CFRR RECAP: Christian Fiction Readers Retreat

Julie, here, and I am:

An author.
A reader.
A Christian.

So … what happens when this CDQ (caffeinated drama queen) mixes all three together?

Sheer Heaven!

And, folks, that’s exactly what I (and 104 other lucky dawgs) experienced in Nashville on Wednesday, September 24th at the very first ever Christian Fiction Readers Retreat, otherwise know as CFRR!

The seeds of CFRR were first sown over three years ago when my dear friend Bonnie Roof and I talked about her deep desire to attend a retreat with some of her favorite authors where we could all just talk, laugh, and pray together. So we prayed about it.

  

May he give you the desire of your heart  

and make all your plans succeed. —Psalm 20:4

And, WHOA, did He!

Fast forward to early 2016 when three amazing bloggers—Bonnie Roof of 
Overcoming with God blog, Carrie Schmidt of Reading is my SuperPower blog, and Annie C. of Just Commonly blog—joined forces to launch an idea each of them had been thinking and praying about separately, unbeknownst to the others. With the kiss of anointing from God’s hand, CFRR was born—a one-day retreat with readers and authors to take place the day before the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference. (Picture: L to R bottom -- Bonnie Roof, Carrie Schmidt. L to R top -- moi, Annie C., and Sydney Anderson of Singing Librarian Books blog.)

The theme? Honoring God through Christian Fiction.

And, WHOA, did we!

These three ladies and the Holy Spirit put together a one-day retreat so chock-full of blessings and amazing Author Speakers/Panelists/Attendees that I wanted to use my blog today to both recap and thank them for all of their hard work and effort. For me, the best way to do that is to simply elaborate via their excellent schedule below.

But first, just a few comments from some of the authors who took part AND a huge thank you to the following sponsors of CFRR: Bethany House, Books & Beverages, Gilead Publishing, Love Inspired, Pelican Book Group, Revell, Straight Off the Page, and Waterbrook Multnomah.

(Picture to the left are all Seeker CFRR authors with some hubbies.)

Janet Dean (Pucker Up Panelist, L to R on bottom row, 5th). “For me, the best part of the retreat was meeting readers, seeing their excitement at having an opportunity to connect with authors. They were like a breath of fresh air, a reminder that stories matter and connect us as human beings.”

Debby Giusti (Opening Prayer, L to R on bottom row, 2nd): “We were a group of sisters that day, laughing and sharing and touching each other’s lives. God was present. He was laughing too!”

Ruth Logan Herne (Speaker/Pucker Up Panelist, L to R on bottom row, 6th):
“I have one word for my experience working with the Christian Fiction Readers' Retreat: Excitement. Those readers/bloggers/reviewers came armed with a love of God, a love of fiction and with an excitement I have never seen at any author/reader event before... and I've been to plenty!”

Mary Connealy (Speaker, L to R back row, middle):
"I LOVED IT! I had really never been to an event like that before. I felt like, by the end of that day, I'd had a chance to speak to every reader in that group. Also I loved the Christ focus of the day. The prayers and singing.”

Tamera Alexander (Speaker): "What a joy to attend CFRR! Meeting with readers is always a kick, and CFRR is all about the reader. The relationship shared with readers—that are developed as we take these novel journeys together—truly is one of the greatest blessings about writing. And CFRR is all about that experience! Already looking forward to next year."

Meghan Gorecki (Author Attendee):
"Despite the amount of introverts in one room, no one knew a stranger. One activity was Author Speed Chats/Dates. The authors would rush around to cluster groups and we'd have five or so minutes with them to ask them anything and get to know them better. SO fun!!” (Picture compliments of author Meghan Gorecki.)

And now …

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CFRR ATTENDEE

Scarritt Bennet Center in Nashville, Tennessee

9:00 AM:
Welcome/Breakfast: Annie, Bonnie, and Carrie shared all the miraculous ways that God blessed and intervened on behalf of CFRR from inception to conclusion while everyone chowed down on beverages, pastries, and fruit.

9:30 AM:
Opening Prayer: As those of you who have met auther Debby Giusti already know, she is a true intercessor and prays from the heart, so she began our day with the anointing of prayer.

Praise and Worship: Next, author Caryl McAdoo beautifully ushered us into the presence of God, setting the tone for a God connection that carried throughout the entire day. (L to R, Tamera Alexander, Julie Lessman, and Laura Frantz enjoying worship.)


9:45 AM: 

Speaker Session 1: Abbott and Costello … uh, I mean, Ruth Logan Herne and Mary Connealy kicked off the speaking sessions with encouragement and wisdom from their own writing careers, which wonderfully transitioned into a lively stand-up comedy routine when the moderators said they hadn’t used up their allotted time. Talk about comedic relief! Go, Mary and Ruthy!

10:30 AM

Speaker Session 2: Julie Lessman (moi) shared my testimony, which included things like dressing up as a nun to sneak into a free movie showing of Gone With the Wind when I was sixteen and wanting to burn Gideon Bibles in hotel rooms at the age of twenty-one … to winning the booby prize at ACFW and sharing the greatest spiritual lesson I ever learned following a sabbatical I took from writing. If you’re interested, you can read the testimony in its entirety at the end of my personal blog HERE.

Author Tamera Alexander followed with her personal testimony that encouraged every aspiring and published author in the room, sharing her own rocky road in writing for God, a message that culminated in a truly anointed speech that gave me goose bumps when it dove-tailed perfectly with mine, unbeknownst to either of us.

11:00 AM
Author Panel 1 (Moderated by Bonnie Roof):
Topic: You, Personally.

Authors (L to R) Carrie Turansky, Jennifer Slattery, Gabe Meyer, Laura Frantz, Jan Drexler,  and Myra Johnson answered the following questions from readers: 
 

1. What was the moment that you KNEW God had called you to write?
2. Do you ever get recognized when out in public (not at a book signing)?
3. What is the one thing from your real life and/or background be it family, education, faith, etc. that always comes into play when writing a book?
4. What's the funniest/weirdest thing that's happened to you on your writing journey?
5. What's the most enjoyable aspect of choosing writing as a career? Conversely, what's the hardest aspect of choosing writing as a career?
6. How did you decide to write in the genre you did?


11:45 AM
Prayer for Sick: We took a few moments to lay hands on those who were sick and beseech God on their behalf.

Lunch Break: WARNING: Do NOT read the following if you are hungry!! 

Imagine chatting with your favorite authors or reader friends in an elegant, high-ceiling, wood-paneled college faculty dining room that is abuzz with chatter and fun, dining on lemon rosemary chicken, orzo salad, lentils, yummy  grilled veggies, pita and hummus, various salads, and ice cream!

Soooooo fun!!!

1:00 PM

Afternoon Praise and Worship: Author Pepper Basham led the afternoon worship, calming our spirits and bringing God front and center once again. (L to R: Rachel Dixon, Melony Teague, and Pepper Basham.)

1:15 PM
Speaker Session 3: Author Laura Frantz, who calls herself the “Un-Author” because she doesn’t enter contests or spend much time on FaceBook or other social media, turned the tables on readers by asking them questions she solicited from authors such as the following: 

1. Do you prefer stand-alones or series? 
2. What's the biggest deciding factor for you when picking up a book from an unknown author?
3. Why is chocolate the international equalizer of all things wonderful?
4. Do you prefer more passion in your books-both spiritually and romantically-or less? (bet you can't guess which author asked this question??)
5. What is the most important thing a book must have for you to keep reading?
6. How do you prefer to interact with your favorite authors? Through social media, or via newsletters?
7. What are your favorite genres?

1:45 PM

Author Panel 2: (Moderated by MeezCarrie):
Topic: Pucker Up! (and, yes, paper fans were distributed in goodie bags on arrival)

Authors (L to R) Pepper D. Basham, Ruth Logan Herne, Melanie Dickerson, Janet Dean, Kristi Ann Hunter, and Julie Lessman answered the following questions with much humor, grace, and more than a few blushes!

1. Do you practice on your significant other to get the kissing scenes just right?
2. Speaking of just right, what elements do you think must be in the perfect fictional kiss?
3. What's your favorite kissing scene that you've written?
4. What are the challenges in writing godly love and passion without crossing over into lust?
5. Within your various publishers and genres, what are the parameters/guidelines/boundaries you must adhere to when writing kissing scenes?

2:30 PM

Speed Chats!! 
For me, one of the highlights of CFRR was the speed chat, which was basically speed dating, except with authors. In circles of three to five chairs, attendees were able to pepper authors with questions until the bell rang and a new author arrived in their circle. In addition, each attendee had a bingo card of sorts where they checked off the authors who came to their circle in an author bingo game with prizes.

I don’t know who had more fun during the speed chats — the attendees or authors Becky Wade, Brandy Heineman, Caryl McAdoo, Dani Pettrey, Gene Woods, Jean C. Gordon, Julie Lessman, Kara Isaac, Kate Breslin, Krista Phillips, Marie Wells Coutu, Mary Connealy, Mesu Andrews, Ruth Logan Herne, Shelley Shepard Gray, Susan Page Davis, and Tracey Lyons.

3:45 PM
Break / Snack: Caramelized Chex mix—To. Die. For!!

4:00 PM
Author Panel 3: (Moderated by Bonnie and MeezCarrie)
Topic: "Imaginary Friends"

Authors (L to R)  Carrie Fancett Pagels, Mesu Andrews, Dani Pettrey, Becky Wade, Kara Isaac, and Sarah Monzon were on the analyst couch for questions such as:  

1. Did you have imaginary friends as a child? 
2. If your characters could describe YOU as an author, what would they say? 
3. Has one of your characters ever embarrassed you?

4:45 PM

Closing Praise and Prayers: Author Melony Teague announced the Grand Prize Winner and closed the day with more uplifting worship and prayer. (Pic: Melony Teague and moi)

5:00 PM
Personal Prayer Times: Anyone who wanted to could sign up for personal prayer in author groups of one or more, which was pretty timely for those wanting a little extra favor and grace when pitching at ACFW. 

5:15 PM

Book Signing!! Talk about books, books, books!! Attendees could buy books from a special "store" set up by 21st Century Christian Bookstore of Nashville OR bring their own to have authors sign. (Pic to the right: Ruth Logan Herne)

All in all, it was one of the most anointed and intimate events I have ever been to, and I encourage anyone who would like to receive information on the 2017 CFRR (when it’s available) to sign up at the CFRR website at http://christianfictionreadersretreat.blogspot.com/.

A FEW CFRR GOODIE BAGS STILL AVAILABLE!!
If you’re interested, you can find more information at CFRR Goodie Bags. Goodie bags generally contain the following:

Goo Goo bar, package of trail mix (with Mary Connealy's book cover), bag of M&M's (with Ruthy's Finn logo), 3 Tootsie Roll Pops tied together with Janet Dean's book cover, a red heart-shaped stress ball with Annie's blog logo on it, pin with Carrie's blog logo, magnet with Dani Pettrey's book cover, sticky note pad with Jan Drexler's web site, 4 pens from authors (in addition to the CFRR logo pen), note pad from Kate Breslin, author business cards, 2 door hangers, 12 author postcards (1 with the tea bag from Carrie Turansky, another with a pack of flower seeds from Tracey Lyons), 24 bookmarks, a postcard from Marie Wells Coutu with a huge button, and a framed quote from Isle of Hope.

GIVEAWAY!!
Today the giveaway is what I gave away at CFRR — signed paperback or e-copies of A Passion Most Pure, A Light in the Window, and Isle of Hope, plus a framed quote from Isle of Hope, so leave a comment to be in the draw!  (Pic compliments of Annie C. of Just Commonly)

OVER THE RAINBOW: An Author's True Pot of Gold!

Somewhere over the rainbow … there’s a pot of gold that most authors don’t expect to find, and I gotta tell you—it took me by complete surprise.

Oh, I suspected there might be more than a few blessings after I signed that first book contract—a bit of fame, a bit of money, a new circle of like-minded friends and peers to usher me into a whole new world I never even knew existed. And I have to say, all those things have been pretty great.

But … the true treasure that I’ve discovered in my career as an author—which exceeds any contracts, any royalty checks, or any awards I may have acquired— are the incredible reader friends I have made, whose friendships have blessed my life more than I can say.

True … some “friendships” have been scarier than others.

Uh, like the Mennonite family who are now dear friends because their daughter fell in love with A Passion Most Pure and encouraged her mother to read it. I have to admit with my brand of edgy inspirational romance, I was a wee bit nervous when that mother thanked me over and over for teaching her daughter Biblical precepts through my fiction. She ended her email by saying she “couldn’t wait to start APMP” herself that night. 

Wait a minute … she hadn’t read it yet??? YIKES!! I remember turning to my husband like a deer in headlights, saying, “uh-oh … this could be a lawsuit in the making if this Mennonite mother thinks I’ve brainwashed her daughter with too much “passion” in a Christian novel.” As it turned out, she loved it and is now a dear friend who’s not only had me over for dinner, but her sister planned to print off flyers for APMP and pass them out in her Mennonite restaurant. Whew! My hubby joked that I should ask my publisher to stamp “Mennonite Approved” on all my books. ;)

The stories go on and on of wonderful reader friends (I despise the word “fan” because we’re all just women who love God, whether we are readers or writers) who have taken time to come see me for coffee, lunch, or dinner, several of whom are now such close friends that have even traveled long distances to come visit. And trust me, there’s nothing better to this author than one-on-one personal time with women whose hearts beat alongside my own when it comes to Christian fiction that touches their soul.

In fact, reader friends have been such a pot of gold in my life that I often wished I could sit down and chat over coffee or lunch with many of them.

Well, guess what? I now have that opportunity, and so do you!

How? Welcome to the CFRR, the truly inspirational brainchild of three amazing women whom I am privileged to call dear friends—Bonnie Roof, Carrie Schmidt, and Annie (Just Commonly). 

What is CFRR? It's the Christian Fiction Reader's Retreat, and I am one of the speakers, along with Mary Connealy, Laura Frantz, and Ruth Logan Herne, with participation by Seekers Janet Dean, Debby Giusti, and Myra Johnson as well as many other authors you love. It's going to be small, cozy, and just like going to lunch together except with prizes and personal prayer, so I invite you to learn more about it by checking out the CFRR website here HERE. 

How did this all get started? Well, let’s just say it was officially born during Seekerville’s New Year’s Eve Bash, but God planted the seeds in the heart of these three amazing woman long before that, so I’m going to let them tell you about that, and I hope they bless you as much as they have blessed me!

A Note From Bonnie Roof:

My part in the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat began indirectly through Liz Curtis Higgs in May 2011. Her speech in a women's conference was so compelling, I immediately purchased some of her books, read them, and continued purchasing until I had read every book she’d written. Until then, I knew nothing about Christian Fiction; however, that was the beginning of my love affair with it. I couldn't get enough! I was then drawn to Julie Lessman's online rapport with her readers, her passion, and her devotion to God. As with Liz, I read each book Julie had written, back to back. 

I began reading articles written by numerous authors re: the writing journey of each and all that is involved in turning an author's ideas into a published book. I was astounded! Conferences, contests, critiques, rejections, agents, contracts, editors, publishers vs. self-pub, plotting, researching, writing, rewrites, edits, promo, and on and on. For many authors, it’s years of waiting, struggles, and sacrifices. I began to realize what a beautiful ministry Christian Fiction is, yet also how underrated it is by many people, and how underpaid many of its authors are when compared to the hours invested.

I felt God leading me into the encouragement of Christian Fiction authors, praying for them and sharing/promoting their work. Learning more about them personally led to an even greater understanding of, and appreciation for, their hard work. I had a desire and vision for all Christian Fiction readers to more fully understand and appreciate its authors, their work, their calling from God, and dedication to their craft. Hence, the idea for an author/reader retreat. I contacted a couple of authors for advice, ideas, and/or suggestions to help further my vision. Not receiving the response I needed - I continued to pray about the retreats and wait for God to open doors. I then related my vision to Julie Lessman in an email on September 22nd, 2013 and asked her to join me in prayer. 

And then God opened doors through Seekerville! It was in the wee morning hours of January 1st, 2016 during Seekerville’s online New Year's Eve Party that Annie JC mentioned her desire for an event in which Christian Fiction readers could meet and spend time with their favorite authors. When other readers responded affirmatively to her comments, I felt God's leading to contact Annie and ask if she would like to consider planning an event with me. After praying about it, she agreed. When talking to Laura Frantz about participating in our event, she mentioned Carrie Schmidt also had been praying about the possibility of such an event. 

There’s no doubt in my mind that God placed the three of us together to plan this reader's retreat, the theme of which is "Honoring God Through Christian Fiction.” From Carrie's beautiful artwork, Annie's event-planning experience, and the computer skills of both, God is the Master Event Planner, guiding us each step of the way in our appreciation for His gift of Christian Fiction and the authors who write it.

A Note From Annie (Just Commonly):

CFRR really started during Seekerville's New Year's Eve party. A couple of us were talking about how there are always author conferences or writing sessions, but what about something for the readers?  As it so happened, several of us thought the same thing, and here we are!  Being the first retreat, we wanted something more intimate, and not convention-sized, so every reader's able to sit and chat with authors sometime during the event. Personally, I'm really looking forward to meeting all these wonderful authors, getting to know them a little or more beyond the world of Christian fiction in their books. Then there's also the opportunity to do some fan-girling in person with other like-minded readers! Exciting indeed!

A Note From Carrie Schmidt:

Since I started blogging, one of my very favorite blessings has been getting to know some of my favorite authors as “real people”.  They love to read.  They love their families.  They fangirl over their own book heroes. They like to send HUGS (I’m looking at you, dear Julie Lessman!). They ask for advice. But most of all, these Christian fiction authors? They are crazy about Jesus. I am so excited about this event in Nashville because it brings authors and readers together in one room to just hang out and be “real people”, crazy about Jesus and fiction and each other. TOGETHER. 

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t also looking forward to the author panel I’m moderating on the subject of KISSING in Christian fiction.  I would also be lying if I said I wasn’t the tiniest bit afraid that I will lose all control of said panel with panelists such as Julie Lessman, Ruth Logan Herne, and Pepper Basham… just to name some of the participants in that particular event. But can you even imagine what a time of laughter and friendship and good old-fashioned fanning that will be? 

Oh – and I have to talk about prayer! As Bonnie has mentioned, prayer has been part of this event since it was just a wishful thought.  It continues to be part of our preparation for August, and it will be the most important activity of the day when the event finally arrives. Praising God with worship music. Praying with fellow readers. Praying FOR and with your beloved authors as they prepare to head to the ACFW conference the next day. Lots of books are pitched and career decisions hang in the balance at the ACFW. What an absolute privilege it will be to send them off wrapped in our love and reminded that Jesus has got this. 

Okay, I don't know about you, but I'm a bit on the weepy side right now over these incredible gals who are just as "crazy about Jesus" as any of we authors are, and I can't thank you enough sweet Bonnie, Annie, and Carrie. It is a privilege and blessing to call you my friends!

Hugs,

Julie 

GIVEAWAY!!

Leave a comment to win one of three e-copies of winner's choice of Isle of Hope, A Glimmer of Hope, or A Light in the Window. 

And just FYI ... those who register for CFRR early at the reduced price will also be entered for additional prizes including a box of books!