Don't Miss LCW's Christmas Party & Holiday Bazaar 12/21/13--Guest Speaker: YOU!!

Happy Thanksgiving 2013 from Lancaster Christian Writers. Those able to join us for our November meeting enjoyed guest author Shelley Adina, in full Victorian regalia. Just one more meeting for the 2013 calendar year, Do come celebrate the season with us Saturday, December 21, 2013, at Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Rd (off Hwy 30 across from Costco) from 9:30AM-12 noon ((registration opens at 9). Our fabulous guest speaker--YOU!!

Yes, as has become LCW tradition, our December meeting will showcase the creativity and genius of our own members. Share a poem, drama, devotional, even a scene of that novel. Time limit is 3-5 minutes (easy way to calculate is a maximum of 700 words), in order to permit as many to participate as possible. I do need an advance head count. SO please let me know if you want to participate so as to get you on the list.

Party food:  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.

Holiday Bazaar: AND if you have published titles or Christmas crafts, do bring them along for our Holiday Bazaar.  What better or more economic gift can you get for family member or friend than a personalized autographed title or craft.

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.

ONE FINAL ITEM!!! LCW Blog List

Do you maintain a blog that you'd like to share with our group? We are compiling a list of member blogs to display on the LCW website. This is great way for each of you to connect online, offer and receive encouragement throughout the month, and build readership. If you would like to add your blog to the list, please respond to the below email with the following:

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

 Blessings,
Jeanette Windle
President, Lancaster Christian Writers
Website: www.jeanettewindle.com 
Email: jeanette@jeanettewindle.com

LCW Welcomes Awardwinning Author ADINA SENFT 11/16/13 PLUS Contest and Other News

Whether your storytelling is fiction or non-fiction, you won't want to miss Lancaster Christian Writers' next meeting Saturday, November 16, 2013, 9:30AM-12 noon (registration opens at 9AM) at Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Road, Lancaster, PA (right off HWY 30 near Costco). For this month's speaker, it was a delightful surprise to learn that ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) author Adina Senft (publishing also as Shelley Adina and Shelley Bates) would be in town all the way from Silicon Valley, CA, for a book-signing at the Strasburg Railroad Steampunk Unlimited event Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 16-17.  Adina graciously consented to duck out of the event long enough to share with Lancaster's local Christian writing community her fun-filled and practical workshop on presenting an effective setting to your reader:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Adina Senft grew up in a plain house church, where she was often asked by outsiders if she was Amish (the answer was no), she made her own clothes, and she perfected the art of the French braid. She holds an M.F.A. in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania, where she teaches as adjunct faculty. Writing as Shelley Bates, she was the winner of RWA’s RITA Award for Best Inspirational Novel in 2005, and a finalist for that award in 2006. Writing as Shelley Adina, she is an Amazon bestseller for her self-published Magnificent Devices steampunk series, and was a Christy Award finalist in 2009. Three of her books have shortlisted for the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Carol Award for book of the year. 

A transplanted Canadian, Adina returns there annually to have her accent calibrated. Between books, she enjoys traveling with her husband, playing the piano and Celtic harp, and spoiling her flock of rescued chickens. These days, she makes period costumes and only puts up her hair for historical events and fun. Check out more about Adina and her Amish and steampunk novels at her websites: http://www.adinasenft.com; http://www.shelleyadina.com; http://www.shelleybates.com

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: "World Building Through Your Characters' Eyes".

Building a setting is more than paragraphs of description of a Regency ballroom or the main street of a small town. It’s how your character sees your story world and how it in turn reflects her. It’s how the environment influences and changes your character—and how your character changes her environment—during the events of the story. In this workshop, award-winning author Adina Senft, who also writes as Shelley Adina, will show you how to build a setting from the top down and from the inside out so that your world becomes as much a character as your people. You’ll also get some tips on how to research a believable setting, even if you’re making it all up.

VOLUNTEER NEEDED TO CHAUFFEUR SPEAKER:  Our guest speaker will be staying at Limestone Inn Bed and Breakfast, 33 East Main Street, Strasburg, PA. A volunteer is urgently needed to pick Adina up at the inn (by 8:45AM), bring her to Lancaster Alliance Church, then take her back to Strasburg by noon (when she is due at the Railroad event). BONUS: Getting to pick the brain of an unbelievably talented and creative author coming and going. If you can offer chauffeur services, please email jeanette@jeanettewindle.com

DEVOTIONAL SPEAKERS:  Thank you, Donna Smith, for a wonderful devotional thought shared with our October group. If any LCW member would be interested in sharing a devotional message geared to writers God has laid on your heart(5-10 minutes) for the November meeting, please email jeanette@jeanettewindle.com

BOOK MANUSCRIPT CONTEST: Lancaster Christian Writers has received an invitation from Deep River Books (founded by Bill and Nancy Carmichael, founding publishers of Good Family Magazines, which included Christian Parenting Today, Virtue, etc) to submit book manuscripts for their 2013-2014 writing contest, first prize a publishing contract. Check out details HERE.

THANK YOU FROM MICHELE CHYNOWETH: Those in attendance at the October meeting had a delightful time with guest author Michele Chynoweth. Michele sends the group this follow-up thanks:

"Dear Jeanette and fellow Christian writers, I’d like to thank you for hosting me as your Writers Workshop speaker on Character Development this past Saturday; it was a delightful group full of enthusiasm and I really appreciated the opportunity.  I look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Meanwhile, if anyone would still like to purchase copies of my novels, The Faithful One or The Peace Maker, please visit my website: www.michelechynoweth.com or go on www.amazon.com.

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

Lancaster Christian Writers Welcomes Novelist Michele Chynoweth Saturday, October 19, 2013

It was a delight to see so many of you for LCWs' September kickoff with Dean Drawbaugh at Lancaster Alliance Church. Thank you, Dean for an interesting and practical workshop. Meanwhile, I hope you will take time to read through the following e-blast because we have quite a few news items to cover.

OCTOBER MEETING: Our next meeting will be Saturday, October 19, 2013, 9:30AM-12 noon. We will again be meeting at Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Road, Lancaster, PA (right off HWY 30 near Costco). As speaker, we are delighted to welcome novelist Michele Chynoweth. Whether writing fiction or non-fiction, every author needs to learn how to present believable characters and dialogue. Michele will be sharing her own tried and true process for developing characters that is fun, flexible and really works - from coming up with names to creating profiles that portray your characters physically, emotionally and spiritually. She will help you develop believable, compelling characters that readers can really connect with, who make you laugh, cry and care. A screenplay writer as well, she'll even teach you how thinking like a movie director can help!

Michele Chynoweth has been a news reporter, advertising copywriter and ad agency owner. She is author of two novels, The Faithful One and The Peace Maker. She has won several awards for her work, including Writer of the Year at Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference and first place in the drama category of the Maryland Writers Association Fiction Contest. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and lives in her native Maryland. Check out Michele's books and blog at: www.michelechynoweth.com

DEVOTIONAL SPEAKERS:  Our LCW openings is a wonderful opportunity for our members to share your own writing and a message God has laid on your heart with the larger group. We are looking for devotional speakers (5-10 minutes) for the rest of the calendar year, including October. If you'd be interested in a calendar slot, please email jeanette@jeanettewindle.com

SUPER SATURDAY 2014!! Lancaster Bible College has just confirmed a date on their campus for our 2014 one-day conference, so mark your calendars now for Saturday, April 12, 2014.  We are currently accepting proposals for workshops and faculty, so if you have a suggested speaker, please also email jeanette@jeanettewindle.com with those suggestions.

MONTHLY WORKSHOPS: This year's calendar is already filling up quickly, but we still do have several openings after Christmas for workshops. If you have a suggestion for speaker, please let us know too as soon as possible.

CALENDAR: Lancaster Christian Writers typically meets third Saturdays of the month, but this is always subject to change depending on scheduling conflict. Please note our current meeting schedule below through April; these are all Saturdays, and will be held at Lancaster Alliance Church's Uptown Theater unless marked otherwise. 
October 19

November 16

December 21

January 18

February 15

March 15

April 12 (SS2014 at LBC)

CRITIQUE GROUPS: As always, there will also be opportunity for our usual peer critique groups after Michele Chynoweth's workshop. As per guidelines, bring ten printed copies of no more than 1500 words.

Blessings,
Jeanette Windle
President, Lancaster Christian Writers
www.jeanettewindle.com
jeanette@jeanettewindle.com

Lancaster Christian Writers Kicks Off 2013-2014 Season on 9/28: NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE!!

Have you've marked your calendar for Lancaster Christian Writers' Fall Kickoff on Saturday, September 28, 2013, 9:30AM-12 noon, with well-known regional Christian publisher Dean Drawbaugh?  If so, please note the following CHANGE OF VENUE. LCW's Fall Kickoff will not be held as in the past at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church in Lititz, PA, but at Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Road, Lancaster, PA. The location is right off HWY 30 just a short distance from exit of HWY 222 near Costco (from HWY 30 take Greenfield Rd. exit, curve past Costco, Lowes, Best Buy to Pitney Rd. traffic light, turn left under Hwy 30 overpass, then an immediate right into church parking lot). We will be meeting in LAC's Uptown Theater just inside main entrance.

Please note as well CHANGE OF DATE from our usual third Saturday of month to fourth Saturday. This is due to a scheduling conflict and does occur a couple times each year so do take note each month of actual date scheduled. While we try to stick to 3rd Saturday, that doesn't always prove possible.

As speaker, we are delighted to welcome back well-known publishing consultant Dean Drawbaugh, who shared with us last March his acclaimed seminar "The BookSeller: Nine Qualities that Generate Book Sales." Author, public speaker, former general manager of Destiny Image Publishing Company, and now President at Drawbaugh Publishing Group, Dean Drawbaugh has been in the business of producing successful book titles for over 40 years. He has engineered 600+ books in the last 7 years alone.

Last March Drawbaugh was able to offer our LCW group an overall synopsis of his groundbreaking seminar on the nine qualities that allow a book to continue selling or cause the sales process to stop (I can personally testify to their practicality as I've put to use several tips for my own most recent release, Tyndale House title, Congo Dawn!). All of which left members clamoring for a more in-depth coverage on how to apply these principles specifically to our own books and writing. So we are delighted to welcome Dean Drawbaugh back for a full three-hour clinic that will expand on his original presentation.  During our September 28^th meeting, Drawbaugh will provide a short review of his last presentation, walk through case studies to show how to fine tune a manuscript and prepare it for publishing. Finally, he will conduct an open workshop that allows participants to experiment and ask questions.

Whether you attended Drawbaugh's original workshop or not, you won't want to miss this opportunity for a behind-the-scenes look at what makes a book successful, above all, your book!

Critique groups: There will also be opportunity for our usual peer critique groups after the clinic. As per guidelines, bring ten printed copies of no more than 1500 words. For any who want a peer critique and cannot stay on after the clinic, we will be offering one time slot for critique during second half of clinic.

As always, regular news bulletins for LCW can be found at our blogsite: http://lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com/.

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

Mark Your Calendars for Lancaster Christian Writers 2013 Fall Kickoff Saturday, 09/28/13

Is it really August already? Where has summer 2013 gone? I hope your summer has included some great writing time and maybe even a writers conference or two. And that you are already marking your calendar for the 2013-2014 LCW year, beginning with our Fall Kickoff on Saturday, September 28, at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, 419 Pierson Rd, Lititz, PA, 17543 from 9:30AM-12 noon (*please note change of date from usual third Saturday of month to fourth, for September only).

As speaker, we are delighted to welcome back well-known publishing consultant Dean Drawbaugh, who shared with us last March his acclaimed seminar "The BookSeller: Nine Qualities that Generate Book Sales." Author, public speaker, former general manager of Destiny Image Publishing Company, and now President at Drawbaugh Publishing Group, Dean Drawbaugh has been in the business of producing successful book titles for over 40 years. He has engineered 600+ books in the last 7 years alone.

Last March Drawbaugh was able to offer our LCW group an overall synopsis of his groundbreaking seminar on the nine qualities that allow a book to continue selling or cause the sales process to stop (I can personally testify to their practicality as I've put to use several tips for my own most recent release, Tyndale House title, Congo Dawn!). All of which left members clamoring for a more in-depth coverage on how to apply these principles specifically to our own books and writing. So we are delighted to welcome Dean Drawbaugh back for a full three-hour clinic that will expand on his original presentation.  During our September 28^th meeting, Drawbaugh will provide a short review of his last presentation, walk through case studies to show how to fine tune a manuscript and prepare it for publishing. Finally, he will conduct an open workshop that allows participants to experiment and ask questions. 

So whether you attended Drawbaugh's original workshop or not, you won't want to miss this opportunity for a behind-the-scenes look at what makes a book successful, above all, your book!

Critique groups: There will also be opportunity for our usual peer critique groups after the clinic. As per guidelines, bring ten printed copies of no more than 1500 words. For any who want a peer critique and cannot stay on after the clinic, we will be offering one time slot for critique during second half of clinic.

Writing opportunity: Also, LCW has received an invitation from Donna Balon, editor of Midlife Collage, to submit stories to their short-story contests, prizes up to $100. She writes, "Midlife Collage is looking for submissions in our free-entry contests. We run weekly, online writing contests for a cash prize. Perhaps some of the writers in the Lancaster group would be eligible and interested in submitting a short story. Please see our Submissions page at www.MidlifeCollage.com for the guidelines and contest rules. Go to our Calendar page and watch the short videos for topic ideas."

2013 Golden Scroll Novel of the Year: On a personal note, at our last meeting in June, my most recent Tyndale House release Congo Dawn had just been named a 2013 Golden Scroll Novel of the Year finalist. For those who've been asking how that turned out, Congo Dawn did win that award, truly an unexpected if delightful surprise since the other three finalists-Susan May Warren's You Don't Know Me, Eva Marie Everson's Waiting for Sunrise, Jocelyn Green's Wedded to War-were all 2013 Christy Award finalists. Here is the CBA Press Release.

As always, regular news bulletins for LCW can be found at our blogsite: http://lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com/. 

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

LCW Meets Saturday, June 15th and MORE-PLEASE READ! !

What a privilege it was this last May LCW meeting to learn from attorney and copyright expert Peter Kraybill (if you missed and/or want workshop material, check out on-line links below!). Now with our last monthly meeting before summer break coming up Saturday, June 15th, we are equally delighted to close out our 2012-2013 calendar year by welcoming acclaimed regional author and speaker Linda Oatman High.

Linda Oatman High is an author/journalist/playwright (www.lindaoatmanhigh.com) who has published more than 20 books, many of them award winning.  She holds an MFA in Writing from Vermont College, and was honored in England in 2012 with the Sunday Times EFG Short Story award.  Linda will be sharing her popular multi-visual workshop,  ”Writing to the Beat of a Different Drummer,” illustrates how attendees can glean writing ideas from their real lives.

IN OTHER NEWS:

1. My Impact Non-fiction Writing Retreat and Workshop for Women: Long-time Lancaster Sunday News journalist and editor Jeannette Scott, who has spoken at LCW meetings and conferences, shares an invitation to a writers retreat she will be hosting October 4-6 in Christiana, PA, including a special Early Bird offer (sorry, guys, due to housing arrangements, this one is only for women!). Attached is a flyer. Check out details at: www.narrativeimpact.com or contact Jeannette Scott directly be email (j@narrativeimpact.com) or phone (717-405-8025). 

2. Member Booksigning: LCW president Jeanette Windle (that's me!) has been invited to participate in Lifeway Christian Stores Booktacular Spectacular, a weeklong store event from 5/31-6/8. She will be signing her newest Tyndale House Publishers release Congo Dawn Saturday, June 8th, 12:00-2PM at the Chambersburg Lifeway store (1108 Sheller Ave#1, Chambersburg, PA 17201). If you (or a friend) live around Chambersburg and would like to encourage your local Christian bookstore (and this author!), please do drop by.

 

3. Peter Kraybill Copyright Law Presentation: As promised, last month's speaker, Lancaster attorney and copyright law expert Peter Kraybill has sent links to his Powerpoint presentation posted on-line at their corporate website (Gibbel, Kraybill & Hess LLP). Here are the instructions from Peter Kraybill:

A PDF version of the power point presentation is now posted at two places on the GKH website:

1) On the news post describing the presentation: http://www.gkh.com/news/2013/04/kraybill-to-present-to-lancaster-christian-writers-group/

2) On the CPG page where other presentations are posted: http://www.gkh.com/practice-groups/corporate-and-organizations/  - scroll to bottom of page to link.

3) This direct link for the PDF can also be used: http://www.gkh.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Copyright-Clearance-Presentation-for-Authors-May-18-2013.pdf

Lancaster Christian Writers Welcomes Attorney and Copyright Expert Peter Kraybill Saturday, May 18th

What a wonderful day Super Saturday 2013 turned out to be. Perfect weather, all faculty arriving safely at Lancaster　Bible College　with rave reviews on their workshops. LBC outdid their usual warm welcome with a delicious soup-salad-sandwich buffet for our lunch. If you missed this year, do get Super Saturday 2014 on your calendar now for next spring.

Meanwhile we are delighted to welcome attorney and copyright law expert Peter Kraybill

to our May LCW meeting on Saturday, May 18, 2013, from 9:30AM-12 noon (registration opens at 9) at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, 419 Pierson Rd, Lititz, PA, 17543. Peter Kraybill will be offering a "how-to" presentation for writers on conducting copyright clearance, addressing copyright registration and resolving contract concerns. So bring your questions and that writer friend who has their own concerns on protecting intellectual property.

IN OTHER NEWS: Several of our members have taken advantage of Dr. Amy Deardon's services in producing ebooks (Amy taught a three-hour clinic on ebooking for our September opening). If you are considering such services for producing your ebook (SO much easier wondering about quality issues, here are two links to member titles she's done.

1. Gathered Pieces by Byron Smith: This is the ebook version of Byron's acclaimed award-winning poetry collection. If you enjoyed the poetry Byron has shared with our group and own a Kindle (or a Kindle app on your Ipad, computer, Iphone, etc.), don't just check out the new book, but purchase a copy for yourself or a friend who enjoys poetry (and pass on the link to poetry lovers).　At only 99 cents, Gathered Pieces is a bargain for any poetry lover.　

2. Betrayed by Jeanette Windle: I share this NOT to encourage purchase (I know most of you who have Kindle got it when it was a free download as part of the Congo Dawn launch PR in January), BUT to share the proficiency with which Amy Deardon produced not just an ebook, but a brandnew cover for the book. The story behind this project was that Betrayed fell between the cracks of　some contract glitches related to the beginning of the ebook revolution (issued 2008), so that due to an expiration of cover graphics rights (one of those contract questions for Peter Kraybull!), Tyndale House had to let the entire ebook expire on the 5th anniversary of release (not the case with later titles, thankfully!). Amy Deardon had a new cover and the complete book back on Kindle within two weeks--and at a price for which I could not have afforded investing my own time! Check it out if you are looking for similar services.

MEMBER NEWS/ANNOUNCEMENTS: A reminder that if you have LCW/writer related news, a new book release, published piece, etc., we are always delighted to showcase it in our news letter. Just email　news blurb to jeanette@jeanettewindle.com

As always, regular news bulletins for LCW can be found at our blogsite: http://lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com/.　　　
Blessings,
Jeanette Windle
President, Lancaster Christian Writers
www.jeanettewindle.com
http://lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com