Two Conferences in One: the Catholic Writer's Guild Conference

From the CWG Blog:

Two conferences of awesomeness, one convenient location. You only need to register for one conference, and you get into the other on that same ticket. Your registration fee covers the cost of renting the venue and lining up the entertainment, supplies, etc., but if you would like to attend the banquets sponsored by the CMN, make sure you purchase tickets when you register.

Conference #1: The Catholic “Marketing Network” Conference.

The title is not quite what it sounds like. This is the trade organization for Catholic bookstores, and producers of Catholic books and goods.

What you’ll get:

 

1. A giant warehouse sale at what will be, for three days, the largest Catholic Bookstore in the World. Every major Catholic publisher, and a bunch you’ve never heard of. Inspirational gifts, jewelry, games, DVD’s, clothing, bumperstickers, glow-in-the-dark crucifixes — all that cool stuff and then some. Booths run by the friendliest people on the planet. And everything’s on sale, because this is where the independently-owned bookstores come to make their purchases, so the discounts are deep.
 

2. Daily Masses with some of your favorite priests, adoration chapel (run by the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, if they do like last year), confession times offered throughout the week, rosary and holy hours.
 

3. Evening entertainment (included with your regular admission, no extra charge): Film previews, live music, and inspirational speakers.
 

4. Book signings and giveaways hosted by all the major publishers. 
 

Conference #2: The Catholic Writers Guild Live Conference.

 

If you like to write, and want a small, encouraging conference where people will learn your name, take an interest in you, and not try to talk you into soft porn as an “art form”, this is the place.

What you get:

5. So many workshops you can’t actually attend them all. Fiction with Michelle Buckman, marketing with one of Amazon’s top e-book bestsellers, a blogging super-panel, legal topics, writers like Teresa Tomeo and Randy Hain and Pat Gohn, and everything you need to know about getting published, from first inspiration until your book is in the reader’s hand.

 

6. Critique sessions with Art Powers — bring your work and get ready to grow your skills.

 

7. Pitch sessions: Talk face-to-face with your would-be publisher, and find out if your book is the kind they’d like to add to their line-up. (Register with CWG if you’re planning to pitch.)

 

8. Inspirational topics from folks like Daria Sockey, who knows a thing or two about prayer. How does prayer and our vocation fit in to our writing life? What does Catholic writing look like?

 

9. Ice cream. Register with CWG if you’re in it for the ice cream.

Although I cannot attend this year, I do recommend the conference highly and I do hope to attend in 2014!

My First Review on CatholicFiction.net: Robert Peckham

I heard about CatholicFiction.net and the sites' need for reviewers from two sources: the Son Rise Morning Show and the Catholic Writers Guide. I've identified four "classic" works to review and here is the first one: Maurice Baring's historical novel, Robert Peckham:

I was rash when I should have been timid, and timid when I should have been bold. . . .I should never have left England. I should have remained and resisted, or died in the attempt.—Robert Peckham, summing up his life in Maurice Baring’s novel, Robert Peckham

Maurice Baring was a contemporary and friend of G.K. Chesterton and Hilaire Belloc, but his literary contributions as novelist, poet, and essayist are less remembered today. This historical novel, Robert Peckham, is a fascinating first person narration of a life during the Tudor dynasty in England. Robert Peckham, the narrator and protagonist, lives in the shadow of his father in service and loyalty to Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I, witnessing all the religious changes of the sixteenth century and the English Reformation. Peckham sees the execution of martyrs, the dissolution of monasteries, and the destruction of Catholicism—all the while enduring an unhappy marriage and family life.

Other novelists have depicted this era, often including historical characters: Robert Hugh Benson’s trio of Tudor novels (The King’s Achievement, By What Authority?, and Come Rack! Come Rope!) are tales of adventure, as English men and women confront the crucial issues of loyalty and conscience; choosing between their Catholic faith and the established Church of England; suffering torture and execution and proving their courage and endurance. Even those who choose to conform to the state church and renounce their Catholicism suffer loss and endure trouble.

Read the rest at CatholicFiction.net and I'll let you know when my next review is online!

The 2012 Catholic Writers Conference

Although I can't attend this year because of a European trip planned later this fall, I want to let you know about the Catholic Writers Conference, August 29-31, 2012 - in Arlington Texas at the Arlington Convention Center, held in conjunction with the Catholic Marketing Network Trade Show. According to the Catholic Writers Guild:

This year's conference will be focused on "Writing and the New Evangelization." Our vocation calls us to write, but what do we do then? Our conference allows you to connect personally with Catholic publishers and retailers, to learn more about the art, show your work, learn the craft and network.


This year we are hosting:
•workshops on marketing and writing
•presentations on marketing and selling your work
•in-person pitch sessions (Ignatius Press, Ascension Press, Servant Books and Christus Publishing)
•group critique sessions
•national CWG Members meeting (guests welcome, of course)


Our Schedule is still being finalized, however speakers will include Father Andrew Apostoli, CFR, Author Patti Armstrong, author and Ave Maria Radio personality Teresa Tomeo, and author and editor Ellen Hrkach. You'll also have lots of time to walk the trade show floor (which is FABulous). We are also invited to attend all the Catholic Marketing Network events - you don't wanna miss those. We've also arranged for our registrants to be able to attend the blogging track of the Catholic New Media Conference --occurring at the same time--at a very low fee (a fee code will be emailed to you upon registration for our conference).


All combined daily Mass, rosary, adoration - how can you go wrong?

There are also opportunities for CWG members to promote books at our show booth.
A fun, spiritual and inspirational time will be had by all!

I have attended the meeting the past two years, and even made a presentation last year, so I hope to go again in 2013. More info here.

The Catholic Writers Guild Blog

Have I mentioned lately how great the Catholic Writers Guild is? Look at this great post developed by Larissa Hoffman, helping me promote:

~~Two radio interviews (on the Son Rise Morning Show and Kresta in the Afternoon);
~~My article in The Catholic Answer Magazine ("Henry VIII's 'Achievement': What was the Dissolution of the Monasteries?");
~~My book; and
~~This blog.

I'll say it again--if you are a Catholic writer, you should belong to and participate in this great organization! The next big event is the annual On-line conference: more info here.

Paulo Coehlo and Me

According to Paulo Coehlo in the Wall Street Journal:

The act of writing allows me to feel truly alive. Knowing that I have sold 140 million books worldwide (and given an average of three readers per copy, have reached half a billion people), I have always wondered who these readers were who understood so well what I was saying. How could countries with such different cultures, like Israel and Iran, for example, be interested in my books? When I started using social media, without any assistance or planning, two things guided me: the curiosity to find out who reads my work and the challenge of writing on such a different platform.

My participation in social communities has carried on instinctively. But, to my surprise, when I recently logged on to Facebook, I noticed I had more followers than Madonna. At the moment I am writing these lines, the singer I admire and respect has 6 million “likes”, while I am close to 6.5 million. How can a writer—relatively unknown in the USA—reach so many people?

He then goes on to offer some rules he developed for using social media. I looked at one of his books at our local Borders Bookstore a few years ago and thought it was not for me. (How's that for delicacy and diplomacy?)

Then he concludes:

Currently I dedicate three hours of my day to this interaction. While the vast majority of a literary career like mine is delegated to people who belong to my universe—such as my agent, my editors, and the booksellers—I have time for and take pleasure in this direct contact.

I think he discusses his rules or notes for using social media with a very strange tone of pride and self-congratulation! When I made my presentation at the Catholic Writers Guild Conference in August, I think I touted my success--on my incredibly much smaller scale--and you can see for yourself here in this summary article I published on Associated Content, but he seems to be without any limitation! Seems to me that Paulo Coehlo is mistaking the three hours he spends on facebook, twitter, and whatever other social media he uses as real contact and a real measure of knowing who his readers are. Certainly the Catholic New Media Conference, which was held this past weekend in Kansas City, Kansas (Sept. 30-Oct. 2) recognizes that the practitioners of the new media still want to get together and see each other face-to-face. What do you think?

Catholic Writers Guild: Blogging Historical Fiction

My friend Elena Maria Vidal posted these great recommendations on blogging at the Catholic Writers Guild Blog: Catholic Writers Guild: Blogging Historical Fiction:

My historical fiction blog is called Tea at Trianon. I post daily on matters of faith, culture and history, with an emphasis on the French Revolution. The blog has about 65,000 hits a month, with roughly 20,000 unique visitors a month. It has led me to meet fascinating people from around the world, authors and scholars, many of whom contribute to the blog with their own writings and commentary. . . .

She gives ten (10) great tips for blogging. Elena Maria Vidal is the author of the historical novels Trianon, Madame Royale, and The Night's Dark Shade, which I blurbed and reviewed. Please visit Elena at her Tea at Trianon blog. She often kindly links to my posts and we share many of the same historical interests.

The Catholic Writers Guild: Blog and Retreat

No, that's not a field command ("Bugler, sound Blog and Retreat")!

I just wanted to direct your attention to the Catholic Writers Guild Blog--they kindly featured news about my interview on "The Good Fight"--which I have linked in my list of blogs on the right.

And also to tell you about the first ever Catholic Writers Guild Retreat:

Catholic Writers to Enjoy Special Spiritual Retreat

Lansing, MI: In collaboration with FAITH Catholic Publishing and Communications, The Catholic Writers Guild will sponsor Your Word is My Delight, a Catholic writers' retreat, Oct 5-9, 2011. Come and delight in God's word and sacrament, and pray in a beautiful and serene retreat setting.

The retreat's key presenter is Pat Gohn, Catholic columnist, podcaster and catechist (link: http://www.patgohn.com/patgohn/About.html). Other presenters are Father Charles E. Irvin, David Krajewski, Father David Rosenberg and Father Larry Delaney.

Writers will enjoy five spiritually-enriching days of daily Mass, adoration, the sacrament of reconciliation and many hours of writing time. Talks will explore how God speaks to and encourages writers through Scripture, papal writings and other topics in order to promote faith-filled writing.

Opportunities for networking also will be offered through an informal "book bash and social hour" Wednesday evening and Faith Catholic's one-on-one "pitch sessions" that give writers the chance to sell their current writing projects.

Cost for the four-day retreat is $450, which includes meals and accommodations. Deadline for registration is Sept 28. A nonrefundable deposit of $45 is required at registration.

• To view a schedule of events, click here. : (link: http://www.stfrancis.ws/portals/0/11%20CWR%20schedule.pdf)

• To download a brochure, click here. (link: http://stfrancisevents.artemis-staging.com/EventPdfs/CatholicWritersGuildRetreatAll.pdf)

• To register for the retreat click here. (link: http://tinyurl.com/3e48orj) .

Contacts:

Ann Margaret Lewis, Catholic Writers Guild President

Phone: 317-755-2693

email: annlewis@joesystems.com

Michael Marshall, Faith Catholic
Phone: 517.853.7600

email: mmarshall@faithcatholic.com

Unfortunately, I cannot attend, but I am sure it will be great event. As I've said before, if you are a Catholic writer, you should join the Catholic Writers Guild--for $24.00 a year!

This concludes this commercial interruption. We now return to scheduled programming--important dates, saints, events, and persons connected to the English Reformation and its aftermath--already in progress.

New Five Star Review on Amazon.com!

I tell you, if you are a Catholic writer, join the Catholic Writers Guild, attend a Catholic Writers Guild Conference, make friends, get involved, ask for help, help another writer: it will bear fruit. Gerard Webster is just one of the great people I met in Valley Forge earlier this month. Check out his books at amazon.com!

*****Title: Entertaining & Informative, August 21, 2011
By Gerard Webster, award-winning author (Jacksonville, FL USA)

Ever wonder how English-speaking Christianity ever ended up splitting into thousands upon thousands of denominations--with as many differing theologies and mores? Or why the differing "Christian" churches persecuted each other? Or where the roots of animus between the different faiths sprung from? "Supremacy and Survival" explains a good deal of it.

Stephanie Mann tackles an ambitious project that spans five centuries, three continents, and numerous turn-overs in governments and religions. She does it in such a way that is both entertaining and informative...and supported by a generous dose of footnotes. I would recommend this to anyone interested in the history and religions of the English speaking world.

My Marketing Presentation at CWG Conference Live 2011

I posted on the Catholic Writers Guild blog during the conference and show, as well as updating my experiences here. I am still unpacking and reorganizing, especially since I lost Saturday to travel delays. I am happy with what I accomplished at the conference: I think my efforts to tell the story of the English Reformation are better known in the Catholic writing and publishing and marketing community. One lady referred to the "hubbub" about my book!

Reaction to my presentation was most gratifying. I briefly felt some trepidation since I am still new to the entire publishing and promoting world, but I think it actually worked to my advantage. I submitted the title for my presentation as "How to Market a Non-Fiction Book to Catholic Audiences", but then explained at the beginning of my presentation that I would be more descriptive than prescriptive.

I broke my talk into six parts:

I. Purposes of Writing, Selling, and Marketing Supremacy and Survival: How Catholics Endured the English Reformation

II. Some "Opportunities"

III. Marketing Plan: Successes and Failures

IV. Timing and Relevance

V. Budget and Impact

VI. Summary and Application

One lady--whose name I should know (perhaps she will see this, forgive me, and remind me!)--told me my presentation was honest and direct. I think my discussion of failures and limitations struck a chord. Like many others there, writing and promoting my work is an avocation for me, not a full-time job. I shared my concerns about justice to my employer, about limitations on time and travel opportunities, about not always getting the message about the English Reformation out to selected audiences, media, or venues, etc. And yet, I also expressed the satisfaction of reaching those who do tell me that hearing about the English Reformation, the English Catholic Reformation Martyrs and the survival of Catholicism in England has an impact in their lives.

I concluded my presentation after the Q&A with a litany:

St. Thomas More, Pray for Us
St. John Fisher, Pray for Us
St. Edmund Campion, Pray for Us
St. Anne Line, Pray for Us
St. Margaret Ward, Pray for Us
St. Margaret Clitherow, Pray for Us
Blessed John Henry Newman, Pray for Us
Our Lady of Walsingham, Pray for Us
Amen.

I certainly hope to attend the conference/show next year!

Report on the Last Day of CWG and CMN: Highs and Lows

I am now in the Marriott Hotel at the Philadelphia Airport--an unplanned delay in my trip home. When I checked out at the Radisson this morning I took the word of the front desk clerk that a 3:10 p.m. shuttle would get me to airport on time. It did not.

This after a wonderful day beginning with a book-signing at the CWG booth in the morning; a very informative session on media kits, etc by Angela Breidenbach, a very nice lunch with Karina, her daughter and a very nice man named Lee, and finally some fun with an Idea Generation workshop with Karina Fabian.

A gentleman advised me that I was in trouble as we waited for the second 3:10 p.m. shuttle; there was a little confusion and some frustration. Then the shuttle driver had to go to another, rather out of the way hotel for pickup, and already traffic was moving slowly and time was passing. To sum it up, we arrived at the United gate at 4:45 p.m. No chance of stand-by; "Dutch" at the counter had trouble finding me flights on Saturday. I am booked on Continental tomorrow, arriving home at 7:46 p.m. I made a reservation at the Marriott on the courtesy phone and walked down to the walkway at Terminal B to the Marriott.

So here I am, very disappointed that I did not question the shuttle time, and very sorry I'm not on my way home to my husband and my two dogs, Joey and Brandy!

That is Kathy Schiffer with me at the CWG signing booth.

Last Day of the CWG Conference

Today is the last, short day of the Catholic Writers Conference. My plan today is to

Sell and sign copies of Supremacy and Survival at the Catholic Writers Guild booth at 9:30 a.m.

Attend "Media/Speaking Kits/Media Interview Techniques" by Angela Breidenbach at 11:00 a.m.

Pack--check out--make reservation on shuttle to Philadephia airport--go home!

Day Two Report

Find my updates here.

My CWG Conference Schedule Today

Today is the big day! I am going to attend four sessions, deliver my presentation, and talk to Al Kresta on Kresta in the Afternoon, broadcasting live from the EWTN booth at the Catholic Marketing Network Trade Show. Here's the plan:

9:00 A.M. "BEING A GOOD MEDIA GUEST" (LISA HENDEY, NICK THOMM--Nick is the producer of Kresta in the Afternoon, BTW)

10:00 A.M. "EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PUBLISHING BEFORE YOU SUBMIT" (PATTI ARMSTRONG)

1:00 P.M. "BEYOND THE BLOG: YOU HAVE A BLOG, NOW WHAT?" (LISA HENDEY, SARAH REINHARD, JOE WETTERLING)

3:00 P.M. "MARKETING THE GOOD CATHOLIC WAY" (DONNA-MARIE COOPER O’BOYLE AND CLAUDIA VOLKMAN)

4:00 P.M. "HOW TO MARKET A NON-FICTION BOOK TO CATHOLIC AUDIENCES" (STEPHANIE A. MANN)

5:20-5:45 P.M. INTERVIEW: AL KRESTA BROADCASTING KRESTA IN THE AFTERNOON AT EWTN BOOTH

6:00 P.M. COLLAPSE

In the evening, there is a cocktail reception and a couple of presentations. I'll let you know later how it all goes!

Day One Report

As anyone who has attended a convention or trade show knows, there are lots of freebies. I spread out my haul for the day on my hotel room bedspread: one CD, a sample of coffee, mousepad, pin, teeshirt, holy card, five pens, a magazine, keychain, and a free book!

I started the morning with the Rosary and Mass in the Grand Ballroom at the Radisson and then attended the opening session of the Catholic Writers Conference after registering downstairs in the convention center.

CWG officers described the mission of the organization, the benefits of membership, and some future plans (regional guilds, for example).

Then I participated in the Rapid Fire Reading for Catholic non-fiction: I read for five minutes from Supremacy and Survival (all about St. Edmund Campion, torture, priest holes, and execution). When Ellen Gable and Susi Pittman and I had read from our books, we answered some questions, and then sold and signed our books. My publisher, John Powers from Scepter, was there and was glad to see my books selling (six so far). It was a smaller group than I'd hoped for, but it was a great experience.

I took a break to visit the trade show (collecting loot along the way) and stopped by the Scepter Publishers booth to say hello to Nathan. After lunch I worked on my presentation for tomorrow and then just finished attending a session on "Authenticity in Marketing." I just met the presenter, Theresa Thomas on the van ride to the hotel yesterday. She was an excellent speaker, mixing personal experience with measured data and strategic guidance for marketing yourself and your work honestly and effectively.

Plan for the First Day of the Catholic Writers Guild Conference

Here is my schedule for today:

7:30 A.M. ROSARY AND MASS -- part of the Catholic Marketing Network schedule

9:00 A.M. Catholic Writers Guild OFFICIAL CONFERENCE WELCOME

10:00 A.M. RAPID FIRE READING (I'll read for five minutes from Supremacy and Survival)

11:00 A.M. RAPID FIRE READING SELLING AND SIGNING (I'll sell and sign copies of Supremacy and Survival)

Then, I'll attend one session in the afternoon:

3:00 P.M. AUTHENTICITY IN MARKETING (THERESA THOMAS)

The Catholic Marketing Network hosts a cocktail reception in the evening and then the Maximus Group will present a movie double feature with free popcorn!

I'll let you know later how it goes! Don' forget that I'm making updates on the Catholic Writers Guild blog.

In King of Prussia, Ready for the Catholic Writers Guild Conference

I'm in Valley Forge~King of Prussia, Pennsylvania at the Valley Forge Convention Center and hotel complex near the King of Prussia Mall. (I don't know where the border is between VF and KoP!) The Catholic Writers Conference Live (CWCL) starts tomorrow morning!

BTW: How King of Prussia got its name, according to Wikipedia: "The community took its name in the 18th century from a local tavern named the King of Prussia Inn, which was named after Frederick II, King of Prussia."

I'll be posting updates on the conference here and also on the Catholic Writers Guild blog. The theme of the CWCL this year is MARKETING and there are several presentations on marketing, including mine. The Catholic Marketing Network Trade Show (CMNTS) is set up in the lower level of the Scanticon Hotel and our Conference sessions take place in different meeting rooms on the main floor of that hotel. The CMNTS hosts events in the evening in the Radisson Grand Ballroom--tonight there is a showing of a new movie on St. Philip Neri, Blessed John Henry Newman's patron! They also offer Mass and Eucharistic Adoration, and I'm sure with all the priests in attendance there might be opportunities for Confession. Catholics have invaded this little part of PA!

I met Theresa Thomas (Every Day Catholic) and Christine Gorth (Divine Mercy Publications) and two other ladies coming to the conference and the trade show on the shuttle from the airport to the hotel. My flights from Wichita to Philadelphia, through Houston (?) were smooth. I was upgraded to First Class on the Houston to Philly flight!

The Catholic Writers Guild Conference

The Catholic Writers Guild Conference is just a few weeks away! I'll be attending and presenting, participating in a rapid fire reading, and signing my book at the Catholic Writers Guild booth:

Catholic Writers to Convene August Conference in Valley Forge

Valley Forge, PA--The third annual Catholic Writers’ Conference LIVE will take place August 3-5, 2011, at the Scanticon Hotel Valley Forge in King of Prussia, PA. Sponsored by the Catholic Writer’s Guild (CWG) and the Catholic Marketing Network (CMN), it will be held in conjunction with CMN’s annual retailer trade show. The Catholic Writers Conference LIVE provides Catholic authors with a prime opportunity to meet and share their faith with editors, publishers, fellow writers, and bookstore owners from across the globe. CWG President Ann Margaret Lewis said this year's conference will, “focus on marketing and selling one’s written work.”

Highlights of the conference include:
• Over 30 sessions taught by professionals in writing, marketing, blogging and publishing
• Pitch Sessions where writers may meet privately with representatives from four publishers
• One-on-one coaching sessions. For $35 an author can have a 30 minute private consultation with a specialist who will review their manuscript and guide them toward publication.
• Rapid-fire readings. Published authors will each have five minutes to read a selection from one of their books. A mass book sale and signing will follow.

Lewis says the conference comes at a modest cost. “Registration for the jam packed three days is only $90 for CWG members or $100 for non-members. And we have a special price of $42 for students. Our conference allows you to connect personally with Catholic publishers and retailers, to show your work, learn the craft and network.”

The Catholic Writers Guild, a religious non-profit organization, sponsors both this live conference in August and an online conference in February to further its mission of promoting Catholic literature. “Our conferences are totally focused on encouraging faithful Catholics to share genuine Catholic culture and faith in their writing no matter what genre,” says Lewis. “These events are integral to our mission of ‘creating a rebirth of Catholic arts and letters.” More information here.

The Catholic Writers Guild Conference

August 3, 4, and 5 I will be attending the Catholic Writers Guild LIVE Conference in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania scheduled in conjunction with the Catholic Marketing Network Show. I will make a presentation based on my experiences with marketing Supremacy and Survival: How Catholics Endured the English Reformation, participate in a "RAPID FIRE" reading session, and sell and sign my book at the CWG booth at the CWN show! More about the schedule here. I also hope to pick up some new ideas and make some new contacts. If you are a Catholic writer this is a good organization for networking and support. I enjoyed attending the conference last year and am glad to participate in it this year.