Have you ever considered publishing a book but did not know where to begin? Aspiring and published Christian writers from Alabama and beyond gathered Jan. 21 at Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham to learn how from well-known Christian authors Denise George and Carolyn Tomlin.
Boot Camp for Christian Writers was the 20th such writing seminar George and Tomlin have conducted in three years.
“Once we saw the huge interest and response to our first couple of boot camps, we went into it ‘full force,’” George said, adding they held them by themselves at first. “Then Beeson Divinity School asked us to become part of their Lay Academy of Theology program, and they have helped us tremendously over the past year.”
George taught sessions on self-publishing electronic and paperback books while Tomlin presented information on how to successfully write grants. Beeson Dean Timothy George made presentations to boot campers with newly published works:
Ben Chandler, director of missions for St. Clair Baptist Association, wrote “55 Glimpses: Mark’s Record of the Life and Ministry of Jesus.”
Robert Wilkerson, a pastor and evangelist for more than 50 years and now a member of Midway Baptist Church, Trussville, wrote “Characters of the Crucifixion.”
Lottie Jacks, a Sunday School teacher at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, wrote “Applegreen.”
Scott Moore, a full-time minister for 30 years and member of CrossRoads Baptist Church, Rogersville, wrote two books, “Supernatural Strategy: Discovering the Lost Key to Effective Evangelism” and “Uganda’s Messianic Muslim: The Story of How Jesus Christ Is Transforming the Life and Ministry of Nassan Ibrahim.”
Shirley Ferguson, a member of Hepzibah Baptist Church, Talladega, wrote “Birth Cry: A Personal Story of the Life of Hannah D. Mitchell, Nurse Midwife.”
Beulah Coyne, research associate to Timothy George, wrote “Treading Water on Ripple Creek Farm: Lily.”
Becky Carlisle, a member of Glenloch Baptist Church, Franklin, Ga., wrote a story called “Through the Eyes of a Child” in “What the Bible Means to Me.”
Nancy Dorman-Hickson co-wrote “Diplomacy and Diamonds: My Wars From the Ballroom to the Battlefield” with Joanne King Herring.
Diane Bailey wrote “String of Pearls.”
“We have at least five more boot campers who are working with publishers and finishing up books,” Denise George told The Alabama Baptist. “We will present those books to them next January.”
Tomlin called the boot camp a family since many attendees have been to several conferences.
“We care for each other,” she said.
At the next boot camp March 3, Tomlin and Denise George will teach “Secrets to Getting Published — Again and Again and Again!”
For more information on the upcoming boot camp, call Beeson at 1-800-888-8266 or visit www.beesondivinity.com/bootcampforchristianwriters.
Share with others: