Registration is now open for the Winter 2010 One Day Conference.

“What Is Real?”

Oregon Christian Writers Winter One-Day Conference
Red Lion Hotel, 3301 Market Street NE, Salem, OR 97301

Saturday, February 25, 2012~8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 NLT

Click HERE for the Conference Schedule

Ready to register?

Click here to register online

Download the 2012 Winter Newsletter here!

*requires free Adobe PDF reader

Winter 2012 color newsletter

by Lindy Jacobs, Summer Conference Director

Plan Now to Attend Summer Conference August 13–16, 2012

Speak of His Wonders, Psalm 105:2 niv

“OCW Summer Conference is one of the best in the country,” say editors, agents, and conferees. We offer top-notch instruction, manuscript reviews, one-on-one meetings with editors and agents, and networking in a professional yet casual setting. Aldersgate Conference Center is set in the heart of Oregon’s beautiful Willamette Valley, the perfect spot to refresh and renew writing goals!

OCW’s conference is also one of the most reasonably priced. Tuition for OCW members will be $365, $425 for nonmembers, and a special youth rate of $325 for those 23 years old and younger. Onsite housing costs vary from $160 to $275 and include meals.

Watch our website www.OregonChristianWriters.org, where we’ll be posting the latest news about coaching classes, faculty, manuscript submissions, mentor appointments, and registration.

Here’s a preview of our faculty:

Look forward to seeing you this summer!

Lindy Jacobs, OCW Summer Conference Director

Leona J. Atkinson of Portland saw her first devotional book published October 14. She released the 124-page devotional, 54 Spiritual Blessings in Christ as found in the book of Ephesians, through Amazon.com’s CreateSpace. Each blessing is accompanied by related Scriptures, a short message, and a personal prayer. The $10 book is available at Amazon.com or via her website at www.leonaatkinson.com

Vicki Bartholomew of Sherwood announced that a corrected version of her short novel, Dragonflies and Elephants, is selling on AsiaBooks.com. (She withdrew the book from Lighthouse Christian Publishing, which sells on Amazon.) Her newest screenplay, Refills, won second place at both JamFest Film Festival in Louisiana and Wild Rose Film Festival in Iowa. The story is set in Nashville.

Carolyn Bolz of Riverside, California, was chosen to write a group email to members of the International Lutheran Layman’s League. In the message, she is identified as “Carolyn B. of Riverside, CA.” The Lutheran Layman’s League is a Christian group that produces the weekly radio show, The Lutheran Hour, in more than 30 countries. The LLL also shares the gospel via television programming, print materials, daily devotions, podcasts, and other outreach ministries.

Intermedia Publishing Group recently published Naselle, Washington, writer Richard M. Cary’s book, The Boston Kitty. It is the second of a proposed six-book series. The first book is Saving Little-Fish. For information see the website at www/quietstreambooks.com

Gail Denham, Sunriver, had a Columbus Day poem in the Columbus Day Storm book edited by Betty Plude, and placed two articles with Bible Advocate and a long poem in the next issue of Magnapoets. She had two honorable mentions in the Florida State Poetry Association contest, one photo used in H.O.D. online publication, and a poem chosen by Senior Poets. She also sent in numerous poems, flash fiction, and photos to various contests and publications.

Birdie Etchison of Ocean Park, Washington, announced she completed the NaNoWriMo challenge on November 21 when she ended her novel, Oyster Man, at 50,005 words. She wrote the entire novel in November as part of the National Novel Writing Month.

Have you ever felt baffled by someone’s behavior? Maybe they hint suicide, or actually try. Maybe they argue about how there’s nothing wrong with drinking alcohol: It just tastes good. Or perhaps their grief just overwhelms you—and them. Each month Gordon Grose of West Linn, who holds a doctorate in pastoral counseling, produces a free two-page newsletter to help with such challenges. PARAKLETOS contains a lead article, along with a brief commentary on Scripture related to the theme of the issue. Although designed to increase skills for pastors in their ministry of counseling, Gordon also finds others interested in the information in PARAKLETOS (counselors, comforters, those who come alongside). If you would like a sample issue, to subscribe for yourself, or as a gift for your pastor (with permission), write Gordon at gordongrose@mac.com. New subscribers receive Reformed theologian Roger Nicole’s (1915–2010) four-part article, “How to Deal with those Who Differ from Us.” Gordon’s blog on Transforming Tragedy and more information is available at www.gordongrose.com.

Portland resident Lynn Hare’s first published article, “The Tipping Point,” appeared in the October issue of The Christian Journal. Another article “Refreshed in Flight” was accepted by LIVE for future publication. The articles were published as a result of meetings with editors Chad McComas and Paul Smith at the OCW summer conference. Her interviews and leadership profiles continue to appear in monthly Radiant Church, Gresham, newsletters.

Seattle’s Lydia Harris had a Christmas story, “A Night Wrapped in Song,” included in the new book, Jesus is the Reason for the Season by Summerside Press. She had another article, “Countdown to Christmas with Prayer,” in the December Focus on the Family Clubhouse magazine, and a Christmas Advent activity in Focus’ Thriving Family (December). Lydia also has contracts for June and September pieces in Clubhouse Junior, and she was featured in an author interview in the November/December issue of Christian Communicator by Julie McDonald Zander of Toledo, Washington. Lydia has been busy promoting her book, Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting. She did two radio programs and a book signing. Lydia spoke at two luncheons, MOPS, Rotary Club, and a senior community brunch. She has booked more events this spring, teaching grandparenting workshops at the Warm Beach Christian Conferences for women. Lydia blogs weekly at www.PreparingMyHeart.net.

Tracie Heskett of Vancouver, Washington, is working on units for a practice book as part of a reading anthology program for a textbook publisher. She just signed a new contract to write some test passages/items for a different educational publisher and is still working on and hoping for a contract to write books on teaching writing aligned with new curriculum standards. One of her articles was accepted by Clubhouse Jr. for the February issue.

Just Dust Publishers has released two novels by Eugene author Shelley L. Houston. Julia, Coming Home, a relational drama with a side dish of suspense unfolds in “Sage Meadows, Oregon,” a fictitious name for Sisters, Oregon. Allister is a children’s chapter book about “one special mouse” that lives and learns by adventure in the mouse community within the walls of McAllister Elementary School. This book culminates with an awakening for Allister about the Light of Christmas. Both books are available on Internet book sites such as Amazon.com or can be ordered in bookstores. Julia, Coming Home is also available electronically on your favorite e-reader.

Patty Knittel of Walla Walla, Washington, had one article published in the spring 2011 issue of Now What? and another story scheduled for publication in the February 2013 issue of LIVE.

Susan Maas of Gresham has two articles in upcoming issues of LIVE: “Clear Away the Clutter” in the December 18, 2011, issue and “I Could Be Wrong” in the February 26, 2012, issue. She sold the second article to Paul Smith at the 2010 OCW Summer coaching conference. At the 2011 summer conference, LIVE bought another article from Susan called “Doubts in the Darkness,” which will come out in the October 28, 2012, issue.

Cheryl Linn Martin of Washougal, Washington, received her first publishing contract in September when she signed a three-book deal with Comfort Publishing for her middle-grade mystery series, The Hawaiian Island Detective Club.Book One, Pineapples in Peril, should be released sometime between October 2012 and January 2013. Books Two and Three are Menehunes Missing and Ukuleles Undercover, and will be released in about six-month intervals. For more information, check out her website at www.cheryllinnmartin.com and her blog, “Life in Flip-Flops,” which can be accessed through her website or at www.lifeinflip-flops.blogspot.com. Her agent is Terry Burns of Hartline Literary.

Jennifer Anne F. Messing, Portland, reviewed the movie What if …, an inspiring family drama about a man given a second chance to discover his life’s true meaning and purpose through a miraculous intervention from God, starring Kevin Sorbo and Kristy Swanson, for Examiner.com. Afterward, she interviewed the director, Dallas Jenkins, the son of Jerry B. Jenkins, author of the best-selling Left Behind series. The father and son founded Jenkins Entertainment in 2000. This was Jennifer’s first time interviewing a movie director. The interview article was published on Examiner.com (http://www.examiner.com/classic-movies-in-portland/an-interview-with-movie-director-dallas-jenkins), where Jennifer Anne writes a regular column as the “Portland Classic Movies Examiner.”

Jennifer Anne’s short story, “One Hour in Atlanta,” won first place in the short fiction contest jointly sponsored by Bo’s Café Life and The Storyteller magazine. Her story was published in the October/November/December issue of The Storyteller print magazine. She also had two new short fiction stories, “Not An Ordinary Day” and “Rain Check,” accepted and published in the January and February 2012 issues of Christian Fiction Online magazine. Her poem, “Close to You,” will be published in the spring 2012 issue of God’s Word for Today. Find out more about Jennifer Anne and her writing at www.JenniferAnneMessing.com.

Over the past four months, Sue Miholer of Keizer has edited two book-length manuscripts for Deep River Books. This is the second Deep River book she has edited for an author who lives nearby in Salem. The second author is in South Africa, so she had to retain the British spellings. She is now working on a manuscript for Deep River with an author in Tennessee.

Jan Pierce of Vancouver, Washington, recently broke into four new publications: Mature Living, Family Digest, Hometimes Newspaper (Florida), and Momsense, the MOPS magazine. The articles included devotionals, education-related pieces, and stories on missions in India. She said, “I’m so glad I found writing in my retirement years. God sure has a great sense of timing.”

Betty Plude of Independence attends the writing class taught by Jane West of Lake Oswego that meets every Friday in Monmouth. Betty put out a call several years ago for stories about the Columbus Day Storm that swept through northern California, Oregon, and Washington in 1962. Her book, Historic Treasure, is now in print and contains 215 stories, including those from OCW members Bobbie Christensen (Harrisburg), Eva Gibson (Wilsonville), Betty Hockett (Newberg), Julie Johnson (Prineville), Tom Luther (Portland), Billie Reynolds (King City), and Gail Denham (Sunriver). Sales of the book benefit the Independence Public Library and it can be purchased for $20, plus $4 shipping, from the Independence Public Library, 175 Monmouth St., Independence OR 97351. (Make checks payable to Friends of the Independence Public Library.)

Billie Reynolds of King City won an Honorable Mention for her screenplay, Naked Innocence, in the Writer’s Digest contest.

Sylvia Stewart of Beaverton was interviewed on the half-hour blogtalkradio.com program “The River” by Maxine Marsolini and Jeannie St. John Taylor on November 7 about her book for tweens called Kondi’s Quest.

MaryEllen Stone’s Run in the Path of Peace—the Secret of Being Content No Matter What is now available in ebook via Amazon.com at http://amzn.com/B005JPWBQC for $2.99. MaryEllen is excited at the number of emails she has received from readers saying they are undergoing cancer treatments or other health issues, dealing with aging parents, facing the frustrations of home remodeling, etc., and the book is truly blessing them. Others have shared that although they are not currently experiencing stress, they are inspired and entertained by MaryEllen’s writing style and the stories she includes in the book. MaryEllen invites you to visit her at her website: http://maryellenstone.com

Camas, Washington’s Carolyn Wade saw her story, “The Palm Tree,” published in an October-release book, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Find Your Happiness. It relates an incident that occurred when she was a missionary in Uganda.

Vi Whittaker of Salem lists the following recently published poetry: “A Request to the Father” in Horizons (Regular Baptist Press), “Adoption” to Silver Wings, and “Prayer of Mere Mortals” in OCW newsletter. Her article, “Writing in the Cracks,” appeared in the February 2011 issue of Fellowscript from Inscribe Christian Writers Fellowship (Canada). Tree Farm Country, a children’s first chapter book (ages 7–10), was published by Faith Books & More, Suwanee, Georgia, in August 2010.

Plan Now to Attend Summer Conference August 13–16, 2012

Speak of His Wonders

Psalm 105:2 niv

“OCW Summer Conference is one of the best in the country,” say editors, agents, and conferees.

We offer top-notch writing instruction, manuscript reviews, one-on-one meetings with editors and agents, career mentoring, and networking in a professional yet casual setting. Evening sessions feature outstanding speakers and worship. Aldersgate Conference Center is set in the heart of Oregon’s beautiful Willamette Valley, the perfect spot to refresh and renew writing goals!

OCW’s conference is also one of the most reasonably priced. Tuition for OCW members will be $365, $425 for nonmembers, and a special youth rate of $325 for those 23 years old and younger. Onsite housing costs vary from $160 to $275 and include meals.

Keep watching our website where we’ll be posting the latest news about coaching classes, faculty, manuscript submissions, mentor appointments, registration and housing.

Here’s a preview of some of our amazing faculty:

Keynote Speakers:

Jim Rubart, best-selling author (Rooms, Book of Days, and The Chair) and marketer

Cec Murphey, best-selling author/co-author (90 Minutes in Heaven, Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story, and 120 other books)

Editors:

Lonnie Hull Dupont, Revell, a division of Baker Publishing

Nick Harrison, Harvest House

Kim Moore, Harvest House

Ramona Richards, Abingdon Press

Wendy Wetzel, Revell, a division of Baker Publishing

Chad McComas, The Christian Journal

John Fortmeyer, Christian News Northwest

Sherri Langton, Bible Advocate

Joanna Lutz, Focus on the Family

Paul Smith, LIVE

Andy Meisenheimer, The Editorial Department

Agents:

Sandra Bishop, MacGregor Literary

Terry Burns, Hartline Literary

Bill Jensen, William K Jensen Literary

Les Stobbe, Stobbe Literary

Professional Writers:

Susan May Warren, My Book Therapy

Rachel Hauck, My Book Therapy

Randy Ingermanson

Caleb Breakey

David Sumner

Leslie Gould

Look forward to seeing you this summer!

Lindy Jacobs, OCW Summer Conference Director

Join us for OCW’s annual

Summer Coaching Conference

August 13–16, 2012

“Speak of his wonders,” Psalm 105:2 NIV

Keynote Speakers:
Award‐winning, best‐selling authors

Jim Rubart (Rooms)	Cecil Murphey (90 Minutes in Heaven)

• Morning intensive coaching classes
• Afternoon workshops covering fiction, nonfiction, poetry, magazine articles, greeting cards, devotionals, and marketing
• Manuscript reviews
• Career mentoring with leading authors
• One‐on‐one appointments with national editors and agents
• Editor and agent panels
• Daily worship and devotions

“What an amazing gathering of creative and inspiring souls,” says Tami Heim, The A Group.

Editors and agents say:
“Oregon Christian Writers’ Summer Conference is one of the best conferences in the country.”

Conferees say:
“Kudos to OCW for presenting great speakers and programs.”

“Spirit‐filled. Changed my way of writing and thinking.”

Aldersgate Retreat Center is set on 38 forested acres in the heart of Oregon’s beautiful Willamette Valley—the perfect setting for study, fellowship, and worship.

Watch our website for faculty, curricula, and registration details.

Download the

Summer Conference 2012 Flyer*

Download the Fall 2011 Newsletter (requires the free Adobe PDF reader).

SPIRIT- FED WRITING = SALES

by Billie Reynolds, OCW Treasurer

OCW Summer Conference 2011 is over. Many of the attendees have been busy writing requested proposals to agents and publishers or polishing articles and books using the grand things they learned from specialized professional coaching classes and workshops.

You possibly do not realize how many OCW members are active, professional writers who are greatly respected and consistently appear in major periodicals, in church literature and curricula, and on best-seller lists.

If you aspire to go from selling an article or poem once in a while to being a professional writer, an OCW conference is the place to be. OCW works hard to produce economical and effective meetings with access to the best professionals, coaches, keynoters, agents, and editors from the publishing markets.

OCW will have a report after we receive all the numbers fro msummer conference, but we encourage you now to plan on attending all the conferences, especially the summer conference in 2012. You can begin saving up before the final prices are set. The OCW summer conference fees are about half of what other similar conferences charge. Please forgive our little bit of pride as well as humility when we say that many of the professionals tell us they would not miss this conference since “It is one of the best in the nation.” Here they see writers continually growing and working on their craft and keeping up with the market changes. Plus, they appreciate the spiritual atmosphere.

The OCW bookstore sold many books, cards, photos, and CDs this year.

PS: To those who sold items, please deposit those checks immediately if you haven’t already done so. Thank you.

The Inspiration of Creation

by Mary A. Hake, OCW President

OCW’s theme for our 2011 fall conference may seem a bit different, but it expresses a truth that should accompany all our writing. If we are not “Excited by Creation,” how can we effectively share about our wonderful Creator? Whether overt or subtle, the universe and God’s universal truths provide bountiful inspiration and an eternity of material for writers.

Have you ever exalted as you gazed into the night sky through a telescope, studying the myriad stars and planets pinpricking the heavens? Or viewed some of the stunning photographs from outer space and tried to elicit satisfactory words to describe the astounding images only God could see until modern times allowed humans to glimpse these treasures?

NASA has a marvelous image gallery where you can explore the universe via a computer. Have you seen photos of the brilliantly colored Dumbbell Nebula or the “Chaos at the Heart of Orion” as baby stars are born?

So much also awaits our microscopic exploration—whether within a cell or a molecule or teensy creatures living unaware of our gigantic status. Although I have trouble focusing my bifocaled eyes to coordinate with a powerful microscope’s eyepiece lens, I have stood amazed at the scene of a minuscule community functioning as God intended. Doesn’t it seem intentional that God placed people between these two extreme worlds, both of which are invisible without a “scope” to allow observation? Louie Giglio has great video presentations that show God’s wonders both humongous and infinitesimal. He points out how God has placed the image of the Cross in the midst of His star-studded gallery. Astronomers call it the “X” Structure at the core of the Whirlpool Galaxy. Giglio also shares that within our bodies scientists have found the cross-shaped protein molecule laminin, which is essential to maintain life. Throughout Creation we see the design of the Cross: growing plants, birds soaring on the wind, the Southern Cross constellation, etc.—signs to remind us of the Savior.

Time and space will not allow me to mention the millions of amazing living organisms inhabiting our earth, such as the rainbow colors of blooming blossoms or the variety of animals and insects. Choose any letter of the alphabet and see how many of God’s creations you can name beginning with that letter. Ants, alpacas, apples, anacondas.… Each is unique and could be the subject of a book or an article.

I appreciate fine writing that seamlessly weaves scientific facts into a story, a poem, or a song. Bodie Thoene does this well in her Zion Chronicles, a series of novels about the life of Christ. She incorporates astronomical information pointing to Messiah into the books. Nonfiction can be quite interesting and informative, but adding such data to fiction in a way that doesn’t interrupt or intrude takes skill. As Christian writers, I believe this is a proficiency we need to develop in our own writing. We can practice, in conversation and in daily writing, sharing the truth naturally. The world around us offers plenty to study, discuss, and put into writing.  As a song by Selah reminds us, Creation’s splendor speaks of God and offers hope to a broken world.

Scripture is filled with praise to God for all He has made and all He has accomplished. Psalm 19:1–4 says, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world” (nlt). I encourage you to spend time scoping out God’s creation and worshipping Him for His wonderful works.

Not only does Creation evoke our worship and inspire our writing, it actually reveals God’s truths to our hearts: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead” (Romans 1:20 kjv).

We may use illustrations from nature to point to the Master Architect or to celebrate the Designer’s attention to intricate details. We may pen Sunday school lessons, homeschool curricula, Bible studies, poems, songs, or short stories based on God’s Creation. Whatever we do, whatever we write, may all bring glory to God and draw others closer to Him.