Edie Melson – BRMCWC
Director, Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference

Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. No matter whether she’s talking to writers, entrepreneurs, or readers, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.”

As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives.

Connect with her on her website, through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Edwina Perkins
Assistant Director

Edwina Perkins is an award-winning writer, freelance editor, speaker, and a sensitive reader.

She is the Managing Editor of Harambee Press—an imprint which seeks to publish ethnic writers—with Iron Stream Media. As the Mentoring Coordinator with Blue Ridge Mountain Writers Conference, Edwina loves the excitement of writers and watching them develop in their craft.

She serves on the Word Weavers International Advisory Committee and is also a freelance writer for Guideposts Magazine.

After thirty years away, she loves calling North Carolina home again. Edwina is a wife, mother of four adult children, and grandmother of two.

Looking for:
We at Harambee Press are looking for writers who want to express the diversity of their culture and who have stories and life lessons. Whether through fiction or nonfiction, HP authors should carry a message of hope and redemption. At this time we are acquiring fiction, nonfiction, and YA by ethnic writers. We are not looking for poetry, articles, or children’s books. We are accepting submissions from people we meet at conferences, agents, and referrals.

Classes, Appointments, Paid Critiques

1. Practicum, Continuing Class, or Workshop.
   1. A practicum is a hands-on class. It can be offered as a workshop (a stand-alone class) or a continuing class.
   2. A continuing class is just that—a class that has new material every day that builds upon itself. These can be 2, 3 or 4 days in length.
   3. A workshop is a class that is possibly repeated more than once, and it will be the same material every time.
2. Act I, Act II, and Act III.
   1. Act I classes are for beginners or new writers in that specific area. For example, an established non-fiction writer who has lots of experience might be a beginner when it comes to writing fiction.
   2. Act II classes are for intermediate writers who may or may not be published in that specific area, but have writing experience.
   3. Act III classes are for advanced writers who have published multiple books and articles and such.

15-Minute Appointments
These are scheduled times when you can sit down with the author, agent, or editor of your choice and discuss your writing or brainstorm or have them answer your burning questions. You do NOT have to pay for these appointments, they are included as part of your conferee experience. You will NOT sign up for 15-minute appointments until you get to the conference.

Paid Critiques
Several of our faculty members offer to critique your writing and meet with you at the conference. Critiques cost $30 each, and you can find the list of faculty and what type of writing they will critique on the Blue Ridge Conference website soon. Please be sure to follow the guidelines when you submit your request to the faculty members.

These will be IN ADDITION to your regular 15-minute appointments and are paid appointments.

Contests
Eva Marie Everson is our contest director and works very hard every year to organize our contests. Please see the website for how to enter, and again, be sure to follow the submission instructions.

Here are the 3 contests we offer:

• The BRMCWC Foundation Awards Contest: This has previously been known as the Unpublished Contest. You must be registered for the entire conference in order to compete. If you have been paid for your writing in any publication category, then you are ineligible for this contest in that category. (For example, if a publication paid you for a devotion, then you may not enter the contest in the devotion category, but you may enter in a different category.) You may enter in more than one category but we accept only one entry per category.
• The Director’s Choice Award: The Director’s Choice Award is given to a published writer who is a past or current conferee. You’ve worked hard and it is our pleasure to recognize your achievement. We accept both fiction and non-fiction books for this contest.
  The Selah Awards: The Selah Awards are open to all published authors whose books were published between December 16, 2019 and December 15, 2020 with either traditional or non-traditional publishers. If the book is co-authored, both authors must sign the entry form.
• The 2023 Awards Ceremony and Dessert Reception: This event takes place on Wednesday evening and isn’t something you must register for separately. It is an opportunity to dress up—IF YOU CHOOSE. You’ll find our faculty in glittering evening wear and this is our chance to come together to celebrate all of our authors’ hard work by honoring them with awards. The results of all 3 contests will be announced during this time. There isn’t a formal dress code for the Awards Banquet. It’s as dressy as you want to make it. Some will wear tuxes or cocktail dresses or gowns. Others will wear their Sunday best, and still others will be in nice jeans and a polo or dress shirt. It’s really up to you how you would like to dress, but we want you to have the information you need to be comfortable in all situations.

General Information

Attire:
General Conference attire is business casual. This isn’t required but is what everyone seems most comfortable with. There is a lot of walking up and down hills, so be sure to pack some comfortable shoes.

Headshots:
One opportunity that we like to offer our conferees is the chance to have professional headshots taken by our conference photographer. You will notice Mallory Zynda snapping pictures throughout the conference. She will also have an appointment sheet so that you can sign up to meet with her and have your picture taken. There is a minimal cost for this service, and we will have more information for you shortly.

Bookstore:
Our bookstore will operate out of Spilman again this year.

Conference Schedule:
At the conference, the schedule will be provided to you as a hard copy, tri-fold brochure.

Class Recordings:
We do offer the opportunity for conference attendees to buy (cash only) a package of conference recordings.

Facebook:
We also encourage you to LIKE our Facebook page.

Visit BlueRidgeConference.com for more information, blogs, podcasts, and class information.

“The caliber of the workshops and keynotes was exceptional. The best ever, I think. Well done, ladies. The faculty was kind, responsive, and humble.”

“Tim Shoemaker’s Deep POV class was the best I’ve ever heard on the subject. All of my classes were great and were what I needed to hear.”

“All of the keynote speakers did great! Their messages are very applicable.”

“Wonderful worship and fellowship and music and speakers.”