Podcast from Today’s Show 4/5…Panel of Publishing Industry Experts Help Those Who Feel Called to Write

Here’s the podcast from today’s show in case you missed it…please pass it along to anyone who might benefit!

Found some old pictures of me with Cynthia Ruchti and Chip MacGregor at the ACFW Conference and Kim Bangs at the Florida Christian Writers Conference!

WOW. What an experience this show was…interviewing 5 people at one time, on the phone where I cannot look them in the eyes, oh my…that was SCARY! But Lin, Chip, Cynthia, Kim & Clint made it so easy…I’m already hearing back from so many folks about how much they learned….I love that!

And for the record, as the pioneer of self/indie publishing in the Christian market, I must say that I agree with everything that was said…no matter how you plan to publish. Whether you intend to work towards a contract with a traditional publisher or go the DIY route, the information shared in this broadcast will help you produce content you will be proud of and others will be blessed by.

Enjoy!

This Saturday, 4/5 – Feel Called to Write? What it Takes & How to Get There

Feel Called to Write? Join us this Saturday for a stellar line up of Christian publishing industry professionals!

I’ve been thinking about doing a show like this for months, and it finally came together over the last few weeks. After spending the last 22 years in publishing, I’ve always felt it important for potential authors to understand the industry, what it really takes to find an agent and/or publisher, how to learn or improve their craft, and how to have realistic expectations throughout the process. I believe this show will be a great resource for those of you who feel called but don’t know where to start, or if you’re already writing, how to move to the next level.

I’ll be introducing you to a literary agent, a book editor, a magazine editor, a novelist, and a couple Christian writers’ conference directors…we’re going to cover a lot of ground and hopefully give you some direction and practical helps.

Listen in this Saturday from 11AM to Noon PST on 820AM KGNW or streaming live on www.kgnw.com. Here’s my exciting line up of guests…spread the word…it’s really gonna be good!

Kim Bangs, Book Editor

For 24 years Kim Bangs has served in the Christian publishing industry. Beginning as an editor in the Children’s Curriculum Department at Gospel Light, she served as the Senior Manager for Acquisitions and Author Relations and was recently promoted to Publishing Director for Regal (the book division of Gospel Light).  In 2012 Kim was awarded Non-Fiction Editor of the Year by AWSA. She also can be found at several writer’s conferences throughout the year doing all she can to inspire and encourage writers to write their passion and keep pressing on. She enjoys baking, gardening, Disneyland and sports…but loves Jesus and His Church.

Chip MacGregor, Literary Agent, Author

When he was in first grade, Chip hurried home one day and announced to his mother, “When I grow up, I’m going to be a book guy!” He clearly could see the future —from high school literary magazine editor to writing bestselling books, from speaking at writing and publishing conferences to representing renowned writers, Chip MacGregor is a book guy. Creating MacGregor Literary was part of a natural progression.

Chip has a comprehensive knowledge of the industry—from book development to writing, acquisition to production, marketing to sales. He has secured nearly 1,000 book deals for authors with all of the major publishers, including Random House, Ballantine, Crown, Doubleday, Broadway, Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books, Hachette, HarperCollins, Avon, Viking, Penguin, Berkley, Jossey-Bass, Zondervan, Thomas Nelson, Baker, Tyndale, Broadman & Holman, Worthy, Multnomah, Revell, Harvest House, Waterbrook, NavPress, Cook, and Howard, among others. As an editor, he discovered Phillip Gulley, worked with bestselling authors such as Kay Arthur and Joyce Meyer, and helped craft books for some of the best names in publishing, including CBA luminaries Chuck Swindoll, Bruce Wilkinson, and David Jeremiah. He has also written more than two-dozen titles, including two books that hit #1 on the bestseller lists in their category, and he has been the collaborative writer on books with such authors as Howard Hendricks, Joe Stowell, Andre Kole, and Bruce Waltke. During his tenure as a publisher at Time Warner, he helped the company grow into one of the world’s biggest providers of religious books to the general market, as well as helping create Center Street, the “heartland publishing” initiative at Time Warner Book Group, doing books with the likes of Mike Huckabee and John Ashcroft.

Cynthia Ruchti, Author

Cynthia Ruchti tells stories of Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark through her novels and novellas, speaking for women’s events and retreats, writers’ events and retreats, nonfiction books and devotionals, drawing from 33 years of on-air radio ministry. Her books have been recognized by RT Reviewers’ Choice Award, Retailers’ Choice Award, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and Carol Award nominations, among other honors, including a Family Fiction Readers’ Choice Award. As of 2014, she has a total of eight books on the shelves, with more contracted for 2015 and beyond.

Lin Johnson, Magazine Editor, Conference Director, Author

Lin Johnson directs the Write-to-Publish Conference in the Chicago area (June 4-7) and teaches at writers conferences around the world.

She is managing editor of Christian Communicator, a monthly magazine for writers and speakers, and Advanced Christian Writer, a bimonthly newsletter for published authors. Plus she proofs and edits for Friends of Israel.

The author of more than 70 books, Lin specializes in Bible curriculum and is a Gold Medallion Book Award and an EPA Higher Goals award recipient. Her books include Everything the Bible Says about Money, The Smart Guide to the Bible: John, Encouraging Others, Christian Education: Foundations for the Future (co-editor), 2 Timothy & Titus: Fighting the Good Fight and 1 Timothy: Standing Firm (with John Stott), Mark and Ephesians (with N. T. Wright), and the Extracting the Precious series of Bible studies (with Donna Partow). She has also contributed to several books, including A Complete Guide to Writing for Publication and The NIV Quiet Time Bible.

She has a B.A. in Christian education from Cedarville University, a B.A. in Bible-theology from Moody Bible Institute, and an M.S. in adult and continuing education from National-Louis University. She is a former special instructor of Christian education at Moody Bible Institute and a current adjunct professor of writing at Taylor University.

Clint Kelly, Novelist, Program Coordinator

As a communications specialist for Seattle Pacific University and author of novels for both children and adults, Clint believes that his readers are wired for adventure and hunger for unique plots, colorful settings, and exotic locales.

Clint’s books feature real characters who laugh, cry, struggle, and question. They believe in something greater than themselves, they possess an insatiable appetite for exploration, and they know in the depths of their souls that good can overcome evil.

His novels include The Landing Place, The Lost Kingdom, and The Aryan for Thomas Nelson Publishers; Deliver Us From Evil and The Power and the Glory for Bethany House Publishing; Escape Underground for Focus on the Family and Bethany House Publishing; and Bruce the Spruce and the Christmas Goose for The Lights of Christmas attraction in Washington state. His nonfiction books include Dare to Raise Exceptional Children and How to Win Grins and Influence Little People. As a journalist and freelance writer, Clint has written on a wide variety of topics from dinosaurs to child rearing. He also serves as program coordinator for the Northwest Christian Writers’ Renewal. He and his wife, Cheryll, live in the Seattle area.