#FaithLitChat on Twitter TONIGHT Thursday 3.15 6-7pm PST

Wordserve agent Barbara Scott, multi-published author (fiction and non) Mary DeMuth, and more will join us on Twitter TONIGHT with tips, techniques and how-tos to help showcase your manuscript in the best way possible. Learn how to present your pitch, plus—the one thing you must never EVER do.

And… thanks to Mary DeMuth, we have MORE PRIZES!

While you’re desperately awaiting tonight’s life-changing event, check out Mary DeMuth’s Queries Now: You Can Write One Today! and literary agent Rachelle Gardner’s: Secrets of a Great Pitch.

Utilize Randy Ingermanson’s Snowflake Method and agent Steve Laube’s Say it in a Sentence to develop a solid one-sentence summary—then bring your tweetable pitch TONIGHT.

And please—help spread the word by sharing the link to this blog wherever writers gather!

If you’ve never joined a Twitter chat before, do not despair. It’s as easy as 1-2-3-4-5

1)                     Log into your Twitter account

2)                     Go to tweetchat.com

3)                     Click Sign In (the top right corner)

4)                     Click authorize app

5)                     At the top of the screen is a box labeled Enter Hashtag to Follow, type in FaithLitChat (# sign not necessary)

**To the right of each tweet are icons for Replying and Retweeting

by Jeanette Hanscome

This week I am tackling one of my favorite parts of the Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference—matching first-time registrants with their pre-conference buddies.

Maybe you’ve heard of this program, known as the Buddy System. You might be wondering . . .

What is the Buddy System?

Think of the Buddy System as a pre-conference mentoring program. If you ask to be part of it, you will have someone to answer your pre-conference questions, help you set realistic goals and understand what to expect, pray for you, and offer pointers on pitching ideas to editors, choosing workshops and getting the most out of the conference. You will also have someone to check in with during the conference.

I want a buddy. How can I get one?

If you are attending the Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference for the first time and want a buddy, contact me at jeanettehanscome@sbcglobal.net and ask me to add you to the list.

How does one qualify to be a buddy?

If you want to serve as a buddy, the only requirement is that you have attended the conference at least once. If you don’t feel ready to offer tips on approaching editors and submitting book proposals, don’t let that stop you. There are ways for you to help. I need a lot of buddies!

Is serving as a buddy time consuming?

Serving as a buddy mostly involves answering questions via e-mail, offering guidance as needed, and helping your first-timer feel welcome. Newbies are encouraged to step out and enjoy the conference once they arrive, so other than attending the Friday night Meet & Greet and checking in with your first-timer(s) partway through the weekend, serving will not interfere with your personal conference goals. Those who serve as buddies say that it is extremely rewarding and fun. Think of it as a way of giving back and offering someone else the encouragement and guidance that you needed as a newbie. To sign up as a buddy or find out more, e-mail me at jeanettehanscome@sbcglobal.net.

“Have I missed the deadline?”

I am matching first-timers with buddies this week, but you can still contact me after that. Even if you sign up for the conference at the last minute, feel free to e-mail me. While you might not have time to benefit from pre-conference mentoring, I have some helpful resources for you.

With all that the Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference has to offer, how could coordinating a buddy program be one of your favorite parts?

A friend and I started the Buddy System several years ago as a way of giving back to the conference that had given us so much. It has been fun to watch the program grow and see God use it to form friendship and help writers gain confidence. It is especially exciting when former first-timers start serving as buddies.

So if you were a newbie last year, I would love to hear from you!

Writers Conferences are popping up everywhere—what’s a writer to do?

Join #FaithLitChat and get your questions answered!

Should you attend any of them?

Which one?

Why?

At what point in your writing career?

Which conference will best suit your individual needs?

And how, oh how, can you justify the expense?

#FaithLitChat, Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference’s first-ever Twitter chat is on for Thursday, February 23^rd from 6-7pm PST. Aka: TOMORROW NIGHT!

Authors James Scott Bell, Mary DeMuth and a host of Christian Publishing pros (agents and editors included) will be available to discuss conference etiquette, tips and how-tos and answer your specific publishing questions. Plus… there will be PRIZES.

Join #FaithLitChat for a chance to win!!

A 15-minute phone consultation with literary agent Barbara Scott of WordServe Literary. Pitch your project or pick her brains—the choice is yours!

A 5-10 page (double spaced) non-fiction critique by author Jan Kern of the Mount Hermon critique team.

A 20 page (double spaced) fiction critique—and a free 30 minute follow-up conversation—with novelist Ginny Yttrup.

Plus, books, books, books and more!!

If you’ve never joined a Twitter chat before, do not despair. It’s as easy as 1-2-3-4-5

1)                     Log into your Twitter account

2)                     Go to tweetchat.com

3)                     Click Sign In (the top right corner)

4)                     Click authorize app

5)                     At the top of the screen is a box labeled Enter Hashtag to Follow, type in FaithLitChat (# sign not necessary)

**To the right of each tweet are icons for Replying and Retweeting

It’s possible #FaithLitChat will become a regular event so be sure to tune in and give us your thoughts on future topics!

by Ginny L. Yttrup

When I step onto the grounds of Mount Hermon this spring for the annual Christian Writers Conference, I’ll do so knowing I’m treading on sacred ground. It isn’t just the rich history of Christian ministry that’s taken place there over the last 100+ years—nor is it the grandeur of creation—the redwoods standing as sentries declaring the glory of God. Those are simply the backdrops against which God fulfills dreams dreamt in accordance with His will. And that, in my mind, is sacred territory.

20 years ago, I was a shy, insecure 30 year old with a husband and two toddlers back at home. I’d barely graduated from high school and hadn’t attended college, instead choosing to marry at 19. All I brought with me to that first writers conference was a dream. Lord, I’d love to be a writer, I’d confessed earlier that year.

Year after year, I returned to the conference. And year after year, my knowledge increased. Everything I now know about writing, I learned through the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference—knowledge garnered through the many workshops I attended or through the relationships I built.

When I reached 47 years of age, I was still dreaming the same dream. But now, the husband was gone, the toddlers were grown, and for the first time in my adult life I was staring at the daunting task of having to provide for myself, and my future. I was dependent on God as never before—which is a frightening, and oh so glorious position. It’s also sacred ground.

Two weeks into my new adventure with God, I received an email from my agent, Steve Laube, who I’d met through the conference. The email simply said, Call me. I was in transition, with my life crashing around me, and I’d neglected to give Steve my new phone number. I picked up the phone that morning and heard the news that God was finally fulfilling my dream. But not only fulfilling it, He was exceeding it.

By the time I hung up the phone, I’d verbally accepted a three-book offer with B&H Publishing Group. Not one book, but three, with advances, actual money, attached to each book. And, I’d be working with my dream editor, Karen Ball.

Just remembering that morning leaves me speechless all over again.

Last December, I signed a second three-book contract with B&H Publishing Group. While we all know writers don’t make enough to live on, I’ve lived the last two years working as a full-time author. I’m not sure how that’s worked, but I choose not to look at the numbers too often and instead trust that God is again exceeding my expectations.

Speaking of numbers, yes, it was 17 years before God fulfilled my dream. But those were not wasted years.

Here are a few things I learned along the way:

1)   If God has planted the seed of a dream in your heart, it will take root and flourish.

2)   God will equip and prepare you for the fulfillment of your dream.

3)   At some point, God will ask you to surrender your dream to Him. For the dream is never more important than the One who planted the dream.

4)   God acts in His time and His way, always with your best in mind.

5)   If you are chasing the will of God, you will encounter obstacles. Perseverance isn’t optional.

6)   God is in the business of doing exceedingly abundantly more than we expect.

7)   Exceedingly and Abundantly are ly adverbs and using ly adverbs breaks the rules of writing. It has something to do with telling versus showing.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory…

Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV

I hope to see you walking the sacred ground of the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference this spring.

Ginny L. Yttrup is the author of Words and Lost and Found, both of which released to rave reviews. She is working to complete her third novel with B&H Publishing Group, and is contracted for three more after that. She is a child of God, mother, friend, and obsessive pet-lover. She attended her first Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference 20 years ago, when she was just 5 years old.

42 Days

Till you are bathed in Liz Curtis Higgs‘ encouragement and humor

42 Days

Till you are surrounded by God’s presence, His people, His creation

42 Days

Till you connect with major publishers and the industry’s most respected literary agents

42 Days

Till professional writers pour themselves into you and your manuscript

42 Days

Till you are fed, pampered and loved—dishes and laundry cease to exist

42 Days

Till you are one step closer to having your dreams come true

42 Days

Have you registered yet?

Over the past years the importance of an agent representing the writer has increased geometrically.  Publishing houses depend more and more on agent recommendations and those who are successful have agents that work hard to get their names in front of acquisition teams.

This year at our  2012 Mount Hermon Writers Conference, EIGHT agents will be available to registrants, more than we’ve ever had.  Many have agented for multiple years and know the ropes well.  Janet Kobobel Grant, Steve Laube, Less Stobbe, Wendy Lawton, Diane Flegal have all been in the business for a long time and have well-known writers in their stables.  Karen Ball, Barbara Scott and Joel Kneedler have been in the publishing business for years and now have started agenting.  Their experience on both sides of the court is incredible.

Where else can you have access to so many agents in a limited space? Come get to know some of the best in the business and see what God will do with your writing through the connections available to you this year.  Check us out at www.mounthermon.org/writers.  Hope to see you in March.

Have you heard who’s speaking at our 2012 Mount Hermon Writers Conference?  Well known speaker and author, Liz Curtis Higgs, has accepted our invitation to keynote, March 30-April 3, 2012.  Learn more about her at www.lizcurtishiggs.com.

Liz will make you hold your sides with laughter, motivate you in your writing, and make you think about spiritual things in light of your projects, all in the same breath.  If she was the only thing scheduled, it would be worth it, but there’s going to be much more . . .

Since the industry has recently been affected by e-books and self-publishing on the internet, we’re going to put more of an emphasis on finding out what’s involved in this area.  Learn from Advanced e-book authors, James Scott Bell and Randy Ingermanson, some intermediate e-book gurus, and some who have just tried it recently and been successful.  We hope to hit every level of writer in the process so you know what you’re getting into if you think this is what you’d like to do. 

But we aren’t forgetting the value of our book houses and editors of magazines, either.  Check out our faculty listing on the web www.mounthermon.org/writers to see who will be here to instruct you in the traditional art of publication.  There are some great ones coming.

And this year we have EIGHT agents as well.  In the past years agents have been the avenue for most successful writers being signed to contracts.   Have you even considered this?  Do you have a project that would warrant talking with an agent?  It’s worth a try, isn’t it?  This is a great spot to have that chance for networking with industry people.

Of course, there are the other intangibles that make this conference worth it’s price . . . connecting with other writers and finding encouragement and support, gaining instruction from our 8 Major Morning Tracks and the 40 afternoon workshops, enjoying some wonderful food around tables of eight, taking a break for a soul refreshing hike on our Sequoia Trail, or meeting an editor or a friend in the Snack Shop for a good talk and some awesome homemade ice cream. 

Spring is a spectacular time of year in California, so don’t forget a camera to capture the incredible beauty of the towering redwoods, the splashes of color from the Dogwood trees, or Azaleas and Rhodedendrun bushes.  It’s one of the best places on earth at the end of March!!  Particularly if you’re from the Midwest or further East–get out of the snow and join us!

The website goes live tomorrow morning, 8:00 PTS.  We look forward to having you here!

There are only SEVEN more months before our 44th Annual Mount Hermon Writers Conference, March 30-April 3, 2012.  It’s going to be a doozey!  Is that a word?

Besides the normally wonderful parts of this conference–networking with other writers, getting to personally talk with book publishers, editors and agents–we’ll be pushing out a little, exploring alternative publishing with self-publishing, e-books etc.  Building on our past two years of instruction on marketing and doing publicity by social networking on the web, we’ll bring in experts to help you learn the how-to’s.

The need for great writing won’t be forgotten in the process, however.  You’ll have opportunity to learn from pros in the craft of writing, from Major Morning Tracks to optional hour long workshops in the afternoon.  Every level of  writer, be they beginning writer, intermediate or professional will have ample opportunity to learn a lot.

Liz Curtis Higgs

Our keynote speaker, Liz Curtis Higgs, is well known for her motivational, humorous teaching, as well as a great fiction writer with many books published.  You’ll get that extra “push” each evening, along with great worship led by Mount Hermon’s own incomparable Dave Talbott, Host of the conference.  Many say the evening sessions feed their souls like no other place on earth.

Great food in the dining room along with the awesome glory of the Redwoods and flowering trees in March will be the backdrop of an incredible experience.  Come join several hundred other writers and see what God has to teach you this year!

We’ll leave the light on for ya . . .

Rachel Williams
Director, Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference

Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference is one of my favorite places on earth.  It is like Disneyland for the writer except with less rides and more editors.  You will find everything you need to know about the craft of writing here, along with insight into the writing market and the opportunity to make fantastic friends.

It is because of Mount Hermon’s unique ability to connect writer to agent and editor that after a ten year writing journey, my first book, All I Need Is Jesus and A Good Pair Of Jeans:The Tired Supergirl’s Search for Grace came out in 2009. Each time I attended the conference I came away feeling enriched, built up and excited to write.

Susanna Foth Aughtmon is a pastor’s wife and mother of three boys. She graduated from Bethany University with a BA in Social Science emphasizing psychology and early childhood education. After pursuing various careers, including starting her own organizing business, she decided to stay home as a full time mom. She assists her husband, Scott, in various ministries at Pathway Church, their church plant, in Palo Alto, California.

Prepare. Pack. Pray.

Check the weather.

Print the directions to Mount Hermon.

You did it! You’re ready for the best conference yet.

Now… relax and enjoy what God has in store for you.

We can’t wait to see you!

Directions here