Published: May 21, 2009 02:30 pm      

Sharing secrets of success

Former Raceland resident to speak at Kentucky Christian Writers Conference

ASHLAND — The Kentucky Christian Writers Conference’s keynote speaker will be a writer with connections to the Ashland Area.

W. Terry Whalin, author of more than 60 nonfiction books, spent some of his childhood in Raceland. His father, Wallace Whalin, is a graduate of Raceland High school and his grandfather, E.B. Whalin, was principal and superintendent of Raceland schools when he father attended. His mother lives in Frankfort.

“My family roots are deep in the Kentucky soil,” he said.

Whalin will speak at the conference, set for June 19 and 20 at Northside Baptist Church in Elizabethtown.

When did you live in Raceland?

I was born in the C & O Hospital in Huntington because my dad worked for the railroad. He started as a clerk and worked up to be an executive. I was in Raceland until I was 12; then we moved to Baltimore for two of my junior high high years — then we moved to Peru, Ind., for my high school.

I graduated from Peru High School in 1971 and went to Indiana University and studied journalism and political science. I worked for the student newspaper for two years and had a life-changing experience there. I thought I was going to be a newspaper reporter and studied news editorial as my emphasis, yet out of college I joined a missionary group, Wycliffe Bible Translators, and spent 17 years with them — 10 years in linguistics. I have a certificate in Bible (Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland, Oregon. In 1984, I earned a master’s degree in linguistics from the University of Texas at Arlington.

After 10 years away from my writing, I returned and joined the editorial department at Wycliffe. When I left, I was the manager of their editorial department, in charge of the face of the organization in print. I went to Decision magazine as associate editor with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and spent a couple of years there, then spent a number of years freelancing. I’ve been a book acquisitions editor for two companies and most recently a literary agent — now a publisher.

How did you get intersted in writing?

Like many young parents, my mother read many books to me. When I was given a chance to select the book, mom tells me I almost always chose “McElligot’s Pool” by Dr. Seuss. ...In the opening pages, a farmer laughs at the folly of a young boy named Marco who is actually called a ‘fool’ because “You’ll never catch fish in McElligot’s Pool” Then the farmer launches into all the reasons why the boy will not be able to catch any fish.

For the rest of the book, Marco spins an imaginative tale about what’s really at the bottom of this pool and the wealth of possibilities connected to the sea loaded with fish. He concludes, ‘Oh, the sea is so full of a number of fish, If a fellow is patient, he might get his wish! And that’s why I think That I’m not such a fool When I sit here and fish In McElligot’s Pool!”

From those early days, the dreams and spriit of imagination were stirred in my own life. They set me on a path to publishing which I continue walking today.

Is your company a Christian publishing company?

Intermedia is not a Christian company. The various members in the company are Christians, but we publish general market books in addition to Christian books.

I did not start Intermedia Publishing Group but came into the company after it had already been formed. It started several years ago originally as a public relations firm, then grew into book distribution and now tackles publishing.

How often do you come back to Kentucky?

I’m able to return to Kentucky about every other year. I have not been coming very often as an adult, to my chagrin.

I have not been back in the Ashland area for a number of years. I have some longterm friends from the church in Raceland and we communicate through e-mail and written mail. I do not have any family in the Ashland area.

What are you planning to talk about at the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference?

At the conference, I will be giving three keynote addresses. I will intentionally tie it to Kentucky and my life in the state, mixed with Bible verses, personal stories from my publishing career combined with writing how-tos to inspire my audience.

In addition, I will be giving one workshop, “Eight Characteristics of Successful Writers.” Some of the content will come from my newest book, “Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams.”



The Kentucky Christian Writers Conference will be June 19 at 20 at Northside Baptist Church in Elizabethtown. For more information, visit kychristianwriters.com

LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.