2023 Webinars are held the third Thursday of each month at 7pm EST. In 2024, we will shift to alternating between Tuesday and Thursday each month to better serve our members. Please refer to the list of dates and times below.
Chapter members will receive an email with a link to the webinar via Zoom. The link will also be posted in the ACFW Virginia Facebook Group. When instructors permit, PowerPoint slides will be made available to members under the file tab of the ACFW Virginia Facebook group page as well. Webinars are recorded and accessible for two years.
As a reminder, each time you attend a live webinar January – September, you will be entered into a drawing for a paid registration fee to our November virtual conference!
If you’re not eligible for Virginia Chapter membership but want to view the webinars, click here to find out how you can join as a webinar-only member!
How to Sell Your Book to Perfect Strangers – Presented by Robert Quattlebaum January 19, 2023
Creating Characters That Pop Off the Page – Presented by Dani Pettrey February 16, 2023
Great Beginnings and Edge-of-the-Seat Ends – Presented by Liz Tolsma March 16, 2023
Getting Newsletter and Instagram Engagement – Presented by Candice Yamintz April 20, 2023
Develop a Companion Product for Added Impact – Presented by Athena Dean Holtz May 18, 2023
The Setting of Your Story – Presented by Ruth Douthitt – June 15, 2023
Seeking Excellence – Presented by Mary Pat Johns- July 20, 2023
What Your Launch Team Member Wants You to Know – Presented by Erin Mifflin- August 17, 2023
The Care and Nurture of Readers – Presented by Sarah Hamaker- September 21, 2023
Instagram Reels Made Simple
Presented by Christine Boatwright
October 19 @ 7 p.m. EST
You’ve heard that Instagram reels are the perfect way to build your social media following, but where to begin? It’s not as intimidating or out of reach as it seems! As soon as you learn a few basics, you’ll be ready to find the trends, entertain or inform, and build your follower base.
The Bible came to life for Christine Boatwright when she realized it told one complete story—the story of Jesus Christ. Christine learned storytelling through her time as an award-winning journalist and academic writer. She is the president of the ACFW Upstate SC chapter and loves building a local writing community. In her free time as a stay-at-home mom, she finds little moments to work on her debut novel and build her writing community, both online and in the South Carolina upstate. Connect with her at linktree.com/christineboatwright.
Basic Bookkeeping for Writers
Presented by Tammy Karasek
December 7 @ 7 p.m. EST
As self-employed writers, it’s up to us to keep appropriate and detailed records. Whether you will prepare your own taxes or hire a Tax Specialist, you will need your expense receipts and income figures for your tax forms.
In this class Tammy will give you easy ways to keep your financial records organized and ready to use before that April 15 deadline. This class will not cover tax particulars as each state has specifics, but it will touch on the Schedule C form categories.
You’ll find Tammy Karasek using humor and wit to bring joy and hope to every aspect of life. Rising above adversity, she’s gone from down and defeated to living a Tickled Pink life as she believes there is always a giggle wanting to come out! All because of HIM.
Known as a detail freak, her passion to get and stay organized allows for more time to enjoy life and save money, too. Less stress equals more time to laugh. And who wouldn’t like less stress at tax time? Connect with Tammy at https://tammykarasek.com.
Scrivener 3.0 for PC
Presented by Bonnie Woodward
January 18, 2024 @ 7 p.m. EST
If you’re a PC user interested in learning how to use Scrivener, this class is for you!
Bonnie is married with four adult children and is currently studying to earn certification as an American Sign Language interpreter. She and her husband run a business out of their home. She works part-time at Cracker Barrel restaurant in the retail store, where she hears interesting personal stories and meets new people to populate her novels. She is a member of FHLCW and is active in her local chapter of ACFW-VA. Her flash fiction story, Tables Turned, was published in the fall 2022 issue of Spark Flash Fiction Magazine. Of Feuds and Faith placed second in the 2022 Maggie Awards for Excellence contest in the Romance with Spiritual or Religious Elements category.
How to Keep Writing From Being a Pain in the Neck
Presented by Valerie Fentress
February 20, 2024 @ 7 p.m. EST
How to care for, work with, and listen to your body as you write.
Valerie Fentress is a children’s author who seeks to encourage kids to know God and know who God says they are. She does this with simple stories filled with biblical truth. Find out more about Valerie and her books at www.ValerieFentress.com
Let Your Funny Flag Fly
Presented by Shelli Ragle
March 21, 2024 @ 7 p.m. EST
Attendees will learn the value of humor in writing. We will discuss tools, techniques, where to find it, when to use it, and when not to use it. Examples will be woven in so the writers can better understand the concepts being presented. And, most importantly, they’ll be encouraged to enjoy the journey of writing.
Shelli Ragle helps writers and speakers bedazzle their words with a healthy dose of humor. Shelli holds a creative writing degree from Southern Methodist University. She has been a copywriter, editor, and a contributing writer. Shelli is also a certified speaker with certifications from both Activate and Christian Communicators Conference.
Shelli can be found on Medium (@shelliragle), Instagram (shelliragle), and Facebook (Shelli Ragle – Writer).
How to Dress Up Your Story: Tips & Tricks From a Developmental Editor
Presented by Stephanie Miller
April 16, 2024 @ 7 p.m. EST
Join Stephanie as she takes us through our writing “closet” and teaches us how to best share our message with a clear theme, takeaway and understanding of our audience. Just like the perfect accessory completes an outfit, the right writing technique can take your story from “good” to “great” and really make it sparkle and shine!
Stephanie Miller is a certified writing and spiritual growth coach, best-selling author, and Christian speaker. Her coaching ministry, Butterfly Beginnings focuses on helping women grow in their writing and creativity. She has authored and co-authored several books including her book, “The Butterfly Blueprint: How to Renew Your Mind and Grow Your Faith.” She seeks to encourage women to share their story with others authentically and transparently by helping them gain clarity, consistency, and confidence to release their God-given message in the world!
Connect with her on her website: www.butterfly-beginning.com or on facebook/instagram @stephaniemillercoach.
Pitch Perfect
Presented by Jane Daly
May 16, 2024 @ 7 p.m. EST
This workshop will help the beginning writer step into their 15 minute appointment with an agent or editor with confidence. Jane will walk you through how to condense your book into 35-50 words, then to expand the description to captivate the agent’s attention. This is a hands-on workshop.
After a career in banking, Jane is living her dream of traveling the country in her motor home. Full-time living in a 400 square foot box has its challenges, but the rewards are great – new and fresh ideas for her next novel. When she’s not hunched over her computer, she can be found exploring historic sites and making new friends.
Help! How Do I Finish This Thing?
Presented by Julia Dittmaier
June 18, 2024 @ 7 p.m. EST
Stuck in the middle of your novel? Or perhaps you haven’t even finished chapter one? This class will help you navigate your messy manuscript to its completion. With tips on plotting (and Pantsing) your way through your novel, this class is geared toward beginners (and also perfectionists) who need a little push to reach THE END.
Julia is an adventurous warrior princess at heart who desires to write clean, exciting fantasy stories for young adults navigating a dangerous world. She is a Sunday school teacher and a former homeschooler. When she isn’t working her day job, she is either typing away on her current manuscript or making things with epoxy resin. She lives with her knight in shining armor (aka her husband) and their cat, Aslan.
Connect with her on her website Julia N. White – The Warrior Princess Blog (julianwhiteauthor.com), Instagram Julia N. White (@julias.writing.journey) , or Tik Tok Julia N White (@julias.writing.journey) | TikTok
Oral History: Everybody Has a Story
Presented by Laure Herlich
July 18, 2024 @ 7 p.m. EST
Why Oral Histories? Because EVERYbody has a story!
Oral histories are the stories of peoples’ lives. True stories can help us to understand the history of our family members and townspeople and can help us to build a multi-generational and multicultural community. Collecting oral histories may not make you rich, but, as a writer, they can be another step on the path to publication. What do you need to get started? To whom will you speak? What will you ask them? How can you put this to use? What are the protocols to abide by?
Laurie Herlich loves living in rural northeast Tennessee, where Story is everything. She writes flash fiction and cozy mysteries in a converted garden hut situated in her backyard. Laurie is a regular contributor to www.christiandevotions.us and is a finalist for a Selah award in the online devotion category. She is also a contributor to Jonesborough, Tennessee’s StoryTown NPR Radio Show/Podcast, and is an intern with the Jonesborough Storytelling Guild.
Ten Reasons Why Your Novel Isn't Published
Presented by Karin Beery
August 20, 2024 @ 7 p.m. EST
Lack of platform is NOT the main reason most manuscripts are rejected. Writers everywhere speculate about their rejections, and most of the things they post on social media are wrong. Publishers DO want fresh voices and new twists on classic tropes. The truth, however, is that people aren’t submitting them. What, then, is really going on?
We’re not trying to keep it a secret; we WANT authors to know so they can submit the types of manuscripts publishers are looking for. In this class, I’ll tell you the top 10 reasons why I’ve rejected manuscripts this past year.
Owner of Write Now Editing, Karin Beery is a published author and editor with experience in traditional and self-publishing, freelance editing, and editing for publishers. She is an active member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Christian Authors Network, and the Christian Proofreaders and Editors Network, as well as a PEN Institute instructor. Her specialty is substantive fiction editing with an emphasis in romance and women’s fiction.
Learn to Bleed on the Page
Presented by Darlene Larson
September 19, 2024 @ 7 p.m. EST
Fine tune your craft. Learn how to bring your heart to the page.
Write with your own vocabulary, tone, and voice of truth. Touch the troubled heart of the reader by offering your heart upon the page. “ Then the LORD answered me and said, “Write down the vision And inscribe it clearly on tablets, So that one who reads it may run” (Habakkuk 2:2 NASB).
Don’t let Darlene’s upbeat spirit and smile trick you into believing her life has been a walk down daisy lane. She knows disappointments like they are her best friends. As the founder of Hearts with a Purpose, she coaches women around the world. A Professional Certified Life Purpose Coach® and Grief-Loss Coach, Darlene passionately helps women find purpose from the pain of their story! Author of the 31-day life changing devotional series, Enable Me, Lord to Shift: Are you stuck in idle? Learn how to shift into Truth and live, and a grief-loss book pending. www.Heartswithapurpose.com
https://heartswithapurpose.com/blog-of-darlene-larson-life-purpose-coach-hearts-with-a-purpose/
https://www.facebook.com/LifeCoachDarleneLarson/?ref=hl
Master-ing Your Marketing Mountain
Presented by Liana George
October 15, 2024 @ 7 p.m. EST
Are you feeling overwhelmed by author marketing? Does it seem as though it’s a giant mountain you must climb, with only a few book sales and minimal audience growth? If you’re looking to find marketing success and make it to the top, this workshop is for you!
Together we’ll examine the levels necessary to scale the marketing mountain, using examples from the Master Himself, Jesus. You’ll learn how to build a solid foundation and acquire the necessary tools, knowledge, and inspiration to reach the summit. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to MASTER the Marketing Mountain and take your marketing efforts to new heights!
Liana George, a Texas native, is a highly sought-after speaker, blogger, and author. She is known for her three books in the Hopeful Heart Series, Perfectly Arranged, Perfectly Placed, and Perfectly Matched, which were published by Scrivenings Press. Her inspiration for these books comes from her experiences as a professional organizer and her time living in China. Liana is not just a novelist; she is also the co-founder and creative director of The Author’s Write Hand. This agency provides marketing, platform building, and virtual assistance services to clean and Christian authors. When Liana isn’t scribbling away or putting things in order, she enjoys reading, traveling, watching tennis, or tending to her small farm just outside of Houston.
Website: www.lianageorge.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LianaGWriter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lianaygeorge/
Crafting Success on Review Platforms
Presented by Dana Claire
December 5, 2024 @ 7 p.m. EST
In the digital realm of book discovery, review platforms stand paramount. This presentation offers insights into maximizing your book’s visibility and garnering impactful reviews amidst a sea of titles. Uncover strategies to engage the right reviewers, craft compelling listings, and navigate feedback effectively. Elevate your presence on review platforms and turn them into your book’s biggest advocates.
Meet Dana Claire, a seasoned marketing and sales pro, public speaker, and acclaimed young adult author. Combining her literary knowledge and marketing expertise, Dana founded The INKfluence—an innovative marketing agency exclusively for authors. Passionate about author education, she empowers fellow writers to build their literary empires. INKfluence’s services include consulting, promotional product design and production, marketing ghost-writing, and direct sales assistance. The agency focuses on equipping authors with valuable insights and skills to thrive in publishing’s ever-evolving landscape. With a commitment to success, The INKfluence is the go-to resource for writers making a significant impact in the publishing world today.