Guest Book

Hi Patricia!
Thanks for writing! Good to hear from you. The Christian market is currently VERY confusing. Many folks are going around saying that "No one is publishing anything in the kid's market right now." But I completely DISAGREE with this message. Hang in there! It's a changing world, but there is HOPE!
The reason the messages are so confusing is due to two major factors. The first is that Christian retail stores are STRUGGLING. It's hard for them to do well while trying to compete with all the general market stores that are now selling much of the same things. Because they buy in huge bulk, they can charge so much less. It also doesn't help that the economy is struggling right now too. But all that does NOT mean that nothing is getting published - particularly in children's publishing. Parents are ALWAYS going to want their children to read more!
What it does mean, is that Christian publishers are confused. They don't know how to drive more traffic into Christian retail stores. They also don't know how to get better placement in general stores. So actually, right now I have challenged WRITERS - who are the "creative" folks, to help publishers with those challenges! When you submit a book, it wouldn't hurt to submit a great idea for how to tackle an issue like this. Just think of the value you would be providing to them?
The second reason that it feels like publishers aren't publishing anything is due to the ever-changing world, particularly for children right now. They are innudated with media, Internet options and new technology which is very difficult to compete with. How does a children's Christian book fit into that world? Some don't belong in that world - but if that's the case, how do those books compete and get attention?
These are all huge issues that publishers are struggling with today. So while it seems like they aren't publishing anything - they ARE. (Otherwise they would all be out of business!) The problem is that even the publishers may not know what they want to publish right now. The lack of communication is translating into "they aren't selling anything." But it's just a lack of communication and understanding. Publishers are trying to tackle these huge issues so they can find products they can go forward with to face them head on and still succeed! It's no easy feat.
So my advise is to study the marketplace hard - both the general market and Christian market. Do your homework. Perfect your skills. KNOW your craft. Don't send in work before it's ready and really polished and perfect in your eyes. Be sure it addresses a need and truly meets the age group that you are addressing. If you do anything less than that, you will most likely fail because it IS a competitive market. But the good news is that it's NOT an impossible market!
Take care and keep in touch!

Cindy Kenney on July 22, 2008

Hi Cindy, I heard about you at the 6/08 SCBWI-IL conference from a fellow children's "spiritual" writer Cindy Strong. Cindy wrote Where Angels Sleep and I have three pb's with Cook Communications in 2005. Both of us feel a little down about the lack of intrest from religious publishing houses and agents. Even the Wheaton WTP conference seems to downplay sponsoring children's acquisitions/editors. Yet a recent survey says that 70% of Americans are 'religious'. Do you have any info you can share with us? Thanks, Pat

Patricia Karwatowicz on June 26, 2008

Cindy,
Thank you the wonderful information you presented at the BRMCWC. Your sessions were truly outstanding. I never knew that I knew so little.
Since, I'm now fully aware that I could use guidance in this writing journey, I wondered how I might get signed up for you mentoring services. It would be a blessing to be mentored by someone of your talent and skill.
Also, thank you for taking my manuscript with you to critique. I look forward to your comments. The story is taken from our adoption journey. You can read all about it at www.youbelong.net/lollipopzimmer
Thank you again! Kim kimzim1@suddenlink.net

Kimberly Zimmer on June 19, 2008

Hi Cindy,
I have just signed up for your newsletter. I received so much from your workshop at the BRMCWC. It has equiped me to become a better writer. I keep going over and over my notes and I keep rewriting and rewriting. Thanks so much for sharing your gift.
Cindy Todd

Cindy Todd on May 30, 2008

Dear Cindy It was delightful to attend your workshop at Ridgecrest this week. You shared so much information in the four sessions. I appreciated your honest review of my writings. You said what I needed to hear. Thank you for taking time to encourage me in a week that was stressful for you. I have discovered the tool on Microsoft Word that identifies the age level appropriateness of my writing. That's just the first of many helpful hints that I learned and will incorporate into my writing experience.
May God bless and encourage you. I loved the Jesus that I saw in you this week.
Blessings Glenda Wesson A Spotted Dog

Glenda Wesson on May 23, 2008

Hey Cindy! Just thought I would wander by...
Happy Mother's Day! Hope you're having the best day ever. God bless you for all you are, and all you do, because you are a blessing!

Michelle Knoll on May 11, 2008

"Look at the nations and watch-and be utterly amazed. (Another version says, "Be Astonished! Wonder!) For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." Habakkuk 1:5 (NIV)
I must admit, I really haven't spent a lot of time in the book of Habakkuk. And I can't even remember how God led me to this verse...most likely through a morning devotion or a Bible study that I've done recently (probably Priscilla Shirer's Discerning God's Voice). But God has "utterly amazed" me by doing "something in [my] days that [I] would not [have] believed, even if [I had been] told"!!
Please bear with me as I give a little background, so that you can see the intricate working of God's hand over the last months...even the last years...to bring me to this place of astonishment. I just must testify to His goodness and praise His Name!
I can remember feeling a nudge from God to "write" for years. There were seasons where I would actively pursue writing and be obedient to God's prompting (even to the point of "quitting my day job" after the Beth Moore study Believing God), and seasons where I was "flat out" disobedient (hindered by a lack of discipline, bound by the wildernesses of life, or just too busy...with four daughters, a husband in ministry, and going back to my day job, another area of "calling" by God, as a teacher of Kindergarteners. I love my students!)
Since 2003, I have made efforts to "hone my craft" by attending various writers conferences (Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Proverbs 31 Ministries' She Speaks/She Writes Conference, Children's Authors' Bootcamp). The Christian writers' conferences have not only educated me on the "ins and outs" of writing and publishing, but have been amazing times of Spiritual renewal, as well as meeting treasured friends who are also pursuing a God-given dream.
Okay, enough background...here's the astonishing, wondrous, unbelievable story of God's working! In February of this year, I was browsing the website of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference. I was lamenting...and honestly having a little pity party...because I couldn't go this year. (Now the reasons that I couldn't go are not cause for lament! The conference is May 18-22. Well, my precious daughter, Rachel, is getting married on May 17th!!! That is an occasion for great joy! And May 19-22 is the last week of school...my final week with my precious Kindergarteners. I can't miss that!)
Now, back to the lamenting...as I was reading all the amazing workshops that I would be missing, I couldn't help but notice a link on their website...the Gideon Media Arts Conference. Now, the only reason that it even caught my eye was that I was going to be teaching about Gideon in my Bible lesson at school the next week. Odd or God? I think God!!! I clicked on the link, scrolled through the workshop listings, and initially thought there was really nothing there for me...until I happened upon the name of Cindy Kenney, an amazing well-known author and editor for companies such as Big Idea Productions and Exclaim Entertainment. She was offering a class called "Creating a Picture Book Layout" which was open to only 12 participants and required the submission of a completed children's picture book manuscript. Feeling, like Gideon...the weakest and the least...I "put out a fleece" and emailed my manuscript to Cindy, honestly having faith as small as a mustard seed. In just a few days, I received an invitation to join in the class. I emailed prayer warrior friends and family and said, "What do I do now?" I was heartily encouraged to Go!!
Lest you think that this is the climax of the story, may I just say that it was only the beginning! When I entered the classroom where I would be working with Cindy Kenney and Josiah Williams (a very talented illustrator), I feared that I was in the wrong place. No one was there. I was in the process of calling the front desk to ask if there had been any room changes, when Cindy and Josiah walked in. They came and sat beside me and said, "We've got a little something to tell you. It's going to be just the three of us." All I could think or say was, "Habakkuk 1:5!!" Yes, I was astonished! In Wonder! Utterly Amazed! I had come thinking I would be 1 of 12. I was 1 of 1!!! I had 5 unbelievable days with Cindy and Josiah.
And that's not all! I was 1 of 3 in a class called "How to Write for Brand Publishing," learning how to write for established brands...coming home with actual opportunities for assignments with VeggieTales, Precious Moments, and BOZ the Bear!
I spent a week amid well known authors, movie producers, screen writers, actors...all seeking "To spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through all types of media!" I sat under the teaching of Phil Vischer, creator of VeggieTales. I had the awesome opportunity to join in a class of 4 and actually interview with Matt Stockman at WMIT radio station, 106.9! (Thanks Ann Bruce!) I got to eat meals and just "hang out" with the most amazingly talented, God-honoring people!! I'm resisting the urge to name drop...okay, I can't resist...Ray Blackston, Ted Baehr, Michelle Cox, Vonda Skelton...I could go on and on!!
Odd or God? Only God could have orchestrated those days!! I can't wait to see what is to follow!
How does God want to "utterly amaze" you? In what area are you waiting for Him to do "something in your days that you would not believe if you were told"? Believe Him! Our God is able!!!
Lord, thank you for your promise in Matthew 17:20, that even if I "have faith as small as a mustard seed....Nothing will be impossible for you." Thank you for desiring to lavish your love on us and provoke us to "Be astonished! Wonder!...[and] believe...." Help us to trust, to seek you and follow you, to obey! You are amazing, God! Amen
(And by the way, did I mention that the amazing parents of my Kindergarteners donated a brand new laptop in January for my use in the classroom? I could not have successfully completed the workshop without it!! God provides!!) -- Kristi Butler

Kristi on May 4, 2008

Hi! I am excited about the upcoming Blue Ridge Writer's Conference! While checking in on some of the session leaders, I found you! I know I'm supposed to be there and I'm thrilled that you will be there, too. Can't wait to meet you! -Janet Roller

Janet Roller on March 29, 2008

I wanted you to know I was finally able to bring your website up. It just happened and I was thrilled. I too enjoy all of your books very much. I think I have every one.
Much luck to you in all of your travels and writings. I will be looking for all of them.
Blessings and prayers to you at all times. Marlene

Marlene J. Tresp on February 26, 2008

Hi Gautam!
I would be very happy to help you get started. To find out how, please send me a message by going to the bottom at the top of the screen that says: CONTACT PAGE. That will allow you to email me personally, and then I can respond to you personally as well.
Hope to hear from you soon. Take care!

Cindy on February 14, 2008

I am new & want to start asap.pl reply, Gautam

Gautam Kumar Chaudhury on December 19, 2007

Hi Cindy!
I just wanted to tell you how much I really loved your sessions at the Wheaton Writer's Conference. It was everything I needed and more. You are the absolutely best teacher that I have ever heard (and I've been to lots of conferences). Your handouts were so fabulous and each session was organized so well. You made us laugh and cry and we all learned so much!
I also wanted to thank you for your generous spirit, cheerful heart and unending servanthood. I think you blew us away with your willingness to go above and beyond what most of us expected. Your critique of my story was so helpful. (My story was the chapter book about elves.) I have been looking for that kind of help for a long time and I finally feel like I have the direction that I need to get it to where it needs to be now. Thank you for that.
I hope that this message finds you and your family doing well. I love your new website and I can't wait until you get more of it up and running. I'm anxious to attend another conference where you'll be teaching again too.
Praises to you, friend!
In His Loving Name, Sherri

Sherri on August 13, 2007

Post Message

Thanks again for visiting! I hope you found it fun and beneficial. Please drop by again soon. Information changes all the time!

Blessings,

Cindy

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