Success Stories from a Writer's Conference

A Review of Mount Hermon's Christian Writers Conference

Mount Hermon is nestled amongst California's giant redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It is six miles from the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and every year around five hundred men and women, including authors, speakers, agents, editors and publishers, gather there for an intense five-day writers conference.

For the last thirty nine years Mount Hermon's Christian Writers Conference has provided the opportunity for writers to test their skills under the guidance of professionals. March 14 - 18 in 2008, Jerry B. Jenkins, author of books such as the "Left Behind" series, will be one of the keynote speakers.

Jenkins, who is president of the Christian Writers Guild, has always believed that a writer is constantly perfecting his or her craft and therefore writers' conferences are a necessity. The conference at Mount Hermon is a complete experience for every writer whether they are a beginner or a professional.

Author Marilyn J. Woody said, "I find the conference invaluable to my writing life. When aspiring writers ask me for advice about how to advance as writers and hopefully get published, among other things I recommend attending Mt. Hermon. I met Cathy Davis who later became my editor for books published by David C. Cook (who also published Arleta Richardson's "Grandma's Attic" series). To be able to take classes, share meals, and have appointments with publishers and editors from 20-30 publishing houses during the 5-day conference, opens rich opportunities for aspiring writers.

What's more, each morning guests are greeted by the director of the conference, Dave Talbot, for a gourmet breakfast and writing updates. He's quite the entertainer. Authors and publishers like those of Focus on the Family, with whom you are invited to speak and dine with, are strategically placed at separate tables. Writers are advised to have their book proposals down to a couple of sentences because these publishers will ask about your latest writing project. Everyone who sits at their table will have the chance to do so.