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

Last Chance Before Summer: Join LCW Saturday, June 17th, in Welcoming Speaker/Author Emily Chase

These long days do make clear we are heading into summer. Which means Lancaster Christian Writers will  be taking its usual hiatus for July and August. So do join us for our final meeting before break .on Saturday, June 17th, 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 that our cancelled March speaker, well-known conference speaker and author Emily Chase, was able to reschedule her planned workshop for our June meeting.

SPEAKER: Originally trained as an archaeologist, Emily Chase has lived and worked in places as different as Laos, Mexico and Peru. Now she serves as staff chaplain at Bethany Christian Services. She is the author of seven books, including Help! My Family's Messed Up! (Kregel) and Standing Tall After Falling Short (Moody). She and her husband of over forty years reside in Mechanicsburg, PA.

WORKSHOP: "Hitting Your Target Every Time." When you shoot an arrow, you want it to hit the target, right? As a writer, you want to reach a specific audience. But how much time do you spend considering your audience as you prepare your manuscripts? You don't want your readers to snore, start to flip pages or, worse, close the book! In this practical workshop, discover hints on how to sharpen your writing so it hits your target audience every time.

THIS SUMMER'S CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCES Also, if you haven't yet registered for Christian writers conference this summer, we are privileged to have two of the biggest in our region, a great way to jump-start your summer writing, so I can't recommend highly enough attending one or the other or both. Check out their links for more info:

MONTROSE CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE: July 16-21, 2017,. at Montrose Bible Conference, Montrose, PA (north-central PA). Info available at website:

GREATER PHILADELPHIA CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE: July 26-29, 2017, at Cairn University, Langhorne, PA (near Philly). Info available at website:

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 summer, 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

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

Join Lancaster Christian Writers Saturday, June 18th, 2016, For Last Meeting Before Summer Break.

This is your last chance before LCW’s summer break to network with other writers, bring those chapters to critique, and do some hands-on writing. So do join Lancaster Christian Writers Saturday, June 18, 2016, at Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Rd (off Hwy 30 across from Costco) from 9:30AM-12 noon (registration opens at 9). Collaborative writer, editor, novelist (and LCW president-yes, that’s me) Jeanette Windle will be sharing a workshop on memoir/biography writing.

SPEAKER: Award-winning novelist, collaborative writer, and journalist Jeanette Windle has lived in six countries and traveled in thirty-plus. Those experiences birthed 16 fiction titles, including ECPA Christian Book/Christy/Carol Award finalists Veiled Freedom and Freedom's Stand, and 3 non-fiction collaborative titles, including 2016 ECPA Christian Book Award/Christian Retailing Best Awards finalist Forgiven: The Amish Schoolhouse Shooting, a Mother’s Love, and a Story of Remarkable Grace (with Terri Roberts).

WORKSHOP: “A Story to Tell: Writing the Memoir/Biography—Your Own or Another’s.” Non-fiction biography is the bread-and-butter of freelance writing. Whether writing your own memoir or someone else’s life story, this workshop will walk you through the practicalities of breaking down, organizing, and weaving into story form a compelling life narrative. Not writing a full book? Principles apply as well to the personal experience short story/article.

WRITERS CONFERENCES: While LCW will not be meeting in July/August, that doesn’t signify any lack of writer opportunity.  Two of North America’s premier Christian writers conferences take place in PA each summer. Montrose Christian Writers Conference will be held July 17-22 in Montrose, PA (near Scranton). Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference is August 3-6 at Cairn University (near Philly). Check out their websites for faculty and workshop listings, and consider jump-starting next fall’s writing by attending at least one of these conferences.

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

Check Out LCW's Fall 2014 Speaker Line-up!! AND Anyone Going to GPCWC?

Lancaster Christian Writers is on its summer hiatus for July and August. I hope each of you is enjoying a relaxing summer time--and perhaps catching a Christian writers conference. Two are coming up over the next couple weeks, and it isn't too late to sign up for either. Montrose Christian Writers Conference runs July 20-25 up near Scranton, PA. Greater Philadelphia CWC is the next week, July 30th-August 3rd. I will be teaching continuing tracks at both as will other faculty familiar to LCW from Tracy Higley, Suzanne Kuhn, Marsha Hubler, Joyce Magnin, Dave Fessenden, Carol Wedeven, and countless more worth meeting. Google either conference for details.

INTERESTED IN CAR POOLING? If anyone is going to GPCWC and is interested in car-pooling, please email jeanette@jeanettewindle.com. Looking especially for a ride willing to arrive by first Early Bird session on Wednesday and return after last workshop Saturday afternoon.

FALL SPEAKER LINE-UP: Meanwhile, our fall calendar is already filling up with an exciting speaker line-up. Monthly meetings will continue to be 3rd Saturday of month (unless some major scheduling conflict arrives, in which case we will announce changes well in advance) from 9:30am-noon at Lancaster Alliance Church's Uptown Theater, 210 Pitney Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601. Already for this fall we have scheduled:

• SEPTEMBER 20TH: Popular conference speaker Emily Parke Chase, author of seven books, including Help My Family's Messed Up! (Kregel) and her most recent release, Standing Tall After Falling Short (Moody), will be welcoming LCW back with a challenge. She says of her workshop: "When kids migrate back to school, the shift impacts everyone's routine. This is a great time for setting new writing goals for the year.  We can all think of things that need to be done, but how do you set reasonable, measurable goals, what steps do you need to take to achieve those goals, and how do you overcome obstacles to meeting those goals?  This session will help you avoid frustration and stress while moving forward toward your dreams!"
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• OCTOBER 18TH: If you enjoy Amish fiction or just want to know how to deal with writers block, you won't want to miss our dual speaking team, award-winning Amish fiction authors Kelly Long and Elizabeth Younts. Their workshop “Writers Write!” deals with the various blocks that writers face at all levels in actually producing work instead of wasting time.
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• NOVEMBER 15TH: Shawn Smucker, well-known Lancaster County author and co-author of numerous biographies and other non-fiction titles, including Refuse to Drown and My Amish Roots, will be sharing his own blueprint to earn a living from writing.

BLOG WORKSHOP POWERPOINT: And speaking of great speakers, the workshop shared by LCW members Alison McLennon and Lisa Bartelt on successful blogging was outstanding. They have shared the excellent PowerPoint notes for that session at our LCW blog (look under Useful Links to right).

LONNIE STEIN EYE SURGERY: In final news please remember in prayer LCW member Lonnie Stein who is having to reschedule her own plans to attend Montrose CWC for cateract surgery.

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