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CLASS Communiqué             CLASSEMINARS.org
August 2009
CLASS
Christian Leaders Authors
Speakers Seminars


This month's line-up includes:
Jesus' Way to Creative Ministry
Upper CLASS - August 24-26
Personality Workshop
Sneak Peek at Ghost Ranch
The Time is Now
Writers Conference
Cecil Murphy Scholarships
Dan Penwell Scholarships
Book Proposal Blitz
Get Published Now
On-Ramp
Partnering with Pros
The Prayer of Love
CLASS Event Schedule
CLASS Radio Schedule
Marketing Moment
Need a Speaker?
CLASSEMINARS.org
Fridays with Florence
Publishing Opps
CLASS-ifieds
News! News!
Bell Book2

Have you registered for the
CLASS Christian Writers Conference, in
Abiquiu, NM, Nov. 4-8, 2009?

THIS CONFERENCE IS LESS THAN 90 DAYS AWAY!
DON'T DELAY
REGISTER TODAY


Plan to join us for a time of inspiration, motivation and instruction. Space is limited.

$575, if paid before Oct. 15,
$625, if paid after Oct. 15

Register today.
photo Jesus' Way to Creative Ministry
by William Gaultiere, Ph.D.


As a speaker or a writer have you ever thought of yourself as an artist?  As a co-creator in ministry with the Lord, your Creator?  It's true.  You and I are artists!  


Our paintbrush is our tongue or pen.  Our palette is full of words (spoken or gestured) in many colors and shades.  Our canvass is the hearts of people.  Our painting is a message of beauty that blends story and soul, warmth and wit, playfulness and practicality to connect people with Christ so that they can be formed in his image.

Let me ask you the most important question of your ministry: What is the source of your creativity?  Of course, you know that the answer is Jesus!  But how does your belief in Jesus impact your speaking and writing?

I'm afraid that you may be prone to do what I did most of my ministry career: try hard to do good work for God.  

God has gifted us and given us opportunities to help people so we think, plan, work, communicate truth, and - hopefully - we remember to ask God to bless what we're doing.  This is the way of our Christian culture.  It's why the Christian bestseller list is full of "self-help" books that teach us how to use Biblical principles to make our project of a successful life (or ministry) turn out the way we want.

But using God's truth isn't enough to bring us into God's life.  We also need to follow God's way.  Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).  To live in Jesus' abundant life and help others to join us we need to embody Jesus' truth in Jesus' way.  Following Jesus' way is the source of our creativity.

What Jesus said and did was always in response to and in concert with what he saw and heard from the Father (John 5:19, 36, 14:10).  He didn't force things or try to make things happen; he lived in submission to God and the Scriptures (Luke 4:21, Mark 14:49, John 19:28).  He didn't take up a sword or wave his banner; he carried a cross.  He didn't rush around trying to get more done and help more people; intimate conversation with the God he called "Papa" (Mark 14:36) was his first priority everyday and it was the source of his love, joy, and peace, as well as his decisions, wisdom, and miracles.

Jesus didn't try hard when he turned water into wine - he simply drew from heaven's well like his Father had taught him to do.  

O Jesus we want nothing more than to be your apprentice writers and speakers!  Teach us to write and speak creatively in your way, relying on your Spirit to help us to connect people with you and your Father.  Amen.


William Gaultiere, Ph.D. is a psychologist, spiritual director, author, and speaker.
He is the Director of Spiritual Formation Ministries at the Crystal Cathedral and
with his wife Kristi has a ministry to pastors and leaders.
Bill will be the Spiritual Formation Director at the
CLASS Christian Writers Conference.


Upper CLASS

in Henderson, NV

August 24-26, 2009

Is is time to step up to that next level as a communicator?
Basic CLASSeminar Graduates who have
been speaking professionally
for at least 2 years are ready for

Upper CLASS.


Janet Lynn Mitchell says, "Nothing surpasses the lessons I learned, the confidence I gained, and the confirmation I received by attending Upper CLASS. The personal time I spent with Florence and the wisdom she shared with me regarding my speaking style, content, and delivery will touch those I speak to for the rest of my life."

Dr. Elise D. Schneider says, "Upper CLASS was a life-changing opportunity for me! If you haven't taken advantage of Upper CLASS, I recommend that you do so. Experience the knowledge and joy that will be
your lasting lifetime gift!"

Apply online at the CLASSEMINARS website,
or contact Gerry Wakeland for further information.

 
Personality Workshop

September 28 - 30
Ft. Worth, TX
Fee: $575
  • Gain fresh perspectives and new skills on the personalities and how they interact
  • Benefit from dialogue and fun interaction with Personality Team members
  • Expand your professional and teaching portfolio
  • Become a Certified Personality Trainer




For more than 25 years, CLASS Personality Workshops have successfully prepared ministry leaders by giving a fresh perspective and new skills regarding the personalities and how they interact.

Register online at CLASSEMINARS.
 
  Sneak Peek at the Ghost Ranch Line-Up

Here's a look at just a couple of the workshop leaders and what they will be teaching at the CLASS Christian Writers Conference
in Abiquiu, NM, November 4-8, 2009.



photo




Jerome Daley


New Writing Strategies for a
New Generation of Readers

 
Popular Glorieta speaker Jerome Daley returns with a mission: to help new and seasoned writers alike grapple with the implications of a changing culture upon our role as writers, communicators, and leaders. Every generation wrestles with the challenge of communicating an unchanging message in a rapidly-changing world. And our world is changing is seismic dimensions: culture change, economic change, industry change, and leadership change top the list. This Intensive will be intense...challenging you with provocative perspectives on the new culture, equipping you with new tools and insights for publication, and inspiring you toward Kingdom influence in the new generation. As a trained leadership coach, former pastor, and experienced writer, Jerome looks forward to making a significant deposit in your life and ministry!

Jerome Daley is a professional leadership coach and author of five books on purposeful living. Fusing a history of pastoral ministry and love of teaching with practical insights for life and writing, Jerome helps you tap into your God-given design to release your potential into reality. Jerome is the founder of Purpose Coach, Director of Membership at the Center for the Advancement of Christian Coaching, and publisher of the Christian Coaching Magazine. His passion is to bring dreams to life and empower his clients to live true!

photo



DiAnn Mills

Fiction Techniques for the
Advanced Writer


This advanced fiction class is designed to take the writer to a new height in the craft of writing. We will focus on each writer's strengths and areas of improvement in an interactive environment through hands-on exercises. The exercises and techniques will show writers how characterization influences plot and how to strengthen those aspects of their writing through genre, plot, setting, dialogue, and narration. The participants will work independently and as a team to understand emotive conflict, tighten dialogue, and focus on the critical first page. Each writer will spend time encouraging others other while offering suggestions.

Award-winning author, DiAnn Mills, she has over forty books in print and has sold a million and a half copies. She believes her readers should "Expect an Adventure." DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels. Six of her anthologies have appeared on the CBA Best Seller List. Three of her books have won the distinction of Best Historical of the Year by Heartsong Presents. Five of her books have won placements through American Christian Fiction Writer's Book of the Year Awards 2003 - 2008, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader's Choice award for 2005 and 2007. She was a Christy Awards finalist in 2008.


photo


Nancy Moser

Writing & Editing Your Novel: Getting the Words Right


Learn how to make your novel exciting and saleable, and find out how to be your own best editor. Nancy will dive into plotting, characterization, dialogue, truths about the publishing business, and other nitty-grittys that arise as we carry on our quest to get the words right.

Nancy Moser is the award-winning author of twenty inspirational novels that focus on discovering our unique purpose. Her genres include both contemporary and historical stories. Her contemporary books are known for their big-casts and intricate plotting. Some titles are John 3: 16, The Seat Beside Me, Crossroads, and The Invitation.  Her historical bio-novels allow real women-of-history to share their life stories: Just Jane (Jane Austen), Mozart's Sister (Nannerl Mozart), Washington's Lady (Martha Washington) and How Do I Love Thee? (Elizabeth Barrett Browning.) Her time-travel novel, Time Lottery, won a Christy Award and Washington's Lady is a finalist this year.

To register or learn more on the workshops and opportunities available at the upcoming CLASS Christian Writers Conference,
please visit the CLASSEMINARS website.
Bell Book2 The Time is Now
by Florence Littuaer




Before I had written one book, I attended a writers conference at Forest Home.  The main speaker was Sherwood Wirt and he inspired me to start outlining my testimony.  I gave him some of my stories to read and he encouraged me by telling me I had real talent.  That push got me started on what became "I Could Be Happy If Only."  This book of my life has been published and republished in five different titles including, "Make the Tough Times Count" and "Behind the Personalities."   

I look back to the inspiration of the faculty and fellow writers at that conference in the remote forests above Palm Springs as the time I stopped thinking about writing and began to actually write.  If you have been "thinking about writing" now is the time to do it.

Come to Writing at the Ranch and get your creative juices moving.  Everyone has at least one book stored up inside them but few ever get it on paper.  We will have authors, editors, teachers and publishers all there to help, evaluate and encourage you.  Even the mountain air and rustic lodgings will excite you and bring out your best abilities, a story or perhaps even a book with your name on the cover.  

I want to encourage you to register now and know I'll be waiting for you at the Ghost Ranch!
 

CLASS Christian Writers Conference
Be sure to check the CLASSEMINARS website for updates.
photo
Linda Gilden, Conference Director, gets a feel for the the digs at Ghost Ranch. Here, she's on the front porch of a log cabin on location used in scenes from the film "City Slickers" with
Billy Crystal, filmed in part at Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, NM.
(Don't worry, actual accommodations aren't quite so rustic.)


November 4 - 8, 2009

Ghost Ranch
Abiquiu, NM

"We see Writing at the Ranch to be a new and unique writers conference. Writers will be inspired by the beautiful location while building solid, lasting relationships with other writers and editors," says conference director, Linda Gilden. "We hope that writers will leave not only with their writing skills raised to a new level but also with a deeper walk with God because of their time at the ranch."

Teaching Lab Line-Up:
DiAnn Mills - Advanced Fiction Mentoring (Limited to 8)
Craig von Buseck - Technology / Writing for the Web
Jerome Daley - Writing for the Next Generation
Jeannie St. John Taylor - Children's Track
Bucky Rosenbaum - Nonfiction Track
Nancy Moser - Fiction Track
Karen Porter - Career Track

Add-On Sessions:
Dwight Bain - Create a Successful Seminar Business ($)
Laura Bagby - Get Published Now ($)
Tama Westman - Book Proposal Blitz ($)
Ron Benson & Lee Warren - On Ramp (Free)*


*On Ramp is more than just a class, it's a way for newbies
to get up to speed before the conference.
($) Indicates sessions for an additional fee.


Workshop Leaders include:
Terri Blackstock
Terry Burns
Carol Cool
Edna Ellison
Karen Jordan
Linda Gilden
Dan Penwell
Len and Carolyn Goss
Mary Lou Redding
Jesse Florea
Betty Southard
Linda Jewell
Susan Osborn
Robin stanley
John Thurman
Lee Warren
Tama Westman
Carla Williams
Kathy Carlton Willis
...and more!

Bill Gaultiere - Spiritual Director
Ron Benson - Conference Chaplain

Plan to join us for Writing at the Ranch at the
CLASS Christian Writers Conference,
November 4 - 8, 2009.  
  


Please note, at our new location,
space is limited.
Save $50 when you pay in full by October 15.
$575 if paid by Oct. 15, $625 after Oct. 15.
Please register online or call 702-882-0638.


photo Announcing Cecil Murphy Scholarships for Writers to attend the CLASS Christian Writers Conference


Cec Murphey is the author of almost 1000 articles and over 100 books including bestsellers: 90 Minutes in Heaven, Gifted Hands, Committed but Flawed, and Touchdown Alexander. Cec travels internationally speaking and encouraging writers to share the message God has given them. Always giving God the glory for his success, Cec has decided to provide scholarships to the CLASS Christian Writers Conference. The CLASS Christian Writers Conference is thankful for Cec's generosity in providing these scholarships.

FULL TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS to writers who need assistance financially to further their writing careers and prepare themselves to spread God's message of hope in print. These scholarships include full tuition and lodging. (The scholarship will be applied when you register. No checks will be issued.) The recipients will be responsible for all other expenses such as travel and transportation to the Ghost Ranch.

TO APPLY: Send two letters.
1. From the scholarship applicant. Write a letter stating why you want to come to the CLASS Christian Writers Conference and what you intend to do with the knowledge you gain from being there. Why is it important to you to develop your skills as a writer? How will you use your new skills for the Kingdom? How do you use your writing in ministry? Describe your need for assistance.
2. From a minister, church leader, or work supervisor. Ask someone you have worked with to send a letter that attests to your character and the fact that you are actively involved in writing. Why do you deserve help in your journey to becoming a writer?

Please email both letters to Gerry Wakeland with the words Cec Murphey Scholarship in the subject line.




photoDan Penwell Scholarship
- Application Details

Through the newly established Dan Penwell Scholarship Fund, CLASSEMINARS, Inc. recognizes and thanks Dan Penwell for the years he has invested into the lives of aspiring writers.

A FULL TUITION SCHOLARSHIP will be based on writing skill. (Scholarship does not include travel and lodging). Deadline: 9/15
 
To apply: Write a personal experience article of 600 words or less. Send a cover page with your name and contact information. Do not put your name on inside pages but number them consecutively. Use Times New Roman 12-point font and double-space all pages. Email to: Linda Gilden with Penwell Scholarship in the subject line.
 
TWO HALF-TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS of $300 are also offered.
(Scholarship does not include travel and lodging.  The $300 scholarship will be applied to your tuition. No checks issued.) Deadline: Sept 15
One scholarship is open to everyone, one for those between the ages of 20-40.

To apply:
Submit a one-page letter stating why you want to attend and what benefit you expect from the conference. Please describe your ministry activities and/or writing aspirations and the reason for financial need (job loss, kids in college, limited income, etc).  Tell us how you plan to use what you learn at the conference to benefit the Kingdom. Include two letters of recommendation from pastors, church leadership, ministry team directors,  community leaders, or employers who know you well and are familiar with your ministry. Email to: Gerry Wakeland with Penwell Scholarship in the subject line.

Questions?
Email Linda Gilden.
 

******************
Dan Penwell will attend and meet with authors
at the CLASS Christian Writers Conference.

Book Proposal Blitz!

What does "Book Proposal Blitz" - a special feature of the 2009 CLASS Christian Writers Conference -  include?
  •    Mentors who provide personal hands-on help
  •    Daily writing instruction
  •    Guided implementation of techniques
  •    Inspiration and trade secrets from editor Dan Penwell
  •    Lifelong friendships with participants and mentors
"The Book Proposal Blitz Workshop was outstanding! The tips I received on specific marketing techniques are bound to make the editors take notice! Seasoned and novice writers alike benefit from this top-notch workshop." - Janet Teitsort

"Fun, informative, overwhelming and inspiring! I loved the smorgasbord of speakers and mentors - it truly was all you can eat, and I left 'stuffed'." - Laura Bower

"Motivating, confidence building and clarifying for me."
 - Tina Pulley

"Book Proposal Blitz blew me away with all the insight and experience from CLASS staff and mentors." - Tina Whitfield


This is an additional pre-conference course, see website for more details and to register, includes practice pitch session. Participants will work with a personal mentor and receive writing instruction for their particular proposal needs.

Please bring your laptop and  an extension cord. Participants will leave with a proposal you can print and pitch to editors at the conference.

Proposals must be e-submitted by Oct. 10 to Tama Westman.



Get Published Now!


Sometimes the road to that first publishing credit seems long and hard to travel. It feels like you will never be able to say, "I am a published writer."

If you have had those thoughts, be encouraged. Take advantage of the Get Published Now class at the CLASS Christian Writers Conference. You can arrive at the Ghost Ranch an unpublished author and leave a published author!

Is the class limited to unpublished authors? Absolutely not! Having a personal mentor for two days can take every writer to the next level.

This may be your last chance to meet your "get published" goal in 2009 - - Participate in Get Published Now and leave the 2009 CLASS Cristian Writers Conference as a
published author!


Limited to 24 participants

For more information, please visit CLASSEMNARS.ORG.



On-Ramp

On-Ramp is more than just a class, it's a way for new conferees to get up to speed before moving into the frenetic flow of  the CLASS Christian Writers Conference. Those who have never attended a writers conference before or those who are new to this conference often need some direction, some shepherding, some counsel, and some hand-holding. But once the conference kicks into gear, it's too fast and furious for most of that stuff to happen. On-Ramp can help give first-timers the confidence to handle the speed.
 
On-Ramp includes mini classes on topics such as: What to Expect at CLASS CWC, Using the Writer's Bible (Sally Stuart's Christian Writers Market Guide), Mapping Your Appointments, Understanding Editorial Needs, and Editors and Other Minor Gods. On-Ramp will conclude with a Q&A Free-For-All to give participants a chance to ask any questions about writing, conferences, what's good at dinner, why we have to drink so much water, etc. There will also be time for individual advice, counsel, or help with polishing up materials. (Last year many of the participants wanted to rework their stuff because of what they learned at On-Ramp).
 
 
"Fantastic! I can't imagine the conference without On-Ramp."
 - Anita Brooks
 
"I got my money's worth with On-Ramp alone! I started the conference already in the groove!" - Michelle Bengston
 
"This class is a must for beginners." - Rev. Pam Morrison
 
"On-Ramp prepared me - incredibly - for the conference."
 - Mary Hughes

Partnering with Pros  - Graphic Designers
by Linda Jewell

One of the most commonly asked questions at the CLASSeminar is: "How can I get more speaking engagements?" According to CLASS President Gerry Wakeland,  ask yourself if your speaking has reached the level that you need professionally designed marketing materials.

photo

"I wish speakers knew the impor
tance, and the power, of a professionally designed and printed promotional materials."
-  Graphic designer and owner of NThreeQMedia, Angelina Gonzales.


logo



"Even beginnin
g speakers can start small with business cards," says Gerry Wakeland. Before you contact a graphic designer about promotional materials, you will want to gather the following:
 
Images: Current professional head shot, that looks like you, and action shots; any logos; and necessary copyrights.
Text: A speaker information sheet includes your name, short bio, blurbs about three to seven of your top presentations, possibly a listing by title/topic of up to a dozen other presentations or retreat packages you offer, and contact information.
Design and layout ideas: Colors, fonts, design elements, theme or look you want to portray or image you want to project. Your promotional package might include a speaker information sheet, brochure, postcard, business card, stationery, web site, and blog. For ideas, study other speakers' promotional materials, including Gonzales' design portfolio at www.nthreeq.com.
Budget: Total amount you can afford, not only for design, but also for printing. Gonzales normally charges $75 an hour, but gives a 20% discount to non-profit organizations. Professional printing costs vary depending on quantity and quality factors.
Time line: When you need the final product. Gonzales usually turns around a draft design within 24-48 hours of signing an agreement with the speaker. After that, project completion depends on the speaker getting back comments and additional information and printing time.

The best way to get speaking engagements is to present timely messages that touch hearts and change lives. Once you can do that, professionally designed promotional materials will help spread the word of your available messages to another audience-those who hire speakers.


CLASSEMINARS, Inc. is pleased to partner with professionals.
Angelina Gonzales can be contacted at 602-908-2285 (MST)
or agonzales@nthreeq.com. For more info, visit www.nthreeq.com.
Angelina Gonzales will be available to talk about your graphic design needs at the CLASS Christian Writers Conference.


Photo The Prayer of Love
by Evelyn Davison,
CLASS Prayer Coordinator
    
Learning to pray in love was a big stretch for me during the early years of my marriage. Today, it seems unreal looking back to that time 58 years ago.

So often when my husband, Van, hurt my feelings, I would go in the other room and give God some instructions for correction. "Lord, are you paying attention? Did you hear what Van just said to me? Lord, if you don't 'git him' I will."
   
That didn't work too well. So I tried other things like pouting for a week or crying myself to sleep while listening to him beg me to tell him what was wrong.

I had a problem. I did not recognize myself as a manipulator, nor did I understand that I needed to be a minister of grace to my husband.  
   
When Jesus prayed for His disciples in the upper room, as they argued over position, He could have prayed about James' and John's spirit of entitlement, Peter's lack of loyalty, or the other disciples' absence. But He didn't. He prayed passionately and lovingly.
   
It took a while for the disciples to get the big picture. Likewise, it took a while for me to see marriage as God's workshop to make me more like Jesus and understand it was His job to do the hard chisel work - not mine.  
   
What caused me to give up my chisel and hammer? I worked out a love inventory based on Paul's call to true love in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 and began to test myself daily through the prayer of love.
   
As Christian communicators, this prayer of love is essential for working in the love fields of ministry where the Lord has planted us.

PRAYER POINTS:

The prayer of love is patient. Do I pray with a tolerant, persevering, and realistic attitude? Do I take time to listen and wait on Jesus to work?

The prayer of love is kind. Do I pray with a determination to understand my husband and children? Do I take time to believe and give the best?

The prayer of love is not self-seeking. It has a servant attitude. Do I claim territory and hold on to my rights, my wishes, or my way? Do I take time to pray about the bigger things - His kingdom or just mine? Do I pray for the Mind of Christ?

The prayer of love is not one of pride. Do I keep my own failings in mind when I pray? Are my words and tone in prayer genuinely humble?  

The prayer of love believes and hopes. Do I pray with all forgiveness and mercy? Do I pray with passion and enthusiasm for the Lord's plan?   

The prayer of love is one of honor and honesty. Do I pray with an attitude that makes a difference in how I talk and walk?
   
The prayer of love is one of well-intentioned petitions. I pass the test when my inward attitude and my outward behavior live with patience, kindness, servanthood, humility, hope and respect.  

The fruit of prayer is praise,
The fruit of praise is faith,
The fruit of faith is peace,
The fruit of peace is service,
The fruit of service is love.
 
CLASSEMINARS, Inc.

Are you interested in equipping and empowering those in your church or community to become effective Christian communicators?

Contact Karen Porter to learn how you can bring
CLASS to your community.

Logo design by
NThreeQ Media.

 
"For I am about to do a brand new thing. See, I have already begun!
Do you not see it? I will make a pathway for my people to come home.
I will create rivers
for them in the desert."


- Isaiah 43:19 NLT  

CLASS is coming to a town near you!

Check out our new locations for 2009.

EVENT SCHEDULE


August 24-26

Upper CLASS
Henderson, NV
Fee: $1350
* Includes all meals
** Limited to 8 participants


***********

Sept. 28-30
Personality Workshop
Holiday Inn DFW South
14320 Centre Station Dr.
Ft. Worth, TX
Fee: $575


***********
Oct. 12-14
CLASSeminar
Northstar
Community Church
116 NE 24th St.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Fee: $450


***********

Oct. 16
New - Fridays with Florence
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Fee: $1500
*Limited to 3 participants

***********
NEW CONFERENCE

Nov. 4-8
New
CLASS Christian
Writers Conference

(formerly Glorieta CWC)

"Writing at the Ranch"
Ghost Ranch
Abiquiu, NM

Space is limited.
Save $50 with
early registration.

$575 If
Paid before Oct. 15
$625 If Paid
after Oct. 15

Lodging, meals,
and transportation extra.

Additional fee for:
  • Get Published Now!
  • Book Proposal Blitz
  • Creating a Successful Seminar Business

***********

Feb. 8-10, 2010
Basic CLASSeminar
Our Savior's
Lutheran Church
1020 E. Ramon Road
Palm Springs, CA
Fee: $450


***********
For more information, please visit website,
www.classeminars.org.


Register Online,
or call 702.882.0638.


Seminar fees do not include transportation
or lodging.

Please see website for
complete information.

Scholarships Available.



CLASS LIVE INTERNET RADIO
Communicating
with Power

CLASS Radio brings together men and women of excellence to encourage and empower others across the globe to communicate their best in their family, business, and ministry.

photo

Join Host Linda Goldfarb as she talks with:




Susan Osborn
Photo
August 13

Wounded by Words: Healing for Verbal and Emotional Abuse

Pamela Christian
Bell Book2
August 20
Adding Humor to Your Speaking and Writing

Linda Gilden
photo
August 27
Glimpses from the Writer's Glossary

Craig von Buseck
Craig Von Buseck
September 3
Evangelism and Discipleship on the Internet

Showtimes:
2:30 p.m. Eastern
1:30 p.m. Central
12:30 p.m. Mountain
11:30 a.m. Pacific


You can hear the show right from your computer on
CLASS Radio,
or you can listen from the radio page on the
CLASS website.

Arrive a few minutes early, and set up an ID account (just takes a minute) so you can join the text chat too.

All shows archived
so you can listen or download at your convenience.

Marketing Moment

photo








You've drafted a cover letter, created a one
-sheet, generated an e-newsletter, even designed a postcard, flyer, and brochure - - but how do you get this information into the decision maker's hands so you can grow your speaking ministry? Good question! Here's what CLASS Grad Cheri Cowell suggests:

I finally broke down and updated my churches database. I created it five years ago and use it to mail my speaking brochures three times a year.

Postcards are sent when my new books release (I have a new book coming
out in the spring), and I send e-blasts (single focus  e-mail announcements) when I'm speaking in an area and would like to book additional events while there.

Updating and
creating a database requires going to denominational websites, finding churches that have websites, going to those websites to copy contact info, and importing data into an excel file. However, I now have over 1800 churches in a five-state list (FL, GA, SC, NC, TN).

I know, I know, you can buy
these mailing lists, but they don't have all the info I now have. This list is invaluable to me.

It's worth it to collect and compile your own list of churches, womens' ministry leaders, meeting planners, and so forth, in your own area. See if your list doesn't become a valuable tool in your speaker's marketing tool belt.



Cheri Cowell, author of
Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life (Beacon Hill) has been chosen by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism as one of six Christian journalists to tour the Holy Land the first two weeks of November 2009.

book cover

Cheri's second book,
Ponderables: Reaching the Next Generation Through the Language of Story, is set to release from Beacon Hill in the summer of 2010.

* Revised from a post in The Writers View, used with permission.


"I went on a 30-day diet, and I lost a month!"
- Zig Ziglar

 

Bell Book2 Bell Book2 Bell Book2
CLASS SPEAKERS
Bell Book2  Bell Book2  Bell Book2

Are you looking for a speaker for your next event? Contact
CLASS Speakers,
or call 702-882-0638.

Bell Book2  Bell Book2  Bell Book2 


Visit our website for the CLASS blog, news  on training events and registration information.

Please
visit:
Website thumbnail

CLASSEMINARS.ORG


Fridays with Florence
Bell Book2

And the [instructions] which you have heard from me along with many witnesses, transmit and entrust to reliable and faithful (people) who will be competent and qualified to teach
others also.

- 2 Timothy 2:2 (Amp.)
 
"I acquired new insights into connecting with my audience and a tightened focus for my ministry and my message."
- Linda Jewell
 
"Florence helps you define your vision and map out a plan for success, as well as hone and sharpen your delivery methods. Just a day with Florence and your life, work and ministry is forever changed. Have you scheduled your Friday with Florence? What are you waiting for?"
- Tama Westman

"Receiving personalized instruction from Florence on each presentation helped me to grow as a speaker, gain more confidence in front of others, and fine tune my presentation. I have already given part of the new version of one of my talks and look forward to applying what I learned to every aspect of my speaking and writing."
- Linda Gilden

"I honestly feel my mentoring time was and will continue to be a positive, life-changing event for me."
- Glenda Schoonmaker

Call-Outs, Contests
& Opportunities


The CLASS Communiqué
is a great place for you to publish brief articles on:
  • leadership
  • writing
  • speaking
  • marketing
  • personalities
300 - 400 word limit, Subject to editing.

We will include your photo, hyperlink, book cover and brief 2-line bio. Please contact
Editor Tama Westman.

**********

Pockets Magazine
looking ONLY for Christian topics for children.
Theme: Responsibility.
Stories - 1,400 words MAX
Poems - 24 lines MAX
Articles - 1,000 words MAX
Deadline: 09/03/09
Writer's Guidelines.

**********

Show Us Your Shorts!
The Writer's Digest 10th Annual Short Short Story Competition
We're looking for fiction that's bold, brilliant...but brief. Send us your best in 1,500 words or fewer.

Deadline: December 1, 2009

PRIZES
First Place: $3,000
Second Place: $1,500
Third Place: $500
Fourth Through Tenth Place: $100
Eleventh Through Twenty-Fifth Place: $50 gift certificate for Writer's Digest Books
Writer's Digest
entry form.


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Chicken Soup
announces new callouts:


Dieting and Fitness
Eat less - exercise more!
Tell us about your commitment to health and fitness. What changes did you make in your eating habits? What kind of an exercise program did you follow that made the difference? The true stories in this book will inspire you, make you laugh, touch your heart, and let you know that you can do it!
Deadline: Sept. 30, 2009


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A Cup of Comfort
for Couples
Stories that celebrate what it means to be
in love
Deadline: Oct. 1

A Cup of Comfort
for Golfers
Stories that celebrate the follies, the triumphs, and the joy of the game
Deadline: Dec. 15

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Would you like to see your story of faith
go out to readers
around the world?
Daily meditations from
The Upper Room are written by people just like you -- readers who see God at work in their daily life and take time to write about what they learn.
Writer's guidelines.

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"CLASS"-ifieds

Books and training materials for Speakers and Personality Trainers available through CLASServices.

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CLASSEMINARS, Inc.
is a not-for-profit
501c3 corporation
and is not affiliated with
CLASServices, Inc.



News,         News !


Are you sharing your message with the world? We want to celebrate your book releases and news announcements,
Please send info to:
Editor Tama Westman.



CLASS Grad and Certified Personality Trainer Rosemary Flaaten announces the release of a DVD of six video lessons and a Leader's Guide:
Lessons for Faith Communities

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An additional resource for
A Woman and Her Relationships (Beacon Hill).

Relationships are an important part of a woman's life. It's through their relationships that most women find definition and purpose. But no matter how healthy the relationships are, there's always room for improvement.


book cover
Congratulations to CLASS Grad and Advanced Personality Trainer
Marilyn Mansfield on the recent release of
Being Me, Being Free (CrossHouse Publishing) a resource written in the voice of 3rd grader Meredith Grace, that provides powerful insight and knowledge into your child's personality. An elementary educator, Marilyn is a contributing author to Wired That Way.
She says, "The fact that I wrote this book proves that miracles do happen, ha ha,
as I'm quite sanguine!"



book
Congratulations to CLASS Grad Shirley Gibbs on the recent release of her children's book, When It's Time (LifeVest Publishing), a beautiful scriptural book for children given a terminal diagnosis and a practical guide for those who wait by their side. An excellent resource for parents, counselors, and pastors.

CLASS Communiqué Team:

Editor-in-Chief:
  Tama Westman

Editorial Advisors:
  Linda Gilden
  Betty Southard
  Gerry Wakeland

Editorial Consultants:
  Julie Ferwerda
  Pamela Sonnenmoser
  Robin Stanley
  Michele Tucker

Editorial Assistants:
  TBA - Taking applications
for volunteer positions,
if interested please e-mail Tama Westman.
 (Current canine assistant found to be unsuitable as Oreo eats more than she edits.)




CONTACT US:

"See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert and
streams in the wasteland."


- Isaiah 43:19 NIV