ANTELOPE VALLEY CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE

This is a growing conference with a vision to become the Southern California location for Christian Writers. 

This year's faculty is a nice mix:

Kathi "Easy Writer" Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored more than 30 books and ghostwritten several others for such notables as Rosey Grier and the late Chaplain of the US Senate Dr. Richard Halverson. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats. She and her husband, Al, live in Homeland, CA, where the two of them spend their free time buzzing around in their new ride: Al's 2005 sunburst orange Corvette.

Kim Bangs has 21 years of publishing experience. She is the Manager for Author Relations/Contracts for the Regal Books, as well as a member of the acquisitions team. She has had the privilege to work with Dennis and Barbara Rainey, Jim Burns, Gloria Gaither, Craig Johnson, Josh McDowell, Gary Smalley, Michelle McKinney Hammond, Karen O’Conner, and the First Place 4 Health team and many others. Kim enjoys working with authors to provide resources that touch hearts and change lives and open conversation with others.

Kim’s workshop will be “Show and Tell.” In our early school years, most of us participated in this game; we brought Guinea pigs, lost teeth, creative art work. Now that we're grown up, how do we use show and tell effectively in our writing? Jesus used this method throughout His ministry and we can too!

Bill Jensen has worked in book publishing for over 35 years, first as an editor for Harvest House Publishers, and now as an agent. He has acquired and worked with authors such as Stormie Omartian, Michelle McKinney Hammond, Kay Arthur, Greg Laurie, Tony Evans, Lisa Whelchel, Dr. James Dobson, Joni Eareckson Tada, and a host of others. When not working, he’s likely fly-fishing or listening to classical music or opera. Bill makes his home in Eugene, Oregon, with his wife, Sheila, and three daughters.

Sharon Norris Elliott is an award-winning author, speaker, Bible teacher, and Editor-in-chief of a new magazine, Gospel Road. Her website offers a wide array of links whereby site visitors can get connected with all she has to offer. Sharon loves teaching at conferences and coaching writers. She and her husband, James, are enjoying their empty nest in Southern California.

  

B.J. Taylor is an award-winning author with publication credits in John Gray’s Mars and Venus in Love, 25 stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul books, feature articles in Writer’s Digest, Romantic Homes, and Victorian Homes, and Guideposts. B.J. writes dog-lit (beach reads for dog lovers) and will be releasing her newest work, Charlie Bear: The True Story of a Headstrong Rescue Dog. B.J. lives in Southern California with her husband and the scrappy Charlie Bear. Visit her dog blog at www.bjtaylorblog.wordpress.com.

Daniel Darling is the author of several books, including Real, Owning Your Christian Faith (April 2012). His work has been featured by Relevant Magazine, Focus on the Family, In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley. Publisher’s Weekly called his writing style “substantive and punchy.” He blogs for patheos.com and Crosswalk.com. Dan has been interviewed on TV and radio outlets across the country, including 100 Huntley Street, Moody Broadcasting, Harvest TV, American Family Radio, and a host of local and national Christian media.

Dan's workshop will be "Writing for the Youth Culture." How do you communicate with the ever-reaching/ever-changing world of young people? Do you chase trends and pop culture? What are teens looking for? Authenticity, creativity? And what should we as writers deliver to them?

Linda Olson is an international speaker, leadership coach, and published author of articles, books, devotionals, and curriculum.  As an entrepreneur, Linda’s mission is to equip and empower you to be more successful than you’ve ever been. She serves on the board of Lead Her and the task force of Christian Women in Media.    

Linda’s workshop will be “Making Money with your Book.” Are you selling a book, or is your audience buying into your message? Like the grass after a fresh rain, you will be energized and motivated by discovering new and simple skills. You will learn to emotionally grab your audience of one, 100 or 1,000 so they will want more of you.

Kathy Ide is a published author of books, articles, play and movie scripts, short stories, devotionals, and curriculum. She is a full-time freelance editor/mentor for new writers, established authors, and book publishers. She is the founder and coordinator of two groups for editorial freelancers—The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network (www.TheChristianPEN.com) and the Christian Editor Network (www.ChristianEditor.com)

Kathy will lead a workshop based on her book, Polishing the PUGS: Punctuation,

Usage, Grammar, and Spelling.  If you’re writing for publication, you need the polish the “PUGS” in your manuscript. From her years as a professional freelance editor, Kathy addresses the most common mistakes made by authors in the areas of punctuation, usage, grammar, and spelling. In this fun, interactive workshop, you’ll learn PUGS rules based on the publishing industry’s standard references.

Former English teacher Cindy Chatham, known in the literary world as C. J. Chatham, is Executive Editor of Heartbeat Magazine.  A published author herself, she currently writes devotionals, poetry, and children’s stories in addition to editing the books and manuscripts of future authors.  

Cindy's workshop will be "Who Else Wants to Avoid the Editor?" If you don't want to have a stranger recommend a complete rewrite of your book, learn the essential elements required to keep them at bay.

Don Patterson, the fearless leader of the High Desert Christian Writers, has written four novels. He serves as the pastor of a local Southern Baptist congregation, and a chaplain for the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. Don's workshops, "Firearms For Fiction Writers" and "Tips for Successful Mayhem," are designed to help fiction writers plot, choreograph and write realistic suspense, action, and adventure scenes.

Our conference director Steven Hutson is a child of the sixties, a native of Los Angeles, and a storyteller almost from birth.  In the course of his career he has worn many hats, from clerk typist to lifeguard to meat cutter. His second book, In Search of Clarity, was recently released by Crossover Publications. In his limited free time he enjoys swimming and hiking, and serves on the Board of Library Trustees for the City of Palmdale.  At our conference, Steve will be on the lookout for new talent on behalf of his literary Agency, WordWise Media Services.

You can register for the conference at: http://www.avwriters.com/  Hope to see you there.