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Category: WordSowers Christian Writers Conference

Tosca Lee, NY Times Best-Selling Author
Tosca Lee, NY Times Best-Selling Author

Tosca Lee is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of The Line Between, Iscariot, The Legend of Sheba, Demon: a Memoir; Havah: the Story of Eve, The Progeny, Duology, and The Books of Mortals series with New York Times bestseller Ted Dekker. (FORBIDDEN, MORTAL, SOVEREIGN).

Her books have won the Gold Medallion, the Christian Retailer’s Choice Award, Forward Magazine’s Book of the Year Silver and Bronze, and have finaled for numerous others, including a second Gold Medallion and two Christy awards. You can find Tosca at ToscaLee.com, on social media, or hanging around the snack table. Be sure to check out ISMENI, the free e-short prequel to THE LEGEND OF SHEBA! Find it on Amazon.

Tosca will be teaching a two part workshop: Writing Unforgettable Characters. Visit the Workshop page to learn more.

We asked Tosca a few questions to help you get to know her a bit.

Tosca Lee What or who inspired you to become an author or singer or preacher? Reading books by great authors. I remember thinking, “Wow. That was awesome.” And not being able to stop thinking about the story or story world for hours or even days.

All of us have faced rejection, how do you (did you) deal with it at the time and now that you look back upon it? Rejection used to make me cold and clammy, but these days I consider it more a sign post than anything, pointing the way down the road—at least for this stretch of it—and to my ideal readership.

What is your favorite part of a writing conference? The people. Conferences are great for learning about the market and the craft. But one of the most valuable things you can take away from a conference is connections to new people to take the journey with you. I met so many of the authors I call “friend” today that way, and we’ve been able to encourage one another and weather the road together.

Visit Tosca’s website to learn more about Tosca and her books.

writers conference, christian writers

We are thrilled that so many registered during our half price special. We are now taking registrations at our new special rate of $65. Still a great deal. Share about Wordsowers conference with your friends.

Use #wordsowers2019 when you share the news about Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference.

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Special Announcement

Because of interest in previous years, we have added an option for non-writing spouses who don’t wish to take in the local sights or hang out at their hotel, to attend our conference with our $50 spouse special –half off the full price registration. The price remains the same regardless of date of registration.

This price DOES include Friday night sessions, the keynote address as well as the workshops and snacks and coffee provided for paid registrants. It does NOT include one on ones or any of the add ons available for an extra charge to attendees.

If your spouse is also a writer, they will need to pay the normal rate for the conference. Thank you for your understanding and helping us to keep the overall cost of the conference at a reasonable price.

If you have already registered, and would like to take advantage of this special, feel free to use the short form to register you spouse. However to complete the purchase, you will still need to use the PayPal button on the registration page and choose the non-writing spouse special.

We are excited to see you all at the 7th Annual Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference!

Are you ready to come and be inspired? To connect with other writers? And to go home equipped to move to the next step on your writing journey?

Stop by our conference page and discover what we have planned for you at the conference or go directly to the Conference Registration page to claim your ½ price special.

We are looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones April 26-27, 2019, in Omaha, Nebraska. The conference will be held in the same location as last year, at Grace Central Church.

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Register now for the 2019 Wordsowers Conference!

See you soon!

Christian Writers Conference
Christian Writers Conference

Coming soon! Our Conference Half-price special!

Mark your calendar April 26-27, 2019 for Wordsowers 7th annual writers conference!

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or sign up for our newsletter to ensure you don’t miss our half-price announcement!

Wordsower Christian Writers Conference
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Interviews with workshop leaders, editors and publisher will be posted shortly!

Who is coming to the 2019 WCWC? Leave a comment below and tell us what you are looking forward to the most.

Sally Jadlow and Deer Hunting

Sally JadlowSally Jadlow is the author of ten books. Her miracle series, God’s Little Miracle Book (I, II, & III) has been recorded by Sally this past year. There is a growing number of people using audio books these days so we need to keep up with the markets.

Check out her website at: SallyJadlow.com.

Do you have a mentor and/or author/and/or book that helped you this past year. A student recently gave me a very helpful book. It’s a thesaurus with the definitions of the alternative words all in one place. “Choose the Right Word by S.I. Hayakawa. (Second Edition)”

What frustrates you the most, the editing or marketing? Marketing. It’s a little like going on a deer hunt and finding few tracks.

Is there a scripture that helped you in your writing journey this past year? Exodus 4:12 “Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say .”

At this year’s conference, Sally teaches

Publish Your Book in Audio and What’s at the End of Your Pen?

Deb Butterfield Talks Learning Curves

Debra L ButterfieldDebra L Butterfield is the author of four books, which include 7 Cheat Sheets to Cut Editing Costs, and Carried by Grace: a Guide for Mothers of Victims of Sexual Abuse. She is a freelance editor and writing coach as well as an editor for CrossRiver Media Group publishing house. Debra has been freelance editing since 2010 and joined CrossRiver Media Group in 2014. Her editorial credits include three award winners: Wilted Dandelions, This I Know, and Bethany’s Calendar. She is a former copywriter for Focus on the Family.

Check out her website at debralbutterfield.com.

If you were at a book event and someone asked you, “Why do you write?” what would you say? I write because I’m a servant and teacher at heart. I want to help others overcome situations in their lives, which is why I wrote Carried by Grace. But I also write books like 7 Cheat Sheets to teach the craft of writing and editing and enable writers to become better writers.

Share a tidbit that has helped you in writing and/or marketing. I’ve been editing a book for a college professor this past year. He talks about how our brain works, which is absolutely fascinating. Through this I’ve learned how to help myself set better goals and reach those goals. One tidbit was about using constructive motivation rather than restrictive motivation. I talk about what each is in a video on my YouTube channel.

What frustrates you the most, the editing or marketing? By far, the marketing. It changes almost as fast as technology does—the recent changes in Facebook as a case in point. That means a constant learning curve and the time spent to learn it and implement it, and conversely, less time to write and teach.

At this year’s writer’s conference, Deb will be teaching a workshop,

 Building That All-Important Email List. 

She’ll also be teaching

The Five Essentials to Snag a Publisher.

RJ Thesman Shares Her Strategy for Creative Production

RJ ThesmanRJ Thesman is the author of 10 books and 700+ articles, and her work has been included in 14 anthologies. She is also a Certified Writing Coach who helps other writers birth their words. Thesman writes from the heartland of Kansas where she lives with her adult son and an elderly cat. She enjoys teaching workshops, gardening and cooking, especially anything with blueberries.

Check out her website at RJThesman.net

If you were at a book event and someone asked you, “Why do you write?” what would you say? I’ve been writing since I was a child. I can’t NOT write.
Share a tidbit that has helped you in writing and/or marketing. Frontload the week. Do your most creative work on Mon-Wed, then do the marketing and admin work when you’re tired on Thurs-Sat.
Do you have a mentor and/or author/and/or book that helped you this past year. The book by Joanna Penn, “How to Market Your Book”
What frustrates you the most, the editing or marketing? Neither
Do you ever struggle with writer’s block and if so, how do you overcome? Not yet.
Is there a scripture that helped you in your writing journey this past year? Psalm 54:4 “God is my helper and ally; the Lord is my upholder and is with them who uphold my life” (Amplified)

RJ Thesman Coaching SessionBe sure to check out RJ’s workshops at this year’s conference:

Finding Your Writing Plan & The Missing Piece to the Marketing Puzzle.

This year RJ’s offering her coaching skills. Signup today!

Pam Morgan Shares about Pushing Through Writers Block

Pam MorganPam Morgan is a Christian speaker, author, and recording artist who has appeared on various radio and television shows, including Oprah. She and her singer/songwriter husband, Phil, have released fifteen gospel CDs and travel nationwide, inspiring audiences from Alaska to the Caribbean. Although Pam enjoys photography, scrapbooking, teaching women’s bible study, French Vanilla coffee, and (of course) chocolate, she says nothing compares to her two favorite pastimes: sharing the hope of Christ and spending time with her beloved husband and their two young adult daughters, Kayla and Alisha, at home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Check out Pam’s website at www.PhilandPamMorgan.com.

If you were at a book event and someone asked you, “Why do you write?” what would you say? Honestly, I don’t enjoy writing. I write because I need to write. I have a passion to encourage others by sharing what Christ has done for me, and I prefer to do that through the spoken, not written word, but I also know that a book or article can reach many more people than I can personally. And so, I write…when I must. 🙂

What frustrates you the most, the editing or marketing? It depends on the day, but mostly marketing.

Do you ever struggle with writer’s block and if so, how do you overcome? Yes. Usually, my writer’s block is either lack of desire or physical exhaustion. If I lack the motivation to write, listening to music, reading Scripture or reading a favorite author can help. If I’m just tired, I hang it up for the day and pray for inspiration tomorrow.

Is there a scripture that helped you in your writing journey this past year? Isaiah 40:31 – They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…

Be sure to check out Pam’s workshop at this year’s conference:

Speak Up! You Have a Great Book!

Phil Morgan Shares Horn Tooting Advice

Phil MorganPhil Morgan along with his wife Pam have travelled the country in full-time music ministry since 1996, appearing on various radio and television programs including Oprah, Montel, and the 700 Club. Phil has written two books and hundreds of songs, plus a weekly email devotion than highlights his humorous and creative way of expressing Biblical truth. Most recently, Phil has accepted a staff writing position with Valley Songs, the publishing division of Chapel Valley Music in Nashville.

For more information, check out Phil’s website at www.PhilandPamMorgan.com.

What is your motivation? My motivation for writing is always the listener or reader. I enjoy the craft of saying something in a way that is original and insightful, but my biggest reward is when God is able to use something I’ve written to reach an individual with the exact message He has for them.

What frustrates you the most, the editing or marketing?  I don’t know of any writers who enjoy marketing. Writers tend to be very self conscious and hate to “toot their own horn.” Marketing is necessary for anyone to know what we’ve written, but I think we all would love for someone to take that job off our plate. If marketing lights your fire, come and see me. I may just have a job for you!

How do you juggle your life between family and writing? It’s easy for writing to take a backseat to family, work, life, etc. I find I have to schedule writing time and put it on my calendar. As a songwriter, scheduling time to write with someone else really keeps me on track. For solo writing, I have to set deadlines for myself and stick to them.

Be sure to check out Phil’s workshop at this year’s conference,

INSPIRATION – Where to find it and what to do with it.

Award-Winning Author and Editor

LEE WARREN

Returns for Wordsowers 2018!

Lee Warren, award-winning author & editorLee Warren writes contemplative essay and devotional books. His essays remind you to slow down and enjoy the present moment because we’re only here for a little while. Readers say his essays are vulnerable, open, honest, engaging, insightful and thought-provoking.

His devotional books provide practical, story-driven devotional material you can use every morning to get your private worship started right. Readers call his devotional books encouraging, inspiring and thoughtful.

When Lee isn’t writing essays or devotional material, he is a freelance journalist who has written hundreds of articles for various newspapers and magazines. He’s also a fan of NASCAR, baseball, tennis, books, movies and coffee shops.

With 20 years in the publishing world, Lee published traditionally before choosing to become an indie author. He has edited for book publishers, newspapers and websites/blogs. Check out his website at http://www.leewarren.info.

If you were at a book event and someone asked you, “Why do you write?” what would you say? I write for a number of reasons.

I write because others have written and their writing has meant so much to me. “The Chronicles of Narnia” helped me understand the faith in childlike ways. Elisabeth Elliot’s books cemented my understanding of sacrifice and giving myself away. Donald Miller’s books have challenged my theology. On and on it goes. I can only hope my writing spurs others on in a similar fashion.

Writing also helps me to process. I don’t always have clarity of thought about something until I’ve had time to write about it. And as I revise my manuscript, my thinking becomes clearer.

Share a tidbit that has helped you in writing and/or marketing. I would say understanding the importance of listening to experts with one ear. They are experts for a reason, but that doesn’t mean they necessarily know what’s right for me. Just because they view the publishing world one way doesn’t mean I need to hold a similar view. I don’t know how many times traditional publishers told me female readers aren’t likely to trust a male author who writes female protagonists. I’m glad that Nicolas Sparks, Charles Martin, Travis Thrasher, Dan Walsh, and so many others didn’t let that stop them from writing such fiction the way it did me.

Do you ever struggle with writer’s block and if so, how do you overcome?  I started as a journalist, so writer’s block wasn’t allowed. You had a deadline and you met it. As I branched out and began writing both nonfiction and fiction books, I always had a deadline, regardless of whether a publisher assigned one to me or I assigned one to myself. I create an editorial calendar before a project begins and I stick to it.

Creatively, I’m a seat-of-the-pants writer (as far as fiction is concerned). I never have any idea where the story is headed or how I’ll resolve the conflict. I just dive into character and work through their issues with them. Sometimes, I write myself into a corner, or the story is just a mess, but that’s what the revision process is for. By the time I finish the second draft, I have a good grasp of my characters and am able to revise accordingly for subsequent drafts.

Lee returns to lead our Friday night session “Beyond the ABC’s. Workshop for Experienced Writers.”

Award-Winning Photographer Pat Mingarelli

Returns for Wordsowers 2018!

Pat Mingarelli, Award-Winning Photographer

Pat Mingarelli: I am an award-winning nature photographer with a unique kind of creation ministry. As an outdoor photographer I’ve spent countless hours observing God’s hand in creation. In those time’s I’ve learned that God speaks to us through His creation and the creation speaks to us about God. You can click here to learn more about my creation ministry.

The Creation Speaks ministry examines how nature speaks to our heart, soul and mind about God.

 

If you were at a book event and someone asked you, “Why do you write?” what would you say?  I have a message God has given me to touch others. I want celebrate and glorify God as creator and to encourage people in the daily walk with Him. In today’s world we are detached from creation. We all need to get outside more. Creation has plenty to tell us about God.

Do you have a mentor and/or author/and/or book that helped you this past year.  I really like Michael Hyatt and his Platform University

Do you ever struggle with writer’s block and if so, how do you overcome?  Yes, and I just start writing anyway. Eventually, the right thoughts just come together.

Pat returns as our on-site photographer, offering photography sessions during this year’s conference.

Book your session now!