January 28th, RCWW Monthly Meeting

Richmond Christians Who Write

"Write the vision, and make it plain..." Hab. 2:2

12114 Walnut Hill Drive
Rockville, Virginia 23146
Telephone: 804-749-4050
FAX: 804-749-4939

E-mail: mailto:RichmondCWW@aol.com
Blog: http://rcww.blogspot.com/

Rev. Thomas C. Lacy
Founder - President

Barbara Baranowski
Membership

Marie Corso
Advisor

Michael Rew
Blog Master

January 24, 2007

JANUARY MEETING RESCHEDULED: JANUARY 28TH

JANUARY MONTHLY MEETING: Note change: Meeting Room 219

Our next meeting will be January 21st, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Grove Avenue Baptist Church. NOTE: Enter the rear entrance on the Parham Road side of the building. Look for the elevator on your left, go to 2nd floor, turn right getting off the elevator, go to Room 219.

SPEAKER: Tom Lacy: Memoirs, Compilations, Packagers

Our previously announced speaker, Karen Hannon, owner/developer of a new faith-based web site in Richmond, SpotlightRichmond.com, is out of the country this week and will not be able to speak to us until our February 18th meeting. However, in a subsequent post, I will outline a writing opportunity that was to be a part of her presentation. Look for my post on the Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) contest.

A current popular trend in the writing/publishing business is the need for content-driven rather than author driven material. This gives unknown writers of pertinent subjects a greater advantage in becoming published.

Many in our group are writing memoirs and devotionals. I will show how these can be marketed to publishers and packagers.

PLANNING SESSION 4:00 to 5:00

From time to time I've asked for in put from the group regarding the needs you have as writers. I meet periodically with a small group for this same purpose. And I appreciate the suggestions/recommendations.

"Tom, we don't have any suggestions because we're satisfied with what you are doing."

"Tom, RCWW is one source of information and encouragement for me; I don't expect RCWW to meet all my needs. It is neither possible, nor necessary for you to try to do this."

Thanks, folks for those kind remarks. However, I often feel I am not doing enough to help writers write and get published. It may be I'm guilty of focusing on what I'm not providing for RCWW and missing what is being done effectively through our cooperative work with one another.

One of the most effective things RCWW has offered, I and others believe, is the Marble Moving program. (See details in 1/14/2007 January Meeting Notice.)

Two areas I feel RCWW is the weakest revolves around critiquing and meeting the needs of our poets. On Saturday, April 14th, we will have a half day poetry workshop. Details follow regarding this event.

In the meantime, please think on these matters and bring your ideas and suggestions to our January meeting (in writing if possible).

APRIL 14, 2007 POETRY WORKSHOP

This poetry workshop will be held April 14, 2007, from 9:00-Noon. Our speaker/instructor will be Florence Rosie Givens, local author, editor and publisher of three books of Poem Collections.

(Specifics to follow.)

2007 Meeting Schedule

Here are the remainder of the dates for 2007:
Feb. 18
Mar. 18
Apr. 14 Saturday half day poetry workshop
May 20
June 10 Second Sunday. to avoid Father's Day
July 15
August 19
September 16
October 19-20, Friday & Saturday possible writers conference, or Sunday Oct. 21 and Nov. 18.

Normal Monthly Meeting Format (unless otherwise stated)

2:00-2:15 Sign In and Fellowship
2:15 Opening Prayer
2:15-2:45 Introductions and Announcements
2:45-3:45 Speaker or Workshop
3:45-4:00 Refreshments and Fellowship
4:00-4:55 Speaker/Workshop or Critique Session (Announced Monthly)
(Bring 20 copies, typed, double spaced)
4:55-5:00 Closing Prayer

DUES

Dues, in the amount of $20.00 will cover membership from January 1st through December 31, 2007. They may be paid at our monthly meetings or mailed to: Richmond Christians Who Write, 12114 Walnut Hill Drive, Rockville, VA 23146.

WRITERS CONFERENCES

If you know of writing conferences, workshops or any events of interest to writers, please send me complete details so the information can be passed on to our members.

February 15-18, 2007
Jerry B. Jenkins, Christian Writers Guild: http://www.ChristianWritersGuild.com

March 9-10, 2007
Kay Walsh, Shenandoah Christian Writers Group: jsparrow474@yahoo.com

March 16-17, 2007
American Christian Writers Conference: http://www.ACWriters.com/

March 1-4, 2007
Florida Christian Writers Conference: http://www.flwriters.org/

I look forward to seeing you on the 28th. Bring your ideas. Bring your commitment to be a Marble Mover. Bring a writer friend.

In His Service,

Tom

Marketing Christian Books

Your Guide to Marketing Christian Books by Sarah Bolme, foreword by Sally E. Stuart, is the essential handbook for marketing books in Christian marketplace! This book equips publishers and authors with specific resource names and contact information for promoting books in the Christian marketplace. Material in the book includes information on launching books, selling books, and special markets. While many marketing books list some Christian marketplace sources, until now there has been no comprehensive guide for marketing books in the Christian marketplace.

The book's foreword by Sally E. Stuart, author of Christian Writers Market Guide, states you can trust the author and follow the path she has laid out with confidence.

Only $17.99! Purchase your copy today!

Your Testimony: A Writing Opportunity

How did you come to know Christ? Were you a child who came in innocence or an adult searching for meaning in life? Did you come to Jesus purposely, or meet Him accidentally? We are all saved by faith in Christ and the grace of God, but how we arrive at that moment is a very personal event. No two believers have the same experience. Our salvation experience is God’s first gift to us as new believers. Even a brand new believer has a personal story to tell that can impact others for Christ. Our story is our witness to the world, and God wants us to share it.

In order to shares these salvation stories, I am compiling and publishing an anthology. I am searching for approximately fifty stories, of all types from miraculously amazing to whisper quiet, from all kinds of believers. The authors of stories selected for publication will receive a gift copy of the finished book, which will also be available for purchase through Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other major book outlets. If you would like to share your story, please start by reading Helpful Hints for Preparing Your Testimony, listed below.

Submissions: deadline February 23, 2007 for late summer release.

By post:
A Story to Tell
4094 Majestic Lane, #230
Fairfax, VA
22033

By email:
mailto:dacstevenson@aol.com

Format:
1. Please limit the length of your story to no more than 2000 words.

2. Please type and double-space your story; if you are sending your story by regular post, type on 8.5" x 11" white paper.

3. Include a cover sheet with your name, address, phone number and e-mail address. Put your name and a page number at the top of each page of your story. All contact information will be kept strictly confidential.

Helpful Hints for Preparing Your Testimony:
1. Ask God to give you wisdom and guidance as you write (James 1:5,6).

2. Divide your story into three major portions: life before Christ, how you met Christ (be specific), life after Christ i.e. how your life has changed and what He means to you.

3. Include relevant Scriptures and references.

4. Please do not speak negatively of organizations or people; avoid mentioning specific denominations; try not to use terms that non-Christians may not understand, such as “sanctification” or “salvation by grace” unless you fully explain what they mean.

5. Make sure that it is clear in your story that Christ is the only way to eternal life (John 14:6), however it is not necessary to explain salvation by grace as there will be an appendix to the book explaining salvation with attendant scripture.

Shenandoah Christian Writers Seminar, March 9-10

Details about this writing conference can be found at WriteHisAnswer.com under Writing Seminars. Be sure to check out the first and second pages of the brochure.

Get your book published in 2007!

Dear Christians Who Write:

FYI
More and more writers are opting to self-publish. This is a venture (option) I'd suggest you consider seriously before taking that step. My remarks are neither for nor against self-publishing. My remarks are simply words of caution. Know what you are signing before you sign. I pass these notices along to you so you can be informed as to what is available in every area of publishing. This is a part of the business-side of writing.

RCWW is an ACW Chapter.

Tom

To find out more, follow this link:

American Christian Writers Press

First Annual Faith and Values Screenwriting Competition

Hello Screenwriters:

Due to popular demand, I will be extending the deadline for the 1st Annual Faith and Values Screenwriting Competition to February 1, 2007. Note that this a POSTMARK deadline.

Ambassador Communications Inc., the home of Christian screenwriting and the Christian Screenwriters’ Newsletter, invites you to enter the 1st Annual Faith and Values Screenwriting Competition, honoring the best in faith-based TV Series Pilots and Feature Length Screenplays. In addition to monetary prizes, we have prizes from great sponsors like Deepfeedback.com, Scriptcopier.com, Hollywoodlitsales.com, Soyouwannasellascript.com, and Faithwriters.com. The winning scripts will be considered for representation by a WGA agent and will be read by Fox Faith and ten other faith-based production companies. To enter the contest, please log on to http://www.ambassadorcommunications.biz/faithandvalues.html or email info@ambassadorcommunications.biz or call 204-292-4095.

Thanks very much and I'm looking forward to receiving your scripts!

Sincerely,
Claire Hutchinson,
Contest Coordinator
1st Annual Faith and Values Screenwriting Competition
http://www.ambassadorcommunications.biz/faithandvalues.html

Workbook Release by Former RCWW Member

Dear Christians Who Write:

Rita Gray was an active member of RCWW until moving to Baltimore, MD because of her husband's job change. Her writing has grown out of her son's battle with cancer. Chad was a Make A Wish Fojdation Winner several years ago.

Many in our group have a similar situation. You might want to buy her book to see what she has done, but more importantly her book will show you what publishers are buying.

Congratulations Rita!

<<
Dear Friend,

Thanks be to God for his faithfulness! The release date for the workbook is January 21st. The website is http://www.carepointministry.com/resources.html. I don't have the exact price for the workbook yet but will be taking pre-sale orders shortly. I will e-mail you again once I know the price. Please reply letting me know if you are interested in placing a pre-sale order from me.

Again, thank you for your faithfulness of praying me through the writing of this workbook.

To God be the glory!

Joyfully & Purposefully His,

Rita Gray
http://www.carepointministry.com/resources.html

Last Marble Mover Hoorah (PTL) for 2006

Dear Christians Who Write:

As we close out 2006, I did not reach my goal of enlisting ten Marble Movers, but the 7 who signed on did themselves proud. They did all earn money (which would have been nice) but all made major strides in advancing their writing careers. Therefore, I'm a winner by proxy.

Listen to what Cheryl Black had to report within the last few days:

Tom,

I think your rule of 5 challenge was the best thing you could have done for this group. It has motivated members of RCWW to take their passion for writing to another level. They in turn have inspired other RCWW members to aspire to write for publication. As a result, we have been celebrating the accomplishments of published Richmond Christian writers for the past few months.

In response to your challenge this summer, I signed up to be a marble mover. For the first few months, I was diligent about recording my efforts. I was doing pretty well until school started and I had to focus much of my attention on my children's school work and extra curricular activities. I believe God honored my commitment to honor my God-given priorities as a wife and mother over my desire to write. I continued to work toward my writing goals when I could, but it did not add up to 5 marbles a day. However, my efforts were not in vain. I have been hired to work as a full-time ghostwriter. I wrote an article that will be published in a Christian magazine in the Spring. My name will not be on the byline because it was part of my ghostwriting services, and I am okay with that. I am getting paid to do what I love - using my passion, talent and gift as a trained Christian writer to share God's message of hope, restoration and life.

Thank you for being the impetus for the RCWW marble movers. To God be the glory.

--
Cheryl L. Black