2024
Southern Christian
Writers Conference
June 7-8
The Church at Brook Hills
Birmingham, AL
(3145 Brook Highland Pkwy)
What does the SCWC include?
The SCWC is a wonderful time of fellowship with other writers of faith, and a weekend full of instruction and inspiration covering a wide variety of writing genres. We have three keynote speakers, and 24 workshop sessions led by professional and prolific Christian writers, editors, agents, and publishers. You can sign up for one-on-one consultations, enjoy a share and critique "party," and shop in our book room. Your in-person registration includes dinner on Friday and breakfast and lunch on Saturday as well as a coffee bar throughout the weekend. (There is also an online version of the conference available; scroll below to learn more.)
Learn more about our
keynote speakers, workshop leaders, and consulting editors/publishers below.
Keynote Speakers
Grace Hitchcock
Denise George
David Bennett
Keynote Address: "What’s Got Your Pen?”
Workshop: "7 Steps from Idea to Inspirational Novel"
Keynote: "When God Calls You...”
Workshop: "How to Build a Speaking and Writing Ministry"
David will be the recipient of the Joanne Sloan National Award for the Encouragement of Writing and will present a keynote address for the award presentation.
David Bennett is managing editor of HomeLife, the flagship magazine of LifeWay Christian Resources, and content editor for Open Windows, LifeWay’s longest running devotional. Prior to his work with HomeLife, David was responsible for the ideation, design, and production of student ministry resources and programs. He is author of Critical Decisions: Clarity in the Journey (Serendipity House), co-author of Share Jesus Without Fear (LifeWay Press), and has been a contributor for The Athlete’s Bible (Fellowship of Christian Athletes).. He edited the first Beth Moore student resource and co-hosted the Experiencing God Youth Video Series with Henry Blackaby, He also writes scripts for stage and video as well as devotionals. David lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
Denise is the bestselling author of 32 traditionally published books with Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Zondervan, Tyndale House, B&H, Bethany House, and many others. She has self-published 10 books and sold more than 2,000 magazine and newspaper articles. Her articles have appeared in such publications as Redbook, Gudeposts, Essence, and more. For more than 50 years, Denise has traveled and spoken internationally to groups large and small, and she leads the popular online writer’s community Christian Writers for Life. The organization offers writing classes, a variety of resources, and published anthologies for members. she is married to Timothy George, the founding dean of the Beeson School of Divinity in Birmingham, Alabama.
Grace Hitchcock is is the award-winning author of multiple historical novels and novellas, including the American Royalty, True Colors, and Aprons & Veils series. Her books have been published by traditional Christian publishers Barbour, Bethany House, and Kregel. Her latest project is a Regency Romance series entitled Best Laid Plans (with book one in the series coming out in May 2024). Grace holds a Master’s in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. She lives on the Northshore of New Orleans, with her husband, Dakota, sons, and daughter
2024 SCWC Faculty & Sessions
"
Javacia Bowser
“How to Start Blogging in 2024”
Shirley Crowder
"Sharing Glimpses of God through Devotionals"
John Herring
"Trends in Christian Publishing Today” (+ 1-on-1 consultations)
Carissa Lovornn
“Writing Children’s Books
that Inspire”
Vernet Nettles
"Brainstorming with Vernet”
(+ 1-on-1 consultations)
Doyce Powell
“Travel Writing’s Hidden
Opportunities”
Sue Mohr
"Character Development
Using the Enneagram”
Jennifer Rash
"Brainstorming with
Jennifer”"
Billy Ready
“Christian Songwriting 101”
Larke Ready
"How to Start a Local
Writing Group"
Stephanie Rodda
"Writing Plans: Strategic, Intentional, and Prayerful”"
Gene Rowley
"The Basics of Audiobooks”
(+ 1-on-1 consultations)
Jessica Sanders
"How to Pitch to a Book Publisher" (+ 1-on-1 consultations)
Ellen Sallas
Thursday Share & Critique
Publisher (+1-on-1 consultations)
Chandra Splond
“The Importance of Diversity in Writing”
Christopher Sloan
"Spirituality as Creativity”
David Sloan
“You Should Write your Memoirs: Here’s How”
Cheryl Wray
"Social Media Marketing for Writers:
Kelly Surace
“Beyond the Book: Creative Publishing with Amazon KDP”
Brock & Jessica Parker
“The Basics of
Podcasting”
Lori White
"Line by Line: Copyediting
your Own Work”
Other Exciting 2024 SCWC Activities
The annual Southern Christian Writers Conference is a wonderful weekend filled with myriad opportunities for learning, inspiration, fellowship, and networking.
~~ Sign up to attend Thursday night's SHARE & CRITIQUE PARTY at 6:00 p.m. Bring a work in progress to share with other SCWC attendees, and hear from publishers on how to best pitch your book or other project.
.~~ All attendees have the opportunity to sign up for ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTATIONS with our publishers, editors, and writing consultants/coaches.
~~ Enjoy the presentation of the JOANNE SLOAN AWARD FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF WRITERS to recipient David Bennett.
~~ Sign up to have a professional headshot photo taken at the conference. (This requires a separate fee with photographer Stacy Hudson at the conference.)
~~ Enjoy MEALS AT THE SCWC, including dinner on Friday night, breakfast and lunch on Saturday, and
a coffee bar and snacks throughout the conference.
~~ Enjoy WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES with special music, and take advantage of our onsite
PRAYER ROOM.
~~ Enter your works in the 202d SCWC WRITING AWARDS (see the rules on our blog
by clicking HERE). Winners will be announced during the SCWC's closing ceremonies on Saturday with
our special awards ceremony.
Virtual 2024 SCWC
Can't attend the in-person Southern Christian Writers Conference, or live too far away? You can participate online as well!
The Virtual SCWC will be broadcast via a private playlist on the SCWC YouTube channel, which will be available and sent to you on Tuesday following the conference. You'll also be sent handouts from workshops, and other conference material. The cost is just $65, and your access will be "forever" (you'll be able to watch the workshops and other sessions on your schedule). The virtual access includes keynote presentations, opening and closing sessions, the Joanne Sloan award presentation, the SCWC Notable Book Awards ceremony, and select workshops. (You'll be sent a list of all workshops included.)
Registration information is listed below. You can simply CLICK HERE to fill out a
registration form, for either in person or virtual attendance.
REGISTER FOR THE 2024 SCWC!
* The SCWC is one of the most affordable writing conferences in the nation *
In person one day (Friday or Saturday): $65
(note that in person attendees receive virtual as part of their registration)
Add-on, Book Room space: $25 ** THE BOOK ROOM IS FULL **
Add-on, Thursday Share & Critique Party: $25
(Note: One-on-one consultations are included in registration price)
See you
Soon!
Visit our YouTube Channel, Facebook group, & blog
What People Say
What past attendees tell us about their SCWC experiences
Thank for you a wonderful introduction to writers conferences! The SCWC was my first conference, and I was encouraged, challenged and
taught by kind, accessible instructors. Your obedience to the Lord and
diligence to the task are inspiring, and I was blessed to be in your
presence and at your conference.
You did it again! I know the SCWC is the best writing workshop in the U.S. Not only do people learn how to write and publish, but we make new friends and get to visit with old ones.
(from a speaker) I loved the fact that this group was so diversified. Some had been quite successful by the
world's standards while some had received no worldly recognition at all so far, but all had come together
at the workshop to focus on God's call to write for Him. I applaud you and your family for keeping the the spiritual focus so sharp, and for making every writer an important member of the community.
SCWC is the best thing that ever happened to this writer! This is truly my most favorite convention to attend each year. I love making
great connections and learning and growing from the classes and speeches. Thank you to all who contributed to the new growth that everyone will experience and how because of this, the Gospel will ripple into the lives of countless people adding thousands to the
Kingdom daily!
SCWC Staff
Cheryl Wray, Coordinator; David Sloan, Founder; Joanne Sloan, Founder; Jennifer Rash, TAB representative; Scout Wray, Conference Assistant/Technical Director; McKenna Erwin, Conference Assistant; Delaney Holloway, Conference Assistant/Worship Leader; Shirley Crowder, Conference Assistant/Prayer Team; Stephanie Rodda, Conference Assistant/Prayer Team; Vernet Nettles, Conference Assistant; Christopher Sloan, Conference Assistant
It is our goal to inform, encourage, and edify our SCWC friends.
Please email us at scwritersconference@gmail.com with any questions.
Contact Us
Find us Online
Emaiil:
scwritersconference@gmail.com
Mail to:
SCWC
PO Box 3057
Hueytown, AL 35023
Join us at "Southern Christian Writers
Conference" on Facebook
Read our blog at
www.southernchristianwriters.blogspot.com
We're on TikTok at @fixintowrite
If you'd like to sign up for our monthly newsletter, email us at scwritersconference@gmail.com
We partner with TAB Media. Learn more about their resources HERE.
Our 2024 SCWC Bible Verse
"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls,
the other can reach out and help. "
(Ecclesiastes 4:9)
The Southern Conference Writers Conference was founded and is designed specifically for writers of faith who want to learn more about writing while also finding their purpose as a writer called by God. We pride ourselves in being a diverse group of Christ followers; our staff members, leaders, and attendees come from a wide variety of faith backgrounds, traditions, and denominations. We are brothers and sisters in Christ bound by a love of writing.