Aspiring writers and new authors you don't want to miss this...

This is a long post, but well worth the read if you've got a book inside of you!

Taking It To The Next Level In 2009
Virtual Fiction Writers Conference
“Coming to a computer and telephone near you!”

Thursday, April 16, 2009 – Saturday, April 18, 2009

$50 Registration Fee Includes All Sessions!

We’re back with our second annual Virtual Writers Conference Faith Based Fiction Writers of Atlanta, formerly Visions in Print Writers Group is raising money to award a college scholarship to a Class of 2009 high school student. We invite you to attend a not-to-be-missed Virtual Writers Conference. We’re offering seven workshops and teleconferences sessions with top selling authors and industry experts that will help you improve your writing and/or market your current work.

Virtual Workshops

Linda Leigh Hargrove

Description: Making it Real and Keeping It Relevant

Create a richly textured world that captures your reader. Learn how to add effective detail to your writing so that the reader goes on a visual and physical journey with you.

Linda’s BIO: Linda Leigh Hargrove blends suspense, humor, and faith into compelling stories about race and class in America. Her writings include two novels: The Making of Isaac Hunt (June 2007) and Loving Cee Cee Johnson (September 2008). The former environmental engineer currently resides in North Carolina with her husband and three sons where she designs Web sites when she’s not writing. She blogs at 17seeds.com and UrbanFaith.com. Her website is http://www.lindaleighhargrove.com/

Pamela Samuels-Young
How to Keep Readers Turning the Pages: A Lesson in Pacing

What is pacing? Pacing is moving your story forward smoothly. It’s a critical craft component of a well written novel. Learn how to get your groove and keep it, so you keep your readers.

Pamela’s BIO: When attorney and author Pamela Samuels Young isn’t practicing law, you can usually find her penning her next legal thriller. Described by one reviewer as “John Grisham with a sister’s twist!” Pamela is the Essence best-selling author of four legal thrillers. Pamela’s debut novel, Every Reasonable Doubt (2006), won the Black Expressions Book Club’s Fiction Writing Contest, received an honorable mention in the SEAK Legal Fiction Writing Competition and was a finalist for USA Book News’ Best Books of 2006 awards in the mystery, suspense and thriller category. In Firm Pursuit (2007) was honored by Romantic Times magazine as a finalist for Best African-American Novel of 2007. Murder on the Down Low (2008) was an “Editor’s Pick” by Black Expressions magazine and was also featured on the cover of Publisher’s Weekly. Her next novel, Buying Time will be released in November 2009. You may find out more about Pamela at her website http://www.pamelasamuelsyoung.com/

Tiffany L. Warren a.k.a. Nikki Carter
Writing the Young Adult Novel

Tiffany Warren will teach you how to write for the young adult market. Give you tips for engaging young readers with a hip voice. She’ll also share marketing tips to reach the younger market.

Tiffany’s BIO: Tiffany L. Warren, author of What a Sista Should Do, Farther than I Meant to Go, Longer than I Meant to Stay and The Bishop's Daughter ( January 2009), has long been a favorite in Women’s Fiction, but she’s released her first teen fiction book, Step To This, under the pen name, Nikki Carter. Tiffany is also the founder of the annual Faith and Fiction Retreat to be held this year in Orlando, Florida http://www.faithandfictionretreat.com/ The retreat allows readers and bookclubs to come together in a spirit of sisterhood and to get up-close-and- personal with their favorite Christian Fiction Authors. Tiffany can be reached at her website http://www.tiffanylwarren.com/ or www.myspace.com/authornikkicarter

ReShonda Tate Billingsley
What It Takes To Make a Bestseller

Ever wonder how some authors make it to the bestseller list, while others don’t? Find out ReShonda Tate Billingsley’s method for success. This is the tele-conference you don’t want to miss. Register early and pre-submit your burning questions on the topic.

ReShonda’s BIO: ReShonda Tate Billingsley is a national bestselling author with more than sixteen books under publication including her most recent adult novel, Can I Get a Witness and teen novel, Friends 'Til the End. Her other projects include the #1 Essence Magazine Bestselling Book, Let the Church Say Amen, the bestselling sequel Everybody Say Amen, and the national bestseller I Know I’ve Been Changed (all of which are currently being made into movies where she will serve as Executive Producer). She is also the author of the multiple Essence bestseller, The Pastor's Wife and five other teen inspirational novels in the Good Girlz Series, as well as her non-fiction title, Help! I’ve Turned into my Mother. She has won numerous awards for her journalism, fiction and poetry writing skills, including an international honor as Best New Author from The Black Writer's Alliance and she is a five time winner of the National Association of Black Journalists Spirit in the Words competition. Let the Church Say Amen was voted best Christian Fiction book of 2004 by the Library Journal. ReShonda’s upcoming projects include The Devil is a Lie (July 7, 2009) and the teen book, Caught up in the Drama. She also has a book of poetry called Something to Say: Poetry to Motivate the Mind. You may find out more about ReShonda at her website http://www.reshondatatebillingsley.com/

Dee Stewart

The Business of Book Events

Learn insider secrets on how to book promotional, sales events/speaking engagements for your book.

Dee’s BIO: Dee Stewart is the owner of Dee Gospel PR Company, http://www.deestewart.com/. She is a one stop author source: editor, publicist, book marketing consultant, the Atlanta satellite for Mocha Readers Books, an Essence Magazine Reporting bookseller, and for the past three years she’s served as a Christy’s Book Awards Judge. Her writing has appeared in: Gospel Today, Precious Times, Anointed, Hope for Women, Rejoice Atlanta, Romantic Times, Spirit Led Woman, Mosaic Literary Journal, Atlanta Christian Family and Spirit Led Writer to name a few. Dee is also the owner of Christian Fiction Blog http://www.christianfiction.blogspot.com/ , a syndicated blog that highlights Christian publishing, gospel music and plays and movies. The blog gets over 10,000 hits a month.

Vanessa Miller

Independent Publishing: Who, Why and How to Get It Done Yourself

Special - 2 Hour Tele-Conference
Thinking about self-publishing your novel? Learn who should self-publish and why. Also learn the technical A-B-C’s of how to get it done, marketing and sales.

Vanessa’s BIO: Vanessa Miller is the multi-published author of the Rain Series and the Storm Series. The books in the Rain Series are: Former Rain, Abundant Rain, and Latter Rain. The books in the Storm Series are: Rain Storm and Through The Storm. These books have received rave reviews, winning Best Christian Fiction Awards and topping numerous Bestseller’s lists, including Essence and Black Expressions. Vanessa self-published her first three books; then in 2006 she signed a five-book deal with Urban Christian/Kensington. She is currently working on the Live Right or Die Trying Series. The books in this series, although they can be categorized as suspense thrillers, will still have elements of God’s redemptive power throughout the stories. She is also preparing the stage production for the Former Rain novel. You may learn more about Vanessa at her website http://www.vanessamiller.com/

Tia McCollors
Sentence C.P.R. – "Resuscitate your sentences....bring life into your writing"

Covers the following topics:* Description (General vs. Specific Words)* Action: Replacing weak adverbs with strong verbs* Emotion* Sensory images: Using 5 senses and the "sixth sense"* Using beats and engaging dialogue

Tia’s BIO: Bestselling author Tia McCollors entices the taste buds of her readers with a sweet blend of faith and fiction in her inspirational novels, A Heart of Devotion (January 2005), Zora’s Cry (June 2006) and The Truth About Love (March 2008). The Last Woman Standing (Sept 2009). In addition to being a novelist, Tia is an inspirational speaker and instructor for writing workshops. In 2006, Tia was voted as the Breakout Author of the Year by the Open Book Awards of the African American Literary Awards Show and was honored to be featured in the 2006 edition of Who’s Who In Black Atlanta. As a founding author with the Anointed Authors On Tour , (AAOT) she has teamed with six other award-winning, best-selling authors of Christian fiction and non-fiction. Together, they have committed to write and publish integrity-based literature, touring as a testament to the power of using their gifts and talents for God's glory. In addition to AAOT, Tia is a member the American Christian Fiction Writers(ACFW). You may find out more about Tia at her website http://www.tiamccollors.com/

Conference Host - Dana Pittman of Nia Promotions

How a Virtual Conference Works: A virtual conference is a conference hosted on the Internet and by telephone. Participants can attend without leaving the comfort of their home.

Who it is for: This conference is for anyone who is writing fiction, particularly those who have an understanding of basic writing and want to take their craft and marketing/promotion to the next level.

How You Will Participate: You register for the conference at http://fbfwritersofatlanta.eventbrite.com/ A few days before the conference you’ll receive instructions on how to enter the main site for the conference. On the day of the conference, the workshops are presented in the forms of articles that are posted on the conference site by the workshop presenter. Participants will review the material and post questions or comments in a threaded discussion format. The presenter will come into the forum and answer all questions. Additionally, each workshop presenter will hold a live tele-conference. (Questions for the live tele-conference may be pre-submited until the close of registration. )

Door prizes: All registered participants who are interested will be entered in a raffle to win a 5-page critique from Legacy Editing Service. Three critiques will be given away. Plus books and more.

Don't miss out on the learning or the fun! Contact us at fbfwriters@yahoo.com with questions.

*** All teleconferences will be held in the evening beginning at 7 p.m. and 8:15/8:30 p.m. eastern standard time. Saturday sessions will be held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. eastern standard time.

Normal telephone charges will apply.

All sessions will be available for purchase after the conference barring no technical issues.