8th Annual “Promising Beginnings” Writing Contest

Because I believe in the power, impact, and influence of Christian writers’ conferences, I hold an annual contest in which two prizes are awarded: a full scholarship to the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference(including meals and economy lodging) and a full scholarship to the SoCal Christian Writers’ Conference(including meals and dorm lodging plus reimbursement of travel expenses up to $300).

I received almost a hundred entries this year, and it’s never easy to pick just one winner! But I always pray that the Holy Spirit will lead to me to whoever He wants to attend the conference, who wouldn’t be able to go without this scholarship. 

Last year, Tom Threadgillwon the 7th annual Promising Beginnings contest with histhriller/suspense One for Sorrow. He attended the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference in March. In June, he signed a contract with Revell Publishing for that book—plus another one! Dr. Laurel Shalerwon with her nonfictionReclaiming Relationships.She attended the SoCal Christian Writers’ Conference in June. Her book, retitled Relational Reset: Unlearning the Habits that Hold You Back,is being published by Moody Publishers in February 2019!

This year, the nonfiction winner is … (Drum roll, please!)

Carol Bond Wagner with her Bible study God Is Out to Get Us: From the Very Beginning. She will be going to the Mount Hermon conference. Carol is an author and Bible teacher whose work can be found on Amazon and other outlets.

In fiction, the finalist judges had such a hard time choosing between two entries I decided to award a scholarship to the SoCal conference to both of them:

Megan Besing with Moore than a Thief . Megan adores reading, writing, and reviewing stories with happily-ever-afters. Connect with Megan on Facebookand at www.meganbesing.com. 

Alison Treat with Come Along Home. Alison writes about freedom, her own and that of others. She is the author of historical young adult novel One Traveler(Avventura Press 2013) and blogger at alisontreat.com.

Congratulations, Carol, Megan, and Alison! I am confident that God has great plans for blessing you abundantly at these conferences. I look forward to hearing your stories!

For those who didn’t win, I hope you will consider attending one or both of these conferences. If you can’t afford the full price, I encourage you to apply for a partial scholarship. (Go to http://writers.mounthermon.org/registrationfor information on how to apply for a “campership.” Go to www.socalcwc.com/volunteerfor a list of ways you can earn a full or partial working scholarship.) 

If the Lord provides, I hope to run this contest again next year. So keep developing your writing skills and check my blog, newsletter, and social media next fall for announcements of the 9th annual Promising Beginnings Contest!