Indiana ACFW Chapter Meeting
The first 2010 statewide meeting of ACFW-Indiana will take place on March 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Veterans Room of The Rathskeller restaurant in Indianapolis. Our special speakers for this luncheon event will be Cara Putmam and Crystal Miller. The topic for the luncheon will be Surviving the Journey: tips for the unpublished and published.
Cara has authored nine books, and next month A Promise Forged will be her tenth. Crystal has worked for editors, authors, literary agents, judged in writing and published book contests, had book review columns, and published over 800 nonfiction and fiction book reviews. Their joint presentation promises to be inspirational and informational. Come prepared to dine on linen-covered tables with linen napkins—no paper and plastic at this meal. The smoke-free Rathskeller is easily accessible just off I-65 and I-70, in downtown Indianapolis. Address: 401 E. Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Tel.: 317-636-0396www.rathseller.com
Please RSVP to Rick Barry by email at biemrick@gmail.com so we can be sure of having the right size room reserved. Cost of meeting is $5.00 for members, $10.00 for nonmembers. You can invite a friend, but remember that non-members may attend only two of our functions without becoming paying members.
History: The Rathskeller Bavarian restaurant is located inside Indy's Historic Anthenaeum Building. Built in 1894, the building was designed by Bernhard Vonnegut (grandfather of author Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.) and is home to Indy's oldest restaurant, our oldest existing gymnasium (the east end of the building houses the YMCA) and is home to the German Heritage Society. The menu features various Bavarian dishes but also a wide variety of soups, salads, sandwiches, and dishes that should satisfy a wide variety of tastes and budgets. You can eat a little or a lot. You decide!
Lisa Faye Harman
2010 Indiana ACFW chapter publicity officer
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Sunday, October 18, 2009
IN ACFW State Chapter Meeting
Are you ready to be inspired? Ready to be motivated? Ready to set realistic goals in order to take your writing to the next level? The IN Chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers will hold a state meeting on Saturday November 14 from 11:00am to 2:00pm at Biaggi’s Italian Restaurant in Fort Wayne, IN.
Indiana suspense author, Brandt Dodson will share his inspirational journey to publication. Brandt has worked for the FBI, served in the United States Naval Reserve, and is a board certified podiatrist. After twelve years pursuing publication, Brandt received a contract to publish the popular Colten Parker mystery series. His most recent release from Harvest House is Daniels’s Den. Brandt’s story is sure to inspire and motivate.
In addition, Indiana humor author, Rachael Phillips, will share her publication story including her recent experience at the National ACFW conference where she was awarded a surprise first contract for fiction by Barbour Publishing.
Tiffany Colter will then guide us as we set realistic goals for our writing in 2010. Tiffany is a writer, speaker, and writing career coach who works with both beginning and experienced writers. She is currently serving as coordinator for Master Seminars with Chip McGregor and Jim Rubert .
This meeting will be packed with both inspirational and practical information. Please arrive promptly at 11:00am to allow time to order lunch before the program begins. Cost is $5.00 for chapter members and $10.00 for non-members. Please RSVP directly to Lisa Harman by email at lisaharman100@yahoo.com.
Indiana suspense author, Brandt Dodson will share his inspirational journey to publication. Brandt has worked for the FBI, served in the United States Naval Reserve, and is a board certified podiatrist. After twelve years pursuing publication, Brandt received a contract to publish the popular Colten Parker mystery series. His most recent release from Harvest House is Daniels’s Den. Brandt’s story is sure to inspire and motivate.
In addition, Indiana humor author, Rachael Phillips, will share her publication story including her recent experience at the National ACFW conference where she was awarded a surprise first contract for fiction by Barbour Publishing.
Tiffany Colter will then guide us as we set realistic goals for our writing in 2010. Tiffany is a writer, speaker, and writing career coach who works with both beginning and experienced writers. She is currently serving as coordinator for Master Seminars with Chip McGregor and Jim Rubert .
This meeting will be packed with both inspirational and practical information. Please arrive promptly at 11:00am to allow time to order lunch before the program begins. Cost is $5.00 for chapter members and $10.00 for non-members. Please RSVP directly to Lisa Harman by email at lisaharman100@yahoo.com.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
American Christian Fiction Writer's Conference (ACFW)
"The Premier Christian Fiction Conference"
STANDING FIRM...MOVING FORWARD
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)
DENVER, COLORADO SEPTEMBER 17 - 20, 2009
Bestselling authors, publishing industry representatives, and newcomers to Christian fiction writing will gather in Denver at the American Christian Fiction Writer’s annual conference September 17-20 to compare notes, learn from each other, and encourage one another in the pursuit of publishing goals.
This year’s conference theme , Standing Firm…Moving Forward, will especially inspire the full range of talent and dreams in the ever-changing publishing world today.
This amazing conference will feature representatives from major publishing houses like B & H, Guideposts, Zondervan, Harvest House, Barbour, Steeple Hill, Summerside Press, Bethany House, Waterbrook Multnomah, Marcher Lord Press, Tyndale House, and Thomas Nelson, and top literary agents who will meet with writers and identify promising proposals from both new and veteran novelists. Conferees will have access to publishing panels, professional critiques, and customized workshops based on skills and interests.
The keynote speaker is New York Times bestselling author, Debbie Macomber, who has more than 100 million copies of her books in print worldwide.
Learn more about the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Conference by visiting www.acfw.com. Click on the left sidebar on Annual Conference.
STANDING FIRM...MOVING FORWARD
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)
DENVER, COLORADO SEPTEMBER 17 - 20, 2009
Bestselling authors, publishing industry representatives, and newcomers to Christian fiction writing will gather in Denver at the American Christian Fiction Writer’s annual conference September 17-20 to compare notes, learn from each other, and encourage one another in the pursuit of publishing goals.
This year’s conference theme , Standing Firm…Moving Forward, will especially inspire the full range of talent and dreams in the ever-changing publishing world today.
This amazing conference will feature representatives from major publishing houses like B & H, Guideposts, Zondervan, Harvest House, Barbour, Steeple Hill, Summerside Press, Bethany House, Waterbrook Multnomah, Marcher Lord Press, Tyndale House, and Thomas Nelson, and top literary agents who will meet with writers and identify promising proposals from both new and veteran novelists. Conferees will have access to publishing panels, professional critiques, and customized workshops based on skills and interests.
The keynote speaker is New York Times bestselling author, Debbie Macomber, who has more than 100 million copies of her books in print worldwide.
Learn more about the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Conference by visiting www.acfw.com. Click on the left sidebar on Annual Conference.
Friday, July 17, 2009
IN ACFW State Chapter Meeting
The Indiana Chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers will hold a statewide meeting on Saturday August 8th from 12noon-3:00pm. The meeting will take place in Fort Wayne, IN at Don Hall’s Factory on Coldwater road. We will meet for lunch and networking at 12:00 and Les Edgerton will speak from 1:00pm-3:00pm. Cost of the meeting is $5.00 for members and $10 for nonmembers plus the cost of your lunch. Please RSVP directly to me by Saturday August 1st so that I can give the restaurant a head count. We are looking forward to seeing you! This should be a great meeting!
Les Edgerton is the author of nine books, including two about writing fiction: Finding Your Voice (Writer's Digest Books) and Hooked (Writer's Digest Books). He also writes short stories, articles, essays, novels, and screenplays.
Edgerton's fiction has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, O. Henry Award, Edgar Allan Poe Award (short story category), Jesse Jones Award, PEN/Faulkner Award, and the Violet Crown Book Award. One of his screenplays was a semifinalist for the Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Program, a finalist in the Austin Film Festival Heart of Film Screenplay Competition, and a finalist in the Writer's Guild's "Best American Screenplays" Competition. His short fiction has appeared in Houghton Mifflin's Best American Mysteries of 2001, Kansas Quarterly, Arkansas Review, North Atlantic Review, Chiron Review, Murdaland, and many others.
Les will be appearing at the end of August with Donald Maass at the Writer's Retreat, a 10-day retreat in Erlanger, KY (it's the old Gary Provost retreat) If anyone's interested, you can get info on the website at www.writersretreatworkshop.com.
Lisa Harman
IN ACFW Chapter President, 2009
Les Edgerton is the author of nine books, including two about writing fiction: Finding Your Voice (Writer's Digest Books) and Hooked (Writer's Digest Books). He also writes short stories, articles, essays, novels, and screenplays.
Edgerton's fiction has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, O. Henry Award, Edgar Allan Poe Award (short story category), Jesse Jones Award, PEN/Faulkner Award, and the Violet Crown Book Award. One of his screenplays was a semifinalist for the Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Program, a finalist in the Austin Film Festival Heart of Film Screenplay Competition, and a finalist in the Writer's Guild's "Best American Screenplays" Competition. His short fiction has appeared in Houghton Mifflin's Best American Mysteries of 2001, Kansas Quarterly, Arkansas Review, North Atlantic Review, Chiron Review, Murdaland, and many others.
Les will be appearing at the end of August with Donald Maass at the Writer's Retreat, a 10-day retreat in Erlanger, KY (it's the old Gary Provost retreat) If anyone's interested, you can get info on the website at www.writersretreatworkshop.com.
Lisa Harman
IN ACFW Chapter President, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The Recession
I know the economy has not been great. But can we really blame the recession for everything?
On Easter, I didn’t give my children stuffed animals in their Easter baskets. The reason: we have stuffed animals all over the house, crammed in drawers and closets, displayed on beds, and thrown on floors. I’m tired of them. Later that day, I overheard my 11 year old daughter explaining to her 8 year old brother that they didn’t get stuffed animals because of the recession. I didn’t say a word to the contrary.
Yesterday, my children explained to me that no one had gum at school or on the school bus because no one could afford gum in this recession. Really?
What about you? What funny or ridiculous thing have you heard blamed on the recession?
On Easter, I didn’t give my children stuffed animals in their Easter baskets. The reason: we have stuffed animals all over the house, crammed in drawers and closets, displayed on beds, and thrown on floors. I’m tired of them. Later that day, I overheard my 11 year old daughter explaining to her 8 year old brother that they didn’t get stuffed animals because of the recession. I didn’t say a word to the contrary.
Yesterday, my children explained to me that no one had gum at school or on the school bus because no one could afford gum in this recession. Really?
What about you? What funny or ridiculous thing have you heard blamed on the recession?
Monday, May 18, 2009
Creation Care
I'm not interested in being in the middle of a political debate about global warming. I'm pretty conservative in my views. Most environmental issues are pretty complicated, and I don't pretend to have enough knowledge to be able to wade through the propaganda, hidden agendas, and misinformation.
I do believe that creation testifies to the glory of the one true God. I have experienced the worship that can occur when the beauty of the natural world honors God and points to his love and goodness.
I also believe that God calls us to be good stewards of the resources that he has given us. That includes our money, our time, our relationships, and the part of this planet that he has blessed us to have dominion over. That is why I reduce, reuse, recycle, and try to educate myself on the issues of creation care that I can influence in a positive way. All while continuing to fullfill the greatest commandment...to love God and love my neighbor.
I do believe that creation testifies to the glory of the one true God. I have experienced the worship that can occur when the beauty of the natural world honors God and points to his love and goodness.
I also believe that God calls us to be good stewards of the resources that he has given us. That includes our money, our time, our relationships, and the part of this planet that he has blessed us to have dominion over. That is why I reduce, reuse, recycle, and try to educate myself on the issues of creation care that I can influence in a positive way. All while continuing to fullfill the greatest commandment...to love God and love my neighbor.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Evangelical Envionmental Network
Reposted from the Evangelical Environmental Network:
Action Alert on Climate Change
Dear Friends of EEN,
ACTION:
If your U.S. House Representative is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee (see below), contact them with the following message: "As a Christian and your constituent I ask you to support strong action on climate change in the American Clean Energy and Security Act, including protecting the poor both here and abroad."
WHEN:
By May 20, 2009.
POLICY BACKGROUND:
2009 is the most important year in the history of the problem of climate change. Comprehensive climate change legislation could become law, as President Obama, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have all said it is a top priority. This December in Copenhagen the next international climate treaty could be finalized, the treaty includes the developing countries and sets the course for decades. However, if federal legislation is not passed this year, the chances for a climate treaty are slim to none. And time has nearly run out for the world to come together and solve this global problem. For the first time ever Members of the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on comprehensive climate change legislation sometime this summer. But before it reaches the floor for the full House to vote on, this legislation must first be voted out of the Energy and Commerce Committee chaired by Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA, 30th). Chairman Waxman and his colleague Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) have released a draft bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES). Chairman Waxman's goal is for this legislation to be voted out of his Committee before Memorial Day.
In evaluating any climate legislation we should make sure it gets us on a responsible glide path of emissions reductions that helps to solve the problem without harming the economy.
We must also work to ensure that any climate policies protect the poor both at home and in poor countries.
As things currently stand we have three concerns:
1. Funding for helping the poor in poor countries adapt to the consequences of climate change, referred to as "international adaptation," is inadequate and must be strengthened.
2. How the policies will help the poor in this country cope with the rise in energy prices has not yet been spelled out in the draft legislation.
3. While the current draft is strong in terms of how much pollution needs to be reduced and by when, forces are at work to weaken the emissions targets and timetables.
Our goal is for a bill that addresses these concerns to be reported out of the Energy and Commerce Committee to the floor of the House of Representatives.
ISSUE BACKGROUND:
Unfortunately, climate change will hit the poor the hardest. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), some of the major impacts the poor will face include the following.
·Hunger: Agricultural output in many poorer countries could be significantly reduced. 40-170 million additional poor people could be at risk of hunger and malnutrition in this century.
·Thirst: Worldwide, roughly 1-2 billion people already in a water stressed situation could see a further reduction in water availability.
· Flooding: Climate change could increase the number of people impacted by coastal flooding by 100 million. Millions more will face inland flooding.
· Disease: Hundreds of millions of people will be at increased risk of malaria, diarrheal diseases, dengue fever, yellow fever, encephalitis, and other infectious diseases because of global warming.
· Extinction: Approximately 20-30% of God's creatures could be committed to extinction by 2050, making climate change the largest single threat to biodiversity. The poor are much more dependent upon such natural resources.
· Urgent need: While climate change is a long-term problem, impacts on the poor are already starting to occur. Significant consequences will occur quite soon. For example, In Africa 75-250 million will face water scarcity by 2020, and crop yields could be reduced by 50% in some areas.
As these scientific findings attest, climate change will be an insidious reversal of our long-standing efforts to help the poor. Such impacts could create, roughly, 200 million refugees and internally displaced persons by 2050. Finally, climate change has been described by national security experts as a "threat multiplier" that could create instability in some of the most volatile regions of the world, increasing the chances for violent conflicts.
As Christians, part of loving our neighbors, caring for "the least of these," and being good stewards of God's creation involves working to overcome climate change, including asking our elected officials to support significant action.
MEMBERS, ENERGY and COMMERCE COMMITTEE:
Henry A. Waxman, CA Joe Barton, TX,
John D. Dingell, MI, Ralph M. Hall, TX
Edward J. Markey, MA Fred Upton, MI
Rick Boucher, VA Cliff Stearns, FL
Frank Pallone, Jr., NJ Nathan Deal, GA
Bart Gordon, TN Ed Whitfield, KY
Bobby L. Rush, IL John Shimkus, IL
Anna G. Eshoo, CA John B. Shadegg, AZ
Bart Stupak, MI Roy Blunt, MO
Eliot L. Engel, NY Steve Buyer, IN
Gene Green, TX George Radanovich, CA
Diana DeGette, CO Joseph R. Pitts, PA
Lois Capps, CA Mary Bono Mack, CA
Mike Doyle, PA Greg Walden, OR
Jane Harman, CA Lee Terry, NE
Jan Schakowsky, IL Mike Rogers, MI
Charles A. Gonzalez, TX Sue Wilkins Myrick, NC
Jay Inslee, WA John Sullivan, OK
Tammy Baldwin, WI Tim Murphy, PA
Mike Ross, AR Michael C. Burgess, TX
Anthony D. Weiner, NY Marsha Blackburn, TN
Jim Matheson, UT Phil Gingrey, GA
G.K. Butterfield, NC Steve Scalise, LA
Charlie Melancon, LA
John Barrow, GA
Baron P. Hill, IN
Doris O. Matsui, CA
Donna M. Christensen, VI
Kathy Castor, FL
John P. Sarbanes, MD
Christopher S. Murphy, CT
Zachary T. Space, OH
Jerry McNerney, CA
Betty Sutton, OH
Bruce L. Braley, IA
Peter Welch, VT
HOW TO CONTACT:
Click here to contact your Member of Congress in the US House of Representatives if he or she sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee. (Using this link will also help you if you are unsure who your Representative is.)
Again, the key message is as follows: "As a Christian and your constituent I ask you to support strong action on climate change in the American Clean Energy and Security Act, including protecting the poor both here and abroad."
Action Alert on Climate Change
Dear Friends of EEN,
ACTION:
If your U.S. House Representative is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee (see below), contact them with the following message: "As a Christian and your constituent I ask you to support strong action on climate change in the American Clean Energy and Security Act, including protecting the poor both here and abroad."
WHEN:
By May 20, 2009.
POLICY BACKGROUND:
2009 is the most important year in the history of the problem of climate change. Comprehensive climate change legislation could become law, as President Obama, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have all said it is a top priority. This December in Copenhagen the next international climate treaty could be finalized, the treaty includes the developing countries and sets the course for decades. However, if federal legislation is not passed this year, the chances for a climate treaty are slim to none. And time has nearly run out for the world to come together and solve this global problem. For the first time ever Members of the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on comprehensive climate change legislation sometime this summer. But before it reaches the floor for the full House to vote on, this legislation must first be voted out of the Energy and Commerce Committee chaired by Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA, 30th). Chairman Waxman and his colleague Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) have released a draft bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES). Chairman Waxman's goal is for this legislation to be voted out of his Committee before Memorial Day.
In evaluating any climate legislation we should make sure it gets us on a responsible glide path of emissions reductions that helps to solve the problem without harming the economy.
We must also work to ensure that any climate policies protect the poor both at home and in poor countries.
As things currently stand we have three concerns:
1. Funding for helping the poor in poor countries adapt to the consequences of climate change, referred to as "international adaptation," is inadequate and must be strengthened.
2. How the policies will help the poor in this country cope with the rise in energy prices has not yet been spelled out in the draft legislation.
3. While the current draft is strong in terms of how much pollution needs to be reduced and by when, forces are at work to weaken the emissions targets and timetables.
Our goal is for a bill that addresses these concerns to be reported out of the Energy and Commerce Committee to the floor of the House of Representatives.
ISSUE BACKGROUND:
Unfortunately, climate change will hit the poor the hardest. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), some of the major impacts the poor will face include the following.
·Hunger: Agricultural output in many poorer countries could be significantly reduced. 40-170 million additional poor people could be at risk of hunger and malnutrition in this century.
·Thirst: Worldwide, roughly 1-2 billion people already in a water stressed situation could see a further reduction in water availability.
· Flooding: Climate change could increase the number of people impacted by coastal flooding by 100 million. Millions more will face inland flooding.
· Disease: Hundreds of millions of people will be at increased risk of malaria, diarrheal diseases, dengue fever, yellow fever, encephalitis, and other infectious diseases because of global warming.
· Extinction: Approximately 20-30% of God's creatures could be committed to extinction by 2050, making climate change the largest single threat to biodiversity. The poor are much more dependent upon such natural resources.
· Urgent need: While climate change is a long-term problem, impacts on the poor are already starting to occur. Significant consequences will occur quite soon. For example, In Africa 75-250 million will face water scarcity by 2020, and crop yields could be reduced by 50% in some areas.
As these scientific findings attest, climate change will be an insidious reversal of our long-standing efforts to help the poor. Such impacts could create, roughly, 200 million refugees and internally displaced persons by 2050. Finally, climate change has been described by national security experts as a "threat multiplier" that could create instability in some of the most volatile regions of the world, increasing the chances for violent conflicts.
As Christians, part of loving our neighbors, caring for "the least of these," and being good stewards of God's creation involves working to overcome climate change, including asking our elected officials to support significant action.
MEMBERS, ENERGY and COMMERCE COMMITTEE:
Henry A. Waxman, CA Joe Barton, TX,
John D. Dingell, MI, Ralph M. Hall, TX
Edward J. Markey, MA Fred Upton, MI
Rick Boucher, VA Cliff Stearns, FL
Frank Pallone, Jr., NJ Nathan Deal, GA
Bart Gordon, TN Ed Whitfield, KY
Bobby L. Rush, IL John Shimkus, IL
Anna G. Eshoo, CA John B. Shadegg, AZ
Bart Stupak, MI Roy Blunt, MO
Eliot L. Engel, NY Steve Buyer, IN
Gene Green, TX George Radanovich, CA
Diana DeGette, CO Joseph R. Pitts, PA
Lois Capps, CA Mary Bono Mack, CA
Mike Doyle, PA Greg Walden, OR
Jane Harman, CA Lee Terry, NE
Jan Schakowsky, IL Mike Rogers, MI
Charles A. Gonzalez, TX Sue Wilkins Myrick, NC
Jay Inslee, WA John Sullivan, OK
Tammy Baldwin, WI Tim Murphy, PA
Mike Ross, AR Michael C. Burgess, TX
Anthony D. Weiner, NY Marsha Blackburn, TN
Jim Matheson, UT Phil Gingrey, GA
G.K. Butterfield, NC Steve Scalise, LA
Charlie Melancon, LA
John Barrow, GA
Baron P. Hill, IN
Doris O. Matsui, CA
Donna M. Christensen, VI
Kathy Castor, FL
John P. Sarbanes, MD
Christopher S. Murphy, CT
Zachary T. Space, OH
Jerry McNerney, CA
Betty Sutton, OH
Bruce L. Braley, IA
Peter Welch, VT
HOW TO CONTACT:
Click here to contact your Member of Congress in the US House of Representatives if he or she sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee. (Using this link will also help you if you are unsure who your Representative is.)
Again, the key message is as follows: "As a Christian and your constituent I ask you to support strong action on climate change in the American Clean Energy and Security Act, including protecting the poor both here and abroad."
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