Wanda Dyson's been called a "natural" and a "master of pacing," but her fans know that whether it's police thrillers, suspense, or bringing a true story to life, Wanda knows how to take them on a journey they'll never forget. Wanda is a multipublished suspense author, currently writing for Random House/Waterbrook. Her one attempt at a nonfiction book was picked for an exclusive release on Oprah. Wanda lives in Western Maryland on a 125 acre farm with a menagerie of animals and when she's not writing critically acclaimed suspense, or away at conferences, you can find her zipping across the fields on a 4-wheeler with Maya, her German Shepherd, or plodding along at a more leisurely pace on her horse, Nanza. With the release of her newest hit, Judgment Day, Wanda is heading back to the keyboard to start on her next high-octane thriller, The Vigilante. In addition to writing full time, she is also the appointment coordinator for the CCWC and Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers conferences. Visit her Website at www.WandaDyson.com.

Welcome to 2011. Another year down, another year dawning. Time to make those resolutions and most likely, being writers, one of your top resolutions was to “write more this year.” One of mine was to attend a new conference this year. I haven’t decided which one but I’m ready to experience something new. Something different. How about you?

Well, whether you’re sticking to the tried and true or looking to try something you haven’t experienced before, there are a lot of choices, which doesn’t make it easy.

But getting published isn’t easy, either. And it’s getting harder with this economy. Which means, if you want a publisher to buy your work, it has to be the very best it can be. And that means getting all the training in craft that you can. There’s no better place for that than at a writer’s conference. I know things could be tight for you financially this year. So maybe instead of looking at one of the big conferences, check out some of the smaller, more local conferences. Cost less, but you can still get some great workshops by the same teachers who teach at the major conferences.

I’m going to plug two conferences I think you should consider if money is an issue, so I’m going to tell you up front that I’ve worked as the Appointment Director at both of the conferences for over ten years. But the truth is if you want a lot of conference for the money, you can’t go wrong with either the Colorado or Greater Philadelphia Christian Writer’s Conferences. Marlene Bagnull works very, very hard to give her conferees top editors, teachers, agents, and workshops for the best possible price. I can honestly tell you that sometimes, she barely makes any money for herself. She is just totally devoted to making sure that if you need to be at a conference, you can afford to attend. You won’t be staying at the Hyatt or eating five-star meals, but the accommodations are comfortable, the food is good, and she offers working scholarships to help with the cost if you want to go that route. Just something to consider…

Not everyone has given me their 2011 schedule yet, but as you can see from the list below, there are still plenty for you to look at. Go to their websites, look at their faculty and see what workshops are being offered. Chances are you’re going to find something you need at one or more of them.

See you somewhere this year!

Wanda

2011 CONFERENCES

January 12-14: AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS DIRECTORS’ FORUM, Nashville TN – 40-80; ACWriters@aol.com; www.ACWriters.com

February 10–13: WRITING FOR THE SOUL CONFERENCE Grand Hyatt, Denver, Colorado; 400 expected to attend contactus@christianwritersguild.com; www.christianwritersguild.com

March 3-6; FLORIDA CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE; Leesburg, FL; www.flwriters.org

March 18-19, 2011; CAROLINA CHRISTIAN WRITERS’ WORKSHOP; Anderson, SC; Fee- $125, early bird $99; discount for ministers and students; speakers include Dr Dennis Hensley, Agent Tamela Hancock Murray, Editor Rick Steele, more info at www.upstateSCchristianwriters.com 

Or email elvamartinministries@charter.net

April 15–19: MT. HERMON CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE 37 Conference Drive, Mount Hermon, CA 95041 450 expected to attend rachel.williams@mounthermon.org http://mounthermon.org/adult/professionals/writers-conference

May 9-13; BLUE RIDGE CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE; near Ashville, NC; www.brmcwc.com

May 11–14, 2011: COLORADO CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE YMCA Estes Park Center, Estes Park, Co, 250 expected to attend www.WriteHisAnswer.com; MBagnull@aol.com

May 20-21; ANTELOPE VALLEY CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE; Lancaster, CA; info@avwriters.com; 661-722-4896

June 12-15: WRITE THAT BOOK! Writer’s Workshop at Glen Eyrie; Colorado Springs CO – 100 expected to attend; 800-944-4536; www.gleneyriegroup.org www.gleneyrie.org/us/ministries/gleneyrie/

June 21-25; ST DAVIDS CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE; Grove City College, Grove City, PA; http://stdavidswriters.com

June 24-25; KENTUCKY CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE; featuring Cecil Murphey; College Heights United Methodist Church, Elizabethtown, KY;

August 6-11, 2011: GIDEON MEDIA ARTS CONFERENCE, Ridgecrest NC, www.gideonfilmfestival.com

August 6-11, 2011: BLUE RIDGE “SUMMER IN THE MOUNTAINS” NOVELIST RETREAT, held along with Gideon Conference, Ridgecrest NC, www.novelretreat.com, ylehman@bellsouth.net

August 10-13, 2011: GREATER PHILADELPHIA CHRISTIAN WRITERS’ CONFERENCE; Langhorne, PA, 250 expected to attend, mbagnull@aol.com, www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia

October 16-20, 2011: BLUE RIDGE “AUTUMN IN THE MOUNTAINS" Novelist Retreat, Ridgecrest NC, www.novelretreat.com, ylehman@bellsouth.net