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The Source for Books on Christian Writing and Speaking

American Christian Writers can help you get into print with its exclusive Write Now! books:

Regular $17.00 Our price $12.75		An Introduction to Christian Writing Ethel Herr This book is indispensible for the apprentice Christian Writer. If you hear the call to write as a Christian Writer this is the book to spiritually and technically get you going in the direction that God is calling you. If you can’t afford joining the Christian Writer’s Guild’s two year course, Ethel Herr stands in as your mentor and guides you through the learning process, developing your disciplines and skills. Everything you need to get going as a Christian writer is in this book. Her exercises and assignments really work your writing muscles. Buy your Christian Writer’s Market and this book [and] you will be good to go. I highly reccommend this book for every writer’s library. Review by A. L. Harden
Regular $15.00 Our price $9.00		A Complete Guide to Writing for Publication Edited by Susan Titus Osborn As a journalist who is beginning to also write for the Christian market, I found this book extremely interesting and helpful. The chapters cover everything from praying for guidance, to how to make your manuscript more saleable to how to write for different markets (children, teens, romance, historical fiction, education, etc.). I especially enjoyed the chapter about how to write humor by James Watkins (who has some great humor in print!) and how to make a living as a freelance writer by Dennis Hensley. This book is a wonderful resource that I will refer to again and again. Review by Grace Housholder
Regular $15.00 Our price $9.00		A Complete Guide to Writing for Publication Edited by Susan Titus Osborn As a journalist who is beginning to also write for the Christian market, I found this book extremely interesting and helpful. The chapters cover everything from praying for guidance, to how to make your manuscript more saleable to how to write for different markets (children, teens, romance, historical fiction, education, etc.). I especially enjoyed the chapter about how to write humor by James Watkins (who has some great humor in print!) and how to make a living as a freelance writer by Dennis Hensley. This book is a wonderful resource that I will refer to again and again. Review by Grace Housholder
Regular $15.00 Our price $9.00		A Complete Guide to Writing and Speaking Susan Titus Osborn Everyone interested in improving their writing and speaking will find something of value in these pages. In this new and improved second edition each chapter has been revisited and updated, new information added and new chapters included. There are articles on writing poetry, finding time to write, basic novel writing techniques, contracts, and essential material do develop a powerful speaking ministry.
Regular $12.00 Our price $7.20		How to Write and Sell a Christian Novel Gilbert Morris Morris, a highly acclaimed Christian author, illustrates the art of developing the three basic elements of novel writing: plot, character, and setting. In well-defined terms, with a collection of examples from his own published novels, Morris guides the aspiring novelist in constructing a plot, deciding on point of view, writing dialogue, and developing character and setting. He concludes each chapter with helpful exercises to develop the skills just taught. His final chapter details the steps of marketing, including formatting manuscripts and surviving rejection. Highly recommended as a practical resource for aspiring writers. Review in Book List by Patty O’Connell
Regular $14.00 Our price $10.50		Book Proposals that Sell Terry Whalin Terry Whalin’s book will save you the months and years of heartache as you turn your passion into print. He explains, “Many writers focus only on the creative aspects of writing a book and getting it published, but the executives inside a publishing house are business people who want to sell books and turn a profit at the end of the day. It’s a delicate balance between creating the best possible product and assuring that each product has the best opportunity to sell into the market and reach the target audience.” Book Proposals that Sell is your road map for bypassing the long, winding route that gets you nowhere and shows you the shortcuts for learning what publishers are really looking for. Review by Heather Lynn Ivester
Regular $15.00 Our price $11.25		You Can Market Your Book Carmen Leal This book changed my mindset about self-promotion. I am shy and didn’t want to be pushy, but Carmen helped me see that I am actually helping people when I introduce them to my book. Her material is well organized and has many clever twists on old marketing ideas. I wrote down everything she said to do—and then I did it! My book Avoiding the Greener Grass Syndrome is selling well because I’ve done lots of promotion including dozens of radio shows and an appearance, as an author, on the Montel Williams TV show! Thanks Carmen! Review by Nancy Anderson
Regular $12.00 Our price $7.20		Just Write: an Essential Guide to Launching Your Writing Career Susan Titus Osborn “What a wealth of information from a writer who sits on both sides of the publishing desk. . . Susan knows her stuff!” Bev Lewis, best-selling Heritage of Lancaster County series “Susan is a fireball of inspiration, information, and good old common sense. This book is the same!” Bill Myers, best selling author of Blood of Heaven and the McGee and Me video series
Regular $14.00 Our price $10.50		Write His Answer Marlene Bagnull I have just read this remarkable book for the first time—for I plan to go back and read it again, slowly. It is sorely needed refreshment for the struggling Christian writer. It’s also practical, easy to read, supportive and yet challenging. Some of the subjects she covers include dealing with rejection; doubt and despair; maintaining balance; and keeping up one’s physical health. In short, this is a powerful book about the spirituality of Christian writing. I recommend it most highly. Review by Louis N. Gruber
Regular $34.99 Our price $29.99		Christian Writers’ Market Guide: The Reference Tool for the Christian Writer Sally Stuart In a time when it may seem impossible to get a publisher?s attention, the Christian Writers? Market Guide offers the ideas, resources, and contact information you need. For over twenty years, the Christian Writers? Market Guide has offered indispensable help to Christian writers. It includes up-to-date listings of over 1,200 markets for books, articles, stories, poetry, greeting cards, and more, including information on forty new book publishers, eighty-three new periodicals, and thirty-four new literary agents. Whether you are a first-time author or a seasoned veteran, the Christian Writers? Market Guide will point you to resources that will help you get published, stay published, promote your work, and polish your craft.
Regular $12.99 Our price $11.99		Communicating to Change Lives James Watkins ?I laughed, I gulped, and I learned as I read Jim?s book. As a writer, speaker, and teacher of writing, Jim knows what he is talking about. Best of all, he knows how to put the teaching at a level that we can easily grasp and apply. Here?s the book that will help you to change lives.? Roger Palms, Writer, teacher, speaker, former editor of Decision magazine
Regular $15.00 Our price $13.50		Writers on Writing: Top Christian Authors Share Their Secrets to Getting Published Edited by James N. Watkins Many Christians have a desire to communicate the gospel through the medium of writing but do not understand the basics of writing for publication. This helpful volume of 22 brief chapters provides encouragement for budding Christian writers to continue in their work, instruction in the craft of writing, and instruction in the basics of the Christian writing business. Contributors include: Jerry B. Jenkins, Liz Curtis Higgs, James Scott Bell, James L. Garlow, Sally Stuart, Stan Toler, Karen Ball, Dennis E. Hensley, Bob Hostetler and many more.

Click here for even more books available from American Christian Writers.

To order…

Call toll-free 1-800-21-WRITE(97483)
Reg Forder, publisher

American Christian Writers is a member of:
Evangelical Press Association
Evangelical Christian Publishers Association
Global Network of Christian Ministries

Cross & Quill is our organizational newsletter. The front page of each issue is devoted to profiling one of our professional members. Other pages are packed with writing how-to’s, information and advice from editors and other professional writers, a writer’s devotional column, member/ subscriber prayer and praise items, computer helps, upcoming conferences and seminars, reviews on writers books, software and resources, and MarketLines, a column that gives the latest market news and views.To receive a free sample copy of Cross & Quill, simply fill out and submit the C&Q Request Form or email Sandy Brooks at cqsample@cwfi-online.org.

Subscribe or Renew Online Now!

These writers guidelines were updated January 22, 2009

Cross & Quill – The Christian Writers Newsletter serves an audience of writers, speakers, editors, conference directors, group leaders, researchers, and agents involved in the Christian publishing industry. Please keep that in mind when submitting. Need more nuts and bolts (this is how to write it) articles. Rarely use personal experiences except for Writing Rainbows!

Our purpose is to inform, instruct, encourage, and equip Christians in publishing to produce writing of the highest biblical and professional standards.

OUR NEEDS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Meet the Pro: Assigned. Our front page features a member of the CWFI Family and their publishing accomplishments.

This Side of the Desk: Written in-house.

Writing Rainbows!: 500 to 600 word devotional thought including Scripture and prayer that comes from your writing experience. Give Bible translation.

Family Talks: 300 to 500 word articles by CWFI Family members to CWFI Family members on lessons and nuggets of wisdom you’ve learned on the road of publication.

Editor’s Soapbox: Assigned. Dave Fessenden, Contributing Editor.

Writers Helping Writers: 200 to 800 word articles. More instructional and how-to articles, fewer personal experiences. Need articles directed to the veteran as well as the beginning writer.

Writing Internationally: 200 to 800 word articles exploring the unique challenges that come with writing for readers in other cultures such as content, expression, language, money exchange, and other issues. We especially encourage writers outside North America to educate us on these issues and others we have not mentioned here.

Tots, Teens & InBetweens: 200 to 800 word how-to and informational articles on writing for children, teenagers, and young adults. Immediate Need for these.

Fabulous Fiction: 200 to 800 word articles on any aspect of writing fiction. Also profiles of fiction editors or successful fiction writers. Photos of editor or author improves chance of acceptance. Immediate need for these.

The Merry Heart: 200 to 800 word articles on how to write and market humor.

Symbiosis: Webster defines symbiosis as “a similar relationship of mutual interdependence between persons or groups.” The internet constantly creates new avenues for writers to share their hearts, develop their communication skills and form symbiotic relationships with persons of like mind around the globe. We would like to see 200 to 800 word articles on innovative ways you use the internet to develop symbiotic relationships with other writers: your Web site, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and other types of internet services and functions.

Editor’s RoundTable: 200 to 800 word interviews with editors on current needs of the publication or publishing house. Ask questions that help writers understand the joys, frustrations, and challenges of editorial work. Find out what the editor has often wanted to tell writers to make the editor’s and the writer’s jobs easier, more productive, and more profitable. Professional quality B&W glossy of editor improves chances of acceptance.

ComputerWise: Assigned. Kay Hall, Contributing Editor.

BusinessWise: 200 to 800 articles on how-to and informational articles on the business side of writing such as tax information, recordkeeping, and other related topics.

MarketWise: 200-800 word articles or fillers on effective ways to market manuscripts.

LegalEase: 200 to 800 word articles on various legalities in the writing profession: income taxes, contracts (book, agent, self-publisher, POD publisher), copyright, etc.

Our Evolving Industry: 200 to 800 word articles on how our industry has changed over the past 25 to 30 years and how it continues to evolve into a ministry to both believers and non-believers. Immediate need for these.

The Speaker’s Platform: 200 to 800 word articles on how to tame the terrifying beast of public speaking and become a clear communicator of the Gospel.

Worthy of Our Hire: 200 to 800 word articles on ways to make a living at writing such as proofing, editing, indexing, writing ad copy, designing newsletters and business forms for offices, other writing/ publishing related jobs. Immediate need for these.

Connecting Points: 200 to 800 word how-to’s and informational articles on leading and attending writers groups. Especially want articles on how to critique various kinds of writing such as nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and others. Also program ideas. We encourage writers international writers to explain the challenges of organizing, finding, and operating writers groups outside North America.

The Conference Circuit: Organizing and operating writers workshops and conferences—successes and learning experiences. 500 to 600 words. Also profiles and personal experiences at Christian writers conferences. State availability of photos.

Poetry: 1 to 8 line poems on helpful and inspirational about writers or the craft of writing. Limit 3 per submission.

Fillers: 25 to 100 word helpful hints, newsbreaks, tips, cartoons. Book and other product reviews for and about writers, editors, and publishers, 100 to 300 words.

Submissions: Prefers complete manuscript. No simultaneous submissions. Please paste your article into an email form. Due to security concerns, we do not download attached files. Please do submit by directing us to a Web site. All email submissions should be addressed to CQArticles@aol.com and CQArticles@cwfi-online.org. Articles submitted to any other address will not be acknowledged.

Rights: Buys first or reprint rights. If manuscript is a reprint, state when and where the piece has been used.

Payment: Honorarium on publication + 3 contributors copies.

Hard copy submissions submitted by post not accompanied by a Self-Addressed-Stamped-Envelope (SASE) will not be acknowledged or returned.

Editor/ Publisher: Sandy Brooks
c/o Christian Writers Fellowship International
1624 Jefferson Davis Rd.
Clinton, SC 29325-6401
(864) 697-6035 between 9am and 5pm Eastern Time.

Email Addresses:
CWFI@cwfi-online.org
sandybrooks@cwfi-online.org
sandybrooks2@aol.com

cwfi@aol.com

Web Address:
http://www.cwfi-online.org