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Writing for the Ages

• October 14-17, 2012 

CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

The number of opportunities in the Christian market to publish for children and young people is dwindling, and consequently so is the amount of quality product available to our kids. Our only authentic choice as wirters is, in the words of editor Kathleen Kerr, to become excellent at what we do and create a wealth of fine Christian literature for our youngest, and most important audience.

This second annual, only-one-of-its-kind conference, is open to authors - both adult and teen - who want to make that choice by writing for young children (pre-school to age 7), tweens (ages 8-12), or young adults (13-16). Writing For the Ages isn't a "job market" conference. Without the pressure of pitching ideas or presenting manuscripts to agents and editors for possible publication, participants can focus on:delving deeply into the art of writing:

• discovering the link between their spiritual formation and their work
• re-discovering the freedom to play and dream
• and actually writing!

Our faculty:

• Dandi Daley Mackall, author of over 400 books for preschoolers and middle grade readers, will lead the hands-on picture book track for those interested in writing for children up to age 7.
• Bill Myers, a widely published author and film maker, will teach the basics of writing for tweens for authors drawn to the 8-12 audience.
• Kathleen Kerr is a gifted editor and she will share her expertise with those writing for the young adult/teen audience.
• Nancy Rue, long-time tween and teen author, will provide advanced workshops for writers who have gone beyond the basics. (Participants in her classes will be selected based on writing samples submitted in advance.)
• Kid Critics - Probably our most important "Teaching Staff" members will be kids who will give us valuable feedback on individual work submitted at the beginning of the conference.

Every conference day will include a keynote address, intensive, hands-on work in a chosen track, free writing time with accessibility to one-on-one mentoring, a celebration of kids at dinner, and a brief evening session that provides "Things To Dream On." Glen Eyrie provides the perfect setting for prayer, daydreaming, and befriending like-minded, nuts-about-kids fellow authors.

At the end of the confernce, each paticipant can leave Glen Eyrie with practical knowledge, fresh ideas, new inspiration, and both the tools and the confidence to apply all three for the nurturing of the future.

Click here to view the workshop descriptions!

"Know the truth and tell the stories so the children can trust in God."
Psalm 78:6 The Message

Experience what retreats at Glen Eyrie have to offer:

• Self-guided prayer journey
• Professional worship with our resident worship leader
• Practical life application
• Serenity and beauty of God's creation

INSTRUCTORS

Inspired by Nancy Drew mysteries as a child, Nancy Rue knew she would someday be a writer by age 10. While teaching high school English after college, she felt God calling her back to her dream of writing. For 14 years, Nancy was a teacher and a writer—often waking up at 4 AM to write before work! Today, she is a full-time writer who still loves to teach at workshops around the country. Her books include the Lilyseries and Christian Heritage series for kids and young adults, as well as the adult novels Pascal’s Wager and Antonia’s Choice. She and her husband, Jim, live in Tennessee. They have one daughter, Marijean. For more information about Nancy, visit her website www.nancyrue.com.

Kathleen Kerr spent most of her childhood haunting the shelves at her local children’s bookstore. When she turned sixteen she started working there, and once she grew up she decided to try her hand at making books instead of just reading them. Beginning in 2008 she acquired middle grade titles at Zondervan Publishing House, and in 2011 moved to Harvest House Publishers. She has a passion for finding new voices to reach children and for helping writers discover their true vocation. When she’s not cooing over her favorite new manuscript, she can often be found hiking in the mountains with her husband or creating chaos in the kitchen.

Dandi Daley Mackall won her first writing contest as a 10-year-old tomboy. Her 50 words on "Why I Want to Be Batboy for the Kansas City A's" won first place, but the team wouldn't let a girl be batboy. It was her first taste of rejection. Since then, Dandi has become an award-winning author of over 450 books for children of all ages, with sales of 4 million copies in 22 countries. She won the 2012 Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Mystery, ALA Best Book, Teen Choice, and Christian Book Awars. In general markets, her fiction has won two Mom's Choice, numberous starred reviews in Kirkus and School Library Journal, Notable Book awards, Children's Book Council, Amelia Bloomer, and various state awards. Dandi is a national speaker, keynoting at conferences, and making dozens of appearances on TV, including ABC, NBC, and CBS. "God, kids, & writing--it doesn't get any better than that!"

Visit Dandi at www.dandibooks.com, www.winniethehorsegentler.com, and www.silenceofmurder.com; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85aoIUbJ8j8

As an author/director/producer Bill Myers’ work has won over 70 sales and creative awards including two New York Film Festivals. His books and videos have sold over 8 million copies. His McGee and Me book and video series which he co-created/co-wrote/co-produced has aired on 80 national and international networks including the BBC and ABC. He has authored over 100 books for adults and children. His 12 part Forbidden Doors book series for teens won the C.S. Lewis Honor Award and his children’s book series, “My Life as . . .” has sold 2.1 million copies. Nearly all of his adult novels have made CBA’s best selling list. His latest novel The God Hater is enjoying both critical and popular success.

He has a degree in stage directing from the University of Washington, was trained as a film director at the Italian State Institute of Cinema and Television, and has an honorary doctorate from Nimes Theological Institute in France where he taught. When he’s not working on projects he lectures nationally and internationally and serves as lay college pastor to his local church. For more on Bill, visit his website www.billmyers.com.

SCHEDULE

October 14-17, 2012 schedule coming soon!

PRICING AND REGISTRATION