op - Adams Media

Are you up to the challenge of sharing your testimony? Adams Media is scheduled to turn out a book for the Christmas season 2006 that focuses on Christian conversion stories (a.k.a testimonies). And we'd love to consider including yours! Study the tips below and then send in your story as soon as you can.

Because of the Christmas deadline, Adams needs our completed book manuscript very soon--so we need your stories by May 5 (after that date, please check to see if we're still accepting stories before sending any). Adams will pay $50 for the stories chosen for publication.

Send your manuscripts as an attached file (preferred) or pasted in an E-mail to: ForeverHisProject@earthlink.net. If you have questions, you may also contact me there. Please feel free to forward this along to your friends and writing groups.

Thank you for considering writing for Forever His. This book will be sold in secular outlets, and has the potential to forever change lives. So we hope to hear from you.

Jeanette Gardner Littleton
Editor, His Forever
HisForeverProject@earthlink.net

Guidelines for His Forever
* Manuscript length is somewhat flexible; however, around 1500-1700 is the goal.
* Although this is a conversion story, you still need to have a focus. Use only details that pertain to that focus. Find the focus about your testimony that makes it different from others, and highlight that.
* Remember to show don't tell. Set up scenes, use dialogue, use your drama well without becoming melodramatic.
* Good stories have beginnings (leads), middles (body), and ends (conclusions). Even though you're telling your testimony, also take care to follow this normal first-person article structure.
* If a crisis led you to Christ, you need to fully explain it—don't allude to it or be vague about it.
* This book is designed to be sold mass market, i.e., Walmart, secular bookstores, etc. So watch using Christianese. Try to explain your testimony clearly enough that an unbeliever who doesn't know our "language" can understand what you're talking about.
* Give the readers materials to relate to—tell them your thoughts and feelings. Tell them specifics on how God drew you and worked in your life. Make spiritual concepts as concrete as possible.
* Be realistic. Don't make it sound like: Aha! You found God and suddenly life was perfect!
* Be positive. Don't bash other faiths or other people. Though you may need to mention sin you were involved in to bring around the positive point of what God saved you from, don't wallow in the sin.
* Do be specific, but don't give more details about the sin than about God drawing you.
* Watch dramatic language, especially when discussing spiritual warfare.
* Please know that those of us editing for Adams, as any magazine and book publisher, may give your manuscript a professional edit for length, clarity, and tightening.

Jeanette Gardner Littleton
Editor, His Forever
Adams Media

NJCWG Members

SPECIAL NOTICE TO NJCWG MEMBERS
If you have any books, tapes, CD's, or other materials that belonging to the facilitator of the NJCWG, please bring them to the meeting.

NJCWG members are asked to prayerfully consider taking a turn teaching something that they have learned about writing!

Next Meeting of the North Jersey Christian Writers Group
Monday, 4/10/06
6:15 Chat Time
7:00 Discussion Time - Members should bring anything that THEY learned about writing to this week's discussion.
8:00 Critiques

Free Two-Part Publishing Conference

Here is a message I recently received from Winepress publishing. They are one of the few subsidy press companies that I would endorse.

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

Greetings Christian Writer

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

I would like to invite you to a free two-part Christian Publishing Web Conference so you can investigate all your publishing options in today's competitive publishing world.

Starting on Tuesday, the 18th of April, 2006 I will be presenting the You Can Do It! Get Your Christian Book Published and Your Message Out in an interactive web conference format, two information packed 90-minute sessions.

If you want to get noticed by a royalty publisher and would like to see the alternative options you have available to do so, join me for the Part 1 of the 2 part conference....if you’re more interested in knowing how to create a platform and consider many possible ways to promote your book once in print, attend Part 2 of this informative conference. Or, join me for both!

As long as you have high speed internet access and a phone line you can join us from anywhere in the United States.

WinePress Publishing is recommended by Christian publishing industry experts as a viable option worth taking the time to investigate.

Visit the Web Conference sign up page for details.

Hope to see you there!

Warm Regards,
Athena

Spotlight on Poetry

The Writer Magazine has its spotlight on POETRY this month. They are celebrating National Poetry Month with a special Poetry Spotlight in the premium forums. Click here to read our first Poetry Spotlight poem, "The Muse," and comments from poets Kim Addonizio, Alfred Nicol and Claudia Grinnell.

Learn from poet Kay Day, winner of a number of awards for poetry and author of two collections of poetry and a memoir, on what makes a good poem. Whether you're a beginning poet or an accomplished poet looking to improve your poetry skills, this article and the advice in the poetry forums can help you.

May 13 Conference Canceled

Due to circumstances beyond my control, the May 13, A Reason to Write Conference has been CANCELED.

HOWEVER, I am considering hosting a Cecil Murphey mentor clinic. If anyone is interested in attending a mentor clinic in the North Jersey area, please contract me njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

For more information about Cec's clinics go to: http://www.cecilmurphey.com/mentor.html

You can also see comments from those who attended past clinics:
http://www.cecilmurphey.com/endorsements.html

NJCWG Update

Members of the NJCWG were informed yesterday evening that Louise Bergmann DuMont may need to step aside from her position as the group's facilitor. Members were encouraged to pray about the matter and to begin take ownership of the group.

God is calling for leaders.

Who will answer?

Further discussion will be forthcoming.

MEETING TONIGHT

IMPORTANT

Tonight's meeting of the NJCWG is going to be a very important one. If at all possible, every member should try to attend.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator

Next Meeting NJCWG

Next Meeting of the NJCWG
Monday, March 27, 2006
Important Announcements About the Future of the NJCWG Will be Made at the Meeting - All Members Should Try to Attend

6:15-7:00 - Chat Time
7:00-8:00 - Teaching Time "Lessons Learned From the Mentor Clinc"
8:00-9:00 - Critiques

Wrting Op - Decision Magazine

DECISION Magazine
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
1 Billy Graham Parkway
Charlotte NC 28201
Phone: (704)401-2432
Fax: (704)401-3009
E-Mail: submissions@bgea.org
Website: www.decisionmag.org

Non Fiction Needs: Personal Experience & testimony
Buys approximately 8 manuscripts/year.
Submission method: Send complete manuscript
Length: 400–1,500 words.
Pays $200-400.
TIPS: "Articles should have some connection to the ministry of Billy Graham or Franklin Graham. For example, you may have volunteered in one of these ministries or been touched by them. The article does not need to be entirely about that connection, but it should at least mention the connection. Testimonies and personal experience articles should show how God intervened in your life and how you have been transformed by God. SASE required with submissions."

Mentor Clinic

In the last few posts I shared a photos taken last week at Cecil Murphey's mentor clinic in Yorktown, VA. I have more photos but I'm having a hard time posting them. Hopefully I can get them up in a few days.

The photos are a nice rememberance, but what I learned at the clinic is what I will take with me for the rest of my life. Details will be forthcoming to the North Jersey Christian Writers Group at our next meeting - Monday, March 27. I hope to see you there!

Louise Bergmann DuMont

Teri Marriott - hard at work on her manuscript. 

Yvonne Ortega & Louise Bergmann DuMont
Yvonne's first book, a devotional for cancer survivors, is being published this year by Revel. 

Yvonne Ortega, the hostess of the Yorktown Mentor Clinic. 

Nancy Stevens having a moment of fun.

Jonathan Friesen & Sandy Wood. 

A Special night out with my new 'mentor friends'.

Yorktown Mentor Clinic - Cecil Murphey

Cecil Murphey at the Yorktown mentor clinic.

What a week! I learned more in four days that I could imagine learning in a month elsewhere. NJCWG members can hear all about the clinic at our next meeting - Monday, March 27.

Over the next few days I will post more photos and some valuable bits of info gleaned from those at the clinic.

Cec's Mentor Clinic

This is Rev Peter Lundell who is the pastor of a multi-cultural church in southern California.

Mentor Clinic

Tomorrow I leave for Cecil Murphey's mentor clinic in Yorktown, VA. You won't see any posts to the blog until I get back next week! Keep me in your prayers.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
www.louisedumont.com

William Paterson Writers Conference

Edward Hower & Alison Lurie

ANNOUNCEMENT

William Paterson is pleased to announce that they will again host a Spring Writers Conference.

The keynote speakers this year are the award-winning authors Alison Lurie and Edward Hower.

For more information go to:
http://euphrates.wpunj.edu/faculty/parrasj/Conference/WritersConferenceMain.htm

Tonight - Cancelled

NO NJCWG MEETING
MONDAY, March 13, 2006
Unfortunately, something's come up and I need to cancel tonight's meeting.
Our next meeting will be March 27, 2006.
NEXT MEETING
Monday March 27, 2006
6:15-7:00 Chat Time
7:00-8:00 Teaching
8:00-9:00 critiques
Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator NJCWG
http://www.louisedumont.com/

2006 A Reason To Write Conference

The North Jersey Christian Writers Group

is pleased to sponsor a

SPECIAL

one day event

2006 A Reason to Write Conference

May 13, 2006.

Guest Speaker Cecil "Cec" Murphey

~~~~~

About Cecil Murphey

~~~~~

Cecil Murphey (http://www.cecilmurphey.com/index.html) is one of the most noted ghost writers of inspirational nonfiction in the CBA. One of Cec's latest books, 90 Minutes in Heaven (by Don Piper w/Cecil Murphey) sold over 400,000 copies and is listed on the Barnes and Nobel Top 100 list. It is also #5 on the WalMart Book List. Cec also wrote I Choose to Stay: A Black Teacher Refuses To Desert the Inner City (by Salome Thomas-EL with Cecil Murphey) which is being made into a Disney movie tentatively titled The Great Bishops.

Cecil Murphey is an award-winning author (http://www.cecilmurphey.com/awards.html) who will be teaching a full-day of classes in North Jersey. The majority of the costs for this conference are being covered by generous benefactors.

~~~~~

May 13, 2006

A Reason To Write Conference
Conference Location: Ringwood Baptist Church,
30 Carletondale Road, Ringwood, NJ

Cost per attendee -- ONLY $30.00
(This includes four classes & lunch)

For more information contact the NJCWG Facilitator, Louise Bergmann DuMont at njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

CONFERENCE CLASSES

(taught by Cec Murphey)

1. Six Professional Secrets. These six factors mark the difference between want-to-publish and those who become professional writers. Follow them and move out of the amateur level.

2. Sell the Truth—Write Nonfiction. Nonfiction books outsell fiction and usually have a longer shelf life. You’ll learn the two absolutes of good nonfiction, how to incorporate fiction techniques, where to get ideas, how to grab readers’ attention, help on outlining your manuscript. Murphey offers inside information on editors, agents, and the publishing industry today. You’ll learn how to sell your book and what you need to do to promote your book.

3. The Interview: Asking and Active Listening. How do you prepare for the interview? How do you start an interview? What is active listening? What are the three crucial questions to ask? How important is empathy? What’s the one question not to ask?

4. The Self-disciplined Writer. How does individual personality affect self-discipline? How do you get more disciplined? Most important, how to link self-discipline with your personality type.

If you live in the NewYork/New Jersey/Pennsylvania area,

this is one conference you won't want to miss!

CANCELED - Mtg 3/13/06

NO NJCWG MEETING
MONDAY, March 13, 2006

Unfortunately, something's come up and I need to cancel Monday's meeting.
Our next meeting will be March 27, 2006.

NEXT MEETING
Monday, March 27, 2006
6:15-7:00 Chat Time
7:00-8:00 Teaching
8:00-9:00 critiques


Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator NJCWG
www.louisedumont.com

Writing Op - $150.00/story - Integrity House

From: Jessica Inman

Mark Gilroy is facilitating a new compilation project for Integrity House, and we’re looking for your true stories.

We need true stories that depict grace giving, falling within the following topics: Knowing How Much We’ve Been Forgiven; Seeing Others the Same Way God Does; Giving from the Heart and Laying Down Our Lives for Others; Experiencing--and Participating in---Miracles; Changing the World; Being Blessed as We Bless Others.

First-person is strongly preferred, though third-person will be considered as well.

Please note: We need these stories to stay centered on action and events, and we'd really encourage you to keep your "great story" antennae up and tell others' stories in first-person as-told-to format.

Stories should fall in the 500-1000 word range, and if possible, we'd like a quote and Scripture verse with each (neither of which would count toward the word count).

Payment will be a one-time $150 for non-exclusive rights.

Stories should be submitted before May 1, 2006.

To submit, send to jessica@markgilroy.com either as an attachment or pasted into the body of an e-mail.

Art/Poetry Exhibit - 3/10,11,12

ONLY TWO MORE DAYS!

Maude Carolan will be reading on Saturday!

7th Annual Photo, Art & Poetry Exhibition
March 10, 11 & 12, 2006
Sponsored by the St. Catherine of Bologna - Patron of the Arts Assoc.Place: St. Catherine of Bologna Parish Center, 112 Erskine Road, Ringwood, NJ
For information, go to: www.saintcatherinephotoart.com or call David J. Nocera, exhibition coordinator at (973) 962-0563

New Issue of The Writer

Articles, information and encouragement for every writer.
Subscribe to THE WRITER today.

"Every issue of THE WRITER will help you become the writer you've always wanted to be! You'll get practical, step-by-step solutions to common writing problems from experienced writing professionals like David McCullough, Sue Grafton, and Janet Evanovich, the latest tips from agents and editors, and more for fiction writers than ever before!

Plus, as your FREE GIFT for subscribing, you'll receive Get Published. This 16-page booklet is full of expert tips on how to succeed with nonfiction and fiction articles and books. It's nuts-and-bolts advice on getting story ideas, writing the perfect query letter, finding an agent and more!"

To Subscribe Today - Click Here

Copyright Article

The Dabbling Mum (Alyice Edrich) has a number of excellent articles on her website. One is about copyright laws - something every author needs to read. Check them out!
http://thedabblingmum.com/copyrights.htm

Free Images Website

Some of you have mentioned the need for photos to accompany your manuscripts. I recently stumbled upon a GREAT site. No copyright enfringement and every photo is FREE!

http://www.morguefile.com

Newspapers refer to their article and photo archives and the "morgue" and this site (a morgue of photos) contains thousands, maybe millions, of photos that are FREE.

Keep in mind that photos, like manuscripts, can not be reproduced without permission. Every photo on www.morguefile.com is in the public domain! Great news!

The Spirit Led Writer is Back!

http://www.spiritledwriter.com/
The Spirit Led Writers is back online! Check out the articles and opportunities there.

Art/Poetry Exhibition - March 10,11&12

Our own Maude Carolan will be reading at this exhibition!

7th Annual Photo, Art & Poetry Exhibition
March 10, 11 & 12, 2006
Sponsored by the St. Catherine of Bologna - Patron of the Arts Assoc.Place: St. Catherine of Bologna Parish Center, 112 Erskine Road, Ringwood, NJ
For information, go to: www.saintcatherinephotoart.com or call David J. Nocera, exhibition coordinator at (973) 962-0563

New Magazine - Wondertime

For a sneak-peek go to: http://wondertime.go.com/index.html

DAVID MEVORAH and LISA STIEPOCK were appointed to the newly-created positions of publisher and editor, respectively, of WONDERTIME magazine, a parenting magazine slated to launch in early 2006.

Wondertime is a new magazine dedicated to helping parents nurture their children’s love of learning. A blend of how and why, Wondertime inspires moms of infants through 6-year-olds to see the world through the eyes of their children, and to celebrate the wonder of this all-too-fleeting time.

Wondertime mixes playful activities and everyday adventures with compelling insights into the fascinating ways children develop physically, socially, intellectually, creatively, and emotionally. We hereby give moms permission to revel in the simple joys of raising a child, and to view the world as their children do — as an awe-inspiring place.

No writers guidelines available at this time.

Writing Op - Victory in Grace

Victory In Grace exists to clearly share the message of God’s grace to those who do not believe and to draw believers into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ by encouraging a daily walk and involvement in their local church. Victory In Grace is a ministry of the radio and television broadcasts of Dr. James A. Scudder.
To read their writers guidelines go to: http://www.victoryingrace.org/Default.aspx?tabid=55

Writing Articles

Are you looking for a place where you can read dozens and dozens of articles on writing for every market and genre? Check some of these out on Freelanewriting.com
http://www.freelancewriting.com/content/browse-articles-2-1.html

National Read Across America Day

CELEBRATE!!!
Today is Read Across America Day
sponsored by the National Education Association

Originally created as a one-day event to celebrate the joy of reading on March 2, Dr. Seuss's birthday, NEA's Read Across America has grown into a nationwide initiative that promotes reading every day of the year.
For more information go to: http://www.nea.org/readacross/index.html