Monthly Archives: September 2007

2007 ACFW Book of the Year Contest Winners Contemporary Novella 3rd Place: Diamond Place by Robin Lee Hatcher 2nd Place: A Carol for Christmas by Robin Lee Hatcher 1st Place: Home for the Holidays by Christine Lynxwiler�Barbour Publishing, Rebecca Germany, … Continue reading →

Contemporary Romance (includes romantic comedy) 3rd place: Jennifer Hudson Taylor, By His Plan 2nd place: Jennifer Lynn Cary, On The Court 1st place: Audra Harders, Rough Ride Historical Romance 3rd place: Audra Harders, Precious Possessions 2nd place: Jennifer Hudson Taylor, … Continue reading →

Greetings, all! This year’s conference is over and was a huge success! At the end of the Awards Banquet we announced plans for next year. Because the conference has grown so much, we will not return to Dallas next year. … Continue reading →

Lori Chally, Deb Raney, Betsy Ann St. Amant at Saturday’s book signing. D’Ann Mateer (have wig, will travel) played Deb Raney in the hilarious spoof of the boards. Karen Schurrer, Bethany House editor; and Sydney Zech, conference coordinator, at the … Continue reading →

Here are Allison Wilson, our wonderful conference assistant, and Sydney Zech, the conference coordinator. Without Allison and Sydney, there wouldn’t be a conference. Here’s a bag from last year, being used at the hotel. And a group of volunteers helping … Continue reading →

Here are photos of the ballroom during the editor and agent panels. The conference is getting big!

The conference got off to a fabulous start with the early bird sessions. Allen Arnold (Thomas Nelson Fiction Publisher), Jennifer Deshler (Thomas Nelson Marketing Director) and David Uttely led the professional early bird. The discussion revolved around creating a brand … Continue reading →

The conference doesn’t officially begin until the opening session at 3:30 on Thursday. But this morning, bright and early, your operating board was hard at work. Then later this afternoon the advisory board joined us for a joint board meeting. … Continue reading →

€ One concern I’ve heard many people voice about the conference is that they are bombarded with so much information in such a short time, they worry they can’t possibly absorb it all. That’s probably true, although I know from … Continue reading →

Well, some of us are already in Dallas. Head into the conference office and you’ll see people in there working on last minute details, making sure everything is set for all of you to come. Head into what will become … Continue reading →

Day 1–That God’s will be accomplished at the conference Psa. 115:1–Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory. Heavenly Father, You are Maker, Redeemer, Defender, and Friend. You are omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. You … Continue reading →

Today I head to Dallas for the American Christian Fiction Writers’ National Conference. I am so excited about many aspects of this conference. First, it’s the only conference that focuses exclusively on fiction. Since that’s what I write, it’s a … Continue reading →

Day 2–Weather during travel Luke 8:24b–And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. Dear Lord, Thank you and praise your holy name for the beauty and elegance of the … Continue reading →

Day 3–Early Bird Sessions Prov. 2:2–Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding. Father God, We lift up every participant in the Early Bird sessions at the ACFW conference. We pray their hearts and minds will be … Continue reading →

If at all possible, be rested before you get to the conference. I know this is hard because there’s so much to do to get prepared, but make a list of tasks to be completed-business cards, pitch sheets, packing, etc.-then … Continue reading →