10 Reasons I’m Attending the ACFW Conference

Last year’s American Christian Fiction Writer’s conference was held in downtown St. Louis and it was amazing! I talked about it here and here if you’d like to check out my impressions of the 2011 conference.

This September, the ACFW conference heads to Dallas. I understand, like last year, we’re expecting 700+ members, and I’m beyond excited to connect with my writing friends again!

The annual ACFW conference is one of the largest writing conferences for Christian authors. I believe the early bird registration (aka discounted conference fee) has just ended, but there’s still time to make your conference reservations if you hurry. (Just visit the above link for more info.)

If you’re a Christian writer/author and you’re still on the fence about attending this fabulous conference, then perhaps, this will help make your decision easier.

These are my Top 1o Reasons I’m Attending the 2012 ACFW Conference:

1. I’ll get to connect with old and new friends.

2. I’ll be in the company of like-minded believers who are writers: agent-mate Sarah Forgrave, and agency-mates Keli Gwyn, Jessica Patch, and my roomie, Jill Kemerer , to name just a few. Hoping to see sweet Loree Huebner, as well as others too numerous to mention.

3. Praise and worship time with Rachel Hauck is amazing!

4. Many industry professionals (authors, agents, editors, workshop presenters, and media teams) will be in attendance. It’s the perfect mix for one incredible conference.

5. It’s an unbeatable time of learning and sharing. The workshops and presentations are guaranteed to be fun, thought-provoking, and packed with information.

6. The conference bookstore offers great deals (and discounts) on all of our favorite authors.

7. Speaking of books, there will probably be some freebies! (Throughout the conference, there are usually door prizes and giveaways, not to mention books by our fave authors–sometimes at each place setting in the dining room.)

8. Last year’s meals were awesome! I’m betting this year’s will be, too.

9. I get to pretend I’m at the Oscars during the Awards gala. This is the big event of the week where all the ACFW attendees dress in their finest and come to support their peers who’ve been nominated for awards.

AND

10. Michael Hyatt is our keynote speaker! Mike Hyatt is the former Chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing and is the bestselling author of Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World. (I’ve read the book, and I have to say, it’s chock-full of some of the best practical advice for writers/creatives I’ve ever come across. He loves God and family, and he has a passion for helping others.)

There are many other reasons I’m excited about attending this year’s ACFW conference, but for time’s sake, I just listed ten.

The conference isn’t for several more weeks, but the countdown has begun!

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Have you ever attended a national writing conference?

Any stand-out moments?

How are you being proactive in your writing career? 

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You still have one more week to enter my August blog giveaway! Check out the RULES and see what you could win!

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Have a super weekend!

Blessings Always,