by Molly Noble Bull
There are writing conferences, and then there are writing conferences. In my opinion, there are none better than an ACFW conference, if you’re looking for fun and Christian friendship as well as the knowledge of writing one obtains from attending ACFW conferences, and I would love to attend this year. However, unless I sell another novel real quick, I cannot justify the cost – especially in this economy. And I haven’t sold a novel in a long time.
My novel below is titled Sanctuary, and it did fairly well when it came out in 2007.
Sanctuary won the 2008 Gayle Wilson Award for Excellence in the Inspirational category, and it also tied for first place in the 2008 Winter Rose Contest. Both for published authors.
Not only that, my publisher promised that Sanctuary would be Book One in a series of three long historical novels, and my publisher presented me with even more good news. They gave me three more book contracts for a total of six contracts in all. The bad news was that my publisher went out of business, and only Sanctuary came out in book form.
But things got even worse.
At that point, I might have stopped writing fiction all together. After all, I had a monthly column in a local newspaper and wrote for several blogs. Wasn’t that enough to keep my writing juices flowing?
Did I truly think I would suddenly start selling again after all this time?
I was ancient history. Right?
If I’d never attended an ACFW conference, I might have believed that. I might have concentrated on becoming a better journalist. I might even have turned my computer into a vehicle for playing solitaire and other games and given up writing completely.
But ACFW rocks.
They encouraged me to keep writing fiction, convincing me that I am a part of the future of ACFW and the publishing industry. Not the past.
And even if I am unable to attend the ACFW Conference this year, I’ll be there in spirit, a cheerleader and a prayer warrior for all those who attend.
Please leave a comment. I would like to know what encourages you.
And if you've been wanting to rent movies from Netflix but don’t know how to get started, read on.
And if you've been wanting to rent movies from Netflix but don’t know how to get started, read on.
10 comments:
I'm pretty sure I'm going this year. I went last year & really enjoyed myself, but I don't think I got as much out of the conf as I should have. If I can get an affordable airfare, I think I'll try again. I'll decide in a week or two. What would encourage me most is a good word from an editor. Need a creative boost right now.
I'm glad you are going to ACFW this summer, Teresa. You will enjoy it and learn a lot.
Love,
Molly
Writers' conferences have always proven a HUGE encourgement to me. If it had not been for writers' conferences, I doubt I'd be published today. Teresa, it'll be awesome if you could go this year. Like Molly, it's hard for me to justify the cost unless I sell a book VERY QUICKLY!!
Thanks for writing Teresa and Cecelia. Writing is a tough business but fun. Always.
Love,
Molly
I want to go the ACFW Conference but it's going to have to wait for another year. I'll be moving this summer. However, I plan on joining the ACFW local chapter in my new city.
Good for you, Brandi. ACFW is a wonderful organization.
Love,
Molly
Molly, I was just looking at the Gale Wilson Awards and saw you listed for 2008. I adored Sanctuary and have been wondering when your the next in the series would be coming out. So I thought I'd come see you here at Writer's Rest and look what you have posted!
I'm so sorry, I did not know about your publisher going out of business. Do they still hold the copyright to Sanctuary? Perhaps it can be re-released at some point.
But as you said, the Lord has your future in mind and He will determine your steps. Please don't give up on writing fiction. You are such a blessing and there are so many of us who want to read more.
Blessings,
Carla
Carla brings up a good point, Molly! Since Tsaba House is out of business, technically, I don't think they have the rights to your story any longer? Maybe you can talk to your agent about this, but, you should re-release your book as an
e-book. Lots of authors are doing that with their backlist titles.
I notice that Harlequin is slowly but surely re-releasing ALL of their backlist titles as e-books. Your Winter Pearl was re-released, so, I'm assuming your old Love Inspired titles will be re-released at some point as an e-book. My 2005 Love Inspired was just re-released as an e-book last March.
What a delightful post, Molly. I am enjoying the comments, too. ACFW is indeed a great conference!
Carla,
Your sweet comments really cheered me up. Thanks mucho.
Yours, too, Cecelia.
And I want to give a special thanks to my agent, Tamela Hancock Murray, who stood beside me through thick and thin.
Love to All of You,
Molly
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