It seems like it’s been ages since the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Nashville, but as promised, here are some photos from that wonderful conference—in my eyes, truly one of the best in ACFW’s 15-year history.
This guy (my hubby, Ken) was with me again this year, which always makes everything more fun.
They were cleaning windows at the Omni hotel while we were there, and this was the view out our 15th floor windows one day!
A highlight was getting to have dinner with my wonderful writing critique partner and dear friend, IBLF’s own Tamera Alexander. We ate at Martin’s BBQ where the food was amazing, but the ambiance left a little to be desired (only because it was over 90 degrees in Nashville that week, and Martin’s is not air-conditioned! We’re still “glowing” in this pic.)
It’s always great to touch base with my agent, Steve Laube.
Another highlight was meeting the team at my new “writing home,” Gilead Publishing. Nichole Parks (who was one of my students when I taught the two-week winter inter-term course at Taylor University in Indiana a few years ago!) and Katelyn Bolds made all of Gilead’s authors feel so welcome and well-cared for!
More Gilead authors, l-r with: Sandra Bricker, Cynthia Ruchti, Barbara Scott, Debby Mayne, and Dr. Richard Mabry.
With my sweet friend (and a favorite author!) Elizabeth Musser who announced her signing with Gilead during the conference.
Another real delight was getting to meet Jamie Chavez (my amazing editor for all the Chicory Inn Novels) for the first time. We took the obligatory selfie and it turned out pretty good!
Since we first met at ACFW in 2008, I have a standing date for Friday night’s dinner with dear friend and talented writer Courtney Walsh.
The Gala Awards banquet, when winners of the Genesis and Carol Awards are announced, is the grand finale of the conference (and always features a sumptuous dinner!)
It’s always a surprise to see how quickly the time has flown and the conference is over for another year. But without fail, I return home with my creative tank refueled and my gratitude for the wonderful industry I work in overflowing. Now starts the countdown to ACFW 2017 in Texas!
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Fun to read the recap! Could you send that window-washer guy to my house?
Haha! I know! Our windows at home aren’t quite that high up but high enough that we DID have someone come and wash the outside last week…of course, it RAINED that afternoon and all the next day! Still, they look much better than they did!
I’m glad I was able to spend some time with you at ACFW, Deb! I enjoyed our “What’s your favorite book?” dinner table discussion. 🙂
Me too, Becky! So great to get a few minutes with you! I wish we’d gotten a photo! 🙁
I love seeing everyone’s ACFW pictures! Thank you for sharing, Deborah!
My pleasure, Beth! Just this week I’ve seen some new ACFW photos posted on Facebook that I hadn’t seen before! Fun to see what I missed in that huge hotel!
Great photos. It looks exciting! Thanks for sharing!
It was a great event! Thanks for stopping by, Sara Beth.