December News/Writing Opportunity

Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

What a talented group we have? Much thanks to those of you who took time to share your writing with the rest of us last Saturday. To all, a Merry Christmas. We will meet for the first time in 2012 on Saturday, January 21st. Journalist and editor Jeannette Scott will be sharing a workshop with us (details later).

MEANWHILE if you can speak to the topics of mourning or peacemaking, a devotional writing opportunity has been offered to the LCW group from author and speaker Emily Chase (Emily has spoken twice for our Super Saturday conferences). The submission turnaround is short, so note the deadline below. If you do want to submit, but need a bit of writing time, DO consider dropping Emily an email to let her know your devotional is in the pipeline. SEE DETAILS BELOW.

FROM EMILY CHASE: "Jeanette - Here's a quickie writing opportunity for LCW.  Our church (West Shore E. Free) is planning to produce a book of Lenten devotionals based on the Beatitudes. They have assigned me 20 devotionals on the two beatitudes about "blessed are those who mourn..." and "blessed are the peacemakers..." and I'm supposed to recruit several other people to help get those 20 done by Jan. 10th, at the latest by the 15th. I'm guessing there may be LCW members who have something they wrote some time in the past about mourning or about peacemaking that might easily be tweaked to fit this project.

GUIDELINES: Each devotional should begin with a brief scripture reference (2-3 verses) related to the topic of the beatitude. (I need to know which passage you pick so that we don't all overlap.) Any translation (no paraphrases) would be acceptable. Then there should be a brief devotional thought about the passage, from 200-300 words. Lastly add a brief prayer to close it out. Note the repetition of the word brief in each category. :-) 

This is a for-the-love market opportunity. You would get honor, glory, a copy of the book, and your brief bio would appear at the end of the book Lemme know if anyone is interested! Thanks! - Emily  (echase@messiah.edu)" 

And I hope you have Saturday, March 24, 2012, marked firmly on your calendar for Super Saturday 2012 at Lancaster Bible College. We hope to have a flyer to you by early January. As always, the success of SS depends on you, the members of LCW. So if you have any ideas where we can publicize this event, please consider helping us among your own social network.

Finally, a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May the Babe in the manger, Jesus, Christ, Emmanuel, God With Us, the Morning Star, whose celebration this really is shine His light and joy into your home this Christmas season.

Serving with joy the King of Kings,

Jeanette Windle

President, Lancaster Christian Writers

www.lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com

www.jeanettewindle.com

Lancaster Christian Writers December News

Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

I was sorry to miss November's LCW meeting with editor Joyce Tilney and Jeannette Scott, but hear it was a fabulous time. For my own part, it is wonderful to be back at home after five weeks on the road. A reminder that our next LCW meeting is Saturday, December 17th, at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, 419 Pierson Rd, Lititz, PA 17543. As we try to work in at least once a year, this month will be a general Q&A session with experts answering YOUR questions in fiction, non-fiction, publishing, agenting and other fields. Plan as well to bring your titles and crafts for a 'Christmas Store' (and throw in a plate of goodies if you've got them as well!).

Meanwhile, if you have not yet joined The Book Club Network, a wonderful Christian book forum, then this is the time to do so! They are giving away more than 100 free Christian titles by top participating authors between now and December 20th (two of my own titles, Veiled Freedom and Freedom's Stand, will be among those featured December 14th). To join for this and many activities TBCN hosts regularly, go to: http://www.bookfun.org/  You can also participate by 'liking' their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/146903260542/. It takes only minutes to join.

A reminder that LCW news is always posted at our blog, Lancaster Christian Writers Today, if you've accidentally deleted an email: http://www.lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com/

Blessings,

Jeanette Windle

President, Lancaster Christian Writers

http://www.lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com/

www.jeanettewindle.com

LCW Meeting This Saturday, November 19th

Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

A reminder that LCw will be meeting THIS Saturday, November 19th, at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, 419 Pierson Rd., Lititz, PA 17543 from 9:30-noon (registration opens at 9AM). Joyce Tilney, editor of Christian newspaper The Voice of Grace and Truth, will be sharing a workshop on the power of vision and responsibility of the Christian author as write His answers.

I am currently on the road in eastern WA without access to LCW database, so will NOT be sending out a final reminder of meeting. We are privileged to have journalist and editor Jeannette Scott chairing LCW in my place. Here is your opportunity to pick her capable brain on any questions related to the journalism world. We will also again be offering opportunity for ALL LCW members attending to showcase their own titles at each meeting. With Christmas coming up, here's a chance for that personalized and economic gift.

AND we'll be giving time for peer critique groups. PLEASE remember to bring ten copies and no more than 1500 words if you plan to participate.

Have fun!

Blessings,
Jeanette Windle
President, Lancaster Christian Writers
www.jeanettewindle.com
www.lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com

Mark Your Calendar for LCW Meeting Saturday, Nov. 19th

Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

Our November meeiting is fast approaching Saturday, November 19th, 2011, at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, 419 Pierson Rd, Lititz, PA, 17543 from 9:30AM-12 noon (registration opens at 9).   PLEASE READ THIS THROUGH AS THERE IS A LOT OF LCW NEWS.

I will NOT be at the meeting, as my husband and I will be on the road for a month of speaking engagements across northwestern US.  We are privileged to have journalist and editor Jeannette Scott chairing the meeting. Just one caveat: there will be no hot drinks setup, so you may want to swing by Starbucks on the way.

Joyce Tilney, editor of Christian newspaper The Voice of Grace and Truth, will be sharing a workshop on the power of vision and responsibility of the Christian author as write His answers. The founder of Women of God Ministries, Joyce Tilney has traveled and taught throughout Europe, Asia and China living in Scotland with her family for 11 years. She has authored the non-fiction books, Leah: The Substitute Bride, Eve: In The Right Place, Our of Position and

Jochebed, A Woman of Faith Who Brought Deliverance to Her Nation.

We will also again be offering opportunity for ALL LCW members attending to showcase their own titles at each meeting. With Christmas coming up, here's a chance for that personalized and economic gift. AND we'll be giving time for peer critique groups (sorry those got a little squeeze in last month with two workshops!). PLEASE remember to bring ten copies and no more than 1500 words if you plan to participate

NOTE OF CAUTION:  I will do my best to send out a final reminder before the November 19th meeting, but can't guarantee email access. SO please do put this on your calendar and check for regular updates the LCW blog: http://lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com/

SUPER SATURDAY 2012!!! And it isn't too early to put Super Saturday 2012 on your calendar. We have just confirmed a date: Saturday, March 24, 2012. Due to a scheduling conflict, we will be shifting our venue to Lancaster Bible College, which has graciously offered to host us this year. Of faculty already confirmed, we have a fabulous lineup, including award-winning novelists Gayle Roper, Tracy Higley, and Mike Dellosso, non-fiction children and women's author Karen Whiting, freelance editor Carol Cool, and author, editor, and founder of Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference Marlene Bagnull.  

More info at our blog, Lancaster Christian Writers Today: http://www.lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com/

Until December,

Jeanette Windle

President, Lancaster Christian Writers

http://www.lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com/

www.jeanettewindle.com

Lancaster Christian Writers Meets This Saturday; PLUS Tricia Goyer Coming to Town

Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

A reminder that LCW will be meeting this Saturday, October 15, 2011, at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, 419 Pierson Rd, Lititz, PA, 17543 from 9:30AM-12 noon (registration opens at 9). Internationally published freelance writer, editor, and pastor's wife, Carol Anderson Cool will be offering one of her most popular and practical writers conference workshops, 'Self-Editing for the Grammatically Challenged: Correcting Your Own Work'.

We will also again be offering opportunity for ALL LCW members attending to showcase their own titles at each meeting. With Christmas coming up, here's a chance for that personalized and economic gift. AND we'll be giving time for peer critique groups (sorry those got a little squeeze in last month with two workshops!). PLEASE remember to bring ten copies and no more than 1500 words if you plan to participate.

ONE MORE EXCITING INVITATION!!! Bestselling and multiple award-winning author Tricia Goyer is coming to town. She is a wonderful writer, radio host, ministry leader, and just plain human being. I last had the personal privilege of standing beside Tricia at the 2010 Christy Awards, when my title Veiled Freedom and her title Swiss Courier were both finalists. She will be doing book signings this month at three area bookstores, including the Lancaster Berean. She sent a personal invitation to Lancaster Christian Writers to stop by and chat (and maybe pick up a Christmas gift for someone!).

TIME AND PLACES ARE:

1) October 21, 2011, Berean Christian Stores, Lancaster, PA; Tricia will be signing books from 11:00am - 1:00pm.

2)  October 21, 2011, York LifeWay Christian Store, York, PA;  Tricia will be signing books from 5:00-7:00pm.

3)  October 22, 2011, Harrisburg LifeWay Christian Store, Harrisburg, PA; Tricia will be signing books from 11:00am - 1:00pm.

More info at our blog, Lancaster Christian Writers Today: http://www.lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com/

Until Saturday,

Jeanette Windle

President, Lancaster Christian Writers

http://www.lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com/

www.jeanettewindle.com

Lancaster Christian Writers October Meeting

Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

What a great fall kickoff we enjoyed with suspense novelist Mike Dellosso and CLC editor Dave Fesseden on Saturday, September 17th. Due to popular demand, we ran workshops back-to-back instead of having to make a choice. LOTS of great writing tips for fiction and non-fiction alike in both workshops.

If you missed, that's okay, because we've got another fabulous speaker visiting us Saturday, October 15th (yep, just two weeks away now) 9:30AM-noon at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, 419 Pierson Rd., Lititz, PA 17543. Freelance writer, editor, and pastor's wife, Carol Anderson Cool will be offering one of her most popular and practical writers conference workshops, 'Self-Editing for the Grammatically Challenged: Correcting Your Own Work'.

Carol Cool has been published nationally and internationally in magazines and journals such as Focus on Your Child, Discipleship Journal, Marriage Partnership, Prism, Pray!, Christian Home and School, and The Bulletin of University of the Sciences. She runs her own editing and writing business, Cool Copy, which specializes in editing and writing in the corporate and advertising worlds.

She describes this workshop: "So you flunked fifth-grade grammar. Get over it! Editors don’t have time to rewrite your work. Learn editing techniques from a professional copy editor who had no formal grammar training. No talk of subordinate clauses and dangling participles, just solid advice and easy-to-remember tips. You’ll also learn secrets for professional proofreading and receive resource recommendations."

We will also again be offering opportunity for ALL LCW members attending to showcase their own titles at each meeting. With Christmas coming up, here's a chance for that personalized and economic gift. AND we'll be giving time for peer critique groups (sorry those got a little squeeze in last month with two workshops!). PLEASE remember to bring ten copies and no more than 1500 words if you plan to participate.

A reminder that LCW news is always posted at our blog, Lancaster Christian Writers Today, if you've accidentally deleted an email: http://www.lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com/

Blessings,

Jeanette Windle

President, Lancaster Christian Writers

http://www.lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com/

www.jeanettewindle.com

Lancaster Christian Writers Fall Kickoff Saturday, September 17th!!

Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

 

A reminder that LCW's fall kickoff is coming this  Saturday, September 17th, at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, 419 Pierson Rd, Lititz, PA, 17543 from 9:30AM-12 noon (registration opens at 9). Admission is FREE!!!, so please do pass on this wonderful opportunity to anyone you know who might be interested. A press release is attached if you'd like to post or email it elsewhere.

 

We will be offering two exciting workshops for our kick-off for both non-fiction and fiction writers:

 

Dave Fesseden, managing editor of CLC Publications, will be teaching a workshop covering the topic of his brand-new book "Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book: Concept to Contract". 

 

Mike Dellosso, acclaimed suspense novelist, will be offering a workshop  on "Establishing Mood/Feeling in Your Story". Author of four thriller novels,The Hunted, Scream, Darlington Woods, and Darkness Follows, Mike Delosso is also a newspaper columnist and feature writer for ACFW's Afictionado. Mike teaches writing to a variety of ages at conferences and other venues, including creative writing at Lancaster Bible College. There will be a book table, so take this opportunity to grab some autographed titles for those first Christmas gifts!!

 

We will also be giving time for small-group peer critique. If you are planning to participate, bring ten copies of material. Word count limit is 1500 words. Guidelines posted at our LCW blog Lancaster Christian Writers Today (if you are reading this, you know where to find it).

 

Two other pieces of news:

1) The LCW website (http://www.lancasterchristianwriters.org/) has ceased to exist. We never did find a webmaster and are able to do anything we need on our free blog site. SO basic LCW info is now posted as Lancaster Christian Writers Q&A on the right column of the blog. Regular news will continue to be posted to the blog as well as e-news updates if you are in our database.

 

2) Starting this September, we will be offering a book table EVERY month for members with titles to display their books any time they attend (this is common in secular writers groups). The reason being that members may be interested in purchasing a featured title, but not be present the particular meeting when that author shares a devotional or workshop. SO any month a member would like to set out a few titles (be sure they are marked with price), they will be available to the group for purchase an autographed copy (Christmas is coming!). Because of this, we will NOT plan to have a separate Christmas Shop display in December. Just plan to pick up some signed autographs throughout the fall.

 

We'll look forward to seeing you next Saturday. And do help us get the word out!

 

Blessings,

Jeanette Windle

Chapter President, Lancaster Christian Writers

jeanette@jeanettewindle.com

http://www.jeanettewindle.com/

LCW: Greater Philly Followup/Janet Parshall's In the Market/Aaron's Books

Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

 

What an incredible conference Greater Philly turned out to be this last week. It was a pleasure to see SO many LCW members there, including many I had no idea were even planning to be there (you know who you are!). Another pleasure was chatting with many within the driving radius who DIDN'T know about LCW and are now planning to join with us this fall. All to say, I hope you've marked your calendar for Saturday, September 17th, with Dave Fesseden and Mike Dellosso and each third Saturday of the coming year. To this point at least half the months are already filled with some wonderful workshop leaders.

 

Aaron's Books: Regarding Aaron's Books, MANY of you (I don't know who was more surprised at the response, owner Todd Dickenson or I) have taken advantage of his very generous offer to feature a special LCW section as local authors (downtown Lititz). It was great to see the books being checked in for display (including my own). May I encourage you now (especially if you have books there) to make Aaron's Books known to your own social network and even visit now and then yourselves.

 

Janet Parshall's In the Market: On a personal note, I will be interviewing this afternoon 5:30 EST on Janet Parshall's In the Market, which airs on more than 700 stations with Moody Broadcasting, on my new Tyndale title Freedom's Stand, Afghanistan, freedom of faith, and more. If you get Christian radio, I'd love to invite you to listen in (you can also listen on Internet). Otherwise, if you think of it, please pray for me as this is by far the biggest interview I've done, and I will admit to some trepidation. :)

 

Meanwhile, I travel to India Friday for a 10-day ministry trip and will be largely out of contact, back August 29. Looking forward to seeing many of you this fall.

 

Blessings,

Jeanette Windle

President, Lancaster Christian Writers

http://www.lancasterchristianwriters.org/

http://www.jeanettewindle.com/

LCW Summer News/God's Stories 7

Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

 

Just a reminder that LCW will NOT be meeting during July and August. But I hope you place Saturday, September 17th, on your calendar for LCW's fall kickoff with two wonderful workshop leaders, thriller novelist Mike Delosso and CLC managing editor Dave Fesseden sharing the knowledge of his newest book, "Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book: Concept to Contract".

 

IN OTHER NEWS, LouAnn Good visited LCW last week to invite our members personally to participate in God's Stories 7. They are still short of the stories they need for this year, so here is a wonderful opportunity to see your name in print and bless others. Attached are guidelines from GS. IGNORE the deadline given, as this has been extended, BUT they do need to fill out their calendar within the next few days, so please do not delay in contacting LouAnn.

 

CONGRATULATIONS! And a wonderful congratulations to LCW member Janet Oberholtzer, whose memoir Because I Can is the winner of Rhizome Publishing's Cultivate Publishing Contest . Janet, who spoke this last year at LCW on her near-death accident and journey to God and marathon running, shares: " I'm so grateful for all I learned at Lancaster Christian Writers--thanks! It helped me write/edit my memoir "Because I Can." And on Monday it was announced that it was the winner in a publishing contest and will be published this fall!" Read Janet's account at her blog: http://www.janetober.com/. 

 

SPEAKERS: And speaking of speakers, we're already filling a great lineup of speakers for 2011-2012, including Voice of Grace and Truth editor Joyce Tilney in November and author/editor Carol Cool in January. But we have openings remaining for speakers, workshops, and devotionals throughout the year. If you have a suggestion or would like to share, contact me.

 

It is exciting to hear how many LCW members will be attending Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference or another conference this summer. I will look forward to seeing those of you at GPCWC personally as I will be teaching a fiction track there. Several LCW members have made requests concerning sharing rides to GPCWC. If you are attending GPCWC and are interested in car-pooling, whether as driver or passenger, from Lancaster area or another, please drop me an email as well. This is not a guaranteed service, but if there are those interested, I am happy to facilitate getting in contact.

 

Otherwise until this fall. May God bless you as you continue to write and live for His glory.

 

Blessings,

Jeanette Windle

President, Lancaster Christian Writers

http://www.lancasterchristianwriters.org/

http://www.jeanettewindle.com/

 

LCW Tomorrow/Suspense Novelist Mike Delosso confirmed for Fall Kickoff!!

Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

I hope you can join us tomorrow, Saturday, June 18, at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, 419 Pierson Rd, Lititz, PA, 17543, from 9:30AM-12 noon (registration opens 9AM), for our last LCW meeting before summer. Our scheduled workshop covering all the nuts and bolts of getting ready for a writers conference from writing the perfect proposal/query , choosing a conference, planning to make the most of the schedule, approaching agents and editors, etc. will be hands-on so do bring paper and pen. Bring as well your query letters and book proposals for individual critiques of at a first-come, first-serve basis. This will also be a last opportunity for usual peer critique groups until fall, so bring your ten copies of 1500 words or less .

AND IN OTHER NEWS, WE NOW HAVE TWO FABULOUS WORKSHOP LEADERS LINED UP FOR OUR LCW FALL KICKOFF!!

Mark your calendar now for our LCW FALL KICKOFF now confirmed for Saturday, September 17, 2011.  We will be offering two exciting workshops for our kick-off for both non-fiction and fiction writers. Dave Fesseden, managing editor of CLC Publications, will be offering a workshop on the topic of his brand-new book "Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book: Concept to Contract". And just confirmed to share a fiction workshop with us on that date is suspense novelist Mike Dellosso. Author of four thriller novels,The Hunted, Scream, Darlington Woods, and Darkness Follows, Mike Delosso is also a newspaper columnist and feature writer for ACFW's Afictionado. Mike teaches writing to a variety of ages at conferences and other venues, including creative writing at Lancaster Bible College. Mike will also be teaching a fiction track at Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference this year.

Until tomorrow,

Jeanette Windle

President, Lancaster Christian Writers

http://www.lancasterchristianwriters.org/

http://www.jeanettewindle.com/

Lancaster Christian Writers June News

Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

A special thanks to author and speaker Becky Toews for an inspirational as well as practical walk through her publishing journey at our last LCW meeting on May 21st. Our last meeting before breaking for the summer will be on Saturday, June 18, at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, 419 Pierson Rd, Lititz, PA, 17543, from 9:30AM-12 noon (registration opens 9AM).  If you're wondering whether you should tuck a writers conference into your summer schedule (and which!), have questions about approaching agents and editors, a proposal/query needing critiqued, this is your opportunity. Novelist, journalist, and freelance editor Jeanette Windle, a frequent writers conference faculty member, will be answering those questions and more and offering individual critiques of conference-ready query letters and book proposals at a first-come, first-serve basis. This will also be a last opportunity for usual peer critique groups until fall, so bring your ten copies of 1500 words or less .

IN OTHER NEWS:

1) Publication Opportunity: Voice of Grace and Truth : We were delighted to welcome at our May LCW meeting Joyce Tilney, editor of PA regional Christian newspaper Voice of Grace and Truth. VGT editor extended a special invitation to LCW members to submit articles, poetry and other material to the newspaper. Don't let this opportunity pass you by! Here is a word from Joyce Tilney to Lancaster Christian Writers:

"The Voice of Grace and Truth is a Christian Newspaper uniting faith, family and community.  At least 20,000 people see the Voice in Montgomery, Chester, Lancaster and York Counties with copies going to Philadelphia and beyond. In Lancaster and York Counties you can pick up the paper in Weiss and Giant Food Stores and Stauffers of Kissel Hill. Also in many restaurants and stores. You can also read  the paper online and we receive hits from people around the world. http://www.thevoiceofgraceandtruth/. There is power in the printed word!  You have a voice with a story to tell.  Personal testimonies change people lives. We invite you to share your testimony, an answer to prayer, a devotion.  We call the paper TNT; teaching, news and testimony. The Voice is an evangelistic tool for the Kingdom of God.  Partner with us today to bring good news to a loss world. Together we can make a difference. To receive writer’s guidelines please email me at joycetilney@yahoo.com."

2) Congratulations to Sandy Arnold, for her article 'Burned Up', featured in the Lancaster Sunday News May 22, 2011. Attached is a scanned link of the article Sandy has graciously taken time to share with the group.

3) Fall kickoff will be September, 2011, exact date to be announced. BUT we already have Dave Fesseden, managing editor of CLC Publications, lined up to do a workshop on his brand-new book "Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book: Concept to Contract" [we plan to have something for the fiction writers too). So do be marking your calendar.

Blessings,

Jeanette Windle

President, Lancaster Christian Writers
http://www.lancasterchristianwriters.org/
http://www.jeanettewindle.com/

Lancaster Christian Writers meets Saturday, May 21st

Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

 

With just two more LCW meetings before breaking for the summer, I hope you can find time to join us this Saturday, May 21st, at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, 419 Pierson Rd, Lititz, PA, 17543, from 9:30AM-12 noon (registration opens 9AM).  With us will be Becky Toews,  author of non-fiction title Virgin Snow: Leaving Your Mark in the World. She will be offering a workshop on her journey in ministry-publishing her own book, sharing practical tips for each stage of the process from book conception to birth.  Becky Toews is a conference speaker, adjunct professor of Public Speaking and English Composition at Lancaster Bible College, ministry leader and pastor's wife for over thirty years, and had the privilege of studying with Dr. Francis Schaeffer at L'Abri. You can find out more about Becky and her book is at http://www.beckytoews.com/  

 

IN OTHER NEWS:

 

1) June meeting: Our last LCW meeting before summer is Saturday, June 18th. Focus will be on preparing queries and proposals for those summer writers conferences and submissions. I will be offering a hands-on workshop covering this subject and will be available to take a look at your own query/proposal if you bring it ready. We will also be offering the usual critique groups. So be thinking now of getting together that great proposal you'd like to pitch on your non-fiction or fiction book and bring it along for critique and Q&A.

 

2) Freedom's Stand: My new title, Freedom's Stand, sequel to 2010 Christian Book Award and Christy Award Veiled Freedom, is at last OFF THE PRESS! It hits bookstores June 1st. But for the many who have asked, it WILL be available Saturday at the LCW meeting, so if you have been wanting to get that copy (hey, think Father's Day!), you can pick it up there on special introductory price of $10 (lower than bookstore or Amazon, plus no shipping)

 

3) Fall kickoff will be September, 2011, exact date to be announced. BUT we already have Dave Fesseden, managing editor of CLC Publications, lined up to do a workshop on his brand-new book "Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book: Concept to Contract" [we plan to have something for the fiction writers too). So do be marking your calendar.

 

Until Saturday.

 

Blessings,

Jeanette Windle

President, Lancaster Christian Writers

http://www.lancasterchristianwriters.org/

http://www.jeanettewindle.com/

 

LCW April Followup/Invitation

Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

 

A super thank you to Todd Dickenson of Aaron's Books for his informative presentation on making the most as an author of the local bookstore. I hope those of us who live in this area will take advantage of Aaron Books' open door and do our part through patronage in helping keep alive the only general market independent bookstore in this part of Pennsylvania. Check out their website for regular community book and author events (they have a fabulous e-book inventory as well): http://www.aaronsbookonline.com/ Next month, we will be welcoming Becky Toews, conference speaker, Bible teacher, Lancaster Bible College professor, and author of non-fiction title Virgin Snow: Leaving Your Mark in the World will be speaking with us practical tips learned from her publishing journey. So do keep open Saturday, May 21, to join us in welcoming her.

 

Also, if you are in the spring-cleaning mood, LCW member Brinton Culp offers an invitation to Brinton Culp will be presenting "Spring Greening and Cleaning" your home this Wed. evening (April 20) at 7:30pm at Lancaster Country Day School.  The event is hosted by the Lancaster Group Sierra Club and is free and open to the public.  Brinton will cover home safety, organizing, cleaning "green", and a bit about "greening" your lawn/garden.  For questions call Brinton at 717-725-0743 or email brintonculp@yahoo.com 

 

One other invitation: I will be speaking at a book event and dinner Wednesday, May 4th, 6 PM at Highland Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, PA. Tickets are $7. I'd love to see some familiar faces there if anyone has the evening free. I will be giving the same keynote address I gave at Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference and Montrose Christian Writers Conference. Information at the following news link: http://www.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=48968

 

For those asking, we WILL be having a June meeting (3rd Saturday). Focus will be on preparing queries and proposals for those summer writers conferences and submissions. So be thinking now of getting together that great proposal you'd like to pitch on your non-fiction or fiction book and bring it along for critique and Q&A.

 

Blessings,

Jeanette Windle

President, Lancaster Christian Writers

http://www.lancasterchristianwriters.org/

http://www.jeanettewindle.com/

 

Lancaster Christian Writers meets Saturday, April 16th

Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

 

While in Israel these last couple weeks (a wonderful experience!), we received news that it was actually snowing back home in PA. So what a delightful surprise to return to spring weather, blossoming trees, and budding flowers. Perfect weather to get out of the house! So I hope you will join us this coming Saturday, April 16th, at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, 419 Pierson Rd, Lititz, PA, 17543, from 9:30AM-12 noon. We are delighted to welcome as our guests for that date the owners of Aaron's Bookstore in downtown Lititz, Todd and Sam Dickenson. Todd will be sharing with us the benefits a community bookstore can offer you as a local writer. He shares the following: "Aaron's Books in Lititz is Lancaster County's independent general interest bookstore, offering new and quality used books, as well as e-books. Owners Todd and Sam Dickinson and their son Aaron (age 8) – for whom the store is named – are committed to community involvement. Todd will offer the bookstore owner's perspective on bookselling and discuss ways authors and locally-owned, independent bookstores can work together to promote the author's work, as well as the love of reading." Check out more about their facilities and many community and author events at: http://www.aaronsbooksonline.com/ 

 

We will also be holding our regular peer critique session, SO put to use all those tips you picked up at this year's Super Saturday conference and bring along that piece to critique. Remember the guidelines: no more than 1500 words and ten copies for group critique.

 

Looking forward to seeing you there.

 

Blessings,

Jeanette Windle

President, Lancaster Christian Writers

http://www.lancasterchristianwriters.org/

http://www.jeanettewindle.com/

 

Aaron's Books visits Lancaster Christian Writers on Saturday, April 19th

Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

 

We had a WONDERFUL day together last Saturday, didn't we! Thank you to so many who volunteered with setup and takedown at our one-day writers conference, Super Saturday 2011, making it all run so effortlessly. And a thanks to our wonderful faculty and Marlene Bagnull, director Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, who traveled to be with us. We've had nothing but glowing feedback from all the workshops. If you couldn't make it this year, do consider getting it on your schedule already for next year. It will be once again around the third Saturday of March.

 

Meanwhile, next month is always only a few weeks away. Lancaster Christian Writers meets again on Saturday, April 16th, at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, 419 Pierson Rd, Lititz, PA, 17543, from 9:30AM-12 noon. We are delighted to welcome as our guests for that date the owners of Aaron's Bookstore in downtown Lititz, Todd and Sam Dickenson. Todd will be sharing with us the benefits a community bookstore can offer you as a local writer. He shares the following: "Aaron's Books in Lititz is Lancaster County's independent general interest bookstore, offering new and quality used books, as well as e-books. Owners Todd and Sam Dickinson and their son Aaron (age 8) – for whom the store is named – are committed to community involvement. Todd will offer the bookstore owner's perspective on bookselling and discuss ways authors and locally-owned, independent bookstores can work together to promote the author's work, as well as the love of reading." Check out more about their facilities and many community and author events at: http://www.aaron'sbooksonline.com/   

We will also be holding our regular peer critique session, SO put to use all those tips you picked up at this year's Super Saturday conference and bring along that piece to critique. Remember the guidelines: no more than 1500 words and ten copies for group critique. IN OTHER NEWS:

 

1) It is an enormous pleasure to announce that one of SS2011 faculty, Tracy Higley, has just been nominated a Christian Book Award 2011 fiction finalist for her title Petra (yes, the one a lucky SS2011 conferee took home from the drawing!). Check out the details at: http://christianbookexpo.com/christianbookawards/finalist2011.php. 

 

2) If you are looking for some free spring reading, awardwinning author Lena Nelson Dooley has just posted an author interview and book drawing for my (Jeanette Windle) Kregel release, The DMZ, set in the Colombian guerrilla zones where I grew up. To be entered in the drawing for FREE COPY, do drop by and leave a comment: http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/2011/03/dmz-jeanette-windle-free-book.html.  

 

3) I leave Monday for a twelve day trip in Israel and Jordan, my first time in the Holy Land. I will be checking email  and Facebook sporadically along the way, but will be otherwise fairly unavailable until my return on April 9th. Meanwhile, happy writing!

 

Blessings,

Jeanette Windle

Chapter President, Lancaster Christian Writers

http://www.lancasterchristianwriters.org/

http://www.jeanettewindle.com/

Lancaster Christian Writers Super Saturday 2011 Schedule

SUPER SATURDAY SEMINAR

8:45AM-4PM PM, MARCH 19, 2011

LANCASTER EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

419 PIERSON RD., LITITZ, PA, 17543

8:00 AM--REGISTRATION OPEN

8:45 AM--OPENING IN SANCTUARY

9:30-10:45 AM--FIRST WORKSHOP:

A-101-- T.L. HIGLEY: "Stereotypes: Love ‘em and Leave ‘em." Learn to both utilize and break from personality types to create memorable fiction characters that leap off the page.

A-103-- EMILY PARKE CHASE: "Pro/Con: Cool it!" Addressing hot topics with temperature-lowering grace.

10:45-11:00 AM--BREAK, Bookstore Open

11:00 AM-12:15 PM--SECOND WORKSHOP:

A-101--ALAN LOEWEN: "Fantasy is a Christian Genre Too!"

A-103-- TERRI GILLESPIE: "Apples of Gold—Writing for the Devotional Market."

12:15-1:00 PM--LUNCH, Bag Lunch served in foyer. Bookstore open.

1:00-2:15 PM--THIRD WORKSHOP:

A-101-- JEANETTE WINDLE: "The Nuts and Bolts of Plotting High-Octane Fiction."  Developing a compelling story lies not only in who, what, where, and when, but how and especially why.

 A-103-- HANA HAATAINEN CAYE: "The Business of Writing--Ways to Make Money as a Freelance Writer."

2:15-2:30 PM--BREAK, Bookstore Open

2:30-3:45 PM--FOURTH WORKSHOP

A-101-- JOYCE MAGNIN: "Make ‘em Laugh—But not too much." Infusing fiction and nonfiction with a laugh track.

A-103-- CAROL WEDEVEN: “Choosing WORDS for Kids.” Enjoy the adventure of discovering WORDS of gold which will thrill the reading child.

3:45-4:15--FINAL BOOKSTORE CALL



SUPER SATURDAY 2011 WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

 Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

Many have been asking exactly what workshops our wonderful faculty will be offering for Super Saturday 2011. The descriptions are now in. Check them out below and share them with your friends.

HANA HAATAINEN CAYE: "The Business of Writing--Ways to Make Money as a Freelance Writer." Running a freelance writing business can be more profitable than you may think. This workshop will cover the various types of business and creative writing opportunities that exist for writers who see beyond their fiction and poetry and want to find a way to make a living, or simply earn some extra cash, through the written word. Examples include press releases, advertising copy, magazine articles, on hold message scripts, sales letters, webpage writing, search engine optimized writing, newsletters, and more.

EMILY PARKE CHASE: "Pro/Con: Cool it!" Hot topics like politics, abortion, and homosexuality can separate readers into opposing camps.  Incorporating humor and anecdotes into your writing can lower temperatures and bridge the divide that stalls dialog on important issues.

TERRI GILLESPIE: "Apples of Gold—Writing for the Devotional Market." Devotional writing is a great way to break into publishing and to reach others with sweet, life changing messages of God’s redemption. This class will give you markets and practical formats for devotional writing.

T.L. HIGLEY: "Stereotypes: Love ‘em and Leave ‘em." Learn to both utilize and break from personality types to create memorable characters that leap off the page.

CRAIG ALAN LOEWEN: "Fantasy is a Christian Genre Too!" Christian-themed fantasy/sci-fi has a growing fan base within both the CBA and ABA marketplace. This interactive workshop will cover the various sub-genres of fantasy writing as well as carry the participant through the process of creating ideas for the story, doing research for the background, writing and revising the story, and then having it published in a suitable market. The tips and resources will be helpful to all writers regardless of the genre they prefer to work in.

JOYCE MAGNIN: "Make ‘em Laugh—But not too much." It’s been said that there would be no laughter without sorrow. Discover the science behind the funny and learn how to infuse your fiction and nonfiction with a laugh track. Sometimes it takes the unexpected to get a chuckle and other times it’s simply a tiny curlicue on a sentence or two to relieve the tension.

CAROL WEDEVEN: “Choosing WORDS for Kids.” Enjoy the adventure of discovering WORDS of gold which will thrill the reading child. Don’t settle for less. Collect the best. Get rid of tongue twisters. Put characters in place. Use color-coded WORDS. Every manuscript deserves your rapt attention to detail.

JEANETTE WINDLE: "The Nuts and Bolts of Plotting High-Octane Fiction." Developing a compelling story lies not only in who, what, where, and when, but how and especially why. Interweaving plot lines, conflict, POV, dialogue, forward motion vs. flashback, character vs. action-driven are among the elements necessary to tell an effective story.

Lancaster Christian Writers February News/Opportunities

Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

 

What a talented group you are, as we were privileged to see and hear at our January LCW meeting. With the weather, holidays, and no guest speaker, I will admit I'd expected a small turnout. Instead upwards of fifty braved the cold, and we were blessed by a truly outstanding compilation of poetry, inspirational, short story, and comedy pieces shared by LCW members. Thank you all who participated, and a special thanks to Shirley Shenberger whose devotional presentation was a true reminder of what Christmas is really about--the restoration of peace between a lost humanity and a loving Creator.

 

JUST A FEW NEWS TIDBITS:

 

1) February LCW meeting: Don't forget that we are meeting this coming month on the second Saturday, February 12th, instead of the third, at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, 419 Pierson Rd, Lititz, PA, 17543 from 9:30AM-12 noon. We will be meeting downstairs in the church lower level due to activities on the main floor, so be aware of that change. We will make sure there are signs posted to get downstairs. We are privileged to have award-winning journalist Lisa Bartelt sharing a work shop: "Dr. English and Mrs. Twitter: Tips for living with a love for words in an age of texts and tweets." Lisa amplifies, "I'll be sharing information about how to write within word count guidelines, when to use short words vs. long words, and some exercises to help us keep our writing readable. The information is based on my 8 years of experience as a (award-winning!) journalist and editor for daily newspapers in Illinois and a workshop I attended at Blue Ridge Writers Conference given by an editor from The Upper Room magazine."

 

2) Florida Christian Writers Conference: The FCWC is coming up quickly March 3-6, 2011. FCWC is one of the larger Christian writers conferences with a lot of editors, agents, publishers in attendance. If you are interested in attending, LCW has just received a partial scholarship offer from FCWC director Billie Wilson--$200 off the usual price. Registration must be received by February 15, 2011. Not available for online registration. No other discounts apply. Attached is the scholarship form. For further information, email: billiewilson@cfl.rr.com  FAX 321-267-9654.

 

3) And a request for input has come into LCW from local area Christian journalist and editor Valery Weaver-Zercher:

 

       "Are you trying your hand at Amish fiction? Or know another writer who is?  A journalist/editor in the Harrisburg area, I am writing a book about Amish romance novels and would like to speak with any writers, published or unpublished, who are working in that genre. Contact Valerie Weaver-Zercher at valerie@vweaver-zercher.com if you’re open to speaking about your writing, your hopes for your work, and your reflections on the Amish fiction market. More info at website: www.vweaver-zercher.com."

4) Super Saturday 2011: And finally, I hope you've got Saturday, March 19th, blocked out on your calendar to attend SS2011. More information as to faculty bios and workshop titles will be up soon at our LCW Blog. Meanwhile, please do help us get the news out, above all by forwarding the SS2011 flyer to anyone you can. Thank you again, Rebecca Wenger, for putting that together for us.

Blessings,

Jeanette Windle

Chapter President, Lancaster Christian Writers

www.lancasterchristianwriters.org

www.jeanettewindle.com

 

Final LCW January Reminder/News

Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

Saturday promises to be a sunny day, if cold. So do consider joining us for coffee/tea and fellowship with other writers at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, 419 Pierson Rd, Lititz, PA, 17543 Saturday, January 15th, from 9:30AM-12 noon. There are still openings if you'd like to share your own favorite gem of writing with the rest of us. Word count limit 300-500 words; platform time 3-5 minutes. There will also be a Q&A session and the usual critique groups.

OTHER NEWS:

1) For our February meeting, please mark the following date change. Due to some schedule conflicts. we will be meeting Saturday, February 12th, instead of February 19th. We are privileged to have award-winning journalist and newspaper editor Lisa Bartelt sharing with us a workshop: "Dr. English and Mrs. Twitter: Tips for living with a love for words in an age of texts and tweets".

2) A special thanks to LCW member Rebecca Wenger who kindly produced for us a REAL flyer for Super Saturday 2011 (I will never claim to be a graphics designer!). Email me at jeanette@jeanettewindle.com for flyer (and if you know how to post it online, please enlighten me!). Please begin to help us get this beautiful flyer up on bulletin boards and forwarded to as many interested writers as you can think of. :)

Until Saturday,
Jeanette Windle
Chapter President, Lancaster Christian Writers
www.lancasterchristianwriters.org
www.jeanettewindle.com

Lancaster Christian Writers January Meeting/News

Dear Lancaster Christian Writers:

 

LCW kicks off the 2011 calendar year Saturday, January 15th, at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, 419 Pierson Rd, Lititz, PA, 17543 from 9:30AM-12 noon with a wonderful panel of speakers--YOU! Yes, this is your opportunity to share your own favorite gem of writing with the rest of us. If you have a short devotional, poem, prose piece, short-short story, we'd like to hear from you. It's still close enough to the holidays that if you have a Christmas piece, we'd love to hear it. BUT in order to permit as many as possible to share, a few GUIDELINES: Word count limit 300-500 words; platform time 3-5 minutes.  Please drop me a note if you'd like to participate, so I can have a basic head count.

 

We will still be allowing time for critique groups and also a brief Q&A session. Some of the same questions concerning agents, self vs. traditional publishers, and other matters have been popping up from a number of you, so we'll take some time to answer those questions. OTHER NEWS:

 

1) Super Saturday 2011: We have a fabulous speakers lineup for Super Saturday 2011, coming up quickly on March 19, 2011. Attached is a flyer. Please consider doing what you can to get this info out beyond the LCW group to so many others who can benefit from the outstanding author lineup and reasonable cost of this one-day conference. Some ideas. Post the flyer to your Facebook. Send it on to your email contacts. Get it up on your library, school, church, community bulletin boards (PS. I am not a graphic designer, so if anyone would like a stab at creating a prettier flyer, that would be hugely appreciated. Just drop a private email). Speaker info and regular updates will be posted here at on the LCW blog: 

 

2) Writing Opportunity: Joyce Tilney, Editor of 'Voice of Grace & Truth", a PA Christian newspaper that distributes in Lancaster, Montgomery and Chester County and beyond, is inviting LCW members to submit articles and columns. Such LCW members as James Castellano have been published by VGT. For Guidelines, drop me an email.

 

3) Christian Sci-Fi Comic: And for those who enjoy Sci-Fi and Comics, LCW member Ellen Campbell has shared the following link for the new Science Fiction web comic, Carpe Chaos, produced by a wonderful group of young Christian adults: carpechaos.com. Launched this summer, it has aired at several comic conventions. "The comic doesn't preach, but has truth," its producers share. Which makes it perfect to pass on to a teen, university student, or just plain sci-fi fan in your life.

 

Finally, we'd like to thank Joyce Magnin for a wonderful session this past LCW meeting. After sharing on developing your own voice as an author, Joyce scratched the surface of using humor to touch a reader's heart. For those who missed her and/or want more, she will be returning for Super Saturday 2011 to offer a full workshop on sharing your heart's message with a humorous touch. Thanks, Joyce!

 

Blessings,

Jeanette Windle

Chapter President, Lancaster Christian Writers

http://www.jeanettewindle.com/