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.

It’s finally Spring and that always makes me feel like packing up and heading off to a conference. There’s just something about coming out of a winter funk, shaking off the cold weather hum-drum, mixing with other writers, editors, agents, marketing gurus, and old friends, and getting a fresh start on my writing.

Have you been staring at that manuscript and wishing you had some fresh ideas? Or maybe just some inspiration? They’re in abundance at a conference. You’ll find them while sitting in a classroom listening to editors or published authors talk writing, grammar, and plots; you’ll discover them while having lunch with other authors as they share ideas; you’ll stumble over them as editors and agents talk about trends, over-used ideas and themes, and you’ll more than likely have a few dropped into your lap while in worship.

If you want to make a last minute rush to a conference, the Colorado Christian Writers’ Conference starts May 11 in Colorado and there’s still time – although not much – to register. They have a terrific lineup this years including Zondervan, Bethany House, WordServe Literary, Books & Such Literary, Regal Publishing, Westbow Publishing, Legacy Press, Hartline Literary, David C Cook Publishing, Harvest House, Focus on the Family, The Quiet Hour, Kregel, and Marcher Lord Press. There’s also a great lineup of magazines represented as well.

And if you want to wait until summer to hit a conference, the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers’ Conference is about to open registration and they have a great lineup of talent this year, too. You can check out either of those conferences at www.WriteHisAnswer.com

By the way, if you’re one of those people that can’t attend a conference this year because of your finances, stay tuned – there are some great scholarships coming up for Greater Philadelphia and you’ll have a special opportunity to possibly get one.

Happy conferencing!

Wanda

2011 CONFERENCES

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;

June 24–25: American Christian Writers Conference Grand Rapids, MI; Howard Johnson Hotel w/Bob Hostetler and Jim Watkins 20 workshops and sessions www.acwriters.com

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