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Map Upstairs Room 1 Upstairs Downstairs Room 1 Sanctuary Room 2 Men Book Sales Room 3 Room 3 Room 4 Women Room 5 Door Prizes Stairs Lunch Books Fireplace Registration Schedule Cafe Entrance Entrance Room 7 Elevator Registration Main Room Room 4 Room 5 Room 6 Room 7 Room 2 Door Prizes Cafe Room 6 Elevator 08:30 – 09:00 Registration 09:00 – 09:10 Welcome (Main) 09:10 – 09:50 Allen Arnold; “The Story You Stepped Into” (Main) 09:50 – 10:05 Break 10:05 – 10:55 Workshop Session 1 10:55 – 11:10 Break 11:10 – 12:00 Workshop Session 2 12:00 – 12:50 Lunch (Provided) 12:50 - 1:00 Door Prizes, Main Room 1:00 – 1:40 Becky Harling; “Write Your Praise” (Main) 1:40 – 1:55 Break 1:55 – 2:45 Workshop Session 2:45 – 3:00 Break 3:00 – 3:50 Workshop Session 4 4:00 – 4:30 Door Prizes, Panel, “Now What” (Main) Breakouts Workshop 1 10:05 - 1055 Room Speaker Class 1 Lucille Zimmerman Your Personal Journey Can Help Others 2Jim WaltersMarket Yourself 3 Debbie Hall How to Self-Edit with Konfidence 4 Jessica Johnson The ABCs of Social Media 5 Douglas Beck Self-Publish with Ease 6 Kirk Weaver Writing for Families Main Allen Arnold Infuse Your Creativity with Heart Workshop 2 11:10 - 12:00 Repeat of above Workshop 3 Room Speaker 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Main Tina Samples Shelley Hitz Catherine Lawton Sarah Joy Freese John Blase Caleb Seeling Larry Lawton Becky Harling 1:55 - 2:45 Class Writing for Women Amplify Your Message Using Fiction Techniques Through the Eyes of an Agent Everyday Poetry: Bearing the Burdens of Nouns The Brave New World of Publishing The Business Side Moving Beyond Self-Doubt Workshop 4 3:00 - 3:50 Repeat of above (Exception: Becky Harling’s breakout sesson 4 is “Map Your Message”) Page 3 Welcome A little over a year ago a group of writers began meeting together with the simple belief that our words matter. Some in our group had mass market exposure, publication experience, and a lifetime of success. Others had never shared their words with another soul, but they knew they had a gift and didn’t exactly know what to do with it. This disparate group grew in our love for the written word, bound by our love for a Creator and each other. As we continued to meet, we came to realize that paid publication wasn’t always the only measure of writing success. The marketplace model is undergoing drastic changes, thanks to reader’s habits and digital technology. The barriers to traditional publication are often huge, and for many writers, unsurmountable. The sad result is that many talented and motivated writers are hitting roadblocks. Frustrated, many don’t even try. They quit, leaving this gift of words unused and unclaimed. You have a story. Your style may be personal narrative, poetry, fiction, sci-fi, essays, blogs or journaling. Here’s what you need to hear today: Tell your story. Don’t wait for a book deal. Don’t wait for an agent to sign you. Don’t wait for a tall enough platform. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1 Peter 4.10 Start telling your story now with words that matter, in your everyday existence. It is our prayer that through this one-day experience you’ll find the motivation, encouragment, and tools to take your writing up one notch. If God wants your message to go to a broad audience, then we hope you’ll find a path to mass market publication. We have people here who will help you on that journey. If your message needs to be written for an audience of One, then we pray that you’ll find the courage and inspiration to tell that story. “We come together today as writers, seeking to impact this world with a marvelous truth. Use our words God, we humbly pray.” -- Writers on the Rock, 2015 Page 4 Allen Arnold “The Story You’ve Stepped Into” Keynote: 9 AM Main Room God extends an immensely intimate invitation to some of his sons and daughters – the chance to step into Creative Fellowship with the Creator. And it starts with knowing your Story, because your created universe thrives when you do. And it malfunctions when you don’t. Prepare to leave behind (at least momentarily) the natural world topics of craft and business as Allen takes you down the rabbit hole into a supernatural way of embracing your calling. To write in a way that is infused with eternity, we must journey back to Eden, through Enemy terrain, and into the wildness of creating with God. “Infuse Your Creativity With Heart” Breakout Session 1 & 2 Main Room Nothing great was ever achieved without great heart. Yet writers often become disheartened, discouraged or overwhelmed…and when they do, their stories slowly begin to die. God tells us to nurture our heart above all else – but storytellers often understand more about the rhythms of their character’s hearts than their own. The surest way to infuse your creativity with heart is by awakening your own heart. In this breakout, you’ll learn specific ways to do just that – including how to discover the truer you, consecrate your creativity, and feast on hidden Spiritual Manna. Allen Arnold loves the epic adventure God has set before him. From the mountains of Colorado, he leads Content and Resources for Ransomed Heart Ministries (led by John Eldredge). In 2012, Allen was awarded the American Christian Fiction Writers Lifetime Award. He is a 20-year veteran of Christian publishing, having worked with hundreds of authors and published more than 500 novels. Allen can be likened to a cardiologist for the writer, in a spiritual sense. He has a passion for the heart of the storyteller and wants to awaken an awareness of the story God is writing in the life of the writer even as the writer pursues this holy art. “God cares far more about the story you’re living than the story you’re writing. Live well. Then write well.” Please Support our sponsors Our thanks to Write His Answer for the $100 scholarship that we will give away as a door prize at the end of the day. Our thanks to Ashography for a door prize of a one-hour portrait session including an outdoor shoot, multiple wardrobe changes, and at least 20 professionally edited digital files. Ashlee Bratton specializes in author portraits. She is also a writer and is an attendee at our conference. Thank you BVC for this facility and all the support. For more information, www.bvchurch.org If you book a package, mention Writers on the Rock for a 10 percent discount. Page 5 Becky Harling “Write Your Praise” Keynote: 1 PM Main Room Your life is to be a magnificent praise song sung to Almighty God. When you live for the praise of His glory, your pen becomes an instrument of worship and your voice becomes a mouthpiece of exaltation. You begin to realize it’s not about your story it’s about God’s story as told through Jesus Christ. The Word became flesh (John 1:14). You now become a narrator of this great story. The Word becomes flesh in you and you now communicate the message of God’s love to a hopeless world. Write your praise and live it well! “Moving Beyond Self-Doubt” Breakout Session 3 Main Room Every writer knows the place of self-doubt! It’s like a deep pit that feels impossible to climb out of. Rather than being stuck in self-doubt, why not develop a plan for climbing out of the pit and holding on to the vision God has given you? You don’t need to feel paralyzed by selfdoubt anymore. Your weakness creates the space for His strength. If God has called you, He will empower you! Come and discover a practical plan to move beyond self-doubt and step into the calling God has for you. “Map Your Message” Breakout Session 4 Main Room We’ve all had those ‘lost moments’ as communicators when we wonder, “Where am I going?” And, if you are feeling lost, it’s guaranteed that your audience is also feeling lost! It’s important to be able to communicate with confidence. Creating a message map will help you communicate with less anxiety and more authority. Join us and learn how to craft a message map, so that you are able to speak with purpose and passion. Page 6 Becky Harling is a popular author, speaker and communications coach. She has written Finding Calm in Life’s Chaos, Rewriting Your Emotional Script, and Freedom From Performing. She has also written two challenge devotionals; The 30 Day Praise and Challenge for Parents. In addition to speaking at conferences, retreats and other venues, Becky has been a featured guest on The Daystar Television Network, The Harvest television show, Moody’s Midday Connection, and many other top-rated radio shows. In her coaching services to those looking to improve their communication skills, Becky empowers them to share their message passionately and powerfully for the glory of Jesus Christ. She weaves her experience as a pastor’s wife, mother and grandmother, women’s ministry leader; her personal battles with breast cancer and childhood sexual abuse and the stories of others who have found hope and healing in Christ into a powerful testimony with depth and realism that invites listeners to draw closer to God. Douglas Beck “Self-Publish With Ease” Breakout Session 1 & 2 Over the past few years self publishing has become the most common method of getting your work “in print.” This method is inexpensive and easy if you know the right steps. Learn how to create, edit and publish your work, select your distribution methods and promote your books and literature. Understand the value of social media, Author’s book signings and “Local Author’s Shelves” at your local “Big Box” book stores. We will go over the only “Golden Rule” when it comes to promoting and selling your work…never give it away. John Blase “Everyday Poetry: Bearing the Burden of Nouns” Breakout Session 3 & 4 William Blake wrote that we are here that we may learn to bear the beams of love. John Blase contends that we are here that we may learn to bear the burden of nouns. Writing poetry can be a useful companion in that learning. Contrary to what some believe, you don’t need an MFA to do it. However, there are a few things to always keep in mind, things you no doubt already know but it’s good to be reminded of from time to time. Doug Beck is the self-published author of Growing Up in Aspen: “Life After the Quiet Years” Vols. 1 and 2, which recount his experiences and adventures growing up as a 5th generation citizen of the Roaring Fork Valley and 3rd generation native son of Aspen, Colorado. Doug began writing the stories to preserve his memories for his children and the stories soon gained a following of readers, many of whom had also grown up in or around Aspen. Doug’s books are a collection of tales about skiing, playing hockey, backcountry camping and about growing up in a community of loving mountain people who knew when to help and when to “tell your parents.” Doug published his works through CreateSpace, an Amazon company which assists authors, composers and filmmakers to independently publish and distribute their works in traditional and electronic formats. John Blase is a writer, blogger, speaker, collaborator and a full time editor for Waterbrook/Multnomah Publishing Group. The son of a pastor, John was a pastor himself for fourteen years serving at churches in Texas, Arkansas and Colorado. He is the author of Know When to Hold Them: The High Stakes Game of Fatherhood and Touching Wonder, Recapturing the Awe of Christmas. John co-authored three books with Brennan Manning: Dear Abba: Morning and Evening Prayer, All is Grace: A Ragamuffin Memoir and Smack Dab in the Middle of God’s Love. He is the co-author and editor of numerous titles including the Worldviews reference book, The Message Children’s Bible and multi-volume Bible study courses: Living the Questions, Living the Letters and Real Life Stuff for Couples (NavPress). He also co-wrote Start With Me: A Modern Parable with Michael Seaton (Zondervan). John authors a poetry blog, the beautiful due; the gospel according to John, where he shares his mastery of the form. John’s writing is intense and personal, fiercely optimistic, and questioning; distilled through “a strange thing called grace.” Page 7 Sarah Joy Freese Sarah Joy Freese is an associate literary agent with WordServe Literary Group, which has represented over 700 books in Breakout Session 3 & 4 every fiction category and non-fiction genre; specializing in serving authors of Have you ever wondered exactly what an agent looks faith in all of their creative for when she considers your writing? Despite the endeavors. Sarah loves changing tides of publishing, securing an agent is still an important part in the traditional publishing process. reading through queries This session will discuss exactly what an agent is look- and attending writing conferences to meet new ing for in both fiction and non-fiction and offer you the best tips for how best to capture the eye of an agent. excellent writers. She enjoys working with authors to make their manuscripts Even if your book is not ready to see the light of day, even stronger. Sarah is especially interested in conmuch less an agent’s ‘desk’ (read: email inbox), the temporary and historical romance, contemporary more connections you have with an agent, the more women’s fiction, other historical, suspense and memhe or she will remember you when the time comes for oir, narrative non-fiction and large platform bloggers your work to be sent out. who write on marriage, family and parenting. “Through the Eyes of an Agent” Debbie Hall Debbie Hall is an editor who combines 15 of teaching high “How to Self-Edit with Konfidence” years school and college Breakout Session 1 & 2 English and composition with a passion for helping writers at all levels create their best Before you submit your manuscript for professional work. Debbie’s editing editing . . . experience covers a Before you ask a few trustworthy friends to proofread a wide range of projself-evaluation at work . . . ects. Recently, she has Before you click “publish” to share a blog post with the edited novels of varying genres, a nonfiction book world. . . proposal for presentation to publishers and agents, Whatever it is that you’re writing, how do you know it’s multiple PhD candidate dissertations, and materials for a local author and speaker. Debbie has field the best it can be from your own efforts? tested manuscripts and edited nonfiction pieces, From this breakout session on self-editing, learn how to blog posts and other writing forms for members discover your own best methods for polishing your writ- of Writers on the Rock. Debbie has a true love of ing, how to enhance your skills as a writer every time words and writing and enjoys guiding writers in you write, and how to increase your confidence in your developing their skills and unleashing their crework as you self-edit. You will also learn how to overativity. Originally from California, she now calls come many stumbling blocks writers face. Colorado home and is a busy mom to two active kiddos. Page 8 Shelley Hitz Shelley Hitz is an awardwinning and internationally best-selling author. She is the owner of TrainingAuthors.com and is passionate about helping authors succeed in publishing and marketing their books. “Amplify Your Message” Breakout Session 3 & 4 God has given each one of us gifts and abilities. One way He chooses to use us to impact She teaches from personal expeothers is through our writing. Therefore, as a rience. Shelley has been writwriter, you have a message to share with others. ing and publishing books since The most effective time to start marketing and 2008 and has published over 30 connecting with your audience is WHILE you books including print, eBook write your book. This session will help you see and audio book formats. marketing in a whole new way that isn’t pushy or Download Shelley’s free training “Building a Book Marketself-promotional, but instead connects you with ing Plan” ($27 value) when you sign up for her newsletter your target audience in an authentic way. here: http://trainingauthors.com/newsletter/ Jessica Johnson Jessica Johnson is Lead Creative for Transparent Faith, Inc. where she oversees social media “The ABCs of Social Media” strategy, web design, and brand Breakout Session 1 & 2 management. For seven years, she has worked to craft compelling Jessica Johnson will discuss how to create and online communication alongside Margaret Feinberg and helped maintain an online audience, while sharing social media secrets, and how you can expand edit dozens of books and Bible studies. She has a degree in theolyour influence ogy from Colorado Christian University. Jessica and her husband, David, have their hands full with their superdog, Elsa. Lucille Zimmerman “How Your Personal Journey Can Help Others” Breakout Session 1 & 2 Lucille Zimmerman is the author of Renewed: Finding Your Inner Happy in an Overwhelmed World (Abingdon Press). She is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a private practice in Littleton, Colorado. In addition, she is an affiliate faculty member teaching psychology and counseling courses at Colorado Christian University. “Give us gladness in proportion to our misery! On a typical day you will find Replace the evil years with good.” her walking her dog Chipotle, reading, writing, and seeing – Psalm 90:15 (NLT). clients. She loves good coffee, belly-laughter, fly-fishing, Each of us has a story that includes joy and and Honey Nut Cheerios. She has been married to John for pain, and each of us has discovered wisdom 28 years and has two adult children. along the way. Learn how writing about your journey can help others. Page 9 Catherine Lawton “Using Fiction Techniques” Catherine Lawton has had a desire to write since her first poem was published in a national magazine at the age of 12. Catherine has written several books, including Face to Face: A Novel, Journeys to Mother Love and No More Fear: From Killing Fields to Harvest Fields. Breakout Session 3 & 4 Bring your writing alive and hold interest by using fiction techniques. Whether you write blogs, personal memoirs, or articles, your writing can have more appeal, and be more convincing, when you learn to incorporate descriptive detail, use dialogue, paint the scene, set a mood, add dramatic tension and resolution. Larry Lawton “The Business Side” Breakout Session 3 & 4 Room 6 Starting a publishing company or selfpublishing? Larry demonstrates the howtos of tracking sales, invoicing, managing inventory, taxes, choosing accounting software, and more. Learn to be more business-like in this enjoyable, hands-on workshop experience. Her writing has also appeared in a variety of periodicals and writing compilations. Catherine, publisher and editor-in-chief at Cladach Publishing, loves to help writers on their road to getting published. Larry Lawton has a heart for the wallet of the writer, with a unique perspective and realworld knowledge of the business side of writing. Larry is the director of finance, warehousing and fulfillment for Cladach, a royalty-based, familyowned, small press located in Greely, Colorado. In addition, he has more than 25 years of experience as a corporate financial analyst and controller in various industries. Larry also has extensive experience preparing financial statements and income taxes for individuals, partnerships and corporations. A popular conference speaker, Larry gives insight on the tax impacts of writing as a business versus writing as a hobby. Page 10 Tina Samples “Writing for Women” Breakout Session 3 & 4 Writing for women raises the eye-brows of many individuals. How do you touch the heart of women when God created them with many colors and emotions? We will explore ways to write for the heart of women and pinpoint areas that pull women into your writing. This class will shift your thinking and provide creative ways to offer hope, healing, and humor for the everyday woman through your writing. Tina Samples is a Texasbased writer, speaker, and worship leader. Tina’s most recent book, Wounded Women of the Bible, which she co-wrote with Dena Dyer, explores the shared emotions and injuries that women of all ages have in common, moving readers toward the recovery and healing that only God can provide. Her other publishing credits include Finding Hope When Life Hurts; Guideposts; Extraordinary Answers to Prayer: In Times of Change and Unexpected Answers; Angels, Miracles, and Heavenly Encounters: Real Life Stories of Supernatural Events; The One Year Life Verse Devotional; and It’s a God Thing. She has also contributed to various devotional magazines. Caleb Seeling “The Brave New World of Publishing” Breakout Session 3 & 4 The publishing industry has undergone a sea change in the past six years. The failure of age old publishing practices have caused the mega media conglomerates to consolidate while scrappy small presses have been growing in number and notoriety. As big box bookstores are forced to shutter their doors, small independent bookstores are opening them and staying open. Ebooks have not killed print and, to everyone’s surprise, self-publishing has become a viable and respectable option. It’s a brave new world out there and we’ll talk about how to navigate it and how to decide which path is the right one for you. Caleb Seeling is a creative force in the arena of writing and publishing, with specialized experience in modern publishing trends, professional editing, and creative consulting for authors and organizations. Caleb served as acquisitions and developmental editor for NavPress, the publishing division of The Navigators organization in Colorado Springs. He originated, developed, and launched the NavPress Deliberate line, initiated the partnership between NavPress and the Via Affirmativa artist group, and held the company’s first authors’ forum at the Glen Eyrie Castle conference and retreat center. After leaving NavPress, Caleb founded Samizdat Creative Services which provides editing, writing, and consulting for self-published writers; striving to “transcend the bounds of traditional publishing.” He acquired the award-winning Conundrum Press in 2011 and has built it into the preeminent literary press of the Rocky Mountain region, publishing Colorado Book Award and Pushcart Prize winners. Caleb is also author of a new graphic novel series published by David C. Cook—the first volume The Battle Begins released Fall of 2014, the second volume will release Fall of 2015. Page 11 Jim Walters “Market Yourself ” Breakout Session 1 & 2 Instead of conforming your message to the market, learn how to market your message. Learn how to use your strengths and experiences to write for eager audiences. You have unique gifts, talents, and abilities that are all fertile soil for writing. Jim Walters brings a unique perspective to the world of writing – from the pilot’s seat high above the Colorado landscape. Jim has been preaching the gospel and teaching people to fly for 25 years. A popular speaker, he has the ability to communicate complex truths in ways which are practical and understandable. He has had numerous articles published in various flying enthusiast magazines. His book, When Faith Takes Flight, combines the teaching methods of the flight instructor with the storytelling of a favorite pastor to enliven the foundations of Christian living. A former fighter pilot, Jim is currently Senior Pastor at Bear Valley Church in Lakewood, Colorado. Kirk Weaver “Writing for Families” Breakout Session 1 & 2 Hear how a void, combined with a niche creates a market that demands resources… and a reluctant writer is born. We are all part of God’s greater story. When I tapped into His story being worked out in my life…I experienced and witnessed God-only results. By “God-only” I mean results that can’t be explained by individual human effort. Specifically, my writing is a vehicle to train, equip and support families in teaching children Christian principles and values in the home. Kirk Weaver is the founder and director of Family Time Training, a ministry developed out of the desire to equip parents to teach Christian principles and values in the home. Family Time Training provides parents with intentional spiritual lessons that can be woven into a fun family activity. Kirk has written and published hundreds of Family Time lessons which are designed to teach specific Christian values, character qualities and spiritual beliefs. Kirk has written eight books containing Family Time object lessons, including Tried and True; Playing for Keeps; Running the Race; Seeing is Believing; Wiggles, Giggles & Popcorn; and Bible Stories for Preschoolers - Old Testament & New Testament. Family Time Training also provides an ongoing support structure to families with online guidance and through the local church. Page 12 Save the Date Writers on the Rock: Conference 2016 Feb. 27, 2016 “Just crazy enough to do it again” Acknowledgements We owe so much to the staff and congregation of Bear Valley Church. This is a church that values the arts and they opened wide their doors to our vision. They gave us space, staff, and freedom. * To the steering committee who put this together: Maurine Maltrude, Nick Miller, Amy Young, Cari Zorno and David Rupert, as well as all the volunteers that * Pastor Jim Walters is a friend to writers stepped up to help today. Karen and we thank you for making this happen. Mitchell, Jon Dudycha, Jessica Wynn, Sherryn Hensley, Glo* Tom and Barb Christopher prepared ria Bans, Hinde Newton, April lunch for us today. They did so at cost, Musekamp, Jenn Bestfka, Lane volunteering thier time. And thank you to Arnold, Kevin Cullis and everyone else who said, “What can I *Jenn Bayer who gave her time as a do?’ barista. * The members of pSaltry who gave us the gift of song. * To our gifted roster of speakers and presenters. WOW. Many of you travelled a long way for very little compensation. Thank you for catching our vision and sharing your time. *To our attendees: You gave us your time and your money. We hope your trust was well-placed. * To the members of the Writers on the Rock small group. In just a year, we’ve grown, published three books, and now put on a writer’s conference. Dream big? Yes! * To God. All we wanted to do was to give glory to your name and to encourage others to do the same. Thank you for putting the words on our hearts. Page 13 Join us! Writers need community. Don’t let this moment pass! Writers on the Rock meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at Green Mountain Recreation Center from 7 PM to 8:30 PM. To join our mailing list, send an email to: writersontherock@gmail. com. To stay up with all our activities, join our group on Facebook and Meetup. If we aren’t convenient, we’ll help you start your own group. Send us a note! ttoo n n e e k k ssppoo e e uu,, v v o o a a y y h h I I n n i i ggss ee b b n n i i y y h h t t a a m ll..”” l l yy m u u o o f f j j Thheessee tt m e e ““T y y bb m y y a a a a m m h h t t jjooyy r r yyoouu,, u u o o yy t t a a h h t t aanndd Writers on the Rock: Conference 2015