The Guild meets the second Tuesday of every month in the facilities of Quartz Hill Community Church. Each year, the Guild, together with Quartz Hill School of Theology sponsors the Antelope Valley Christian Writers Conference.
This year's conference was held on May 4-5, 2007. The next conference is May 2-3, 2008. For information, visit the website:
Our first annual Antelope Valley Christian Writers Conference, this past May, exceeded our expectations. It was quite encouraging to see our prayers answered, with dozens of attendees and several experienced faculty present. Our featured speakers, Ellie Kay and Alton Gansky, inspired us all with their good advice and words of encouragement.
The 2007 conference was even better. Whether you were an absolute beginner – a seasoned professional – or somewhere in-between – this was for you.
The conference was held at Christ our Savior Methodist Church in Quartz Hill, a small unincorporated area on the Westside of the Valley. Complimentary refreshments and a continental breakfast were provided.
As Christians, we know that God gives different gifts to different people. For some, they feel called to preach. For others, they travel far and wide as missionaries. Some serve God with music, others with gifts of bookkeeping or teaching or administration. We may have different roles, but we all share the same mission to serve God and his people.
Clearly, we writers are a unique breed. For us, the Lord has given us the special gift of putting pen to paper to share a message. We have a passion to take a simple story and build it into a finished product that will inspire others. For some it may be a lucrative full-time career. For others, it’s a rewarding pastime. But wherever you come from – and wherever you want to go – we are all motivated by the simple joy of telling a story.
We can help you get there.
At the Antelope Valley Christian Writers Conference, you will have the opportunity to interact with professional writers and editors, and attend workshops in a wide array of creative categories. You’ll meet fellow Christian writers who share your calling – your zeal – and perhaps your frustrations as well. You can trade ideas, share experiences, and support one another in prayer. Together, we can help you take your writing to the next level, the best it can be. In addition to the scheduled speakers, we discussed:
How should a Christian approach his writing?
What’s keeping you from getting published?
How can you improve your writing skills?
What do editors and publishers look for, when evaluating a manuscript?
We hope you will seize this opportunity to gain fresh inspiration for your writing, and perhaps a little encouragement for yourself as well.
See you there!
For those unfamiliar with the area, the Antelope Valley is a desert community at the northeastern edge of Los Angeles County. Its two main cities, Lancaster and Palmdale, are among the fastest growing cities in the state of California. Wildflowers abound every spring, with California Poppies (the official state flower) appearing on just about every hillside.
The area has a rich heritage with the aerospace industry. Several major manufacturers have facilities here, and the space shuttles were assembled here. Edwards Air Force Base is nearby, the site of Chuck Yeager’s historic flight where he broke the sound barrier in a Bell X-1, in 1947. The Tom Hanks movie, The Terminal, was produced here at Palmdale Regional Airport.
For the 2007 conference, we assembled a distinguished faculty of award-winning writers. Each of them had decades of experience in the field, and they reserve a special place in their hearts for helping new writers.
Our keynote speaker, Lauraine Snelling, has written over 30 books (both fiction and non fiction) for adults and young adults. Lauraine is also the author of the popular RED RIVER OF THE NORTH series set in North Dakota in the 19th century. Besides writing books and articles, she teaches at writer’s conferences across the country and has an active speaking career.
She and husband Wayne have two grown sons, and live in Southern California. Lauraine can garden, sew, do crafts, cross stitch, enjoy her birds and eventually have a horse again.
Tim Riter has published nine books and written articles for the Los Angeles Times, Christianity Today, Discipleship Journal, and Moody Magazine. His latest book is Not a Safe God, from Broadman and Holman, 2006. After serving decades as a pastor, Tim now writes and teaches full time. He teaches writing at Hope International University and Linfield Christian School, communication at Azusa Pacific University, and a major track on Ministry and Writing at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference.
He and his wife Sheila (also an author) live in Temecula and enjoy cruising in their Mustang convertible with their grandkids Josh and Hannah. Tim is also an inveterate stream fisherman for trout.
Cindy Kenney’s love for children, writing, and the Lord have culminated in a wonderful career as a writer, editor, speaker, and consultant to many. She worked in the field of Christian education before she began writing stories and curriculum for children of all ages.
Today, Cindy is the Director of Publishing for Exclaim Entertainment, creators of Boz the Big Green Bear. She continues to write and edit stories and curriculum that engage, intrigue, and connect children to the Lord. Formerly an editor for the Veggie Tales animated series, Cindy now speaks around the United States and Canada to deliver creative inspiration; teach writers, children, and Christian educators.
Cindy has been married for 20 years to her husband Jim, and is the proud mother of two sons. She feels blessed with each new day and looks forward to whatever creativity it may bring!
Due to a death in the family, she had to cancel at the last minute. Tim Riter graciously stepped in to fill the open slots.
6:00 pm Registration
7:00 pm Welcome, Narrow Road Coffee House
7:30 pm Large Group: Lauraine Snelling
Saturday
8:00 am Continental breakfast
8:45 am Large Group: Tim Riter
9:30 am Speaker Seminar I, Individual classes
10:45 am Coffee Break
11:15 am Speaker Seminar II, Individual classes
12:15 pm Lunch (pre-registered)
1:15 pm Speaker Seminar III, Individual classes
2:45 pm Large Group: Cindy Kenney
4:00 pm Seminar Close
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