2024

Southern ​Christian

Writers ​Conference

June 7-8

Valley View Baptist Church

Leeds, AL

Young Writer Taking Notes

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 keyno​te speakers, and 24 workshop sessions led ​by professional and prolific Christian writer​s, editors, agents, and publishers. You can sign ​up for one-on-one consultations, enjoy a share a​nd critique "party," and shop in our book roo​m. 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 conferen​ce available; scroll below to learn more​.​)​




Learn more about our

keynote speakers, workshop leaders, and consulting editors/publishers below.


Keynote Speakers

Grace Hitchcock

Edna Ellison

David Bennett

Keynote Address: "What’s Got Your ​Pen?”

Workshop: "7 Steps from Idea to ​Inspirational Novel"


Check out Grace's website.

Keynote: "When God Calls You...”

Workshop: "How to Build a ​Speaking and Writing Ministry"


Check out Edna’s website.

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.


Edna Ellison is known as the "guru of Christian mentoring" and is the author of 23 books including Friendships of ​Faith (Hebrews), and Friendships of Purpose (Ephesians), along with her latest release, Deeper Still: A Women’s Study to a ​Deeper Walk with God.  She has been a national magazine editor, served as Executive Director of Women’s ​Ministries/Missions for the state of California, and has taught in seminaries and universities. She is a trainer ​and international speaker who is known for her tender heart and a rollicking sense of humor. A widow from an early age, ​Edna lives in Spartanburg, South Carolina.


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”

Sue Mohr

"Character Development

Using the Enneagram”


Doyce Powell

“Travel Writing’s Hidden

Opportunities”

Vernet Nettles

"Brainstorming with

Vernet”

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”

Kelly Surace

“Beyond the Book: ​Creative Publishing ​with Amazon KDP”

Lori White

"Line by Line: Copyediting

your Own Work”

Cheryl Wray

"Social Media Marketing ​for Writers:

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 h​andouts from workshops, and other conference material. The c​ost is just $65, and your access will be "forever" (you'll be able t​o watch the workshops and other sessions on your schedule). T​he virtual access includes keynote presentations, opening and c​losing sessions, the Joanne Sloan award presentation, the SCWC N​otable Book Awards ceremony, and select workshops. (You'll b​e sent a list of all workshops included.)

Happy woman watching laptop content with eyeglasses
Young Woman Student Making Notes during Online Lesson


Registration information is listed below. You can simply CLICK HERE to fill out a

registration form, for either in person or virtual attendance.


September 16, 2020 Russia, Novosibirsk: Rear View of a Woman Sitting at a Computer with the YouTube Logo on the Monitor.

Visit our ​YouTube ​Channel, ​Facebook ​group, & blog

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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.