Reading, Writing, and Redwoods: The Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference

I’m finally unpacked and rested from the 2014 Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, and I have to say this year was one of the most relaxing conferences I’ve experienced. In previous years, I’ve attended in order to learn the business and to pitch to editors and agents. Last year I was desperately trying to meet an editing deadline for my debut novel, Mistaken. This year, I was able to take a deep breath, sit back, and enjoy.

I attended several classes to help me further my career–marketing, craft, publishing trends–but my favorite part was encouraging the aspiring writers who were buzzing around like honeybees in search of publishing nectar. Mount Hermon has a buddy program that matches first-time attendees with conference veterans. I was assigned two fabulous buddies who jumped right in with both feet, making appointments to speak with editors and agents and receiving requests for proposals and manuscript samples. I was also delighted to see two of my buddies from last year returning for a second visit. I experienced joy in cheering them on and celebrating their successes. I was prepared to give comfort, if needed, but everyone seemed to weather minor disappointments with grace and focused instead on the positives.

This was my sixth year at the Mount Hermon Conference. The first time I came, I knew no one and I brought huge aspirations of being a published author. I left knowing how much I still had to learn. This year I was able to bring my first published novel and see it in the bookstore alongside the books of the authors I’d come to call close friends. 

Since my agent had a baby girl in 2012, she’s cut back on travel. I hadn’t seen her in person since a retreat in October 2012. We’ve kept in touch via email, but I was overjoyed with her surprise visit to Mount Hermon. Here is Rachel (center) pictured with a group of her clients (minus Sarah Tipton who was smart and headed to bed at a decent hour). I’m on the far right, if you couldn’t tell. Sandwiched between us is one of my first-timer buddies from last year, Ashley Mays. Yes, we’re now agent-sisters! On the far left is Sarah Sundin and Sherry Kyle–two women who have been great encouragers to me. In the back is a new client of Rachel’s that I was excited to meet, Allison Flexer McGaha. Beside her is Lindsay Franklin, who took home this year’s Mount Hermon Most Promising New Fiction Writer award! Woo-hoo! 

God has a way of meeting you at the conference, often at times you don’t expect. His Spirit seems to whisper through the rustling of the trees. I love seeing conferees bowing their heads in small group prayers. My heart was moved when a faculty member reminded us, “You’re not writing about God. You’re not even writing for God. You’re writing WITH God. He wants to walk this road with you.” Another instructor paused his class for prayer every time someone needed to sneak out for a scheduled appointment. I shared a cozy cabin with three other writers, and it was sheer joy to come home in the evening and laugh together. 

Here’s a few more photos to show you the fun we had at this year’s conference. 

Celebrating MISTAKEN with dear friend, Sarah Sundin.

With fellow Abingdon author, Deborah Raney.

Trying not to go all “fan-girl” over one of my favorite authors, Susan Meissner.

I love these ladies! Authors Rebecca DeMarino and Sherry Kyle.

Four Abingdon authors, all in one place!

Goodbye until next time, Mount Hermon!