Excuse me while I brag on Linda Phillips, a young adult novelist and my BFF. The Lord brought us together 20 years ago when the regional advisor of the SCBWI-Charlotte chapter suggested we put together a conference. Linda and I had never even met! But it turns out,...
Author Interview
10 Questions about the fantasy genre and YA literature:
While not every publisher accepts fantasy manuscripts, strong interest in this genre exists among children, teens, and young adults well beyond college age. This interview is the first in a series to explore fantasy ’ s appeal to younger readers, and to look at...
How To Find an Agent: Six Questions for Picture Book Writers
As an aspiring picture book author, I had high hopes for breaking into children’s publishing. I worked on my craft, joined a critique group, revised and polished my picture book manuscripts, then sent them off to publishers, hoping my dream would soon be...
COMBAT!
Do you have an idea for a nonfiction book but you're not sure what goes into finding the right publisher and writing the proposal? In this post, Dennis Peterson, a W2I 2018 attendee, shares the backstory for his forthcoming book, COMBAT! Lessons on Spiritual Warfare...
BOUND by Vijaya Bodach
Disclaimer: Although we support this book because it is strongly pro-life and addresses several serious issues, the main character in Bound occasionally uses language that some Christians might find offensive. Within the first pages of Bound by Vijaya Bodach, the...
6 Social Media Tips That Make a Difference
Authors are constantly striving to grow their platform. If you’re on social media, you’re working to increase followers. But if you have hundreds or even thousands of followers, what’s the point if they don’t stop to read your posts? The real goal is active...
Sneak Peek: Carol Baldwin’s Presentations for W2I 2018
Ready for Write2Ignite 2018? I'll be leading three workshops at the conference: "Strangers in a Strange Land," "Fiction Writing" (Teen Track), and "Writing Historical Fiction." Let me describe them for you! "Strangers in a Strange Land" In Exodus 2:22, Moses names his...
Sneak Peek: Jean Matthew Hall’s Presentations for W2I 2018
Hello, everyone! This year's Write2Ignite conference is coming up fast. As one of the presenters at the conference, I'll be leading two workshops: "Children's Book Categories" and "Writing from Childhood Memories." Let me tell you about them. "Children's Book...
Sneak Peek: Jenny L. Cote’s Presentations for W2I 2018
"I did not think To show to all the World my Pen and Ink In such a mode; I only thought to make I knew not what: nor did I undertake Thereby to please my Neighbour; no not I, I did it mine ownself to gratifie." ---From John Bunyan's "Apology" for Pilgrim’s Progress...
Host a Book Launch Party!
You’ve done it. You’ve published a book. Now comes the hard part. Marketing. You’ll be posting, tweeting, blogging, and talking about your book to anyone who’ll listen. But have you considered planning a party? A book launch party will create buzz for your book, give...
The Good, the Bad, and the Mediocre of Self-Publishing
Kenneth G. Winters, author of the YA novel The Lost Crown of Colonnade, served as a Navy chaplain; a few years ago, he retired from full-time ministry. After investigating several Christian self-publishing companies, he published this first novel in 2011. He shares...
Self-Publishing Series Part IV Author Interviews
Author and former Write2Ignite Team member Janice D. Green has a wealth of experience with self-publishing projects. Below, she shares information about the steep learning curve she experienced as she navigated different options, programs, and methods for publishing...
Author Interviews III: Sandy Carlson’s First Self-Publishing Experience
Author Sandy Carlson was born in Michigan, lived in six other states, and now resides in Michigan again. A former elementary teacher, Carlson is a blogger and a long-time member of SCBWI. She's published in magazines, e-zines, newspapers, and anthologies, in addition...
Author Interviews II: Laurie Gifford Adams Shares on Self-Publishing
Laurie Gifford Adams began writing young adult novels during her career as an educator. Adams is the author of Finding Atticus, www.RUinDanger, Over the Edge, and Before I Knew. A former Prattsburg (NY) High School schoolmate of W2I Team member Darcy Hendrick, Adams...
Author Interviews: Gail Cartee Shares Self-Publishing Experiences
More writers are choosing self-publishing to deliver their books, whether print or digital, to readers. Write2Ignite is reaching out to several authors to ask about their decisions, experiences, and tips for those considering self-publishing for their projects....
Interview with Angelika Martin
by Sally Matheny Recently released, Operation Birthday Celebration—A Journey to the Manger, offers a fun Christian alternative to a popular book on a spying elf. An additional handbook, overflowing with ideas for activities and teaching moments, accompanies this...
What Can I Expect to Gain at Write2Ignite?
A beginning writer's wish list before attending a writer's conference: An editor will fall in love with my manuscript and give me a contract on the spot. Lots of other writers will read my manuscripts and polish them so they shine. Many editors will recognize my...
The Marketing Seesaw
When was the last time you played on a seesaw? Maybe you called it a teeter-totter. The fun lasted only as long as the person on the other end weighed about the same as you. Enough of an imbalance and you either spent most of the time camped on the ground or hanging...
We’ve Always Done It This Way
The publishing industry is moving faster than Doc Brown’s DeLorean, but not always in a good way. Stagnant sales, corporate restructurings, e-publishing, people reading less…the news can be discouraging. So what’s an author to do? One thing we should not do is...
Reflecting with Award-Winning Actor & Author: Torry Martin
by Sally Matheny It’s ten weeks until “Shine!” time at the 2015 Write2Ignite Writers’ Conference. We’re preparing for fantastic workshops, led by bright stars of the writing profession. While we’re waiting for the big weekend to arrive, we’ll feature some reflections...
Writers Giving Back and Building Up: Interview with Authors Janice D. Green and Soraya D. Coffelt
Occasionally, writers, both beginning and seasoned, will donate a portion of their work. Some writers forgo payment in order to build their publishing credits. Others desire to give back to their communities. Several view it as a “tithing” of their talents. This is a...
















