A word from ACFW’s President, Margaret Daley:
You may think because I am the president of ACFW, that I have to feel that way about our upcoming conference in St. Louis, MO (September 22-25). I’ll let you in on a secret – I have said that even when I was not an officer of ACFW. There is no other conference like ACFW’s.
Yes, we have a great Keynote Speaker. Tracie Peterson sold her first book in 1992 and since then has published more than 85 books. She loves helping new authors and often speaks at conferences. But not only is she a writer, she has also been an editor for Barbour Publishing Company, so she can share from her double perspective.
Yes, the classes and workshops are excellent. How can we go wrong with continuing education courses like How to Write a Bestseller taught by DiAnn Mills, The Snowflake Method with Randy Ingermanson, Jeff Gerke’s Plot Versus Character, Erin Healy’s Sometimes It’s Better to Tell than Show, and The Hero’s Path with Allen Arnold, Julie Gwinn, and James Rubart.
Then there is the Early Bird Session before the conference even opens officially. Dr. Stanley Williams will talk about The Moral Premise. I have heard rave reviews about this book with authors stating how it has changed the way they look at their stories.
Yes, we have an elegant banquet and awards ceremony for the Genesis Contest and the Carol Awards. We have editor, agent, and mentor appointments. Attendees have various appointment options included in their registration. There is time for worship and a prayer room. And because we are writers, we have a bookstore with the latest books for sale – a percent of the profits going to the ACFW Foundation.
Any of those aspects of the conference make it appealing to a writer, but what I love the most is seeing my friends and people I’ve gotten to know through ACFW loops and programs online. Strengthening bonds I have formed with others is wonderful. Stopping and praying for another in the hallway or classroom, having a God moment in the middle of the conference, sharing a writing experience or story with another are special moments I have had over the years. The people at conference are what is the most special part of going to the annual conference.
You will learn at the conference in September in St. Louis. You will find moments to glorify the Lord. You will celebrate victories for others, possibly yourself. But mostly you will relish the connection with other writers, people like you who understand what it means to pour your heart and soul into your story.