APRIL 2025 NEWSLETTER

Hi everyone! We're halfway through National Poetry Month, and we want to hear from you! Send in ONE poem you've written for a chance to be featured in our next monthly newsletter. You can respond with your poem directly to this email. We can’t wait to read them and share a few! Now for conference news…

Save the date October 23-25, 2025

BIG NEWS: West Coast Christian Writers Conference is coming to Southern California!

West Coast Christian Writers (WCCW) is expanding; we have been dreaming of this for a few years and now it’s happening! We are heading to Southern California this year for our annual WCCW Conference and we cannot wait to hang out with our writer friends old and new. Save the date and make plans to join us for the upcoming West Coast Christian Writers Conference on Thursday through Saturday, October 23-25, 2025.

Some key info to jot down and save:

• Friday and Saturday, October 24-25, are the two main conference days full of featured keynotes, dozens of break-out workshops, one-on-one appointments, community tables, focused writing labs, and a conference bookstore (where you can shop or place your own books.

• Thursday, October 23 is a pre-conference day. You can add on this day for a valuable, customized CREW group of 8 people, hosted by expert faculty coach and mentor. Watch out for the reveal of our specialized topics. These groups sell out quickly!

• Fullerton, we’ll be there soon! We're pleased to announce that our Southern California conference venue is Fullerton Free Church in Fullerton, CA (in Orange County about 20 min from Disneyland). Hotel info coming soon.

• NEW: Lunches are included this year in registration! Our caterer can accommodate most dietary restrictions.

• FLASH SALE: Every year we run a one-week Flash Sale with our lowest price of the conference season; this year our Flash Sale for WCCW members* is June 23-30, and for our general audience it’s July 1-8.

  (Interested in becoming a WCCW member? Scroll down for more info.)

• Not sure if you can come in-person? Our hybrid conference is online, too. You can still enjoy the connection, teaching, and encouragement of WCCW from the comfort of your couch. Or maybe a sandy waterfront in your hometown. Your conference location possibilities are endless!

• The 2025 Southern California conference will be co-directed by award-winning novelist Sarah Sundin and longtime WCCW administrative director Sarah Barnum. Sarah Sundin is the ECPA bestselling author of historical fiction set during World War II; her novels have won the Christy Award and the Carol Award. She has served in various roles with WCCW for nearly a decade, bringing a wealth of experience to her new position as co-director. Conference co-director Sarah Barnum is an award-winning freelance editor and has also been a vital member of the WCCW leadership team for a decade, contributing significantly to the organization's growth and community development. Her dedication to supporting Christian writers in their journey has made her an invaluable asset to the WCCW community.

• WCCW is an independent, growing nonprofit of writers helping writers. We are based in the Sacramento area with a mission to serve and equip writers, a legacy Christian writers conference of over 30 years, a membership community, and a philanthropic organization. And we can’t wait to meet you at the conference!

  
  

You could always make a little vacation of it — a trip to Disneyland or one of the other parks, a jaunt to beautiful sandy beaches, or a visit to the Hollywood walk of fame or a world-class museum. October is a beautiful time of the year in the southern part of the state. Bring your capris and sunglasses and come join us!

April & May Member Events: Writer Connex & a Mini-Masterclass

Ever wish you could hang out with writers more often than at the conference once a year? You can! Writer Connex is our quarterly, themed online meetup for WCCW Members, and features special industry guests, guided discussion, and breakout rooms on issues and topics affecting writers. Inspiring, encouraging, with a strong community feeling. Your hosts are Jan Kern & Jeanette Hanscome.

WRITER CONNEX: Our next Writer Connex is Monday, April 28 AT 6:30 pm Pacific on Zoom. The topic of the evening is: Overcoming Rejection.

• Join us for a supportive CONNEX meetup exploring the universal writer's struggle with rejection. We'll discuss turning painful feedback into growth opportunities, maintaining your creative mission when shaken, and finding that delicate balance between developing resilience and staying open to improvement.

• Featured activity: Experience "blackout poetry" as a creative response to rejection, transforming critical feedback into unexpected art. Handouts will be available to download and print before the session.

• (NOTE: you must be a WCCW member to join. Zoom link will be emailed to members in advance.)

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MINI-MASTERCLASS: Our next Mini-masterclass is Tuesday, May 6 at 6 pm Pacific on Zoom.

TOPIC: Meet Substack! How to harness and use this new author platform to publish your own work (and reach new readers)

• Instructor: Sherry Chidwick of Diesel & Dignity.

• This live event is $14; free for WCCW members. This event will be recorded.

• Registration info coming soon

  
  

MEMBERSHIP CALENDAR: Our WCCW membership activities calendar for 2025 is here! While these events are for members only, you can join us for just $70 annually. WCCW membership empowers your writing journey through Christ-centered community. Join today to gain priority conference registration, participate in critique groups, connect with fellow writers, and access free mini masterclasses. Polish your skills, pitch to agents, analyze bestsellers, and share your work through our newsletter—all within a supportive network that nurtures both your craft and faith.

A Huge Congratulations to these WCCW Authors!

Check out these new books

The Struggle for Courage, by Marilyn T. Parker

Genre: Biblical Fiction

A weak king. A ruthless queen. A man who must make an impossible choice to protect the woman he loves.

BIO: Marilyn has worn many hats: pastor's wife, mother of four God-loving children, school teacher, singer/songwriter, author and blogger. Marilyn and her husband enjoy their RV and live in Arizona with their monster dog, Mimi (don't let the cute name fool you!

Congratulations, Marilyn! Find her new book here.

Darkfell, by Amanda Wright

Genre: Christian Fantasy

His is a life of books and peace...Until a dying warrior’s touch ignites an ancient magic within his blood.

BIO: Amanda Wright lives in picturesque Canada where she can be found riding her horse and slaving away like a Red Bull inebriated beaver crafting new tales of adventure and romance to the glory of her heavenly father. She was honored to be a finalist in the 2023 ACFW First Impressions contest in the Young Adult category.

Congratulations, Amanda! Find her new book here.

Did you know WCCW is a nonprofit?

WCCW is more than just a conference; we’re also a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports writers in many different ways. We offer a hand-up to further the ministry of writers. Thanks to the generosity of our generous Champions*, we have awarded $1,800 in microgrants so far this year! Applications will reopen July 1.

Want to find out more about joining our Community of Champions, a group of committed donors? Click here to make a difference in the life of a Christian writer (and it’s tax deductible!)

Come join us!

We're looking for passionate volunteers to join our marketing team! If you're creative, love storytelling, or have skills in social media, design, or content creation, we’d love your help. Be part of something exciting and make a real impact. Reach out today to learn more and get involved! Email us at info@westcoastchristianwriters.com for more information.