LIFE PRESS CHRISTIAN WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

To Be Held On - August 4, 2012

CONTEST DEADLINE: July 7 Postmark

Covenant United Methodist Church

8350 Walnut Grove, Cordova, TN

901-683-5386

Director: Frances Brinkley Cowden

Assistant Director: Mary Frances Broome

P 0 Box 2018, Cordova, TN 38088

PHONE: 901-309-3692

E-mail: Gmoearth@gmail.com

http://www.grandmotherearth.org

Program

8:30 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast: Smith Center, Covenant UMC

Cordova, TN.

8:45 Welcome and Introductions: Frances Brinkley Cowden, founder of Life Press Christian Writers Association and editor/publisher of Grandmother Earth and Life Press.

9:15 Meet the Authors:

Authors who brought books to the Conference will have 4-5 minutes (timed) to introduce their books, including a brief excerpt.

9:50 Break

10: 00 Earl David Workshop: I wish I had known!

1. Dreams of publishing

2. A few pitfalls along the way

3. What works for one

10:50 Break

11:00 Robert Hall, author of over 20 novels, including The Learnin' Post, and the recent Red Bud, will be speaking on digital delivery of written works in his workshop topic, "Kindle Books-My Story."

12:00 Southern Style Lunch (included with registration) with Judges, Editors and

Authors.

1:00 Door Prizes

1: 15 Presentation of Awards

1: 30 Break

1:45 Panel Critique: a look at polishing work by Robert Hall, conference speaker, and Malu Graham, judge, and several of the other judges of the conference awards. Some of the winning poems will be read with permission of the authors.

2:45 Break

2:50 Critique continues

3:45 Inspirations through Life Experiences: Roundtable discussion led by

Frances Cowden

Earl C. David, Jr. has served local church congregations in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee for the past 49 years. He is an Ordained Elder of the United Methodist Church and a member of the Memphis Annual Conference. Still active in ministry, now in his 14th year as Minister of Discipleship at the Collierville United Methodist Church, Collierville, TN. He has made more than 18 trips to the Holy Lands. He describes himself as a Preacher-Teacher Story Teller. He has authored two books (soft cover), Jesus and the Gospel Timeline and The 8 Days of Holy Week. His first eBook is a paraphrase of the four Gospels titled The Gospel of Jesus Timeline Version, which is available online from your favorite eBook distributor. His second eBook is the revised second edition of Jesus and the Gospel Timeline. The Shepherds, is a short history of the shepherds in Israel. Rev. David and his wife Elizabeth live in Collierville, Tn. You are invited to visit his blog at Treadings of a Nonconventional Thinker and his web site at http://earlcdavid.homestead.com.

Robert L. Hall writes contemporary fiction stories about the Mid-South, its people and culture. He is the author of The Evan Smith-Horseman Series of 3 books: The Learnin' Post (which was endorsed by Mike Huckabee-former Governor of Arkansas), Louie and Small Favors. Most of Robert's works, including these, are available in Kindle format on amazon.com.

He has also authored over 20 other works which will SOON BE COMING to the Digital Reader format. This will include the Curt Haney and Louie Maziere detective series and other mysteries . A trained musician, he enjoys playing gospel and modern music. His wife, Joy, rides and shows horses. They live near Marion, Arkansas. He has a just-launched website at: http://www.roberthallbooks.com/ and invites others to see it and click on the live links to enjoy his works at Kindle Books on the Amazon.com site. Since the introduction of e-books, fully 20% of the reading public now have access to them. In this market, introduction is free—that is, you can make your work available, market it and sell and track it for free on several venues. One of these is Kindle Books on the Amazon.com website. I have done so and find the results most gratifying.

Malu Graham won the Hackney Award for fiction (Birmingham Southern College). She has poems and short stories published in St. Petersburg Times, Emerald Coast Review, Octoberfest Mag, Broomstick. She has won numerous prizes in poetry and prizes in fiction from Florida Writers’ Competition, Grandmother Earth and Life Press. She was PST's poet laureate for 2006-07. She is one of the critics for the Poetry Society of Tennessee’s workshops and has won numerous awards including Grandmother Earth’s top prose award. She was also a “Best of the Fest” Award winner.

Rules: Please send a cover sheet with author’s name, address, phone number and email, listing all entry titles and fees. Include a 25-30 word biographical statement. Send one copy with no identification except number and title of the entry. A second with identification may be sent or in lieu of a second copy indication that any work chosen for publication will be promptly emailed upon request. Only money prizes will be printed in Grandmother Earth XIX. Honorable Mention in poetry awards and other finalist may be considered if the poet gives specific permission on the cover sheet. One free copy will be given to each entrant. (An extra copy will be sent to anyone included in the publication.) Art no larger than 5x7 will be considered. No fee. Contributor’s copy only. Send SASE for return of art.

ALL ENTRANTS SHOULD SEND SASE FOR WINNERS LIST.

All entries should be suitable for family publications. No trite language or careless imagery. No new age or profanity. Please send change in address to be eligible for the free copy (copies). See website for information on student awards. Mail all entries by:

DEADLINE: JULY 7, 2012 POSTMARK

To: Grandmother Earth/Life Press

P. O. Box 2018

Cordova, TN 38088

Questions: Call 901-309-3692 or email: gmoearth@gmail.com

DIRECTIONS TO THE CONFERENCE

Covenant United Methodist Church, 8350 Walnut Grove, Cordova, TN

North East corner of Walnut Grove and Walnut Bend, just off Germantown PKWY. Approaching Memphis from I-40 take the Nashville east exit and then go past next Nashville exit and take the Walnut Grove east exit. Continue east on Walnut Grove over the overpass of Germantown PKY. The first traffic light will be Walnut Bend. Turn left and you will turn immediately into the parking lot on your right.

From East TN on I-40 take the Germantown Exit (South). Turn left on Trinity. Go to the first 4-way stop. Turn right (Walnut Bend). Just before you get to the traffic light, you will see the church on your left. Turn left into the church parking lot. Go right around the church to the Smith Center on the East side of the church. If you miss Trinity, turn left onto Walnut Grove and continue to first traffic light.

From South Germantown Rd or Comfort Inn, go north and turn right just after Lowe’s onto Walnut Bend. Go just past the first traffic light which will be Walnut Grove. The church is to your immediate right. Go around the building to the Smith Center.

See Website for rules for the Poetry Society of Tennessee’s Mid-South Poetry Festival

If you are interested in attending, please email or send an SASE for details or see website.

This conference will be of benefit for writers regardless of whether or not you write for Christian publications. Please pre-register by August 1. Conference Fees: $30 Continental breakfast and lunch. All entries of conference attendees (limit 6 works in each category) can be critiqued for $5 extra. The fee for others is $10 extra. Local writers can call for an additional discount.

Registration (including food, but without entries) is $30. Spouse Registration is $20.