Dear faithful members of the Southern Christian Writers Conference,
We are living in a very unique time.
And yet we firmly believe that we have been created "for such a time as this."
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we live our lives; it's changed the way we connect with each other, the way we work, the way we socialize, and the way we gather together.
And it's forced us to make decisions about the 2020 annual conference that we never anticipated.
Know that our members' health and safety has always been our NUMBER ONE priority as we've considered plans for this year's conference, and is the reason we're changing to a brand new format for our gathering. If we could have gathered together in person know that we would have.
Our normal venue--First Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama--wasn't able to guarantee a space for our participant numbers (usually around 200) until at least September. Even looking that far in advance, we couldn't guarantee that we would be able to enforce all the health and safety precautions that may still need to be in place at that point in the year.
Therefore, we've decided to venture forth and provide a brand new opportunity to members of the Southern Christian Writers Conference. In doing so, we hope that we will actually be able to expand our scope and let MORE people experience the SCWC for the first time.
The 2020 Southern Christian Writers Conference will take place on July 24-25 and will be presented in a solely virtual fashion.
The conference will still offer all the things you've grown to love about the SCWC over the years--keynote sessions, multiple workshops, breakout sessions, Q&A panel, awards ceremony, door prizes, one-on-one-sessions with agents and publishers, and even a "virtual" book room where participants can share and sell their work.
All activities for the conference will take place in a private Facebook group. When you register for the conference, you will be provided all the details to participate. It will be easy and convenient for anyone who wants to "attend."
The cost for the virtual conference will be just $50. We believe this is an extremely cost-efficient opportunity for more people than ever to experience the inspiration and information that the SCWC is known for.
We are very excited about our two keynote speakers--best-selling author Debora Coty and award-winning ESPN reporter Lauren Sisler--and know also that our faculty lineup (which will lead 14 different workshops) will provide wonderful inspiration to our participants. Our agents and publishers will also provide a special opportunity to meet with participants in private Zoom "book pitch" calls.
Please know that this was a tough decision for us to make. We look forward all year to getting back together each Summer and being with our special SCWC friends. We consider you some of God's greatest blessings to us, and can't wait to see you all in person soon.
In the meantime, though, we can't wait to connect with you on July 24-25 for this special virtual opportunity.
We truly believe that God is bringing us together in a new way. He has prepared us all for "such a time as this" when we can unite in ways that will teach and encourage us...and change us for the better.
Blessings to you all,
Cheryl
Cheryl Wray
Coordinator, Southern Christian Writers Conference
Email me with any questions: scwritersconference@gmail.com