By Mesu Andrews As a little kid I was anxious to grow up, to go where I wanted, and to do as I wished without asking permission. Now, I’m beyond grown up but still asking permission for many things–especially at writer’s conferences. Permission to switch workshops. Permission to sit at a meal with a particular editor or agent. Permission to …
40 Days of Prayer, Day 9 – Casey Miller/Appointments
Day 9 – Casey Miller as he finalizes appointments Father God, we thank You for Casey Miller who serves Your kingdom each year by organizing all the appointments at the conference. We are grateful and confident when we arrive, because we know that he has followed Your Holy Spirit’s leading throughout the whole, complex process. Guide him as he develops …
Does Writing Give You a Pain in the Neck?
By Patricia Bradley Did you know that writers as a group have more shoulder and neck pain than the average person? Is it any wonder why? We spend hours and hours sitting at a computer, staring at a blinking cursor. And not only do all those hours affect our neck and shoulder muscles, they add extra padding where we don’t …
40 Days of Prayer, Day 10 – Families at Home
Day 10 Prayer – The Families We Leave At Home Father, we thank You and praise for our families that are at home. During this time we ask that they will experience Your protection and that You give them the strength to cope whilst we are not with them. That they will experience a joy and peace, that only You …
Turning Pro: Business Planning for Writers
By Preslaysa Williams Writers, are you ready to take your business to the next level and turn pro? Then you need a business plan. It doesn’t have to be a long, complicated document. Your written plan will help you determine what you want from your career. Here are some basic elements and questions to ask as you craft your business …
40 Days of Prayer – Day 11, Mourn with those that Mourn
Day 11 Prayer – That We Mourn With Those That Mourn Dear Lord, we pray for those in a time of mourning. For all who’ve experienced loss, we know it’s so easy to let our sadness disrupt our calling. You use everything for our good, even the things and people we’re grieving. Help us release our words–even those driven by …
How To Take Perfect Pictures
By Emilie Hendryx The ACFW conference is just around the corner and I’m here to talk about how to look great in photos. Okay…I’m sure that’s actually the last thing you’re thinking about as you prepare for the conference. I know that prepping for appointments, printing out one-sheets, and packing are higher up on your list, but as a photographer, …
40 Days of Prayer, Day 12 – That We Rejoice
Day 12 Prayer – That We Rejoice With Those That Rejoice Father, Romans 12:15 tells us to rejoice and be happy with those who rejoice. Lord, we truly desire to rejoice with those who receive good news during the meetings they have at the conference, and to rejoice with those whose names are called at the awards banquet. But it …
40 Days of Prayer, Day 13 – Hotel Staff
Day 13 Prayer – Hotel Staff Dear Father, Please bless the hotel staff that will be caring for us at the ACFW conference in Nashville. Please give them strength, energy, and patience as they park our cars, register us, make our beds, clean our rooms, prepare our meals, and the countless other things they will do for us. Please help …
Re-Releasing Books
By Allie Pleiter Recently, I went through the process of independently re-releasing of some dearly loved books of mine from earlier years. The tiny novella Getting to Yes, the Rita-nominated (and also a Caroll finalist) My So-Called Love Life, and The Perfect Blend were the first “category” romances I’d ever written, and they are still reader favorites. It was such …