March 2022
The British Christian Writers Conference returns to Ridley Hall
The British Christian Writer's Conference returns to Ridley Hall on Saturday 3rd September 2022, with something for every Christian author; new or experienced, indie or traditionally published.
The conference programme
This year's program will feature sessions on:
- How to engage with your reader, and working with an agent, with former publisher turned literary agent Tony Collins.
- How you can add value to your offer as a writer, as well as the secrets of comedic writing, with novelist and writing coach Ruth Leigh.
- Mastering the potential of social media for your author career, with freelance digital designer and marketing consultant Jason Smith.
- Craft workshops on elevating your writing with transcendent themes and compelling characters, with author and writing coach Andrew Chamberlain.
New this year
Interested in getting expert feedback on your work? We are offering a limited number of ten-minute consultations with the publisher and literary agent Tony Collins. Attendees opting for a consultation will need to submit some of their work in advance, they will then receive individual advice, one on one, from Tony. To claim one of these sessions at the conference, make sure you select the right ticket type. Get in quick, these will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
The conference will again be held in the beautiful setting of Ridley Hall, in Cambridge on Saturday 3rd September. Doors open at 9.15 am with refreshments served from then, the program starts promptly at 9.40 am.
Tickets
Tickets are available from the online box office, priced at £48 for a standard ticket or £53 for a ticket which includes a consultation with Tony Collins. There is a 15% discount for members of the Association of Christian Writers and previous attendees of the conference.
The program will include plenty of breaks for networking and talking to our speaking team. A bookstall will be available with arrangements for delegates to bring their books for sale.
Speakers
- Tony Collins
- Ruth Leigh
- Jason Smith
- Andrew Chamberlain
Tony Collins
Tony Collins started his publishing career nearly forty years ago at Hodder & Stoughton in 1974. He then trained as a missionary but was unable to go to Brazil as planned because of the health of one of his children. He returned to the world of publishing, where he has since worked for MARC Europe, Kingsway, Monarch, Angus Hudson, Lion Hudson, and SPCK, and has been responsible for starting several imprints including Monarch Books and Lion Fiction. He has published for dozens of distinguished authors, and three of his books have won Christian Book of the Year. He has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Christian Writers. He is now Director and Founder at the Tony Collins Literary Agency.
Ruth Leigh
Ruth Leigh is a freelance writer and novelist and is married with three children, one husband, and assorted livestock. She blogs at Big Words and Made Up Stories, Authors Electric, and More Than Writers. In 2021 Instant Apostle published her debut romance novel, The Diary of Isabella M Smugge with a virtual book launch of blogs, champagne, and confetti cannons! This was soon followed by a second book in the series: The Trials of Isabella M Smugge. Ruth describes herself as a 'recovering overachiever' who these days is happy to do the school run in her onesie!
Jason Smith
Jason Smith is a freelance digital designer and marketer. He works with businesses and individuals to help them create or improve their online presence. He specializes in social media management, designing and building websites, creating and editing images, and writing content. He has a background in sales, marketing, and account management working in retail, travel, arts & culture, events, and artist management. From a young age, he has loved the arts and enjoys acting, music, and more recently literature and the visual arts; all of which continue to influence his work. Put simply, Jason is happiest when he is being creative and helping others with their visual branding.
Andrew Chamberlain
Andrew Chamberlain is a writer, podcast host, and creative writing coach. He has published fiction and non-fiction traditionally and as an independent author. He is the author of The Centauri Survivors, a near-future first contact novel, and two books in The Masters Series of Christian Thrillers, Urban Angel, and Cain's Redemption. He is the host of The Creative Writer's Toolbelt, the podcast that offers practical, accessible advice on the craft of writing, and The Testimony Podcast, giving people of faith the chance to tell the stories that matter from their lives.
