2013 Presenters

We are pleased to announce that our 2013 Write2Ignite! Conference Presenters are as follows:

 

Keynote speaker Cecil Murphey

( Author, Speaker, Teacher, Mentor)

Veteran author Cecil (Cec) Murphey has written or co-written more than 130 books, including the New York Times bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven (with Don Piper) and Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (with Dr. Ben Carson). His books have sold in the millions and have brought hope and encouragement to countless people around the world.

Cec stays busy as a professional writer and travels extensively to speak on topics such as writing, spiritual growth, caregiving, significant living, sexual abuse, and recovery.

Prior to launching his career as a full-time writer and speaker, Cec served as pastor in Metro Atlanta, as a volunteer hospital chaplain for ten years, and was a missionary in Kenya for six.

For more information about Cecil, visit www.cecilmurphey.com.

 

 Workshop Presenters

 

Joyce Hostetter   (Author)

Joyce Moyer Hostetter is an educator who has worked with children in a variety of settings – public school, camp, church, and homeschool groups. She began her freelance career by writing Sunday School and Vacation Bible School Curriculum for both adults and children. Combining love of story with her fondness for young people; she now writes juvenile novels.

Joyce also co-publishes TALKING STORY, a newsletter about reading and writing for teachers, librarians and readers in general. She lives with her husband in North Carolina where they enjoy their two adult children and seven grandchildren. When she’s not writing she’s usually researching or learning to use the web as a marketing tool! You can visit Joyce at www.joycemoyerhostetter.com or www.joycemoyerhostetter.blogspot.com. Joyce will lead three workshops:

Telling the Truth through Fiction

Writing that Sings

Let Your History Do the Plotting 

 

Kelly Starling Lyons (Author)

 

Kelly Starling Lyons is a Raleigh children’s book author whose mission is to transform moments, memories and history into stories of discovery. She is the author of chapter book, NEATE: Eddie’s Ordeal (Just Us Books), CCBC-Choices honored picture book, One Million Men and Me (Just Us Books) and picture book Ellen’s Broom (Penguin/G.P. Putnam’s Sons), a Junior Library Guild selection and 2013 North Carolina Children’s Book Award nominee. She has two forthcoming picture books with Penguin/Putnam. Tea Cakes for Tosh, illustrated by E.B. Lewis, will debut on December 6. Find out more at www.kellystarlinglyons.com. Kelly will present two workshops.

Writing to Celebrate Diversity

Marketing Your Book on a Budget

 

Kim Peterson

(Writer, Teacher, Freelance Editor)

Kim  Peterson is Writer-at-Large for Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana. She has taught writing for 18 years, mentoring students who seek careers in writing, editing and publishing. She also leads a productive online writers group affiliated with the college. Kim also mentors writers through the Jerry Jenkins Christian Writers Guild, and she reviews books for CBA Retailers+Resources, Salem Press and Young Adult Books Central.

Working as a freelancer for 32 years, Kim has written for several Indiana newspapers and various periodicals, including  AppleSeeds, Encounter, Evangel, Vista and devotional markets. Her work has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Rocking Chair Reader, and other anthologies. She loves writing for children. Kim says of her own childhood, “My mom made reading a priority. She surrounded me with books… When my morning chores were finished, she let me disappear up our cherry trees with a good book and a thermos of juice. I don’t climb trees to read any more, but I can still disappear into a great story.” Kim will lead three workshops.

Point of View: It’s Subjective, Third Person Subjective

Write for Young Adults

Writing the YA Novel

 

Vijaya Bodach

(Author, Instructor with The Institute of Children’s Literature)

Vijaya is a former scientist, who left the fascinating world of microbes and molecules for the most challenging job in the world – motherhood. The children drew Vijaya into their world and rekindled her love of children’s literature. She writes about the things that fuel her passion and the things she’s curious about. As a recent convert to Catholicism, her writing has shifted dramatically. Her work is infused with the Christian worldview, as she tries to bringthe Gospel of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ to as many people as possible through her words.

Vijaya has published over sixty articles, stories, and poems in Highlights for Children, Cricket, Ladybug, Odyssey, Catholic Digest and many other magazines. She has also written over 40 science books for young readers, published by Capstone Press, Perfection Learning, and Macmillan-McGraw. Vijaya also teaches the basic course at the Institute of Children’s Literature.To learn more about Vijaya, visit her website at www.vijayabodach, or her blog at www.vijayabodach.blogspot.com. Vijaya will lead three workshops.

Ready, Aim, Write! Get Published in Children’s Magazines

Tantalizing Truths Part 1 Writing Children’s Nonfiction

Tantalizing Truths Part 2 Selling Children’s Nonfiction

 

Vicki Moss (Editor at Living Water Fiction)

Vicki Moss is Editor-at-Large for Southern Writers Magazine and an award winning poet and author. Her book How to Write for Kids’ Magazines is considered the authoritative work on the subject by many.

 Along with her children’s articles, she has published fiction, children’s poetry, adult poetry, and creative nonfiction. She is the author of Roisin Dubh – Black Rose poetry, and her memoir, No Tears In Heaven. Her web site has received over half a million hits from 75 countries. Vicki will lead two workshops and meet privately with individual attendees.

 

 How to Find Your Voice

How to Interpret Your Edit or Critique

 

Joanna Echols

(Assistant Editor at Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr.)

Joanna Echols, senior associate editor of Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr. magazine, grew interested in publishing at age 8. When a magazine printed her story about rescuing a baby squirrel, Joanna felt the first thrill of seeing her work in print. She later took a correspondence writing course, studied communications and has served in various editing roles, including seven years with children’s magazines. Joanna enjoys working with writers, and some of her favorite people are those she’s met at writers’ conferences across the country. Joanna will lead one adult workshop and one Teen Track workshop, plus meet privately with individual attendees.

Writing Winning Beginnings and Endings (for Teen Track participants)

Make Your Manuscript Standout (for Adult participants)

 

 

Eddie Jones (Editor at Lighthouse Publishing)

Eddie Jones is a North Carolina-based writer and Acquisition Editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. He is a three-time winner of the Delaware Writers’ Conference and his YA novel, The Curse of Captain LaFoote, won the 2012 Moonbeam Award in the Pre-Teen Fiction/Fantasy category and the 2011 Selah Award in Young Adult fiction. He co-writes the He Said, She Said devotions, available at ChristianDevotions.us. He’s also the author of, Bahama Breeze, a humorous romantic suspense and Dead Man’s Hand from Zonderkids. Eddie’s latest devotional book, My Father’s Business,  features Biblical insights and practical applications from spiritual giants.

Eddie will lead two workshops and meet with individual attendees.

Readers Are Leaders: Writing Books That Appeal to Tween and Teen Boys

Pitching Your YA Novel to an Editor

 

 

Bill Reeves (Owner of Working Title Agency)

Bill began his career in the Christian product industry in 1988 as a music buyer at Christian retail store in Orlando, FL. After 5 years, he joined Word Music, supporting artists like Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and Sixpence None the Richer within the sales and distribution company. In 2000, Bill joined Big Idea Productions, known for their kid’s brand VeggieTales®. He served first as Brand Licensing Manager, working with such companies as Fisher-Price and Haddad Apparel, then overseeing all Christian retail operations for the brand. After that came Thomas Nelson Publishers, where Bill oversaw audio/video acquisitions and licensing for the kid’s division, Tommy Nelson.  It was here that Bill served as Executive Producer of Max Lucado’s “Hermie & Friends” video series for 8 episodes.  In 2006, Bill joined Propeller Consulting, a leader in faith-based marketing, as Vice-President of Marketing.  During that time, Bill started Working Title Agency, a product development company and literary agency, which he still runs today.

Working Title Agency  has been blessed to have represented such authors as Stephen and Alex Kendrick, Michael Catt and Jim McBride (all creators of such films as “Courageous” and “Fireproof”), Randy Alcorn, Cheri Hamilton (mother of surfer Bethany Hamilton), and Coach Gene Chizik (head coach of Auburn University’s National Championship football team).  Working Title Agency has also been blessed with best-selling books, such as the #1 New York Times best-seller, “The Love Dare”.  Bill has a B.S.B.A. in Marketing from the University of Central Florida.  Bill considers his greatest blessing to be his wife of 18 years, Heidi, and their three children Julianna (14) , Jon Jr (12), and Denham (6).   They live outside Nashville, TN. Bill will lead two workshops and meet privately with individual attendees. Bill will present two workshops.

 Contracts, Contracts, Contracts

Why Christian Children’s Publishing Matters 

 

 

Teen Track Presenters

Tony Snipes

Born in Portsmouth, VA, Tony Snipes has been drawing and painting nearly all of his life. He is trained in Graphic Design, Illustration and Web Design and has worked in his craft corporately and as a freelancer. It was not until a few years ago that Tony discovered a deeper level of creativity as he discovered a deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ. “I wanted to use my creative talents to glorify God just as a Christian singer or musician does with their talent.” Tony says. “I believe this is the way toward discovering why I was put here on earth in the first place.”

Tony now incorporates his art/design background with his media marketing experience to help creative people discover their purpose through his online publication ArtLessonsFromGod.com.

 Tony resides in the beautiful foothills of South Carolina with his wife Monica and daughters Azsa, Anisa and Moria.

Joanna Echols

Assistant Editor at Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr.

Joanna Echols, senior associate editor of Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr. magazine, grew interested in publishing at age 8. When a magazine printed her story about rescuing a baby squirrel, Joanna felt the first thrill of seeing her work in print. She later took a correspondence writing course, studied communications and has served in various editing roles, including seven years with children’s magazines. Joanna enjoys working with writers, and some of her favorite people are those she’s met at writers’ conferences across the country.

 

Samantha Bell

(Write2Ignite! Team member, Author, Illustrator)

Samantha Bell is an author, illustrator, and writing and art teacher from the upstate of South Carolina. Her stories, poems, articles, and illustrations have been published both in print and online, including magazines such as Boys’ Quest, Clubhouse Jr., Learning Through History, Wee Ones Children’s Magazine, and Kids’ Ark. She’s the author/illustrator of the picture book It’s Birthday Time, Jake, as well as two more picture books to be released next year, Firefly Night (Guardian Angel Publishing) and The Perfect Pet (Sylvan Dell Publishing). She’s also the illustrator of nine other books for children, and her current projects include a chapter book and a middle grade novel. You can find her online at www.samantha-bell.com or www.art-made-easy.com.

 

 

 Stephanie Nelson

(Writer, Teacher)

Stephanie Nelson is a creative writing teacher for 7th – 12th grade students at Cross Creek Christian School in Sweetwater, TN.  She has taught literature and language arts for the past six years, and homeschools five wonderful children.  Her writing experience includes over ten years of non-profit administrative and marketing materials, yearbook and website content, and two winning events in NaNoWriMo (National Write a Novel in a Month).

 

 

 

Other Editors & Agents available to meet with individuals:

 Nancy Lohr

Journey Forth Books

Nancy Lohr is the acquisitions editor for youth titles for JourneyForth Books, a division of BJU Press. Along with a lifelong love of books, she brings to her desk experience as a both a classroom teacher and a school librarian. She is a published author of two historical fiction novels for children as well as numerous book reviews and articles on children’s literature.

 

 

Stobbe Literary Agency

Sally Apokedak

For some years children’s book authors have been asking agent panels for names of agents focusing on children’s books—and agents had no answer. Now Sally Apokedak, a specialist in children’s and YA books, has joined the Leslie H. Stobbe Literary Agency as associate agent, with a focus on children’s and YA books.

Sally’s passion is to get Christian values into children’s and YA books going into the secular (ABA) market in an effort to help children and teens absorb biblical values. She will also be developing contacts for adult fiction and non-fiction books suitable for the secular market.

She has worked as editor for Suite101, and as Children’s Book editor for Bella Online. She currently serves as YA book editor for DMOZ and as YA contributor for Novel Rocket. She has had short works published in a variety of venues, including Highlights for Children.

Ambassador International

Ambassador International is a Christian publishing company that exists to glorify Christ, encourage believers and spread the Gospel. Over three decades, Ambassador International has published thousands of Christian books through our offices in Belfast Northern Ireland and Greenville, South Carolina. Ambassador International’s mission is to magnify the Lord Jesus Christ and promote His gospel through the written word. We believe that through the publication of Christian literature, Jesus Christ and His Word will be exalted, believers will be strengthened in their walk with Him, and the lost will be directed to Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.

 

 Sam Lowry

Dr. Samuel Lowry, President and CEO: As a young man in Northern Ireland, Samuel Lowry determined to establish a Christian publishing company dedicated to magnifying the Lord through books and materials. So in 1980 Samuel founded Ambassador International. The company soon became well known for its extensive series of Christian biographies and Classic Christian reprints. Each year, the company began printing and releasing more and more new titles including theological, devotional, inspirational, and historical works. Through the years the company has also produced videos, calendars, cards, magazines and pictures for the Christian marketplace. In 1995, Ambassador International opened offices in Greenville, South Carolina to better serve the US market. Samuel can be contacted at publisher@emeraldhouse.com

 

  Tim Lowry

Timothy Lowry, COO: Timothy Lowry grew up in Northern Ireland and in 2005, moved to the US to oversee operations in the company’s Greenville office. Timothy’s focus has been on enhancing the company’s partnership with both experienced and first-time authors, increasing circulation and expanding distribution of the hundreds of titles Ambassador International currently prints. Timothy can be contacted at tlowry@emeraldhouse.com

 

 

 

Tracy Ruckman

Write Integrity Press and Pix-N-Pens Publishing

Tracy Ruckman is currently accepting manuscripts for two publishing companies – Write Integrity Press and Pix-N-Pens Publishing. Books published by Pix-N-Pens are evangelical in nature. Manuscripts can be fiction or nonfiction, but they must share Jesus in some way. Manuscripts submitted to Write Integrity Press may be more general in nature, and may or may not carry an obvious Christian message, but they must be clean and wholesome. Both companies are open to manuscripts for all ages.

 

 

Linda Gilden

WinePress Publishing

Linda Gilden is an author, speaker, editor, and writing coach. She is the author of hundreds of articles as well as the Love Notes series, Mommy Pick-Me-Ups, and has ghostwritten or contributed to over three dozen books. Directing the CLASS Christian Writers Conference in Abiquiu, NM, is one of her favorite things to do as she encourages others to clearly communicate God’s love to the world. Linda has been in the publishing and writing business for over twenty years and represents WinePress Publishing. Linda lives in South Carolina with her family – a great source of speaking and writing material!

 

 

Jim & Vi Burger

(Owners, Editors The Kid’s Ark Magazine)

His friends and business associates know Jim Burger, founder and publisher of The Kid’s Ark, as a “former and present kid.” Jim has served as the Director of Men’s Ministry in his local church, and is able to see how the problems of adulthood are rooted in childhood difficulties.

Violette Burger, the magazine’s sales and subscriptions executive has an extensive sales background.

Since graduating from Destiny Bible Institute, Jim and Violette have served faithfully as leaders at Faith Family Church in Victoria, Texas for 16 years.

Their heart is to touch children with the gospel, and to reach the next generation for Christ.