CONFERENCE SCENE
1 Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference
Connect with kindred spirits and top industry professionals at this long-running conference held in California’s Santa Cruz mountains.
April 3–7, 2020. Mount Hermon Conference Center, Felton, Calif. Registration is based on lodging preference: $1,200 for standard adult quad occupancy; more for deluxe rooms or triple, double, or single occupancy; less for dorms. Discounts available for teens, college students, and groups. “For more than 50 years, we have provided an atmosphere of camaraderie and encouragement for writers in a deeply inspirational setting,” Conference Director Kathy Ide says. “Trails, streams, and lush spring foliage envelop the conference hub, and indoor and outdoor prayer labyrinths will refresh the soul when the mind feels overwhelmed by all the teaching and networking opportunities.” 350–400. Novelists Charles Martin (); Deborah Raney (); James L. Rubart (); Karen Ball (); literary agents Nick Harrison (WordServe Literary); Adria Goetz (Martin Literary); Cynthia Ruchti (Books & Such); Karen Neumair (Credo Communications); editors Marilyn Jansen (Worthy/Hachette); Misty M. Beller (Wild Heart Books); publishers Linda Howard (Tyndale House Publishers); John Herring (Iron Stream Media); screenwriters Bob Sáenz; Jeff Willis; copyright/trademark attorney Kelley A. Way; many others. A three-day preconference (April 1–3) featuring small-group mentoring clinics led by well-published fiction and nonfiction authors is an additional fee, also based on lodging choice. Main conference mentoring clinics are an additional $80 each. Free services include unlimited one-on-one appointments with faculty and a review or critique of up to two writing samples submitted before the conference. Sessions include a teen track, career growth track, and professional writers track, and fun activities include a Monday evening award ceremony followed by an autograph party with live jazz. Challenge yourself on Sunday afternoon by taking advantage of the on-site rope course and Redwood canopy tour zip line, discounted for conference attendees.
