I’ll admit: before I attended my first writing conference, I wondered what all the fuss was about. I figured I was fine without one, particularly given the expense and time commitment they required.
But now that I’ve been to a few Christian writing conferences, I’m hooked.
Look, I even made a video to try to persuade you to attend one …
You just can’t replace the concentrated wealth of knowledge, inspiration, encouragement, and relationships that can be gleaned from being at a conference with likeminded individuals.
Lord willing, I’ll be attending three different Christian writing conferences in the next 8 months, and I’d love for you to join me!Â
Join Me at One of These Christian Writers Conferences
Maranatha Christian Writers Conference
September 28-30, 2017
Muskegon, Michigan
Website: http://www.maranathachristianwriters.com
I attended Maranatha two years ago, and this year I have the privilege of serving on the faculty. I’ll be meeting for one-on-one appointments with attendees and teaching the following session:
Building Online Communities… for DummiesÂ
In this session, attendees will learn practical ways to find and build community online as Christian writers. Specific tips will be shared, including starting a blog, participating in blog link-ups, guest blogging, contributing to online publications, joining hashtag conversations and weekly parties on Twitter, joining a Christian Writers’ Facebook group, joining a membership site, starting an online discussion group, etc. Links and names of groups will be shared for attendees to research and consider for participation after the conference.
The Maranatha Christian Writers Conference offers unmatched direct access to experts in the field. You’ll get concentrated time sitting at meals with people who have been in the publishing industry for decades, as well as one-on-one appointments with agents and acquisition editors.
From my experience as an attendee, Maranatha does a fabulous job walking writers through the publication process and equipping them for what lies ahead.
Breathe Christian Writers Conference
October 6-7, 2017
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Website:Â http://breatheconference.com/home/
I’ve attended Breathe for two consecutive years, and this year I’m so excited to be presenting on three different topics:
More Than a Platform: Using Social Media for God and to Achieve Your Writing Dreams—Ann Kroeker, Kate Motaung, Shannon Popkin
Three accomplished writers who know how to use social media well will help you examine your motives regarding platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, develop godly strategies and practical solutions, and help you reimagine social media as a simple, powerful storytelling vehicle.
Create to Connect: How to Find and Build Meaningful Community Online—Kate Motaung
Do you ever feel alone in the writing life? Does the idea of meaningful online connection sound foreign to you? Learn practical ways you can find and build genuine, encouraging community online and get specific tips on blogging, critique groups, and online discussions.
A Start-Up Guide for Writing Online—Kate Motaung
Learn a step-by-step process for becoming an established online Christian writer, including tips for effective blogging, best social media practices, and growing community online, as well as a list of places to submit articles and guest posts (and some of them pay!).
I love the inspiration I find at Breathe. It’s a great place to go if you’re lacking motivation and need a good pep talk to spur you on as a writer. This year, we’ll have the amazing privilege of hearing keynote speaker Leslie Leyland Fields! I hope to see you there!
Festival of Faith & Writing
April 12-14 2018
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Website:Â http://festival.calvin.edu
The Festival of Faith & Writing takes place every two years. Compared to the other two conferences mentioned above, this one is much larger and covers a vast expanse of themes. Lord willing, my book will be released just before the festival, so I’d love to see you there to give you a signed copy!
Have you been to a Christian writing conference before? Which one(s) do you have your eye on? Will I see you at any of the conferences mentioned above? Drop me a comment below!Â
Looking forward to your presentations at Breathe! So happy you’ll be joining us again.
So many people have been talking about writing conferences lately that I was inspired to see if there was anything in the UK and I’m hoping to go to a one day conference in London at the start of October. I’m quite nervous at the thought of it as I’ve never been to anything like that before but also excited as the main speaker is one of my favourite UK Christian authors and her blog is one of the first I ever read.
Ooh, that’s exciting, Lesley! I hope you’re able to go! I’d love to hear about it afterward.
I’ve got my ticket for Breathe already. I’m looking forward to it – a lot! It will be the first writer’s conference I’ve ever been to, and then I’m attending a blogging conference the following week. Hopefully between the two of them, God will show me what to work on over the winter months.
Yay! I’m excited, Carol! I look forward to seeing you there!
Going to a writing conference is on my list of things to do…but first moving to a new state and then, hopefully, a much needed vacation with my husband before I think about a conference. Maybe in 2018.
Wow, you’ve got a lot going on, Debbie! Hope you get that vacation! 🙂
I would love to go to the Festival of Faith & Writing. It sounded amazing. Praying and will see…but will still set aside funds regardless so when the time is right it will be there. Thanks for putting this all in one place!
I enjoyed Festival of Faith & Writing because it was my first conference. It stretched me out of my comfort zone with some of the topics so I probably won’t attend again. I’d like to attend Breathe sometime but this year Shane and I are attending our local Christian Writers Conference together.
P.S. I <3 your new picture!