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      Chip MacGregor

      When he was in first grade, Chip hurried home one day and announced to his mother, “When I grow up, I’m going to be a book guy!” He clearly could see the future —from high school literary magazine editor to writing bestselling books, from speaking at writing and publishing conferences to representing renowned writers, Chip MacGregor is a book guy.

      March 6, 2012

      If your novel is "not quite there…"

      by

      Okay, so you’ve hit a wall with your novel. Perhaps the creativity you once enjoyed lies dormant. Maybe you feel as if you’ve written yourself into a corner and don’t know how to get out. Your story isn’t flowing like it should. You’re tired. You feel a bit at odds with the project you once couldn’t wait to sit down to. But you still have faith in the vision you developed so long ago. Maybe you know your novel isn’t ready for submission but you don’t exactly know why. A host of reasons explain why writers  experience a  need for support, each one unique to the writer.

      Luminary was formed by novelist Lisa Samson for writers who find themselves right where you are. Instead of traditional critique, Lisa wants to help you succeed as a novelist. Luminary isn’t simply about revealing the weaknesses in your manuscript. It’s about highlighting your strengths as well and helping you write with those in mind.

      After writing for two decades as well as enjoying work in visual arts, Lisa possesses an intuitive understanding of the creative process. She understands people express themselves best when they are true to who they are and aware of how their life journey affects their work. Lisa provides thoughtful support based on each individual’s style of creativity and vision. In other words, Lisa wants to help you develop your own unique voice, not become a version of someone else.

      Lisa brings experience with thirty books, three Christy Awards, and multiple starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly Magazine. Christianity Today named her novel, Quaker Summer, one of the best novels for 2008. That same novel was Women of Faith’s novel of the year, and seemed to win named by reviewers everywhere as one of the best books in print that year. A host of positive reviews and respect from her peers assures you that Lisa is able to produce quality fiction and can help you do the same. (I was a fan of Lisa's writing long before I became her agent.)

      If you're interested, Luminary offers support in two levels.

      Story Support:  Lisa will read thirty pages of your manuscript as well as the detailed synopsis you will provide. She’ll help you get your book off to the start it deserves with insights into character development and overall story direction. You’ll receive a thoughtful write-up as well as a brainstorming phone call.  $350.00

      Manuscript Development: With your submission of 100 pages and a detailed synopsis, Lisa will offer story support, more comprehensive help with character development and help with the more technical aspects of writing. You’ll receive your manuscript back with more detailed comments and suggestions as well as a phone call to answer any questions you might have. $700.00

      To see if you and Lisa are a good fit, email her at lisa@lisasamson.com or check out her website: http://luminarycreative.blogspot.com/ . Just thought you should know.

      By the way, Rob Eager over at Wildfire Marketing is offering his "Bestseller Website Tutorial" for authors. This resource is designed to help authors in need of some website help, and he has distinctly different versions for fiction and non-fiction. You can get the details at: http://www.startawildfire.com/websitetutorial.html – and Rob is offering a $5.00 discount for anyone who mentions this blog!

      In other news, the people who run the ACFW Conference (which is without question the best CBA fiction gathering for authors) are making the entire 2011 convention available on MP3s for just $99. And they include everything — the workshops, the continuing education sessions, even the classes that had prerequisites to join. Seems like a pretty good deal, but I understand it's just for the month of March. Stop by their website to order.

      Oh, and if you're a Left Coast author, I notice there's a new writing conference taking place this summer. Corban University in Salem, Oregon, is offering a brand new writer's conference. You can find out everything you need at http://www.corban.edu/news/2011-12/0223WritersConference.html,http://www.corban.edu/wordworks/writers-conference.html

      One last note: Alice Crider, the longtime editor at Waterbrook/Random House (and my former assistant), has also started working on proposals from writers that have potential but are “not quite there yet.” If you're an author who needs some assistance, Alice can help you get your project where it needs to be. Check her out at www.alicecrider.com  

      Happy writing!

       

       

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