Marlene is the director of the Colorado and the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conferences and publisher/editor, Ampelos Press—a small subsidy house that helps Christians self-publish affordably yet professionally. She has over 1,000 sales to Christian periodicals and is the author of five books including Write His Answer - A Bible Study for Christian Writers and the compiler/editor of three books. She is in the process of acquiring manuscripts for a new compilation (too long on hold), tentatively titled, Train Up a Child - Devotional Thoughts for Parents.

Continuing Session - The Christian Self-Publisher
Thursday at 4:45 Marlene will serve on a panel of reps from companies that can help you self-publish.

Editorial Needs - Ampelos Press publishes only one or two titles a year. I am especially interested in helping authors self-publish books about missions and the needs of children such as Karleen Dewey's The Place of the Mourning Doves - Reaching Out to Romanian Orphans and Benard's Vision - The Quest of a Kenyan Pastor.

Tony Bonds
Editor, Rainbow Publishers and Legacy Press
www.RainbowPublishers.com      http://www.legacypresskids.com/

Tony is the editor for Rainbow Publishers and Legacy Press, publishers of children's Christian books. He holds an MFA in creative writing from San Diego State University and is a published author.
 

Workshop - Writing Fiction Children Want to Read (E15 Wednesday 4:45) What draws young readers into a narrative world? How do we know if kids will want to read what we write? E.B. White, the author of Charlotte's Web, said, "Children are the most attentive, curious, eager, observant, sensitive, quick, and generally congenial readers on earth." In this workshop, we will investigate key themes, plots, settings, and characters that occur in selected works of fiction for children and young adults. We will also discuss and practice a few key techniques and elements of the craft that can be used to create unforgettable stories. Paid Critiques - Articles, devotionals, and short stories for children; early readers; chapter books (middle grade) and novels for children; young adult, tween, and teen novels; science fiction; fantasy Greatest Editorial Needs - Fun, imaginative books that lend themselves to serialization; devotions that make the Bible come alive for kids; books with a distinctive voice that kids can relate to. Overworked Topics: Retellings of biblical stories; stories that involve little or no biblical teaching.Online submission guidelines: http://www.rainbowpublishers.com/submissions.aspx and http://www.legacypresskids.com/submissions.php

Sue Brower
Executive Editor, Fiction & Inspiration
Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Publishers
http://www.zondervan.com

Sue is Executive Editor for Fiction at Zondervan. She says, "It is a pleasure to work with such bestselling authors as Karen Kingsbury, Terri Blackstock, Robin Jones Gunn, Brandilyn Collins, and many others." Prior to taking on this role, she was Sr. Director of Marketing for Fiction and Inspirational products for over thirteen years. Fiction is business as well as pleasure for Sue as she is an avid reader of both inspirational and mainstream novels.  Early in her career with Zondervan, Sue’s focus was on book and Bible research and store research for Family Christian Stores.
      Sue is on the Advisory Board for the Christy Awards and a member of ACE (Academy of Christian Editors).  She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with husband, Todd, and “kidz,” Pepper and Shep.

Hope started her writing career as a freelance writer/journalist for Christianity Today, Charisma, Focus on the Family, Campus Life, and various other child, teen, and adult magazines. In the last nine years, she authored four books with outstanding publishers including Bethany House, Destiny Image, and Charisma House, while contributing short stories or articles to other compilations. Her most noted works are three novels based on true testimonies of religious persecution and revival in China. Hope’s latest novel, I’ll Cross the River, was released in English in May 2008 and released in Dutch and Korean in 2009. I’ll Cross the River is based on factual stories of starving North Korean citizens who are desperately seeking food and freedom by crossing the Tumen River to escape into China. 
     Hope's latest work is an adult picture book that gives a stirring account of a child’s rescue story—a gripping story told in pictures drawn by a child who endured starvation, arrest, and imprisonment in North Korea. Out of North Korea, A Korean Boy Tells His Rescue Story in Pictures, is the first in a series of books Hope intends to publish from her upstart publishing company, History Maker Publishing.

Keynote - The Power of the Cross (Wednesday 7:30 pm)
When the eyes of God look down from heaven on the evil and the good, will He find His writers near the cross? Find out why a best-selling writer, the Apostle Paul, was resolved to be known by nothing but Christ and His cross. Worship in prayer and song with Hope at the foot of “The Old Rugged Cross” where the war of the ages was fought to save us from sin and return us to our Father’s glory. And while you are there, look around. Priceless friendships are fashioned at the foot of the cross.

Workshops - Critiquing Your Manuscript (1:15 - 2:00 Friday)
Hope will provide tips for critiquing your own manuscript as well as review questions editors/publishers ask when critiquing a manuscript.

Journalism that Makes a Difference (3D  - Friday 2:15)
Is God calling you to collect and present news through the media? Hope says, "The best journalist journals God's journey. Wise men still seek Him. And if you're in the center of doing what God made you to do, you will find that your dream will lead you to the Messiah, too.

Continuing Session - The Christian Self-Publisher
Thursday at 4:45 Hope will serve on a panel of reps from companies that can help you self-publish.

Paid Critiques - Hope is experienced in writing and editing fiction and nonfiction books for adults, children’s picture books and chapter books, and news/feature articles.  

Editorial Needs - HigherLife Publishing - Hope loves to talk to new and experienced authors who are seeking publication. She says, "Most traditional publishers are cutting back on the few titles that they are releasing each year and, while they are less willing to take a risk on an unknown author, there are a few who are looking for that one book that shines, that special manuscript that grabs them when they read the first page. If that’s your book, then I’d like to see it!" 
History Maker Publishing - Interested in telling the stories of children who were rescued by a miracle.  Do you know a child who was rescued by a miracle and needs to tell his or her story in pictures? Please talk to Hope! 

Jeff has been called the de facto gatekeeper of Christian science fiction and fantasy. From his own published fiction to his days at three major Christian publishing companies to his current endeavor as publisher of Marcher Lord Press, Jeff has been an unfailing champion of Christian speculative fiction. The weird stuff. Jeff's The Art & Craft of Writing Christian Fiction has become a conference favorite across the country. His new fiction craft book from Writer's Digest Books, Plot vs. Character, was released last fall. Jeff and his wife of 21 years live in Colorado Springs with their daughter and son and a special needs little girl from China who they adopted.

Clinic - Fiction Intensive for Not-Yet-Published Novelists

Paid Critiques - Fantasy, science fiction, speculative fiction, supernatural thrillers, technothrillers

Editorial Needs -  Marcher Lord Press publishes only the coolest speculative stories from the Christian worldview. So if you've got one you think is amazing but you realize the traditional Christian publishing industry is not the place for you, you're in the right place. Only completed manuscripts of over 65,000 words are considered. Be sure to check out the guidelines on the Marcher Lord website.

Kathy is a full-time freelance editor and writing mentor; a published author and ghostwriter/collaborator; an Editor Services Coordinator, matching authors, publishers, and agents with professional freelance editors/proofreaders through the Christian Editor Network; and the founder and coordinator of The Christian PEN, Proofreaders and Editors Network; a professional support organization for people who are aspiring or established editorial freelancers. Kathy is also the author of Polishing the "PUGS": Punctuation, Usage, Grammar, and Spelling Tips for Writers.

Workshops -  How to Become a Freelance Editor/Proofreader (E7 Wednesday 2:15)
Have you ever considered the possibility of becoming a freelance editor and/or proofreader, but didn’t have the foggiest idea how to begin or whether you’d be successful? Learn how one full-time freelance editor started her business and made it work. Includes advantages and disadvantages of freelancing, how to determine if this is a good direction for you, and concrete steps to success.

Write & Sell Church Play Scripts (6G - Saturday 1:00)
How to write, format, and market scripts for skits, sketches, monologues, one-acts, and full-length plays. Script-writing skills are illustrated in improvisational skits performed by volunteers from the class.

Continuing Session - The Christian Self-Publisher
Thursday at 4:45 Kathy will serve on a panel of reps from companies that can help you self-publish.

Paid Critiques - Articles, devotionals, drama and skits, nonfiction books, contemporary fiction, romance, romantic suspense

Editorial Needs -  

Workshops - Why a Platform is Imperative (4F - Friday, 3:30)
Discover what it takes to get noticed by a publisher and why a platform is imperative. You may be surprised at the importance of editorial content versus the marketability of the author and book. Today a well-written book is proving not to be enough. This workshop will equip you with the ideas you will need to build a platform that will get the attention of publishers. This class is primarily for nonfiction writers.

Book Proposals that Make an Impression (5E - Saturday, 10:45)
Bill has reviewed thousands of book proposals and has participated in publishing committees for 25 years. In the incredibly competitive world of book publishing it takes a great proposal to get noticed. Book proposals should be designed to meet the needs of the publisher and the dynamics of the publishing committee. Often they are not. Bill will bring his knowledge and experience to teach you what it takes to create a professional proposal that will be taken seriously by publishers.

The Role of Agents in Publishing (6A - Saturday 1:00)
Most writers are focused on just one thing, getting published. However, what takes place once a publisher makes an offer for your book is critically important. This class will discuss what is to be expected regarding; advances, royalty, editorial processes and expectations, manuscript due dates, release date, author’s involvement in critical publishing decisions, and more. The long range impact on an author’s career from this process is significant.

Editorial Needs - Bill and other publishing professionals have launched a new kind of publishing company which is embracing the future of eBooks along with print-on-demand. Eagle Rock Publishers is a royalty based publisher with absolutely no fees or hidden costs. Eagle Rock’s editorial standards are consistent with the print publishing industry. Someone has said, “In the future a book will not be a thing, but a place where the author and reader meet.” Eagle Rock Publishers has staked its claim in that future and is looking for authors to join us.

Eddie Acquisition Editor for the book division of Christian Devotions Ministries - www.christiandevotionsbooks.com. He has authored four nonfiction books, one adult and a young adult novel. He’s written hundreds of articles that have appeared in over 20 different publications. He teaches writers workshops and co-writes the popular devotion, He Said, She Said with Cindy Sproles.

Writing Devotions that Impact (5D - Saturday 10:45) with Cindy Sproles

Continuing Session - Advanced Writers Only (Saturday 2:15 - 4:00 with Cindy Sproles)
Eddie and Cindy will teach the 2:15 Saturday session on Amazing Marketing Results for Little or No Money. They will show you how to get storefront space in the showroom of the world’s largest bookseller (Amazon), ways to market your books through Skype, cell-phone, internet radio, YouTube, and Video Blogs technology, and how casting your readers as characters in your next book is a “killer” idea. Learn how selecting a cause or charity can create FREE media interest in your book and drive sales. 

Paid Critiques - Action/adventure; contemporary suspense/ crime/mystery; romantic suspense; and young adult, tweens, and teen novels. Devotionals and personal experience stories. Articles, devotionals, short stories or novels for children.

Editorial Needs - ChristianDevotions.us welcomes submissions from published authors, seasoned writers, and aspiring writers. For guidelines and helpful writing tips click here.We are especially looking for niche book devotionals that are well crafted, present a unique message, and impact readers in a meaningful way. If you have a devotional book that has received favorable comments from other publishers but was rejected because of its narrow focus, we would like to speak with you.
     Devokids.com is looking for kid writers. Kids ages 6-teens who are interested in writing devotions, food articles, money articles, games and fun things, music. We'd like to have this site become a KID site. We encourage writers to look at the site and see all the links, roam through the pages and see what is there, and then hopefully find something that strikes their fancy. We welcome adults and kids but we're really pushing for kid writers.

Paid Critiques - Women's fiction, speculative fiction, contemporary and historical fiction.

Editorial Needs - Christian Fiction, any genre, including but not limited to: Romance, Women’s Fiction, Lit, Mystery, Suspense/Thriller, Historical Fiction, and International Fiction.  Will consider both full-length novels between 60,000-80,000 words and short stories between 1500-2000 words. Will look at poetry, original art, and original photography. Will also consider, in collaboration with and approved by Kristine Pratt, potential referrals to other WWC editors: Speculative, YA, and Manga.

Steve is Senior Editor at Regal Publishing Group.  He ran a news service reporting on the Persecuted Church in the 1980s and formerly worked with Christian Solidarity International and on assignment for World Vision International.

Workshop -  Writing on Social Justice Issues (2G, Thursday 3:30)
How to balance passion and objectivity to effectively communicate your concerns.

Editorial Needs - Regal is looking for well-written books that connect with readers from authors with significant platforms: Evangelism, Discipleship, Spiritual Formation, Christian Growth, Family, Marriage, Devotionals, Church Growth, Leadership, Small Group Resources, Memoirs. Will also consider new authors with extremely well-written and conceived manuscripts, particularly those with a unique hook (in 2008 we published The Official Soccer Mom Devotional by first-time author Lynne Thompson who developed her skills at writing conferences) or proven message (in 2009 we published first-time author Maren Angelotti’s Of Different Minds: Seeing Your AD/HD Child Through the Eyes of God). We will publish a limited number of biographies (particularly in the missions, justice, and healing areas), but they must be extremely well written.
    We are NOT looking for fiction, children’s books, gift books, cook books, books that people do not read, Bible studies (only from pastors or established authors), or theology textbooks.

Catherine serves as Publisher and Editor for Cladach Publishing, which she founded in 1999. She is the author of the biblical novel Face To Face, and has written for numerous publications and compilations. With a degree in English and post-graduate theological studies, she has served as Bible teacher, lay preacher, church musician, and editor of several nonprofit publications. She and her husband, Larry, live in Greeley, Colorado.

Workshop - Best Publishing Plan for You? (6E - Saturday 1:00)
A look at royalty houses (large & small), self-publishing companies, DIY (Do It Yourself), co-op publishing, and more.

Paid Critiques - Fiction and nonfiction book proposals, contemporary and historical novels

Editorial Needs - Cladach acquires and publishes 2-3 titles per year on a royalty basis. As a small publisher (with a staff of 4) we're willing to try books that don't "fit the mold." Peruse our website to see what titles/authors we are publishing and check out the guidelines on our author page. Generally we are not looking at theology, devotionals, sermons, or youth books. We are considering queries/proposals with sample chapters and marketing plans for fiction (most genres) and nonfiction (topics and experiences that show Creator/Redeemer God actively working in this world and that help readers experience His presence and power).

Kathi is a multi-award winning writer and radio talk show host who has authored 30 books and ghostwritten several others. Her most recent releases are three novels in New Hope Publishers Extreme Devotion Series. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences. She received the prestigious 2008 member of the year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) at the annual Golden Scrolls award banquet. Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband, Al, where the two of them spend their free time riding their Harley.

Workshops - Train of Thought Writing Method (E11 - Wednesday 4:45)
Practical, user-friendly help for beginning writers on how to write clear, compelling, and readable manuscripts.

Do You Have Issues with Fiction? (4C - Friday, 3:30))
Explore the possibilities and purpose of developing a novel or series based on a major issue and how that can help you break out of the pack.

Continuing Session - The Christian Self-Publisher
Thursday at 4:45 Kathi will serve on a panel of reps from companies that can help you self-publish.

Paid Critiques - Fiction and nonfiction book proposals; novels (action/adventure, contemporary, crime/mystery, women's); nonfiction books; humor

Editorial Needs, New Hope Publishers - Our focus is missional - meeting readers where they are, taking readers to where God is at work in their lives, and taking readers to where God is at work in the world - calling them to look beyond self to show God's love in word and action. We are looking for authors with missional hearts and voice in their writing. We publish nonfiction that addresses spirituality, worldview, leadership, family and women, ministry, evangelism. We are not looking for fiction authors at this point. If the right fiction author comes along, we'll consider it but not casting a fiction net at this time.

Andrew is a publishing specialist with BelieversPress. He has helped over 150 authors get their books from manuscript form to their audiences' hands. His passion for helping authors learn the ins and outs of publishing are put to use every day at BelieversPress. BelieversPress exists to come alongside authors who are self publishing to deliver the quality, expertise and resources needed to compete in today’s publishing world. 

Continuing Session - The Christian Self-Publisher (Sessions 1, 3 & 5)
Andrew will walk you through the self-publishing process emphasizing the ways you can grow your ministry or career, spread the message God has laid on your heart, and build your platform. He'll cover developing a plan; shaping the content; editing and design; finding a printer; distributing, marketing, promoting, and selling your book; and finding fans, resources, and support.
     The Thursday afternoon session will feature a panel of representatives from companies that can help you self-publish. Friday afternoon conferees who have self-published a book are invited to serve on a panel to share how-to and how-not-to tips.

Kim has been in publishing for 15 years. Though she has a passion for fiction, Kim works with both fiction and nonfiction authors, including Mindy Starns Clark, Lori Copeland, Lysa TerKeurst, Sharon Jaynes, and Stormie Omartian. Kim makes her home in the green and beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Kristine is CEO and Editor-in-Chief, primarily supervising the editorial side of the business. Trained by Terry Burns of Hartline Literary Agency and Jeff Gerke of Marcher Lord Press, she brings her years of experience to WWC.

Workshop - You Mean I Don't Send Chocolate? (E3 - Wednesday, 1:00)
More than a quick list of what not to do when querying an editor or agent, but an exploration of alternative approaches that work. Bring a sample of a query or proposal that you've been working on and we'll talk about what's working, what isn't, and the easy way to fix this so that your manuscript gets the attention it deserves. Bonus - Rejection letter translation skills - what "no" means exactly!

Paid Critiques - Fantasy, sci-fi, speculative fiction, supernatural thrillers

Editorial Needs - See website for guidelines for WWC's five magazines and five book imprints.
Gambatte! - Written by Anime / Manga fans FOR Anime / Manga fans. General market, launching 2010.
Harpstring - Stories that Resonate. Christian Genre Fiction, launching 2010.
Other Sheep - Everything Extraordinary. Fiction and nonfiction that reflect the Christian worldview in new ways.
Starsongs - Giving voice to the Future. General market, written by kids age 12 - 19.
Untapped - Teens Impacting the World. Christian fiction and nonfiction showing faith in action, aimed at ages 12 - 19.

Raela has been a member of the Bethany House Publishers acquisitions team since 2008. She has worked with both published and soon-to-be published authors, including Bethany Pierce, Elizabeth Camden, and Nancy Mehl. A graduate of Bethel University, she has a degree in marketing and communications. She enjoys living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but loves to travel—both literally and through the pages of a good book.

Editorial Needs - Adult fiction core needs are historical romance, romantic suspense, and women’s contemporary. We may also consider historical fiction and suspense/mystery. We’re not currently seeking end-times, spiritual warfare, or chick-lit.

Kevin Scott is an acquisitions editor at Wesleyan Publishing House in Fishers, Indiana, where he shepherds first-time and experienced authors through the publishing process. Kevin is also a writer, speaker, pastor, and leader of an innovative, missionary community called The Heights Church. Kevin is also representing Vista, Light from the Word, and Wesleyan Life Online.

Editorial Needs - Adult nonfiction books in the following categories: Bible Study, Christian Living, Spiritual Formation, and Ministry Leadership. Not currently publishing fiction, memoirs or personal experience, poetry, children's books, academic works, or textbooks. We publish very few devotional books. For more information see http://www.wesleyan.org/wph/inside/writers_guidelines/ .

Linda is a best selling author, President of Right to the Heart Ministries, and leader of AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) and  co-president of three Internet TV companies including WebTV4Women, WebTV4You, and KudoTV. She's written 30 books including When You Don't Know What to Pray and cowrote the Potluck Club series of novels.  She is a frequent host of Daystar's Denver Celebration and the host of several Internet TV shows including True Miracles, Cooking Up Wonders, and Be a Miracle.

Continuing Session - Reaching Women through Writing and More
Do you want to reach women through writing, speaking, the Internet, and more? Linda will talk about how to formulate a plan to build your ministry to meet the needs of today's women. She will also share tips on how to both publish and utilize different platforms including print, e-publishing, speaking, the Internet and video and web publications to share your message of hope.
    
Paid Critiques - Fiction and nonfiction book proposals, contemporary and women's fiction, chick-lit

Editorial Needs - Jubilant Press specializes in online helps (ebooks) for the women leaders of the church. Currently, we are looking for 50-page manuscripts on how to plan a retreat and how to plan a banquet.

Cindy is a contributing writer to Novel Journey and Novel Reviews, and Christian Devotions. She writes for PML Programs and contributes to the Times-News.net. Her devotions are published in weekly newspapers across the eastern seaboard. She is a contributor to CBN.com. Cindy co-writes the He Said, She Said devotions with Eddie Jones which appear in Common Ground Christian Newspaper and The Good Life Christian Newspaper.

Workshops - Writing Really IS a Ministry! (E13 - Wednesday 4:45)
Writing for God really IS a ministry. Whether you write Christian fiction, nonfiction, or just contribute to your church newsletter, writing is a ministry. In this class we’ll explore the art of writing obituaries, newsletters, ads, blogs, greeting cards, devotions, and church missions proposals. Learning to write within these venues grooms the writer for bigger things while giving you the heart of a servant. Sometimes we simply need to ask, "Lord, what do you want me to write?" God’s purpose for your words may, indeed, be destined for print, or they may be only meant for the person sitting next to you. Learn how to define your call to serve Christ through your writing.

Writing Devotions that Impact (5D - Saturday 10:45)
Learn how to write devotions for church newsletters, periodicals, websites, and books. A devotional ministry can complement the advancement of a building campaign, mission work, and church projects. Learn how to draw readers in with the "Hook, Book, Look, Took" method of writing a devotion. For some, a devotion may be their only Bible for the day, so come learn how to touch hearts, teach His Word and change lives.

Continuing Session - Advanced Writers Only
Cindy will teach the 2:15 Saturday session on Amazing Marketing Results for Little or No Money. She will show you how to get storefront space in the showroom of the world’s largest bookseller (Amazon), ways to market your books through Skype, cell-phone, internet radio, YouTube, and Video Blogs technology, and how casting your readers as characters in your next book is a “killer” idea. Learn how selecting a cause or charity can create FREE media interest in your book and drive sales. 

Paid Critiques - Devotionals, chick-lit, spiritual coaching to help you make your work and work habits surrounded with Christ . . . by setting up six week plans.

Editorial Needs - We are specially looking for niche book devotionals that are well crafted, present a unique message, and impact readers in a meaningful way. If you have a devotional book that has received favorable comments from other publishers but was rejected because of its narrow focus, Cindy would like to speak with you. She welcomes submissions from published authors, seasoned writers, and aspiring writers. For guidelines and helpful writing tips click here.

Ramona has been on the cutting-edge of publishing for over 27 years, in a wide variety of positions, including: Senior Editor, Tyndale House Publishers; Editorial Director, Harold Shaw Publishers (now WaterBrook/Random House); Editor, Today’s Christian Woman magazine and Executive Editor, Virtue magazine (Christianity Today, International); and as a freelancer for Simon & Schuster, Random House, Viking-Penguin, Zondervan, Nelson, Baker/Revell, InterVarsity, David C. Cook, Howard, Barbour, Summerside/Guideposts, and other publishers. She is Adjunct Faculty for the English Department at Wheaton College and the cofounder and Editorial Director of OakTara.

Editorial Needs - OakTara was founded four years ago by two veterans of the publishing world, Jeff Nesbit and Ramona Tucker, to promote and encourage fiction, by both new and established authors, in nearly every genre: Biblical, Children’s & Family Classics, Classic & Allegory, Fantasy, Futuristic, General, Historical, Issues, Legal/Political Thrillers, Mystery & Detective, Romance, Romance-Suspense, Sci-Fi, Suspense, and Young Adult. Editorial needs:
*Fresh fiction for adults in every genre—Biblical, Classic & Allegory, Fantasy, Futuristic, General, Historical, Issues, Legal/Political Thrillers, Mystery & Detective, Romance, Romance-Suspense, Sci-Fi, Suspense. Minimum 30,000 words.
*Cutting-edge fiction for young adults (11-17 years). Minimum 30,000 words.
*Selected children’s titles that are Family Classics or for children ages 7-10/8-12. Minimum 10,000 words (15,000-25,000 preferred). No picture or 4/c interior books.
Breaking News - OakTara is now publishing "very selective nonfiction."
Writer’s Guidelines at  http://www.oaktara.com/Writer_s_Guidelines.html

As the child of missionary parents, award-winning author and journalist Jeanette Windle grew up in the rural villages, jungles, and mountains of Colombia, now guerrilla hot zones. Her detailed research and writing is so realistic that it has prompted government agencies to question her to determine if she has received classified information. Currently based in Lancaster, PA, Jeanette has lived in six countries and traveled in nearly thirty. She has more than a dozen books in print, including political/suspense best-seller CrossFire. Jeanette's novel set in Afghanistan, Veiled Freedom (Tyndale House 2009), was a 2010 Christy and Christian Book Award finalist. The sequel, Freedom's Stand,  will be released this May. Click here to read the first chapter. To view the powerful trailer, click here.

General Session - Write His Answer to the Issues that Concern Us (Friday, 7:30 pm)
The Persecuted Church - Persecution of the church is escalating around the world, including among American funded and armed strategic allies. Is it our responsibility as Christians to raise a voice on this issue? What are some practical means by which we can be effective advocates for freedom of faith  and the persecuted church?

Continuing Session - Focus on Fiction
This fun, inspirational, and practical continuing session will focus on:
Session 1 -  A Firm Foundation -  Any place, time, or setting carries the germ of a story. But how to weave a world, whether contemporary, historical, or fantasy, that you can see, smell, taste, touch, and feel? Learn practical principles of building a firm and authentic foundation for your fictional story.
Session 2 - Can These Bones Live? -  Are your protagonists skeletal stereotypes designed simply to move along your storyline or living, breathing persons you’d recognize immediately in a dark alley? Motivation, life history, personality are just some of the points that will help you add flesh and soul to the bare bones of your characters.
Sessions 3 & 4 - A Story to Tell -  A compelling story lies not only in who, what, where, and when, but how and especially why. Interweaving plot lines, conflict, POV, dialogue, forward motion vs. flashback, character vs. action-driven are among the elements necessary to tell an effective story.
Session 5 - A Tale’s End -  Written the last scene and thought you were done? Not so fast! Is every plot thread tied up? Conflict resolved? Time lines and real-life details double-checked? Spiritual message crystal-clear? Here will be your chance for any unasked questions.

Workshop - From Platform to Print (E8, Wednesday 2:15)
Simple, practical, yet effective steps that will transform your heart's cry into a publishable manuscript.

Paid Critiques -  Fiction - contemporary; suspense; women's; young adult, tween, and teen. Nonfiction books.

Editorial Needs - From Steve Barclift, Managing Editor: "We're always looking for top-notch fiction (YA and adult). Books of interest to women are a big thrust for us. We're beginning to publish Bible studies, so will be looking for more of those. We continue to publish resources for pastors.  I guess the one qualification I should make is that we really aren't looking for picture books unless the author also is an illustrator (a very good one). The children's market is soft."