My husband designed the cover and interior design of the ACFW program and I think it’s so beautiful! Frame-worthy even!
Because I’m on the board of ACFW I always come in a day early, and stay a day late for our planning meetings. I’m proud to serve with this amazing group of servant-hearted people!
We were sad to hear of the resignations of two board members, but we are excited to see how the Lord directs their journeys in the days to come. Thank you for your many years of service, Gail Martin and Randy Ingermanson!
Can you stand one more post about ACFW? It’s always a highlight of the year and an event by which I measure a lot of my writing life. This year in Dallas was ACFW’s 15th anniversary, and there were over 500 authors, aspiring authors, editors, agents, and other publishing industry professionals in attendance. I’m proud to say I’ve never missed a conference, starting with our very first one in Kansas City! There’s way too much to tell for a blog post, so I’ll just let the pictures tell the story.
Some of my very favorite people at the conference (well, in the world, really!) L-R, Cara Putman, Katie Ganshert, Betsy St. Amant, Casey Herringshaw.
It’s always fun to touch base with my agent, Steve Laube of the Steve Laube Agency. He’s the best! Here, we caught up with each other at the HarperCollins reception Friday night.
Look at this great group of writers who came to my workshop! I taught a new class this year called “SHOW Me a Story: Writing Cinematically.”
I love that Ken has been able to attend the conference with me the last few years. He’s grown to love ACFW as much as I do, and hey, it’s a great excuse to get him in a tie!
The gala honoring all the ACFW contest winners is a celebration of the contest winners and our honored guests.
Francine Rivers was our honored Lifetime Achievement Award winner this year! There’s no one more deserving!
Dear friends, Sarah Sundin and Sherry Kyle, always crack me up. Something about those two just makes me laugh and lifts my spirit.
I met author Courtney Walsh, at an ACFW conference years ago (before she was multi-published and bestselling!) when we ate breakfast together. We’ve been dear friends ever since!
Loved hanging out with author Kristen Heitzmann. And especially loved the sweet story of the ladies we’re with here. Mom-in-law Joannie, right, gifted her critique with me to her daughter-in-law Jessie, left. I got to spend time with them both and loved reading Jessie’s work.
Seems every year we say, “This year’s ACFW was the best EVER!” And I’m not so sure that isn’t exactly true!
What is your favorite conference (of any kind) to go to? And what is the interest that draws you to that conference?
Latest posts by Deborah Raney (see all)
- We Shopped at Piggly Wiggly - May 12, 2025
- Happy Mother’s Day! - May 11, 2025
- Research Trip - April 28, 2025
I usually don’t go to conferences, but I love going to the Women of Joy conference. It I so uplifting.
I’ve never been to that one, Susan. Will have to check it out. Since I go to so many writers conferences, I rarely go to any other kind. Maybe I need to broaden my world! 🙂
I LOVED the cover of the conference program! Wow! Your husband did a great job designing both it and the inside pages. Excellent work.
I also noticed that your hubby was called on stage at one point to act out a story the speaker was trying to communicate. What a good sport!
Yep, he got to play GOD! He won’t let me forget it either. 😉
Thanks for sharing these photos, Deb – – even though I was unable to attend this year, seeing your pics makes me look forward to next year’s ACFW even more! 🙂
The cover your husband designed is amazing. 🙂
Hugs, Patti Jo
You were greatly missed, Patti Jo! Hope you’ll be in Nashville next year! And thanks for the kudos for Ken’s cover.
LOVE the pics, Deb! And really love the cover Ken designed. He’s so gifted. And honestly…do you ever take a bad picture??!! Oh wait, I seem to remember a certain “stink eye” picture. Then again, I’m pretty sure I deleted that one forever ago… : )
Oh, yes, that stink-eye pic. LOL! We both probably have some photos of each other we could hold for ransom! 🙂 Sure missed you at ACFW! Looking forward to Nashville!
I really do hope to one day attend an ACFW conference but first I have to wait until my paycheck to join. 🙂 All the posts I have been reading have really encouraged me to invest. I probably will stil have to hold off on a conference for a bit. I was blessed to go to She Speaks with Proverbs 31 Ministries last year. It was wonderful. I went because I really do want to communicate with others about Jesus through writing (it is for both writing and speaking) and frankly it was a dream and one day I just spoke it out that if God was willing, I would go in 2014 but only if he made the way. He did in a big way! It was a wonderful conference and I would love to go again some year. It was wonderful meeting so many women who have a heart for the Lord and communicating his love to others.
Thanks for sharing your photos!
I love when God answers our prayers that way, Kelly. He’s always more generous than we dare to dream. Would LOVE to see you at ACFW someday, and as a member soon! I agree with you that it’s a great investment in your writing career!