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Turning Personal Experiences into Parables: Writing Devotions for Impact ,by Eddie Jones & Cindy Sproles

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Have you ever wished you could write a devotion but didn’t know how? Do you feel as though God is calling you to a writing ministry but you’re not sure how to begin? “When you write for God, and you really mean it… your work may never show up on the shelves at Lifeway. It may never find its way into bound print at all. But when you write for God, when you write with the heart of a servant…you may find that your words are only meant for the guy sitting next to you. If you can accept this…live with it…grasp it…then you can write for God as a ministry.” – Alton Gansky

In Turning Personal Experiences into Parables: Writing Devotions for Impact, you will learn how to write devotions for church newsletters, periodicals, websites and books. A devotional ministry can complement the advancement of a building campaign, mission work and church projects. Learn how to draw readers in with the “Hook, Book, Look, Took” method: a time-tested technique used by best-selling authors. See how to “Write From Your Wound to Their Pain,” craft stories with the authority, speak as a prophet of God, discover your writing ministry, learn the six key secrets every successful writer knows, and much more.

For some, a devotion may be their only Bible for the day, so learn how to touch hearts, teach His Word and change lives.

Scott’s day job has him formulating polyurethane systems for Innovative Polymers of St. Johns, Michigan.  He has performed various duties within this company for over 22 years and his vast knowledge of chemistry helps answer technical questions and steer new programs in the right direction. At home, Scott is the father of five children.  He has been married to his wife Renee for almost 20 years and he leads a Family Integrated Church in the mid Michigan area.  He enjoys writing devotions, throwing Frisbees, fishing and following baseball and football.      Assistant Acquisitions Editor Edie Melson is a freelance writer and editor with over 16 years experience in the publishing industry. She’s a prolific writer, publishing over 700 articles in 2010. She also has a popular writing blog (www.thewriteconversation.blogspot.com) and is a frequent contributor to many others. In keeping up with the leading edge of all things digital Edie has become known as one of the go-to experts on Twitter, Facebook, and social media for writers wanting to learn how to plug in. Her bestselling eBook on this subject, Social Media Marketing for Writers, is available on Kindle and Nook. As a sought after writing instructor, her heart to help others define and reach their dreams has connected her with writers all over the country. She’s the Co-Director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and Southwest Christian Writers Studio, as well as a popular faculty member at numerous others. Fighting Fear, Winning the War at Home, is one of Edie’s latest projects. This devotional book for those with family members in the military will debut 2011 with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas http://www.christiandevotionsbooks.com/. She’s a member of numerous professional writing organizations, including The Christian Pen, The Christian Writer’s View I and ACFW. She’s also an assistant copy editor for the Voices E-zine, a publication of My Book Therapy and a part of the My Book Therapy Special Teams Blog. Married 30 years to husband, Kirk, they have raised three sons.   Cindy Scinto is Editor of our teen site, iBegat.com. Cindy has been featured in many newspaper articles, on NBC news shows, and her story is chronicled and reported on numerous Websites and in publications across the country. Her college degree in journalism and frequent writing contributions for various publications such as local and national newspapers, and ministry newsletters, gives her a well-balanced understanding and marketability edge in the writing arena. Awards earned include The Donna Goodrich Award presented by the American Christian Writer’s and The Roaring Lamb Award presented by the Amy Foundation. Cindy is as comfortable in front of a camera and microphone, as speaking for various types of venues has afforded her ample experience. Married with a son attending college, she is also an active advocate for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign and The Living Legacy’s Donate Life program on
organ donation awareness. Her website address is www.cindyscinto.com.   Michelle Medlock Adams is Associate Editor of our teen site, iBegat.com. An award-winning journalist, Michelle has written for “American Cheerleader” “Sweet 16!” and “Brio,” plus many other magazines. She is the author of 43 books including her tween and teen titles, No Boys Allowed! (Zonderkidz) and Secrets of Beauty (Barbour). In addition, she was a contributing author to Daily Grace for Teens (David C. Cook) and a ghostwriter for 101 Things You Should Do Before You Graduate (Faithwords). www.michellemedlockadams.com   Publicity Director, Kathy Carlton Willis, is an editor, publicist, book doctor, and fouder of Kathy Carlton Willis Communications. Her goal is to help get the word out about the work of writers, speakers, and conferences.She passionately seeks creative ways to get her clients media attention. Kathy also “gets jazzed” serving as a speaker/ singer for faith-based and secular groups, as well as writers’ conferences.Kathy will deliver the keynote address “Reinventing Life in the Middle: You Can Survive a ‘Do Over’ and Live to Tell About It.” She will also lead a Wednesday through Friday continuing morning workshop for advanced writers titled “Shine On! and individual sessions on “What’s God Got To Do with It? Following God’s Direction in Your Writing Career,” and “You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover.”   Phyllis Qualls Freeman heads our prayer team. Each week she contacts our prayer warriors to lift up the needs of this ministry.  

Our Board Members

Ann Tatlock is a novelist, an annual faculty member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, and a co-director, along with Yvonne Lehman, of the Honored Authors of the Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival. Her books have received numerous awards, including the Christy Award and the Silver Angel Award from Excellence in Media. Ann lives with her husband and daughter in Asheville, NC.	Award-winning author, DiAnn Mills, launched her career in 1998 with the publication of her first book. Currently she has over 45 books in print and has sold more than 1.5 million copies. DiAnn believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels.	Yvonne Lehman is an award-winning, best-selling author of 48 novels. She directed the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference for 25 years, is now director of the October Blue Ridge “Autumn in the Mountains” Novel Retreat (www.lifeway.com/novelretreat), co-director with Ann Tatlock of the Honored Authors of the Gideon Media Arts Film Festival and mentor with the Christian Writers Guild. (www.lifeway.com/gideonmediaarts)
Jonathan Clements has worked in the entertainment industry for over 15 years, calling Nashville home for the full term. Although he has an extensive background in the music business, including artist management, development and career consulting, he found his true calling in 2005, beginning working with authors as a literary agent.		Ron Benrey is a highly experienced writer who has written more than a thousand bylined magazine articles and nine published non-fiction books (including “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing Christian Fiction,” published by Penguin Group).. He and his wife Janet have co-authored three mystery novels published by Broadman & Holman, two cozy mysteries published by Barbour Books, and four cozy romantic mysteries for Steeple Hill.