I attended the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference (ACFW) in Dallas this past weekend. This was my first time and there were about 175 others like me. Also attending were 30 editors and 17 agents. This conference has grown steadily over the years and attendance is topping the 700 mark. After spending several days with these writers I know this will grow to be a premiere event. One thing really different, for me, was the announcement that this would be a “fragrance free” conference. Attendees were asked to forgo the perfume and cologne. How refreshing to know those meeting rooms would be breathable. I’d love to see other events follow this example.
Michael Hyatt
Keynote speaker Michael Hyatt got everyone motivated with his words of wisdom. He encouraged all to promote and build their platform. Michael also told the audience, “Now is the best time ever to be an author.” There are many opportunities out there for authors, but my favorite thing he mentioned was not to be a high maintenance author. I have heard authors, agents and editors talk about other authors who are demanding, critical and difficult to work with. No one likes these kind of people. I agree with Michael, don’t be one of “those kind.” Be an author you can be proud to be. “Traditional publishing is far from dead” and Michael says that more books are being published today than ever before.
Michael Hyatt notes, “The power has shifted to the authors.”
1.) Easier than ever to do the writing (going to conferences, software, research at your fingertips, support groups, chapters)
2.) It’s easier than ever to do market research (ask others on your blog, Twitter, Facebook, Google)
3.) Easier than ever to get into print (traditional publishing is not the only game in town, self publishing is available)
4.) It is easier than ever to build a tribe.
5.) It is easier than ever to build a business (speaking)
.
Gina Conkle and Judy Duarte
The place was buzzing after his rousing keynote and writers were off to the publishers spotlights. My only concern with having all the spotlights at the same time was that the writers had to decide which one publisher to check out. There was no way to visit several of them. Many authors told me that they would have liked to have heard what a lot of the different publishers had to say, but they (the authors) had to choose only one.
Workshops for writing and marketing were held day and night, but I’ve always liked to visit with the writers. I met several interesting ones that I’ll be writing about in upcoming blogs like the 16 year old who’s attending her second conference and the Amish like German Baptist writers who bring a new dimension to romance.
Carin Gibbs and Paula Wallace
.
Since I wasn’t scheduled to do a workshop or be on a panel, Morgan from RT Magazine and I decided to do an impromptu session in the hall for those interested in what we had to say. It was standing room only for our 1/2 hour chat which introduced the writers to PW and RT and what they can offer writers. We also touched on social media and some do and don’ts for new writers. This may end up being on the schedule for next year.
.
.
.
Love Inspired authors
I got to spend a wonderful evening with the Love Inspired authors. The Love Inspired line by Harlequin is described as “You believe hearts can heal. Love Inspired stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives—always.” They cover several genres including suspense, historical and women’s fiction. The large group of authors and their editors invited me to dinner where the conversation was all things romance. There is nothing better than sharing a meal with people who think like you do. Their enthusiasm is contagious and it was an evening that ended all too soon.
One disappointing note was no book signing event. I think readers would love to get to meet the many authors congregated here, but because the conference was held at a Dallas airport hotel it wasn’t considered an ideal place to hold a book signing.
Tina Radcliff, Mary Connealy and Pepper Basham enjoying the conference
The highlight of any conference is the awards gala. The ACFW is no exception. Saturday night was all glitz and glamor as the awards for best books were given out. There are awards for unpublished authors (Genesis) and published authors (Carol). The anticipation was as exciting as the awards themselves.
Genesis Winners
Genesis Winners
CONTEMPORARY FICTION:
Anne Prado
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE:
Amy Matayo
HISTORICAL FICTION:
Kathleen L. Maher
HISTORICAL ROMANCE:
Brandy Vallance
MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER:
Matthew Sheehy
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE:
Arlene Coulter
SPECULATIVE FICTION:
Caleb Jennings Breakey
WOMEN’S FICTION:
Rachel Moore
YOUNG ADULT:
Kathleen Freeman
Carol Winners
Carol Winners
Debut Novel:
Fairer Than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott (Thomas Nelson)
Long Contemporary:
The Search by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Revell)
Long Contemporary Romance:
My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren (Tyndale)
Long Historical:
Fairer Than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott (Thomas Nelson)
Long Historical Romance:
To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer (Bethany House Publishers)
Mystery:
Falling to Pieces: A Shipshewana Amish Mystery by Vannetta Chapman (Zondervan)
Novellas:
An Accidental Christmas from A Biltmore Christmas by Diane T. Ashley/Aaron McCarver (Barbour Publishing)
Romantic Suspense:
Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble (Thomas Nelson)
Short Contemporary:
Lakeside Reunion by Lisa Jordan (Love Inspired)
Short Contemporary Suspense:
Nightwatch by Valerie Hansen (Love Inspired Suspense)
Short Historical:
The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh (Revell)
Speculative Fiction:
Broken Sight by Steve Rzasa (Marcher Lord Press)
Suspense/Thriller:
Fallen Angel by Major Jeff Struecker/Alton Gansky (B & H Fiction)
Women’s Fiction:
Dandelion Summer by Lisa Wingate (Penguin Praise/Berkley)
Young Adult:
The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson (Zondervan)
Other awards given out:
Editor of the Year – Julee Schwarzburg
Agent of the Year – Nicole Resciniti (The Seymour Agency)
Mentor of the Year – Allison Pittman
Member Service Award – Jeanne Marie Leach
Lifetime Achievement Award – Allen Arnold
Congratulations to all the winners and congratulations to the American Christian Fiction Writers for putting on an amazing conference. I know it left the attendees motivated, excited and inspired.
Bottom Line: The power of imagination makes us infinite. ~ John Muir
Hi Barbara,
It was great meeting you at ACFW. You were so friendly and accessible. I appreciate your quick tutorial on social media. You gave some great advice. I hope to see you at more conferences in the future.
Gina
I was also a newbie to ACFW and was amazed at the kindness of every single person I met. No competition, just hours and hours of friendly faces offering wonderful advice to each other! I had the real pleasure of spending some time with Wilda Williams of the Library Journal and learned first hand the grace of people like Wilda who work with authors so that they might be successful! I will attend again and again just to have the encouragement or be an encouragement to others!
I’ve thought quite a bit about this topic since I’ve started to read blogs which relatively speaking is not all that lengthy a time. I respect your insights and experiences here. They are very candid and it would be hard to find this data elsewhere.
Pingback: American Christian Fiction Writers Conference | Beyond Her Book | ChristianBookBarn.com
I have been checking out a lot of of your posts and it’s nice stuff. I will surely bookmark your website
Inform us more please!
I like what you guys are up too. Such smart work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my website
. “The part can never be well unless the whole is well.” by Saul Bellow.
Thank you, I’ve recently been searching for info about this subject for ages and yours could be the greatest I’ve located so far.
Hello There. I discovered your blog the usage of msn. That is an extremely well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.
Its such as you read my thoughts! You appear to understand a lot approximately this, such as you wrote the ebook in it or something. I think that you just could do with some p.c. to force the message home a little bit, but instead of that, that is great blog. A great read. I’ll certainly be back.
Thanks for your entire hard work on this site. My niece delights in getting into research and it’s easy to see why. All of us notice all relating to the dynamic ways you make helpful steps by means of this website and boost participation from some other people on the subject matter plus our child has been being taught so much. Have fun with the rest of the new year. You’re carrying out a pretty cool job.
I almost was going to call it a night but but thankfully I found your post, god reading and thankyou for the info. shaved off some time and effort. I think i’ll have to come back inthe morning and study this one further its a little late now
thanks!
Thanks for your post. I would also like to say that the health insurance agent also works well with the benefit of the coordinators of your group insurance. The health insurance professional is given a list of benefits needed by an individual or a group coordinator. Exactly what a broker may is hunt for individuals or even coordinators which often best go with those needs. Then he provides his ideas and if each party agree, this broker formulates a binding agreement between the 2 parties.
Good write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s web site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
Thanks for the recommendations on credit repair on this blog. The things i would offer as advice to people would be to give up the mentality that they may buy now and pay later. As a society all of us tend to do this for many factors. This includes getaways, furniture, as well as items we’d like. However, you’ll want to separate a person’s wants from the needs. When you’re working to improve your credit score you really have to make some trade-offs. For example you may shop online to economize or you can go to second hand outlets instead of high priced department stores for clothing.
As I site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling magnificent , appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck.
There is noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made sure nice points in features also.Useful info!
Spot on with this write-up, I really suppose this web site needs rather more consideration. I’ll probably be once more to learn much more, thanks for that info.Useful info!
Can I just say what a relief to search out someone who really is aware of what theyre talking about on the internet. You undoubtedly know how one can convey an issue to mild and make it important. More individuals need to read this and understand this facet of the story. I cant imagine youre no more widespread since you undoubtedly have the gift.some tips here!
An interesting discussion is value comment. I think that you must write more on this matter, it might not be a taboo topic however usually persons are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. CheersUseful info!
This really answered my problem, thank you!Useful info!
Your house is valueble for me. Thanks!…some tips here!
very nice put up, i definitely love this web site, keep on itsome tips here!
I’m impressed, I need to say. Actually not often do I encounter a blog that’s each educative and entertaining, and let me inform you, you may have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is excellent; the problem is something that not sufficient persons are talking intelligently about. I’m very completely happy that I stumbled across this in my seek for something relating to this.more tips i found on!
I like the helpful information you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I am quite certain I will learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
There are certainly a variety of details like that to take into consideration. That may be a great level to deliver up. I provide the thoughts above as basic inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you deliver up the place the most important thing might be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged round issues like that, however I’m certain that your job is clearly recognized as a fair game. Each boys and girls feel the influence of just a second’s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.
You made some first rate factors there. I appeared on the web for the problem and located most individuals will go along with along with your website.Useful info!