Week 2 Extended Learning and February 16 Newsletter

Week 2 Extended Learning and February 16 Newsletter
Friday, January 16, 2026 by Cindy K. Sproles

So much good stuff coming your way! First of all, week two of our extended learning is up on the blog. This week Andrea Merrell, professional editor, leads you through those crazy words that sound the same but are spelled different -- you know/no what I mean? Right? lol. Take time to read through Andrea's post and do a little extra study on The Confusion of Words. Andrea does a great job.

REGISTRATION IS ALMOST, BARELY TEETERING ON THE EDGE OF BEING CLOSED - I can't tell you what a blessing this is. First for me on a personal level. Why? Well, because each year I sign a binding contract for about $40K. Honestly, it makes my stomach queasy when I put my name on the line. You may wonder why it makes me jittery. It's because, if we do not fulfill our contract for rooms sold and the number of conferees, I have to pay the difference. Yeah, it's a bit unnerving. Listen, My prince, and I are retired and on a tightly fixed, teeny monthly financial allotment. We barely hit the mark for what we need. For us or even Christian Devotions to pay out thousands of dollars would be devastating. But you know what? Each year we pray, "Lord, send those You'd have attend," and God has NEVER failed us.

To that end, we only have 3 (THREE) conferee slots available, and this conference is sold out. Maxed. Filled. So, if you know someone wanting to attend our conference, rattle their cage. My grandmother would say, "Kick the goat!" When those five slots are filled, we go to a waiting list. Isn't God amazing? He never fails us. (Listen to that faithfulness here) Never. Pass the word along. I'm taking the link down in a day or two so we do not oversell our space. These are off-campus spots, so conferees pay for their own conference registration, which includes the conference and all meals at the Cove. They will secure their own hotel room off-campus. We have three hotels listed on the registration page. Just scroll down. FYI - If you book an off-campus hotel via a third party like Hotels.com etc, be sure you check their cancellation policies. Some of these sights will not allow cancellation, and if you were to luck into an upgrade to on-campus housing, you might get nailed. So, check before you book through a 3rd party. Call these hotels directly. We have the numbers on the site. Book directly, and hey, ask about cancellation policies. It pays to be sure.

CRITIQUES AND MENTORING - We have a few slots left for mentoring and of course, paid critiques. However, the door is closing. So check out the Critiques and Mentoring page. Contact Terri. Here email is listed on that page ([email protected]).

KINGDOM DEVOTION CONTEST- is still open. If you have never stepped outside your comfort zone and entered your work, give it a try. Entering contests strengthens your writing presence and confidence. It doesn't matter if you win. What matters is that you entered. You made the effort to meet the deadline, allow someone to review your work, and follow the guidelines. The Advance His Kingdom contest is listed under the Sparrow Book Contest. So scroll down, read, and enter. You only have a few days left on this.

PLEASE DON'T REPOND TO THIS EMAIL - if you are trying to reach me. I will not see your email. If you need to contact me, email me at [email protected]. And be sure to mark as safe in your browser security and add us to your contact list so you get these updates. You will always find these newsletters on our website (www.ashevillechristianwritersconference.com)

CONFERENCE UPDATE PAGE - is now up on the website. This page holds all our check-in information. Any updates or changes will be updated on this page. Please continue to check this page.

Conference Liability form - Each conferee will be asked to sign a conference liability form required from our event insurance company. I am listing that below so you can see it. Our Conference Care team will have these at check-in, and you'll be asked to sign it before they give you all your "stuff."

Liability Release Form

To: Christian Devotion Ministries

From: [Participant’s Name] _____________________________

Date: February 27, 2026

Dates of Event(s): February 27, 28, March 1, 2026

Event Name: Asheville Christian Writers Conference

In exchange for receiving permission to participate in the event organized by Christian Devotion Ministries, I, for myself and my family, heirs, executors, and representatives, agree to the following:

*I assume the risk of any harm or injury that may occur as a result of, or in connection with, my participation in the Event(s).

*I accept full responsibility for myself, my actions, and my possessions while participating in the Event(s).

*I release Christian Devotion Ministries, The Cove, The Billy Graham Training Center, their members, officers, employees, agents, staff, faculty, and volunteers from any and all liability, costs, damages, or other claims that may occur as a result of, or in connection with, my participation in the Event(s).

*I give my consent for Christian Devotion Ministries, its members, officers, employees, agents, staff, faculty, and volunteers to assist me in the event of an emergency, including seeking emergency medical treatment on my behalf, and I agree to accept financial responsibility for the costs related to any medical treatment.

*I agree to conduct myself and behave in a Christian manner, treating all individuals with respect, consideration, and charity, at all times during my participation in the Event(s). I agree to refrain from any behavior that is threatening, violent, aggressive, or sexually or morally improper.

*I agree to report to Christian Devotion Ministries any behavior by others that I witness that does not meet this standard.

*I understand that if I engage in inappropriate behavior or fail to report inappropriate behavior that I witness, I may be asked to end my participation in the Event, and if asked, I agree to abide by the decision.

By signing below, I represent that I understand and agree to the foregoing statements:

What Stands in Your Way?

My Momma raised me to be innovative and determined. Backing away from a project has never been something I have ever considered. In fact, folks tell me all the time, "You have so much going on!"

Yep. I do. I'm happy being busy, but as I grow older, I'm realizing that physically I just can't do what I used to do. It frustrates me, and it leaves me with a heap of guilt. Still, I do not quit, but I am learning to dial it back.

It's easy for us to find excuses not to write. Chores, kids, and life in general will all stick their foot out and trip you up if you aren't careful. Each year, the rising costs of this conference instill fear in me -- will we price ourselves out of existence? What is the line when folks say, "I can't afford that." That's a foot to trip me.

The fact is, you have this desire, even passion, in you to be a writer. It's in you to put words on the page. So, put them on the page. Do not let the voices of evil convince you that you do not have time or the ability, because YOU DO! You simply have to be obedient. Put the words on the page.

One of those obstacles that plops down in front of us it publication. Of course, we all want publication, but that should not be your guiding force. Your force should be the desire and the passion to write that God has called you to do. Publication is the gravy on the biscuit, but it can become the one thing that drives a wedge in you being able to write your best or even ... writing at all.

As we near our conference date, look inside your heart and search. Figure out what stands in your way then move it, hand it over to the God who can do EVERYTHING. Trust Him.

What stands in your way?

Much love,

Cindy