Next Meeting for Portland ACFW

The next meeting of the ACFW Portland Chapter will be on Monday, February 16. We are so pleased to have Sandra Bishop, agent with the Chip MacGregor Agency. This will be a great time to learn from an agent associated with a well known literary agency.

Please come around 6:30 pm to socialize and snack. Sandra will speak at 7 pm.

SOMETHING NEW AND EXCITING!!! Starting with our February meeting, we are implementing a wonderful new "twist" to our meetings. Each ACFW Portland Chapter member will be eligible to win a weekend Beach retreat at Lincoln City. The winner will be drawn at the end of the calendar year (our last meeting of the year.)

How do you win this stay in a four bedroom beach house with a view? Everyone who attends any given meeting will recieve a slip of paper to enter. Also, everyone who brings a snack will receive an entry slip. Whenever you buy a book from our used book fund-raiser, you will earn a chance as well. So, the more you attend, bring snacks, and buy books, the more chances you have to win the stay in Lincoln City!

More information about the raffle and the beach house will be available at the February 16th meeting. Come join us and get your first entry! Bring a snack and get a second one!

That brings me to snacks. Who is willing to bring snacks for the February meeting? Please let me know if you can help, and what you plan to bring. Thank you!

DIRECTIONS TO VANCOUVER CHURCH OF CHRIST

Here are the directions: (listed two times with a little different language)

From I-205 North, take exit 32 (toward Battleground)

East on NE Padden Parkway

North on NE 94th Ave

West on NE 86th St

To get to the church,

follow I-205 to the Padden Parkway exit

and go east on Padden. Turn left at the 94th Ave light, then take the

first left and turn left again into the church parking lot.

Thank you, and see you on February 16,
The Board, Miralee, Cheryl and Camille

New Book Releases

Love Finds You In Last Chance, California

Miralee Ferrell's newest release just hit the shelves. You can find it on Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, BarnesandNoble.com, or most Christian bookstores. It's also being carried at Borders, Barnes and Noble, Sam's Club, and select WalMart stores. Here's a short summary.

It's 1877 and Alexia Travers is alone in the world. Her father has died unexpectedly, leaving her burdened with a heavily mortgaged horse ranch. Marrying one of the town's all-too-willing bachelors would offer an easy solution, but Alex has no interest in marriage. Instead, she dons men's trousers and rides the range, determined to make the ranch a success on her own.

But despite Alex's best efforts, everything seems to go wrong: ranch hands quit, horses are stolen, and her father's gold goes missing. Alex is at her wit's end when wrangler Justin Phillips arrives in Last Chance with his young son, looking for a job. But there seems to be more to Justin's story than he's willing to share. Will Alex ever be able to trust him? More importantly, will the independent woman finally learn to depend on God?

First Annual IdaHope Writer's Conference

Writing with joy, in humility, to encourage

Register Online for the Idahope Writers 2009 Conference or...download a registration form here. The early bird rate has been extended for anyone who signs-up for a 2009 membership to IDAhope Writers for a total of $65.

Full scholarships now available. Send your request to ameuser@cableone.net

Dates:
January 30-31

Location:
New Creation Fellowship5707 Castle Dr.Boise, ID 83703
(Near Chinden and Veteran's Memorial Parkway) View Map

Offering:
Classes, Contests, Critiques

Speakers:
Author, Robin Lee Hatcher
Author, Jeannie St. John Taylor *
Author/Editor, Jill Williamson
*Sorry, Jeannie St. John Taylor will not be able to attend, but in her place an editor from Pacific Press will be avalable. (Jeannie St. John Taylor will be avalable for phone appointments if children's writers want to get a critique from her)

Conference Schedule
Friday Night
5:30 Registration
6:00 Welcome/Worship
6:30 Panel of Guest Speakers
7:00 Keynote Speaker
8:00 Dessert/Contest Awards

Saturday
8:00 Welcome/Worship
8:30 Keynote Speaker
9:45 Breakout Session #1
11:00 Breakout Session #2
12:30 Lunch
1:30 Book Signing
2:00 Critiques/Appointments
3:45 Keynote Speaker
5:00 Raffle/Giveaways/Closing

My (Jill's) workshops are:
Fiction for Young Adults
Delve into the mind of a teenager as we take a look at what makes young adult fiction work. Learn to create engaging characters, intriguing plots, edge-of-your-seat pacing, and that unique voice that will appeal to this generation of readers.

Creating a Realistic Sci/Fi/Fantasy Storyworld
What sets science fiction and fantasy novels apart from other genres is the storyworld they take place in. In order to be successful in this genre, you need to create a believable and captivating storyworld. We’ll learn how to create a unique world from scratch including maps, cities, people and beasts, magic, and how to follow the laws of the land you create. All this will help you create a more engaging story.

Advanced Praise for Jill's New Book, By Darkness Hid

I'm so excited about the feedback I've been getting, I wanted to share. Here are two of my favorite endorsements for my medieval fantasy novel that's coming out APril 1, 2009 from Lord Press. Yay!

You can see the other endorsements here: http://jillwilliamson.wordpress.com/the-blood-of-kings/

“I love a good fantasy, and By Darkness Hid more than fills the bill. With an unpredictable plot, twists of supernatural ability, and finely crafted tension between the forces of good and evil, Jill Williamson’s book had me captivated. I jumped into the skin of the heroine and enjoyed her journey as if it were my own.”

–Donita K. Paul, author of the Dragon Keeper Chronicles: DragonSpell, DragonQuest, DragonKnight, DragonFire, and DragonLight.


“Jill Williamson is a major arrival. She presents characters full of mystery, and leaves room for plenty of further exploration. By Darkness Hid is a fast-paced addition to the world of swords and sorcery, using a backdrop of political and spiritual intrigue to heighten the tension. When readers begin lining up for the sequel, you'll find me at the front of the line.”

–Eric Wilson, author of Field of Blood and Haunt of Jackals

Welcome to Portland ACFW

We're so glad you've decided to join us here at the brand new site for the Portland chapter of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).

We're a group of just over a dozen writers, some published, a couple just starting out, and several pre-published authors. Our focus is on developing our craft and fellowship with like-minded people. Our meetings are typically on the 2nd or 3rd Monday evening of every other month, beginning at 6:30 and ending at 8:30. We hope you'll consider joining us as we listen to a variety of quality speakers, including multi published author, literary agents, editors, publicists and more.

Please drop us an email at Portlandacfw@gmail.com if you'd like to know more. And of course, check back here often as several of our members will be posting writing articles, sharing sucesses in their writing life, or updating info for the next meeting.

Blessings! Miralee Ferrell
www.miraleeferrell.com