~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Christians who write, we meet together to promote unity and fellowship, to encourage one another and to develop our skills as writers. We are a chapter of American Christian Writers, a national organization.

We meet at Grove Avenue Baptist Church, 1 block south of Patterson Avenue at 8701 Ridge Road, Richmond, VA 23229 in Room 211.

We typically meet on the third Sunday of each month from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Join us!


Click HERE for directions.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday, October 23, 2006

Shenandoah Christian Writers Conference

Dear Christian Writers,

Our Shenandoah Christian Writers group will be sponsoring a conference featuring Marlene Bagwell in Harrisonburg Va. at Westside Baptist Church on March 9-10, 2007. Plans at this time include a Friday afternoon critique session followed by dinner and workshops. Saturday will include a full day of workshops.

Marlene wrote the Bible Study for Christian writers called Write His Answer. She also sponsors national conferences in Philadelphia, Penn. and Colorado every year. She has spent a great deal of time learning from, as well as teaching, many famous Christian authors. A book table will be featured.

What a great gift to give or receive for Christmas!

More details to come!

Grace and Peace,

Kay


"Owe no one anything but love, for this fulfills the law."
Romans 13:8

Writer's Digest Poetry Awards Call for Entries

We're pleased to announce the only WD competition exclusively for poets, the Writer's Digest Poetry Awards! Regardless of style--rhyming, free verse, haiku and more--if your poems are 32 lines or fewer, we want them all. Submit your entries by the December 20, 2006 deadline ... and your words could be worth cold hard cash!

First Place: $500
Second Place: $250
Third Place: $100
Fourth Through Tenth Place: $25
Eleventh Through Twenty-Fifth Place: $50 gift certificate to
Writer's Digest Books

Plus, the names and poem titles of all First- through Tenth-Place winners will be printed in the August issue of Writer's Digest, and all winners will receive a copy of the 2007 Poet's Market.

For guidelines and to enter online, visit today!

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Writer's Digest Popular Fiction Awards Calls for Entries

The WD Popular Fiction Awards

Don't miss this short story competition from Writer's Digest! You can compete and win in all five categories--just make sure your entries are 4,000 words or fewer and we receive them by the November 1, 2006 deadline.

Enter the contest and your fantastic fiction could bring home these big prizes:

GRAND PRIZE: $2,500 cash, $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books, plus a manuscript critique and marketing advice from a Writer's Digest editor or advisory board member.

FIRST PRIZE: The First-Place Winner in each category receives $500 cash, $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books, plus a manuscript critique and marketing advice from a Writer's Digest editor or advisory board member.

HONORABLE MENTION: All Honorable Mentions will receive promotion in Writer's Digest and the 2007 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market.

Don't wait--visit for guidelines and to enter today!

Coming Soon: Independent Publishing House

Dear Christians Who Write:

I picked this notice up from Christian Writers Group, on online group I've been in since 1998. But like everything else, check the information out thoroughly.

Tom

Subj: [CWG] Following a Dream
Date: Tuesday, October 3, 2006 6:25:16 PM
From:
To: CWG@yahoogroups.com

I have been lurking on this loop for quite a while, as I'm working on a number of projects. There is one I'd like to announce in case anyone might be interested.

An idea has been nagging at me for quite a while now, and after much prayer, I've finally decided this is the direction the Lord is leading me in. I'm going to establish a small, independent publishing house that specializes in the work of excellent writers who for one reason or another haven't had success breaking into the market, are having trouble getting another contract, or whose work falls outside
the scope of traditional publishing. At first I'm going to concentrate on fiction, but I may eventually include nonfiction works as well.

My aim is to overcome some of the major drawbacks that are inherent in both traditional publishing and self-publishing by creating a different paradigm. I want to give authors more control over what, when, and how they publish and help them to find the right niche markets for them as well as be able to access bookstores, libraries, and other traditional markets.

Actually, this really isn't as crazy a dream as it seems. I have eleven years of experience as an editor at a traditional publishing house, where I have access to designers, artists, and co-workers with much more experience in the business than I have. And as we all know, the Internet provides a multitude of resources, from networking to printing to marketing and beyond. It truly has revolutionized the way
we do business today and is steadily evolving. Incredible opportunities are opening up for all sorts of businesses, and I feel as if the time is ripe to get moving with something like this.

If any of this sounds interesting, I'm making the process public--and hopefully entertaining. Please go to publishingdream. hopefull hopeful follow along as I develop this idea step by step and hopefully turn it into reality. I'm discovering other authors out there with the same dream, and I'm hoping we can band together to make this a reality. I welcome your comments, ideas, and advice.

Blessings,
Joan

J. M. Hochstetler
lighting the past...and leading you home...

The American Patriot Series. Amid war's ruin and loss of war, two lovers fight to build a legacy of love, hope, faith--and freedom!
Book 1, Daughter of Liberty
Book 2, Native Son, July 2005

Cec Murphey in Richmond October 16-18

Dear Christians Who Write:

Cec Murpher, top writer in the Christian Booksellers Assoc. will receive an Honorary Doctrate from Richmond Virginia Seminary, 2318 Cedar Street, Richmond, VA on Monday the 16th and will teach writing classes there on the 18th and 19th. The cost of the two day sessions is $150.00. If you are interesed in attending any or all of these events, let me know promptly. Details are written below:

Subj: RE: Cec Murphey
Date: Wednesday, October 4, 2006 2:50:07 PM
From:
To: RevTCL@aol.com

Hi Tom,
If you go to our website (www.rvs.edu) there is a copy of our newsletter. It has all of the information in it. The information about the workshop is as follows:

Writing for Publication is the title. Session will be held Tuesday October 17 and Wednesday Oct 18; time of session: 9am-12pm, 1:30pm-4:30pm, 6pm-9pm both days.

Blessings,

Dr. Leonard D. Smith