Wednesday, March 31, 2010

50 GREAT BOOKS

“50 Great Books Every Christian Needs to Read”

http://onlinechristiancolleges.net/50-great-books-every-christian-needs-to-read/

CLASS SEMINARS

If you are called to Christian leadership, you are most likely also called to be a writer or a speaker. If you feel the need for further training in these areas, I highly recommend that you consider attending one of the CLASS events held across the country. CLASS, which stands for Christian Leaders, Authors and Speaker Seminars, is one of the premier training organizations in the field of Christian Communications.

I will be speaking at two upcoming CLASS events next month in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Check out the information below, then go to the CLASS Seminars Web site, www.CLASSeminars.org, to register.

CLASSEMINARS is bringing two incredible opportunities your way in
April 2010 to expand your horizons, provide you with new tools and
polish your communication skills:

Writers Express - April 10 - Spartanburg, SC

CLASSeminar - April 12-14 - Spartanburg, SC

Seats are filling.
Please visit CLASSEMINARS.org for more information and to register.

2010 BOOK OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has announced the finalists for the 2010 Christian Book Awards:

Bibles

The American Patriot's Bible, NKJV, Richard Lee, Editor, Thomas Nelson, 9781418541538

Chronological Study Bible, NKJV, Thomas Nelson, 9780718020682

Glo, Immersion Digital, Zondervan, 9780981990200

Stewardship Study Bible, NIV, Zondervan, 9780310948483

The Word of Promise® Audio Bible, NKJV, Thomas Nelson, 9780718024130

Bible Reference & Study

A Visual Guide to Bible Events, James Martin, John Beck and David Hansen, Baker Books/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780801012853

The New Moody Atlas of the Bible, Barry J. Beitzel, Moody Publishers, 9780802404411

Pastoring Men, Patrick Morley, Moody Publishers, 9780802475534

Peoples of the New Testament World: An Illustrated Guide, William A. Simmons, Hendrickson Publishers, 9781565638778

The Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible, Merril C. Tenney and Moisés Silva, Zondervan, 9780310241362

Children & Youth (six finalists listed due to tie)

A Young Woman's Guide to Making Right Choices, Elizabeth George, Harvest House Publishers, 9780736921077

B4UD8- Before You Date, Hayley and Michael DiMarco, Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800733087

Sweet Dreams Princess: God's Little Princess Bedtime Bible Stories, Devotions, & Prayers, Sheila Walsh, Tommy Nelson, 9781400312979

Jesus Is Alive: Evidence for the Resurrection Children's Edition, Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell, Regal Books, 9780830747863

Take Your Best Shot, Austin Gutwein with Todd Hillard, Tommy Nelson, 9781400315154

Wild Cat, Dandi Daley Mackall, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781414312705

Christian Life

The Hole in Our Gospel, Richard Stearns, Thomas Nelson, 9780785229186

If God Is Good, Randy Alcorn, WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, 9781601421326

Inside the Revolution, Joel Rosenberg, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781414319315

The Pilgrim's Progress: From this World to That Which Is to Come, John Bunyan, Crossway Books & Bibles, 9781433506994

The Principle of the Path, Andy Stanley, Thomas Nelson, 9780849920608

Fiction (seven finalists listed due to tie)

Blood Bayou, Karen Young, Howard Books, 9781416587507

The Centurion's Wife, Davis Bunn and Janette Oke, Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764205149

Healing Waters, Stephen Arterburn and Nancy Rue, Thomas Nelson, 9781595544315

June Bug, Chris Fabry, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781414319568

Michal, Jill Eileen Smith, Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800733209

Veiled Freedom, Jeanette Windle, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781414314754

Watch Over Me, Christa Parrish, Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764205545

Inspiration & Gift

Amish Peace, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800733384

Fresh Grounded Faith, Jennifer Rothschild, Harvest House Publishers, 9780736925754

Grace Notes, Philip Yancey, Zondervan, 9780310287728

He Was Crucified, Gerard J. Stanley, Concordia Publishing House, 9780758613158

Look Unto Me, Jim Reimann, Zondervan, 9780310283874

CHARISMA NAMES NEW EDITOR

Charisma Names New Editor, Expands Print and Online Offerings

Charisma, the leading periodical for Spirit-filled believers worldwide, has named a new editor as part of a multifaceted initiative to better serve readers with a redesigned print magazine, expanded digital editions and a new smartphone application. Marcus Yoars, who has served as editor of Ministry Today for the last three years, is only the third editor of Charisma in the magazine’s 35-year history of reaching the charismatic/Pentecostal/Spirit-filled community. Yoars, 34, has been in the publishing industry for more than 15 years, including serving as an editor for Thomas Nelson, LifeWay and Focus on the Family. Born and raised on the missionary field in Hong Kong, he is a graduate of Auburn University.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

WEBINAR WITH DIANN MILLS MARCH 25

Webinar with award-winning author, DiAnn Mills

“Electrifying Eclectic Emotions”

Thursday, March 25, 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

To register, call (866) 495-5177.

$25 for Guild members, $45 for non-members

Novels are about characters facing confrontation and that involves stress, conflict, and tension. The key to a successful page turner is to fill every page with emotions that are constantly in turmoil. During this webinar, learn how you can move your story to the next level by adding emotive conflict through character development, plot, dialogue, setting, and narrative.

Leilani Squires
Admissions Manager | CHRISTIAN WRITERS GUILD
____________________________________________
TOLL FREE 866.495.5177
EMAIL leilani@christianwritersguild.com
WEB christianwritersguild.com

Monday, March 22, 2010

NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CBA

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - Following a CBA Board of Directors meeting earlier this month, Curtis Riskey has been appointed Executive Director for CBA, the Association for the Christian retail industry, effective immediately. Riskey has been serving as CBA interim executive director since November 1, 2009, and has served with CBA since October 2007 in the role of strategic solutions executive. The CBA Board will be using an executive director management model going forward and has ceased its search for a new president/CEO.

"The leadership Curtis has exhibited during his interim period has exemplified his knowledge of the many facets of Christian retail, his acumen for connecting with a variety of industry leaders to work together on common goals, and his dedication to the success of this industry even amid current global economic challenges," says CBA Board Chair-elect George Thomsen. "As a Board, we look forward to the many exciting changes Curtis will help effect to the benefit of CBA's members, both retailer and supplier, and to the industry as a whole. To us, it's important that Curtis not only has a heart for retailers, but is a retailer himself," Thomsen added.

Riskey's retail experience spans 20 years-10 of which were spent in the appliance industry, most recently with Maytag Appliances, where he learned, developed, and implemented channel management strategies. Ten years ago, he left Maytag to open a Christian retail store in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. BASIC Books and Café was built and started in December 2000, and continues to serve the Fox River Valley community.

Riskey holds a business degree from the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. He served on the board of directors for the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce; and co-founded Excellence in Leadership, serving as its president. Currently, he's working toward his IOM (Institute for Organizational Management) certification through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Monday, March 15, 2010

NEW ASSOCIATE EDITOR AT BAKER ACADEMIC

Baker Publishing Group announces the promotion of Arika Theule-Van Dam to Associate Editor, Baker Academic & Brazos Press, divisions of Baker Publishing Group, effective March 1.

TYNDALE'S LISA JACKSON NOW SR. ACQ. DIR. FOR NONFICTION

Lisa Jackson has been appointed to the position of Senior Acquisitions Director for Nonfiction, Beers Publishing Group, at Tyndale House Publishers. “We are pleased to announce that Lisa has joined the Beers Publishing Group, where she will lead the team that acquires all nonfiction titles for our group,” said Ron Beers, Senior Vice President, Group Publisher.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS - WEEK OF MARCH 14

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #4 on the paperback advice list

So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore (Tyndale House) is #6 on the hardcover advice list.

The Love Dare by Stephen & Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H Publishing Group) is #9 on the paperback advice list.

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren (Zondervan) is #11 on the paperback advice list.

Son of Hamas by Mosab Hassan Yousef with Ron Brackin (SaltRiver/Tyndale House) is #11 on the hardcover nonfiction list.

The Shack by William P. Young (Windblown Media) is #12 on the paperback trade fiction list.

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #13 on the hardcover advice list and #9 on the hardcover business list.

90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell) is #13 on paperback nonfiction list.

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore (Thomas Nelson) is #20 on the paperback nonfiction list.

The Reason for God by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #22 on the paperback nonfiction list.

Lies the Government Told You by Andrew P. Napolitano (Nelson) is #22 on the hardcover nonfiction list.

Boneman's Daughters, by Ted Dekker (Center Street) is #23 on the paperback mass market fiction list.

Friday, March 12, 2010

ECPA ENFORCES COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT ORDER

On behalf of a coalition of its member publishers, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has asked the High Court in London, England to hold Andrew Amue, the founder of the www.evanglibrary.info and www.evanglibrary.com websites, in contempt of court for his repeated refusal to comply with a 2008 Court Order which requires Mr. Amue to cease display of over 130 works on his sites without permission.

ECPA first became aware more than six years ago of Mr. Amue’s site at www.biblecentre.net, which featured a collection of the full texts of hundreds of copyrighted Christian theological works displayed without permission. Mr Amue first offered free access to the texts, then started charging a subscription fee. ECPA organized a coalition of its member publishers, comprised of Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, Baker Publishing Group, Tyndale, Moody, Logos Software, and IVP UK, to address the infringement.

ECPA repeatedly asked Mr. Amue to cease infringing copyright, but Mr Amue refused to either secure the necessary licenses or to remove the works from his websites.

In March 2008, the ECPA coalition secured an Order from the High Court in London requiring Mr. Amue to cease the infringement. The publishers were unable to serve the Order on Mr. Amue for over a year as he moved residences and changed his name, apparently in an attempt to avoid being served.

After ECPA secured forensic evidence that Mr. Amue continues to operate the infringing sites, ECPA and the publisher coalition determined that they had no choice but to ask the Court to enforce the Order.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

RELAUNCH OF "HOPE FOR WOMEN"

Hope for Women (Hope), the first Christian lifestyle magazine to celebrate the diversity of women of faith, is announcing the relaunch of its print publication and new Web site. The redesigned Web site will go live on Monday, March 8, 2010 and the revamped quarterly magazine will be available on Wednesday, March 24, 2010.

An independent general-interest magazine targeted at a diverse audience of Christian women, Hope was launched on a modest budget by CEO and Publisher Angelia L. White and a small team of editors and writers in 2005. It now reaches more than 50,000 readers every month across its various platforms including its Web site (http://www.hopeforwomenmag.com), bi-weekly e-newsletter and quarterly print magazine.

“The relaunch of Hope couldn’t come at a more exciting time for us,” White stated. “The newly designed print magazine gives our readers the high-quality full-color glossy print they are accustomed to with a fresh editorial focus and design.”

The revamped magazine’s expanded content now includes a wide-range of women’s interests including Beauty, Entertainment, Career & Money, Relationships, Health/Wellness and Faith/Inspiration. The spring issue features actress Tasha Smith, Grammy Award-winning Christian pop rock singer and author Rebecca St. James, Auntie Anne’s founder Anne Beiler, and Abby Rike from The Biggest Loser, as well as three special sections – Woman of Hope, The Delicate Balance and Touchstones of Healing.

Hope’s redesigned Web site is focused on creating an online community for diverse women of faith. According to White, the site will now feature seven different channels: In the Magazine, Inspiration, Style & Beauty, Entertainment, Relationships, Career & Money and Lifestyle. This site will also include a robust blog written by several of the magazine’s contributors, special interviews and articles, and the utilization of social media vehicles including Twitter and Facebook. “We are leveraging the latest in social media tools with our Web redesign, we now have a remarkable ability to connect with both readers and advertisers,” White explained.

Hope for Women (Hope) is a Christian lifestyle magazine that celebrates the diversity of women of faith regardless of our differing cultures, ages or roles as women. Launched in 2005, the magazine now reaches more than 50,000 readers every month. Hope inspires, uplifts, enlightens, enriches, and motivates its readers to live dynamic, purpose-filled lives. Expect the best. For more information, visit http://www.hopeforwomenmag.com.

Monday, March 8, 2010

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS - WEEK OF MARCH 7

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #2 on the paperback advice list
So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore (Tyndale House) is #4 on the hardcover advice list.
The Love Dare by Stephen & Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H Publishing Group) is #7 on the paperback advice list.
The Shack by William P. Young (Windblown Media) is #10 on the paperback trade fiction list.

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren (Zondervan) is #11 on the paperback advice list.

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #11 on the hardcover advice list and #9 on the hardcover business list.

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore (Thomas Nelson) is #14 on the paperback nonfiction list.

90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell) is #22 on paperback nonfiction list.

The Reason for God by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #28 on the paperback nonfiction list.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

TOP PREACHING BOOKS

If you write for pastors, you'll be interested in the books considered the year's best books for pastors by PreachingToday.com. Go to: www.preachingtoday.com/skills/2010/theptbookawards.html.

Friday, March 5, 2010

LAST CALL FOR POETRY

LAST CALL: Send your BEST work before Tuesday, March 9.
We are holding a special, ONE-DAY ONLY call for poetry submissions for our upcoming reading period.

Members of our Review Board were disappointed with the quality of some of the poetry that was submitted during our last call for submissions, leaving room for a few more poets on our client list. Writer’s Relief only accepts strong, publishable writing from those who wish to enter our Full Service program.

We are actively seeking strong submissions from poets. If you believe your work is ready to be targeted to the best markets available, we are eager to read your work and help you get published! To be considered for our Full Service program, send your writing samples NO LATER than Tuesday, March 9.

Please see our submission guidelines for details:
http://www.WritersRelief.com/submission-guidelines-for-review-board.aspx.

We look forward to reading your work.

Ronnie L. Smith, President
On behalf of the Writer’s Relief Review Board

HENRY MCLAUGHLIN WINS OPERATION FIRST NOVEL

Henry McLaughlin’s novel Journey to Riverbend received first place in the 2009 Operation First Novel at the opening session of the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild’s annual Writing for the Soul conference, Feb. 18, in Denver. The prize includes $20,000 and publication by Tyndale House Publishers.
“We’re looking forward to working with Henry McLaughlin, on Journey to Riverbend,” said Karen Watson, Tyndale’s associate publisher for fiction. “Henry’s story is a unique blend of characters, setting, and action that give this western drama a touch of romance. It makes for an entertaining read that readers will find difficult to put down.”
“This award is a great honor and also very humbling,” said McLaughlin, 62, of Saginaw, Texas. “I give God all the glory and all the honor for opening this door.” He said he desires to “write stories that communicate the Father’s love and desire for a close, intimate, and personal relationship with each of us.”
Other Operation First Novel finalists include Deb Harper of Anchorage, Alaska, for Misstep, Sara Richardson of Littleton, Colorado, for New Every Morning, Mark Sylvester of Auburn, California, for Coming Up Short, and Jonathan Wakefield of Richmond, Virginia, for Fatal Reality. Harper, Sylvester, and Wakefield are all CWG Craftsman.

The deadline for entries for the 2010 contest is October 1. Contest details are available at http://www.christianwritersguild.com/Contest.asp

LANCASTER CHRISTIAN WRITERS SUPER SATURDAY!

"How good is a timely word" Prov. 15:23
WHEN: March 27, 8:30AM-4:30PM

WHERE: Lancaster Evangelical Free Church,
419 Pierson Rd., Lititz, PA

WHAT: Fiction/Non-fiction tracks

WHO: You're Invited!!
Registration Fee of $35 (if pre-registered by March 23, 2010) includes lunch PLUS Bonus of LCW
membership. Walk-in Attendance $45 - Make your check
Mail your check and registration form payable to Lancaster Christian Writers:
c/o Jeanette Windle, 121 E. Woods Dr., Lititz, PA 17543.
For additional information contact:
www.lancasterchristianwriters.org

Registration Fee of $35 (if pre-registered by March 23, 2010) includes lunch PLUS Bonus of LCW
membership. Walk-in Attendance $45 - Make your check
Mail your check and registration form payable to Lancaster Christian Writers:
c/o Jeanette Windle, 121 E. Woods Dr., Lititz, PA 17543.
For additional information contact:
www.lancasterchristianwriters.org

Thursday, March 4, 2010

WRITERS NEEDED

From: Angelia White

Date: 3/04/2010

Subject: Writers Needed

Looking for experienced Writers to cover beauty, food, fashion, travel, music, and film. If you know someone who would be interested, please forward this message to them. If you are interested, please send your information, writing samples, etc. to admin@hopeforwomenmag.com.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

10 Greatest Writers Who Became Famous after Death

“10 Greatest Writers Who Became Famous after Death”

http://www.onlinedegree.net/10-greatest-writers-who-became-famous-after-death/ .

OC CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE & CONTEST

The OC Christian Writers Conference is offering two exciting offers for attendees for our May 1 conference. The WestBow Press Writing Contest is in full swing. WestBow Press, owned by Thomas Nelson is offering a Bookstore Advantage publishing package to the winner. While this is a self-publishing package, Thomas Nelson is committed to reviewing every manuscript for publication in its traditional model. The Bookstore Advantage has a market value of $2,799 and will be awarded to the best entrant in the contest on May 1, 2010 in Irvine, California. Go to www.occwf.org for contest guidelines and submission rules.

Christianmanusciriptsubmissions.com is sponsoring a drawing in March. Everyone who signs up for the conference in March will be entered in a drawing. Susan Meissner, award winning author who received her first book sales using the service, will conduct a drawing at the conference.

The conference features three keynote speakers and editors and writers on wide range of inspirational writing. The confernence is held at Mariners Church in Irvine, California. www.occwf.org for more information.

Contact john@occwf.org for information or questions.

THICK-SKINNED CRITIQUE WITH JERRY JENKINS

Thick Skinned Critique and Q&A
Presented by Jerry B. Jenkins
Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

To register, call (866) 495-5177.

In Jerry B. Jenkins' Thick-Skinned Critique Webinar, he will walk you through every detail of an editor's work on two selected attendee's writing samples. Writing samples are anonymous, and while it's honest and direct, the critiques are never mean. No matter what your writing experience and skill level, there is something to learn for everyone. There will be a Q&A following the critiques.

2 page writing samples are to be submitted to Leilani@ChristianWritersGuild.com by March 4, 2010, and are to be double spaced, 12 point, Times New Roman Font.

Also, join us for “Electrifying Eclectic Emotions” Webinar with DiAnn Mills, March 25, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).

$25 for Guild members, and $45 for nonmembers
Or $45 for both Webinars for Guild members,
and $75 for both webinars for nonmembers.

Hope to see you online!

Leilani Squires
Admissions Manager | CHRISTIAN WRITERS GUILD
____________________________________________
TOLL FREE 866.495.5177
EMAIL leilani@christianwritersguild.com
WEB christianwritersguild.com

Monday, March 1, 2010

CLASSEMINARS FALL WRITERS CONFERENCE

CLASSEMINARS, INC. today announces Abiquiu, New Mexico as the location of the fall CLASS Christian Writers Conference. The dates of the conference are November 10-14, 2010.

The writer’s conference returns to the Ghost Ranch location where last year’s successful and ground-breaking conference introduced a new and unique focus for Christian writers. Not only will beginning and advanced writers receive training in the craft of writing in intensive workshops and meet one on one with editors and publishers, the conference will feature spiritual formation and direction training with Bill Gaultiere of Soul Care Ministries.

Linda Gilden, well known author and speaker from Spartanburg, South Carolina, will direct the conference.

The Ghost Ranch, located near Sante Fe in Abiquiu, New Mexico, is an educational and retreat center. The 21,000 acre ranch is where Georgia O’Keefe painted her legendary landscapes and home of two world famous anthropology and paleontology museums.

For registration and other information, go to www.classeminars.org.

CLASSeminars, Inc is the nation’s premier Christ-centered trainer of authors, speakers, and leaders and holds seminars across the country and Canada each year.

Contact: Karen Porter, VP Marketing, 281-797-3920

Gerry Wakeland, President, 702-882-0638

kaeporter@gmail.com

www.classeminars.org

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 28

So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore (Tyndale House) is #4 on the hardcover advice list.

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #5 on the paperback advice list.

The Love Dare by Stephen & Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H Publishing Group) is #6 on the paperback advice list.

The Shack by William P. Young (Windblown Media) is #9 on the paperback trade fiction list.

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren (Zondervan) is #10 on the paperback advice list.

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #12 on the hardcover advice list and #6 on the hardcover business list.

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore (Thomas Nelson) is #17 on the paperback nonfiction list.

90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell) is #21 on paperback nonfiction list.

The Reason for God
by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #22 on the paperback nonfiction list.

APRIL 2010 CHRISTIAN WRITERS' CONFERENCES

April: Delaware Christian Writers Conference; Newark, Delaware. Contact: John Riddle,6 Basset Pl., Bear DE 19701; 302-834-4910; Delawarewriter@yahoo.com; www.DelawareChristianWritersConference.com. Offers an advanced track, writing contest, editorial appointments, and evaluations. Editors & agents in attendance.

April or May: Biola Media Conference; Los Angeles, California. Contact: Craig Detweiler, Biola University, 13800 Biola Ave., La Mirada CA 90639; 866-334-2266; www.biolamedia.com.

April 9-10: Called to Write; Girard, Kansas. Contact: Deborah Vogts, 17300 Ness Rd., Erie KS 66733; 620-244-5619; debvogts@gmail.com; www.christianwritersfellowship.blogspot.com. Speaker: Cecil Murphey. No editor or agents in attendance.

April 9-10: East Texas Christian Writers Conference; Marshall, Texas. Contact: Dr. Jerry Hopkins, East Texas Baptist University, 1209 N. Grove St., Marshall TX 75670; 903-923-2283; fax 903-923-2077; jhopkins@etbu.edu; www.etbu.edu/news/CWC/default.htm.

April 9-10: Quad-Cities Christian Writers Conference; Bettendorf, Iowa. Contact: Twila Belk, 4350 Tanglewood Rd., Bettendorf IA 52722; 563-332-1622; TwilaBelk@mchsi.com; www.qccwc.com. Speakers: Cynthia Ruchti, Jim Pence, and others. No editors/agents in attendance. Offers a limited number of scholarships.

April 9-10: American Christian Writers Mentoring Conference; Nashville, Tennessee. Contact: Reg Forder, P.O. Box 110390, Nashville TN 37222; 1-800-21-WRITE; ACWriters@aol.com; www.ACWriters.com.

April 10: Inspirational Writers Alive! Amarillo Seminar: Amarillo, Texas. Contact: Jerry McClenagan, 6808 Cloud Crest, Amarillo TX 79124; 806-355-7117; jerrydalemc@sbcglobal.net.

April 15-17: Festival of Faith and Writing; Grand Rapids, Michigan. Contact: Shelly LeMahieu Dunn, 1795 Knollcrest Cir. S.E., Grand Rapids MI 49546; 616-526-6770; fax 616-526-8508; ffw@calvin.edu; www.calvin.edu/festival. Editors and an agent in attendance. No scholarships.

April 16-17: American Christian Writers Conference; Fort Wayne, Indiana. Contact: Reg Forder, P.O. Box 110390, Nashville TN 37222; 1-800-21-WRITE; ACWriters@aol.com; www.ACWriters.com.

April 24: Mercer One-Day Workshop; Stoneboro, Pennsylvania. Contact: Gloria Clover, 26 Everbreeze Dr., Hadley PA 16130; 724-253-2635; gloworm@certainly.net; www.stdavidswriters.com. Sometimes editors; rarely agents in attendance. No scholarships.

April 24: Minnesota Christian Writers Guild Spring Seminar; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Contact: Mrs. Pat Van der Merwe, 19820 Olde Sturbridge Rd., Corcoran MN 55340; 763-478-6145; pdvdm@comcast.net; www.mnchristianwriters.org. Speaker: Jim Watkins. No editors or agents in attendance; no scholarships.

Apr 30-May 1: Northwest Ohio Christian Writers’ Spring Retreat; Whitehouse, Ohio. Contact: Kathy Douglas, 5702 Angola Rd. Lot #139, Toledo OH 43615-6356; Mlka@toast.net; www.NWOCW.org. No editors or agents in attendance.

April 30-May 1: American Christian Writers Conference; Memphis, Tennessee. Contact: Reg Forder, P.O. Box 110390, Nashville TN 37222; 1-800-21-WRITE; ACWriters@aol.com; www.ACWriters.com.