Nearly 500 writers converged on the American Christian Fiction Writers national conference in Denver the week of Sept. 17-20, 2009.

What a great opportunity to learn, network, pitch, and socialize. The early bird session with agent Donald Maass, author of Writing the Breakout Novel was a day-long session that gave nearly 300 participants the inside scoop on how to make their manuscripts stand out from the crowd.

Keynote speaker Debbie Macomber shared an inspirational message that included insight into how she got started in the publishing business as a young stay-at-home mom with four children and a rented typewriter on her kitchen table.

Alamo Christian Fiction Writers attendees included Eileen Key, author of Dog Gone, suspense writer Valerie Goree, aspiring romance writer Roxanne Sherwood, who has a half-dozen contest wins under her belt, and myself.