• Home
  • Books
  • Other Media
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog

Jessica Ferguson

Author, Writing Coach, Speaker

ETBU Christian Writers Conference

November 1, 2015 By Jessica Ferguson 12 Comments

SIGNHubby and I just got back from the 13th Annual East Texas Christian Writers Conference in Marshall, Texas. I’ve known about this conference for years, but I’ve never been. I’ve often considered attending but always talked myself out of it. This year I noticed that a favorite writer would be presenting. He was also there in 2011 but I let that opportunity pass. This time I had the feeling if I didn’t go, it might be my last chance to meet him. More about that on Wednesday.

The event was held on the East Texas Baptist University grounds. It’s a beautiful campus. We registered and connected with my friend Linda Yezak, author of The Cat Lady’s Secret as well as other books. I also finally met Vickie Phelps, an email friend from my home town. postmark from the pastVickie’s debut novel, Postmark From The Past, releases November 6th. Here’s a cover pic.

After visiting awhile, hubby and I went to our pre-conference session with author Frank Ball who spoke on Story Power. I took nine pages of notes! Here’s Frank’s website. Lots of good stuff here.

The next day we attended six—yes SIX—sessions. The day was a rush of great information and very little time to visit and network, but I did meet a couple of people I hope to keep in touch with. Here’s a short rundown on my sessions.

Caleb Pirtle III spoke on The Magic Power of Storytelling. Pirtle is a former travel editor for Southern Living Magazine, a screenwriter with three motion picture and TV movie credits, and the author of more than 60 published books. Take a look at his marketing company, Venture Galleries.

Harold Rawlings spoke on Writing Christian Nonfiction. Dr. Rawlings, author of Trial by Fire, travels the country speaking to churches and schools about how the English Bible came into print. He was fascinating and encouraged all of us to try nonfiction. He says, “Truth and accuracy are the foundation upon which every nonfiction project rests.”

Bruce Gourley’s topic was Writing, Publishing and Marketing in the Digital Age. I have to confess I didn’t take many notes. We got way too techie and I zoned out, but going to Gourley’s website—wow! I sure wish he’d spoken on research.

Writers’ conferences are a necessity for all writers. You learn, but more than that, you rub shoulders with like-minded people. There’s nothing more inspiring than congregating with a crowd that loves the same thing you love—books and writing. But conferences are all different. If you’ve never attended one, do so, but take a close look at each speaker, Google them and look over their websites BEFORE you send in your registration dollars. Make sure there’s something there for you.

I wasn’t disappointed in The East Texas Christian Writers Conference at all and I got way more than I bargained for—but I went to meet one man and I’ll tell you about that meeting on Wednesday. I hope you’ll tune in.

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit

Filed Under: Conferences, Markets

Comments

  1. Charles Gramlich says

    November 2, 2015 at 8:19 am

    Seems like we can learn from just about any type of writing conference. Get new ideas and new viewpoints.

    Reply
    • Jess says

      November 2, 2015 at 8:36 am

      You’re right, Charles. I do like some social/networking time though.

      Reply
  2. Linda Yezak says

    November 2, 2015 at 2:42 pm

    I’m so glad you came to the conference. This year’s was my favorite of all conferences ever, small or large. I hope you come next year. Maybe my hubby will come with me, and the four of us can be-bop around Marshall or Jefferson for the day.

    Looking forward to Wednesday’s post!

    Reply
    • Jessica Ferguson says

      November 2, 2015 at 3:17 pm

      I hope I can make it next year too! 😉 So good to hang out with you. Let me know what happens at your ACFW chapter. We might like to visit a meeting some day.

      Reply
  3. Vickie Phelps says

    November 2, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    Great article, Jessica. I always enjoy the East Texas Christian Writers Conference. Hope you and Jim come back next year. Love seeing all my friends at the conference every year.

    Reply
    • Jessica Ferguson says

      November 2, 2015 at 6:15 pm

      It’s on our radar for next year. We stayed an extra night and walked around the old courthouse, took pics. We used to bring the kids to see the Christmas lights. One of the most beautiful courthouses I’ve ever seen. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Lynn Hobbs says

    November 2, 2015 at 5:46 pm

    Happy you could attend the conference this year! The speakers and workshops offered were excellent, and one of the best conferences of all time! Hope to meet you next year, we were so close and didn’t know it! Looking forward to reading your post on Wednesday!

    Reply
    • Jessica Ferguson says

      November 2, 2015 at 6:16 pm

      Thanks, Lynn. It was fun. Hopefully we’ll meet before conference next year! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Heather Duff says

    November 2, 2015 at 9:46 pm

    Sounds great! I’m glad you went. Can’t wait to hear all the details!

    Reply
    • Jessica Ferguson says

      November 2, 2015 at 10:21 pm

      Wish you’d been there!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. IWSG Day: ETBU Conference Part II - Jessica Ferguson says:
    November 3, 2015 at 11:23 pm

    […] about my trek to Marshall, Texas, to attend the ETBU Conference. If you’re interested you can backtrack and read Part I but each post stands alone—as they say in the world of series […]

    Reply
  2. ETBU Christian Writers Conference - Part III - Jessica Ferguson says:
    November 6, 2015 at 2:55 pm

    […] installment of my ETBU conference experience. If you missed them and you’re interested, read ETBU, Part I and  ETBU, Part II to catch […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Reality Faith.
Reality Fiction.

"As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Acts 4:20

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Connect with Jessica

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Blog Archive

Join the conversation

  • Jessica on IWSG: Writing Fears
  • L. Diane Wolfe on IWSG: Writing Fears
  • Jessica on IWSG: Writing Fears
  • Jessica on IWSG: Writing Fears

Copyright © 2025 · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy · An Oxblaze Media & Marketing Website· Login