Confidence to Take That Step by Angela Arndt

It's time! Time to begin preparations for the writers' conferences you'll attend this year. What? You mean you're not planning to go to any this year?  Why not?

Isaiah 26:3

Have you ever read an award-winning book and wished the author could tell you his or her secrets? Well, that's exactly what writers conferences are all about: improving your craft. (I've even heard one author say that she was training her competition.) Most workshops and continuing courses feature best-selling authors and top-notch instruction. And it doesn't stop on the last day. Some even offer the lectures on CDs or thumb drives for purchase, so you hear the ones you missed or listen again to your favorites. If you're a serious writer, it's best to attend a conference every year.

Most conferences have editors from all the publishing houses along with literary agents who can help you navigate through the high seas of publication. Christian conferences usually have organizational committees that pray over every part, from choosing a top-notch hotel to making appointment assignments. And then there are God-appointments -- those "coincidental" meetings where you "just happen" to meet the agent or editor who is the perfect fit for you. Whatever happens, I'm always blessed when I come home, whether I've gotten a request for a full (writer-speak for an agent or editor who has requested that you send in your full manuscript -- the writing equivalent of striking gold) or a handful of business cards with the contact details of all my new friends. It's so more than just a conference.

But perhaps, money isn't the real issue. With me, there was another, bigger one in play: I didn't have the confidence to go.

How's a little ol' unpublished country girl who lives out in the sticks supposed to act in a teaming mass of 2,000+ published writers? Most attendees are multi-pubbed and my favorite authors are sure to be there too, well, you can see why I needed a cram course in confidence. (And the strength not to go all fan-girl on them.) 

Before my last conference, my marvelous mentor, Beth Vogt, suggested I should do a Bible study to see what God says about confidence, even learn how should I think and carry myself among all those authors. Want to hear a secret? I still need to re-read those posts as I prepare for other conferences and contests, too.

One of my favorite verses in that study was Isaiah 26:3. It's so great because it reminds me to keep my mind on Him, not on myself. No scurrying about, trying to get everything together, making lists in my head of everything I still have to do, snapping at my poor hubby because I'm so stressed. The turbulence that caused my hands to shake and my stomach to rumble finally went away when I focused (my One Word for 2017) on Him, instead of myself. Meditating on that verse filled me with His perfect peace.

Now that's confidence.

How do you calm yourself when you're preparing to stretch out of your comfort zone? How do you keep your mind on God? Share in the comments section, I need all the help I can get!

About the Author

Angela Arndt

Angela Arndt writes women’s fiction with a thread of romance. She loves to tell stories of strong, independent women in difficult situations, set in small Southern towns. Her biggest hope is that she will encourage others to overcome their “back roads” and find their own joy in the Lord.

She and her husband, Charles, live on a bee farm in the middle of a big wood with their three furbabies: Beau, Harley, and Buddy the Wonder Dog.

Read more thoughts from Angie at her blog, Joy on the Back Roads. Connect with Angela at her website, on Twitter, and Facebook.

What Do I Do Now? By Angela Arndt

Angela Arndt

It’s two weeks after the ACFW writers’ conference. Are you’re still wondering what you need to do?

Here are a few suggestions:

Thank You Notes
Shoot off a couple of quick “thank you for your time” emails to every editor or agent you met.

No. No. No.

Send a hand-written note instead to every editor, an agent or mentor. You can even send a note to the workshop or continuing education instructor. 

Be sure to include specific things from your conversation. List the follow-ups that they suggested and tell them how you going to do them. 

If you really want to stand out, James L Rubart suggested that your thank you note echo your book. My book is set on a bee farm, so I sent a small jar of honey with my handwritten note. Did you meet in the coffee shop where he/she ordered tea? Send them a small box of their fav. Details show that you care.

Business Cards
I know, you took 250 business cards to Conference and came back with 243. Did you get a card from each person you met? Congratulations! You've doubled your sphere of influence.



So what do you do with all those cards? The easiest way to process them is to find an app that will pull the information from business cards and put it directly into your Contacts program. (Both Evernote or CamCard offer this function.) Then, don't forget to Like or Friend them on Facebook.

Like or Follow? Should you “Like” their business profile or send a friend request to their personal profile? The answer to that question is this: how well do you know them?

• Business Page - if they are multi-published authors with followers in the thousands and the only interaction you had with them was to ask them to pass the pepper, you should probably "Like" their business page. 
• Friend Request - if the two of you had a long discussion and he or she said, “Here’s my card, be sure to friend me on Facebook,” feel free to send them a friend request. Most writers wouldn’t mind more friends!

Agent or Editor Follow-Up
If an editor or agent requested a proposal from you: Do. It. Now. Even if your manuscript isn't ready, send it. Just include a deadline in your proposal. Then, be sure to send your manuscript before that date.

These are just a few things I heard in the hallways at my last conference, but I'd love to hear more. What are you doing to help your dream agent remember you or help your manuscript stand out from the hundreds of others?

About the Author

Angela Arndt was a corporate trainer before health issues sidelined her. These days she’s active in her local church, ACFW and is a regular contributor to MBT's Weekly Spark, in addition to being a team member of Seriously Write. She'd love you to join her on her personal website, too.

Angie's current manuscript placed third in the Orange Rose contest and is a finalist in the Maggie Contest. She is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency and is currently working on a series of novels set in small Southern towns. She and her husband live in the middle of a big wood outside a small town in South Carolina.

My Publishing Journey by Annette O’Hare

Annette O'Hare

Many writers anticipate attending conferences throughout the year. These gatherings offer great opportunities to learn more about the craft of writing, meet agents and editors, and make lifetime friends. For some, like author Annette O’Hare, they even swing open the door to publication. Enjoy! ~ Dawn

My Publishing Journey

I returned from the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in 2014 with my first publishing contract and an agent. It’s true. It really can happen, but in the words of the late great, Paul Harvey, now for the rest of the story.

When I finished writing my first novel, Northern Light, I began looking for a publishing house. This part of the writing process can be very frustrating when you learn most publishers won’t consider a manuscript unless it’s been requested at a conference or submitted by an agent. There are, however, a few small publishing houses that accept manuscripts directly from the author, like my publisher, Pelican Book Group.

After a painless online submission process, I received a request for the entire novel! Then came the part every author dislikes…waiting. Sometime later I heard back from the editor informing me that my novel didn’t fit with their line, but I didn’t give up. I negotiated with the editor and she agreed to take a second look after I made some suggested changes. I resubmitted and was then told that my novel was going to committee! Then, once again, I waited.

Fast forward to September 2014. I’m attending the ACFW conference in St. Louis and who’s on the editor list, Pelican Book Group. I requested an appointment and told the editor the whole story. She assured me she would talk to “her people” and get an answer.

That night after the awards gala I packed to go home following an uneventful conference. I checked my e-mail for my flight information and noticed e-mail from the head editor at Pelican offering me a contract for Northern Light. I started crying.

I called my buddy, Janice Thompson, who was still talking to friends after the gala. I tried telling her my news, but she couldn’t understand me through the tears! She told me to come to her ASAP. I pulled on jeans and a t-shirt and rushed downstairs. Boy did I look silly around all the ladies and gents dressed in gala attire!

When I finally got the words out, Janice and everyone around cheered with me. Janice told me later how she originally thought I had lost a loved one! Another friend, Kathleen Y’Barbo, was with us at the time. She asked if I had an agent. No, of course not. Kathleen disappeared and returned with literary agent extraordinaire, Julie Gwinn, who I’ve been represented by ever since.

My publishing journey may sound like a Cinderella story, but I don’t have a fairy godmother or a magic wand. The truth is, publishing is a long process where you find out you don’t know much of anything! And if it were not for the grace of God I never would have made it through.

In a nutshell, that’s how it happened. Northern Light was released in February 2016, and Julie is working hard to sell my next historical romance. I’m currently writing a historical novella, to be included in a collection with two of my agency mates.

Northern Light

Northern Light

Civil War has robbed Margaret Logan of all she holds dear, including her beloved New Orleans home and her fiancé. When her family moves to the desolate Bolivar Peninsula to manage a lighthouse that is no longer there, all her hopes for a normal future are dashed. Her world is rocked once again when a wounded Yankee soldier washes ashore needing her help. Despite her contempt for the North, Margaret falls in love with Thomas Murphy. As their love blooms, Margaret’s sister is overcome with neurosis, and her mind slowly slips away. Bitterness, psychosis and depression yield a decision fueled by contempt. Will one fatal choice cause Margaret to lose the man she loves and condemn Thomas to death?

  

Annette O’Hare is an inspirational author of historical fiction. She lives close to Houston, Texas with husband, Dan, of thirty years. The O’Hares love saltwater fishing on the Gulf Coast and spending time with family. Annette loves the history and heritage of Texas and that love comes through in her writing. She is a long time member of American Christian Fiction Writers and ACFW Writers On The Storm. It is Annette’s genuine desire to reveal God’s love to her readers and hopefully give them a laugh or two. Annette and Dan are proud parents of two Texas A&M graduates, an exceedingly imaginative high school freshman and two rambunctious, loveable rescue dogs.

You can learn more and connect with Annette at these online sites:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/24LR8OW     

Website: http://www.annetteohare.com

Goodreads: https://goo.gl/V9Qt7U

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annetteohareauthor/       

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnetteOHare  

Why You Should Attend a Writing Conference by Susan Anne Mason

Susan Anne Mason

In light of the opening of registration for this year’s ACFW Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, I thought I’d share my views on the benefits of attending a writing conference.

Before I ever attended one, I was fascinated by all the pictures posted on Facebook of writers having what looked like a fabulous time at the annual conference! But the thought of facing such a large event felt too big, too scary. Thank goodness in 2011, I overcame my fears, and with the right motivation (meeting my favorite authors), finally took a leap of faith and booked my flight to Missouri. This year will be my 4th conference and each one has been a unique experience. 

Here are some of the advantages I’ve found:

• Being able to meet with editors and agents to pitch your book! This is a huge and likely the most important advantage gained by attending a conference—the opportunity to get your work in front of experts and receive valuable input from someone in the industry. Granted it takes a lot of courage to make that appointment, but there’s comfort in the fact that you are not alone!
• Paid critiques! For a very reasonable price, you can have your work critiqued by a seasoned author. Pick someone from the list that you like, someone who perhaps writes the same genre as you, and be open to their suggestions. I will always be so grateful to Karen Witemeyer for the wonderful advice she gave me on the opening pages of “Irish Meadows”.
• Meeting other writers and feeling like somebody really understands you! It was such a blast meeting other aspiring writers like myself, people who understood the struggles of trying to write while juggling the responsibilities of a part-time job, a home, and a family. It was also a huge thrill to meet my favorite authors and to find they were all so gracious and approachable!
• The great workshops! No matter what stage of your writing career you’re at, you can learn something new, and there’s a great selection of workshops to choose from.
• The worship. I must admit I was a little afraid of what this might entail. I pictured loud, evangelical-type gatherings, and for this reserved, private person, it seemed very intimidating. I’m happy to say that even if I didn’t know the songs, or the words to certain prayers, I never felt out of place. Only wonderfully blessed! And the music is fantastic! (Thanks Rachel Hauck and team!)
• Last, but not least—THE FOOD! Yes, prepare to go on a diet after the conference. The food is so good, you won’t be able to resist temptation! Especially the desserts!

A Worthy Heart
by Susan Anne Mason

If you’ve ever wondered if spending the money to attend a conference is worthwhile, I urge you to set aside your fears, save your pennies and plan to attend. You won’t regret it! You’ll probably make a new friend or two, and who knows, you might even sell your story! Hope to see you in Nashville!

About the Author

Susan Anne Mason describes her writing style as “romance sprinkled with faith.” She loves incorporating inspirational messages of God’s unconditional love and forgiveness into her characters’ journeys. A Worthy Heart is her second historical novel in the Courage to Dream series. Irish Meadows won the Fiction from the Heartland contest sponsored by the Mid-American Romance Authors chapter of RWA.

Susan lives outside Toronto, Ontario, with her husband, two children, and two cats. She loves red wine and chocolate, and is not partial to snow even though she’s Canadian. Learn more about Susan and her books at www.susanannemason.com.

A Worthy Heart
Maggie Montgomery’s dream of seeing America has finally come true. While visiting Irish Meadows, Maggie meets an intriguing man whom she thinks is a stable hand. Only when her brother, Rylan, demands she stay away from Adam O’Leary does she learn he is Rylan’s brother-in-law, recently released from prison. Nonetheless, Maggie can’t seem to make her stubborn heart conform to her brother’s request. Adam O’Leary has never felt worthy of his place in the family. Now a free man, Adam’s only desire is to earn back his family’s trust. Falling in love with the newly arrived Maggie, however, was never in his plans. Despite everyone’s effort to keep them apart, the two develop a bond it seems nothing can break—but they soon discover the past isn’t easy to overcome.