Happy Wednesday, reading & writing friends! Each week until the Art of Writing Conference, I will be spotlighting a different session that is available in this year’s line-up. As one of the directors of the Art of Writing Conference (with the fabulous Jamie Lapeyrolerie) I’m super excited about each of these sessions and want to make sure you know about them! Today’s let look at the 2022 Art of Writing Session One!
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
The Art of Writing conference will be held from 12:30-5 pm (CDT) on November 17 at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN, and is designed to bring Christian writers, creatives, storytellers, and publishing curators together for a half-day of intensive seminars that: celebrate the creative life while recognizing the weariness; provide practical tips for engaging in a rapidly-changing industry; introduce challenges to become better writers; and answer the questions authors are asking.
The four-session conference will bring together writers, creatives, and publishing curators for training and connection around topics presented by industry experts, authors, and publishers.
ABOUT art of writing Session One:
What Makes a Gush-Worthy Book?
What makes a book one that people can’t stop talking about? Hear from our panel of people who LOVE books; including a book influencer, an agent, and an editor. They’ll share what they look for in a book and what they’re drawn to. You’ll walk away with your imagination sparked and ready for new ideas (and probably a few more books to add to your TBR!).
Panelists: Carrie Schmidt, Kelsey Bowen, Cynthia Ruchti
Moderator: Jamie Lapeyrolerie
Kelsey Bowen is a Senior Acquisitions Editor at Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, where she acquires both fiction and nonfiction. She has a degree in creative writing and, when she’s not editing, she loves to read fiction with a strong cup of coffee close by. She is the Worship Director for her church, and sells her cakes and cupcakes to friends and family in the West Michigan area (find her on Instagram @kelseybooksandbakes). She currently lives with her husband Kyle, their daughters Peyton and Lauren, and their dog Izzo, in Allendale, MI.
Cynthia Ruchti is author, agent, and advocate for stories that offer hope, whether fiction or nonfiction. She serves as Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers and is a senior literary agent with Books & Such Literary Management. Her storytelling career began with three decades writing scripted radio, then novels and nonfiction. Now she is invested in her own writing projects and in helping other authors tell their stories well and find the publisher and readers who have been waiting for them. Find her at her website, hemmedinhope.com
Carrie Schmidt is an avid reader, book reviewer, story addict, KissingBooks fan, book boyfriend collector, and cool aunt. She also loves Jesus and THE Story a whole lot. Carrie started the popular blog ReadingIsMySuperPower.org in 2015 and since then has had the honor of co-founding the Christian Fiction Readers’ Retreat and JustRead Publicity Tours. In addition to these endeavors, she is a regular contributor to Seekerville and has written for magazines such as RT Book Reviews and Christian Market. Carrie now lives in Georgia with her husband, though her roots range from East Tennessee to Central Kentucky and northern Illinois. You can connect with me here and in the social links in the sidebar 🙂
Moderator, Jamie Lapeyrolerie is an editor for WaterBrook & Multnomah, imprints of Penguin Random House and a writer. She is actively involved in the publishing industry, including PubU, The Christy Award® Advisory Board, and part of various DEI groups that seek to amplify voices of color. Her own writings have appeared in Christ + Pop Culture, Ekstasis Magazine, and Beloved Women. Originally from Southern California, she is now based in Colorado. You can find her writings at www.musingsofjamie.com and around social @musingsofjamie.
REGISTER
The Art of Writing conference $99
The Art of Writing conference + The Christy Awards Gala Bundle $139
What about you? What makes you want to attend the 2022 Art of Writing Conference & specifically Session One on November 17th? What makes a gush-worthy book for you?
Leave a Reply