Christian Writers Guild

[venavino]

I had never heard of the Christian Writers Guild until last week. Now the name keeps popping up. Is anyone a member? Do you feel like it is worth the $150 joining fee?

--Venavino

[wgjones3]

IMO, no, unless you plan on attending a lot of their conferences.

They also offer a writing course that includes membership, I've heard nothing but good things about it--though from what I understand, it's a bit pricy.

[AngelAzariah]

_____Gumpngreen used to be a member, he didn't seem very impressed.

[Gumpngreen]

They didn't offer any help on the business and marketing aspect of writing. They didn't help you contact publishers or even match you with a publisher based upon your target audience. They didn't even have a recommended list of literary agents (as in who is good and who to avoid) or contact information for publishers. The discount on critiques was neglible. I couldn't make it to any of the conferences. The only thing I really received any use of is the writers round table... which is a forum open to anyone:

http://www.christianwritersguild.com/memberservices/roundtable.asp

Oh, I did get to enter their contest.

[wgjones3]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you "only" get a 10% discount for the price of admission into the conferences?

[rodojeki]

I checked into it last year and was close to joining and taking their course, but I felt it was rather pricey. And their conferences were relatively expensive too compared to others I have heard of. I'm certain there are benefits to it, just depends on what you are looking for and how you weigh it...

[FireFeet]

I completed half the course and they graciously allowed me to withdraw with no financial penalty.

For me, it was most beneficial in establishing within myself the belief that yes, God has called me to write, and yes, I am able to write. My mentor was very supportive and encouraging and helpful. And at his prompting, I spent about a year diligently following writer's markets and submiting my work. It also forced me to think outside the box, so to speak, by challenging me to write things that I would never have written otherwise, such as an newspaper-style article based on an interview.

The reason I chose to drop the course was because pursuing my writing in this manner made it into work. I was doing what I was "supposed" to be doing to build a portfolio, make contacts, establish a presence. But all the joy and all the anointing were gone. Now I write what the Holy Spirit speaks to me, not what is dictated to me by a writer's market. And I put my trust not an editor, but God, in His ways and timing, for my writing to be published.

I don't know if that helps or not. :)

[venavino]

Thank you. That helps a lot. At this point in my life, writing takes place before 7 a.m. and after 10 p.m., in other words, when the kids are in bed and the computer is free. To add another burden to my already overwhelmed life would be a bad choice for me right now.

I got excited about the 1st book contest, but the more I think about it, the more I feel like if my book is going to stand, it will stand with or without the contest. The idea of getting a foot in the door with Tyndale, though, is very tempting. They are the first house I hope to approach when I finish my re-write.

I planning to go to my 1st writers' conference next month and I'm so full of questions, I can't wait to soak up answers.

Thanks for your insight. God bless your night.

--Venavino (mother of twins)

[wgjones3]

To my knowledge, the only way to get Tyndale to look at an unpublished writer's work is A) through an agent or B) by meeting their aquisitions editor at a convention. Or, C) win the contest.

[AngelAzariah]

_____You could send in a letter offering to be their slave for a year. It might not be so bad, they should have a nice big house, while they are busy, you can swim in their pool. I might send one myself. :rolleyes: I can see it now, rubbing moldy feet, sitting in the hottub while their gone. Oo -- I could put pill bugs in their hamburgers. You have to look at the bright side of it. :cool: Yeah -- send them the letter of servitude.