Congratulations to Susan May Warren for winning ACFW’s 2010 Mentor of the Year Award!! A well-deserved honor!

~*~

Crunching leaves. Bulky sweaters. Crisp air. Apple cider. Pumpkin patches.

Change is in the air.

Yes, autumn is here.

Growing up, I lived close to my grandparents’ dairy farm. I remember my grandpa and uncle harvesting the corn, my grandma and aunt canning and freezing for the long winter months. They prepared for the harvest.

As writers, we do the same. September was ripe with preparation for the ACFW conference. Many came home with requests for submissions from agents and editors. All of the planting and growing of our manuscripts paid off. Now, it is time to prepare for the harvest.

That means submitting those chapters and waiting for responses. Before submitting, make sure you’re sending your very best work. Spend time plowing through those sentences, pulling those unnecessary words, pruning those long paragraphs of backstory, and ripen each scene with a sensory-infused story world.

This issue is about preparing for the harvest with articles about self-editing, website design, author photos, and being respected for being work-at-home writers.

The seasons aren’t the only changes we’ll be seeing. Susie and the Voices e-zine staff are preparing for changes with the e-zine. In January 2011, we will go from four issues a year to six. Additionally, Voices will have an opportunity to submit articles to be featured in the e-zine. More information will be forthcoming soon. Beth Vogt will be presenting the Mentoring Path, too. All of these changes are happening to provide you with terrific resources at My Book Therapy to help you along your writing journey.

This terrific e-zine would not have happened without the help of the exceptional staff and supplemental writers. So allow me to close by thanking those involved in putting this e-zine together:

Book Therapists, Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck

Voices Staff

• Reba J. Hoffman, Prayer Coordinator
• Beth K. Vogt, Lead Proofer
• Amy Lindberg, Assistant Proofer, Flash Fiction Coordinator
• Edie Melson, Assistant Proofer
• Roxanne Sherwood, Assistant Proofer
• Carrie Fancett Pagels, Journey With the Voice coordinator, Featured Fiction: Upcoming Releases Coordinator
• Patricia Woodside, Ask the Therapist Coordinator
• Melissa Tagg, What’s Your Story? Coordinator
• Jennie Atkins, Let’s Shout it Out Coordinator
• Teri Dawn Smith, Consulting With the Specialists Coordinator

Guest Authors

• Edie Melson, “R-E-S-P-E-C-T“
• Roxanne Sherwood, “I’m Not Published-Why Do I Need A Photographer“
• Jennie Atkins, “Getting to Know Frasier Winner Melissa Tagg“
• Carrie Fancett Pagels, “Four Self-Editing Tips“

My Book Therapy (MBT) has over 700 members and grows daily. Members receive an abundance of resources to help them further their craft. Here’s a glimpse:

• Love Me Tender blog series—How to Craft a Romance
• Club Voices—forums where you can ask questions and learn from other Voices.
• Monday Night Chats—free workshops! Suz and Rachel share their wisdom of story crafting. Chat transcripts are added to the forum for those who missed the chats to read.
• Voices E-zine—for the Voices by the Voices — your place to share your writing and build a platform.
• Storycrafting retreats—an incredible experience where you will learn to take your writing to the next level.
• The Frasier writing contest—personalized feedback and fantastic prizes to continue to help writers hone their story crafting skills.
• Annual MBT pizza party at the ACFW conference.
• You can personalize your own Club Voices page with a blog, comment wall and photos.
  • You can connect to Twitter or share with Facebook from your Club Voices page … there’s a status box on your page. When you type in your status, it is forwarded to your Twitter page. You have the option to share with your Facebook readers too.
  • Form or join critique, brainstorming and writing support groups.

Whether you’re a new writer learning the basics or an established, published author, get involved and meet others who are finding their way too. At MBT, you are not alone in your journey. Be a part of the writing community where Every Voice Counts!

Your Voices Editor,

Lisa Jordan