Meet Speaker Lena Nelson Dooley

Lena will teach you how to move your writing to the next level. 

As a ministry leader, Lena moves you beyond spiritual roadblocks. 

Fees: $100 - $250 + travel expenses

Travel: Wherever the group is willing to pay for the expenses

Categories: Discouragement, Faith, Encouragement, Writing, Editing, Writing Characterization, Writing Emotion, Pacing, Description, Settings



Speaking Topics

• Comparisons Equal Discouragement

So often, we are hampered by what we perceive about other people's successes. Our comparisons to what others accomplish or obtain should not be the measuring rod by which we decide if we're making it. I offer steps to recognize if that is your problem and how to move beyond that to where God wants you to be.

• Understanding God's Heart

Without an understanding of God's heart, we can't recognize when we are in His will for our lives. I share scriptures to help us move beyond the ties that bind us in our present position

• Getting the Words Right

A teaching that helps participants learn the best way to edit their own written words for maximum impact.

• Layering Pizzazz

A method that helps authors take their writing deeper into their characters minds and emotions. A workshop that helps them learn the layers that are needed.

• Settings Beyond Talking Heads and Bare Stages

A workshop that helps authors learn how to weave the tapestry of their stories to include enough description to ground the reader without overloading the narrative and slowing the story down.

Recommendations
"Your workshop freed me to move my writing to the next level." (TX)

"You're an enthusiastic speaker, who kept my attention on your topic for the whole time.” (CO)

“Your insights helped me move past spiritual roadblocks. Thank you." (TX)


Bio
Award-winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, has more than 700,000 books in print. 

Lena loves James, her children, grandchildren, and great grandson. She loves chocolate, cherries, chocolate-covered cherries, and spending time with friends. Travel is always on her horizon. Cruising, Galveston, the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Mexico. One day it will be Hawaii and Australia, but probably not the same year. Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with eighteen signing their first book contract after her mentoring. Three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins, and she has received the ACFW Mentor of the Year award. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books. 

Her 2010 release was Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, from Summerside Press which won the 2011 Will Rogers Medallion Award for excellence in publishing Western Fiction. Lena is currently under a 3-book contract with Charisma House/Realms. The first book released in October 2011. Maggie’s Journey appeared on a reviewers Top Ten Books of 2011 list. It also won the 2012 Selah award for Historical Novel. The second is Mary’s Blessing, which released in May 2012. Catherine’s Pursuit is coming in February 2013.

In addition to her writing, Lena is a frequent speaker at women’s groups, writers groups, and at both regional and national conferences. She has spoken in six states and internationally. She is also one of the co-hosts of the Gate Beautiful blog radio show.

Lena has an active web presence on Shoutlife, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Linkedin and with her internationally connected blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books. 

Contact
Website: www.lenanelsondooley.com
Email: safe-ldwrites@flash.net
Blog: http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley 
Twitter: @lenandooley
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lenandooley

Speaker Terry Burns

Author and Agent for Hartline Literary Agency, Terry often speaks on the craft of writing and the do's and don'ts in the publishing industry. 

Fees: Depends on topics and length

Travel: USA


Categories: Writing, Publishing, Faith


Speaking Topics

• Writing to Reach the Unbeliever 

Jesus used fiction to make some of his most important points. They were called parables. Terry talks about using fiction in order to spread God's word and about the difference between writing for the Christian market and writing in hopes of reaching an unbeliever. Too often people say they are writing a "crossover book" but I believe a crossover book is an accident. Books are written 180 degrees for the maximum effect in the two markets so the writer should choose one and hope he or she can make people from the other market read it as well. Too often a book intentionally written for both markets ends up in that no-man's-land with too much faith content for the mainstream market and not enough to interest the Christian market. Terry will talk about these differences and how to reach the desired audience.

• Just Say Yes 

Too often we don't understand that not saying yes to the Lord is the same as saying no. People who would never dream of saying no to God can do it through inactivity and failure to act. What can this concept mean to the Christian Writer? Presented as a keynote or 30 min to an hour.

• Editor and Agent Pet Peeves   

Are there things that can rub an editor or an agent the wrong way and effect the success of a submission? You bet there are, and Terry has collected a number of them in a program designed to help writers avoid some of the pitfalls they may not even see coming.

• Survive Your Way to Publication  

Publication is not a selection process but a survival process. Terry walks to author through the entire pitch and submission process, How to do a proposal and what each portion is and what it does. How to pass the various tests and make it into the 15% of submissions that are actually in the running. This workshop is presented in a Q & A format that goes along with his new book on the same subject.

• Agent Q & A  

The most popular sessions at most conferences are the agent and editor panels. If your conference or workshop is not planning an agent panel Terry does a Q and A session designed to answer to key questions like "do I need an agent?" "How do I get an agent?" He talks about how to work with an agent, and a variety of other questions about the publishing
industry.

Recommendations

"My highest compliments on the job you did in presenting this material. I found it practical, honest, insightful, and clear. You offer a lot of wisdom in what you've presented. I see this as excellent material for a person just starting out, and good or reassuring for someone who is farther down the writing path."

Max Elliott Anderson, Author

"This was a tremendously helpful course. I so appreciate your time and effort to respond to all our questions, even in the midst of recovering from an injury! Although I didn't participate much, I was inspired to get off my duff and put on my "I am a writer" hat by putting together a website and blog. It seems everyday I had a question answered I hadn't even thought to ask. Your explanation about why agents and editors want to see a synopsis changed my whole perspective on the dreaded thing! What a blessing you've been to us all, thank you so much!"

Niki Turner, Author

"I ended up mostly lurking but I learned so much. I learned that I can hide behind my VP on Stage personna and not be as afraid to pitch (I hope, lol!). I so appreciate all the time you took and for giving a thorough class with such  usable material. Thank you seems rather puny by comparison."

Pamela James, Author

Bio 
Terry has been with the Hartline agency for over ten years, five years as an agent, and has a substantial list of clients, a growing list of credits, and a reputation for presenting to conferences all over the country with workshops, speeches, keynotes and generally having individual appointments with authors in connection with the event. He is consistently listed near the top on the Publisher's Marketplace list of agents helping debut authors to publish. Terry comes from a writing background, has over 40 books of his own in print, is a graduate of West Texas State and did post graduate work at Southern Methodist University.  

Terry is a native Texan and is based at Hartline's Amarillo Texas field office. He is a member of the Association of Author's Representatives and a signatory to their rules and practices.


Contact
Website: www.terryburns.net
Blog: http://hartlineliteraryagency.blogspot.com 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TerryWayneBurnsAuthor
Twitter: @Terry79104 

Speaker Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Provides keynote speeches to motivate others to climb their dreams and expand their faith. 

Gives strategic workshops on the craft of writing, unspoken rules in the publishing industry, and platform building through social media. 

Fees: $100-$500 on workshops depending on length & number of sessions. $600-$1,200 for keynotes, depending on conference size & topic, +travel.

Travel: When flying anywhere in USA. When driving, TN,NC, SC, VA & GA


Categories: Writing, Publishing, Social Media, Internet Marketing, Platform Building, Parenting, Special Needs Children, Faith Building, Teen Ministry, Women's Ministry

Speaking Topics

• Building an Online Platform with Impact

If you are blogging and never receive comments, your following base doesn't grow, and ranking numbers in the search engines are stagnant, then this is the workshop for you. The content covers why you need an online platform, how to maximize your blogging efforts, increase traffic, comments and online interaction. Social network sites are included such as how to best utilize Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Goodreads, Shelfari, Amazon, etc. And answers the question of why you still need a website if you have a blog and/or the benefit of consolidating.

• The Art of Researching Today & Yesterday

Jennifer gives tips on how to explore the Internet and to access resources you may have never considered. She shares ideas that will benefit both the contemporary and historical author. You will leave with fresh ideas and a renewed energy for researching that story that's been nagging at your muse.

• Climbing a Dream

Jennifer shares a re-occuring dream that God gave her through her childhood and how she has seen this dream unfold as she began climbing the ladder of her dream of publication and serving Christ in other areas of her life. Using scripture and experience, Jennifer will inspire you to never give up on your dream regardless of life's obstacles. Learn to believe again in the dreams God has given you.

Recommendations

"Jennifer Hudson-Taylor engages her audience in a way only people gifted in speaking can. Whether you're working on a historical novel or something modern-day her workshop, The Art Of Research For Today and Yesterday, is a wealth of valuable information."          
Lindi Peterson, President, ACFW Word, local chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers in Atlanta, GA.  

"Jennifer Hudson Taylor will amaze and bless anyone who sits under her teaching on writing and research. Of all the speakers we have had, she has been one of the best prepared and most interesting. Attendees took home a ton of useful information. I still refer back to my own notes on her class and to a great handout she gave on methods and sites for researching. In addition, although Jennifer has a busy schedule, she is never to busy to give another writer assistance or encouragement."

Elva Cobb Martin, President, Upstate SC American Christian Writers and former Director, Carolina Christian Writers' Workshop.

Bio
Jennifer Hudson Taylor is an award winning multi-published author of historical Christian fiction set in Europe and the Carolinas and a speaker on topics of faith, writing and publishing. Her debut novel, Highland Blessings, won the 2011 Holt Medallion award for Best First Book. Her work has appeared in national publications, such as Guideposts, Heritage Quest Magazine, Romantic Times Book Reviews, and The Military Trader. She serves as the in-house Publicist at Hartline Literary Agency. Jennifer graduated from Elon University with a B.A. in Journalism. When she isn't writing, she enjoys spending time with family, long walks, traveling, touring historical sites, hanging out at bookstores with coffee shops, genealogy, and reading.

Contact
Website: www.jenniferhudsontaylor.com
Email: jt4novels@yahoo.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenniferHudsonTaylor
Twitter: @jt4novels