by Arlene James Judging contests and critiquing manuscripts are activities that can swamp a writer if she isn’t careful, but they can also be rewarding, I believe, for both the unpublished and the published. I sold into publication before professional organizations such as ACFW existed. What training I received, I got in college. It wasn’t of much use, frankly. (Back …
Congratulations Christy Award Finalists
ACFW sends our congratulations to the 2012 finalists for the Christy Awards, especially to the many ACFW members! The 2012 Christy Award nominees are: CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren* (Tyndale House Publishers) Larkspur Cove by Lisa Wingate* (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group) Wolfsbane by Ronie Kendig* (Barbour Publishing) CONTEMPORARY SERIES, SEQUELS, AND NOVELLAS …
Five Reasons Why Contests are Important
by Beverly Varnado Before I attended my first writer’s conference several years ago, I wrote several articles and devotions for an unpublished writer’s competition sponsored by the conference. I worked and reworked the pieces, making sure I’d made them the best I could. Then I sat on them. As the final deadline for submission approached, my nervousness grew. How could …
Contests: Not About Winning
by Christine Lindsay The season of contests is upon us. There’s is nothing better than being nominated for an award, or even better winning an award to boost your chances of publication or selling your books. But what if year after year your submission doesn’t even make it to the finals? Just yesterday a friend said her submission wasn’t ready …
Afictionado Carol Edition Up
Because of the outstanding work of Afictionado’s staff of reviewers, and particularly our book review editor Vicki Talley McCollum and web guru Carl Nasal, we were able to post our Special Edition on the Carol Award finalists and winners early! Go here to read reviews of all 45 Carol Award finalists for 2011. And post, post, post these to your …
Contests–We love to hate them. But should we?
by Sandra Orchard Every year the writing contest season climaxes with a flurry of complaints on writers’ loops about conflicting judges’ comments and incongruent scores. Been there. Done that. Totally empathize. But…from my experience entering contests is a worthwhile investment. Let’s face it. First manuscripts are rarely contracted, especially if the writer hasn’t invited editorial feedback from people other than …
Genesis Success Stories
Would you believe that around 75 Genesis finalists have gone on to become published–and a number of them multi-published? I thought it might be encouraging to hear from some of these people who have walked where you not-yet-published writers are walking. So sit back, take heart, and enjoy the following success stories from your fellow ACFW members. “ACFW is one …
The Genesis Contest leads to Publication
Every year I look forward to September and the ACFW conference. It’s is my absolute favorite writers’ conference. Besides the wonderful workshops, continuing education classes and learning about the latest in the publishing industry, it’s like a huge family reunion. If you’re considering attending, let me offer some more reasons for attending. You’ll meet people from the ACFW loop that …
2011 Carol Award Finalists
ACFW announces finalists for Christian Fiction’s prestigious Carol Awards (Atlanta, GA) At ICRS, in a press conference hosted by ACFW and CBA, ACFW proudly announced the finalists in the Carol Awards. The Carol Awards evolved from ACFW’s Book of the Year Awards to honor the highest achievement for published authors of Christian fiction. The 2011 Carol Award winners in each …
ACFW Conference – A Must Attend
A word from ACFW’s President, Margaret Daley: You may think because I am the president of ACFW, that I have to feel that way about our upcoming conference in St. Louis, MO (September 22-25). I’ll let you in on a secret – I have said that even when I was not an officer of ACFW. There is no other conference …