ACFW Online Conference -In a Word – Awesome

This past weekend I attended an online writing conference sponsored by ACFW. I’ve never attended one of their conferences in person or online. It was so well done; I can’t say enough about it.   https://acfw.com/

The faculty was filled with writers/teachers I’ve never heard before. Their content was excellent. I filled pages of a notebook in spite of knowing they will send recordings of all the classes.

SOME OF THE TEACHERS AND WRITERS

Tamara Alexander – Writing Real History in a Cancel-Culture World

Her story would be unbelievable in a different time. But in this world in which we are now living, it makes perfect sense. Terrible though it may be.

A couple of things Tamara said that stood out:

If you don’t have a mission statement for your writing, you need to create one.

“Awards are only an opinion.”

“Timing is everything.”

“Don’t compare yourself to others.”

And she calls us her “eternal siblings in Christ.”

Just wow! And this was only the first class. So much to think about.   https://tameraalexander.com/

 

Jaime Jo Wright taught us about her Skeletor Theory of writing. It was very interesting. She is of a totally different generation than I,  likely the age of my children. It’s too involved to tell you here, but if you ever get a chance to hear her teach, run to her classes.

One tidbit of info she gave us was good, good advice: Don’t over research or you will be researching your research. Indeed! And she’s delightfully funny. Great sense of humor.

https://www.jaimewrightbooks.com/

 

Jeanne Burgess encouraged us to face having to do publicity in any form, joyfully. I don’t know about you, but when I think about all this entails, my heart isn’t too joyful. But she convinced me I can do this with a joyful heart and spirit. Begin with this thought: no one can tell the story the way you can, with your words, your voice, your experiences, your relationship to God.

You need a press release for every book you write.

ACFW Online Conference -In A Word - Awesome @DDuPreeWilliams #writing #ACFW #WritingConference Share on X

Robin Lee Hatcher – Going from Traditionally Published to Indie

As a side note, I read one of her books last week without knowing I’d be taking her class over the weekend. What I call a God-incidence. Its title is Firstborn. It was excellent. One thing she said which we all know but likely just don’t think about is, “A publisher is a rights buyer.” That puts a kind of a different slant to things in my mind. Again, there was so much information given to us, if you ever get a chance to sit beneath her teaching, by all means, go take this class. One thing that stood out was that indie books will not get into the big bookstores. Y’all, that’s huge! The way the publishing world is going these days, we may all find ourselves in the position of going indie. Who knows? Keep trusting God with our writing journeys.    https://robinleehatcher.com/

 

DiAnn Mills – Book Clubs and How to Attract Them.

I’ve known DiAnn since I first began writing ten years ago. I’ve sat in her classes, and I can honestly say she is a gifted writer and teacher. This class blew me away with so much content I’d never heard. I have six pages filled with notes from this class. There is no way I could put it all here but do go to her webpage and see that. Click on Book Clubs. You will not believe how good it is. Find that here: https://www.diannmills.com/book-clubs/

 

Debbie Lykins – By The Book – PR for Your Book

Such good content from a timeline of when you should be doing what, to the current social media sites that are all that. I’m not sure I’m ready for some, but she says do the one or two you know you can do but make sure it’s the one where your readers hang out. Good Advice! And in case you’ve forgotten or maybe didn’t ever know, being an author is all about forming relationships with your readers. Know your brand so you will know where your readers hang out. Reach them there. Another class to take if you ever get the chance.

https://prbythebook.com/

MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND THE NEXT ONE!

This ACFW conference surpassed all my expectations. If you get a chance to attend in person or online, I promise it is well worth the money you will spend.

 

Blessings, y’all!

Oh, how I love these two ladies! Jessye is singing with the heavenly choir now, and I’m looking forward to singing with her one day. I’ve sung this arrangement as a solo many, many times. I don’t have the rich, rich voice of Jessye, but mine is more like Kathleen’s. Well, it was when I was a young woman. I can’t sing such high notes these days. But I can dream and I love singing along with these in the privacy of my office as I search for them each week. Just a reminder that the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it. That includes our writing. May we always strive for excellence and may the works of our hands and hearts always bring Glory to His Name. Soli Deo Gloria.