Path to Publication, Guest Post by Linda Gilden - CLASS Christian Writers Conference Director

The straightest path to getting published these days is to learn the craft of writing and learn it well. Competition is stiff and editors and publishers are looking for writers who know how to write well.

At the CLASS Christian Writers Conference November 2-6, 2011, at the Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM, you can learn to write well. Editors, publishers, and professional writers will be there to instruct, guide, and inspire. CLASS CWC is a great conference but what makes it unique?

One of the things that makes CLASS Christian Writers Conference different from others is that you can walk on to the campus of the CLASS conference unpublished and leave as a published author! How can that be?

One of the unique features of the conference is that during the four days, a book is created. Attendees bring an article to the conference. Those who attend are divided into groups of three with a mentor who is an editor, publisher, agent, or professional writer. These critique groups meet for one hour every day and every person with the help of the others works to polish his or her article for inclusion in the book. On the last day, all articles are given to the general editor of the book and she compiles them, edits them for clarity and flow, and gets them ready for the printer. Once the book reaches the printer and is typeset, it is bound into a lovely coffee table-type book and mailed to those who ordered copies. You do not have to purchase copies to participate. The books are mailed to contributors in time for Christmas gift-giving.

Last year’s book was called Out of the Overflow. The theme for the 2011 volume will be transformation. These subjects give attendees plenty of space to write personal experience stories that show how God is at work in their lives. Guidelines for this year’s book are at www.classeminars.org.

Says one Out of the Overflow authors, “Receiving the books was so exciting! We got ours on the afternoon of Christmas Eve so I wrapped one up for our son; he read it to our family on Christmas morning. I am very much enjoying reading everyone's story and putting a face with the storyteller on many that I've read. There is a very high caliber of writing represented in this book and I will be happy to share my copies with family, friends and those who buy them when I speak at different venues.”

Would you like to take a giant step on your path to publication? Would you like to be a published author by the end of 2011? Why not join us at the CLASS Christian Writers Conference in November. For more information or to register go to www.classeminars.org and click on writing events, the writers conference, and conference book project.

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Linda Gilden is Director of the CLASS Christian Writers Conference and enjoys helping others on the path to publication. For more about Linda and her writing and speaking go to www.lindagilden.com.