What’s New. What Isn’t.

Mona from Arizona, here!

If you’ve ever been to Arizona, and especially if you haven’t, you know the expectation. Arizona is always hot and dry. Right?

Wrong!

Last Wednesday, Central AZ became a Winter Wonderland. (Yep, the song is playing in my head, too. You’re welcome.)

Expectations can disappoint us. Lull us into complacency. Expectations might even cause us to miss out on a glorious surprise because we think we know what to expect and don’t anticipate anything more. Or we snub the surprise because it means things are different.

You may have heard the rumors . . . change is in the air for the Mount Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference. I’m not sure what you’ve heard, if anything, but it’s true that change is coming to the Mount Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference. We’ve hit the refresh button for 2015!

So far, I have run in to two different camps.

Those who initially respond with “oh.” Picture sagging shoulders.
Those who initially respond with “Oh!” Picture eyes wide with anticipation.

The good news is that the “oh” easily becomes “Oh!”

So . . . I’m here to break it all down for you ~ What’s New and What Isn’t.

ONE

If you’re already a fan of the Mount Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference, you know that the fabulous Rachel Williams is the Conference Director. Following the “passing through” of her husband, Roger, Rachel has taken a leave of absence from her job at Mount Hermon. That’s why you’re hearing from me. I’m serving as Coordinator for the 2015 Mount Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference.

Who am I? A Mount Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference veteran (okay, old-timer works too). It was my first writers’ conference. When? (I was afraid you’d ask that.) In 1988. I’ve been in the publishing industry awhile and Mount Hermon and the relationships I’ve made at the conference over the years have played a key role in my writing journey. Click here to learn more about the progression of that journey.

TWO

Break out the chocolate ~ it’s a New Website!

Don’t miss out. Go ahead . . . take the new website for a spin. While you’re cruising, check out what’s new in the program.

Oh, and don’t forget to visit the familiar and new faculty faces.

Looking for the guidelines and forms for the various conference features? Resources has it all!

THREE

The Writers’ Conference Blog. It’s integrated into the new website and easy to access there. Yes, but that’s not all. There’s a plan.

You don’t have to wait until you’re breathing the Mount Hermon redwoods in March to get to know the faculty and start gleaning from their years of experience in the publishing industry. (Yep. I heard that “Oh!”) Not only will you find helpful tidbits about the conference and ways to prepare to get the most out of it, we’ll feature Faculty Guest Posts too.

Make sure you subscribe to receive the blog posts by email so you don’t miss out on any updates.

HEY, EXPECTATIONS HAVE MERIT!

I hear you. And it’s true. Expectations have their perks. Indeed, there can be comfort and even joy found in knowing what to expect. Especially if your expectations are grounded in the What’s Not New about the conference features. So . . . for 2015, we’re giving everyone a bit of both. The familiar. AND the surprising.

Signature Features that have given the Mount Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference its stellar reputation in the publishing industry . . .

A God-honoring atmosphere
Access to agents, editors, and other industry professionals
Comprehensive Major Morning Courses within a writer’s genre or area of interest
Morning Mentoring Track as an alternative to the Major Morning Tracks
An extensive array of afternoon workshops taught by publishing industry professionals
Free evaluation or critique of two writing submissions
A Critique Team of published writers who are available to meet with you to answer industry questions, pray with you, and offer direction
A preview of what the participating editors and agents want to see from writers attending the conference
An orientation packed full of valuable information for First Timers to the Mount Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference
A Returners Reunion for writers who can’t wait to reunite with fellow Mount Hermon fans
Airport Shuttle Service
An awe-inspiring setting among the California redwoods

Added-Value Features new to the 2015 conference . . .

A faculty hosted reception to kick off the conference
Three parts to the Major Morning Track Courses—Instruction, Writing, Critique with a mentor
Everyone who participates in a Major Morning Track will have a mentor in the afternoon
New Major Morning Track for writers of Fantasy and Speculative FictionS
Two Major Morning Tracks for Nonfiction Writers ~ Writing Your Passion in Many Short Forms & No Excuses Nonfiction
More breaks for easier transitions between sessions
Discounts for Writers’ Group members
New Faculty Members will join a few of the returning favorites
A dedicated travel home day so writers don’t have to miss any programming because of return flight schedules

Come see for yourself. REGISTER ME NOW!

Mount Hermon offers a one-of-a-kind atmosphere for writers at every skill level, from unpublished to professional, and offers help to writers in a wide span of genres and in every phase of a writer’s career. We continually research the latest trends in writing and publishing, seeking out the foremost experts.

Whether you desire to publish the traditional way with a royalty publisher or you intend to go the indie publishing route, you’ll find industry professionals who can instruct, direct, and encourage you.

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YOUR TURN: We’d love to hear from you. What are you most looking forward to at the 2015 Mount Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference, March 25-31?