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XARISCOM: COMMUNICATING GRACE
hope and humor for writers

Writing is the hardest way of earning a living, with the possible exception of wrestling alligators. Olin Miller

It is hard, but it is possible. So, here are some resources to wrestle those alligators.

And click here for some of my "Jim Shorts" newspaper columns on writing.

• Agents
• Articles
• Books
• Conferences
• Editorial services
• Encouragement
• Journalism
 • Legal issues
• Magazines
• Manuscript critiques
• Online class
• Publishers
• Research
 • Self-publishing
• Seminars
• Telling your story
• Web site design
• Writing online
• Writers' resources



agents

• "Finding an Agent" by my agent, Janet Grant
Here are two agencies I can whole-heartedly recommend:
• The Books & Such Agency
• The Steve Laube Agency
Warnings about those who I can't:
• Preditors and Editors
• Seven questions to ask a prospective agent
• Writer beware



articles

• Atomic-powered titles
• Becoming a persuasive person
• 'Crossing over' with the cross
• From Stage to Page: Turning Messages into Manuscripts (my notes)
• Grammar tools
• How to break into a publisher's office
• The ministry of writing (twenty-five rejection-proof markets)
• Million to one chance for million-seller
• Seven habits of purpose-driven writers
• Spreading the Word with wit
• Ten great things about being a writer
• Top ten column-writing secrets revealed
• Why do you write? An interview with an IWU student
• Writing effective book proposals
• Writing online



books
• Communicate to Change Lives: Biblical and Behaviorial Principles for Persuasive Communication

"I laughed, I gulped, and I learned as I read Jim's book. As a writer, speaker, and teacher of writing, Jim knows what he is talking about. Best of all, he knows how to put the teaching at a level that we can easily grasp and apply. Here's the book that will help you to change lives." Roger Palms, Writer, teacher, speaker, former editor of Decision Magazine

Browse
• Read about the book and seminar by the same name
• Read an excerpt: Using Psychological Appeals

Buy
• Order from amazon.com
• Order from Wesleyan Publishing House



Writers on Writing: Top Christian Authors Share Their Secrets for Getting Published

I was privileged to serve as editor of this "who's who" of Christian authors such as Jerry Left Behind Jenkins, Liz Curtis Higgs and twenty more. A very practical "how to" book on writing.

"Here's a terrific smorgasbord about different aspects of the writing business. Whether you want to write magazine articles, devotionals, fiction or nonfiction, humor or screenplays, you will gain a taste of what it takes from someone who practices this particular discipline." Terry Whalin, best-selling author

Browse
• Seven habits of highly effective writers

Buy
• Order from Wesleyan Publishing House



Writing with Banana Peels: Principles, Practices and Pratfalls of Writing Humor

"A milk-out-the-nose funny book for both writers and readers," Rhonda Rhea, author of Amusing Grace and The Purse-uit of Holiness.

Jim had so much fun teaching "Writing Humor" at Taylor University, that he compiled all his notes (and some of his funniest columns) into a book: Writing with Banana Peels: Principles, Practices, and Pratfalls of Writing Humor.

Browse
• Table of contents, endorsements
• Read an excerpt

Buy
• Paper back $14.95
• [Coming soon to Kindle]

• A Complete Guide to Writing for Publication
• More writing books



conferences

American Christian Writers Conferences
They are held through the U.S. and are an affordable way to get an overview of Christian publishing.
• Click for conference details

Conferences I can heartily recommend with lots of editors
• Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference (NC)
• Colorado Christian Writers' Conference
• Florida Christian Writers' Conference
• Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers' Conference
• Mount Hermon Christian Writers' Conference (CA)
• Write-To-Publish (IL)



editorial services

I served for six years as a full-time editor with Wesleyan Publishing House and am currently freelance editing for such publishers as ACW Press, Group Publishing, Wesleyan Publishing House and WinePress. My writing and editing have earned four Evangelical Press Association awards, a Campus Life "Book of the Year," an Amy Award (for writing in the secular press), a Christian Retailers Choice Award, plus 24 books and over two thousand articles in print.

I charge $5 per page (250 words) for editing and $15 per page (250 words) for re-writing or ghosting.

Email me your manuscript as a Word document attachment to: jim@jameswatkins.com. You may pay with a credit card through Pay Pal:




encouragement

• 1 Corinthians 12 for writers
• David and the giant editors
• Keeping your dream alive
• Quips and quotes of encouragement
• The Word Girls [off site]



journalism

• FAIR: Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting.

• FeatureWriting.net: great links and info

• Journalist Express

• Poynter: Everything You Need To Be a Better Journalist

• RevWriter: on issues in ministry and writing



legal issues

• Know your rights
• Legal Guide for Bloggers
• U.S. Copyright office



magazines

• Editor and Publisher
• HumorWriters.org
•: Smashing.com
• The Spirit-led Writer
• Writers' Digest and it's Top 101 Sites for Writers
• Writers Weekly: Great scam warnings!



manuscript critiquing

I'd love to give you some practical advice as well as help in finding potential markets.

I charge $50 to critique an article, book chapter or book proposal up to 2,000 words (that also includes a list of potential markets). I also charge $5 per page (250 words) for editing; $15 per page for rewriting or "ghosting."

Why pay me to critique your manuscript? Four Evangelical Press Awards, a Campus Life "Book of the Year," an Amy Award (for writing in the secular press), a Christian Retailers Choice Award, plus 24 books and over two thousand articles in print, but most of all I'm a kind critiquer.

I've also edited several books for ACW Press, Group Publishing, Wesleyan Publishing House and WinePress as a freelance editor.

Email me your manuscript as a Word document attachment to: jim@jameswatkins.com. You may pay with a credit card through Pay Pal:


• Click here for a free self-critique sheet



publishers

• Christian publishers



self-publishing

Warnings
Many self-publishing companies offer extremely low prices, but then nickel and dime you with additional charges. Click for warnings:
• Self-publishers and piranhas

Recommendation
There's only one I recommend with all prices clearly marked and all packages including full-color, custom-designed cover, editing, ISBN number and bar code:
• ACW Press



writers' resources

• 100 useful Web tools for writers
• AskOxford: The Word on Words
• John Vonhof's writing resources [a huge, helpful site!]


Copyright © James N. Watkins

support

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 WILL WRITE FOR FOOD

welcome

Thanks for stopping by XarisCom. I'm Jim Watkins, and I trust you find helpful writing and ministry resources, as well as an abundent supply of hope and humor.