On Wednesday, April 10 at 6pm (CA time) we’ll host a Tweet Chat with Jenny Lundquist.
You can participate on Twitter by:
1. Type #InspireChat in the search line in Twitter. You’ll see the tweets from our chat streaming.
2. Join in by commenting or asking questions. Be sure to use the #InspireChat hashtag each time you tweet.
3. Don’t hold back, we’ll be giving away a copy of Plastic Polly three lucky participants.
Plastic Polly is Jenny’s second published middle-grade novel. The story is told through the eyes of Polly Pierce as she discovers the pitfalls of popularity.
Polly Pierce likes being the second-most popular girl at Winston Academy, right after her BFF, Kelsy. 
Popularity comes with special privileges, like a seat at the best table in the cafeteria and a coveted spot on the planning committee for the school’s big talent show competition, Groove It Up! And since all Polly has to do is agree with whatever Kelsy says, being popular is easy—even if kids do call her “Plastic Polly” behind her back.
But when a freak accident takes Kelsy out of the picture, Polly is suddenly in charge of the Groove It Up! committee. She’s not prepared for her new status—and neither is anyone else. Backstabbing friends, an intimidating crush, and diva demands from an injured Kelsy all threaten to derail Polly’s plans. Can she prove to everyone—and herself—that she has a personality of her own?
You’ll get a bonus entry in our give-away when you leave a comment here answering this question: What was the hardest thing about middle school for you? (We called it “Jr. High” back in the day.)
April 9, 2013 in Announcements, Giveaway, Writer's Journey by InspireWriters
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Come celebrate the book launch of Plastic Polly, Jenny Lundquist’s newest release, at
Barnes & Noble
6111 Sunrise Blvd.
Citrus Heights, CA 95610
March 23, 2013 from 1-3pm
This launch is part of a Book Fair sponsored by Barnes & Noble. That means the Folsom Cordova Education Foundation will receive a percentage of each sale (up to 25%)
Plastic Polly sells for $6.99 a copy and will be available for purchase during the launch and book fair.
If you shop online on March 23rd at BarnesandNoble.com, simply enter the code “11041704″ when making your purchase, then the school district will still receive proceeds.
To follow Jenny’s writing journey and get to know her better, visit her blog, www.jennylundquist.com
How will you help get the word out about the launch of Plastic Polly?
March 20, 2013 in Book Signings & Launch Parties, Uncategorized, Writer's Journey by InspireWriters
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We hope 2013 finds you filled with gratitude for 2012 and joyful anticipation for the year ahead!
We look forward to serving you in 2013!
Now’s the time to renew your Inspire Christian Writers membership.
What are your writing goals for 2013? How can we help you achieve them?
December 31, 2012 in Announcements, Uncategorized, Writer's Journey by InspireWriters
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Inspire Christian Writers Fair Oaks will study the book Write on Target, A Five Phase Program for Non-fiction writers, by Dr. Dennis E. Hensley and Holly G. Miller.
The study will be facilitated by Sue Tornai. Purchase your books now. There is a limited used supply through Amazon. Come, learn how to find ideas, research, outline, and create attention grabbing titles. Investigate the many nonfiction markets (book reviews, feature articles, fillers, humor) to find your niche. Learn how to market your manuscripts, write queries and book proposals.
Our study begins Thursday, January 3, 2013, unless our Lord comes first, at 9:30 a.m., at Sunrise Community Church, 8321 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks, CA 95628. We will meet the first and third Thursdays of each month for study. We meet the second and fourth Thursdays for critique. We’d love to have you join us.
Author of more than one hundred articles and stories in Christian publications, Sue Tornai lives in Carmichael, CA with her husband, John, and dog, Maggie. She teaches fourth grade Sunday school and leads the Fair Oaks group of Inspire Christian Writers.
December 14, 2012 in Announcements, Opportunities, Training Workshops, Uncategorized by InspireWriters
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By Joanne Kraft
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
As we entered through the old red door, the words on the poster jumped out at me. “Writer’s Night.” I was immediately intrigued.
So, what’s a writer’s night? Well, writer can also mean songwriter down here in the south. These are the folks who write words and put them to catchy tunes and tender melodies. They write the songs you hum in the grocery store and sing in the car—the Grammy award-winning CMT songs others more famous sing and get the credit for.
Being in Nashville is like entering a different world. If you love country music like I do, it’s a magical place to be. Music is a way of life out here. It’s everywhere.
As the songwriter shared his music with us, I recognized many of his songs. But, it wasn’t his voice I was used to hearing sing them. It got me to thinking, as a writer, would I be okay working to create beauty from my words and allow another to get the credit? Would I be joyful putting the song of my heart into a devotion, magazine article or book without anyone every knowing I was the writer?
On President Ronald Reagan’s desk in the oval office sat this quote, “There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.”
Do you mind who gets the credit? Are you getting caught up with getting your “name” out there? Have you become discouraged and disillusioned by all the social marketing and platform building talk, lately?
The Bible says when Jesus returns He will give us crowns. One of those crowns is the crown of glory for those faithful to serve Him. (1Peter 1:1-4). Serving means sacrificially using our gifts for His glory, not just for the three book deals and paid articles. I serve Him as a writer when I write a blog post, a personal recipe in a church newsletter or stuff an encouraging note in my child’s lunchbox.
The Bible goes on to say once we receive these crowns, we will cast those crowns at His feet.
They will cast their crowns before the throne.
“The twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne…” Revelation 4:10
A songwriter stands in the wings. Their byline is in teeny tiny print somewhere we don’t notice or rarely read. We don’t know their name and we aren’t interested in their autograph. Yet these folks continue to write songs for others, unrecognized by the masses while receiving a pittance of the earnings the superstar belting out their tune receives.
Songwriters are the perfect example of how we should use God’s blessed gift of writing; faithfully and humbly.
Serving our God and King is a privilege and an honor. He gave us this gift and He should get the credit every time. Break free today from Facebook and Twitter, the modern day writer’s must do’s and have to’s. Sit down and write for His glory. Serve God with your words and experience His abundant joy standing in the wings. Remember, it’s God who should always be center stage.
Joanne Kraft was featured on today’s Family Life program. You can listen to Joanne’s interview here.
Joanne Kraft is a recovering too-busy mom and the author of Just Too Busy—Taking Your Family on a Radical Sabbatical. A sought-after speaker, Joanne’s articles have been published by Chicken Soup for the Soul, Thriving Family, In Touch, ParentLife and more. She’s appeared on Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, CBN News and more.
A fourth generation Californian, Joanne now makes her home in the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee with her husband Paul and their four children.
October 29, 2012 in Spiritual Life of a Writer, Uncategorized, Writer's Journey by InspireWriters
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Attention all book lovers:
Two of our amazing Inspire writers will be signing books on Saturday, November 3rd at a darling bookstore in El Dorado Hills.
Stop by and meet authors Jenny Lundquist and Shannon Dittemore at Face in a Book.
Both authors will share about their books and their publication journeys. They’re happy to answer your questions as well.
Bring your family and join the fun!
Here are the details:
Saturday, November 3
1pm – 3pm
4359 Town Center Blvd, Suite 113, El Dorado Hills, CA
Books will be available for purchase.
Click for more details & to RSVP
October 17, 2012 in Book Signings & Launch Parties, Uncategorized by InspireWriters
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Writing As Ministry—learn how to use words to cultivate prayer.
If you had words that could make a difference in the life of a cancer sufferer, would you write them down?
If a cancer sufferer had words that could make a difference in your life, would you listen?
If you answered yes to either question, join us October 20 to be inspired by Ethel Herr, well-known author, speaker and cancer survivor, as she reflects on how God heals through suffering, no matter its source or its outcome.
Ethel and her team will encourage you to be part of God’s healing in the life of someone you love facing life-threatening illness. Learn how to use words to build up a praying community around the one who is sick.
Marcia Brim will speak on the ministry of PrayerBook40, building communities that unite friends and family across geographical bounds, as they lift up the sick, and those who love them, to the Father.
As the body of Christ, we can stimulate one another to love and good deeds, learn from one another while life is being threatened, and discover the benevolence and sufficiency of the God who gives life, sustains it and brings deep healing through sickness and suffering.
You’ll leave the seminar equipped to make a difference in the life of a sufferer and renewed in your confidence that God redeems suffering for the good of his people.
Join Inspire Christian Writers:
Saturday, October 20, 2012
at Sun River Church
11223 Trinity River Drive
Rancho Cordova
Doors open at 8:15am, conference from 9:00am-5:00pm.
Seating is limited to the first 60 registrants. Click here to register today!
Admission for this event is $25 for Inspire members, $35 for non-members.
If you have any questions, contact Marcia Brim at marcia@brimwoodpress.com.
I’m sorry to announce that we have cancelled the Writing as Ministry seminar. If you are interested in learning more about PrayerBook40, please contact Marcia Brim.
September 24, 2012 in Conferences, Spiritual Life of a Writer, Training Workshops, Uncategorized, Writing Tips by InspireWriters
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Our submission deadline has passed. Thank you to all who submitted. Watch our blog for details about next year’s anthology project.
Have you experienced God’s faithfulness? Did it inspire a greater faith? Inspire Faith, Inspire’s 2012 anthology, is your opportunity to share your amazing story and have it published so others may benefit.
Submit fiction, non-fiction or poetry. We even take reprints.
Follow this link to our guidelines and submit your story on our website form before August 15, 2012.
We look forward to reading your story.
August 6, 2012 in Announcements, Opportunities, Uncategorized by InspireWriters
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I met Thomas Umstattd at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. After chatting with him, I was impressed by his humility and brilliance. He actually made technology less intimidating, and even a bit more inviting.
I’ve come across many writers who cringe at the mention of platform building and marketing strategies. But, with a pal like Thomas, writers can gain the courage and confidence required to develop an effective online presence.
I’m pleased to introduce you to Thomas Umstattd, founder of Author Media and The Best Seller Society.
Thank you for joining us, Thomas. Would you please share a little bit about your background and experience?
I built my first website at age 13, taught my first web design class at age 16, and have been helping Authors online since 2007.
WOW! Building your first website at 13? I can barely post on my website and I’m . . . no comment. So, what made you decide to launch The Best Seller Society?
I was at a writer’s conference where the speaker encouraged us to start a blog and a website for our books. I remember thinking, no problem I do that all the time.
Then, I saw the look of panic on the faces of the other attendees and realized I had something to offer the author community.
We launched the Bestseller Society several years later. Our goal is to provide authors the resources they need to succeed year round.
How can unpublished writers and published authors benefit from your services?
Platforms are essential. And Author Media builds platforms for authors every day.
We do everything from building the website to setting up Facebook and Twitter. We show you how to use social media effectively and will even do it for you. (You can see samples here!)
How does Author Media and The BSS serve writers who are not tech savvy?
If you’re tech savvy, you probably don’t need our help 
. We hold each author’s hand through the scary world of technology.
I’m already feeling less intimidated by the process. But, what can those super-writers, who excel in all things technology, gain from partnering with your team?
The biggest thing we offer “super-writers” is time. Just because you know how to do something doesn’t mean you have the time to do it.
We work with Bestselling authors. The biggest reason they come to us is that they’re too busy writing and speaking to worry about their website.
In your experience, what is the greatest challenge a writer faces with platform building?
Fear.
Have you been reading my journal, Thomas? Just kidding. How has your team helped writers overcome that challenge?
We give authors the tools, coaching and encouragement they need to not only help them overcome their fear, but to equip them to thrive in their writing and promotion.
Sounds like a win-win situation, to me. What are some easy, inexpensive ways writers can begin building a platform today?
Start blogging. That is the core of good online platform building for authors because it is so similar to writing. Just avoid blogger, blogspot, typepad and WordPress.com. If you want a successful blog it needs to be on YourName.com or YourBookTitle.com.
Great tip! What final words of encouragement would you like to share with writers who are intimidated by platform building and marketing strategies?
The anticipation of the unknown is the hardest thing to overcome. Just get started. You’ll find it’s not as tough as you might think, especially if you have someone to help you along.
Thank you for joining us, Thomas. I look forward to seeing how God continues to use the BSS and Author Media to encourage writers as you equip them to excel in the art of platform building.
Xochi (so-she) E. Dixon is an writer, speaker, and Bible teacher who loves Jesus and studying God’s Word. She lives in Northern California with her husband, Alan, their teenage son, Xavier, and their doggy-daughter, Jazzy. Xochi writes contemporary fiction, articles and devotions for women. Her short stories and poetry for teens have been featured in ENCOUNTER – The Magazine, Devo ‘Zine, and on the Real Teen Faith website. Connect with Xochi on her website at www.xedixon.com or on Facebook and Twitter.
July 30, 2012 in Uncategorized, Writing Tips by InspireWriters
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The 2012 Christy Award winners were announced tonight live in Orlando, Florida.
In a field of fantastic nominees, the following books took top honors:
Contemporary Romance:
Wolfsbane by Ronie Kendig
Contemporary Series:
The Amish Midwife by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould
Contemporary Standalone:
Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock
First Novel:
Words by Ginny Yttrup
Historical:
Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin
Historical Romance:
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen
Suspense:
The Queen by Steven James
Visionary:
Veiled Rose by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
Young Adult:
Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren
Congratulations to all this year’s Christy Award winners!
Have you read these titles? Are there any you’ll be adding to your To Be Read stack?
July 16, 2012 in Announcements, Writing Contests by InspireWriters
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