Southern Christian

                                               Writers Conference

                                                                                                   Serving Writers of Faith for Three Decades

The Virtual Experience 

The 2020 Southern Christian Writers Conference will take place virtually, with all the elements you've grown to love about the annual workshop. You will be able to enjoy two keynote addresses, 14 workshop sessions, Q&A panel, SCWC awards ceremony, breakout sessions, a virtual book room, and one-one-one sessions with agents and publishers.

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The virtual conference will take place exclusively via a private Facebook group. You must have access to Facebook to participate. (Once you register, you will be given all the details to access the conference.)

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All of this is our gift to you for just $50!

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Meet Our 2020 Keynote Speakers...

Lauren Sisler and Debora Coty

ESPN reporter Lauren Sisler will present the Saturday keynote address at 11:30 a.m. It will be titled "Falling in Love with Your Story" and will tell the inspiring story of growing from the experience of her parents' addiction to become a successful communicator and nationally-known reporter.

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Debora Coty will present the Friday night keynote address at 6 p.m. It will titled "Too Blessed to Be a Stressed Writer" and is based on her experiences as a sometimes harried, always blessed Christian book author.

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KEYNOTE BIOS

Debora is an inspirational humorist, columnist, and author of 40 books, including the Too Blessed to Be Stressed series, which has sold over a million copies. In addition to the series, Debora's books include historical novels The Distant Shore (VRP Publishing), Billowing Sails (VRP), the award-winning how-to for writers Grit for the Oyster (VRP), and the devotional books Everyday Hope (Barbour), and Mom Needs Chocolate (Regal). She believes that the stresses of life become manageable when we truly understand God’s blessings. Learn more about Debora at her website www.deboracoty.com. 

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Lauren is a national award-winning sports broadcaster who joined ESPN and SEC Network in 2016 as a sideline reporter for both college football and gymnastics. In 2017, she added the role of reporter for SEC Nation, SEC Network’s traveling pre-game college football show on Saturdays in the fall.

In addition, she continues to serve as a sports reporter and host at AL.com where she covers a multitude of teams and sports in the state of Alabama. Her inspiring story has been shared in Guideposts magazine and in her own talks across the country. 

SCWC 2020's Agents, Publishers, and Workshop Leaders

We are proud to announce our 2020 Southern Christian Writers Conference faculty. 

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Here are the leaders, and their appropriate workshops, for the virtual workshop for July 24-25:

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Hallee Bridgeman, novelist: "Writing Squeaky Clean Hot Romance"

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Angela Broyles, publisher of Bluewater Publications: "What Happens After you Sign a Publishing Contract?" and "Q&A" Panel

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Debora Coty: prolific book author: "Too Stressed to be a Stressed" keynote address

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George Daniels, journalism professor: "Social Media for Writers"

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Del Deduit, agent with C.Y.L.E. Agency: "Working with a Literary Agent" (Del will also offer one-on-one sessions with attendees)

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Allison Mackey, novelist: "How I Pitched and Sold My First Novel"

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John Phillips, author and publisher of Nighthawk Publishing: "How to Sell Your Work 4 Ways"

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Jennifer Rash, editor of The Alabama Baptist: Question & Answer panel member

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Stephanie Rodda, author and SCWC staff member: "Priorities and Procrastination: When Life Interrupts your Writing"

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Ramona Richards, publisher at Iron Stream Media: "What Do Christian Book Publishers Want?"

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Tasha Scott, life coach: "DISCover Your Writing Strengths"

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Joanne Sloan, SCWC founder: "Challenging Yourself as a Writer"

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Lauren Sisler, ESPN reporter: "Falling in Love with Your Story" keynote address

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Jeremiah Toole, songwriter and producer: "Songwriting 101"

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Terry Wilhite, communications consultant: "Podcasting"

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Cheryl Wray, SCWC coordinator: "Writing Query Letters for Magazines"

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In addition to these workshop leaders, we will also have four faculty members--agent Sally Apopodek, publisher Martine Banks, agent Del Deduit, and publisher Ramona Richards--meeting one-on-one with conference attendees to hear pitches. 

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Learn about all of these agents, publishers, and workshop leaders (and their topics) by clicking on SPEAKERS on the website menu above. You can read their full bios there in the speaker slideshow, and also find out what they'll be offering to SCWC attendees.

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REGISTRATION for the virtual SCWC conference is now open. Click on "Register" in the menu above to learn how to sign up and pay.

Just wanted to write you a brief note and let you know how outstanding the conference was this year (as usual!). Each of the classes I attended was excellent.

I am leaving so greatly encouraged and spiritually refreshed! I have laughed, cried, chuckled, and nodded my head in agreement with the speakers. I can’t wait to get started!

Thank you for doing such a fabulous job coordinating the Southern Christian Writers Conference. I am a retired Professional Meeting Planner so I am able to appreciate what all goes on behind the scenes. It was such a great, safe environment in which to learn. Overall, I can sum up my experience by saying this "see you at the next conference".

I know no other conference that compares with this one. It has been more than expected.

There are a lot of hungry and hurting people. Your ministry helps us reach those folks through the ministry of writing. You and your staff probably cannot know the impact the Lord is having in the lives of hundreds of attendees and those they reach. What the Gaithers are to Christian music, you are to the ministry of writing.