Some Photos from the 2007 Conference!

The 2007 conference was a resounding success!! Here are a few pictures from this year's event--

2007 Conference Information!!

You've come to the right place! Here you will find information about the 2007 Southern Christian Writers Conference. Look below for information on: Keynote speakers and workshop leaders; workshop topics; member news; comments and reviews; the annual writing contest; directions; and registration information.
(Be sure to go to the Archive menu on the right-side of this page. It lists all of the items mentioned on this site; some of the articles appear on a second page, so don't miss anything!)

2007 Speakers Include Editors, Publishers, Writers & Agents

The lineup of speakers for the 2007 Southern Christian Writers Conference is an outstanding one! Keynote speakers and workshop leaders include fiction and non-fiction authors, magazine editors, freelance magazine writers, book publishers, songwriters, newspaper columnists, and agents. To learn more about the individual speakers, click on the box below.

Keynote Speakers Are Prolific and Inspiring!

Our keynote speakers this year are sure to inspire us all! You don't want to miss meeting Claire and Gilbert! (CLICK on the article below to make it larger and easier to read!)

Directions to SCWC

The Southern Christian Writers Conference is held at the beautiful education facilities at First Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The building is equipped with state-of-the-art classrooms, a beautiful dining room, and many other amenities.

Tuscaloosa is easily accessible from all nearby states, via various interstate systems. Below is a map that will show you how to reach the SCWC once you are in Tuscaloosa. (Click on the map to make it larger.)

~Conference Comments~

We always love to hear from our conference attendees, and they are always so free with their gratitude.

If you are considering attending this year's conference, consider some of these comments from past attendees.

Just a quick note to say I really enjoyed the conference this weekend It’s bound to be a lot of work for everyone who has a part of putting it on. I was surprised by how many people were there! Thanks again for an inspiring weekend!

THANK YOU for a wonderful conference!

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!

The Southern Christian Writers Conference proved to be a tremendous blessing to me and many others I met from Atlanta to Miami and beyond.

I had a delightful time at the conference. I really enjoyed the speakers. Made some good contacts.

Thank you so much for all of your work to get this conference together for the umpteenth time. I was blessed to the core of my soul. I was so inspired that as soon as I got home Saturday afternoon (Columbus, Miss.), I wrote a query letter to the editor of Columbus’ “Commercial Dispatch” to see if he would like an article about the conference. How about that?

Cheryl Wray motivated me to start thinking like a real magazine writer. I have ideas for at least five articles and have ordered Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers Market Guide. As I was cutting the lawn this a.m., I had to stop four times to run inside and jot more ideas down into my notebook. It took me longer to get the grass cut, but it is worth it. I KNOW I can do this writing thing now, thanks to all of you.

I will definitely see you next year. Keep me posted.

To all the staff of the SCWC: Thank you for a most enjoyable, informative, and inspirational workshop. It was quite beneficial and encouraging to me and my writing interests.

Wonderful! Fantastic!

This was great! Maybe it should happen twice a year!

Thank you so much for a wonderful conference. I sensed a sweet spirit throughout the proceedings. May God anoint and bless you all throughout the year.

As a first-time attendee, I want you to know how much I enjoyed the great conference you hosted last weekend in Tuscaloosa. It was superb! I attended with an open mind, but my expectations were guarded. Perhaps I did not want to be disappointed if it wasn’t a good fit for me. Instead, as I sat and listened to the speakers and workshop leaders, tears kept brimming in my eyes. I had not expected that response—that the words of the speakers would tug and swirl in my heart.

I returned to Abbeville with so much material and so much information I decided to just lit it sit and percolate in my mind. I am not sure yet just how I am going to learn from the information I received. But I want to let you know that I am going to use the information—and the contacts I made—to improve my writing skills (they have nowhere to go but up) and use the information for good. I have made a commitment to that—to helping others through my writing.

Again, I want to thank you for a really great learning experience. You probably don’t know it, but God has used you to bless my life.

I had a wonderful time at the writers conference. It is the greatest!

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.

We were so comfortable at First Baptist Church. They have such a wonderful facility. 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.

I have been to the SCWC for seven years and have thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of the speakers in each session.

Just wanted to take a minute and say thank you for all the time and energy and love that goes into every workshop. I often wonder if you all don’t just collapse in bed from exhaustion when the weekend finally ends. I’m sure that next year’s conference is already in the works.

As you know, I came up alone and stayed alone in the hotel. It turned out to be quite the spiritual retreat. The 4-hour drive home was a time to be quiet and reflect on what I had learned and a needed prayer time to seek direction and enjoy the company of God. Thank you for this special ministry.

Enjoyed every minute!!

The speakers’ humble spirits touched my heart as they shared from the richness of their walk with God. Hearing them gave me an even greater hunger to know Him more intimately than ever before.

Thanks again for all you do to help writers like me!

Thank you to all the coordinators, volunteers, and workshop presenters for making this unique forum available in such a user-friendly, affordable, convenient way. I am renewed and refreshed—mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually.

Your wonderful conference! Although I’ve gone to many writing conferences, I found SCWC to be the most organized and well-run conference I’ve attended, and I pray for its continued success.

I am always inspired when I leave—not only to write, but to be a better Christian, church member, and neighbor.

Excellent!!! Outstanding in every way!! Bravo!!!!!

Registration Form

To register for the 2007 SCWC workshop, please use the following form. Click on it to make it full size, then print it out. Fill it out and mail to: SCWC, PO Box 1106, Northport, AL 35476.

If you need more information, please feel free to get in touch with us at:

David or Joanne Sloan

(205) 333-8603

SCWC
PO Box 1106
Northport, AL 35476

email: scwcworkshop@bellsouth.net

We hope to see you at the SCWC!!!

Congrats to SCWC Members!

Jan White of Andalusia, Ala., has won FIRST PLACE in the annual Amy Writing Awards for her article “Forgiveness is the Key to Unlocking Hatred.” The Amy Awards programs is one of the largest in the world. She will receive her award at a national ceremony June 12 in Detroit. You may find her article and the other Amy winning entries at http://www.amyfound.org/amy_writing_awards/past_winners.html

Genie Bernstein of Athens, Ga., has published short stories, articles, and essays in several magazines. Her story “Southern Hospitality” won the Carrie McCray Literary Award from the South Carolina Writers Workshop.

Grace Booth of Picayune, Miss., had an article in the “His Mysterious Ways” feature in Guideposts magazine.

Rhonda Brasseal of Columbia, Miss., writes a weekly food column for the local newspaper, the Columbian-Progress. Publish America published her cookbook, Ten Pots.

Lettie Kirkpatrick Burress of Cleveland, Tenn., had her first book, Lessons, Laughter and Tough Love, published. Her articles appeared in a book compilation series by Women Alive! and she continues to write for various magazines.

Jody Evans of Tuscaloosa, Ala., began writing for KidsLife Magazine, had an article published in Alabama Baby, and began writing a column for Single Parenting called “Reflections on Single Parenting.”

Wanda Griffith of Cleveland, Tenn., had a seven-week Bible study, Extreme Makeovers—Biblical Style, published.

Kathryn Lang of Guntersville, Ala., began writing a column for an Auburn football website.

Charlotte Lee of Pinson, Ala., began writing regularly for the Pinson News, covering church and senior events. She also wrote articles for The Pioneer (the Jefferson State Community College newspaper).

Marlaine Peachey of Mandeville, La., had articles published in Living Magazine and Sophisticated Woman Magazine. Her book, Grace Through the Storm, was published by Xulon Publishing.

Brian Reaves of Pell City, Ala., had his Christian suspense novel, Stolen Lives, published by River Oak Publishers.

Linda Roberts of Starkville, Miss., had a number of letters published in the Starkville Daily News. She also wrote an article for the newspaper and writes a bi-monthly newsletter for Sunset Bible Studies.

Jim Rooks of Sulligent, Ala., had an article published in the Tombigbee Country Magazine.

Nan Sugg of Jackson, Miss., had a children’s picture book, Erin and Katrina, published. It is about the hurricane as viewed by one child many miles from the Gulf Coast.

Pat Taylor of Hueytown, Ala., formed the SonShine Writers Group, a group of Christian writers from her area that meets monthly for breakfast, share time, and writing together. The group’s motto is “Writing to Give Others Hope.”

2007 Writing Contest Rules

More Registration Information

Need a Place to Stay? Lodging Information

LODGING

Lodging is available in a variety of motels.

Rates: The first number in the list below is for single rooms; the second is for doubles.

Rates are quoted as of April 2007. You should confirm rates with the motel.

Some motels have AARP and senior discounts.

Add 12% tax to the room rates.

Distances are from the motel to First Baptist Church.

*MASTERS INN — $45-$50 • 4.5 miles • 205-556-2010

MOTEL 6 — $48-$48 • 5 mi. • 205-759-4942

*America’s Best Value Inn — $49-$49 • 4.5 mi. • 205-556-7950

*MICROTEL— $50-$55 • 9 mi. • 205-556-1555

*ECONOLODGE INN — $51-$67 • 5.1 mi. • 205-345-1434

*BEST VALUE INN — $52-$52 • 4.5 mi. • 205-556-7950

*GUEST LODGE — $52-$58 • 4.5 mi. • 205-553-1550

*SUPER 8 — $54-$63 • 4.7 mi. • 205-758-8878

*ECONOLODGE (Northport) — $54-$63 • 3.4 mi. • 205-330-0345

*RAMADA INN — $56-$72 • 4.5 mi. • 205-759-4431

*DAYS INN — $57-$78 • 5 mi. • 205-759-5000

*BEST WESTERN (Northport) — $60-$75 • 3.4 mi. • 205-339-5200

*BEST WESTERN Park Plz — $68-$68 • 4.7 mi. • 205-556-9690

*QUALITY INN — $67-$80 • 5.1 mi. • 205-759-9878

Sleep Inn — $68-$75 • 8 mi. • 205-556-5696

Home-towne Suites — $71-$89 • 3.8 mi. • 205-553-3828

*LA QUINTA — $74-$80 • 4.7 mi. • 205-349-3270

*FAIRFIELD INN — $79-$79 • 3.9 mi. • 205-366-0900

*JAMESON INN — $80-$80 • 3.4 mi. • 205-345-5024

HOWARD JOHNSON — $80-$80 • 7 mi. • 205-469-1500

*COMFORT INN — $80-$95 • 9 mi. • 205-556-3232

*COUNTRY INN — $84-$84 • 4.9 mi. • 205-345-9999

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT — $89-$110 • 3.9 mi. • 205-750-8384

*Holiday Inn Express — $113-$119 • 3.8 mi. • 205-464-4000

FOUR POINTS (Sheraton) $120-$140 • 2.9 mi. • 205-752-3200

* NOTE: These motels provide a free continental breakfast

SCWC Workshop Location