Stepping Stones For Survival

In 2005, with a book proposal for a cancer devotional and my manuscript, I flew to Colorado for the Colorado Christian Writers Conference at the YMCA at Estes Park. As I traveled cross-country, I felt both nervous and excited. I hoped an editor would want my book proposal. What joy awaited me. The conference location offered a breathtaking view of the snow-capped Rocky Mountains. The elk captivated me. They came to the window of my room and walked the grounds of the YMCA as if they were also participants at the conference. The room rates and food were reasonable and the food plentiful and delicious.

Marlene Bagnull, the director of the conference, insisted I needed to attend the conference. She was right. I met authors from all over the USA and editors from numerous publishing houses. I met precious friends with whom I still correspond.

Cec Murphey, the co-author of 90 Minutes in Heaven, introduced me to Wayne Holmes. Wayne accepted my article, “It’s Part of Life,” for his book compilation, The Embrace of a Father, Bethany House 2006. So I became a contributing author.

I talked with Gary Wilde from The Quiet Hour, and he sent me a contract to write seven more devotions for that quarterly which appeared in March 2007.

I had one-fifteen minute appointment with Bill Petersen from Revell, and he liked my book proposal and manuscript. He asked me to write a ten-page introduction for the book and then send him the entire package. May 1, 2007, Revell published my book, Hope for the Journey through Cancer.

It’s not too late to register for the Colorado Christian Writers Conference. Go to Marlene Bagnull’s website at www.writehisanswer.com and click on the link for the Colorado conference. Mention that you read about the conference on my blog, and you can register at the early-bird price until March 31, 2008.

Contact me through my website, and let me know how God blesses you at the conference.

Copyright © March 2008 by Yvonne Ortega