You can find all sorts of great information about our upcoming conference, bios on the presenters and even sign up for our new blog there. Visit us at http://www.write2ignite.com and share the new link with your friends. You’ll find a “Write2ignite blog” tab that will take you to our blog. Amy Tate and Linda Andersen are our blog gals and will be providing the majority of the posts there. Tune in every Monday for a new post from Amy and every Thursday for a new Thrift and Gift post from Linda.

And though our wordpress account has served us well, but we will be shutting it down permantly in the next two weeks in order to move traffic over to our new site at www.write2ignite.com . So please add the new site to your favorites.

Hope to see you at our new site!

If you want more info on Joyce and her fabulous books, check out her website here and her blog here.

In the coming months, we plan to have more author chats. We’ll keep you informed!

Also, we are finalizing the presenters list for the 2011 Write2ignite conference. We are so excited about what God has been putting together. Stay tuned in the next 2 weeks for the list!

If you have any publishing “good news”, please share below in the comment section. We love to celebrate with you!

Joyce is a multi-published children’s author who knows her way around research.  If you have a question for Joyce about doing research, conducting interviews, using historical documents, documenting sources, the difference between historical fiction and biography/history books and articles please email it to me at write2ignite@jeanmatthewhall.com.

We’ll spend the first half of our time allowing Joyce to answer those questions. Then, the second half I’ll moderate while you ask more questions that have popped into your brilliant minds.

If you can, visit Joyce at the addys below and see what a terrific source of information she is.

http://joycemoyerhostetter.com/  and  http://joycemoyerhostetter.blogspot.com/

 To join us Sunday use this link http://www.chatzy.com/889430628146.

Recently, I read that a new publishing imprint was accepting unsolicited manuscripts.  It was a rare opportunity in today’s economy.  I felt like I had discovered the mother lode and no one else was around.  Then reality set in.  This writing newsletter was mailed to thousands.  How many other people were reading the same material and thinking exactly what I was or had already submitted?  My hopes fell.  Then, if that wasn’t bad enough, I was overwhelmed by a nagging feeling that I should tell other writers about this opportunity.  But why?  After all, they could have subscribed to the newsletter, like I did.  Wasn’t I justified in hoarding the information? 

But I knew that wasn’t God’s way.  What if the young boy with five loaves and two fishes had hidden and gulped down all his food? Over five thousand would have gone away hungry.  Instead, the boy shared and God multiplied the food. People went home spiritually and physically full. (Matthew 14:17-21 RSV) There was even food left over. 

Surplus food?  How could that be?  With God all things are possible.

I knew hoarding was not my way either.  One gift God has given me is the gift of encouragement.  By sharing a marketing tip, I would be using that gift and that felt right. Still, I was a bit uneasy.  If I shared this tip, wasn’t I hurting my chances of publication?  I looked out at the bird feeder in my back yard and was reminded of the parable of the birds which states:  “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 26:6 RSV).  The message I needed to be reminded of, is not to worry.  God will provide for me. 

So yes, I did share the marketing tip.  And just in case you’re interested, Nancy Paulsen is accepting unsolicited manuscripts at Nancy Paulsen Books, Manuscript Editor, 14th floor, 345 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014. See the July 2010 issue of Children’s Writer newsletter for more information. *

Do you face decisions concerning your writing that make you question your faith?  How do you handle it?  I’d love to hear your comments.

*You can also find more info here on Nancy’s new imprint.

Here at Write2ignite, we’re already getting things ready for the 2011 conference. It might seem early, but the conference is only 7 months away!

We are adding team members (you’ll be able to see their bios in a few days!), contacting workshop leaders and getting our ducks in a row for everything else. God is good and has already provided several presenters…and we’ll be sharing that info soon!

You might have noticed the website looks a little different. (It might look different tomorrow, too!) We’re changing it up and trying to find what we like best. So please bear with us as we work it all out.

Thank you all for supporting Write2ignite,

My sweet husband gave me an IPOD for my birthday.  That was back in October.  I still don’t know how to use it.  With the help of my 10 year old, I have enjoyed some of the music that my 23 year old downloaded…or uploaded…whichever you do…to it.  I came across the instructions yesterday as I was looking through a drawer (that’s right beside my recliner…close at hand, because I always meant to read them).  I hope to get to them soon.

That same generous husband bought me a camera a couple of years back…before a family trip to New York City.  I have probably about 1500 pictures on that little disk-y thing that you put in it.  I have printed a few…up- or downloaded some…again with the help of my daughters.  I do know how to use the delete button on it.  I’ve managed to take some really good pictures…but all on the same setting, because I didn’t read the instruction booklet.  I think it is in the cabinet in my den.  I have actually taken the booklet with me on a couple of trips, really intending to read it.

I was given my laptop by an amazing group of parents at a school where I taught a few years back.  They were thrilled to be an avenue of provision on my journey to becoming a writer.  I’m embarrassed to say that the instruction book is “somewhere”…unread…I really thought I’d get to it.  As with the IPOD and the camera, my precious daughters have taught me how to do most of what I know how to do…including setting up my blogsite.

I have three amazing tools available to enhance my life, preserve memories, equip me for tasks.  They are effective…and used often, well, except the IPOD…I’ve really got to learn how to use that thing!  Yes, I enjoy them, but could use them to their full potential if I would just take the time to read the instruction books.

As writers, there are lots of instruction books out there!!  Head to the library or to your favorite bookstore see what is available to guide you as you work toward honing your craft.  A must-have is Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Market Guide, updated yearly.  Take note, you do need to read the instructions of “How to Use This Book” before you begin.  J  It is chock full of valuable information…truly “The Essential Tool for the Christian Writer”!  There is even a Writing Children’s Books for Dummies…I bought it in those early days of wondering, “Where on earth do I begin???”  It was actually helpful!  There is a plethora of instruction out there.  Put your Googler to work for you…there are many books, websites, blogs…with links to other blogs that can guide you and help fan the flame that burns within you!

In those books, websites, and blogs, I feel sure that you will be encouraged to join a writers’ group…and to attend writers’ conferences!!!  Come join us at Write2Ignite!!!  You will be instructed very well…be inspired through God’s Word…be encouraged by presenters and fellow writers…and be blessed beyond measure!!!

Kristi Butler

www.kristibutler.blogspot.com

We are moving right along with the plans for the 2011 W2I conference being held on the lovely campus of North Greenville University (South Carolina).  The Lord is molding it all together as only the Master Potter can.

The conference is still 8 months away – but we hope you are already making plans to join us!

In the meantime, there are other events going on around the Carolinas that might be of interest to you.

1. AnAuthor World is hosting a wonderful conference on August 7th at the Courtyard by Marriot Greenville Downtown. Their list of award-winning speakers includes Eric Rohmann, Melinda Long, Candace Fleming, Carolyn Yoder, and Pat Scales.

             For further information, you can call the AnAuthor World office at 864-735-8133.

 2. Head to the mountains for a CELEBRATION OF BOOKS at the Highlands Civic Center in Highlands, NC.   All authors and book lovers are invited to the the Civic center for a celebration of book on Saturday, September 11, from 9am to 3pm. 

A day of selling and signing for authors;  fun activities with Cubby books; Early holiday shopping center; Fun, free literary entertainment; Workshop on memoir writing and publishing; Poetry and Prose Readings; Storytelling; Lunch on site by Literacy Council of Cashiers; Hourly door prizes

 Questions? contact Deanna Klingel at deannaklingel@yahoo.com

• If you attend any of these (or have in the past), we’d love for you to comment and share your experience with us!