Aspiring Authors Convene in Detroit at Greater Grace Temple

Aug. 6, 2012 - PRLog -- Eighty-one percent of all adults in the U.S. want to write a book, according to bookstats.org, a book industry research website. But only less than ten percent actually start the book project, and only half of that group actually finish and publish their book.

“Everyone wants to write a book. People dream of creating a masterpiece,” said Venus Mason Theus, founder and conference host of the Anointed Pen Christian Writers Conference (APCWC), which is being held again at Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple, 23500 West 7 Mile Road. The two-day event will be on Friday evening, September 28 and during the day on Saturday, 29.  

“It took me ten years to write my first novel, so I completely understand. There are tons of reasons why we should write a book – and tons of excuses why we can’t. But I want to help aspiring authors, particularly Christian writers, publish.  It is possible, especially with today’s technology, to publish in less than 30 days. It is not as hard as people think.”

Mason Theus, who is also the president of the American Christian Writers Detroit chapter, says these are the top reasons why people don’t write a book:
1.   I don’t have the time
2.   I don’t know where to begin
3.   I don’t write well enough
4.   I don’t have the support
5.   I don’t have the money
6.   I don’t know the mechanics of publishing
7.   I don’t know how to get people to read my book

“Everyone has a book inside of them. As a Christian, I firmly believe it is a responsibility to share positive messages with the world and be a light.  There is an alarming disparity in the disproportionate number of faith-based titles that are released today in comparison with the number of secular books.

“But we are called to spread the message of hope. And writing inspirational books or at the very least, telling our testimony, is what our mission is all about. We are to be scribes – just like the writers of the Bible were. And, you know, the Bible is the best-selling book of all time – yet Christian authors lag in the book publishing arena today,” said Mason Theus.

Driven by a desire to change the state of Christian publishing, Mason Theus launched the Annual Anointed Pen event, which has attracted more than 300 attendees over the four years since its inception.  See the conference video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IsuDHWks94&feature=colike



“We have great speakers and workshops to help demystify writing and publishing books by showing people how to plan and execute writing projects for publishing success, said Mason Theus.

“We want to empower people with the right tools, information, contacts and role models so that they can write their masterpieces. We will have writing exercises, expert advice and plenty of encouragement.”

Besides helping writers get the right mind-set and motivation about publishing, the conference will cover:
1.   How to Promote Your Book with Speaking Engagements
2.   Writing and Marketing Children’s Books
3.   How to Create and Sell eBooks
4.    How to Identify and Maximize Your Productivity
5.   Writing for the Teen and Young Adult Market
6.   How to Go from Manuscript to Marketplace
7.   How to write a Memoir
8.   How to write a play
9.   How to go from a Blog to a Book

Added this year is the Literary Thought Leaders and Book Awards Luncheon. There is a call for nominations for the best books in the fiction, nonfiction genres to win an Anointed Pen Book Award.

The community can make their nominations for the Anointed Pen Book Awards by going here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XC2856S. The deadline to submit nominations is  the end of August.

Also new this year, is the Master Class with Essence best-selling author Kendra Norman Bellamy.  She has penned titles such as More Than Grace, Because of Grace, A Love So Strong, Thicker Than Water and Crossing Jhordan's River.

In addition to writing novels, Norman-Bellamy is also founder and president of KNB Publications and a motivational speaker, traveling the globe to teach her signature 4-part aspiring writers series, "The Writer's Cocoon" as well as workshops on how to succeed as a Christian author.

“Those with a desire or who feel God nudging them to publish a book need to come to this event to learn to step out and just write. Our conference is part inspiration, part information and all good.  We have planned the APCWC to jump-start or revive your writing projects and become a published author,” said Mason Theus.

To register for the conference or to get more details call, Venus Mason Theus at 313.389-6739 or go to http://www.anointedpen.com