2023 Virtual Mini-Conference Faculty
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WS 3: Write Your Novel From the Middle: A New Approach for Plotters, Pantsers and Everyone in Between Based on the #1 bestselling writing book, this workshop will reveal to you a unique secret for crafting a powerful, unified novel by way of the “mirror moment.” You’ll learn how to discover the true heart of your novel, and how that knowledge brings everything else, from beginning to end, into focus. Best of all, this method can be used at any time during the writing process, whether you like to outline or just wing it as you go.
JAMES SCOTT BELL is the author of the #1 bestseller for writers, Plot & Structure, and numerous thrillers, including the Mike Romeo series and the Ty Buchanan legal thriller series. His novel Final Witness won the Christy Award winner for suspense, and his novella One More Lie was a finalist for an International Thriller Writers Award. Jim attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he studied writing with Raymond Carver, and received his law degree from the University of Southern California. After practicing law for ten years, Jim turned to full-time writing. He became the fiction columnist for Writer’s Digest and began teaching writing workshops that have traveled all over the world. Visit his website at http://www.jamesscottbell.com
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WS 8: Details coming soon
Hallee Bridgeman is the USA TODAY bestselling author of several action-packed romantic suspense books and series. An Army brat turned Floridian, Hallee settled with her husband in central Kentucky, where they have raised their three children. When she’s not writing, Hallee pursues her passion for cooking, coffee, campy action movies, and regular date nights with her husband. An accomplished speaker and active member of several writing organizations, Hallee can be found online at http://www.halleebridgeman.com.
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WS 6: Details coming soon
Julie Gwinn, currently a literary agent with The Seymour Agency, has more than a decade in Christian publishing including serving as marketing manager then Fiction Publisher for B&H Publishing Group and Marketing Manager for Abingdon Press. Prior to joining the publishing industry, Gwinn has more than 20 years’ experience in advertising, marketing and public relations. She uses her previous experience to aid her authors at every phase of their publishing plan.
She lives in Nashville, TN, with her husband and two children and also enjoys freelance editing, and DIY projects around the house.
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WS 5: IN PATHS THEY DO NOT KNOW [GOD] WILL GUIDE THEM In 1997, Robin Lee Hatcher’s established career as an historical romance novelist changed direction, helped along by the verse found in Isaiah 42:16. Since leaving the general market to write Christian fiction, she’s experienced plenty of highs and lows. In this session, she’ll talk about God’s faithfulness when the path isn’t straight and we sometimes feel blind as we try to follow it. She hopes to inspire other writers to persevere when the going gets tough. The writing life can be hard. God is always good.
Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of 88 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her numerous awards include the Christy Award, the Carol Award, and the RITA Award. She is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both ACFW and RWA. In 2022, Robin’s writing path took a new turn with her decision to publish her books as an indie author, but God continues to guide her in the ways she doesn’t know.
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WS1: UNLEASHING THE FULL POWER OF POINT-OF-VIEW You think you understand POV? You may know about “deep” POV and “detached” POV, but are you using this tool in the most effective ways? If you’re using italics for thought, you’re not. If your POV is not flexible, moving like a camera within a scene, you’re not. If you are, you can write an entire scene with these words: “As she pirouetted, John watched his daughter through stupid tears.” Join me as together we experiment together with POV and learn how to sharpen one of the best tools in our box!
Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who expect the unexpected in novels. With over five million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 150 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to non-fiction books, to novels.
Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards–one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City.
Afterward, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport.
Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, chickens, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.
Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers in 2019.
Also in 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree. She completed her doctorate in biblical studies in 2008 and her Th.D. in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her pets, of course. She is also an avid photographer, using her photos to help find homes for animals at local rescues.
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WS 2: Mind Magic: Holding Your Reader Hostage - Hear some tips and tricks to ensnare your reader with sleight-of-hand maneuvers within the pages of your novel. This updated version of Ronie’s well-received Mind Magic workshop will share techniques that employ psychology and proven science that keeps the reader coming back for more!
Ronie Kendig is a bestselling, award-winning author of over thirty-five books. She grew up an Army brat, and now she and her Army-veteran husband have returned to their beloved Texas after a nearly ten-year stint in the Northeast. They survive on Sonic runs, barbecue, and peach cobbler that they share—sometimes—with Benning the Stealth Golden.
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WS 4: Making Silence BOOM!
Margie Lawson loves teaching writers how to load their scenes with fresh emotion and power. A popular international presenter, she’s taught over 180 full day master classes across the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and France. She’s taught 200+ 5-day Immersion Master Classes in the U.S. and Canada, and in seven cities in Australia too.
She has fun presenting her monthly Dig Deep Webinar Series with over thirty 90-minute webinars. Catch it live or download the recording.
She also founded Lawson Writer’s Academy, with over 30 instructors teaching online courses. Learn more in Margie’s newsletter: http://www.margielawson.com.
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WS 7: HOW TO DEVELOP A TAGLINE FOR YOU AND YOUR BRAND You need a powerful tagline. Why? A powerful tagline immediately tells readers who you are, grabs their attention, and compels them to find out more about you. During this workshop, branding expert James L. Rubart will how you how to discover your brand, then design a custom tagline that fits exactly who you are.
James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man’s body. He thinks he’s still young enough to water ski like a madman and dirt bike with his two grown sons. He’s the best-selling, Christy Hall of Fame, CAROL, INSPY, and RT Book Reviews award winning author of sixteen novels and loves to send readers on mind-bending spiritual journeys they’ll remember months after they finish one of his stories. He’s also a branding expert, and audio book narrator. He lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington.
Participation of an individual presenter, agent, editor, or publisher in the ACFW conference does not constitute endorsement by ACFW. Conference attendees are advised to use due diligence and take personal responsibility when choosing industry professionals with whom to schedule appointments or enter into agreement.