September 2016 Speaker Denise Camacho on The Business of Writing

Austin Camacho

Editorial Director for Intrigue Publishing

Monday, September 12, 2016

“The Business of Writing”

There is a long list of vital information authors need to know before deciding if they want to self-publish or sign with a publisher. Austin Camacho, editorial director for Intrigue Publishing, LLC, will take you through the quagmire of the publishing business do’s and don’ts.

Camacho is also the author of the Hannibal Jones Mystery Series novels about Washington, D.C.-based private eye Hannibal Jones and the Stark and O’Brien international adventure-thriller series. His latest is a detective novel Beyond Blue. Camacho is deeply involved with the writing community. He is a past president of the Maryland Writers Association, past Vice President of the Virginia Writers Club, and is an active member of Mystery Writers of America, International, Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime.

July 11 Speaker Heather Gray on Facebook Parties

Heather Gray

Multi-published Author

Monday, July 11, 2016

“How to Throw a Rockin’ Facebook Party”

Facebook can be a great marketing tool for authors—both independent and traditionally published—to connect with readers. Facebook parties are a fun, easy way for authors to promote their work and have fun with readers. Multi-published author Heather Gray will provide tips on how to throw a successful Facebook Party.

Heather has books with a small press as well as independently published.  She is vice president of Virginia’s ACFW chapter, has handled social media marketing for an Alabama-based small press, and regularly mentors new authors on how to launch their debut novels and what to expect from that launch. Heather is part of the administrative team at inspyromance.com and is the founder of The Inspired Inkpot, a co-op street team for authors writing Christian fiction. With a split personality that bounces back and forth between creative and business-minded, Heather has found herself at home in the writing world where both are in high demand. 

Amy Newmark of Chicken Soup Joins Us Online for May 9 Meeting

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Capital Christian Writers is cancelling "The Ins and Outs of Self-Publishing" conference scheduled for April 9.

Amy Newmark

Publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul Series

Monday, May 9, 2016

“Ingredients for the Perfect Chicken Soup Story”

What goes into the perfect Chicken Soup for the Soul story? Our special guest, Amy Newmark, publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, will share what she looks for in a Chicken Soup story, plus answer your questions about the series. Amy will be joining us via online video, and she also wants to know what we like about the Chicken Soup books.

If you’ve had stories published in Chicken Soup books, bring them to the meeting to share. Also, we’re encouraging all who attend to come with a piece—rough draft form is fine!—or the outline of a story to submit to an upcoming Chicken Soup book. Titles currently accepting submissions include:

• The Spirit of Canada (May 31 deadline)
• Blended Families (June 30 deadline)
• Curvy & Confident (June 30 deadline)
• Stories About Teachers and Teaching (June 30 deadline)
• Parent to Parent (July 31 deadline)
• Stories about Cats (October 31 deadline)
• Stories about Dogs (October 31 deadline)

For details on each book and submission guidelines, click here. 

Linda Davis, Screenwriter, March 14 speaker

Linda Davis

Screenwriter

Monday, March 14, 2016

“A Screenwriter’s Journey”

A screenwriter currently represented by a WGA Signatory Agent, Linda Davis will discuss what she’s learned about writing structure (for any kind of writing) and present some skillsets and ideas on how to get your writing in the best shape possible. She will also cover queries, loglines, story structure, the art of pitching and marketing yourself. This discussion will include helpful resources and time for a question-answer session.

She is presently working on scripts to break into the Hollywood feature film business. She’s written several scripts and takes trips to Los Angeles for pitching, marketing, seminars, and meetings with producers.  

CCW Meeting Cancellation Policy

Please always double-check our blog before each meeting.

1. If Fairfax County Public Schools cancel for inclement weather, we will not have a meeting that evening. Schools are usually canceled before the sun rises on such days.

2. If inclement weather arrives AFTER 12 noon on the Monday of a meeting, we will post a cancellation on our blog at www.capitalchristianwriters.org as well as a message on CCW’s contact number 703-803-9447.

3. If for any reason you cannot access the three sources above, then email ccwwriters@gmail.com.

January Meeting: Achieving Your Writing Goals

“Achieving Your Writing Goals”

Monday, Jan. 11, 2016

Having clear goals coupled with a plan can help you achieve your writing goals (whatever your genre or purpose for writing). Join your fellow CCWers for a round table discussion led by board members Betsey Kodat and Sarah Hamaker.

Betsey will focus on importance of prayer in realizing your writing goals and reaching your audience, while Sarah will give you some practical tools on how to put into place a realistic plan.

Bring your ideas or goals and leave with a prayer guide and an action plan. Let’s make 2016 a year to remember through our writing! 

November Speaker: Stephanie Buckwalter on Using the Internet to Build an Audience

Stephanie Buckwalter

Author

Monday, November 9, 2015

“Using the Internet to Build an Audience”

How do you make the Internet work for you? Author Stephanie Buckwalter will show us how to use social media, online networking and search engine tools to build our audience.

Stephanie writes nonfiction in diverse genres such as educational and informational for training materials, encyclopedias, homemaking, and the school library market. She loves technology and using it as a tool to reach others.

She is a contributor to the Encyclopedia of Business and Industry; Death Be Not Proud, an Early American Poetry anthology; and Chicken Soup for the Chocolate Lover’s Soul.

Prepare to Publish Mini-Conference September 12

Join NoVa Christian Writers on Saturday, Sept. 12, for a mini-conference, Prepare to Publish. The conference will be at Potomac Ministry Center in Gainesville, Va., from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with lunch included. Literary agent Tamela Hancock Murray, who spoke at CCW's July meeting, will be available for paid critiques of the first 10 pages of your manuscript. 

The conference will cover how to write a proposal, how to find a literary agent, how to prepare your manuscript, and how to promote your work, along with an Q&A session with Tamela. 

Visit http://www.novachristianwriters.org/2015/07/31/prepare-to-publish/ to learn more and to register.