Keynote Speakers

Monday (Opening Night): Jim Watkins
Tuesday: Doug Newton
Wednesday: Sharon Ewell Foster
Thursday (Commissioning Service Lunch): Sharon Norris Elliott

Major Tracks

Major Tracks are four hours of instruction. Some of the tracks include:

• Christian Publishing 101 with Lissa Halls Johnson
• Fiction with Marilynn Griffith
• Non-Fiction Writing in a Reality Show World with Kim Bangs
• Take the Word to the Worldwide Web with Jim Watkins
• Pastors with Doug Newton
• Screenwriting with Dr. Michael Gonzales
• Songwriting with Donn Thomas
• Speaking with Sharon Norris Elliott
• X-Treme Teens (Teen Track) – one day only with Matthew Jones

Get the latest details here: Major Tracks updated June 17

Electives & One Hour Workshops

Additionally, numerous one hour elective workshops are also offered. Please view our One Hour Workshops updated June 29.

Manuscripts & Mentoring

Manuscript Critique System: Bonnie Brechbill
Mentoring: Overseen by Susan Titus Osborn

Schedule

View the conference Schedule updated April 14

The Poet’s Night Out

Hosted by Claudia Tynes
Do you love to read or write poetry? If so, you do not want to miss this memorable night out with the poets. Come and join us for a night of hilarious fun, laughter and even tears. We’ll have tissues on hand for your issues.

AuthorizeMe Back by Popular Demand

AuthorizeMe, the popular coaching seminar designed to help you get your book idea out of your head, down onto paper, and into a professional proposal format, will be held Oct. 2-3, immediately following the full Sandy Cove Communicators' Experience. Taught by the conference director, Sharon Norris Elliott, you won't want to miss this intensive 8 hours concentrating on your specific book project. Register for AuthorizeMe directly through the AuthorizeMe office or through the AuthorizeMe website.

AuthorizeMe
P.O. Box 1519
Inglewood, CA 90308

www.AuthorizeMe.net

If you have additional questions, contact Sharon directly at AuthorizeMe@sbcglobal.net.

Sharon Norris Elliott

~ director ~
Sharon, our conference director, attributes her success in writing and speaking to God and Christian writers' conferences. Having now been in the business professionally for 17 years, she reaches out to teach and encourage other aspiring authors. She has many published works to her credit including books, articles, devotions and praise music. As an author and popular conference speaker, her messages touch the hearts of her listeners, inspiring them to live significantly. She is on staff with CLASSservices and is CEO of AuthorizeMe and Milk & Honey Life Retreats.

Jim Watkins

~ assistant Director ~
Jim is an award-winning author of fourteen books and over two thousand articles, speaker, communications pastor at a large church, an acquisitions editor for Wesleyan Publishing House and online professor.

Bonnie Brechbill

~ queen of manuscripts ~
Bonnie Hellum Brechbill has been a freelance writer of magazine and newspaper features for 22 years. Her byline has appeared in Newsweek, Highlights for Children, Brio, The War Cry and many other publications.

Claudia Tynes

~ poetry expert, manuscript team assistant ~
Claudia N. Tynes is an Entrepreneur (Write 4U), author, teacher, and mentor. Claudia has authored two books and over 175+ articles, devotionals, and poems (online and in print) for Christian and secular publications.

John and Judy Wagner

~ hospitality ~
John Wesley Wagner is a children's evangelist and wellness management consultant. He shares God's love and the importance of making healthy choices in schools, churches, corporations, healthcare, and senior living facilities.

Kim Bangs - Regal Books

Kim Bangs is the Author Relations/Contract Manager for the Regal Publishing Group as well as a member of the acquisitions team. She has worked with the Regal team for thirteen years and prior to that worked for Gospel Light (of which Regal is a division) for five years writing children's Sunday School curriculum. Kim actively pursues books in her areas of passion: worship and books for women, but is always looking for great books in areas of spiritual growth as well. She has been privileged to work with some great authors including: Dennis and Barbara Rainey, Lisa Harper, Michelle McKinney Hammond, Karen O'Connor, and Florence and Marita Littauer. Whether at home in Oxnard, CA, in the middle of strawberry fields, with her two doxies: Cocoa and Sassy, on the road, or in the office, Kim is passionate about dreaming big with potential authors to create meaningful dialogue within the Church and beyond.

Rebecca Irwin-Diehl - Judson Press

Rebecca is editor at Judson Press, the publishing ministry of National Ministries (ABCUSA). With degrees in English-writing and theological studies and 12+ years of publishing experience, Rebecca's passion is to empower God's voice through people.

Tom Neven

Tom, who oversees all youth publications for Focus on the Family, has written for a variety of publications, including The Washington Post, The Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News, Writer's Digest, and Time-Life.

Susan Titus Osborn - B&H Publishing, New Hope Publishers (non-fiction), Howard Publishing (fiction)

Susan is the director of the Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service where she heads a staff of 18 editors. She has authored 29 books, as well as numerous articles. She is a member of the Christian Leaders and Speakers Services (CLASS) staff and is also a CLASS speaker. Susan is a member of Advanced Christian Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) and is a judge for the Christy Awards for Christian fiction each year. Susan is an author, representing B&H Publishing for all their book lines, New Hope Publishers for nonfiction books, and Howard Publishing for their fiction line.

Michele Washam - English Mountain Press

Michele has been designing successful websites and online marketing for 15 years. She currently promotes authors, publishes books through English Mountain Press, produces author webinars through her company Christian Conference Online, and runs two large online ministries with more than 150,000 members and sites that average 5 million hits per month. Michele is the author of Protecting Those You Love in an X-rated World (Bridge-Logos) and A Course in Heartbreak (English Mountain Press).

Jim Watkins - Wesleyan Publications, ACW Press

Jim is an award-winning author of fourteen books and over two thousand articles, speaker, communications pastor at a large church, an acquisitions editor for Wesleyan Publishing House and online professor.

Iris Dowling - Byline

Iris Gray Dowling is a freelance writer of church program materials, puppet skits, plays, stories, object lessons, teaching articles, devotions, puzzles, and more. Her work is published by Standard Publishing, Lillenas, Bible Pathways, National Drama, One Way Street, and many others. She has written five books of ideas for church workers.

Lin Johnson - Christian Communicator

Lin Johnson is managing editor of Christian Communicator, Advanced Christian Writer, and Church Libraries; author of more than 70 books; international conference teacher; and director of the Write-to-Publish Conference.

Doug Newton - Light & Life

Doug Newton is Senior Pastor of Free Methodist Church in Greenville, IL. He is also the senior editor of Light and Life magazine. Storytelling is a common feature of Doug's speaking ministry and he is known for his book of Christmas stories titled, Christmas Stories from Enoch. He is also the author of a book on character titled, Blink: Provocative Essays on Personal Character.

Mary Lou Redding - Upper Room

Mary Lou Redding is Editorial Director of The Upper Room, the world's most widely read daily devotional guide. She is also a former college writing instructor and author of several books.

Sharon Norris Elliott

~ AuthorizeMe ~
Sharon, our conference director, attributes her success in writing and speaking to God and Christian writers' conferences. Having now been in the business professionally for 17 years, she reaches out to teach and encourage other aspiring authors. She has many published works to her credit including books, articles, devotions and praise music. As an author and popular conference speaker, her messages touch the hearts of her listeners, inspiring them to live significantly. She is on staff with CLASSservices and is CEO of AuthorizeMe and Milk & Honey Life Retreats.

Diana Flegal

~ literary agent, Hartline Agency ~
Diana Flegal lives in Pittsburgh, PA where she works as Editorial Assistant to Joyce Hart and is one of Hartline's agents. Diana represents fiction and non-fiction books to leading mainline and inspirational publishers.

Sharon Ewell Foster

Sharon Ewell Foster, a regular contributor to Daily GuidePosts, blazed onto the publishing scene nine years ago with the critically acclaimed and Christy Award-winning Passing by Samaria, a novel she first introduced at Sandy Cove. A former Defense Department employee, the author, speaker, and singer uses poetic and prophetic words to dramatically inspire, humorously uplift, and masterfully entertain, weaving stories that enthrall readers of all ages. With eight novels under her belt, Bishop T.D. Jakes has dubbed her, the Picasso of the Pen!

Michael Gonzales

~ screenwriter ~
Dr. Michael Gonzales teaches film and screenwriting at Biola University. He is a member of the Writer's Guild of America, International Documentary Association, NALIP, and ASCAP.

Marilynn Griffith

Marilynn Griffith is wife to a deacon, mom to a tribe and proof that God gives second chances. She is the author of eight novels a lifelong lover of books.

Lissa Halls Johnson

~ freelance writer and fiction editor ~
Lissa Halls Johnson is a freelance writer and fiction editor, author of novels for teens, tweens, and young adults. Among her 19 books is the most recent: Still Growing with Kirk Cameron. She was the creator, editor, and writer for the Brio girls series and for the KidWitness book series. She has contributed to a variety of periodicals and drama presentations.

Matthew Jones

~ movie director, DGA award winner ~
Matthew Jones is a senior Cinema Arts major at Biola University. He written several award-winning short films, and has worked for Disney/ABC, Warner Bros, BET, Cooke Pictures, and more.

Bonnie McDaniel

Bonnie McDaniel - today’s perfect Recipe for Good Living©!
In a time when everything is harried and hurried, Bonnie reminds us of what is real and what is important. Her message is clear - good food, family, community and practical lifestyle advice for all generations. In her roles as author, radio show host, television contributor, syndicated columnist, magazine editor and keynote speaker, what has been consistent is her timeless message on the importance of good living. Throughout the years, Bonnie has contributed to KUSA and FOX-5 Morning News in Washington, DC as a family and lifestyle contributor. She has appeared on Fox & Friends on the FOX Network, and most recently appeared alongside White House Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier during a live broadcast on the morning news. As a writer, Bonnie penned a syndicated column for the Times Community Newspapers. Additionally, she was the family communications and relationships editor for Family Digest Magazine with her column Recipes for Good Living©. Bonnie’s message is culminated in her book, In The Eye of The Storm: A Celebration of Family and the Real Purpose of Home.

Donn Thomas

~ pastor, professional musician ~
Donn Thomas has served as an ordained minister in six churches in Ohio, California and Georgia - a service record spanning over 38 years of consistent ministry. He has been associated with various music companies such as Word Music Group, Benson Music, Kingsway Music (England), Hosanna Integrity Music, Urban Sounds Music, and Maranatha! Music. He co-wrote with Charles Williams, the well-known worship song, "A Shield About Me." This song was featured on many Maranatha! praise CDs. "Anointing Fall on Me," written by Donn Thomas was featured on the famous "Lift Him Up" CD by Ron Kenoly along with other Dove and Grammy nominated songs. Donn was a worship leader for Promise Keepers events including "Stand In The Gap" in Washington D.C. His teaching, preaching, lecturing and worship-leading has carried him to many countries of the world, including the Americas, the Caribbean Islands, Europe, Scandinavian countries, New Zealand, Australia and several African countries.

Wendy Wood

~ publicist ~
Wendy Wood has been a writer/editor for more than 20 years. She worked in public relations and corporate communications before devoting her career to Christian publishing. She served Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, and other houses and magazines as an editor and publicist before partnering in Washam & Wood, an author/ministry promotion firm that produces webinars as Christian Conference Online. Wendy has helped to develop and market first-time authors as well as edited best-selling authors, including Ray Comfort, Dee Brestin, Kathy Troccoli, Robert Whitlow, and Liberty Savard. She is Acquisitions Editor for English Mountain Press and Communications Director for AuthorPressKit.net, Just4Ladies.com, HeartbreakUniversity.org, and ChristianConferenceOnline.com.

Book Publishers

• ACW Press – Jim Watkins
• B & H Publishers – Susan Titus Osborn
• English Mountain Press – Wendy Wood & Michele Washam
• Focus on the Family (Youth Periodicals) – Tom Neven
• Howard Books – Susan Titus Osborn
• Judson Press – Rebecca Irwin-Diehl
• New Hope Publishers – Susan Titus Osborn
• Regal Publishers – Kim Bangs
• Wesleyan Publishing House – Jim Watkins

Magazines

• Advanced ChristianWriter – Lin Johnson
• BylineMagazine – Iris Dowling
• Christian Communicator – Lin Johnson
• Church Libraries Journal – Lin Johnson
• Light and Life – Doug Newton
• Upper Room – Mary Lou Redding

Professional Companies

• AuthorizeMe – Sharon Norris Elliott
• Christian Conference Online –Wendy Wood & Michele Washam
• Hartline Literary Agency – Diana Flegal

If you are registered for the full conference, you are entitled to two manuscript critiques.

• You may choose which editor(s) or professional writer(s) you wish to evaluate your manuscript, or you may choose to have our manuscript team match you with an appropriate reviewer. If you need help getting your manuscript into publishable form, submit it to a professional writer in your field rather than an editor.
  
  
• You may sign up for one-on-one appointments at the Manuscript Table in the main auditorium beginning after dinner Monday. Group appointments will also be conducted Tuesday. (You do not need to sign up for group appointments.)
  
  
• Use the same care in preparing your hard copy (no electronic) manuscript(s) as you would if you were submitting it to a publisher or critique service. Double-spaced on white 8 1/2 by 11-inch paper with one-inch margins on all four sides. No staples, no folders or binders of any kind.
  
  
• Articles must not exceed 1200 words. Book proposals must not exceed twenty pages. (Book proposals should include proposal, which gives a brief synopsis of the book, how it differs from other similar books on the market, and your credentials, plus an outline of the book, and a sample chapter.) Each poetry submission may include four poems up to twenty lines each.
  
  
• Send one copy of your manuscript for each critique. (You may send the same manuscript to two different reviewers, or submit two different manuscripts to one editor or professional writer.)
  
  

Send your manuscript(s) in a 9 by 12-inch manila envelope postmarked by September 18 or earlier to:

Bonnie Brechbill
P.O. Box 785
Averill Park, NY 12018-0785

Include a self-addressed, stamped postcard with your manuscript(s) if you want confirmation that it arrived safely or if you have any additional questions.

If you do not get your manuscript in the mail to us by September 18, bring it with you. You can register it into the critique system when you arrive at the conference. Please note, mailing it ahead of conference is preferred.

• Need a roommate for the conference? See if someone with similar interests needs a roommate to help defray costs by visiting: Sandy Cove Christian Writers Yahoo Group
  
  
• If you have questions about lodging, accomodations, directions, or other non-conference issues, please call Sandy Cove at 800.234.2683.
  
  
• Questions regarding the conference should be directed to: Sharon Norris Elliott, conference director: SaneWriter@sbcglobal.net

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Where can I find a good sample book proposal?
A "first-timer" writes:

The conference will be the first i have ever attended. So it's a given that i am extremely nervous. Do you have any tips for first-timers?

You're not alone in your "nervousness"! I think it's a given for first-timers, but you'll find a loving, encouraging atmosphere at Sandy Cove. Click here for a great article by our own Claudia Tynes.

And would you happen to know where online I could find a good sample book proposal? I do not know how to present my memoir in the right way and don't want to look like an idiot with just sample chapters. Any help would be great.

Good question. In fact, I'm asked it so often, I put up just such an article on my site. Click here.

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Getting There and Finding a Roommate

One way to significantly reduce your conference costs is to share a room with one, or several, others. Why not invite a writing friend to join you? Or get your writing group to come together?

Or, you can room with another writer-friend that you haven't yet met. Many alumni have struck up great friendships with roommates they met at Sandy Cove Christian Writers' Conference. And one can never have too many writing friends!

Your best bet is to make arrangements now. Be the first to post a request - or respond to one - and snatch up a roommate before they find someone else.

To find a roommate, visit our Yahoo! Group "sandycovewriters". When choosing your group membership preferences, be sure to choose the option of having all new posts emailed to you. Place a post to find a same sex roommate, and have responses and other posts sent directly to your inbox.

This is also a great way to coordinate transportation. Do you want to share a ride or airport shuttle? The Yahoo! sandycovewriters group is your place to ask.

If you haven't made your reservations yet, now is the time. The door to your next step writing is open at Sandy Cove Christian Writers' Conference. Don't let another year pass you by, while you say "Well, maybe someday." Today is YOUR someday.

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Take the plunge! Make appointmens, get critiques

From time to time, people ask me "Where did you go to journalism school?" I can't keep the grin off my face as I say, "I didn't."

Occasionally, their bewildered look is followed by something like "You must be a very good writer then." I'll let my editors and readers determine that, but I can confidently say I am a better writer today than I was yesterday. I credit that to two things: writing, and critiques.

My writing school started at Sandy Cove Christian Writer's Conference more than ten years ago. The first year, I took it all in, made some friends, met with God, and took the large, terrifying leap into a 15- minute appointment with a very accomplished author. He was something of a writing idol to me, so I was like Scarecrow approaching the Wizard of Oz. All jitters, I moved forward anyway. I didn't have a manuscript, but I was armed with questions about his career, and what advice he might impart. I walked away inspired, and affirmed in my call to communicate.

Once my feet were wet, the next year I decided to plunge right into the pool and submit manuscripts. Sometimes the only way to get over the cold water is to dive right off the deep end. It might shock us with goose bumps and chattering teeth at first, but after that we tell others "C'mon in. The water's fine!" So, I made a decided effort to separate myself from my words. It was time to grow up, be a big girl, and put my stuff out there for critique. After all, it's CRITIQUE, not CRITICISM. "And so began Journalism School 101."

Since then, I've actively sought from the faculty and writers at Sandy Cove, my writer's group, and my editors. It makes me marketable. It makes me easy to work with. And it makes my stories better.

There's no safer place to take this step than Sandy Cove. As much as you have put your heart into your manuscript, faculty put theirs into feedback that will sharpen your writing skills.

If you are registered for the full conference, you are entitled to three manuscript critiques, and three appointments. Don't miss these opportunities. I'm glad I didn't.

Appointments are separate from critiques. You get three of EACH. You can sign up for 15-minute one-on-one appointments with those who look at your manuscripts, or with entirely different people. For critiques, send your manuscript NO LATER THAN SEPT. 15. After that, you will have to bring it with you to the conference and submit it when you arrive.

For details on critique submissions or appointments, please visit the Sandy Cove Writers manuscript tab.

Can't wait to see you - AND YOUR MANUSCRIPTS - at Sandy Cove.

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AuthorizeMe!

What will you do when an acquisitions editor is interested in your book idea and says, "Send me your book proposal." AuthorizeMe is the answer. AuthorizeMe is a fun, hands-on class that will guide you as you take your book idea from concept to proposal. Using the AuthorizeMe storyboarding method, you'll learn to organize and think through your entire book. You will leave with:

• Book completely planned
• Query letter
• Complete table of contents
• Full chapter synopsis
• Full proposal (except two things:
  1 - market analysis, which students will learn how to do, and
  2 - sample chapters, which the students will have to write on their own, of course
• Suggestions on finding interested publishers
• Marketing ideas, and much more

Being told to write a book proposal and being taught exactly how to write one are two different things. In order to effectively launch your career, teaches you to thoroughly prepare the proposal you'll need to present to interested publishers. Once you master the method, you'll be able to use it to prepare all future proposals.

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Happy summer!
Can you believe it's almost here already? Maybe you are sipping your iced tea (or sweet tea for you Southerners), sitting on the porch and enjoying your freshly mowed yard. Maybe you are at the beach, applying sunscreen and playing in the waves. Maybe you are just running your kids everywhere they have to be while school is out.

Let me interrupt your sensational summer and ask you to THINK FALL!

Yes, Fall. It will be here before you know it. Kids will be back to school. The holidays will be on the horizon. And writers will gather at a serene waterfront retreat in North East, Maryland for the Sandy Cove Christian Writers' Conference.

Picture it. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets. A prayerful, peaceful atmosphere. New friends, old friends. Round tables, classes, mentoring, and meals with a host of editors and professional writers. And, right in the middle of this oasis, YOU!

If you have been to this conference before, you know just what I mean. If you haven't, make this the year to join us. You won't be disappointed.

It's time to take the next step toward taking the Word to the world with your passion to write. There is no better time or place to take that step than September 30 to October 3 at Sandy Cove.

Will you join us? Mark your calendar. Schedule a few vacation days. Make your reservation.

After that, start writing! Remember, you will be entitled to up to three free manuscript critiques. To take advantage of this opportunity, be ready for the mail in deadline before the conference. Start now, so it won't sneak up on you.

Most importantly, start praying. Ask God what he wants to accomplish in you at Sandy Cove Christian Writers' Conference this year. Ask him to show you the next step for your writing. Ask him to help you take it.

That step might be as simple as just showing up. Maybe it's to muster the courage to make a one-on-one appointment with an editor or writer (and find out they really aren't so scary after all!) Maybe it's to be still and enjoy sweet fellowship with God, and other writers. Or, maybe he will just surprise you when you get there!

So, sip your sweet tea and have fun at your cookouts. Just keep your sights on Fall, Sandy Cove, and your call to write.

See you there!

Christian Communicators' Experience: September 29 - October 2 Rates are per person and include lodging, meals Monday night dinner through Thursday noon banquet, materials, seminars, plenary sessions, continuing workshops and two free manuscript evaluations as well as two private appointments with an editor or professional writer. Bring your friends and save some money!   Single Double Triple Quad Standard Deluxe/Family/Handicap Access Rooms Want bay view? Add $15 per night. Call for upgraded room rates. $499.00 $440.00 $399.00 $353.00   Non-participating spouse: $50 per night Local day participant (excludes lodging): $328   Student X-Treme Training Rate is per person and includes a day of encouraging and evaluating your writing skills with mentor Sharon Norris Elliott, plus lunch and dinner. Wednesday Only: $49

Reservation Information

Overnight guests: A $100 deposit per room is required at time of reservation. Full payment is due by August 29, 2008. If you register after August 29, you will be asked for full payment at that time.

Day guests: Payment in full is due at time of reservation. Rates to be announced.