I know. The experts say you should buy market guides and how-to books on writing. They recommend attending conferences, having a website, and so on. You might wonder, where does it end?
But—the Christian Communicator magazine is a resource that no Christian writer should be without. I say that as a subscriber for about 10 years. I admit, there have been times that I considered dropping it. When I had such thoughts, without fail, the next issue would have at least one nugget giving me vital information or inspiration to help me keep going.
What’s in it? Articles on the writing life, conferences, marketing, speaking, and book reviews. Sally Stuart writes the Q & A: Write Answers column, and Joyce K. Ellis contributes Writing GPS, a grammar and style article each issue. Perhaps most valuable is the update to The Christian Writer’s Market Guide submitted by Jerry Jenkins, the new publisher. Also, every issue includes a list of upcoming conferences and retreats by American Christian Writers.
How much does it cost? It depends on how you subscribe. Subscribe for one year online or by mail for $29.95. Check it out on American Christian Writers site. Click here to go to the subscription page. Look for discount subscription forms at writers conferences. Once you become a subscriber, the publisher offers discounts for early renewal or for multiple-year renewals.
Is it worth it? Yes. The information you receive in Christian Communicator comes from the most experienced and knowledgeable people in the Christian writing business.
Christian Communicator for June, 2012 included this request:
Submit your favorite Web sites or blogs for future articles. E-mail them to ccweb@wordprocommunications.com. Put CC Web Favorites in the subject line. In the body of the message, list he following information:
- name of Website or blog
- URL
- category: writing, writers groups, specific genre (e. g., fiction), marketing, getting published, speaking
- one to three short sentences about why you like this site or blog
- your name.
You will not receive an acknowledgment of your e-mail.
If you appreciate Blog4Writers, consider submitting our info for this project. I’ll be submitting some of my favorites, too.
Got ya beat, Emily. I think I’ve been subscribing to Christian Communicator for about 20 years now. I remember seeing it at one of the first Christian writers conferences I went to. I subscribed and have ever since.
(Here’s some trivia: I remember back before Lin Johnson was editor, when Susan Titus Osborn was editor. Susan published some of my first articles in what was then THE Christian Communicator.)
My subscription is up and, again, I was wondering if I should spend the money to renew. You just convinced me I should.
If you subscribe three years at a time, you can get it for $66.95. That’s a savings of $22.90 over subscribing one year at a time for three years. Hey, I’m always for saving $$ when I can.
I think you get it free with American Christian Writers membership, too. I need to check on that. Thanks for the comment.