Happy New Year!

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fireworks

 

2015 looks like it’s going to be a great year, with many exciting events and activities scheduled. I wanted to share with you what’s happening with me during the first half of the year. I hope you’ll be able to join me at these events or participate in some of the activities.

 

EVENTS:

Writer to Writer (January 16-18)

Hershey Lodge, Hershey, PA

Writer to Writer is a writers’ conference that allows writers to go “from think to ink.”  Writer to Writer offers workshops in nonfiction, fiction, publishing, and marketing.

I will be teaching the Editor Boot Camp on Sunday (8:30 AM–12:30 PM). If you’ve ever thought about becoming an editorial freelancer, or if you’re already doing some freelance editing and would like to expand your business, this Editor Boot Camp is for you! Learn about:

  • Honing your proofreading skills
  • Publishing industry standard guidelines
  • Determining what type of editing a client needs
  • And more!

For details, visit http://writertowriter.com.

 

Big Story Writers Conference (February 20-22)

Los Angeles Valley College, Los Angeles, CA

The Big Story Writers Conference is focused on helping writers develop ideas into a book that has the potential to become a best seller or hit movie. During three days of intensive workshops and special speaker presentations, attendees will learn how to define the book concept or plot, and then develop it into the best structure for a work of fiction, nonfiction, screenplay, or short story. Writers will also receive guidance in the development and mastering of their authoring skills.

I will be co-teaching two workshops with Julie Williams: one on Writing with Both Sides of the Brain, the other a hands-on workshop for query letters. For more info, visit http://www.wcwriters.com/bigstory.

 

Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference (March 25-31)

Santa Cruz Mountains conference center, Felton, CA

You’ll never find a writers’ conference quite like Mount Hermon! The faculty consists of well-respected industry professionals who are warm and welcoming. There’s always a great core of top-notch agents, acquisitions editors, authors, and freelance editors on faculty. All are amiable and approachable. Attendees can get personal appointments and submit manuscript pages for free critiques. In the evenings, many faculty members and attendees hang out in Central Lounge, talking informally with writers, sharing wisdom, laughing, and having fun. Others sit around the outdoor fire pit or chat over ice cream in the snack shop.

I will be serving as the manuscript critique team coordinator. Conference attendees can get one-on-one fifteen-minute consultations with select faculty members in the afternoons on a walk-in basis as many times as desired. For more information, visit http://www.mounthermon.org/event/361.

 

Orange County Christian Writers’ Conference (April 24-25)

Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Santa Ana, CA 

This conference embraces the mission of being a resource to writers of all genres at all levels. The conference supports Christian writers and readers in both spiritual and practical ways through:

  • offering workshops and keynote sessions for inspiration, education, and fellowship among Christian writers
  • developing professional writing and marketing skills
  • providing a network of information, contacts, and mentoring assistance
  • supporting one another in love, prayer, and encouragement

The organization is run by experienced experts and volunteers who care deeply about its mission and vision. Several members are award-winning authors and editors, recognized by their peers for their outstanding work and dedication to Christ.

I am the new director of this conference. For more information, visit http://occwf.org/.

 

PENCON 2015 (May 1 – May 2)

Hilton Garden Inn, Austin, TX

This is the second annual editor convention hosted by The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network. The event is designed for those who want to learn how to become a freelance editor as well as editors who want to grow their businesses.

I am the founder and director of The Christian PEN and will be teaching some of the workshops. For more information, visit http://thechristianpen.com/convention-2/.

 

 

ACTIVITIES

I’ve already started working on the four-book series of fiction-lovers’ devotions contracted by BroadStreet Publishing. 21 Days of Grace: Stories that Celebrate God’s Unconditional Love is scheduled for release in June, and 21 Days of Christmas: Stories that Celebrate God’s Greatest Gift is scheduled for release in October.

I will soon be looking at submissions for the Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day books. For details, guidelines, and deadlines, please visit my web page: http://kathyide.com/devotional-guidelines/.

I will continue to direct The Christian PEN (for freelance editors and proofreaders at all levels) and the Christian Editor Connection (for established editors looking for more work that fits their unique specialties and qualifications). Check out www.TheChristianPEN.com and/or www.ChristianEditor.com for details.

And, of course, I will continue to do editing and mentoring for authors and publishing houses. If you’d like a quote, please e-mail me.

 

I am excited to see what God does in my life during 2015. And I’d love to hear what your new year looks like! Please post here if you’d like to share.