Conference Changes from COVID-19
I am deeply saddened to report one more casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mount Hermon Association has decided to not hold the Christian Writers Conference in 2021 … or beyond.
But there is hope! On multiple fronts.
Mount Hermon Options
There is a possibility that an individual, group, organization, or company could run, manage, and underwrite the conference as a guest group, renting use of the Mount Hermon facilities.
A smaller weekend writers’ retreat is an even more likely option. No instruction or pitching, just a chance to be refreshed and renewed and rejuvenated, praying and seeking divine direction, resting, reading, writing … whatever attendees sense the Lord leading them to do. And, of course, connecting with Mount Hermon writer friends and colleagues! Pricing would probably be around $250-$350 for economy/standard lodging, $350-$500 for deluxe lodging (depending on whether you choose single, double, or triple occupancy).
If the idea of a Mount Hermon Writers Retreat appeals to you, please email me.
Another Writers Conference—Next Week!
If you’re longing for the benefits of a writers’ conference this year, I hope you’ll check out the virtual SoCal Christian Writers’ Conference. It’s happening next week, July 8–11. In this live, interactive conference, you can learn from and meet with agents, acquisitions editors, and established authors through morning continuing sessions, afternoon workshops, and one-on-one appointments.
Three-day morning Continuing Sessions include Fiction, Nonfiction, Writing for Children, Screenwriting, Speaking, and Sci-Fi/Fantasy Writing.
Afternoon Workshops include a full schedule of sessions in screenwriting, fiction writing, and publishing, plus classes on Marketing, The Writing Life, and specialty topics such as poetry, Scrivener, taxes, writing for the general market, and how to make money writing.
Faculty includes:
Literary agent Stephanie Alton
Publishers Jennifer Crosswhite (Tandem Services), Kate Jameson (Focus on the Family), Marji Laine (Write Integrity Press), and Beckie Lindsey (Southern California Christian Voice)
Multi-published authors Frank Ball, Joseph Bentz, Tamara Clymer, Valerie Coulman, Mike Duran, Aaron Gansky, Kelly Harrel, Janeen Ippolito, Linda Kozar, Bill Myers, Tim Riter, Janice Thompson, and Liz Tolsma
Screenwriting professionals Bob Saenz, Jeff Willis, and Ted Baehr (MovieGuide)
Professional speaker Tammy Whitehurst
Freelance editor Erin Brown
CPA Chris Morris
Keynoter Molly Jebber is a best-selling and award-winning Amish historical romance author.
As if that’s not enough, there are Added Bonuses:
Pre-conference Book Proposal Critique with Stephanie Alton
One-on-One Mentoring with Frank Ball
Computer Lab with Julie Williams
Choose one of four Registration Tiers:
Tier 1: General Sessions with Molly Jebber – FREE!
Tier 2: All live sessions, Facebook Registrants Group, and access to Added Bonuses – $99
Tier 3: All of Tier 2 plus recordings of all sessions available till 7/31/20, Q&A with faculty, and two Meet-the-Pro Appointments – $199
Tier 4: All of Tier 2 plus lifetime access to recordings of all sessions, Q&A with faculty, and five Meet-the-Pro Appointments – $299
Registration is open till July 3, which is just a few days away. Sign up today!
You Can Help Mount Hermon
If you want to help Mount Hermon survive this global crisis, here are a few options:
Send a financial donation through www.mounthermon.org/give.
If you make a donation of $20 or more, and you mail the check to me, I can send you a copy of Celebrate the Legacy, the 50th anniversary gift book we put together for the 2019 conference—which may turn out to be the last one. Email me for details.
You may also want to visit smile.amazon.com and add Mount Hermon Association, Inc. as your charity of choice.
The most important thing you could do—for the Mount Hermon Association and for the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference or Retreat—is, of course, to pray. God has a plan. We just need to figure out what it is … and then move forward in faith.