Join us for the 2024 Asheville Christian Writers Conference

February 23, 24, and 25, 2024

REGISTRATION OPENS IN LATE MAY

The Asheville Christian Writers Conference is not a level of writing – it’s a battle cry. God calls us to step up and answer with the best work possible using the talents He has given. We are called together to focus our hearts on the task Christ assigned us . . . to strengthen our ties with one another and hone our craft of writing so we might effectively spread the Word of God through fiction and non-fiction books, screenplays, scripts, articles, and blogs.

ACWC is not a level of writing – it’s a battle cry. Past attendees have gone on to write for:

Inspire A Fire

Christian Devotions

CBN.com

Upper Room

Inspiration.org.

Other attendees have received book contracts from Iron Stream Media, Thomas Nelson, Tyndale, Bold Vision, Elk Lake, and other book publishers.

Benefits
of Attending

One-on-One
Mentoring

Financial
Scholarships

Recent Posts

November Newsletter #2

11/29/2023 12:00:00 PM BY Cindy Sproles

November Newsletter #2

Happy Turkey day a few days late. I wanted to give you time to process the meal!

You know, each year we pray that God will send those who He'd have attend our conference. Our prayer warriors begin praying this pray at the end of each conference. For a full year, they ask God this same thing. I am always amazed at how God shows up. Yearly, my ministry partner, Eddie Jones fusses at me about worrying if the on-campus rooms will fill. When you sign your name to a contract that wields some $40K, it has a tendency to weigh heavy. But this year, I've cut back on my worry. (Though I think Bob Hostetler may disagree - I really have!)

Our family has just been through too much to take on any more. To summarize, the hubs - aka, the Prince, nearly died on me. We spent 10 days at University of Tennessee Medical Center while they tried to repair his two-year-old cancer fix. I was tested for cancer (A-ok there), Tim was hit in the head with a 5 ft metal level at church when he was helping with a walkway cover and ended up in the ER and getting 11 sutures. My brother is dealing with a cancer that has been in remission, and now my sweet niece is undergoing treatment for a rare leukemia at UT Med. It's just been one thing after the next. All that to say, I decided this conference belonged to God and He would manage it. AND HE HAS.

All that to say, those people we prayed to attend - ARE! We only have 2 on-campus rooms available (there could be a couple more, but over all that worry is off my plate). We have 28 total conferee slots available and 26 of those will be off-campus. In other words, we are nearly sold out! Look what happens when God takes the reins.

If you have friends who wish to stay on-campus, tell them to register now. We have plenty of off-campus space which just means they rent their own room at one of the hotels at the foot of the Cove. Those registrations include ALL their meals at the Cove and the conference registration. Pass the word. I'd love to see us completely sold out by mid-December. Oh, did I say we sell out every year? So, continue to pray that God will send those He would have attend.

If you have friends wanting to attend, push them over to our registration page asap. https://ashevillechristianwritersconference.com/registration2023

CLASSES
Most all our classes are listed under classes. You do not have to sign up for classes. We run two tracks and you simple attend the classes you wish to attend. We do recommend staying in a track because you need classes that meet you where you are currently in your writing. You can purchase the mp3's of the full conference and catch the classes you were not able to attend. Our schedule is NOT ready. It's not ready for a reason. Not by my laziness, but that the Cove tends to change our schedule once or twice before we get there. I will fill in classes there but don't count on the times. That will change, I can almost guarantee that. Terri and I tend to do this schedule at least three times before February, so this year we just decided to wait. We'll let you know when the schedule is ready for you to depend on.

VISITORS AND CONFEREES
So, the Cove is a non-profit organization. And though some of you may work or have a non-profit you must understand that their policies are 1) not ours 2) set up by their board, Uncle Sam and their powers that be. They may not be what you think they should be but it is what it is. As an event non-profit, they are required by federal and NC state laws to maintain specific things. The one that is most inconvenient, is that individuals must be registered and attending a conference to stay on-campus. They must account for each person on the premises to fulfil their state and federal mandates that govern their non-profit. This is why even if a husband and wife attend, they must both register and pay as individuals. The Cove is a hotel but it is not a for-profit hotel, so you cannot pay one price for a room and have 4 people share it. Everyone must be accounted for and therefore, they are charged individually. Again, this is not our rules, but how the Cove must maintain their non-profit status. If you have a spouse attending, they must attend some of the conference. We always recommend our general sessions.

The Cove does have personal retreats but they are very limited and there is a cost involved. If your spouse would like to attend, you would need to contact the Cove yourself and ask about the time and cost for a personal retreat. There are stipulations for those retreats. If your spouse choses to do a personal retreat, please let me know so I can still mark them on housing. They will not be able to attend our conference, but they will be on-campus appropriately and their meals are included with their housing in a personal retreat.

We have 119 slots for conferees. In other words, 119 seats in the auditorium on the 3rd floor where we meet. There is no room for visitors. The fire codes allow 119 on the 3rd floor. So we do not encourage you to have folks come meet you at the Cove to visit. We recommend you meet them off campus and visit.

I know you wonder why I offer this information, but each year we have folks who ask the questions about why their spouse has to pay, why can't they join me for meals, or why can't Auntie Em visit? This is why I offer you these explanations.

OUR NEWSLETTERS ARE POSTED ON THE SITE

Also, each newsletter is posted on the website at https://ashevillechristianwritersconference.com/newsletters .
Folks said my newsletters were too long last year so I am giving you links and trusting that you are super dooper enough, to go there and read.
_________________

WHY DO I REPEAT MYSELF?
You will notice that there is repetition in the newsletter. This is because we have new folks signing up weekly. BUT, that doesn't mean you don't read the newsletter, because things change...like our schedule or classes. Updates on mentoring availability and critique availability. Read your news letter.

MENTORING AND CRITIQUES - Our mentoring slots are filling quickly. Terri only has a few left so if you are interested in a 1-hour mentoring session, act quickly. Plus, your mentor will need your work soon so they can study and prepare to mentor you. Visit the mentoring and critiques page and take advantage of this unique opportunity. There is a small cost involved but folks, let me say this, to spend one hour individual time with a professional is worth it's weight in gold. Check out the page for genres, critiquers and mentors, then if you feel like this is for you, do it. Remember the slots fill up quickly so if you want a mentor, decide quickly. You can contact Terri Kelly if you wish to participate. Her email is [email protected] . She will be happy to help you schedule that time and help you get in touch with your mentor. Currently we have Larry Leech, Edie Melson, Linda Gilden, Billy Wayne Arrington, Linda Goldfarb, Tammy Karasek. Also Andrea Merrell and Denise Loock.

Scholarships - Our scholarships have been awarded. We have exhausted our funds. If you feel touched, we always accept donations to help other conferees attend. Contact me at cindy [email protected] if you would like to donate.

Contests - Sparrow Book Award - Sarah Loudin Thomas heads up our book contest and Andrea Merrell is wonderful to help with the devotions contest. Visit the link for information on both of these. Time is ticking down. https://ashevillechristianwritersconference.com/bookcontest

VISIT OUR FACULTY PAGE
Get to know your faculty. Visit us at https://ashevillechristianwritersconference.com/faculty
___________________________

Please pray for this conference. Pray that God will send those He'd have attend. Pray that we are able to be His light into a world that so needs Him. Pray that our staff and faculty are safe, well and ready to serve when February arrives. Pray for good weather and a problem free conference.

One final thing. God has spoken to my heart this summer. He whispered, "Cindy, I AM. I will. I already have. Because I AM who I AM. Do you believe this? I do.

Please, please go to your browser security and mark [email protected] as a safe email. This will assure you that you receive the newsletters.

Cindy Sproles
Director

November 2023 Newsletter

11/1/2023 8:50:00 PM BY Cindy Sproles

November Newsletter

WELL, we're finally beginning to roll! Not that I have an excuse, but let's just say our family has been through a super rough year beginning with my own health scare in February, my husband (aka the Prince) nearly dying on me in July, and the death of my computer and it's files just in the last week. But hey, we come out stronger, right?

All that to say, I am about a month behind on posting to the site. I have spent today updating the site and still have more than enough to do on this tomorrow but hopefully by Friday, everything will be loaded. I am uploading classes right now so you can check what we have listed right now by visiting https://ashevillechristianwritersconference.com/2024classsesschedule. I have most all of the classes, but they are not all loaded yet because I am working with Terri, my right hand gal, to make sure we have the schedule matching. So, I ask that you give me until Friday and then know that some of these classes are subject to change if we find there are duplicate subjects. It's an ever evolving process.

It is also important you understand that the schedule-at-a-glance will continue to vary until February. This is because the Cove may adjust our meal times and if they do, it changes EVERYTHING. It's up to you to keep checking the schedule page as we near conference time.
Also, each newsletter is posted on the website at https://ashevillechristianwritersconference.com/newsletters

Folks said my newsletters were too long last year so I am giving you links and trusting that you are super dooper enough, to go there and read.
_________________

Our 2024 Faculty - Is the best we've had ever. And I am going out on a limb bringing in more faculty this year. I'm trusting that God will send those He'd have attend and that the faculty He has laid on my heart will be perfect for you. Please spread the word to your writing peers and encourage them to register. We still have approximately 58 open slots available but these will fill quickly. God blesses us by selling us out by December 31. If you have friends wanting to attend, push them over to our registration page asap. https://ashevillechristianwritersconference.com/registration2023

MENTORING AND CRITIQUES - Visit the mentoring and critiques page and take advantage of this unique opportunity. There is a small cost involved but folks, let me say this, to spend one hour individual time with a professional is worth it's weight in gold. Check out the page for genres, critiquers and mentors, then if you feel like this is for you, do it. Remember the slots fill up quickly so if you want a mentor, decide quickly. You can contact Terri Kelly if you wish to participate. Her email is [email protected] . She will be happy to help you schedule that time and help you get in touch with your mentor. Currently we have Larry Leech, Edie Melson, Linda Gilden, Billy Wayne Arrington, and Tammy Karasek. We are in contact with two more editors who we are hoping will be mentors. Those doing critiques are listed on that same page. Like I said, this is money well spent.

Scholarships - Regardless of what the site says, we have two scholarships left. Our scholarships are provided by the amazing Cecil Murphy, mentor and author extraordinaire. Cec is over sixty years in the publishing world and his books, ghostwriting and mentoring are like none other. If you know someone in need of a scholarship, they should hop to it. There are only two left.

Contests - Sparrow Book Award - Sarah Loudin Thomas heads up our book contest and Andrea Merrell is wonderful to help with the devotions contest. Visit the link for information on both of these. Time is ticking down. https://ashevillechristianwritersconference.com/bookcontest

____________________________

In the meantime, pray for this conference. Pray that God will send those He'd have to attend. He never fails us, and we're excited to see who shows up. Eddie and I are firm believers that God always hears and answers. He continually surprises us with how and when He provides our needs. We have 58 slots to fill and our prayer is for Him to send those He would have attend. He always does. Pray for this conference. Do not hesitate...pray. And then wait to see how God shows up.

Keep watch on the newsletter page of the website. After tonight, this will show up on the newsletter link. You can always keep up if you miss an email.

Speaking of emails, please, please go to your browser security and mark [email protected] as a safe email. This will assure you that you receive the newsletters.

We're off and running. I'm anxious to run alongside you and help you become an amazing writer.

Cindy Sproles
Director

Newsletter FEBRUARY 23

2/23/2023 1:45:00 AM BY Cindy Sproles

It's here....AND I FORGOT TO ADD YOUR NEXT BLOG POST. Shesh!

I begin by saying keep a check on the CONFERENCE UPDATE PAGE. Everything you need to know is on the conference update page and on the newsletters page.

You can go to the Conference Update page for last-minute changes. Please keep checking this page. It may or may not change, but if it should, this is where you'll find your information.

When you arrive - FACULTY! Your rooms are ready. CONFEREES, YOUR ROOMS WILL NOT BE READY UNTIL 3. Please don't ask if they are ready. The Cove is turning over 100 rooms from a conference that leaves Friday morning. This takes time. Our faculty rooms are ready because they have made these a priority, so they have time to get ready to teach.

YOUR BADGE - the badges the Cove provides are pin-on badges. We do have lanyards that you can hook to the pin if you'd like one. You can get that when you get your badge. NOW ABOUT THE POWER OF THE BADGE! If you get hungry at meal times, the power of the badge opens the dining hall meals to you. It is also your on-campus security badge. You must wear your badge at all times. The Cove volunteers are wonderful, but they are also sorta like ninjas. You don't see them. However, they see you. If you do not have your badge, do not be surprised if someone stops you and asks you to retrieve your badge. I know it's a bit frustrating, but one of the things that is a perk at the Cove is knowing that every conferee is 1) prayed over. They ask for a list so their prayer teams can begin praying for you. 2) The meals are awesome 3) The security is top-notch. They keep every conferee so safe. It's really not asking too much for you to wear your badge all the time. At the end of the conference, we will ask you to leave your lanyard and badge.

SUNDAY MORNING - pack your bags and put them in your car. If you are being picked up, you may leave them safely by the fireplace on the first floor of Shepherd's Inn. You much check out of your room by 10 a.m.

PRINT BEFORE YOU COME - We cannot print critiques or proposals for you. Print copies before you come. There is no account for conferees to use printing at the Cove. Please print what you think you may need and bring it with you. This includes the schedule, faculty photos if you need them, etc. If you think you need it printed, then print it before you leave home.

When you arrive, go to Shepherd's Inn and get your name tag, then walk next door to the Training Center. Take the elevator to the 3rd floor. Classes begin at 1:00 p.m. (NO, you do not register for classes). There will be time to check in after Early Bird classes.

Our schedule is locked in.

FINDING THIRD FLOOR - Easy peasy! Walk into the Training Center and you will see the monster fireplace to your right, to your left if the elevator. Take it to 3rd floor. When you step off the elevator, you will see our bookstore. You may browse, but the store is not open for sales. They have to check in books from faculty, take inventory and enter it into the computer. I KNOW...there's a lot to do to get the store ready. You will be able to make a small deposit to hold your 2024 registration. This will be taken off the price when you register. This is non-refundable and if you do not respond to us when we notify you about registration opening later in the year, we will fill your slot. The funds go into our scholarship fund.

Both Step-Up (Classes geared more toward newer writers) and Step-Out (classes geared more toward seasoned writers) are on the 3rd floor, BEHIND OUR BOOKSTORE. Step Up classes are in the first conference room, and you continue walking past the stage to the back conference room for STEP-OUT CLASSES. Now, we can't force you to stay in a track so you can wander between rooms for classes. Just be quiet as you do so. Our faculty is very seasoned to folks meandering in out for appointments. It's fine and acceptable.
We've mentioned MP3s numerous times. We recommend you purchase the MP3s so you have the full conference at home after this weekend. You will be able to purchase those in our bookstore. They are ready about a month after the conference and we will notify you when you can download them. MP3s take the pressure off of you in deciding what class to take. Buy the MP3s and you have the full conference afterward. Take the face-to-face classes you can take while at the conference. The rest you can listen to at home.

Our appointments and mentoring will be held in the large conference room BEHIND the elevator. There is a living room area and then the conference room. Terri will go over all that with you on Friday night. I will say, ALL OF OUR FACULTY ARE AWESOME TO MEET WITH. They all have huge experience - so though we know you are just dying to spend time with BOB HOSTETLER (it goes to his head...truly it does), we have other faculty who have amazing experience. Vincent is the Amazon wizard, Maggie is a past PR gal for a large publisher, Pepper is releasing books left and right, Edie is the social media queen, and Eva is in a race with Bob to see who has written more books! I mean, this is just a few. My point is when appointment time arrives to sign up...consider all our faculty. They are here for you and they are all very knowledgeable. It's time well spent to just pick their brains. Run your idea past them. Just network.

Anyway, everything you need is on the 3rd floor.

The Eternal Feeding Trough - This is what we lovingly refer to as the place you can always find refreshment. It is one of the amenities at the Cove. There are always drinks available and ice cream in the hallway by the dining hall. Our floor has coffee and tea. I recommend you bring a nice drinking cup with a lid (we don't want spills) so that you can take advantage of this constant flow of drinks if you need them. There is also a drink station on the second-floor lobby of Shepherd's Inn. You do not have to bring water or drinks in your car. These are provided for you at these stations. NICE, HUH?

AGAIN - Clean up after yourself. Please put trash in the trash cans. I HATE PICKING UP TRASH and my momma taught me that when I leave a place it should look better than it did when I arrived. Please be neat. The Cove is beautiful and again, their NINJA staff comes and goes and you rarely see them. You may look around and your paper cup is gone. LOL.

Off-Campus folks, drive up to Shepherd's Inn and get your name tag, then go to the training center. If you arrive after 5 p.m., you will get your name tag at the office in the Training Center. Go in the door, make a fast left, and the office in is that little cubby.

THE WEATHER IS SUPPOSED TO BE NICE - Sorry Eva, no snow! We want you comfortable, and the temperature will drop in the mountains when you least expect it. So nice sweaters and jeans are perfect attire for our conference. There is a covered walkway from the hotel to the Training Center should we have rain. And we may get a smidge of that. Point is, currently there is no snow in the forecast. AGAIN - SORRY EVA!

I honestly can't think if there is anything we haven't discussed in previous letters. Remember when you get your name tag, you will sign a liability release as well.

*Our bookstore will open on Friday after supper. Feel free to browse, but our staff is not ready to sell until after supper. They are checking in inventory, adding it to our inventory in the Square, and making sure things are priced. Keep in mind there are times the internet will be slow at the Cove with the hundreds of folks using it. That does, at times, affect how quickly our charge cards run. Don't grow frustrated with our staff, they have no control over the internet speed. Just chat with the folks next to you for a minute, and things will go through.

*Keep in mind the Cove is Alcohol and Smoke-Free. If you are caught with these things, their security will ask you to leave. You must go to your car if you are a smoker.

Believe it or not...I think this is it.

Peace Be With You

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” - Luke 24:36 NIV

I know this is a first for many of you. Believe me I know. We only have 9 returning conferees. That means the rest of you are new to Christian Devotions Ministries and the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. We pray for this, and every year God answers our request.

My point is, I know many of you will have anxiety about traveling. Some may be traveling alone, others may have left someone ill at home, kids, or an aging parent. Still, others may be experiencing their very first conference. What we want you to remember is that truly, ACWC is a safe place for you. When you come here, you are greeted with hugs, love, and genuine friendship. At this conference, our job is to introduce you to this crazy writing world. More so, our job is to help you realize the call that is placed on your life.

It doesn't matter what you want to write (well, erotica does't count...don't do that! lol), the point is, we are here to help you realize 1) you are called to share a message - be it fiction or non-fiction, article, post, or children's book. 2) Help you get started 3) become your friend and support 4) your prayer warrior. In other words, there's no need to worry.

Imagine when Jesus appeared to the disciples after His death. Imagine the wonder. The shock. Even the fear. Yet, in His sweet way, Jesus said, "Peace be with you." Peace.

Come to this conference with peace. Jesus knew the relief found in that word, in that action. Rest in that peace and know that all of us are still learning this industry, even the oldies. There is always something new. Just as life offers us new things daily, so does this wonderfully slow industry. I kinda think it's slow for a reason. To teach us to wait. Something else Jesus was good at reminding us.

I lost a sweet friend last summer. Honestly, she was a person filled with turmoil but tattooed up her arm were these words. "Peace of Christ."

Wow. Peace of Christ. She grasped that arm as she left us, holding tight to the peace of Christ.

I ask you, today, to take a deep breath. Let go of all the hard stuff, and take an ink pen and write, PEACE OF CHRIST on your hand. If you're artsy...write it on your forearm. Cling to it this weekend. There is nothing sweeter than the words of Christ. Write them in your hearts.

Peace of Christ -
Cin

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Join us for the 2024 Asheville Christian Writers Conference

February 23, 24, and 25, 2024

Recent Posts

November Newsletter #2

11/29/2023 12:00:00 PM BY Cindy Sproles

November Newsletter #2

November 2023 Newsletter

11/1/2023 8:50:00 PM BY Cindy Sproles

November Newsletter

Newsletter FEBRUARY 23

2/23/2023 1:45:00 AM BY Cindy Sproles

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