ACFW Conference Blog Tour: Success Stories

This is the second of my two blog posts I'll be sharing as part of the ACFW Blog Tour promoting the upcoming national conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, in September this year.

Today, I'm sharing about success stories that have resulted from connections I've made at the various conferences over the years.

One of the first pieces of advice you'll hear when you get started in a professional writing career is, "Attend a conference." This is a common recommendation, and an accurate one. In this industry (like so many others), it's 50% what you know and 50% who you know. You can't meet new people if you don't get out there and attend conferences or events where you can network.

For me, the majority of my success in this business came as a direct result of attending a conference:

• ACFW Houston 2003 - Jim Peterson: I met his wife, Tracie, in 2002, and I chatted with him this year about my story idea. He was intrigued, so I officially pitched my book to him in 2004. That led to a request for a proposal. Next year in Nashville 2005, he requested the full manuscript. And in 2006, I received the amazing news that my first novel had sold!
• ACFW Denver 2004 - Stuart Vaughn Stockton: It might have taken us 3 years, but this was the year it all began. In 2007, we married, and in 2009, we had our first daughter. But during that 3-year span, our relationship grew and blossomed thanks to many members of ACFW and the conference itself which provided us a mutual location where we could see each other once a year. We lived 2000 miles apart, so ACFW let us meet face-to-face. IM and email took care of the rest. :)
• ACFW Nashville 2005 - Kim Moore: This meeting hasn't led to a contract, but Kim is such a sweet lady and a lot of fun. Our conversations have led to requests for proposals, and Kim loves my writing. One of these days, we might establish a professional relationship in addition to our friendship.
• ACFW Dallas 2006 - JoAnne Simmons: This was the year I received my first contract, but it was also the year Jim and Tracie Peterson stepped down as acquisitions editors of Heartsong. JoAnne took over, and I met her this year. She has now been my editor for going on 4 years, and I love her to pieces. The team at Barbour is top-notch and it's a pleasure working with them.
• ACFW Dallas 2007 - Jessica Barnes: Again, our appointments haven't led to a contract yet, but they have led to requests for manuscripts and strong interest. Every little bit helps. It's getting my name out there.
• ACFW Minneapolis 2008 - Sandra Bishop: Although I officially met her at CCWC in May, we had an actual meeting to discuss agent representation at this conference. I submitted some of my work to her, and it piqued her interest. This year, 2010, we're finally to the point of talking seriously, but we haven't inked a deal at this time.
• Generic meetings with Karen Ball, Terry Burns, Rachelle Gardner, Chip MacGregor, Steve Laube, Liz Curtis Higgs, James Scott Bell, Janet Kobobel Grant, Rebecca Germany, Terry Whalin, Ted Dekker, Karen Kingsbury, and the list goes on. Throw in at least 30-40 other published Christian fiction authors in the CBA, and this conference is THE place to be for Christian fiction.

Not all of those meetings or appointments led to a contract or request, but they were all successful networking connections. Schmoozing is a big part of this business, and getting your name out there is critical. The more people hear about you, the better your chances are to continue getting contracts and making sales.

I have said many times I wouldn't be where I am in my writing without ACFW. The platform they provide is amazing for writers of all stages and levels.

Thanks, ACFW, for providing the platform where I have been able to make so many great connections and begin what is sure to be a promising writing career.

Vote for Starfire - ACFW Book Club Selection!

Have you heard of the ACFW Book Club?

It's a great place to interact with authors and other readers of Christian fiction.

I'm here today with a personal favor to ask. My husband's debut novel has been nominated for the ACFW Book Club selection for March 2010 in the Science Fiction category. So many here have heard of his publishing journey and the exciting things happening with his publisher in the science fiction and fantasy realm. Having his book nominated is fantastic, but it would be even greater to see it receive top votes. I and he would be grateful if you would vote for Starfire.

http://tinyurl.com/stustar

If you're not yet a book club member, you can join for FREE!

Feel free to share this post with friends and family too. This is sort of a grass roots, massive effort, to spread the word and garner support for his book. The more votes, the better! Thank you SO much in advance.

Pictures of Victoria -- Week by Week

Yes, I know. I haven't kept up with the Monday blog posts. But I've been working on a book deadline that's coming up fast! June 15th and I'm still about 100 pages away from getting it in tip-top shape.

However, I have posted a few pix on my Facebook profile. You can find me here:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=817834215

I just posted them last night and will try to add more as FB cooperates. There are far too many networking sites, and I can't keep up with them all. So, Facebook wins for now. When I have a little more time, I'll try to get back to some regular updates on Victoria's progress and growth accomplishments.

At least I'm journaling and documenting them in the interum. I'll share as soon as possible.

Spotlight on Jill Williamson and By Darkness Hid

I'm thrilled today to be able to spotlight today's author. Not only is this her first fiction novel, but she is 1 of 3 new authors with Marcher Lord Press' Spring Releases. Another is my husband, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, with his debut novel, Starfire. If you like speculative fiction in fantasy or sci-fi, you should check out this publisher. The books are fantastic...and I don't just say that because of my marital bias. *winks*



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JILL WILLIAMSON is a novelist, dreamer, and believer. She writes stories that combine danger, suspense, and adventure for people of all ages. An avid reader, she started Novel Teen Book Reviews (www.novelteen.com) to help teens find great books to read. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two book-loving children. By Darkness Hid is her first novel. Check out her Web site www.jillwilliamson.com for more information.

BY DARKNESS HID
by Jill Williamson
Published by Marcher Lord Press

ABOUT THE BOOK

Half of Er’Rets is locked beneath an impenetrable shroud. On the side that still sees the sun, two young people struggle to understand the mind-communication abilities thrust upon them. It's called bloodvoicing. Some say it's a gift. One of the newly “gifted” wish it had never come.

Achan has been a slave all his life. When an enigmatic knight offers to train Achan for the Kingsguard, he readily accepts. But his new skills with the sword do not prepare him for the battle raging between the voices in his head.

Vrell Sparrow is not who she seems. She masquerades as a boy to avoid capture by the powerful forces that seek to exploit her. But Vrell feels called to help a young squire who recently discovered his bloodvoicing gift, even if doing so requires her to work with those who could destroy her.

While Achan learns to use his new ability, Vrell struggles to shut hers down. All the voices strive to learn Achan and Vrell's true identities—and a different kind of voice is calling them both.

Buy Your Copy of By Darkness Hid today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. This is your debut novel. Congratulations! What gave you the inspiration for this story?

I had a really weird dream. Have you ever wakened from a bizarre dream and thought, “Wow! That would make a great story?” This happened to me once in the middle of the night. So I wrote down the dream and went back to sleep. When morning came, my notes made very little sense. It was a science fiction premise, but there was one aspect to it that I couldn’t stop thinking about. Over time I brainstormed. The premise switched from science fiction to medieval fantasy. I started researching that time period. The more I learned, the more I couldn’t wait to get started writing. The final story turned out nothing like that dream.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

Not much of me influenced these characters. This is the fifth book I’ve written, so I think that I used up all of me on my first few books. :) Both Achan and Vrell are tenacious, which is a trait that I have. Achan rebels more than I ever would. He rebels against injustice despite the punishments he receives and the ongoing threat of death. Achan is a lot braver than I am, too. I probably have more in common with Vrell. She tends to point out injustice, which is something I’m prone to do. She’s also a girl.

3. If one of your characters were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

Achan would be Rocky Road, since that’s how his life has been. He is a stray, which is a social rank lower than a slave. Just when he thinks he might find a way out, his life gets more complicated.

4. Are there any themes in If By Darkness Hid that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?

That there is only one God and that he is the desire of our hearts. No matter what we face, knowing him will make life more worthwhile. He created us for a purpose. If we want to know our purpose, we must discover him.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

Researching medieval medicine/healing was the hardest. When I really started looking, though, it was fascinating. I know my scenes are much better because of all the research I did.

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

To Darkness Fled, Blood of Kings, book 2, should come out in 2010. This story follows Achan and Vrell’s journey together through Darkness to flee Esek’s wrath.

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Thank you, Jill, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of By Darkness Hid.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to anyone worldwide.