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Brooke Williams, AuthorBrooke Williams

Brooke Williams is a sleep-deprived stay at home mom/freelance writer/author. She has a background in radio and TV broadcasting, but left that career to stay home with her children and write. She specializes in romantic comedy and some of her titles include: “Accept this Dandelion,” and “Mamarazzi.” Check out her website: www.AuthorBrookeWilliams.com

At the 2016 conference Brooke will be leading The Art of a Facebook Party and Other Online Promotion workshop where Brooke will teach how to entertain potential readers in an online party. This class includes tips on the art of throwing, hosting, or attending Facebook parties as an author. Enjoy brainstorming with a group of new or veteran authors to figure out the world of online promotions.

Our recent interview with Brooke.

KAT:  How did you get into writing?

BROOKE:I’ve been writing as long as I can remember. I used to cut pictures from magazines, glue them to blank paper, and write stories about their images. Then I would sell the “newspapers” to my parents for a nickel. I wrote my first novel a year after I started my full time career in radio, just after graduating from college. After that, I took a decade long break. When my first daughter was born, I searched for a job I could do from home and writing seemed the obvious choice. I started a freelance writing career and that reminded me how much I love to write. I went back to fiction and haven’t been able to stop since.

KAT:What do you see as the greatest take away from your workshop and why?

BROOKE:Going to a party of any kind can be intimidating. We’ve all been to a party where we weren’t exactly comfortable. If you’ve never been to an online party, or if you have been and don’t know what to do, this class will get you acclimated to the world of online parties and marketing. You can take the parties by storm and get the word out there about your work!

KAT:If you could share only one piece of information with a writer, what would it be?

BROOKE:If you love to write…write! Don’t let “no” stand in your way, no matter how many times you hear it. Write for you and the rest will fall into place. Don’t force anything, just enjoy what you do. If you love it, others will too.

KAT:What are you working on now?

BROOKE: I’m hoping to put the final book in my dandelions series out this spring/summer. It’s called “After the Final Dandelion.” So I’m working on finalizing that. I also have another manuscript completed and am searching for a new publisher to help with that. It’s called  “The Leftover,” another romantic comedy, this time with a Survivor slant.

In case you’re not registered for the conference yet secure your seat today!

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2013 Wordsowers Conference

What do I wear?

Come comfortable, but remember you are meeting editors and publishers. Dressy casual is suggested. (Many wear jeans with a nicer shirt/blouse.) Dress in layers for Nebraska weather. We are planning on spring, but can never predict warm or cold.

What do I need to bring?

Most important are your business cards to exchange with authors, editors and publishers. Networking is an important piece of a writer’s conference. You can bring your laptop, but it’s not necessary. Notepads and pens will be supplied along with your conference folder.

How do I prepare to talk with an editor or publisher? 

Attend the March 26th Wordsowers Monthly Meeting held at the Swanson Library at 90th and Dodge. The meeting room is in the basement, easiest entry from the east side of the building. Time: 6-7:45pm with an afterglow following—the place to be announced.

For those unable to attend the March meeting: Some writers prepare a one sheet with their information. Lee Warren, one of our local freelance editors says he prefers the writer keep their one sheet for reference and give him the opportunity to talk with you, rather than him read the one sheet. Above all, be yourself. Editors and publishers are people, too.

How many professional interviews are offered each individual?

We begin with one on-site interview and one Skype interview. After the first break, if there are still spots open, you can sign up for more. We want to fill the on-site and Skype interview slots.

Don’t Miss out on a great conference.

If you have more questions, please send emails or attend our monthly Wordsowers meeting on March 26th, 6-7:45 p.m. at the Swanson’s Library, 90th and Dodge.  Use the downstairs east entrance to find the meeting room.

Before the WordSowers 2014 conference in March, we posted an interview with Lee Warren, our workshop presenter for this Thursday, April 10. Take time to read the first interview and you’ll know Lee even better.
Lionhearted Kat: In the last interview you said by attending the HACWN conferences in KC you “…ended up building a relationship with an editor I met at one of those quarterly conferences and I still write for him to this day, even though he has changed publications.” We have many authors writing books. Do you recommend beginning with writing articles, a book, or building relationships?
Lee: Every writer’s journey is different, but I don’t think these three options are necessarily mutually exclusive. At the very least, writers need to be involved in building relationships while also working on articles or a book.
I started by writing articles. I landed an on online singles column with Christianity Today long before most people were online. But not much grew out of that experience because I wasn’t building relationships with other editors. I don’t even know I was supposed to, but when I received a flyer for the HACWN conference, it sparked an interest in me to know more about the publishing industry, so I attended it.
At that conference, I met the editor for Decision Magazine (published by Billy Graham’s ministry) and began to build a working relationship with him. Two years later, he published my first article.
Meeting with editors and publishers at a writers conference–photo by Kat 
Later that same month, I met the editor of Sharing the VICTORY Magazine (published by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes) at an HACWN quarterly conference. He’s the editor you mentioned in your question. After writing eight or nine articles for him there, he went to another publication and when he needed freelancers, he asked me to join his stable. I’ve probably written forty or fifty articles for that publication, and I continue to write for it.
Writing articles helped to build my creditability, both as a sportswriter and a journalist. As I met more editors at conferences and mentioned my article writing experience, they were open to talking to me about book ideas. My NASCAR book, Racin’ Flat Out for Christ stemmed from one such conversation with an editor.
In my case, books flowed out of articles and relationship building.
Lee Warren has more to share–on the interview page (for the rest of the story.)
Lionhearted Kat: The April workshop info is found below. See you Thursday.
April 10, 2014—Lee Warren presents: Navigating the Self-Publishing Maze
Two major shifts are occurring in the publishing world right now. Large traditional publishers are narrowing their pool of authors in favor of authors with large platforms. And at the same time, the price to self-publish is dropping dramatically as many options abound. In this informal workshop we will talk about the self-publishing process, whether or not you need to hire an editor or cover designer, and we’ll examine a number of low cost (or even free) self-publishing options.
Lee Warren is a founding member of WordSowers. He has written six books and hundreds of articles for various magazines, newspapers, and websites. He critiques manuscripts for The Christian Communicator Service, on-staff with CLASSeminars and owns Christian Manuscript Editing Services. Follow Lee

Sherri will skype from Colorado

Learn how to target your writing towards a specific,

focused audience at the Wordsowers Writers Conference (Click to Tweet)

 

Sherri Langton, an Associate Editor for Bible Advocate and Now What? Meets new writers and gives workshop at many conferences. I’ve talked with her at the Oregon Christian Writers Conferences, Heart of America Christian Writers Conferences, and this year she will skype into our spring conference. She’s a woman of God who faced, fought and survived cancer.

Lionhearted Kat: You have been with Bible Advocate for 24 years or so—why did you start there and why did you stay?

Sherri: I started at the Bible Advocate in July 1989, after being laid off a job at a bank and being out of work for seven months. I knew I didn’t want to go back into banking; I had a degree in English and loved writing. So I looked for jobs in communication and the like. I found the Bible Advocate in a reference book at the library, sent in my résumé, and landed a job as editorial assistant. The story is wonderful of how God brought me to this office, but it’s long! I will just say that God definitely brought me to this organization. I am now associate editor. The Church of God (Seventh Day), which publishes the magazine, has been very good to me!

Lionhearted Kat:  I think I first met you at OCWC conference in Oregon about 2002. Several times we’ve been at HACWN together. What do you find is the biggest blessing from attending a writer’s conference? 

Sherri: I think meeting one-on one with writers and helping them with their writing. I also like teaching and guiding writers to improve their work.

Lionhearted Kat: You are an Associate Editor. Do you ever write stories or have you written a book?

Sherri: I have never written a book, and frankly, I’m not a book writer. I love writing articles and personal experience stories, however. I’ve been published in over 40 Christian publications, including Decision, In Touch, Focus on the Family,and many others. I’ve also had stories published in two Chicken Soup volumes and other book compilations.

Lionhearted Kat: Give us three “good to know facts” about Bible Advocate. 

Sherri: The Bible Advocate is one of the oldest Christian magazines in the country. It celebrated 150 years of print on August 10, 2013. Though it’s a denominational magazine, a large percentage of the readers are not members of the Church of God.

Personal Questions

Lionhearted Kat: You were diagnosed with lymphoma a year ago. Did the diagnosis come as a surprise, genetic and how did you deal with the first realization your life would change?

Sherri: The diagnosis was a total surprise. I did not handle the initial news well — lots of anger and fear. But God showed His mercy to me in so many ways during treatments. And I praise Him that my last scan was clear!

Lionhearted Kat: What did you learn through your journey?

Sherri: I don’t think I’ve realized all the lessons yet. I’m still processing all that happened and asking God to guide me through it. I do know that God is closer to me now than before the ordeal.

Lionhearted Kat: If you were sitting across from a lymphoma patient filled with fear of dying and you only had a few minutes to talk, what would you share with them?

Sherri: It’s OK to be afraid and even angry — let yourself be human. Even if you don’t feel that God is with you, He is. Know that His grace will see you through each day, one step at a time.

Lionhearted Kat: Is there a specific scripture that has helped you through tough times?

Sherri: My life verses: Proverbs 3:5, 6 (NIV):  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

And John 16:33 (NIV):  I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Lionhearted Kat: How can those reading your interview pray for you?

Sherri: Please pray for follow-up blood tests that are part of the post-treatment routine. I always get nervous when I go in to the doctor for those. I feel great and praise God for His touch in my life.

Meet with editors and pitch your idea at the Wordsowers Writers Conference 

  Bible Advocate writers guidelines for online magazine.  

Tamara’s Workshop:

A publisher’s perspective: What you need before making your pitch

Add some God colors to your world (Click to Tweet)

I learned about Tamara and her publishing company, CrossRiver Media Group at the Heart of America Christian Writers Network Conference
in 2011. WordSowers member Angela D. Meyer pitched her book at that conference and CrossRiver Media published “Where Hope Starts” in 2013.
Lionhearted Kat: Tamara, we’ve learned you started in the writing world as a newspaper journalist and now have your own publishing company. How did that happen?
Tamara: I have always loved to read. As a child I read everything I could get my hands on. I devoured books as fast as I could get them and spent every morning reading the back of the cereal box over breakfast. So when it came time to choose a college major, I knew it needed to have something to do with words. I also grew up as a news junkie… watching the evening news every night with my mom. By the time I graduated from high school, journalism seemed like a natural fit.

After fifteen years in the television and newspaper industry, I decided it was time to use my skills for God. While I enjoyed working in news and being on the frontlines of history, I felt called to do more. I started attending a local Christian writer’s group and felt called to help authors find their voice and an audience for their words. The Lord began opening doors and a few months later, CrossRiver was born.

Lionhearted Kat:  Tell us a little about your role in your publishing company and your plans for the future.
Tamara: Since founding the company in 2010, I have had a hand in just about every facet of producing our book. Part of my newspaper job included writing and designing special sections, magazines and a couple of books. All of that experience taught me how to put everything together, start to finish, including the printing process. At first, I did everything myself. Now, I have several freelancers that I work with who help me with editing, proof reading and cover design, but I still have a hand in just about every stage of the process.
Lionhearted Kat: We know there are challenges in being a business owner, but what do you find the most exciting in your daily work with CrossRiver Media?
 
Tamara: I honestly enjoy just about every part of the creative process – from editing to book design and layout. My favorite part, though, is working with new authors to help them share the words God has given them with others. There is nothing quite like being able to tell a writer, their book is on the printing press…and that they are now officially an author.
Lionhearted Kat:  I know you are big on social media—when you work with new authors, what is the first thing you tell them about building a platform?
Tamara: The big thing I preach is consistency. If you have a bunch of social media sites, but don’t do anything with half of them, you give your fans and possible publishers the idea that you don’t follow through on projects. Even if you are just publishing something weekly or bi-weekly, it is better than having a site that sits there unused month after month. Be consistent. And realize that you don’t have to be on every social media site available. I recommend that authors choose three sites that they feel comfortable with…and stick with them. If that is a website, Twitter and Facebook, that is fine. If they want to have a Pinterest account as well, that is okay, but they need to know what their limitations are…and not become over-committed. One other tip I offer is to make sure all of their addresses agree. CrossRiver’s addresses are www. CrossRiverMedia.com, Facebook.com/ CrossRiverMedia, Twitter.com/ CrossRiverMedia, and Pinterest.com/CrossRiverMedia. With CrossRiverMedia in every address, we can be sure our fans will be able to find us no matter what platform they choose….and no matter what new social media sites come up in the future. Let’s face it, Facebook is unlikely to maintain its current popularity. Something will eventually replace it and when it does, our fans will know they can find us at CrossRiverMedia.
Lionhearted Kat: What are you writing about these days?
Tamara:Unfortunately, I don’t get to do a lot of writing. That is my one disappointment with choosing to become a publisher. I just don’t have the time to put pen to paper myself. The only writing I do right now are press releases for our new books and copy for our social media and websites. However, I do have an idea for a Bible study rolling around in my head. I hope to start working on it this summer.

On a personal note:

Lionhearted Kat: Did you have one particular teacher that helped shape your writing?
Tamara: I had a fantastic English teacher in high school Mrs. Brown, who encouraged me. I wasn’t a prolific writer in high school. I didn’t tackle poetry or try my hand at fiction. I would much rather have been reading, but she saw potential and encouraged me to try my hand at journalism. I fell in love immediately.
Lionhearted Kat: How did your upbringing influence you as a writer?
Tamara: My mom always had a book with her…in fact, sometimes several. She still does. Her love of reading didn’t take hold in me, though, until about the fifth grade. That is when I discovered the Little House on the Prairie series. I nearly wore the set out…reading them over and over again, devouring every word. My mother also instilled in me the love of the news and the understanding of how important it is to know what is going on in the world around us. It was my father who made me realize that today’s news is tomorrow’s history and the importance of making sure I covered my stories with accuracy and integrity. It all combined to make me into a curious writer who digs deep into the subject for the little details.
Lionhearted Kat:  We know you are the mother of four kiddos. How do you balance your writing with the needs of wife and mother?
Tamara: It is a delicate balance and one that I have to admit I have not yet mastered. There are many times when I have to take editing with me to ballgames or spend more time in front of the computer screen than I would like. But I am getting better. I work from a home office, so I am here when the kids get home from school. We live very close to their school so I slip over to have lunch with them from time to time, and I am trying to implement a working policy of nine to five… instead of 24/7. Multitasking is the key to my survival… along with a family which is incredibly understanding and helpful.
Lionhearted Kat: Share something about yourself we may not know—something fun.
Tamara: I played just about every sport in high school…including covering second base on the boys baseball team. Now, I get to coach my oldest daughter. I just wrapped up my first year as a Junior High girls’ volleyball and basketball coach. It isn’t something I dreamed of doing, but I’m having a blast!
Lionhearted Kat: How can we pray for you between now and the conference?

Tamara: First of all, thank you for your prayers. The one thing I would like to request is wisdom in knowing what message God would have me bring to the conference and how I can best help the writer’s fulfill the mission He has given them.

 

*The books shown above are published by CrossRiver Media Group.

Learn why social media is important
before you submit your proposal at Wordsowers Writers Conference
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Terry Burns, Hartline Agent
Last Thursday evening WordSowers held their monthly meeting at the Rockbrook Garden Café. Lee Warren, Kat Crawford and Teresa Tierney sat on the Q and A panel. One of the questions asked was “How do I find an agent.”

It just happens I’ve interviewed Terry Burns with Hartline Literary Agency. Click on the Interview and Review button. Terry answers a lot of questions for anyone thinking about finding an agent.

More interviews to come in the near future.                                   Kat Crawford 

“It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.”
Proverbs 20:3 (NIV)
The first critique group I joined taught me to listen to the advice given and not to defend what I meant to say. The lessons were hard. Seven women, all well-published authors, didn’t have time to waste.
We started on time. We brought enough manuscripts for each one to read along. No one read their own article—less chance to correct oneself while reading. One by one the women commented. Once you voiced your opinion, you couldn’t speak again until everyone had finished.
I might have quit after the first day—my feelings were wounded. But I believed God had called me to write and I’m stubborn enough show up again. And I did.
Did I have my feelings hurt again? Yes, more than once. But I learned more from that group of women than I had in years. They were tough, they were thorough.
Recently I saw a quote by Jack Cavanaugh:
“If God told you to write – how DARE you stop writing
because you got your feelings hurt or somebody didn’t like it.”

I find it difficult to praise the Lord when I’ve spent hours editing and reediting and another writer says, “I’m sorry, I don’t understand….” But over the years I learned not to let my emotions stop me, to listen more, and go back to the keyboard and edit again.

Prayer: Father, may all of us learn to appreciate every piece of advice given. To understand those critiquing any manuscript want only the best for the author. May we praise you for the opportunity to serve you while we rewrite once more. Amen