FOURTEEN MORE DAYS left to write your extended ending to Leanna Ellis’s Once in a Blue Moon (available in bookstores right now). What might be the next scene were you writing the book?   Fun idea, huh?

The submission must be no more than 3,500 words in length. Entries should be sent via e-mail to BlueMoon@BHPublishingGroup.com by March 22, 2010, though earlier would be better. (NOTE: All contestants must be registrants at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, March 26-30, 2010.)

Come on fiction writers!  You can do it.

There is no way I can overemphasize the many benefits of attending Mount Hermon Writers Conference.  Mount Hermon excels in both a practical and spiritual way.  When I first attended I thought I knew everything I needed to know about writing a novel.  Why, I had already written four and had agent representation over 15 years.  But, I had not yet sold a book!

My narrow focus in going to Mount Hermon was to connect with a publisher.  God had a lot to teach me about my writing, through fiction mentor groups and instructional workshops, which opened me up to a huge truth — I needed instruction. 

I wholly attribute my recent success in “breaking in” (four book contracts in 2009) to the loving and encouraging instruction I gained at the Writers Conference over the past few years.  And I cannot emphasize enough how fantastic the spiritual environment is.  Mount Hermon is a place you meet God face-to-face.  It is such a blessing to be among hundreds of other writers who love Him and want to bring Him, not themselves, glory. 

I look forward to attending Mount Hermon each year as my favorite activity.  I hope I am blessed to attend for the rest of my life!

Susanne Lakin’s novel, Someone to Blame (contemporary fiction) won the 2009 Zondervan First Novel competition in April, 2009, with a publication date of August 2010.  Lakin’s three fantasy novels in the Gates of Heaven series has been contracted with AMG-Living Ink Publishers.  Visit her website at www.cslakin.com.

EIGHT DAYS left to write your extended ending to Leanna Ellis’s Once in a Blue Moon (available in bookstores right now). What might be the next scene were you writing the book?   Fun idea, huh?

The submission must be no more than 3,500 words in length. Entries should be sent via e-mail to BlueMoon@BHPublishingGroup.com by March 10, 2010, though earlier would be better. (NOTE: All contestants must be registrants at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, March 26-30, 2010.)

Come on fiction writers!  You can do it.

Twenty-Four Days until our Headstart Mentoring Clinic commences, and 26 days until Writers Conference begins.  Can you believe it?  We’re moving up in our registrant totals so if you’re going to come, sign up NOW!   Don’t want you stranded if you intend to experience this amazing conference this year.

Wanted to share another comment from a past writer who has been to Mount Hermon Writers Conference . . . this one from Jeanette Hanscome, our Buddy System Chairperson.  This is what she says.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; if one falls down, his friend can pick him up…”  Eccesiates 4:9-10a

I arrived at my first Mount Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference in 1995 not knowing anyone.  As excited as I was, I felt clueless and scared.  I had so many questions.  What workshops should I take? What if an editor wants to see my work? What should I wear? Am I the only one who feels overwhelmed?

A few years ago, while reminiscing about our first conference experiences, my friend Marilyn Hilton, and I got an idea for a pre-conference mentoring program that would allow first-timers to get such questions answered before they arrived at Mount Hermon.  They could also receive advice on how to pace themselves through the jam-packed schedule, approach editors, and get through moments of discouragement.  The idea grew into “the Buddy System.” 

It has been so encouraging to watch the program evolve over the last few years.  God has used it to create friendships, provide conference veterans a way to give back, and allow new registrants to arrive at the conference feeling confident and ready to make the most of their Mount Hermon experience.

Are you feeling like I did in 1995–excited but petrified?  Do you have a long list of questions? Would you like to walk into the opening lunch knowing someone? Sign up for the Buddy System.  Think of it as one of those “Two are better than one” things.

You’ll get a better return for your work:  Getting pre-conference questions answered will allow you to avoid mistakes, plan ahead, and be a good steward of your five days at Mount Hermon.

If you fall down, a friend can pick you up:  If you start panicking before the conference, your buddy can encourage you.  If a crisis strikes, you have someone to pray for you. If you get discouraged halfway through the conference and are tempted to go home, you have someone to help you over the hump.  And next year you will have a place to serve at the conference as you pass all that you learned on to someone else who needs help.

If you would like to be matched with an experienced buddy, please contact me at jeanettehanscome@sbcglobal.net.  If you would like to serve as a buddy, I would love to hear from you!  Buddy pairs will be matched up this week so it’s not too late.

Jeanette Hanscome has attended fifteen Mount Hermon Christian Writers’ Conferences. She is the author of three books for Focus on the Family and over 300 articles, devotions, and stories.  She lives in Reno, NV with her husband, two sons, one needy dog, and two crazy cats.  Visit her website at www.jeanettehanscome.com.

DOUBLE YOUR MONEY–DOUBLE YOUR FUN!

Oh, the gift of writing!  Fiction or non-fiction…major publisher or self-published…books change lives.  But only if they are read!  And “word-of-mouth” provides a huge assist to the “word-of-your-pen”!  I know because I write and I speak…and my mouth is a big help to my message reaching readers.

So, if you would like to increase your speaking confidence, hone your verbal message, learn to tell spell-binding stories and hold an audience in the palm of your hand…join me at Mount Hermon Writers Conference in my Major Morning Track, “Enhancing Your Mouth–While Standing on Your Feet!”

This is the third time I have had the privilege of teaching this series at Mount Hermon and there are numerous Mount Hermon authors who are now, to their own amazement, being paid to speak!  In addition, they are selling hundreds of books from the back of the room!

In this Major Track you will:

• Receive individual coaching
• Learn how to tell your own story
• Discover the secret to creating rhythm as you speak
• Find techniques to overcome your fear and/or resistance to speaking
• Enhance your understanding of your life purpose
• Identify the essential clues for connecting with an audience–from book signings to banquets

It’s my heart’s desire that you experience fresh enthusiasm for your relationship with Christ, so each day I will be sharing some Biblical truths and personal experience that the Lord has used to enhance my walk as a believer.

Come join me.  I believe you will be a more inspired writer, a more confident communicator and have an enhanced checking account as a result!

Besides all that, you will experience large doses of laughter during your learning!

Glenna Salsbury, Instructor:  Enhancing Your Mouth–While Standing On Your Feet!  Glenna is a professional award winning speaker.

As a Bible teacher and speaker I had thought it would be an easy transition to writing.  Mount Hermon’s Writers Conference set me straight.  When I attended my first conference in 2003, I entered a world I didn’t even realize existed.    And I realized I would need to learn a new craft.  It was actually frightening at first.  I felt very inadequate, but the professionals at Mount Hermon balanced the reality of the business of writing with the encouragement to follow God’s call to write.  Each succcessive year of attendance widened my scope of knowledge, furthered the professional contacts I made, and increased the friends who continue to teach and encourage me.

I can’t imagine trying to write professionally and not taking advantage of the vast resources Mount Hermon’s Writers Conference offers each year. It is truly a gift and worth every penny.

Mona and her husband, Gary, co-authored Unfaithful, Hope & Healing after Infidelity, published by David. C. Cook in 2006 with a revision released in 2009.  She’s had several articles published and is active in a local professional writer’s group.  She and her husband minister to couples in crisis through Hope & Healing Ministries.  www.hopeandhealing.us

When I first came to Mount Hermon four years ago, I had virtually no knowledge of the writing industry, or the craft.  During my three years of attending the conference I had the chance to be mentored by two amazing Christian authors and learn about the industry from agents, editors, and other writers.  The free critiques helped me fine-tune my writing.  I now have a well-respected agent and am working on revising my novel.  Mount Hermon Christian Writers conference is a great place to go if you want to learn how to get started as a writer.  The community is friendly and helpful, and the knowledge is absolutely priceless.

Catherine Felt, YA Fantasy Novelist

L-R InkBlotz Writers Group members Joanne Reese, Cheri Williams, Catherine Felt, Hillari Delgado, Jennifer Vallier.

Just a reminder that Mount Hermon is the only Writers Conference that caters to all levels of writer, from the beginner,  intermediate, to the professional. Our goal is to be able to advance skills for all levels of proficiency.  We love serving all of you at the level of your abilities.

Rachel Williams, Director of Writers Conference

“I find it difficult to put my Mount Hermon experience into words.  I could talk about the cozy accommodations, the great food and the breathtaking surroundings.  I could tell you that career-boosting connections and lifelong friendships were made, that mentoring help was accumulated by the truckload, and critiquing comments polished me up until I shined.  All would be true.  But for the sake of honesty, I feel the need to post a disclaimer:  God showed up!  His presence was more real to me than it had ever been.  And coming down off that mountain air, I knew two things.  One, just how difficult becoming a writer was going to be; and two, that God was calling me to something so much bigger than myself.”

Joanne Reese (http://www.joannereese.com) contributes regularly to a local on-line magazine called www.myturlock.com.  Her devotions have been published on www.CBN.com, and she has been published in Light & Life magazine.  An article will also appear in Vista magazine during the summer of 2010.  She has composed several articles for her church’s newsletter and has created Bible study curriculum for home groups.

Joanne is pictured with her 2009 Mentor Karen O’Connor

The Lord has His creative ways of working things out for Writers Conference each year, and this year is no exception.  Several of our faculty members have had to cancel and I wanted to let you know.

TRICIA GOYER, our Teen Track instructor, and her husband have been trying to adopt a little Chinese baby for the past three years, but have continually faced a non-responsive, frustrating process.  Last week they got a call about a baby that will be born the first week of March right in their area . . . did they want to adopt this child?  What would you say if you were in their shoes?  Of course they want the child!  Because they can’t take their little girl across statelines until the adoption is final (which could take considerable time) this cuts out Writers Conference for them!  Tricia was sad/happy . . . sad, because she really wanted to teach the Teen Track . . . happy with this incredible gift God has placed in their laps.  I totally understand.  How could I not?  Tricia has agreed to teach the 2011 Teen Track!  Thanks, Tricia!

Wednesday  God provided BRYAN DAVIS to fill in for Tricia.  Bryan was our Teen Track instructor in 2008 and the students loved him.  And he loved them, staying up ’til all hours of the night helping them with their writing projects.  Even though Bryan has a seminary degree and a degree in industrial engineering, he relates well with the teens.  We’re so excited Bryan had the time to fill this vital position.

Two other instructors have had to cancel because of unexpected surgeries.  VICKI CRUMPTON, executive editor with Revell/Baker Publishing Group, let me know several weeks ago the doctor wants her to have neck surgery as soon as possible.  She asked if it were possible to fill her spot with Revell’s senior editor ANDREA DOERING.  Now she’s worried that we’ll like Andrea so much we may never invite her back!  Not a chance, Vicki, and thanks for helping me fill this spot!

Then agent JANET BENREY, with Benrey Literary, ended up hurting her knee right around the holidays, and is facing knee surgery, which didn’t bode well for her hobbling around Mount Hermon’s hilly terrain.  We have filled her spot with agent SANDRA BISHOP of MacGregor Literary.

I see this as clear proof  God cares about writers conference and has His people in line to help make it the best possible.  I’m looking forward to what He is going to do.

TIME LEFT: Just a reminder there’s only two months left to save your shekels and register for this awesome conference that will change your life!  Hustle gang!

Looking forward to seeing you here . . . soon!