The Christian Writers Resource Guide, compiled by Today’s Christian Living, features three major categories:

1. CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUPS

  • U.S National Christian Writers Groups and Associations
  • U.S. Local Christian Writers Groups and Associations (By State)
  • Canadian Christian Writers Groups
  • International Christian Writers Groups and Associations
  • Online Christian Writers Groups, Critiques, and Forums

2. CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCES
-2020 Christian Writers Conferences
-2020 Christian Writers Conferences Not Yet Scheduled
-2021 Christian Writers Conferences

3. CHRISTIAN WRITERS RESOURCES
-General Resources and News
-Blogs
-Magazine Publishing
-Book Publishing
-Other Writing Opportunities
-Marketing
-Writing Contests
-Publishing Associations
-Other Writing Resources
-References

We hope you find this information helpful and time saving!

1. WRITERS GROUPS

U.S. National Christian Writers Groups and Associations

U.S. Local Christian Writers Groups and Associations (By State)

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington State

Wisconsin

Canadian Christian Writers Groups

International Christian Writers Groups and Associations

Online Christian Writers Groups, Critiques, and Forums

2. CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCES

Given the rapidly changing events surrounding the COVID-19 situation, be sure to check for current information on these websites before finalizing any plans for registration or travel.

2020 Writers Conferences

Jan. 11-20, 2020 Mountainside Marketing Conference (http://bit.ly/RidgecrestMM)
Jan. 18, 2020 Serious Writer 1-Day Writer Book Camp, Tampa, Fl. (www.seriouswriter.com/tampa)
Feb. 21-23, 2020 Asheville Christian Writers Conference (www.ashevillechristianwritersconference.com)
Feb. 22, 2020 Oregon Christian Writers Winter One-Day Conference (http://oregonchristianwriters.org)
Feb. 28-29, 2020 West Coast Christian Writer’s Conference (http://westcoastchristianwriters.com)
Mar 5-7, 2020 North Carolina Christian Writers Conference (www.seriouswriter.com/nc2020)
Mar 19-22, 2020 Word Weavers Kidz Lit Conference (https://word-weavers.com/georgiaevents)
Mar. 20-21, 2020
 Mid-South Christian Writers Conference (www.midsouthchristianwriters.com)
Mar. 24-25, 2020 Writing for Your Life Conference, Charlotte, N.C. (https://writingforyourlife.com/conferences)
Mar. 25-28, 2020 Blue Lake Christian Writers Retreat (http://bluelakecwr.com)
Mar. 26, 2020 The Business of Being a Spiritual Writer (https://writingforyourlife.com/conferences)
Mar. 27-28, 2020 Carolina Christian Writers Conference (www.fbs.org/christian-writers-conference)
Apr. 3-7, 2020 Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference (http://writers.mounthermon.org)
Apr. 4, 2020 Northeast Ohio Christian Writers Conference (www.internationalwritersassociation.com/writer-s-conference.html)
Apr. 4, 2020 Spring SCWC Workshop on Self Publishing (www.southernchristianwriters.com/schedule)
Apr. 15, 2020 The Business of Being a Spiritual Writer (https://writingforyourlife.com/conferences)
Apr. 16-18, 2020 Festival of Faith & Writing – Calvin College (http://festival.calvin.edu)
Apr. 17-18, 2020 Nashville, Tenn. ACW Mentoring Retreat (https://regaforder.wordpress.com/mentoring)
Apr. 24, 2020 The Business of Being a Spiritual Writer (https://writingforyourlife.com/conferences)
Apr. 24-25, 2020 Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference (http://wordsowers.com/upcoming-events/annual-conference)
Apr. 25, 2020 Publishing in Color Conference, Los Angeles, Calif. (https://publishingincolor.com)
Apr. 25, 2020 Ottawa Christian Writers Fellowship Spring Conference (https://thewordguild.com/ottawa)
Apr. 27-28, 2020 Writing for Your Life Conference, Minneapolis, Minn. (https://writingforyourlife.com/conferences)
Apr. 29, 2020 The Business of Being a Spiritual Writer (https://writingforyourlife.com/conferences)
May 13-16, 2020 Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference (http://colorado.writehisanswer.com)
May 14-16, 2020 National Christian Writers Conference (https://ncwcfr.org)
May 15-16, 2020 Northwest Christian Writers Renewal (NCWA) (www.nwchristianwriters.org/2019Renewal)
May 16, 2020 Oregon Christian Writers Winter One-Day Conference (http://oregonchristianwriters.org)
May 24-28, 2020 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference (www.blueridgeconference.com)
June 1-2, 2020 Publishing in Color Conference, New Jersey (https://publishingincolor.com)
June 3, 2020 The Business of Being a Spiritual Writer, New Jersey (https://writingforyourlife.com/conferences)
June 4-5, 2020 The Business of Being a Spiritual Writer (https://writingforyourlife.com/conferences)
June 4-6, 2020 Write! Canada (https://thewordguild.com/write-canada-conferences)
June 5-6, 2020 Grand Rapids, Mich. ACW Mentoring Retreat (https://regaforder.wordpress.com/mentoring)
June 11-13, 2020 Cedar Falls Christian Writers Workshop (www.cedarfallschristianwritersworkshop.org)
June 12-13, 2020 Southern Christian Writers Conference  (www.southernchristianwriters.com/schedule)
June 17-20, 2020 Write-to-Publish Conference (www.writetopublish.com)
June 18-20, 2020 Kentucky Christian Writers Conference (www.kychristianwriters.com)
June 24-28, 2020 Granta & Wesleyan Writers Conference (www.wesleyan.edu/writing/conference)
June 24-28, 2020 St. Davids Christian Writers’ Conference (http://stdavidswriters.com)
June 29, 2020 The Business of Being a Spiritual Writer, New York City (https://writingforyourlife.com/conferences)
July 8-11, 2020 SoCal Christian Writers Conference (https://socalcwc.com)
July 9-11, 2020 Speak Up Conference (http://speakupconference.com)
July 10-12, 2020 Windsor International Writers Conference, Windsor, Ontario (windsorinternationalwriters.com)
July 10-11, 2020 Atlanta, Ga. ACW Mentoring Retreat (https://regaforder.wordpress.com/mentoring)
July 16-18, 2020  Realm Makers Writers Conference (http://realmmakers.net/conference)
July 18, 2020 Roaring Lambs Writers Conference (https://www.roaringlambs.org/conferences)
July 21-23, 2020 Concordia Seminary Faith & Writing Workshop (https://www.csl.edu/event/faith-and-writing-workshop-9)
July 22-25, 2020 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference (http://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com)
July 23-25, 2020 Taylor University Professional Writing Conference (https://taylorprofessionalwritersconference.weebly.com)
July 24-25, 2020 Northwestern Christian Writers Conference (www.northwesternchristianwritersconference.com)
July 31-Aug. 1, 2020 She Speaks Conference (http://shespeaksconference.com)
Aug. 1, 2020 Texas Christian Writers Conference (http://www.centralhoustoniwa.com)
Aug. 7-8, 2020 Minneapolis, Minn. ACW Mentoring Retreat (https://regaforder.wordpress.com/mentoring)
Aug. 14-16, 2020 Advanced Writers and Speakers Association – AWSA (http://awsa.com/?page_id=4726)
Aug. 17-20, 2020 Oregon Christian Winter Summer Four-Day Coaching Conference (http://oregonchristianwriters.org)
Sept. 11-12, 2020 Phoenix, Ariz. ACW Mentoring Retreat (https://regaforder.wordpress.com/mentoring)
Sept. 17-20, 2020 ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Conference (www.acfw.com/conference/future)
Sept. 18-19, 2020 Write2Ignite (http://write2ignite.com)
Oct. 1-3, 2020 Maranatha Christian Writers Conference (www.maranathachristianwriters.com)
Oct. 2-3, 2020 Nashville, Tenn. ACW Mentoring Retreat (https://regaforder.wordpress.com/mentoring)
Oct. 4-7, 2020 Mountainside Novelist Retreat (http://ridgecrestconferencecenter.org/event/mountainsidefiction)
Oct. 8-11, 2020 ReNEW Retreat for New England Writing (https://renewwriting.com)
Oct. 9-10, 2020 Breathe Christian Writers Conference (http://breatheconference.com)
Oct. 12, 2020 Minnesota Christian Writers Guild – Fall Seminar (www.mnchristianwriters.com/seminar/fall-seminar)
Oct. 21-25, 2020 Florida Christian Writers Conference (FCWC) (https://word-weavers.com/floridaevents)
Nov. 12-13, 2020 Publishing in Color Conference, Nashville (https://publishingincolor.com)
Nov. 13-14, 2020 Orlando, Fla. ACW Mentoring Retreat (https://regaforder.wordpress.com/mentoring)
Nov. 14, 2020 The Business of Being a Spiritual Writer, Nashville (https://writingforyourlife.com/conferences)

2020 Christian Writers Conferences Not Yet Scheduled

Green Lake Christian Writers Conference (http://glcc.org/2019-conference-schedule.html)
Heart of America Christian Writer’s Conference (www.hacwn.org)
North Georgia Christian Writers Conference (https://mytoccoa.com/cwc)
Orange County Christian Writers Conference  (www.facebook.com/OCChristianWritersConference)
San Diego Christian Writers’ Guild (http://sandiegocwg.com)
Called to Write Conference (https://calledtowriteconference.wordpress.com/2020-conference)
Montrose Christian Writers Conference (www.montrosebible.org/OurEvents.aspx)
Christian Authors Guild – Atlanta Christian Writers Retreat (http://www.christianauthorsguild.org/coffee-quill)
Inscribe Christian Writer’s Conference (https://inscribe.org/events/fall-conference)
Hope Writers Conference (www.hopewriters.com/conference)

2021 Writers Conferences

Mar. 12-13, 2021 Carolina Christian Writers Conference (www.fbs.org/christian-writers-conference)
June 22-24, 2021 Spark Media Conference (https://www.sparkmedia.ventures)
Sept. 9-12, 2021 ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Conference (www.acfw.com/conference/future)

3. CHRISTIAN WRITERS RESOURCES

 GENERAL INFORMATION AND NEWS

BLOGS

 

MAGAZINE PUBLISHING

     List of Magazines for Submission 

     Articles About Magazine Publishing

BOOK PUBLISHING

    Book Publishing FAQs

    Book Self-Publishing

    Traditional Book Publishing Versus Self-Publishing

    Book Proposals

    Book Proposal Submission Services

  • Christian Manuscript Submission
    www.christianmanuscriptsubmissions.com
    ChristianManuscriptSubmissions.com (CMS) is the only manuscript service created by the top Christian publishers looking for unsolicited manuscript proposals in a traditional royalty based relationship. It allows authors to submit their manuscript proposal in a secure, online format for review by editors from publishing houses that are members of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA).

     Fiction Book Articles

      Devotional Book Articles

OTHER WRITING OPPORTUNITIES

  • Act One
    A Christian community of entertainment industry professionals who train and equip storytellers to create works of truth, goodness and beauty.
    www.ActOneProgram.com/about
  • Christian Devotions
    “We believe a devotion may be someone’s only Bible for the day, and if we can place that devotion into their hands, plant the seed. . .then God can water and cultivate His love in the heart of that person.”
    https://christiandevotions.us

MARKETING

WRITING CONTESTS

PUBLISHING ASSOCIATIONS

OTHER WRITING RESOURCES

REFERENCES

   Grammar, Punctuation, Style, and Citation Guidelines

   Bible Versions and Bible Resources

   Copyright and Fair Use Information

    Writer Tips and Training

    Writing, Editing, Author Coaching, and Critique Services

    Editorial Rates 

     Editors’ Wish List When Working With Freelancers 

  1. When pitching to a publication for the first time: Study the publication you’re pitching to in order to make sure your story idea is in line with their mission.
  2. Ask for a copy of the writers’ guidelines. (Better yet, see if they’re available on the website before you ask.) Most publications likely have some already in place that they’d be happy to send you, and the editor will be grateful you asked. (But the editor isn’t grateful you asked her to send you something you could easily find online.)
  3. Read the guidelines before pitching your idea. No, seriously—read them and take them to heart. This will tell you a lot about whether you’re on the right track. For instance, some publications seldom publish unsolicited material, or only pay for those pieces they commission. Make sure you understand the publication’s needs and preferences as well as your own.
  4. If your pitch is not accepted, graciously thank the editor for his/her time in considering it. You want to be known as someone enjoyable to work with.
  5. If your pitch is accepted or you are given an assignment: Make sure you are clear about the deadline and word count. Be prepared for at least a week after the deadline to address any rewriting requests.
  6. Then, look at the publication again. How are the stories formatted? Do they all have titles? Decks and or bylines? Do they break up the copy with subheads every few hundred words? Do they include footnotes, or taglines for the author at the end? Whatever you see in its pages—DO THAT. The easier you can make an editor’s job, the more likely he or she will be to keep hiring you. Nobody wants to spend extra time reformatting your work or putting your name on it for you.
  7. A deadline is a deadline, and a grace period is a grace period. If you turn in your piece after close of business on the day of the deadline, you’ve missed the deadline. And if you think you’ll need more time to finish than you were given, it’s good manners to let the editor know as early in the process as possible so he or she can make alternate plans if necessary. Most editors are pretty gracious with that sort of thing, but nobody wants to be forced to scramble to fill a hole at the last minute.
  8. If an editor sends back your edited copy and asks for you to fill in more information or make some other revisions, work with the edited copy. Don’t make the changes to your original file. The edits were made to move the copy one step closer to what the editor needs; nobody wants to do the same work twice.
  9. Don’t be a diva. Not every word that falls from your fingertips is made of pure gold. Learn how to stand up for your work graciously, but know when to bend and let things go. We’re all trying to do the best job possible here. There’s room for discussion, but remember: At the end of the day, the editor is responsible for preserving a host of things, including missional integrity as well as the publication’s standards.

The Editors’ Wish List was compiled by Karla Dial, editor of Citizen magazine, with input from Diane McDougall, editorial director for Journey Group. Courtesy of Evangelical Press Association (EPA).

Build Your Freelance Writing Library: Top Dozen Books for Christian Writers

1. Christian Writer’s Market Guide by Jerry B. Jenkins
    Writer’s Market (Writer’s Digest) — for the general market
2. A Complete Guide to Writing for Publication edited by Susan Titus Osborn (ACW)
3. An introduction to Christian Writing by Ethel Herr (ACW)
4. Writer for Hire: 101 Secrets to Freelance Success by Kelly James-Enger (Writer’s Digest)
5. Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript by Chuck Sambuchino and the editors of Writer’s Digest Books (Writer’s Digest)
6. The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style edited by Robert Hudson (Zondervan)
7. How to Write Irresistible Query Letters by Lisa Collier Cool (Writer’s Digest)
8. Book Proposals That Sell by W. Terry Whalin (ACW) — nonfiction
The Sell Your Novel Took Kit by Elizabeth Lyon (Perigee) — fiction
OR
 Step by Step Pitches and Proposals: A Workbook for Writers by Chip MacGregor with Holly Lorinenz (Benchman)
9. Mastering the Craft of Writing by Stephen Wilbers (Writer’s Digest)
OR The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr and E.B. White (Longman)
10. On Writing Well by William Zinsser (Harper) — nonfiction
OR Crafting Novels and Short Stories: The Complete Guide to Writing Great Fiction by the editors of Writer’s Digest (Writer’s Digest) — fiction
11. Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt (Nelson)
OR Sell Your Book Like Wildfire by Rob Eager (Writer’s Digest)
OR Create Your Writer Platform by Chuck Sambuchino (Writer’s Digest)
12. The Productive Writer: Strategies and Systems for Greater Productivity, Profit and Pleasure by Sage Cohen (Writer’s Digest)

Freelance Writing Library List courtesy of Lin Johnson, director of Write-to-Publish Conference in the Chicago area. The 2018 conference is June 13-16. For details, go to www.writetopublish.com  and facebook.com/WritetoPublishConference.