Thank you for expressing interest in InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship. We hope this will answer most of your questions and encourage you to join us! Click on underlined links for specific information about our leadership, members and membership, newsletter, and events.
THEN. . .
- ICWF started in Alberta in 1980 as “Alberta Christian Writers’ Fellowship.” In the 90′s, some members moved out-of-province and wanted to retain their membership. Others from outside also asked to join. After prayerful consideration, we voted on September 29, 1996 to expand across Canada, adding “CanadaWide” to our name. Then, in the spring of 1999 we held a contest for a new name that would better reflect the scope of our membership and purpose statement. The winner was “InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship.”
NOW!
- We now have members in every province and two territories, including unpublished beginners, those who write for fun, writers employed as reporters or editors and many freelancers. We write in almost every genre, including short stories, books, poetry, magazine articles, newspaper columns, technical articles, stories for children and youth, and even fantasy.
EVENTS & PUBLICATIONS
- ICWF holds two conferences a year, one in Edmonton in September and the other in Calgary in April. The Fall Conference features a well-known writer/speaker and several workshop leaders, a Friday evening theme fellowship with plenary sessions and workshops on Saturday. Sometimes we have a banquet. We also meet as a general body during this event. The Spring WorDshop is a bit less embellished yet also a time of learning, sharing and fellowship.
- ICWF publishes how-to booklets. Some of our members offer on-line and distance learning writing courses.
- We are supported and encouraged through our newsletter, FellowScript. It is published four times a year in a professional, magazine-style format with news, event information, current contests, market and publishing information, writing tips, regular columns and more. Sample newsletters are available. Read our guidelines before submitting.
- While all information is on this website, we have brochures, sample newsletters and information about our current events. To have your snail-mail address placed on our contact list, click here.
LEADERSHIP & MEMBERSHIP
- InScribe is led by an executive board with several associate executive members representing various regions. Many of our members support and encourage one another in an e-mail listserv. ICWF occasionally hosts one-day seminars and workshops, poetry readings and other smaller events. Since fellowship is a very important part of what we do, we encourage our members to form “Inspiration Groups” in their area so they can encourage one another to excellence by reading and evaluating one another’s manuscripts. We have many new ideas to help promote our members and their work.
- Membership includes several benefits. You qualify for ICWF “members-only” contests as well as discounts at our major events. You are also able to join our Internet listserv, an encouraging way to connect with other members across Canada. Each year, members also receive a Members Directory which helps our writers connect with each other. (Names are included. Addresses, phone numbers and e-mail are optional.)
- Membership in ICWF is $40 (US or Canadian funds) for one year, plus agreement by signature to the Apostles’ Creed. Family and group memberships are available. Click here for an application form.
- For more information, email your questions!