Mentor Appointments

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Allen Arnold, recipient of the 2012 ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award, loves the story he is living. From the mountains of Colorado, he oversees Content & Resources for Ransomed Heart Ministries (led by John Eldredge). Before that, he spent 20 years in Christian Publishing. He's honored to have been the founding Publisher of Thomas Nelson Fiction, overseeing more than 500 novels during his eight years as Publisher. But that doesn't really describe the man. Allen loves hanging out with his family, craves the beach, is more in awe of Jesus each day, drinks salsa from a glass, is hooked on the TV series "Once Upon a Time", savors deep conversations of the heart, and is passionate about helping others, especially storytellers, discover the story God is writing with their lives.

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: www.lenanelsondooley.com

Award-winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, has more than 700,000 books in print.
Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with over 20 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 release Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, won the 2011 Will Rogers Medallion Award for excellence in publishing Western Fiction. Maggie’s Journey appeared on a reviewers Top Ten Books of 2011 list. It also won the 2012 Selah award for Historical Novel. Mary’s Blessing released in May 2012. It recently appeared on a review site’s Top Five Reads in 2012 list. Catherine’s Pursuit is coming in February 2013.

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'm happy to: *Answer questions you might have about writing or the writing business
*Help you maximize the impact of the time you spend on social networking using Hootsuite
*Encourage you if you're discouraged

Web Site: www.bethgoddard.com

Elizabeth Goddard is the award-winning author of well over a dozen romance and romantic suspense novels, including the romantic mystery, The Camera Never Lies—a 2011 Carol Award winner. She loves writing adventurous stories set in exotic locations with unique characters. Elizabeth has a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and spent ten years in the corporate world before retiring to home school her four children and pursue her dream of writing novels. When she’s not writing books or teaching her children, she enjoys mentoring new writers and has volunteered in ACFW, RWA, and FHL, judged numerous contests, and has serve on her local RWA-Chapter.

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: 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 Executive 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: www.jennybjones.com

Four-time Carol award-winning author Jenny B. Jones writes romance with equal parts wit, sass, and Southern charm. When she’s not penning novels, she’s living the glamorous life as a junior high librarian in the great state of Arkansas. Since she has very little free time, she believes in spending her spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits, such as watching E!, Tweeting deep thoughts to the world, and writing her name in the dust on her furniture. She is the author of romantic comedies for women such as RITA finalist Save the Date, as well as books for teens, like her A Charmed Life series. You can find her at www.JennyBJones.com or standing in the Ben and Jerry’s cooler

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

As a seasoned veteran of the ACFW conference, I know attending can sometimes be daunting—but awesome—overwhelming, yet exhilarating, so if you need a battle buddy to share the load with, let’s talk! I’m glad to answer questions you might have about writing and navigating this industry, or simply someone to help you decompress and assimilate information with. If you’d like me to look at a writing sample (15-minute appointments do not allow for an in-depth look), please bring that to the appointment.

Web Site: http://www.gailgaymermartin.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 executive 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.allisonpittman.com

Allison Pittman is the author of nine novels, including the Carol Award winning Stealing Home (Multnomah) and the Christy-nominated Sister Wife series (Tyndale). To keep her writing fresh and focused, Allison serves as the vice-president in her local ACFW chapter (Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers), and is co-president of a multi-genre writing group that meets weekly in Universal City. She also works giving manuscript critique and editing for The Christian Communicator, and was named ACFW’s 2012 Mentor of the Year. At home in San Antonio, she is the mother of three teen-age boys, married to the world’s nicest guy, and enabler of her neurotic dog, Stella.

Appointment Information
You are welcome to bring: the first 5 pages of your manuscript to talk about that opening impact; a story synopsis to discuss how it will best "fit" in the market; your "pitch" to practice before your editor/agent appointment. I'm also up for a good brainstorming session if you're "stuck" in some creative space. We can also just talk about where you are in this journey, and I'll try to give you the best advice and encouragement that I can. Overall, I'll want to have appointments that center on you, the writer, and your writing (as opposed to marketing/promotional ideas).

Web Site: http://www.caraputman.com/

Cara Putman is an author and attorney who lives in Indiana with her husband and four children. A homeschooling mom, she has written fourteen novels, two repackages, and a Complete Idiots Guide since 2006 with more books on the way. A lover of history, she has written seven novels that are set in the United States during World War II. She loves doing the research to get the details right and bring that time period to life. Many of her contemporary novels have an attorney as a main character, allowing her to bring her experience as an attorney to the stories. Her first novel Canteen Dreams won the Carol Award for short historical in 2008, and Sandhill Dreams was a finalist in the same category in 2009. You can learn more about Cara and her books on her web site and facebook: http://www.facebook.com/caraputman

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
I’d love to meet with you to discuss how to make the most of your conference, your proposal, problems in your story, or the publishing journey. Come prepared to discuss general questions as well as publishing expectations and/or disappointments. Come armed with a few questions. I’d love to help you move your writing to the next level.

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.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.)