Writers Chat, hosted by Johnnie Alexander, Brandy Brow, Melissa Stroh, and Norma Poore.
The place where craft connects community!
The Writer’s Advantage: Genre, Strategy, and Story with Bethany Jett
Literary agent Bethany Jett joins us to discuss ways to strengthen any manuscript—fiction, nonfiction, or picture book—by combining market strategy with smart storytelling. She shares how genre awareness, comp titles in proposals, and fiction techniques like hooks and pacing can elevate your craft and position your book for success.
Watch the May 6th replay.
Bethany Jett is a literary agent with the C.Y.L.E. agency, a multi-award-winning nonfiction author, and a marketing strategist with a soft spot for proposals, strategy sessions, and color-coded planners. With a background in ghostwriting and editing, she’s all about helping writers shape message-driven books that actually sell. She reps both ABA and CBA markets, always looking for projects with heart, clarity, and commercial potential. Bethany’s a military wife, proud #Wingmom, and boymom x3, living just outside DC with her teenage sons and their not-so-sorry Pomeranian. She’s currently closed to general submissions but loves connecting with writers through conferences and referrals.
Children’s Educational Writing with Julie Lavender
Want to try out a project that doesn’t pay well but the rewards are more valuable and lasting than you can imagine? Children’s Educational Writing won’t make you a millionaire (and it might not even pay the electricity bill for the month), but you’ll play a vital role in educating little ones, encouraging them to become lifelong learners, and teaching them the value of reading. And hopefully, that educational knowledge gained through well-written and clean children’s nonfiction and fiction literature will pave the way for a lifelong reader of God’s Word, too.
Watch the May 20th replay.
Julie Lavender is a journalist, author, speaker, former teacher and homeschooling mom, and wife to her high school and college sweetheart, David, but her most favorite hats are “mommy” and “grandmommy.” Julie is the author of books, magazine articles, Guideposts contributions, newspaper features, and children’s educational books with her biologist-hubby. https://www.julielavenderwrites.com/
How to Judge Contests with Julie Payne
In this episode of Writers Chat, writer and speaker Julie Payne explores the essential principles and practices behind fair, insightful, and impactful judging. No matter which genre you would be evaluating, this presentation guides you through understanding contest goals, applying clear criteria, scoring consistently, and offering constructive feedback. Designed for both new and experienced judges, this info equips you to evaluate writing with integrity, encourage growth, and honor the creative voices behind each submission.
Watch the May 27th replay.
Julie Payne has been a Christian writer and speaker since 2019. She served as President of Word Weavers Orlando for three years and currently mentors other chapter presidents. Since 2018, she has coordinated The Florida Tapestry Awards Writing Contest.
Disclaimer: The opinions and viewpoints presented by the cohosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of Writers Chat or Serious Writer, Inc.
Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET
on Zoom. The permanent Zoom room link is: http://zoom.us/j/4074198133
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