NGU News


Write2Ignite Conference to be held Sept. 20-21

Posted on: March 13, 2021
By LaVerne Howell, laverne.howell@ngu.edu

Tigerville, SC (August 14, 2019) Write2Ignite Conference for Christian Writers of Children’s and Young Adult Literature will meet September 20-21, 2019 on the campus of North Greenville University (NGU). This year’s conference will feature keynotes and over thirty workshops and panel discussions presented by over twenty literary agents, editors, and authors.

The conference will also offer a Teen Track for grades six through twelve as well as college student/adult sessions. Topics covered include professional writing craft, genres and techniques of writing to engage young readers, publishing protocols, editing, marketing and social media, and Christian worldview focus for both writer and audience.

Write2Ignite Conference, a 501(c)(3) organization, has worked with NGU since 2010. Sponsored by the NGU English Department, the conference brings professionals in Christian publishing to offer up-to-date information, writing instruction, and inspirational messages as well as networking opportunities to writers from novice to published. Drawing participants from the Carolinas, Georgia, and elsewhere in the U.S., this conference is designed specifically to develop writers whose target audiences are children through young adult (up to thirty-somethings) age, and one of the only Christian writers’ conferences to offer a Teen Track.

NGU alumnus Daniel L. Blackaby, author of both nonfiction and young adult (YA) fiction books, will present the Teen Track keynote plus another teen workshop and one session for adults.

Two general session keynotes (open to all participants) on Saturday address the conference theme “Witness” and the changing world of social media.

Nancy Lohr, author and acquisitions editor for Bob Jones University Press, presents “A Truth-full Witness,” discussing the need for authentic writing from the individual’s firmly held foundational faith, using one’s gifts, addressing readers’ needs, and acting as “salt and light.” Edie Melson, author, blogger, and Director of the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference, presents the closing keynote on “The New Paradigm of Social Media.”

In addition to sessions on picture book writing, character development, and communicating effectively with literary agents and editors, the conference will feature four different speakers presenting on aspects of YA literature: “Worldbuilding” (Edie Melson and Daniel Blackaby), “C.S. Lewis and Tolkien and Christian Imagination, and the Role of the Christian Artist” (Daniel Blackaby), “Writing YA Novels Using Free Verse” (Linda Vigen Phillips), and “Writing a [YA] Book that’s Controversial” (Vijaya Bodach).

Participants will have the opportunity to sign up for two individual (15-minute) consultations with the presenter of their choice, first-come, first-served. The conference includes Friday night supper and Saturday lunch, a Friday evening reception with the presenters, a tote bag, and a resource manual.

Other program elements include professional photographer on-site to take headshots; bookstore and book signing; and conference critiques (pre-arranged with available authors, editors, or agents for a separate fee).

The conference will meet in Hayes Ministry Center and Craft-Hemphill Christian Worldview Center on the NGU campus.  For registration, schedule, presenter names, and topics details visit write2ignite.com. Adult participants registering by August 31 will pay $124; student cost will be $89. After August 31, the registration fee increases to $149 for adults and $99 for students. 

© North Greenville University. All Rights Reserved. | Accessibility Statement

North Greenville University (NGU) admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.