INSCRIBE WRITERS CONFERENCE

INSCRIBE WRITERS CONFERENCE

CALEB SEELING

 

 

The World of Publishing: How It Works and the Role of the Author

The book publishing industry has experienced a sea change over the last 30 years; the last eight have been particularly transformative. It has shifted from a “gentlemanly profession” dominated by a few wealthy sons to a new frontier where the process is democratized and anyone with an idea and an internet connection can publish a book. But just because anyone can do it doesn’t mean that anyone can do it. Publishing can seem deceptively simple on the surface, but is full of complexity and challenge once you dive in. Consequently, it is critical for authors to have a solid working knowledge of how the publishing process works in order to form helpful expectations for their projects and good working relationships with their agents, editors, designers, and marketing professionals. This workshop will give you a crash course in how a book moves from concept to being taken out-of-print. We will also discuss the role of the author throughout the process, whether they are independently or traditionally publishing their books, and how to prepare yourself for success.

 

Writing a Graphic Novel

Since the success of Art Spiegelman’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Maus, the popularity and critical acceptance of graphic novels as a literary genre, distinct from but sometimes including comic books, has skyrocketed. But there is much more to the graphic novel than drawing pretty pictures and filling in word bubbles. As with any other story-telling medium, content remains king, which means it still all starts with the writer. In this workshop, we’ll talk about how a graphic novel script is written and what is the relationship between the writer and the illustrator. Then we’ll set pen to paper and work on a few pages of your very own graphic novel.

 

TRACY KRAUSS

 

Bio:

Tracy Krauss is a multi-published author, playwright, artist and teacher. She has written several best selling and award winning novels, short stories, devotional books, and one illustrated children’s book as well as numerous plays that have been performed on stages throughout North America. Originally from Saskatchewan, she has a B. Ed degree from the U of S, and currently lives with her husband in Tumbler Ridge, BC.

 

Writing Scripts for Theatre – beginner to intermediate

 

Script writing presents its own set of unique challenges but can be an extremely rewarding avenue for getting one’s message across to an audience. This session will walk participants through the process from start to finish, including round table discussions, the collaborative process, writing authentic dialogue, avoiding exposition while presenting necessary information, proper formatting, using director’s notes, to finding a publishing house for your play.  

 

Blogging – beginner to intermediate

 

This session will focus more on the ‘why’ of blogging, with specific emphasis on blogging with purpose. Some time will be spent on setting up a blog, but most of the session will deal with finding your audience, building a mission statement, and other ‘best’ practices.

JEFF GOINS - PRE-CONFERENCE SESSION

The Art of Work: Discovering what you were meant to do with Jeff Goins

Session Description:

The path to your life’s work is both difficult and mysterious, which is why few finish the journey.

The search begins with passion but does not end there. In this presentation, Jeff talks about discovering your true calling, that thing you were born to do. Listeners will learn how to find their vocation and what to expect along the way. You’ll be encouraged to abandon the status quo and live a life that matters.

Jeff Goins is a full-time blogger, speaker and author. He is the former Communications Director of Adventures in Missions, an international nonprofit organization. Originally from Chicago, Goins graduated from Illinois College and spent the next year on the road with a band. Since studying abroad in Spain, he has always had a passion for travel, missions, and making a difference in the world. His first book, Wrecked: When a Broken World Slams into Your Comfortable Life, addresses the issue of how we live purpose-filled lives by serving the needs of others. Jeff’s blog, GoinsWriter.com, is one of the fastest-growing blogs on the web and a well-respected resource for writers, artists, and entrepreneurs. In 2011 and 2012, it won the Top 10 Blogs for Writers award on WritetoDone.com. Each month, he receives over 100,000 visitors to his website. Jeff’s work has been published online and offline in a variety of publications, including RELEVANT Magazine, Copyblogger.com, and ZenHabits.net (voted one of Time Magazine’s Top 50 Websites). His forthcoming work, The In-Between, is a memoir about the lessons we learn while waiting.

Jeff and his wife, Ashley, live just outside of Nashville, TN with their son and dog.

Jeff is represented exclusively by the BrightSight Group.

NOTE: Registration for this session is separate from conference registration. Everyone who registers for this session will receive a free copy of The Art of Work.  

BARNBABAS FELLOWSHIP AWARD - CLOSES AUGUST 31, 2015

The Barnabas Fellowship is a grant of $250 enabling a member of InScribe to further his or her progress in writing. It is named for Barnabas, a co-worker with the Apostle Paul. His story is found in the book of Acts. Barnabas means “encourager,” which coincides with the purpose of this award Applications for the Barnabas Fellowship grant are accepted each Summer (deadline is August 31st of the current year). 


The Fellowship is awarded at the Fall Conference to a current member of InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship.


For full details and to apply, see our Contests page (Barnabas Awards tab)
www.inscribe.org

About Barnabas

The Barnabas Fellowship is a grant of $250 enabling a member of InScribe to further his or her progress in writing. It is named for Barnabas, a co-worker with the Apostle Paul. His story is found in the book of Acts. Barnabas means “encourager,” which coincides with the purpose of this award.

Applications for the Barnabas Fellowship grant are accepted each Summer (deadline is August 31st of the current year).  The Fellowship is awarded at the Fall Conference to a current member of InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship.

You must be a member to InScribe to qualify.  Carefully read the following rules before making application.

2015 Barnabas Fellowship Grant

The Barnabas Fellowship grant is awarded  to a member of InScribe each year at the Fall Conference, and with summer upon us, it’s time to get working on your application.

If you desire to take your writing to a new level, winning this award might just be the motivation and ‘encouragement’ to help you achieve your current writing goals.

Please carefully read the rules and guidelines.  Fill in the application form and provide the other documents listed below.  Send your package to the address listed on the application.

Barnabas Rules

• Applicants must hold a current year InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship membership.
• Application must be postmarked no later than August 31 for the year of application.
• Both published and unpublished writers may apply.

The application form must be completed entirely and included with the following information:

• Biography / brief history of your writing experience: describe when you became interested in writing, the progress you have made, courses you have taken, conferences attended and any other relevant information. Length: no more than one page.
• Curriculum vitae / summary of published writing: include books, magazine articles, poetry, newspaper features, columns, etc. You can include work published in church bulletins and newsletters. If your work has not been published in any form, mark “Never published” on your curriculum vitae.  Length: no more than one page.
• Personal essay / explanation of your writing goals and how this award could help you achieve them: you may also describe how God is using your writing ability. Length: no more than one page.
• Tear sheet of a published article / photocopy is permissible: demonstrating your writing ability. If you have not been published, send 1-3 pages (maximum) of your writing as a sample of your work.
• Recipient will not be required to account for their use of this grant but ICWF asks that the winner respect the stated intention of this Fellowship award.
• Please send copies (not originals) as no applications or manuscripts will be returned.

Barnabas Fellowship Rules and Application form
See our Contest Winners page for current and past Barnabas winners.

VISUAL ARTS CONTEST - OPEN TO ALL ARTISTS

Inscribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship would like to invite two dimensional art submissions from visual artists to be used on the cover of the upcoming 2015 Inscribe Conference journal.

Inscribe is a Canada wide writers’ organization for writers of Christian faith. Subject matter and medium are open to the artist’s discretion, and do NOT have to be specific to writing or Christianity.

However, submissions should be eye-catching, artistically pleasing, and suitable for reproduction.

Visual submissions should be sent as a jpg or pdf along with a $15 entry fee (pay fee in our store) and the following information:

1.     Short artist’s bio (150 words or less)

2.     Name of the piece

3.     Medium

4.     Statement of agreement with the Apostles’ Creed (To view the Apostles’ Creed, go to http://inscribe.org/membership/apostles-creed/)

Contest dates: June 1 – August 5, 2015 (All entries must be received via e-mail by midnight on August 5^th.)

Submit entries to: sun.beam3@yahoo.com

The winning submission will be used on the journal cover and be featured on the InScribe website. The winning artist will receive 15 free copies of the journal and have the option to obtain more copies at a reduced rate. Second and third place winners will be featured on the InScribe website.

Disclaimer:

Winning artists agree to grant Inscribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship the rights to a one time use of their artwork on the website and on the cover of the Inscribe Conference Journal.

SHEILA WEBSTER - SUBMISSION 1,2,3

 

Sheila Webster has been published in numerous publications, formerly a weekly columnist, currently Editor-in-Chief for Fellowscript, the magazine for Inscribe members.  She is passionate about helping people achieve their goals whether in writing or life.

 

Submit 1-2-3

Is a basic workshop on the process of finding places to submit your work too and polishing it for publication. This workshop will also help you overcome common internal barriers to submitting work for publication.

 

 

BRYAN NORFORD - INTRO TO CREATE SPACE

 

 

INTRO TO CREATE SPACE

Bryan Norford, now retired, has degrees in architecture and divinity, and has been writing for over ten years. He has published ten books, some with his wife Ann, a marriage devotional, biographies and Bible studies. He has had several articles published, and continues to preach and teach on occasion.

 

 

 

This introductory course is for anyone who would like to explore publishing with r Create Space.  This workshop will cover advantages and disadvantages, review of the process on the Create Space website, and helps available on Amazon website.

 

The attendee will become familiar with the program, decide whether it suits their needs and if it compatible with the personal computer experience.

    

 

 

MELANIE FISCHER - FINDING YOUR NICHE

 

Bio:

Melanie is Hungry to live with purpose, and is passionate in encouraging others to do so as well. Her appetite for sharing the principles of living for purpose fuels her blog www.hungryforpurpose.com/blog

 

ESTABLISHING YOUR NICHE

Having a focus and direction for our written works makes us good stewards of our gifts. Although, we tend to be flooded with choices which can easily make us freeze and go nowhere, or keep us running in circles. This workshop will offer an opportunity for the attendee to gain understanding of what a niche is and why it is important. As well, the attendee will walk away with a sketched out plan of what their niche is and how they are going to stick to it for a chosen length of time.

COLLEEN TAYLOR MCCUBBIN

BIOGRAPHY

Colleen Taylor McCubbin has extensive experience with the English language through teaching, writing, singing, editing, and publishing. She holds two Master's degrees (regent College and Briercrest Seminary), has written and produced two CDs, edited and published three children't books and two books for adults. Colleen is a member of The Word Guild and she works as the Bookstore Manager Ambrose University in Calgary. She is married to Kevin, step-mom to Stephanie, and is active in Bible quizzing and worship at Okotoks Alliance Church. Learn more at her website:  www.siretona.com.

EDITING

Desparate. That is the condition of too many published books.  I once read a little novel in which a tornado devastated a ranch, leaving "scattered bales scattered around." Oh dear. Not only did that tornado deliver fast destruction, someone delivered fast publication. Too fast. Was it the author? Editor(s)? Publisher? We will discuss the roles and responsibilities for each of these in giving due care and attention to reviewing, rewriting, and releasing a well-crafted product to your reader.

WRITING BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

"It is said that the effect of eating too much lettuce is 'soporific'" (Beatrix Potter, The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies).

Children’s books are generally short, but that doesn’t make them easy to write. Rather than defining “soporific” directly, Beatrix Potter engages her readers in a tiny drama to show them the meaning.  From ABC board books to chapter books, how can we produce stories for children that charm, inform and nurture children intellectually, socially, emotionally, and spiritually without being overly didactic? This session will explore ways of crafting excellent writing for children.

               

DEB ELKINK

 

BIO:

 

Deb Elkink grew up in the urban Manitoba home of a visual artist mother and a creative house-building father. She married a cowboy and moved to an isolated Saskatchewan cattle ranch, where she raised three kids before earning her M.A. in Historical Theology. Deb now lives near Medicine Hat in southern Alberta and has professionally edited academic doctoral work since 2001. She writes both fiction and nonfiction; her debut novel (The Third Grace) won the 2012 Grace Irwin Award, and her second book has just come out (Roots and Branches: The Symbol of the Tree in the Imagination of G. K. Chesterton). 

 

Pas that Faux: Catch Your Mistakes Before the Editor Does

 

Don’t let technical habits of punctuation, grammar, or syntax earn you a story rejection! In this hands-on workshop, we’ll learn to produce excellent copy that will catch any editor’s fancy.

 

We’ll become more confident about comma usage, maintaining consistent voice, identifying wordiness, and so on by using Strunk and White’s Elements of Style (you can buy this must-have bookshelf item from me for $10, or else bring your own copy).

 

Registration is limited to 12 participants, who are asked to send me (deb@rolledscroll.com) three double-spaced pages of your best writing at least two weeks before the conference. I’ll critique these privately for you and use them as the (anonymous) basis for our workshop focus.

 

 

 The Apostles’ Creed: What We Believe

 

You’d never sign a contact without understanding it, would you?

 

Every member of Inscribe signs on to the Apostles’ Creed. What does this statement say, why does the organization ask for our agreement as a condition of membership, and how does the creed influence our relationships as writers as well as our production in writing?

 

This session will look at the meaning behind each phrase in the creed to discover the foundational doctrinal beliefs that cross all denominational boundaries. We’ll come away with a clearer definition about what a “Christian writer” is and leave with a sense of unity-in-diversity.

 

 

Writing Through The Senses: Tasty, Fragrant, Tactile, Beautiful, Melodic Story

 

In this interactive workshop for writers of all genres, we’ll explore the five senses and write pithy descriptions that translate our readers into the very sensuous core of our experiences. Powerful physical samples will stimulate the tongue, nose, skin, eye, and ear; then we’ll enter a time of furious writing and sharing our perceptions with one another. Participants will leave with a heightened sensitivity to our surroundings and the importance of capturing the senses in words.

 

 

Layers of Meaning: How to Build a Symbol

 

Writing is like creating a collage; we start with basic colour and composition (or setting and theme), and then build thickness (or meaning) to create depth.

 

This workshop will explore how to deepen meaning in our fiction and poetry through the use of symbolism. It’s a difficult area for many of us, but a beginning study in literary analysis can help us along towards writing more complex, multi-layered stories. Looking at biblical symbolism as well as the fictional work of one British writer (G. K. Chesterton), we’ll come up with some great ideas for developing our own symbolic imaginations, and ideas on how to work a symbol or two into our next pieces.