Join LCW for our Last Meeting before Summer Saturday, June 16th with Author/Educator Terry Webb

With summer right around the corner, join Lancaster Christian Writers for our very last meeting until fall Saturday, 6/16/18, at Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Rd (off Hwy 30 across from Costco) from 9:30AM-12 noon (registration opens at 9). Christian author/educator Terry Webb will be sharing her creative expertise in reaching the youth market, secular or inspirational.

WORKSHOP:  A Christian Writer’s Creative Tool Box for Reaching the Youth Market:  How to get kids and their teachers interested in history? What about teaching moral values in today's secular schools? Or applying Jesus’s own example of telling stories to impart Christian principles? In this workshop, Christian writer and educator Terry Webb will share tools for using fiction to teach biblical values along with American history even within the secular school system, all while keeping often reluctant YA/Middle School readers engaged.  

SPEAKER: With a Master’s degree in Education and a background teaching in both classroom and Sunday School, Mary Theresa (Terry) Webb researches and writes YA titles that captures both historical events and Christian moral principles. Youth and adults alike enjoy the school and community programs she conducts dressed in period costume.  Her article “Writing historical fiction for mastery of 21st century social studies and language arts skills” appeared in The Georgia Social Studies Journal,  Volume 1 issue, in the fall of 2011. She also teaches adult classes as an international educational consultant.   Her many books and programs can be found on her website, www.marytheresawebb.com.

CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCES: And a reminder that summer--and writers conference season--is just around the corner. LCW has received personal invitations by directors of two great Christian writers conferences in our region, both of whom have spoken at our LCW conference and are known to you. Both conferences are wonderful opportunities to jump-start your summer writing, so I can't recommend highly enough attending one or the other or both.

MONTROSE CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE: The 29th annual Montrose Christian Writers Conference, directed by Marsha Hubler, will be held July 22-27, 2018, at Montrose Bible Conference, Montrose, PA (north-central PA). Info available at website:

GREATER PHILADELPHIA CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE: GPCWC will be held July 26-28, 2018, at Dock Mennonite Academy in Lansdale, PA. Marlene Bagnull is director of GPCWC as well as Colorado Christian Writers Conference and Greater Philly Christian Writers Guild. Info available at website:

CRITIQUE GROUPS: And don't forget to bring your latest work-in-progress (ten copies up to 1500 words). This will be LAST opportunity for critique groups until fall.

As always,  email questions or concerns to jeanette@jeanettewindle.com

Blessings,
Jeanette Windle
President, Lancaster Christian Writers

Join Lancaster Christian Writers Saturday, May 19th for CIA 101 with Author/Investigative Journalist Jeanette Windle PLUS Note Summer Conference Info

For the many who joined us last month for our Super Saturday 2017 at Lancaster Bible College, was that a great day or what? We had close to record attendance, and rave reviews from conferees and attendees alike. If you missed, it isn't too early to get next year on the calendar. OR check out two upcoming Christian writers conferences below.

Meanwhile we invite old and new members alike to join us for our May LCW meeting on Saturday, 5/19/18, at Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Rd (off Hwy 30 across from Costco) from 9:30AM-12 noon (registration opens at 9). LCW president Jeanette Windle will be sharing investigative techniques that will give authenticity and depth to both fiction and non-fiction writing..

WORKSHOP:  CIA 101: Investigative Techniques from the Trenches: Learn the investigative techniques by which investigative journalist and political/suspense novelist Jeanette Windle has written five investigative non-fiction titles and created fiction realistic enough for government agencies to question whether she obtained classified information. 

SPEAKER: Award-winning novelist, investigative journalist, editor, and collaborative writer Jeanette Windle grew up in the Amazon's guerrilla hot zones, has lived in six countries and traveled in more than thirty. Those experiences have birthed fifteen fiction titles, including bestselling Veiled Freedom (2010 ECPA Christian Book Award/Christy Award finalist) and Freedom's Stand, (2012 ECPA Christian Book Award/Carol Award finalist), as well as non-fiction collaborative titles Hope Underground: The Chilean Mine Rescue, All Saints, and Forgiven: The Amish Schoolhouse Shooting, a Mother’s Love, and a Story of Remarkable Grace (2016 ECPA Christian Book Award/Christian Retailing Best Awards finalist). Jeanette mentors developing-nation writers in both English and Spanish on all five continents.

CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCES: And a reminder that summer--and writers conference season--is just around the corner. LCW has received personal invitations by directors of two great Christian writers conferences in our region, both of whom have spoken at our LCW conference and are known to you. Both conferences are wonderful opportunities to jump-start your summer writing, so I can't recommend highly enough attending one or the other or both.

MONTROSE CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE: The 29th annual Montrose Christian Writers Conference, directed by Marsha Hubler, will be held July 22-27, 2018, at Montrose Bible Conference, Montrose, PA (north-central PA). Info available at website:

GREATER PHILADELPHIA CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE: GPCWC will be held July 26-28, 2018, at Dock Mennonite Academy in Lansdale, PA. Marlene Bagnull is director of GPCWC as well as Colorado Christian Writers Conference and Greater Philly Christian Writers Guild. Info available at website:

CRITIQUE GROUPS: And don't forget to bring your latest work-in-progress for critique groups (ten copies up to 1500 words).

As always, more info can be found at our LCW blog: http://lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com Or email questions or concerns to jeanette@jeanettewindle.com

Blessings,
Jeanette Windle
President, Lancaster Christian Writers

Join Lancaster Christian Writers Saturday, May 20th to Welcome Author and Indie Publishing Expert Janet Richard PLUS Note Summer Conference Info

For the many who joined us last month for our Super Saturday 2017 at Lancaster Bible College, was that a great day or what? We had close to record attendance, and rave reviews from conferees and attendees alike. If you missed, it isn't too early to get next year on the calendar. OR check out two upcoming Christian writers conferences below.

Meanwhile we invite old and new members alike to join us for our May LCW meeting on Saturday, 5/20/2017, at Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Rd (off Hwy 30 across from Costco) from 9:30AM-12 noon (registration opens at 9). We are delighted to welcome as speaker author and indie publishing expert Janet Richards, who will be demystifying the process of crowdfunding your book or other book for publication.

WORKSHOP: "Crowdfunding Made Simple". Want to self-publish your book, but lack the finances? Heard about crowdfunding, but it seems too scary or intimidating? In this workshop, you’ll learn about crowdfunding as a way to make your self-publishing dreams come true. A few of the topics of discussion are: demystifying crowdfunding, choosing a crowdfunding website, setting up a crowdfunding page, creating doable rewards, and communicating the message to friends and family. With time and courage, it IS possible to raise the money you need to turn that next project into a book!

SPEAKER: Janet Keller Richards has lived as a missionary in France and Italy and has taught seminars in Europe and Pennsylvania. As a former actor at Sight and Sound Theatres, she’s also written several full-length plays and musicals and numerous newspaper and magazine articles. Having authored two nonfiction books, Unlocking Our Inheritance, and From Addiction To Adoption, she will soon release her first supernatural fiction novel, The Other Side Of Visible. She credits her adventurous life to God, and to being married for thirty-six years to her wonderful husband, Rusty.

CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCES: And a reminder that summer--and writers conference season--is just around the corner. LCW has received personal invitations by directors of two great Christian writers conferences in our region, both of whom have spoken at our LCW conference and are known to you. Both conferences are wonderful opportunities to jump-start your summer writing, so I can't recommend highly enough attending one or the other or both.

MONTROSE CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE: The 28th annual Montrose Christian Writers Conference, directed by Marsha Hubler, will be held July 16-21, 2017,. at Montrose Bible Conference, Montrose, PA (north-central PA). Info available at website:

GREATER PHILADELPHIA CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE: GPCWC will be held July 26-29, 2017, at Cairn University, Langhorne, PA (near Philly). Marlene Bagnull is director of GPCWC as well as Colorado Christian Writers Conference and Greater Philly Christian Writers Guild. Info available at website:

CRITIQUE GROUPS: And don't forget to bring your latest work-in-progress for critique groups (ten copies up to 1500 words).
 
Blessings,
Jeanette Windle
President, Lancaster Christian Writers

REMINDER: Get Your Registration in for LCW's Super Saturday 2016 04/16/16

A reminder we are now less than three weeks from Lancaster Christian Writers' Super Saturday 2016!! April 16th, 2016, from 8:30am-4:30pm at Lancaster Bible College, 901 Eden Road, Lancaster, PA, 17601 (registration opens 7:45am). So let’s get those registrations in the mail! Early registration price of $50 is due by Wednesday, April 13, and includes soup/sandwich buffet lunch. Registrations after April 13 and walk-ins day of the conference are $60.

SS2016 offers a dual track of workshops in fiction and non-fiction (open attendance for any workshop; you don't need to choose one track). A conference bookstore will offer a wide variety of writer resources and faculty titles. Personal consultations with faculty are on a first-come, first-serve basis, so plan to arrive early enough to sign up with the faculty member of your choice. Along with listed faculty (Hana Caye, Michele Chynoweth, Mike Dellosso, Tracy Higley, Marsha Hubler, Dwight Kopp, Gayle Roper), author/editor/conference director Marlene Bagnull and award-winning novelist/non-fiction writer Jeanette Windle will be among auxiliary faculty offering personal consultations.
 
VOLUNTEERS: We do need a few volunteers to man registration and help with conference bookstore set-up. ALL volunteer activity will be over by opening session, so if you can come in between 7-7:30am for setup, your help will be greatly appreciated (AND you’ll have first crack at signing up for faculty appointments). If you can volunteer, please email LCW president Jeanette Windle at jeanette@jeanettewindle.com.
 
GET THE WORD OUT!! Please do help us get the word out by sharing REGISTRATION FLYER and PRESS RELEASE to your social media or on your local church/library/community bulletin boards (see link above). FA complete list of Workshop Descriptions and Faculty Bios can be found column right. Or simply post a link to our LCW webpage for full information (http://lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com/)   

REGISTRATION: Mail Super Saturday 2016 registration form (or relevant info) and check or money order payable to: Lancaster Christian Writers, c/o Jeanette Windle, 1776 Euclid Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601. For credit card/PayPal payment, request invoice at jeanette@jeanettewindle.com (preferred) or call 717-209-0011 after 4 PM.

HAPPY NEW YEARS!! Join Lancaster Christian Writers in Welcoming Author/Speaker Becky Toews January 16, 2016

Happy New Years 2016! Kick off this year’s writing journey by joining Lancaster Christian Writers Saturday, January 16, at Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Rd (off Hwy 30 across from Costco) from 9:30AM-12 noon (registration opens at 9). We are delighted to welcome back author and conference speaker Becky Toews.

SPEAKER: Author of Virgin Snow: Leaving Your Mark in the World, Becky Toews has been an adjunct professor at Lancaster Bible College since 2005 where she teaches English composition and Public Speaking. Forged in the fire of being a pastor’s wife, Becky has worked alongside her husband in counseling, teaching, speaking, and everything in between. She also has had an active speaking ministry and conducts Speaking Well workshops for groups as diverse as Lancaster Business Women to Youth With a Mission and various church groups. You may visit her website at www.beckytoews.com
 
WORKSHOP: “Writing and Speaking: Two Different Animals." Writers no longer have the luxury of staying behind their computers and letting their work speak for itself. More and more, writers are asked to speak, to communicate verbally about what they have written. Yet public speaking continues to poll as people’s number one fear. That's right! Speaking in front of people even beats out death. That can change. In this workshop Becky Toews will give a few tips on how to speak with greater confidence and effectiveness. Don't let your message get marred because of poor verbal skills.

SUPER SATURDAY 2016: And don’t forget to mark your calendar for this year’s one-day writers conference at Lancaster Bible College Saturday, April 16^th. Faculty includes bestselling novelist like Loree Lough, Gayle Roper, Mike Dellosso, as well as authors, speakers, editors Hana Haatainen Caye, Dwight Kopp, Marsha Hubler, Michel Chynoweth. A flyer and press release will be heading your way shortly.

CRITIQUE GROUPS: And don't forget to bring your latest work-in-progress from this summer for critique groups (ten copies up to 1500 words).

As always, email questions or concerns to jeanette@jeanettewindle.com

Blessings,
Jeanette Windle
President, Lancaster Christian Writers

LCW 2015 Christmas Celebration Saturday, 12/19/2015 PLUS SS2016 News!

Merry Christmas! It’s that time of year again when Lancaster Christian Writers welcomes a speaker who is talented, funny, poignant, inspiring, succinct (as in respecting time limits!) and just fabulous. That’s right—you! Come share your talent at Lancaster Christian Writers’ year-end Christmas Symposium and Bazaar Saturday, December 19, 2015, at Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Rd (off Hwy 30 across from Costco) from 9:30AM-12 noon ((registration opens at 9).

SPEAKER: Yes, as has become LCW tradition, our December meeting will showcase the creativity and genius of our own members. Share a poem, drama, devotional, comedy skit, even a scene (short!) of that novel you’re working on. Time limit is 3-5 minutes (easy way to calculate is a maximum of 750 words), in order to permit as many to participate as possible. We do need an advance head count. SO please email if you want to participate so as to get you on the list.

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: AND if you have published titles or Christmas crafts, do bring them along for our Christmas Bazaar.  What better or more economic gift can you get for family member or friend than a personalized autographed title or craft. WHICH also means you may want to bring your checkbook and cash for shopping.  

EATS!!!  If you are baking any Christmas goodies or would like to contribute a brunch type dish, we'd love to make this a real party. If you think you can bring something, a heads-up would be nice just for planning. But last minute goodies will also accepted. (and if you have nothing to bring, don't let that discourage you from coming. There is always enough food!)

SUPER SATURDAY 2016:  We also now have a firm date for our 2016 Super Saturday one-day writers conference at Lancaster Bible College: Saturday, April 16^th, so do mark your calendar. Already confirmed is a wonderful lineup of faculty from New York bestseller Lori Lough, award-winning novelist Gayle Roper, Dwight Kopp, non-fiction experts in marketing, editing, platform presence, Michele Chynoweth, Marsha Hubler, and more.

CRITIQUE GROUPS: We will be making time as well for our usual peer critique groups, so if you have that last piece you'd like critiqued before Christmas, bring 10 copies of up to 1500 words.

As always, email questions or concerns to jeanette@jeanettewindle.com

Blessings,
Jeanette Windle
President, Lancaster Christian Writers

LANCASTER CHRISTIAN WRITERS HOSTS ONE-DAY CONFERENCE ON APRIL 12, 2014, AT LANCASTER BIBLE COLLEGE

Whether you are a writer or know one, you'll want to mark your calendar for Lancaster Christian Writers' Super Saturday 2014!! to be held April 12th, 2014, from 8:30am.-4:30pm at Lancaster Bible College, 901 Eden Road, Lancaster, PA 17601. 

This one-day writers conference offers a full slate of workshops taught by top industry professionals in both fiction and non-fiction fields. An early registration price of $40 is due by Wednesday, April 9, and includes soup/sandwich buffet lunch (think Panini!) and LCW membership. Registrations after April 9 and walk-ins day of the conference are $50.

A fiction track will be taught by award-winning novelists Tracy Higley, Mike Dellosso, Marsha Hubler, and Joyce Magnin. Non-fiction faculty include marketing/promotions expert Suzanne Kuhn, founder of author promotions firm SuzieQ, as well as journalist/editor/author Jeannette Scott, and veteran editor/ agent/author Dave Fessenden. Keynoting the opening session will be renowned conference director/publisher/ author/speaker Marlene Bagnull. 

Workshops cover such topics as:

• The Hero’s Journey: Perfecting Plot and Story Structure.
• That’s What I’m Talking About! Reaching Your Audience Through Social Media
• Borrowed Eyes: Seeing the World Through the Eyes of Your Characters
• Be Engaging! Maximizing Interactions to Turn Any Public Appearance into an Effective Author Event.
• Every Story Needs a Home: World-Building for Contemporary, Historical and Fantasy Fiction.
• A Fly on the Wall in a Publishing House: How Publishing Decisions Are Made and How You Can Get Your Material Off The Slush Pile.
• Bring Out the Child In You: Writing on the Child’s Level Without Talking Down
• You Can’t Make This Stuff Up! In This Intro to Narrative Nonfiction, Learn How True Stories Told Well Can Impact Readers' Hearts and Minds.

A conference bookstore will offer a wide variety of writer resources and faculty titles. Conference attendees can get personal consultations with faculty on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Mail the Super Saturday 2014 registration form and check or money order payable to: Lancaster Christian Writers, c/o Jeanette Windle, 1776 Euclid Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601.  Email questions to LCW President Jeanette Windle at jeanette@jeanettewindle.com (preferred) or call 717-209-0011 after 4 PM.

Lancaster Christian Writers Hosts One-Day Conference Saturday, April 12, 2014, at Lancaster Bible College

Whether you are a writer or know one, you'll want to mark your calendar for Lancaster Christian Writers' Super Saturday 2014!! to be held April 12th, 2014, from 8:30am.-4:30pm at Lancaster Bible College, 901 Eden Road, Lancaster, PA 17601. This one-day writers conference offers a full slate of workshops taught by top industry professionals in both fiction and non-fiction fields.  An early registration price of $40 is due by Wednesday, April 9, and includes soup/sandwich buffet lunch (think Panini!) and LCW membership. Registrations after April 9 and walk-ins day of the conference are $50.

A fiction track will be taught by award-winning novelists Tracy Higley, Mike Dellosso, Marsha Hubler, and Joyce Magnin. Non-fiction faculty include marketing/promotions expert Suzanne Kuhn, founder of author promotions firm SuzyQ, as well as journalist/editor/author Jeannette Scott, and veteran editor/ agent/author Dave Fessenden. Keynoting the opening session will be renowned conference director/publisher/ author/speaker Marlene Bagnull.

Workshops cover such topics as:

• The Hero’s Journey: Perfecting Plot and Story Structure.
• That’s What I’m Talking About! Reaching Your Audience Through Social Media
• Borrowed Eyes: Seeing the World Through the Eyes of Your Characters
• Be Engaging! Maximizing Interactions to Turn Any Public Appearance into an Effective Author Event.
• Every Story Needs a Home: World-Building for Contemporary, Historical and Fantasy Fiction.
• A Fly on the Wall in a Publishing House: How Publishing Decisions Are Made and How You Can Get Your Material Off The Slush Pile.
• Bring Out the Child In You: Writing on the Child’s Level Without Talking Down
• You Can’t Make This Stuff Up! In This Intro to Narrative Nonfiction, Learn How True Stories Told Well Can Impact Readers' Hearts and Minds.

A conference bookstore will offer a wide variety of writer resources and faculty titles. Conference attendees can get personal consultations with faculty on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Lancaster Christian Writers welcomes writers of all churches and denominations and of all levels and genres. Monthly meetings offer opportunities for manuscript critique, networking with other writers, and occasional workshops and guest authors. More information, including the Super Saturday 2014 Flyer/Registration Form and Press Release can be found at above link OR can be requested at jeanette@jeanettewindle.com

Mail the Super Saturday 2014 registration form and check or money order payable to: Lancaster Christian Writers, c/o Jeanette Windle, 1776 Euclid Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601.  Email questions to LCW President Jeanette Windle at jeanette@jeanettewindle.com (preferred) or call 717-209-0011 after 4 PM.

LCW Welcomes Award-Winning Author/Speaker Karen Whiting Saturday, 01/18/14 PLUS Check Out SS2014 Faculty Lineup!!

Happy New Years 2014!!  Can you believe we are already in another calendar year? And to kick it off, we are delighted to welcome a very special guest speaker, Karen Whiting, who will be sharing at our Lancaster Christian Writers January meeting on Saturday, January 18, 2014,  at Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Rd (off Hwy 30 across from Costco) from 9:30AM-12 noon ((registration opens at 9).

 Many of you have met Karen Whiting on faculty at Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference or LCW's own Super Saturday one-day conferences. As board-member of the Christian Author Network, she will be in town the weekend of January 18-21 for the Christian Product Expo (Hershey).

Karen has graciously consented to take time out to share one of her practical and fun conference workshops: "Bread and Butter from Shorts: Selling sidebars and short pieces is a great way to break into magazines and earn money. These are 100-500 words and compliment articles or stand alone. They are also easier to submit. PLUS before writing be certain your idea is RIPE. Discover the four essential elements for writing a nonfiction article or book."

An award-winning author of sixteen books, including Time, God’s Girls series, and The 365 Most Important Bible Passages for Women, Karen Whiting has seen in print as well more than 500 magazine articles in more than sixty periodicals. Her newest release, The One-Year Princess Devotions, Tyndale House Publishers, releases September 1, 2014. Karen's Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front received the 2013 Military Writers Society of America Gold Medal in the faith category. The book also received the Golden Scroll Nonfiction Book of the Year at the International Christian Retail Show. For more, check out www.karenwhiting.com.

SUPER SATURDAY 2014!! And if you haven't yet marked your calendar for this year's one-day writers conference Saturday, April 12, 2014, 8:30AM-4:30PM at Lancaster Bible College, you will want to do so and get the news out to fellow writers. We have a stellar faculty lineup, including:

• Suzanne Kuhn, marketing/promotions expert and founder of SuzyQ, a full-service author promotion and retail development firm.
• Dave Fessenden, publisher, editor and agent with more than 20 years experience.
• Marlene Bagnull, publisher, author, and director GPCWC and CWC.
• Jeannette Scott, journalist, editor, author.
• Tracy Higley, award-winning novelist, including Seven Ancient Wonders series.
• Mike Dellosso, award-winning novelist, speculative fiction
• Marsha Hubler, award-winning novelist, YA fiction
• Joyce Magnin, award-winning novelist, including Bright Pond series.

GRAPHIC/FLYER DESIGNER NEEDED:  And speaking of Super Saturday, we are in need of a volunteer who would be interested in putting together a flyer for this year's Super Saturday. If you have such skills and would be interested, please drop an email to jeanette@jeanettewindle.com

DEVOTIONAL SPEAKERS. We still have openings for devotional speakers (5-10 minutes) at our monthly meetings Jan-March. If you are interested, drop an email to jeanette@jeanettewindle.com

ONE FINAL ITEM!!! LCW Blog List:

We've received quite a number of member blogs links to display on the LCW website. It is not too late to add yours. If you would like to add your blog to the list, please respond to this email with the following:

• your name
• the name your blog (if applicable)
• your blog's URL (web address)