The annual Southern Christian Writers Conference will take place June 6–7 at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham and will feature keynote speakers T.I. Lowe and Caris Snider and more than 20 workshops on a variety of writing genres and topics.
“We’re pleased with the opportunities available at this year’s conference,” said SCWC coordinator Cheryl Wray. “We truly have something for everyone, and are excited about seeing our speakers and attendees in June.”
Designed for successful, aspiring writers
Founded in 1991, SCWC is designed to help support both successful and aspiring writers of faith. Its flagship event is the annual conference, which regularly attracts 150 or more to the meeting; it works in partnership with TAB Media in Birmingham.
This year’s conference is headlined by bestselling and Christy Award-winning Southern inspirational novelist T.I. Lowe who will present a keynote session on “My Writing Journey” and also a workshop on creating characters in fiction. Lowe is the author of more than 20 novels and won the Christy Award for contemporary romance and Book of the Year in 2024 for “Indigo Isle.”
The other headliner is devotional author Caris Snider, who has written articles in a wide variety of publications and is the author of devotional books and guides for Christians of all ages. Her keynote presentation is titled “Anxious for Nothing,” and she’ll also present a workshop on writing devotional books.
A variety of other workshop sessions will be offered throughout the weekend and include such leaders as Home Life Magazine editor and Lifeway Publisher David Bennett, Iron Stream CEO and Publisher John Herring, Baptist Press cartoonist and blogger Joe McKeever, poet and longtime director of the Alabama Arts Forum Jeanie Thompson (who will receive the 2025 Joanne Sloan National Award for the Encouragement of Writers) and many more.
Topics covered in workshops include everything from writing romance to writing personal essays, from understanding A.I. to building an author platform.
A full list of workshop topics and leaders can be found at southernchristianwriters.blogspot.com.
Easy, affordable
Wray said that registration is easy and affordable; those interested in attending the SCWC can fill out a form here. They can also email her at scwritersconference@gmail.com with questions or to sign up.
The SCWC costs $135 for 2-day in-person attendance and offers 1-day attendance for $70. People can also sign up for virtual access, which costs $65 and includes 20 video recordings of workshops and large sessions.
Other features of the conference include three meals (Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and Saturday lunch), opportunities to meet in individual consultations with publishers and editors, a book room where authors can display and sell their books, a share and critique party with other authors, worship opportunities, small-group breakout sessions, fellowship and much more.
Primary goal
According to Wray, the conference provides a wealth of opportunities for Christian writers of all levels.
“Our primary goal is to provide quality information and encouragement for writers who feel called by God,” she said. “Writers of all levels and welcome, and we pray that they’ll feel equipped and inspired by the time the weekend is over to pursue their writing dreams.”
The Church at Brook Hills is located at 3145 Brook Highland Parkway just off Highway 280 in Birmingham. Doors open Friday, June 6 at 11:30 a.m.; the conference concludes Sat., June 7 at 4 p.m.
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