Upcoming Christian Writer's Gathering

Summer vacation officially starts tomorrow morning at 4:45 a.m. when the alarm does NOT go off! Yippee...I was excited on Friday when we counted down the last seconds of our work day in the main office yet tomorrow is the true beginning. I have made the most of my weekend as you know - cleaning, organizing, painting, and returning items to their proper homes.  As of tomorrow morning, I have a new full-time job!

Labor Day through June 25th ish...I work full-time as Lisa Buske, Teacher's Assistant and part-time as Lisa M. Buske, writer. As of tomorrow morning I will spend my summer working full-time as Lisa M. Buske, writer. I'm so excited and looking forward the revising, writing, and rewriting I can accomplish this summer. I am registered for a Christian Writer's Gathering July 7 - 9 at the Delta Lake Bible Conference Center in Rome, New York. I'm thankful for God's leading for me to attend this gathering last year as it has sparked a wonderful journey this year.

For more inforation about this great opportunity - visit:
http://fromconcepttocontract.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/UpstateNYChrWriters2011-b.pdf

I entered Delta Lake with my original manuscript in my bag in hopes of learning if finishing this book was part of God's plan for my life and if He wanted me writing. God answered my prayers loud and clear. I learned so much in a few short days and spent the remainder of the summer working to implement the marketing aspects of becoming a professional writer and started digging in to the revisions of my book. Less than twenty-four hours of returning home I had established my first website and blog (with the help of my then eleven-year-old daughter) and hoped to understand how it all worked before returning to school. 

I've spoken at Cayuga Community College about writing, presented to the Oswego Reading Council about writing and my book writing, I've taken classes to improve my writing, joined a writers group (which I love), and have a writing accountability partner that I meet with weekly. God is working mightily in my life...a living testimony of Ephesians 3:20-21.

In addition to attending the Christian Writer's Gathering at Delta Lake, I'm hoping to attend the Christian Writer's conference in Philadelphia in August. I'm still praying and budgeting this one. :)

I submitted my book proposal to an agent at the beginning of April. July 1st marks eight weeks since my submission, so I should be hearing back from her soon. I know God opened the door and I trust Him. If this is the agent He has for me then her response will be one of acceptance. If this isn't the agent God has planned for me, then her response will state that also. Either way...my nails are shorter as I await July 1st! :)

I submitted a revised book proposal to a publisher this month and should hear back from them mid-July. God used a wonderful friend and writer to open this door so I trust Him as I await their response. He opened the doors...I walked through.

I have another publisher who contacted me in January interested in reviewing my book proposal too. I have been waiting to submit it to them as per their website and also want to wait to hear from the first publisher I submitted to. In addition to this publisher, I learned through a wonderful lady and new friend there might be some other publishers I could submit my proposal to this summer. Oh my goodness...

For these and many other reasons I encourage you writers out there...attend a conference. You can start small and work your way up, the important thing is to start! I'm amazed at the friends, writers, and connections I've made since last July. Open the door and an adventure of a lifetime...writing for God!

Lisa :)