The busiest committee right now is our Catholic Writers Conference Online, lead by Karina Fabian and Laura Lowder. “We’ve had more people assist this year. Promotions have started,” Karina said. But you can help promote the conference by sending out the posting the release below on social media, blogs and bulletin boards.
I’m excited about presenting a session on “How to Get the Most From a Critique Group (even if you have to start one yourself.)” My workshop is on Friday, Feb. 17 at 6:00 pm. CST. I’ll speak from my experience in forming and facilitating our face-to-face Dallas/Ft. Worth Catholic Writers and the online CWG Non-Fiction Critique Group. Bring your questions on critiquing for the Q&A and on how to start a local group.
I’m looking forward to the pitch sessions with book publishers. Practice pitch sessions will be held during the conference, with the publishers scheduled later. Please note that you must be registered for the conference to participate in the pitch sessions.
Please share the official press release:
World Wide Web—The Catholic Writers’ Guild will hold its annual online conference for writers Feb 17-19, 2017. This faith-focused authors conference offers presentations covering all aspects of writing from the faith aspects of your calling as a writer to publishing and marketing your books. There will also be online pitch sessions with noted Catholic publishers and secular publishers.
Attendees must register by Feb 10 at https://catholicwritersguild.org/catholic-writers-conference-online-.
The conference will be held using webinar software, making the experience more personal and immediate.
“Last year, we had amazing success with presentations in webinar format. It took the learning to a new level,” said organizer Karina Fabian. Fabian said the workshops offer terrific opportunities to ask in-depth questions and get feedback from knowledgeable instructors.
This year’s sessions include a wide range of talents, including speakers like Lisa Mladinich, host of the TV talk show WOMAN; Lisa Hendey, author and founder of CatholicMom.com, horror author Karen Ullo, and attorney Antony Kolenc. In addition, there are practical workshops on indie publishing, Goodreads, characterization and more.
Pitch sessions give authors with finished books a chance to personally interest a publisher. Pitch sessions include well-known Catholic publishers like Our Sunday Visitor and Ave Maria Press, and secular presses like Liberty Island and Vinspire.
“Every year, we hear back from an author who finished a book, started a project, or got a publishing contract thanks to the Catholic Writers’ Conference Online. Plus people make contacts and good friends. It’s a terrific opportunity, especially for those who can’t afford to attend a live conference,” Fabian said.
This year’s conference is $40; $30 for members of the Catholic Writers’ Guild. To register or for more information, go to https://catholicwritersguild.org/online-conference.
So what’s going on with the other committees?
Karina Fabian reports that Facebook is moving steadily along. “Carmela has done an excellent job moving us to a secret group and it’s running much smoother from a membership addition POV. Mike Fraley has the book blasts well in hand, and Stuart will be loading the regular activities to post on schedule.”
Communications/Social Media: Karina notes, “Stuart, Jane and Cassandra are all practiced in Buffer and have split the duties. I’ll take over the conference posts. My goal this year is to have it running well enough to be able to pass the committee to someone else.”
Dawn Witzke posted Catholic Book News, featuring two SoA fiction books this month:
Falling As She Sings, a Science Fiction by CJ Sursum, available on Amazon and a Christian Romance, Twice Stolen by Susanne Timpani, available from Book Depository.
Maureen Smith, our Membership Chair, wants to “boost our membership and to help members be able to navigate and track their own membership.”
Ellen Hrkach, our Seal of Approval chairman, is getting feedback on what changes to make so that more books can be reviewed. If a few more members can read books this year, more authors can be awarded the SoA. Contact Ellen to get trained and receive your assignment.
Dennis McGeehan reports that the Speakers Bureau and the Zenit Committee are functioning well, with a little reorganization at Zenit and a new contact to receive posts from our blog.
CWG COMMITTEE CONTACTS:
Blog: Kathryn Cunningham and Dennis McGeehan
CALA (Catholic Arts and Letters Award): Carol Ann Chybowski
CBN (Catholic Book News): Dawn Witzke
CWCL: Ann Lewis, Karina Fabian and Laura Lowder
CWCO: Ann Lewis, Karina Fabian and Laura Lowder
Communications/Social Media: Karina Fabian
Facebook- Karina Fabian
Membership: Maureen Smith
Newsletter: Cesar Chacon
Retreat: Ann Lewis and Margaret Rose Realy
SOA: Ellen Gable Hrkach
Zenit: Dennis McGeehan
CWG Fiction Critique Group: Don Mulcare
CWG Non-Fiction Critique Group: Nancy Ward
For other concerns and suggestions about our fabulous committees, contact Nancy Ward, Coordinator of Committees.
Spot on with this write-up, I actually believe that this amazing site needs
much more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read through more, thanks for the information!