Read Articles About the Conference

Read Articles
About the 2006 Delaware Christian Writers Conference

From Spirit-Led Writer Magazine

Delaware's First Christian Writers Conference for Chocolate Lovers
by Jean Davis

How far would you travel to receive a free box of chocolates—or three days of belly laughs —or instruction that could turn your life around as a Christian writer? Seventy-five people from eight states gathered in the Conference Center at the University of Delaware (DCWC) in Newark to attend the April 20-22, 2006 Delaware Christian Writers Conference directed by John Riddle. Although the chocolate provided by The Squirrels Nest in Middletown, Delaware, was made from all natural ingredients and was delicious, I'm positive the candy and the other free gifts weren't the only draw.

In addition to the chocolate, everyone who attended the conference was given Sally Stuart's 2006 Christian Writers' Market Guide, three free e-books written by DCWC director John Riddle, and the offer of a free website evaluation by BisonWebs. The value of the free gifts totaled $185. The check I wrote for registration was $185, half off the $390 registration fee because I met the ever-extended deadline. On top of that, all meals, including the banquet, were covered in the price of registration. How could I afford not to go?

Workshop Highlights

Ten presenters taught twenty-four classes. Alton Ganksy taught the track on writing fiction and also presented the keynote address in Davis Bunn's absence. On the day he intended to fly from Florida, Bunn went surfing and was bitten by a shark. (See report at DCWC's link below). Other presenters at the conference were John Riddle, Candy Abbott, Vonda Skelton, Marsha Hubler, Jennifer Peterson, Suzanne Hadley, Joyce Hart, Larry Wilder, and Bonnie Ceban.

The classes were excellent, and I often had difficulty choosing between concurrent sessions. Gansky encouraged us to remember we are seldom as good as we think we are, but promised we will be better writers at the end of any book we write than we were at the beginning. In his session, "Writing for the Secular Market," Riddle gave this advice: "Listen to what God is telling you, and listen to those who want to help you." Vonda Skelton listened. In "Opportunities for the Christian Writer," Skelton told us she attended her first writers conference five years ago as an unpublished writer taking notes in Riddle's class. She now has two books and numerous articles in print. She encouraged us to tithe our writing. Skelton said she told God she would write whatever opportunities He gave her, whether she was published or not. Me, too, Lord.

From Suzanne Hadley, Focus on the Family, I came away knowing how to rework rejected children's manuscripts. Author Marsha Hubler gave good advice on how to market books on a shoestring budget. Although I didn't sign up for one-on-one appointments, I heard other attendees remark how valuable they were.

Lodging/Meals

The rooms at the Courtyard Marriott located next to the Conference Center were large and the furnishings elegant. Four of us shared a room, splitting the rate of $129 per night plus tax. I'll not tell who snores. On a scale of 1 to 10, the meals offered at the Conference Center cafeteria ranked right at the top.

Contest Winners

Fifty-two entries competed for the $1,000 first place, $500 second place, and $250 third place prizes offered for the Awards of Excellence Writers Contest. First place winner was Eddie Jones from North Carolina. Second place went to Stephanie Buckwalter from Virginia. Theresa Wilson from Maryland was awarded third place. Though the rest of us didn't go home with cash prizes, everyone who attended was a winner. At each general session, Riddle drew entries for a book give-away. Amazingly, the number of winners coincided with the number of submissions.

Recommendation

If I put on my teacher hat to grade every aspect of this event, John Riddle's Delaware Christian Writers Conference gets all A+s. I would say that, even if five-inch-diameter cookies weren't offered the first day on the welcome table. I came away fully satisfied. I had fun. I was encouraged and built up. I made new friends. And I learned practical ways to get in print.

Comments from attendees posted on the DCWC website call the conference "powerful," "transformational," "encouraging," and "fun." The atmosphere was relaxed and the presenters real. Were the classes effective? I came home and began to write book and conference reviews, magazine articles, letters to editors and to my congressmen. These are activities I never attempted before attending this conference.

Next Year's Conference

The dates for next year's Delaware Christian Writers Conference are April 19, 20 & 21st at the University of Delaware in Newark, forty minutes from the Philadelphia airport. Al Gansky agreed to come back and promised all new workshops and lots more fun. John Riddle is planning new features, and, of course, additional "freebies" he hopes will make the conference experience a great one for everyone who attends. With Riddle's warm sense of humor, creative flair and generous heart, there's no doubt about that happening.