Published: April 20, 2009 11:03 pm      

Ex-Racelander will headline conference

Whalin to share tips about writing, publishing in Christian market

Elizabethtown — Writing and publishing books and articles may seem like a mystery to some, but Kentucky native Terry Whalin has unlocked the code.

Whalin, vice president and publisher for Intermedia Publishing Group, will be the keynote speaker at the 13th annual Kentucky Christian Writers Conference on June 19 and 20 at Northside Baptist Church in Elizabethtown.

Even though he has lived in different areas around the country and the world, Whalin considers his home state to be Kentucky. He spent the early years of his life in Raceland, and his mother still lives in Frankfort. The industrial arts building at Eastern Kentucky University is named for his great-uncle, Ralph, a former teacher, and one of his ancestors was James Estill, the namesake of Estill County.

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

Whalin’s prolific career has run the gamut of the publishing industry, with positions ranging from acquisitions editor to literary agent to publisher. He has published more than 60 nonfiction books and has an extensive presence on the Web, including his popular blog, The Writing Life. His latest book, “Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams: Insider Secrets to Skyrocket Your Success,” will be featured at KCWC and has received rave reviews.

"Terry’s advice is practical, direct and easy to follow,” said Rick Hamlin, executive editor of Guideposts magazine. “You can’t read a chapter of Jumpstart without feeling a little wiser, and that’s not just for unpublished writers, either.”

Whalin hopes to encourage conference participants with practical information as well as inspiration.

“Within the publishing community, these are challenging days, yet from my perspective, these are days of opportunity for writers willing to be open to learning new skills and new ways of reaching audiences,” he said.

In addition to Whalin’s keynote addresses, the interdenominational conference will feature workshops and concurrent sessions on a variety of topics, from fiction to devotionals to writing for children. Faculty will be available for a limited number of private appointments and will serve as mentors for writers wishing to hone their craft.

Information about registration and individual workshops can be found at www.kychristianwriters.com. Participants are encouraged to pre-register as early as possible through the Web site or through the mail. An early-bird discount and first priority for faculty appointments will be given to those who register by May 10.

Registration for both days, with most meals provided, is $175 ($160 before May 10), while one-day registration is $100 for June 19 and $90 for June 20. Saturday. Walk-in registration will be accepted both days during the conference, but meals and private faculty appointments are not guaranteed for registrations after June 1.

For more information or to request a brochure, visit kcwcinfo@gmail.com or call (502) 330-2773.