Cecil B. Murphey Foundation Scholarships
to Active Members of Christian Writers' Groups

Dear Christian writers' group leader -

For 27 years the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference has worked to encourage and equip Christians to write about a God who is real, who is reachable, and who changes lives! The theme for our August 11-14 conference, again from Habakkuk 2:2, is “Write His Answer.” I am very excited about how I see Father at work in this year’s Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference. He has provided a great faculty with a number of new to GPCWC authors, editors, and agents.

GPCWC is definitely a conference that is developing novelists. This year we’re again offering a clinic for not-yet-published novelists with Joyce Magnin whose first novel, The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow, was selected by Library Journal as one of the top five Christian titles of 2009. Award-winning multi-published author, Susan Meissner, recipient of the 2009 ECPA Christian Book Award for fiction for The Shape of Mercy will be leading a Women's Fiction Clinic. We’re also offering two continuing sessions for novelists – "Adapting Your Book for Film" with Kathryn Mackel and "Focus on Fiction" with Jeanette Windle whose Tyndale House release, Veiled Freedom, has been nominated for a Christy award and ECPA Christian Book Award.

In response to the changes and new opportunities in the publishing world, we're offering "The Christian Self-Publisher" as a continuing session. Because building your platform and marketing is a key to success, Terry Whalin will teach a new continuing session on "Marketing - The Constant Drumbeat."

I'm happy to have Linda Evans Shepherd with us again teaching a continuing session on "Reaching Women through Writing and More." Linda is president of Right to the Heart Ministries, leader of AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and co-president of three Internet TV companies. She is also the author of 30 books.

With us again is Jim Watkins, editor of Vista, acquisitions editor for Wesleyan Publishing House, and editorial advisor for ACW Press. Jim has written over 2,000 articles and is the author of 15 books including a must-have book for every Christian writer, Communicate to Change Lives. Jim will be teaching a continuing session on Writing Nonfiction Books that Changes Lives and giving the closing keynote. And Dave Fessenden, managing editor at CLC Publications, again will lead the Nonfiction Book clinic.

Because of the importance and urgency of reaching children with the Good News, Nancy I Sanders, author of over 80 books, will teach a continuing session on "Yes! You Can Write for Children."

Last but definitely not least is the keynote by Dr. John M. Perkins, "Love Is the Final Fight." I met him many years ago at Mount Hermon and am so glad to have him on faculty. Along with Steven Lawson of Regal Books and Geraldine Ryerson-Cruz of World Vision he will teach the new continuing session on "Justice, Compassion & Advocacy Writing."

Can you tell that I'm excited and deeply grateful for my friend, Cec Murphey? He is offering FOUR full scholarships to cover the cost of registration to active members of Christian writers' groups.

Is there someone in your group who needs the encouragement and practical help that GPCWC offers? This is your opportunity to affirm him and his writing through your recommendation that he (or she!) receive one of the Cecil B. Murphey Foundation scholarship ($295 value).

As you pray about this, please consider:

- Is he committed to the Lord Jesus Christ and eager to serve Him through writing?

- Is he committed to becoming a craftsman of excellence?

 - Is he an active member of your group?

- Do you believe his writing has the potential to impact many lives but that he is in need of the encouragement and practical help the conference will offer?

 In 250 words or less tell us who you are recommending and why, based on the above criteria. Please include his contact info: USPS address, email address, and phone number. Your recommendation needs to be received via email no later than July 1. Please send to mbagnull@aol.com.

Before submitting your recommendation, please check with the individual to make certain he would be able to come. The individual would be responsible for his travel expense, meals, and housing. Campus housing is available at $35 a night (two to a room in Philadelphia Biblical University's Heritage Hall). 

You will be notified by July 5 whether or not the writer you recommended has been chosen to receive a scholarship. Seven runners-up will receive a free copy of my book Write His Answer - A Bible Study for Christian Writers. Click on Bible Studies at www.writehisanswer.com to learn more about this book that a number of groups have used as part of their meetings.

Father, I trust that You have already chosen the writers You want to encourage through these scholarships and through Write His Answer. Thank You in advance for what You're going to do in their lives. And thank You, Father, for Cec and for the faithfulness of these group leaders. Please bless them all in special and unexpected ways.

 In Him – Marlene

P.S. Be sure to include the name of your group in your email recommendation.