What’s New, CWG?

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , , /by

Hi all!  A little late with this because my life has been busy!  The great news is, the Guild has been busy, too!  We’ve been going strong with several of our projects, and a couple that have been on hold took off this month.  Here’s the scoop:

Catholic Writers Conference-LIVE: Arlington, TX, Aug 29-31 (http://catholicwritersconference.com/index.php):  Are you going?  It will be an awesome time, as usual.  In addition to the workshops on writing, the opportunity to promote your work to publishers and bookstores on the events floor, and the in-person pitch sessions, we have secured a special deal with SPQN!  They are having their conference next door to ours, and for an extra $25, you can attend their Friday workshops on blogging.

Ann Lewis still needs some volunteers to help her out.  Contact her at president(at)catholicwritersguild.com.

The Catholic Arts and Letters Award:  We hope eventually this award, also known as the CALA or the Lilly, will become the premier award for Catholic writing.  After a small start, we had to put it on hiatus for a year because of lack of volunteers to help out.  (Folks—we need you!)  However, Michelle Buckman has courageously taken it on, and is gearing up to do an award in 2013 for books published in 2011 and 2012.

In addition to fiction, the 2013 award will have nonfiction categories.  We’re tentatively thinking theology, devotionals, biographies and self-help/misc.  We may also be able to offer a cash prize to the winner—someone has offered a grant, and we are talking with that person about details.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT ENTER:  You must have an Imprimatur or the CWG Seal of Approval to qualify.  That means if your book is published in late 2012, you must get the manuscript approved (if you are a member) or the book submitted no later than Jan 2013 to the CWG committee.  There will be no exceptions!

Right now, we have a committee of three and could use some more folks to help.  Of special need are a couple of people to receive and distribute the books to the judges (CWG will pay for postage), and folks to help promote in conjunction with the publicity committee.  Please e-mail MichellePBuckman(at)gmail.com if you can help.

Catholic Writers’ Retreat:  April 19-23, Indianapolis, IN:  Things are looking good as far as getting a grant to help us keep the costs down on this.  We’re putting a down payment on the Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House in order to hold the dates.  Mark your calendar!

Steady as she goes…

Catholic Writers Conference Online: March 4-13, (http://catholicwritersconference.com/index.php).  We’re already lining up presenters and publishers.  If you know someone who could do a workshop (or want to do one, yourself), contact Laura Lowder at laura.lowder(at)gmail.com

Blog:  If you’re here, you know it’s awesome.  However, it’s getting BIG!  Jennifer would like someone to help her with the tech side of wordpress to make sure it doesn’t get out of hand.

Note for Paying Members Only:  We are taking poetry submissions for the blog.  No pay, just credit, and do remember that publishing on a blog does count as publication to some magazines.  If interested, send your submission and a short bio to:  poems(at)catholicwritersguild.com.  If you can devote an couple of hours a month to tweaking and some simple tasks, e-mail her at blog(at)catholicwritersguild.com

Seal of Approval:  We’re in our second quarterly cycle, and things are running smoothly.  Please note that we have a new PO Box for sending hardcopy books to.

CWG Book news:  We send out a monthly newsletter to bookstores and interested readers.  We’d like to expand this list.  If you know any stores, libraries, schools, etc. that might be interested in learning about new Catholic books, please send a note to Ellen Hrkach at vicepresident(at)catholicwritersguild.com

CWG newsletter:  Maria is always looking for new writers!  She especially wants some help with book reviews, the saints column, and news.  Please contact her at mariarr(at)comcast.net

 

The Value of Face-to-Face

/0 Comments/in , /by

I love how the internet and the media-that’s-not-really-“new”-anymore has opened many doors and windows in my life.

I’ve made friends who are not virtual in any way, though miles may separate us. We drink our coffee via Twitter, share joys via email, follow each other’s lives via blogs. We ask for sudden prayers through texts and even call from time to time to sob and pray out loud.

There is no doubt, to me, that the digital continent is a blessing in my life.

When I first started blogging, the Catholic Writers Guild began sponsoring the online conference. I attended, not thinking of myself as a “writer” in any serious way at all. It was a kind of playing for me, a hobby and a way of learning something new.

Five years and four conferences later, I’m a published author.

Last year, I put faces to names during my first foray into the Guild’s live conference. I said, when asked, that I think I might be addicted to it.

When I returned from the fun and adventure last year, I wrote a reflection on my blog, with my heart on my sleeve:

When I reflect on the Visitation, it makes perfect sense to me that Mary would drop everything and go to Elizabeth. Aside from the fact that Elizabeth was probably having a more difficult time with her pregnancy because of her age, there’s just something about BEING THERE, in real life, with someone else.

I’ve heard people argue that all this New Media stuff is a distraction from real life, but, for me, it has opened the door to many graces and blessings.

It’s common to be advised, as a writer, that you should go to a conference. You’ll hear that it’s beneficial to help you learn the trade and to meet the people.

Yeah, that’s true. But here’s my take, continued from last year:

Just as Mary rushed off to help Elizabeth, I feel like these events that bring us all together in real life offer an opportunity: to serve, to hug, to smile, to enjoy each other in the very best ways.  I think Elizabeth must have been very blessed by Mary’s presence and generosity, and that’s just how I feel after a week around amazing people.

Why should you come to the Live Conference in Texas?

So we can SEE you and TOUCH you and BE WITH you.

The rest is important too, yes. Let’s not forget, though, that we are a people of senses. We are not operating alone. The Body is not all feet, all eyes, all mouth. It’s a combination.

I hope I see you there!

image source: MorgueFile

Volunteer call-wiki writers/editors, live conference and publicity

/0 Comments/in , /by

CWG members!  (and those interested in joining)  We need you!  We have some exciting projects coming up, and would use a few hands in making them happen and making them awesome!

Catholic Author’s Wiki:  this has been a project long in the making, but we are finally at the point where we need help—writers and editors.

This is a wiki of Catholic authors, famous and new, that we want to start to promote Catholic literature and to show Catholic authors are out there in all genres.  Dave Law has been setting it up, and here’s his call for help:

I have a ‘to do’ list of broad general areas that need improvements (http://www.catholicwritersguild.com/wiki/index.php/To_do ) but I am sure once others get into it more may be added to this list. What I am looking for as far as volunteers go is either people who understand the wikimedia text formatting or are willing to learn. The basic formatting is quite easy and straight-forward to learn. The volunteer should have a passion for writers and their lives. As far as time commitment goes, given that this is quite a large project and bit helps so long as it is on a continual basis, so the volunteer should be willing to help out on the site at least few hours a month.  Anyone interested in helping out should send me at: authorswiki(at)catholicwritersguild.com a note indicating the interest as well as if he or she is a current member of the CWG.

Catholic Writers Conference Live:  If you are going to the live conference in Arlington, TX (Near Dallas) Aug 29-31, we need folks to help work the conference and the booth.  Here’s the list from Ann Lewis, annlewis(at)joesystems.com:

Presenter’s Aids: introduces speaker, makes sure presenter has everything they need. They also help with pitch sessions

Go-fer: someone who is around to help go for things

Registration:  runs registration table—hands out badges, takes new registrations, handles money (checks or credit card info) Also serves as information desk.

She could also use someone who lives in Arlington who would be willing to get some things for us like bagels in the morning (We loved bagels in the morning!) or last-minute items.

CWG Booth: promotes CWG, makes sure none of the books walk away

She’s also looking for a couple of people to help her before the conference, so if you can’t go but would like to participate, this could be your chance.  She mostly needs someone to liaise with the presenters—recruit them, answer questions for them, etc.  It’d be nice to get someone who has been to the conference before, but Ann will train you.

Also, she did not ask, but I know she spends a lot of time making name tags, creating the program, etc.  She didn’t let me know if she has folks helping her or not, but if you have skill in these, please contact her and offer her your help.

Publicity:  We are gearing up for the CWCL and could use a few more dedicated volunteers and a co-coordinator for the publicity committee.  Please contact Maureen Martin at dovemem(at)gmail.com

Press Release: Catholic Writers to Hold Conference in Arlington, Texas

/0 Comments/in , /by

M E D I A   R E L E A S E

CONTACT:  Ann Margaret Lewis

Phone: (317) 755-2693

e-mail: [email protected]

For Immediate Release

Catholic Writers to Hold Conference in Arlington, Texas

Arlington, TX–The fourth annual Catholic Writers’ Conference LIVE will take place August 29-31, 2012, at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, TX. Sponsored by the Catholic Writer’s Guild and the Catholic Marketing Network (CMN), and held in conjunction with CMN’s annual retailer trade show, the Catholic Writers Conference LIVE provides Catholic authors with a prime opportunity to meet and share their faith with editors, publishers, fellow writers, and bookstore owners from across the globe.

This year’s conference will focus on “Writing and the New Evangelization.”  Speakers include Catholic publishing representatives Claudia Volkman of Servant Books/St.Anthony Messenger Press, Mike Marshall of FAITH Catholic Publishing, authors Ellen Gable Hrkach (In Name Only and Stealing Jenny) and Patti Armstrong (Catholic Truths for Our Children, Stories for the Homeschool Heart), Ann Margaret Lewis (Murder in the Vatican: The Church Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes), and EWTN personalities Teresa Tomeo and Father Andrew Apostoli, CFR. More excellent speakers are still being confirmed.

The conference will offer “pitch sessions,” allowing authors an opportunity to meet personally with publishing professionals and pitch their writing projects. In addition, attendees have the opportunity to sign up for critique with professional editors and writers. Information for this event can be found on the conference web site.

In partnership with the Catholic New Media Conference, also taking place in the convention center, writers conference attendees will be able to attend a special track on blogging for $25. Information on this opportunity will be made to attendees upon registration.

“It’s not just writing, it’s not just fellowship, it’s inspiration, too!” says 2011 Conference attendee Sarah Reinhard, blogger and author of Catholic Family Fun: A Guide for the Adventurous, Overwhelmed, Creative or Clueless and several other Catholic family books. “It was great to put faces with names and personalities with suspicions. It was also great to share the Eucharist and evening meals in person with writers who inspire me, encourage me, and motivate me the rest of the year. I enjoyed it so much I’m afraid I’m addicted.”

The Catholic Writers Guild, a religious non-profit organization, sponsors both this live conference in August and an online conference in February to further its mission of promoting Catholic literature. “Our conferences are totally focused on encouraging faithful Catholics to share genuine Catholic culture and faith in their writing no matter what genre,” says CWG President Ann Margaret Lewis. “These events are integral to our mission of ‘creating a rebirth of Catholic arts and letters.”

Registration costs $70 for CWG members, $75 for non-members and $40 for students. There’s also a discounted combined membership. To register or for more information, go to http://www.catholicwritersconference.com.

 

# # #

Graphics, interviews and further information available upon request.

Click here to download the media release as Word document.

Great Marketing Opportunity – the CWG Booth

/0 Comments/in , /by

Every year at the Catholic Marketing Network Trade Show, the Catholic Writers Guild organizes a booth which displays members’ books. Wholesalers, bookstore owners and other attendees can see, page through and even read excerpts of displayed books.

It’s time again to gather books for the booth. You don’t need to attend the conference or trade show to have your book displayed. As you can see from the photo, it’s an extensive booth (usually taking up three to four booth spaces).

This year’s trade show is August 28-31, 2012. To take advantage of this great marketing opportunity, your book must be pre-approved!

We are representing the Guild and its mission, so books must be approved to ensure they conform to Catholic principles. The books do not need to be exclusively Catholic, but they do need to be free of any philosophies or elements that are contrary to Catholic beliefs. We also look for a minimum standard of quality of writing. Because we have so many members and because we anticipate a high number of requests, we have a few rules. Please read them carefully, as we will not be making exceptions:

1. If your book has been approved for the booth in 2010 or 2011, it is still approved for this year. (We probably still have the copy you sent us, plus any ordering information.)
2. If your book has been rejected in the past, it will not be considered again unless there have been significant rewrites.
3. If your book has the Seal of Approval or an Imprimatur, it is automatically approved for the booth.
4. If your book has not been approved, you can either submit it to the SOA committee (link above) or submit it for screening by July 1, 2011.
5. Books scheduled to be published after July 1st can be submitted digitally before this date (if approved, a hard copy must be made available for display).

If you are able to attend the conference, there are additional opportunities to take part in author signings and readings at the booth.

For more information, please contact me – (Ellen Hrkach, VP and Booth Coordinator) at ellengablehrkach(at)gmail.com.

Babyspotting

/0 Comments/in , /by

I have a whole collection of pictures of the baby with a whole collection of cool Catholics who were at the Catholic Writers Conference Live and Catholic Marketing Network trade show last week.

But…

But my Official Photographer has misplaced her iPod Touch, which has all the great pictures on it. She’s 13 and was such a help to me during my trip that I can’t hold it against her. In fact, I’m petitioning St. Anthony about it.

In lieu of that, I’m going to point you to the post I put up over at my place, which features some Guildies you’ll recognize (and who my little guy simply loved). When I get access to the pictures on my niece’s iPod, I’ll interrupt things here and share them. 🙂

—

You’ll find more of Sarah Reinhard at her blog, SnoringScholar.com. You can also connect with Sarah on Twitter and Facebook.

A Resource for New Media Users

/0 Comments/in , /by

Last week at the CWCL, I received quite a few questions regarding new media. They seemed to stem around these themes:

  • What is it?
  • Why should I use it?
  • How does it work?

I watched people take notes on what “backlinking” meant and how to “schedule a post.”

We’re a group of writers here, but I do think there is a place for discussion about new media. The number of people who approach me about it, asking for help and guidance, is growing. There is a discernment process for deciding whether any of this is right for you, but the trend leads, more and more, to writers being online and having a presence.

Today at my blog, I have a review of The Church and New Media: Blogging Converts, Online Activists, and Bishops Who Tweet, by Brandon Vogt. It’s an excellent resource for anyone and it examines the use of new media in light of our faith. Check out the website as well for more about the book and some nifty features.

I mention it here as something that could serve you in your writing and in your interactions with new media.

I’ll be tackling some of the questions I’ve received in upcoming columns. If you have anything related to blogging or new media that you’re wondering about, feel free to leave them in the comments here.

—

Be sure to check SnoringScholar.com for more of Sarah Reinhard’s antics, tales of rural adventure, and writing updates. Her newest release is Welcome Baby Jesus: Advent & Christmas Reflections for Families. You can also connect with Sarah on Twitter and Facebook.

Quantity versus Quality in Blogging

/7 Comments/in , /by



At the blogging panel at the Catholic Writers Conference Live, a participant raised a great question: Is it better to focus on quantity of posts or quality of writing for blog posts?

We could go around and around about this question. I can’t help but think of the question of which came first, the chicken or the egg.

I think, really, this is something you have to decide.

Recently, someone told me, in a pretty offhand way, that no one’s ever discovered by their blog. So, really, it’s something you do for yourself, right?

Here’s my experience. The first acquisitions editor I spoke with, from Pauline Books, cited my blog as a way she found me AND a reason why she thought I’d be the right person for their project (which you’ll see in March 2012). The second acquisitions editor I worked with, from Liguori, cited my blog as a way of knowing who I was. The third acquisitions editor, from Ave Maria Press, … well, you see where this is going, right? She had been following my blog (as well as Facebook and Twitter) for quite some time before contacting me.

Could this be true for you?

When you put yourself “out there” on the internet, you are sharing a part of yourself. Just as you take time to make sure you are presentable for in-person meetings, you should do the same in your online presence.

I haven’t really answered the question, though. Should you write more often or write better stuff? Here’s my three-pronged answer:

1. Find a posting schedule that works for you. If it’s weekly, fine: make sure you stick with it. (Weekly bloggers are a gift, in many ways, to those of us who follow a lot of blogs.) If it’s three times a week, fine: same advice as above. If it’s sporadically, well, so be it.

2. Don’t put any writing out there that you wouldn’t want an acquisitions editor to read, but don’t let the thought of your audience bind you and keep you from being able to write. I think there’s more forgiveness with online writing than with print, BUT that’s no reason not to write quality stuff. Practice makes perfect, right? So use your blogging space to practice. Don’t get so caught up in “perfect” that you can’t ever post.

3. Have fun. We’ve talked before about reasons you might not want to maintain a blog, but if you don’t have passion for what you’re writing–whether it’s online or off–that will come through. Fun doesn’t mean “easy” and it doesn’t always mean “enjoyable all the time.” I have fun as a parent (which I still find surprising), but it’s not easy work or even always smile-inducing.

What’s your take on this topic? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this in the comments!

—

Be sure to check SnoringScholar.com for more of Sarah Reinhard’s antics, tales of rural adventure, and writing updates. Her newest release is Welcome Baby Jesus: Advent & Christmas Reflections for Families. You can also connect with Sarah on Twitter and Facebook.

To Blog or to Guest Post

/3 Comments/in , /by



Among the things that came up during the blogging panel of the Catholic Writers Conference Live last week was the subject of guest posting.

One of my favorite authors shared with me after the session that she’s really struggling with blogging. She has REAL writing commitments, paying gigs. Blogging is a distraction, in many ways, from the work she needs to get done.

On the other way, as she pointed out to me, it helps keep her in touch with her readers in between books.

A few months ago, I was a loud proponent of her beginning a blog. (What can I say? I’m a fangirl!) Now, after talking with her and considering her situation, I’m not so sure.

Guest Posting Options

Guest posting is a real option and even an alternative to blogging. In fact, I offer it to anyone who’s interested and can think of a good topic to share at my place: come on over and guest post. I’ve had a number of interesting folks in the past, and I’m happy to share my space with others. Email me!

Lisa Hendey also offered CatholicMom.com to those interested: you can be a regular columnist or write guest posts there as well. You just need to contact her.

I haven’t talked to our Blog Editor here, but I’m quite sure the Catholic Writers Guild blog could always use more guest content as well…so check out the schedule and contact the appropriate person.

Benefits of Guest Posting (whether or not you blog)

1. It gets you exposed to a different audience, or, if you’re not a blogger, to an online audience.

2. It’s a win-win, in many ways. The blogger gets good content; you get a chance to tap into their audience.

3. It might stretch you to write in a different way, for a new subject, or for a set of people you might not have a chance to connect with otherwise.

Should You Blog?



I can’t answer that for you. There’s a discernment that has to happen…but I can point you to a discussion we had before and offer my one-on-one advice.

What’s your take on this? Do you have a preference or a way you approach guest posting?

Related posts:

– To Blog or Not to Blog

– Coming Up with Blogging Content

– Blogger’s Block

image from Abnormal Marketing

—

Be sure to check SnoringScholar.com for more of Sarah Reinhard’s antics, tales of rural adventure, and writing updates. Her newest release is Welcome Baby Jesus: Advent & Christmas Reflections for Families. You can also connect with Sarah on Twitter and Facebook.

Links from the Blogging Panel Workshop

/0 Comments/in , /by

One thing I love to do when I speak about blogging is to send a piece of paper around the room and collect everyone’s blog links and then SHARE THEM. This goes along with the generosity I believe we should all have with our online space (within reason).

This list includes everyone who filled out the page I sent around the room as I moderated the panel. I’ll list our panelists first:

Now, for those who participated:

Thanks to everyone for your wonderful participation in the panel! I hope we can expand it in coming years and continue to connect.

—

Be sure to check SnoringScholar.com for more of Sarah Reinhard’s antics, tales of rural adventure, and writing updates. Her newest release is Welcome Baby Jesus: Advent & Christmas Reflections for Families. You can also connect with Sarah on Twitter and Facebook.

Stay in the Know

Join Our Newsletter

Members and supporters can get the latest on CWG news and events by signing up for our newsletter.

Catholic Writers Guild
P.O. Box 77
Eaton, IN 47338

About
Membership
Connect
Showcase

Blog
Contact
Terms of Use
FAQs

Pray with Us

Click Here