Great Opportunity for Catholic Writers to Share Writing, Faith

Every year, the Catholic Writers Guild hosts it's conference in conjunction with the Catholic Marketing Network.  I didn't get to go for a couple of years, and I've missed it.  This year, I'm going again--with my Daddy, yay!  If you are Catholic and a writer and looking for a conference that not only teaches you wonderful writing and marketing skills and gives you a chance to pitch to Catholic publishers, but also gives you a chance to share your faith with enthusiastic, like-minded people, read on! (Or jump to http://catholicwritersconference.com and register. Registration costs $80 for CWG members, $85 for non-members and $45 for students. There's also a discounted combined membership. )

Prominent Catholic Writers to Speak at CWG’s Catholic Writers Conference in New Jersey

Several prominent Catholic writers will speak at the fifth annual Catholic Writers’ Conference LIVE taking place August 7-9, 2013, at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, NJ. Sponsored by the Catholic Writer’s Guild and the Catholic Marketing Network (CMN), and held in conjunction with CMN’s annual retailer trade show, the Catholic Writers Conference LIVE provides Catholic writers with a prime opportunity to meet and share their faith with editors, publishers, fellow writers, and bookstore owners from across the globe. The theme of this year's conference is “The Year of Faith.”

Speakers at this year’s conference include authors Patti Armstrong (STORIES FOR THE HOMESCHOOL HEART), Teresa Tomeo (Ave Maria Radio, WRAPPED UP, EXTREME MAKEOVER), Michelle Buckman (RACHEL’S CONTRITION, MY BEAUTIFUL DISASTER), Randy Hain (THE INTEGRATED CATHOLIC LIFE), Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle (EWTN, CATHOLIC PRAYER BOOK FOR MOTHERS), Ellen Gable Hrkach (STEALING JENNY), Regina Doman (RAPUNZEL LET DOWN), author, blogger and podcaster Pat Gohn (BLESSED, BEAUTIFUL, AND BODACIOUS) and many others.

The conference will give authors an opportunity to meet personally with publishing professionals and pitch their writing projects. Some participating publishers are Ignatius Press, Full Quiver Publishing, Ave Maria Press, Christus Publishing, Tuscany Press and Servant Books.  In addition, attendees have the opportunity to sign up for critique workshop with award-wining short fiction writer Arthur Powers, and attend a writing workshop with award-winning novelist Michelle Buckman. Information for these events can be found on the conference web site.

Maurice Prater of Missionaries of the Holy Family attended in 2012, and he says he did not know what to expect at first. “But, what I gained from attending the Catholic Writers Conference, in terms of personal contacts and what I learned, has proven to be one of the best decisions I have ever made." Author Ann Frailey, concurs. “I met writers, publishers, artists and a whole host of other people whose mission it is to transmit the message of truth and hope to the world in a living, vibrant manner.  It was an exciting adventure!”

The Catholic Writers Guild, a religious non-profit organization affiliated with the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, sponsors this conference in August, an online conference in March, and a writers' retreat in October to further its mission of promoting Catholic literature. "With members all over North America, these events bring our diverse membership together for fellowship and networking to promote our mission of creating a rebirth of Catholic arts and letters," says CWG President and award-winning novelist Ellen Gable Hrkach.

Registration costs $80 for CWG members, $85 for non-members and $45 for students. There's also a discounted combined membership. To register or for more information, go to http://www.catholicwritersconference.com.

Why Attend the Catholic Writers' Conference Online?

This post is for Catholics and writers.  If that's not you, you're welcome to read on and please share with your Catholic writing friends.

The Catholic Writers Conference Live is Aug 7-9 in Sommerset, NJ.  It's an awesome opportunity to learn from other writers, share your faith, and even pitch your Catholic book. A friend asked for some more information about what the conference is like, so I thought I'd share my response:

The conference has two great aspects: First, it does run like a standard conference, with panels, speakers, workshops, etc. There's a crit group usually (I think you register separate, but that's free with admission), and a chance to pitch your book to Catholic publishers (again, a separate registration, but free with admission.) The speakers are all Catholic and faithful, though not every discussion is necessarily Catholic focused so much as writing and marketing focused.

The second great thing is we share with the Catholic Marketing Network, which means with the conference, you get admission to the trade show. There you can meet Catholic vendors of all kinds from all over the world. They are there mostly to cater to bookstore/gift shop owners, but some sell the stock there (on the last day, they cut prices of their stuff so they don't have to take it home, and some even give things away.) However, you have the perfect chance to talk to publishers informally, plus religious orders, producers of education programs and audio books, and other wonderful people who may need a writer. We've had several folks find writing jobs just by chatting to folks on the show floor. Also, CWG members with SOA approved books can do signings and there are interview opportunities. EWTN is there, as are other radio and tv stations, and they sometimes have empty time to fill--just go up and ask.


Registration costs $80 for CWG members, $85 for non-members and $45 for students. It's worht every penny!  There's also a discounted combined membership. To register or for more information, go to http://www.catholicwritersconference.com.