Be Thou My Vision

Welcome to the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, 2008! Our heartfelt thanks goes to Northside Baptist Church for hosting KCWC this year.
We are honored to have Karen Artl as our Keynote speaker, and Bruce and Lynne Drysdale Patterson as our worship and music leaders. They have chosen as the conference theme: "Be Thou My Vision," a beautiful old hymn set to an Irish folk melody. Karen says that wisdom and guidance are basic tools to Christian writers, and asking God to "be the vision" connects us to the gifts He has given us.
We listened to your requests and made some exciting changes. This year, Friday will have more variety, with workshops as well as keynote presentations. Our panel of editors will be available to answer your questions and tell you what they want to publish. Watch for editor sign-up instructions when you arrive, and make your individual appointment to see an editor.
Do you have an article, story or song that you would like to have critiqued? Check out the critique services of Betty Whitworth and Lynne Drysdale Patterson, described inside. (Note that you must be registered for the conference, meet their deadlines, and make arrangements in advance if you want to take advantage of the critique service.)
Both Friday and Saturday you'll be able to visit our new Interest Groups and discuss topics including beginner's questions, children's writing, Internet questions, and ethical questions for Christian writers.
Saturday the workshops are so tempting you may want to team up with a friend and trade notes! You'll be encouraged and inspired as you explore our sessions on fiction, devotional writing, marketing, business, and creativity. Hispanic writers will find special venue with Jorge Berrios, editor of El Aposento Alto.
Come, fix your eyes on Jesus. He will inspire us to heights we can only imagine!
For updates on the schedule and the editors in attendance, bookmark this site. Also visit http://kychristianwriters.blogspot.com and sign up for email conference updates.

MEG

Featured Speaker: Karen Moore Artl

Karen Moore Artl of Thomas Nelson Publishers is our featured speaker for 2008, and she will be teaching workshops on marketing and publishing. She has been a teacher, a creative writer, and a product developer. Currently, she is Senior Acquisitions Editor for the Readability Team of the Bible and Reference division at Nelson.

Although she's done many things, she says the defining moment in her life was when she realized she was a writer. The mother of three grown children, Artl was a teacher, but she grew frustrated with the lack of job security.

"I spent some time with the Yellow Pages and God and found myself on the phone with American Greetings," she said. Three weeks later, she was offered a job with American Greetings. After 6,000 greeting cards, Artl wanted to write books using stories she had collected over the years. She spent more time with God, and she realized, "I had all of these stories just loitering in folders waiting to come out and play."

Her stories have come to life in her gift books and children's books. Karen’s own publications include, God’s Graduate, When You Haven’t Got A Prayer, Hugs For Aunts, and A Taste of the Spirit. She has written for Christian Art Gifts, Faith Words, Cook Communications Ministries, Howard Books/Simon & Schuster, Thomas Nelson, DaySpring Cards and others.

As a product developer, Artl has exhibited a gift for marketing to compliment the training she received at American Greetings. She keeps abreast of marketing trends by reading and by attending marketing seminars. She has helped with marketing of products like Care Bears™ and Strawberry Shortcake™. She has even launched her own licensed property, with artist, Suzan Browning, called The Holy Cows™.

At Thomas Nelson, Artl creates gift Bibles with emphasis on the seasons and the needs of women. Bible handbooks, Bible dictionaries, and audio Bible products are also her division's responsibility. This year, she is helping to create Nelson’s biggest audio release ever called The Word of Promise.™

Join us in welcoming Karen to KCWC 2008.

NEW: Interest Groups

Our most exciting new offering this year is our Interest Groups offered on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Members of the KCWC planning committee will host "roundtable" groups on topics relating to writing and computing. The facilitator will answer questions and/or lead discussion on the designated topic, encouraging interaction between participants. Attendees can visit one or more tables during each Interest Group session. See the schedule page for a list of topics and facilitators as of press-time. Watch the website for updates.

Critiques

Manuscripts:

Betty Whitworth is offering a manuscript critique service for KCWC this year. See her bio on the back of the schedule page. For a $50 deposit, payable to Betty, you may submit up to 75 pages by mail.

Send to: Betty Whitworth, 11740 South HWY 259, Leitchfield, KY, 42754, to be received no later than May 15^th.

Betty will set a time to meet with you privately during conference. If you have questions, please contact Betty directly by email at blwhit@bbtel.com, or by phone at 270-257-2461.

Songwriting:

Lynne Drysdale Patterson provides personal guidance/individual instruction for your songs in progress and your future songwriting. Send songs and lyric sheets on CD or cassette by mail to:

Lynne Drysdale Patterson P.O. Box 148651 Nashville, TN, 37214.

Mailings must be postmarked by June 2, 2008. Enclose check payable to Lynne Drysdale Patterson. Fees are: One song, $15.00; 3 songs, $40.00; 5 songs (maximum), $65.00.

Evaluation includes verbal/written review of song, song idea, song title, melody, song form, evaluation of overall composition of idea.

Critique includes verbal, written/recorded corrections and suggestions for improvement. Lynne will schedule appointments for critiques prior to conference. If you choose to bring your songs for an on-site evaluation you must email Lynne to schedule your appointment ahead of time.

Mission Statement
The purpose of the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference is to provide an annual interdenominational event to equip and encourage writers in their quest for publication. The conference will provide a safe environment where writers can discover their gifts and share their work.