Mentor Appointments
The opportunity to have personal, fifteen minute appointments with Editors, Agents, Mentors or PR/Media Professionals is a valuable highlight of the conference. These provide a great way to learn first-hand about the writing industry, to pitch your manuscript or work-in-progress, and to brainstorm ideas, get encouragement, and benefit from industry professionals.
All appointments are available on a first pay, first slotted basis. Appointments will be scheduled by the Conference Appointment Coordinator, Casey Miller. You will select multiple choices for your appointment needs when you register for the conference.
Web Site:
Allen Arnold is Senior Vice-President and Fiction Publisher at Thomas Nelson. He’s been at Thomas Nelson for 18 years – overseeing author marketing and branding for more than a decade before launching the Fiction division in 2004. For the calendar year 2009, Thomas Nelson was ranked the #1 Christian Fiction publisher at Christian Retail by ECPA and is recognized for a publishing model that reaches the broadest market with the best stories – always told from a Christian worldview. Prior to his time at Thomas Nelson, Allen worked at numerous acclaimed Advertising Agencies - helping develop campaigns for everything from soft drinks to traveling circuses! He’s passionate about the power of a well-told story to transform hearts and culture – to entertain and inspire. In his spare time, you’ll find him reading Superman comics and C.S. Lewis while eating the spiciest peppers known to mankind.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Come prepared to ask questions about the industry, publishing, etc.
Web Site: www.bonniecalhoun.com
Bonnie Calhoun is the Owner/Director of the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance (CFBA) where she has 250+ book reviewer blogs that twice weekly do blog tours for the latest in Christian fiction. She is also the Owner/Publisher of Christian Fiction Online Magazine (CFOM), a three-year-old 50+ page Ezine with columns and articles by the best and brightest authors and professionals in Christian fiction. Bonnie serves as the President of the Christian Authors Network (CAN), and Northeast Zone Director of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). She won ACFW’s Mentor of the Year for 2011. She also teaches social networking and blogging at several conferences throughout the year. And she has a debut novel with Abingdon Press called Cooking The Books.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
For mentoring help or PR bring a list of questions. For help with Facebook or a blog bring a laptop with a wifi connection and the ability to log into your site.
Web Site: www.colleencoble.com
Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA's, RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and, the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and has won ACFW's Mentor of the Year twice. Colleen writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com.
Web Site: http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/
Award-winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, has more than 690,000 books in print. Lena loves James, her children, grandchildren, and great grandson. She loves chocolate, cherries, chocolate-covered cherries, and spending time with friends. Travel is always on her horizon. Cruising, Galveston, the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Mexico. One day it will be Hawaii and Australia, but probably not the same year. Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with eighteen signing their first book contract after her mentoring. Three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins, and she has received the ACFW Mentor of the Year award. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books.
Her 2010 Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, was given the Will Rogers Medallion Award for excellence in publishing Western literature. Lena is currently under two 3-book contracts with Charisma House/Realms. The first book released in October 2011, and the second will release in May 2012. In addition to her writing, Lena is a frequent speaker at women’s groups, writers groups, and at both regional and national conferences. She has spoken in six states and internationally. She is also one of the co-hosts of the Gate Beautiful blog radio show.
Lena has an active web presence on Shoutlife, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Linkedin and with her internationally connected blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
I'll gladly answer any questions I can about the business, story or manuscript ideas, marketing and the Internet, or any writing related questions. However, I do not want to see manuscripts or synopses.
Web Site: www.bethgoddard.com
Elizabeth Goddard is the award-winning author of more than a dozen novels, including the romantic mystery, The Camera Never Lies—a 2011 Carol Award winner. She has volunteered in ACFW, RWA, and FHL as well as serving on the board of her local RWA-Chapter. She judges numerous contests and enjoys encouraging aspiring writers.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Come prepared to discuss general questions as well as publishing expectations and/or disappointments. I’m available to encourage aspiring writers, offering that needed nudge so they can stick to goals and move their writing to the next level.
Web Site: www.renegutteridge.com
Rene Gutteridge is the award-winning author of eighteen novels, including Heart of the Country, her upcoming novelization release with director John Ward and Tyndale House Publishers. Her recent suspense titles include Listen, Possession and the Seven Hours project Escapement. She’s been published by Bethany House, Tyndale House, WaterBrook Press, Thomas Nelson and B&H. She is teaming again with screenwriter Cheryl McKay for the romantic comedy Greetings from the Flipside from B&H and releasing her new suspense title, Misery Loves Company from Tyndale. Her romantic comedy Never the Bride won the 2010 Carol Award for Women’s Fiction.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Bring writing samples if you'd like some feedback on it, preferably first two pages of your manuscript. Feel free to just chat about writing and publishing strategies, or anything else that has to do with writing, like genre, story ideas, agent questions, etc.
Web Site: http://www.AdvancedFictionWriting.com/blog
Randy Ingermanson is the award-winning author of six novels and the best-selling how-to book WRITING FICTION FOR DUMMIES. Randy is a certified Dummy who holds a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from UC
Berkeley. He is known around the world as "the Snowflake Guy" in honor of his outrageously popular Snowflake method of designing a novel. He publishes the free monthly Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine, read by more than 30,000 novelists, and sits on the ACFW Advisory Board. Randy hopes to achieve Total World Domination someday, but first he has to figure out how to escape from involuntary servitude to three surly cats.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Bring one or more tough questions about problems that are holding you back from achieving your goals as a novelist. I may or may not be able to solve your problems, but I can promise to sympathize. After more than 20 years in the publishing industry, I've seen practically everything that can go wrong.
Web Site: http://roniekendig.com
Ronie Kendig grew up an Army brat and married a veteran. Her life is never dull in a family with four children and three dogs. She has a degree in psychology, speaks to various groups, volunteers with the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and mentors new writers. Rapid-Fire Fiction, her brand, is exemplified through her novels: Dead Reckoning, the Discarded Heroes military series, which includes acclaimed novels Nightshade, Digitalis, Wolfsbane, and Firethorn, and A Breed Apart, her upcoming series about military war dogs. Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction) , Twitter (@roniekendig), and GoodReads.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Individuals meeting with me might find it helpful, reassuring, and even de-stressing to write down their questions to maximize the brief 15-minute time slot.
Web Site: http://www.gailmartin.com/
Award-winning novelist, Gail Gaymer Martin is the author of Writer Digest’s Writing the Christian Romance. She writes romance, romantic suspense, and women’s fiction and has over fifty contracted books with over three million books in print. Her novels have won: ACFW Book of the Year, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award, Holt Medallion, Booksellers Best, and National Reader’s Choice. Two of Gail’s novellas have ranked on the CBA Best Seller list, and she was chosen the 2008 Favorite Author by Heartsong Presents Readers. Recently CBS local news listed Gail as one of the four best writers in the Detroit area. Gail is a cofounder of American Christian Fiction Writers and serves on the advisory board. She is a member of ACFW’s Great Lakes Chapter in Michigan. Gail is a member of Romance Writers of American including three chapters, Advanced Speakers and Writers Association, Christian Women Speakers and Christian Authors Network (CAN). She is a keynote speaker and workshop presenter at conferences across the U.S. Gail can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Shoutlife, Goodreads, Linkedin and on her blog Writing Fiction Right where she provides posts on all elements of good fiction writing.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Come prepared to discuss general questions on writing techniques, getting published or resolving writing problems. Or bring a two page sample of a manuscript if you would like feedback.
Web Site: www.susanmeissner.com
Susan Meissner is a former newspaper editor and the multi-published author of The Shape of Mercy, named by Publishers Weekly as one of the top 100 novels of 2008 and the ECPA book of the year for fiction. When she's not writing she directs the Small Groups and Connection Ministries at her San Diego church. Susan and her pastor husband are the parents of four young adults. She lives in southern California.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Don’t hold back any spoilers when you write out your two-paragraph summary for me. Share with me the Darkest Moment, the pivotal climax, and any plot-defining secrets you'd never give away on the back cover copy. I need to know where you are going to give you the best feedback on how to get there!
Web Site: http://www.deborahraney.com/
Deborah Raney’s first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title. Her books have since won the RITA Award, ACFW Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, National Readers’ Choice Award, Silver Angel, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. After All, the newest book in her Hanover Falls Novels series releases in May from Howard/Simon & Schuster. Deb and her husband, Ken Raney, enjoy small-town life in Kansas. They have four children and four grandchildren, all of whom live much too far away.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about the writing life, the business of writing, manuscript or marketing ideas, or specific questions about your work in progress. I'd be glad to read a couple of pages and give feedback, but be aware that the mentoring time doesn't allow for much of a critique.
Web Site: http://www.gayleroper.com/
“I have been in love with story all my life,” says Gayle Roper, the award winning author of more than forty-five books. “Give me a story with strong characters and a captivating plot, and I’m one happy reader. Or writer.”
Among Gayle’s awards are the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award, the Carol Award from American Christian Fiction Writers, and three HOLT Medallions. She has been a Christy finalist three times and has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times Book Report. Of her title Fatal Deduction (Multnomah), Publishers Weekly states, “Roper’s dialogue and character development are spot-on, which is no small feat, considering that Libby’s world is peopled by everyone from elderly patricians to two-bit gangsters…This novel is a pleasure from start to finish.”
For her work in training Christian writers Gayle has won special recognition from Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, St. Davids CWC, Florida CWC, and Greater Philadelphia CWC. She lives in southeastern Pennsylvania. She enjoys reading, spending time at the family’s Canadian cottage, gardening, and eating out every time she can manage it.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Do you have questions about the industry? Do you want a quick critique of your first few pages? Do you want to talk ideas or brainstorm a plot line? Do you want to pray with someone or talk out an issue? Gayle's open for conversation on any topic and looks forward to meeting with many of you.
Web Site: http://www.jimrubart.com/
James L. Rubart is the bestselling author of ROOMS, BOOK OF DAYS, and THE CHAIR. During the day he runs Barefoot Marketing, helping authors make more coin of the realm. In his free time he dirt bikes, back packs, golfs and takes photos. No, he doesn’t sleep much. He lives with his amazing wife and teenage sons in the Pacific Northwest and still thinks he’s young enough to water ski like a madman.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
For the marketing appointments:
· What is the most nagging question about marketing you’ve always wanted to ask, but been afraid to?
· What three things are you doing right now to build a platform?
· What is the most unique thing about you? (Not about your writing, about you.)
For writing/career appointments:
· What are your three most pressing questions about the publishing industry?
· Becoming an author requires a strategic plan of study, networking, and platform building. What is your plan?
· If you could wave a magic wand, what would the next three years look like in regards to your writing career?
Web Site: http://www.cynthiaruchti.com/
Cynthia Ruchti has written and produced a drama/devotional radio broadcast for thirty-two years, is the editor of the radio ministry's magazine, and published her first novel--the Carol Award finalist They Almost Always Come Home--in 2010, followed by the Family Fiction Readers Choice A Door County Christmas novella collection. A devotional collection in which she participated--His Grace is Sufficient...Decaf is Not--released in November 2011. Another novella collection--Cedar Creek Seasons--releases in September 2012, with two more novels and a non-fiction book currently under contract for 2013 and 2014. She tells stories of Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark through radio, books, articles, and speaking for women's groups and writers' events.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
During mentoring appointments, I'm open to questions from 'I have an idea. How do I get started?' to 'Would you take a look at my one-sheet?' to 'Do you think I need an agent?' to time management questions to serving as a sounding board to requests for prayer or brainstorming plot lines or character details. Some of the most productive mentor moments in past years have grown organically out of an openness to let the Lord steer the appointment where He wants it to go. So I encourage mentees to take advantage of the opportunity to talk with mentors who have walked stretches of the same road and who genuinely care about pointing out potholes to watch for and scenic overlooks to enjoy.
Web Site: www.janicethompson.com
Award-winning author Janice Thompson also writes under the pseudonym Janice Hanna. She has published nearly eighty books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books and more. She particularly enjoys writing light-hearted, comedic tales because she enjoys making readers laugh. In addition, she enjoys public speaking and mentoring young writers. Janice was named the 2008 Mentor of the year for ACFW. She is active in her local chapter (Writers on the Storm), where she regularly teaches on the craft of writing. Her online courses have been helpful to many who want to earn a living with their writing. She is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing. Her tagline, “Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever Afters!” sums up her take on life. She lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends, and two mischievous dachshunds. She does her best to keep the Lord at the center of it all.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
I love talking to writers about the following:
The Fiction Craft: Please come with specific questions related to plotting, characterization, POV, backstory, etc.
Humor Writing: Please bring your funny bone. If you've lost it, borrow one from a friend and come anyway.
Supplementing Your Fiction Income: Please come with an open mind. You will be getting a host of ideas/ways you can supplement your fiction income in-between contracts or while waiting on that first contract.
Marketing/PR: Please bring your current marketing plan and/or a list of any idea you have already tried.
E-Books: Please bring your Internet-ready reading device and/or laptop/IPad (etc.)