Archive for the ‘2011 Conference’ Category

Christian Freelance Book Editor Mick Silva – An Interview

February 23rd, 2011 elizabeth lonseth novels

Mick Silva, 2011 Faculty

Interview by Elizabeth Lonseth

Q: Having worked in traditional publishing and now working outside of it, you will be speaking about the New Publishing Rules at the conference. We all know that self-publishing and e books are changing the book industry. Any teasers that you want to provide?

Mick: When publishing began, it was so tightly controlled, people were killed for publishing works that weren’t officially sanctioned by the crown and church-state. It’s been a slow, grueling journey, but I argue we’re in another Guttenberg era where access to information is exploding and the old restrictions no longer apply. For instance, publishers no longer control markets. Good books can find their own audience and do quite well without them. (more…)

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Aspiring Writer Award: Love Letters to Miscarried Moms

February 22nd, 2011 susanskommesa

Last year, the Beverly Bush Smith Aspiring Writer Award was inaugurated in memory of Beverly Bush, former Co-Director Emeritus of OCCWF, who went home to the Lord in 2009. The first recipient of the award, in the form of a scholarship, was Samantha Evans. As we anticipate this year’s conference, we contacted Samantha to see how her writing has progressed.

Samantha Evans with husband Clint

Samantha’s first book, Love Letters to Miscarried Moms available through Amazon.com and Borders.com, is a testimony to God’s faithfulness and the significance He bestows on our life, despite the circumstances that seem to say otherwise. (more…)

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Jeff Gerke: Finding a Home For Speculative Fiction

February 22nd, 2011 DebbyAlten

Jeff GerkeBy now you’ve probably heard of Jeff Gerke, and Marcher Lord Press, publishing fiction beyond our world– of flying castles and vampire wars. I thought it would be fun for Jeff to introduce us to the unusual and why he loves it.

Beneath this fantastical umbrella we’ve come to know as speculative fiction lie a few subgenres. I’m certain not everyone is familiar with these.

Jeff: My short definition of speculative fiction is “anything weird.” So it would include science fiction, fantasy, time travel, vampire, superhero, alternate history, supernatural thrillers, apocalyptic/end times, spiritual warfare, paranormal, urban fantasy, cyberpunk, technothriller, and more. (more…)

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Fiction Writing Contest Offers Great Opportunity for Budding Writers

February 19th, 2011 pegrose

Christian writers, get your pens and pencils in motion—because the deadline for the OC Christian Writers Conference 1st Annual Fiction Writing Contest is coming up on March 31.

For this year’s April 30 writers conference, final judging for the writing contest will be done by publisher Jeff Gerke of Marcher Lord Press, with winners announced at the conference.

Entries with a strong narrative voice, deep characters that capture the attention of the judges, and a gripping storyline born from a Christian worldview are eligible to receive a cash prize $250 for first place, $150 for second, and $75 for third. (more…)

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Christian writer breaks free–and into print

February 17th, 2011 pegrose

Christian writer Mary Henderson won the first annual WestBow Press Publishing contest for unpublished authors at the 2010 Orange County Christian Writers Conference. Are you writing a Christian book and thinking of entering our second annual Westbow contest? Read Mary’s story about her book, Break Free, now available at amazon.com or from her website at http://www.maryhenderson.org.

Christian author discovers the key to breaking free—and into print

By Mary Kay Henderson

Sitting in the audience at the Christian writers conference in Orange County, I could hardly believe they had called my name: Mary Kay Henderson. It was one of those surreal, longed-for moments you treasure for a lifetime.  I was announced as the winner of the WestBow Press Publishing prize for my manuscript Break Free. My first book would now be published! (more…)

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Christian Writer Mary Demuth will speak on Creating Great Nonfiction

February 17th, 2011 occwf-director
Memor Workshop Author / Speaker

Mary Demuth 2011 Faculty

Christian writers are coming together for the annual OC Christian Writers Conference to be held on April 30 at Mariners Church in Irvine, California. Well-known inspirational author and speaker Mary Demuth will teach a workshop on how to create great nonfiction. In this workshop she will draw upon ideas in her nonfiction books the Nonfiction Proposal Tutorial and her own memoir Thin Places.

Using the istep method, she will present five ways that the non-fiction writer can make their work stand out to the reader like a beacon for the Lord. Besides the class, she will be available for one-on-one consultations throughout the day.

She will also be teaching an intensive all-day memoir writing seminar on Friday, April 29 that has already closed due to full attendance. The Friday workshop will be for those writers with a memoir work in progress. (more…)

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Memoir Writing Contest Still Open for Submissions

February 10th, 2011 occwf-director

The Memoir Writing Contest at the 27th annual Christian Writers Conference is open for submissions. The contest finalists will be judged by Mick Silva and the overall winner will receive a cash prize and an exclusive sit down meeting with an acquisition editor or literary agent to discuss the work. The complete entry guidelines are available online.

The OC Christian Writers Conference will once again be held at Mariners Church in Irvine, California. The faculty is the most varied the conference has ever brought in.

It includes

  • Four acquisition editors
  • Three literary agents
  • Private 15 minute consults with faculty
  • Catered lunch with faculty hosted tables
  • Twenty-seven different break out sessions
  • Four writing contests open to all attendees

The contests are highlighted by the WestBow Writing Contest with prize packages worth more than $4,200. Last year’s winner Mary Henderson’s book, Break Free, is now in bookstores..

The conference will be held on April 29 & 30, 2011 in the Community Center on the Mariners campus.
Click here for more information.

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OC Christian Writers Conference Announces 2nd Annual WestBow Writing Contest

February 3rd, 2011 occwf-director

Writing Contest, WestBow Writing Contest,

WestBow Press Writing Contest

The OC Christian Writers Conference is now accepting submissions for its 2nd Annual WestBow Writing Contest. First place will win a Bookstore Advantage Publishing Package valued at $2,799. IRVINE, CA (April 29th-30th, 2011)- One fortunate writer will win a Bookstore Advantage Publishing Package. All entries will be judged for quality, and the award will be announced after lunch before the entire conference. The Bookstore Advantage package will give an author access to distribution backed by one of the most prestigious publishers in the world. Features of publishing package can be reviewed at WestBow. See the website for entry rules to the 2nd Annual WestBow Writing Contest.

2010 contest winner Mary Henderson, awarded for her book, Break Free, describes the publishing process with WestBow as, “delightful to work with in every way. They have provided excellent professional service each step of the journey, from editorial consultation, to cover design, to marketing strategies.” In addition to WestBow Press is the Beverly Bush Smith Aspiring Writer Award for new authors, plus OCCWF’s own Fiction and Memoir Writing Contests. (more…)

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