Workshops and Faculty Bios

Karen Moore Artl 

A teacher, a writer, an editor, and a product developer, Artl has worked on licensed properties such as CareBear (tm), Disney, and Children's Television Workshop. Currently an editor and writer, she has published sixteen books of her own. She holds a master's degree in education. 

• Idea-to-Market Strategies: Once you have the theme/main idea of your book, you must create a proposal in the publisher's language. Workshop will help you understand the language needed to get your proposal together, know what to expect on deal-points memo/contract, how publishers determine marketing dollars.

• Supporting Roles--Agents/Publicists/Retailers: The more you know about the people who influence whether or not you get published, the better equipped you can be in preparing for the process. This workshop will look at several key influencers in a publisher's buying decisions.

Jorge Berrios 

Currently associate editor of the Spanish edition of The Upper Room (El Aposento Alto), Berrios has extensive background in marketing research and international advertising. He is from Puerto Rico. 

• Writing Skills for Christian Latino Writers-En Español: Writing in Spanish for a Spanish-speaking audience, theory and practice.

H. Michael Brewer 

Brewer sold his first story at age fourteen. He has written over 300 articles and short pieces, winning national awards for fiction and non-fiction. He is author of four books. He is a fulltime pastor in the Presbyterian Church and adjunct professor of religious studies at Northern Kentucky University. He doesn't do anything in his spare time because he doesn't have any. (www.hmichaelbrewer.com). 

• What Superman and Batman Taught Me About Writing: Comic book heroes are enjoying resurgence on television and the silver screen because those childhood characters still excite and uplift us. Generations have absorbed life lessons from the likes of Spider-Man and the X-Men. This workshop offers inspiration for the writing life, for closet heroes, and for all who reach for the sky. (Capes are optional.) 

• Matthew, Mark, Luke, John...And You: Why do we have four gospels written about one Savior? Because each gospel writer brings to the task his particular slant, unique style, and personal vision of Christ. God wants you to use your personality and your passions in your writing ministry. As we consider how Matthew and company poured themselves into their writing, we will discover ways to tap the unique vision and voice that God gives to each of us.

Wendy Brown 

Brown is a writer and speaker from Cleveland, TN. Her work has been published in numerous Christian magazines. She writes fulltime and teaches regular Bible and ministry classes. 

• The Ethics/Legalities of Freelance Writing: What can I do? What can I not do? As a Christian writer, ethical questions often arise. Is embellishment lying? Do illustrations have to be true stories? Can I rewrite a piece and market it as a new one? How fictitious does fiction have to be? This session will be a time of guided discussion on several of these inevitable but hard to answer questions.

Lettie Kirkpatrick Burress

Her work has appeared in numerous Christian publications, and she has contributed to seven books, including Lessons, Laughter, and Tough Love for her local school system. Her writing has won awards at other writers' conferences. A CLASS graduate, she also speaks, primarily to women, on discipleship, spiritual growth, prayer, and family living. She has taught writing at a community college and at conferences. Website: www.writingforhim.com. 

• Selling What You Write Again and Again: The art and organization of selling reprints. Learn how to multiply profits and greatly increase audience exposure for each published article through mastering the lucrative reprint market. 

When Your Writing Leads to Speaking: Like it or not, speaking requests often come with the title "writer". Targeting primarily "reluctant" writers, this workshop offers truly helpful tools and tips to move past the anxiety and prepare a quality presentation.

Dara Lehner 

A writer, photographer, and motivational speaker, Dara lives in Ohio. She writes about science, nature, math, and multicultural topics for children's and adult magazines. She also enjoys reviewing children's books. See her blog at http://ourwritemind.blogspot.com/. 

• Photography and Writing. What is Photographer's Market? What is stock photography and how do you sell it? Also, learn how to increase the amount you get paid for your writing by adding photos or sending them as an accompanying sidebar.

Lynne Drysdale Patterson 

A freelance writer, songwriter, and singer, Lynne has appeared on The Nashville Network, The Christian Broadcasting Network and The Christian Television Network. Her songwriting credits include "The Joshua Generation" recorded by Ricky Skaggs on his Grammy Award-winning project Soldier of the Cross, "Dying to Know" recorded by Caray Keen (columnist Cal Thomas' daughter),"I Am Evidence" recorded by Lord Song and "How Much More" recorded by Greater Vision 

• Songwriting For Worship in 3-D (Discuss, Define, Develop): In her PowerPoint presentation, using the 5 W's (who, what, where, when, why), Lynne discusses scriptural principles defining a true worship songwriter and how to develop a worship song from scripture. Lynne is also offering critiques. See main brochure and website for details and contact information and deadline. See her website for more on Lynne http://www.messiahsongs.com/lynne_patterson.htm.

Virginia (Ginny) Smith 

Smith writes contemporary humorous novels for the Christian market. Her short fiction has been anthologized, and her articles have been published in a variety of Christian magazines. Smith is critique group moderator for Christian Writers Fellowship International, and serves on the board of directors of Christian Authors Network. Website: www.VirginiaSmith.org. 

• Creating Great Characters: Novels are all about the characters. Learn how to create characters so real your readers will add them to their prayer lists. Virginia Smith will discuss the four Ds of characterization - description, desire, dialogue and deed. 

• Stories that Sparkle: How do you tell your story in a way that grips your readers? This course will discuss fiction writing techniques: proper spacing of plot points, seamless sensory description, creating tension, avoiding throw away words, and adding back-story that enhances the plot without hijacking it.

Jim Stafford 

Jim majored in English in college and has worked as a technical writer and editor. Currently, he is the associate editor of The Upper Room devotional magazine, which is published internationally in a number of languages. 

• Sharing Your Faith: Writing Daily Devotionals, Part I and Part II: The focus of this workshop is to help you develop the essentials for good devotional writing. Discover where and how to start writing meditations. Learn the significance of being Bible-based and authentic as you share your faith through your writing. Sample and compare several leading daily devotionals to see how they differ and receive a market list. This workshop is designed for both beginning and intermediate writers.

Jan Watson 

Watson is a retired registered nurse. Jan's first novel, Troublesome Creek, won the 2004 Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel Contest. The sequel, Willow Springs, was designated one of Library Journal's "2007 Best Books." Her third book in the series, Torrent Falls, will be released Feb. 2008. 

• So You Want To Write Inspirational Fiction: 6 Tips To Jump Start Your Success: In this workshop, Jan Watson shares how she overcame common writing obstacles to become an award winning author.

Betty Whitworth 

Betty Whitworth is a retired language arts teacher, member of the Breckinridge County Public Library Board, journalist/columnist for THE HERALD NEWS in Hardinsburg, KY, freelance writer, independent editor, Sunday school teacher, Bible teacher, workshop leader, and storyteller. 

• In addition to Writing 101, How to Self-edit, Betty is offering individual paid critiques. See main brochure and www.kychristianwriters.com for details and contact information and deadline. See website www.angelfire.com/ky3/rainbow.

Lodging 

Fairfield Inn is offering a conference rate of $89.00 plus tax for up to 4 persons per room. State and local taxes currently are 10.24% (subject to change without notice). Conference attendees must call the local phone number and not the corporate 800 number (270-769-1440 or 1-800-321-2211), and ask for KY Christian Writers rate when making their reservations. Conference rate is good for Thursday and Friday nights, June 19-20, subject to availability. Any change in reservations must be made before May 23, 2008. If reservations for your group are received after this date, reservations will be accepted on a space and rate available basis only. Room reservations will be held until 6:00 pm on day of arrival unless guaranteed by an advance deposit or major credit card.

Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott

1031 Executive Drive

Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Phone: (270) 769-1440

Fax: (270) 769-1399

If you cannot get a reservation at Fairfield Inn, please visit www.touretown.com and click on Lodging for hotels nearby.

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.