Awards, Rewards and Writing

"In the name of the hungry, of the naked, of the crippled, of the homeless, of the blind, in their name, I accept the award." —Mother Teresa of Calcutta

What writer wouldn't want to receive a major writing award? It adds an impressive sparkly star to the resume or website. It affirms your credibility and positions you in the league of the prestigious. Writers are encouraged to build their platform, their brand, their tagline, their expertise, and their voice. While working on all these planks to sell yourself and your manuscript to a publisher, I rarely hear something I believe to be true: God is in control of our writing careers. He lifts to a seat of honor those who pour their God-given passions out on paper. He equips us to remain faithful to our unique purpose and calling.

Mother Teresa's words tug at my writer's heart. Is my writing passion about offering hope, encouraging others, making a difference in someone's life, or seeking attention? Which begs the question: Why do I write? God imbedded a distinct DNA code in my heart with instructions: Write. I'm compelled to express the dialogue of my soul.

What's the deeply satisfying reward of writing? Publication? Recognition? Awards? To me, my reward is doing what God designed me to do.

Why Do You Write?

Join me in congratulating the writers of the 2009 Christianity Today book awards whose works honor God and teach and inspire others. The judging process began with 436 titles submitted by 67 publishers. CT editors selected finalists in ten categories. Then their panels of expert judges — one panel per category — sorted out the cream of the crop from 2008. Click here to learn the 10 winners and 11 notables that best shed light on the people, events, and ideas that shape evangelical life, thought, and mission.

Fiction One-Day Writing Conference

PEAK WRITING CONFERENCE: Writing the Gift with Excellence

Date: February 28, 2009 (Snow date: March 7, 2009)

Location: Journey Chapel on Baptist Road, 505 Baptist Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80921

Cost: Early-Bird Discount (must be postmarked by Jan. 31^st): ACFW members: $50.00; Nonmembers: $55.00

After Jan. 31st and walk-ins: ACFW members: $55.00; Nonmembers: $60.00

Registration includes lunch and two snack breaks.

For Registration and More Conference Details: Log on to http://www.acfwcolorado.com/events.html

SCHEDULE

9:00 am: Check-in

9:30 am–11:00 am: Speaker: Donita K. Paul

Workshop: Fantastic Fiction: Fantasy appeals to many people because the genre puts the universal struggle of Good versus Evil up front. Many of the elements of high fantasy transfer well to other genres. Donita K. Paul has explored the hero's journey and found some nuggets that help her write with appeal to a wide variety of readers. She shares basic key components of a successful tale. Donita is the author of The Dragon Keeper Chronicles, a series that has influenced mature as well as young fantasy enthusiast. She hits the mark in providing spiritual input without being preachy.

11:00 am–11:15 am: Break

11:15 am–12:45 pm: Speaker: Lisa Tawn Bergren

Workshop: Show vs. Tell / Point of View: Lisa Bergren will address two subjects in her session: Understanding the nuances of Point of View and the classic rule, "Show Don't Tell." She'll begin with very basic instruction on both fronts and move to a more advanced, detailed look at each that will help more experienced writers, using a manuscript she's editing, her own novels, as well as other published works. Her session will include a Q&A period to address specific issues. Those who attend are welcome to bring their own paragraph examples with specific questions they'd like to ask. Lisa T. Bergren is the author of over thirty books including children's books, contemporary romance, medieval suspense, and nonfiction. She's also a former fiction editor for Multnomah and WaterBrook Press. She continues to do some freelance editing, as well as write. She lives with her family in Colorado Springs. Visit her website at http://www.LisaTawnBergren.com.

12:45 pm–1:30 pm: Lunch

1:30 pm–3:00 pm: Speaker: Beth Jusino

Workshop: Writing a Proposal That Sells: "You only have one chance to make a first impression." That's true for many things, and your novel is no exception. The proposal you put together for agents and editors can woo and win them to the power of your story. Using real proposals that have sold to major publishing houses, in this workshop we will dissect what it takes to create a great introduction to your writing. Beth will talk about crafting a great synopsis, capturing the right marketing hooks and presenting an author bio that highlights your strengths. Beth is a literary agent with Alive Communications, which represents best-selling inspirational novelists Karen Kingsbury, Donita K Paul, Brandilyn Collins, Laura Jensen Walker, and dozens more. Beth came to Alive Communications in 2004 with a love for words and a passion for serving a new generation of writers. Before becoming an agent, Beth contributed to dozens of books as a writer and editor, and was widely published in national magazines. She spent six years as the Managing Editor for MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International and sat on the organization's Publishing Acquisitions Team. She is also the former editor of MOMSense Magazine, the most widely-distributed Christian parenting publication in the United States. Beth grew up near the New Jersey shore and earned her BA in political science from Wheaton College, Illinois. She and her husband, Eric, live in the Denver area.

3:00 pm–3:15 pm: Break

3:15 pm–4:00 pm: Book signing

Writing Contests

Hart Crane Memorial Poetry Contest

Deadline: February 9, 2009

Genre: Poetry

Prize: $100 for best poem

Details: Submit two poems of 750 words or less. We accept all forms, themes, styles, and genres.

Scribophile January Flash Fiction Contest

Deadline: February 15, 2009

Genre: Flash fiction

Prizes: 1st Prize: $50 Amazon.com gift card; 2nd Prize: $25 Amazon.com gift card

Details: Original piece of flash fiction under 1000 words prominently featuring the theme "the forest." Only one entry per member. Multiple entries will be disqualified.

Memoir Prize for Poetry and Creative Nonfiction

Deadline: February 15, 2009

Genre: Poetry/Nonfiction

Prizes: Grand Prize for Memoir in Prose or Poetry: $500 cash award, publication in print and online, six copies of the journal. Second Prize for Memoir in Prose or Poetry: $250 cash award, publication in print and online, six copies of the journal. Third Prize for Memoir in Prose or Poetry: $100 cash award, publication in print and online, three copies of the journal. The Prize for Graphic Memoir: $100 cash award, Publication in print and online, six copies of the journal.

Details: Memoirs, prose maximum of 10,000 words, poetry five poems maximum.

Words magazine Short Story Contests

Deadlines: March 30, 2009, Theme: Murder; June 30, 2009, Theme Christmas; September 30, 2009, Theme: Ghost; December 31, 2009, Theme: Author's Choice; and December 30, 2009. Theme: No set theme.

Genre: Short story

Prizes: £100 (or equivalent in your currency) for each contest.

Details: Original work, not under consideration elsewhere, 2000 word count.

Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest

Deadline: Entries accepted August 15, 2008-April 1, 2009.

Genre: Poetry, Inspired Gibberish

Prizes: First Prize of $1,359 and publication on WinningWriters.com. Second Prize of $764 and publication on WinningWriters.com. Third Prize of $338 and publication on WinningWriters.com. Twelve honorable mentions will receive $72.95 each and publication on WinningWriters.com. The winners and honorable mentions will also all receive official Winning Writers polo shirts.

Details: Find a vanity poetry contest, a contest with low standards whose main purpose is to entice poets to buy expensive products like anthologies, chapbooks, CDs, plaques and silver bowls. Vanity contests will often praise remarkably bad poems in their effort to sell as much stuff to as many people as possible. Make up a deliberately absurd, strange, laugh-out-loud humor poem. Submit your parody poem to a vanity contest as a joke. Then when you've submitted it to the vanity contest, submit it to us.

January Workshop Rescheduled to February

Due to snow and dangerous road conditions, the workshop "What's the Big Deal about Your Author Platform" is rescheduled to February.

When: Monday, February 9, 2008, 6:30–8:00 p.m.

Where: Stone Chapel, 280 East Woodmen Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80919

Workshop: As an author and national speaker, Beth attended workshops and read articles and books about building her platform. It wasn't until she completed a six-month mentorship with Rob Eagar of Wildfire Marketing that Beth grasped the importance of an author platform--and the best ways to establish one.

Beth's book, Baby Changes Everything: Embracing and Preparing for Motherhood after 35, came out in 2007. She'll share the one thing she wishes she'd known before her book was published, as well as the top three things she learned during her mentorship that helped her establish a strong author/speaker platform for her Mommy-Come-Lately® brand.

Speaker:
Beth K. Vogt is the editor of Connections, the leadership magazine for MOPS International, and a regular contributor to MomSense. Beth earned a journalism degree from San Jose State University. Her publishing credits include: Discipleship Journal, Virtue, The Christian Communicator, and Crosswalk.com. She is also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Tribute to Moms
and The Mommy Diaries: Finding Yourself in the Daily Adventure.

ACT ONE BRINGS HOLLYWOOD TO COLORADO SPRINGS

HOLLYWOOD | JANUARY 2009. Act One is bringing Hollywood to Colorado Springs, and the best minds Hollywood has to offer along with it.

With Act One's latest "Training for Hollywood Seminar" in Colorado Springs this January, we got the best trainer we could possibly find. World renowned screenplay consultant Dr. Linda Seger will be delivering the keynote address, "Spiritual Steps on the Road to Success."

Seger created and defined the job of script consultant in 1981 and has consulted on over 2,000 scripts since. She has worked on scripts for more than 40 produced films and 35 television projects, including works from TriStar Pictures and Ray Bradbury. Additionally, Seger has given scriptwriting seminars in more than 30 countries on six continents, and is the author of nine books. Her latest, And the Best Screenplay Award Goes To... Learning from the Winners will be published this February by Michael Wiese Productions.

Also slated to speak is Barbara Nicolosi, VP of Creative Development at Origin Entertainment and the founding Director of the Act One Program. Nicolosi is a sought after speaker and commentator on culture, and an accomplished writer, producer and director. She is currently writing the screenplay adaptation of Sheldon Vanauken's A Severe Mercy.

In addition to our slate of speakers, participants will study the Hollywood storytelling process, from story development to pitching, and the craft of producing spiritually engaging entertainment that is commercially appealing. Writing track participants will learn practical lessons on writing outlines and treatments, creating compelling characters and stories, as well as the basics of screenwriting format. Those choosing the business track will cover lessons on the marketplace, commercial creativity and how to option materials.

In addition to the "Training for Hollywood Seminar," Act One will be hosting a Hollywood Insider Panel and Discussion from 7-10pm on Friday, January 30. Open to the public, the event will feature a presentation on the activity of the church in Hollywood, Dr. Linda Seger's keynote address, and a Hollywood Insider Panel, a no-holds-barred Q&A about life and work in the world's most influential mission field.

Conference Details

Date: Friday, January 30, 1pm to 10pm and Saturday, January 31, 10am to 6pm

Location: Glen Eyrie Castle and Conference Center, 3820 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Cost: $285 - includes study materials, meals (Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch & dinner) and Hollywood Insider Event

$435 - includes study materials, meals (Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch & dinner, Sunday breakfast), 2 nights stay (Friday & Saturday) and Hollywood Insider Event *LIMITED ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE, SIGN UP TODAY*

Speakers: Dr. Linda Seger (Author, Making a Good Script Great and Making a Good Writer Great) Barbara Nicolosi (Screenwriter, Editor, Behind the Screen, Act One Founder, VP Development at Origin Entertainment) Dr. Thom Parham (writer JAG, screenwriting professor, Azusa Pacific University) Monica Jimenez-Grillo, Executive Program Director, and Vicki Peterson, Writing Program Director, Act One, Inc.

To register and for more details, log on to Act One.

Act One, Inc., is a nonprofit organization that has trained Christians of all denominations for careers in mainstream film and television for the past ten years. Stressing artistry, excellence, professionalism, and Christian spirituality, Act One prepares students to pursue careers marked by personal integrity and professional excellence, in writers rooms, on sets, and in studio and network offices. The end goal is not to produce explicitly religious entertainment, but movie and TV projects that respect and serve the global audience, combining mastery of craft with great depth and meaning. Over ten years, Act One has amassed a vast alumni network of writers, producers, directors and entertainment executives who are dedicated to producing excellent work for a global audience.

 

Devotional Writing for Publication Writing Workshops

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. The unfolding of Your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple. For You light my lamp; the LORD my God illumines my darkness. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.— Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:130; Psalm 18:28; Matthew 5:16, NASB

Renee Gray-Wilburn will be teaching a 4-part workshop on devotional writing for publication beginning January 29. Renee's devotionals have been featured in Quiet Hour, Devotions magazine, A Breath of Fresh Air, and A Cup of Comfort Devotionals for Mothers. Renee has over 100 published pieces in the inspirational and children's markets and works as an editor and proofreader for various Christian publishers and authors. In these workshops, you will...

• Inspire others in their walk with God by learning how to write heartfelt devotionals and get them published.
  
• Learn what a devotional really is, and more importantly, what it is not.
  
• Discover the keys to immediately capturing your reader's attention then drawing them into the application of your Bible text.
  
• Find out how to select devotional markets that fit your writing style and properly submit your work to editors
  

Dates: January 29, February 7, 12, and 19.

Time: 7:00-8:30 pm

Cost: $40 plus $5 supply fee

Location: Great Company Art Center

4747 N. Carefree (Corner of N Carefree and Oro Blanco in Carefree Shopping Center)

For details, call: 719-573-2850

Register online: www.greatcompany.org

January Workshop Rescheduled: What's the Big Deal about Your Author Platform?

Due to snow and dangerous road conditions, the workshop tonight is rescheduled to February.

When: Monday, February 9, 2008, 6:30–8:00 p.m.

Where: Stone Chapel, 280 East Woodmen Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80919

Workshop: As an author and national speaker, Beth attended workshops and read articles and books about building her platform. It wasn't until she completed a six-month mentorship with Rob Eagar of Wildfire Marketing that Beth grasped the importance of an author platform--and the best ways to establish one.

Beth's book, Baby Changes Everything: Embracing and Preparing for Motherhood after 35, came out in 2007. She'll share the one thing she wishes she'd known before her book was published, as well as the top three things she learned during her mentorship that helped her establish a strong author/speaker platform for her Mommy-Come-Lately® brand.

Speaker:
Beth K. Vogt is the editor of Connections, the leadership magazine for MOPS International, and a regular contributor to MomSense. Beth earned a journalism degree from San Jose State University. Her publishing credits include: Discipleship Journal, Virtue, The Christian Communicator, and Crosswalk.com. She is also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Tribute to Moms
and The Mommy Diaries: Finding Yourself in the Daily Adventure.