Welcome to the Blue Lake Christian Writers Retreat

Registration for the 2024 conference Now Open!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR MARCH 20-23, 2024!

Located at Blue Lake Camp in the Conecuh National Forest south of Andalusia, Alabama.

Come away with us to a quiet place …

Where you can learn from award-winning writers and teachers who will show you how to develop your God-given gift of writing. Blue Lake is a peaceful setting nestled in the Conecuh National Forest beside a tranquil lake. Join us this spring to feed your spirit, soul, and mind with stirring praise and worship, inspiring motivational messages, and enlightening instruction.

At Blue Lake Christian Writers Retreat, you’ll experience the benefits of a large writers’ conference, but on a more personal level. Whether you’re a beginning or experienced writer, interested in fiction or nonfiction, our faculty of seasoned professionals can teach you how to improve your writing skills, market your work, and get published.

Choose from morning continuing classes and afternoon workshops, which offer a range of information about various aspects of writing, both fiction and nonfiction.

In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with the faculty in one-on-one appointments and discuss your writing goals.

All of this training and networking with other writers, plus lodging for three nights and breakfast, lunch, and dinner can be yours for an amazing, affordable price.

Reserve your place at Blue Lake Christian Writers Retreat now, because space is limited. Find a friend to share the experience with you and share a room. Register now to develop your gift!

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV)

2024 Additional Information

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

10 Steps to Building an Amazing Author Platform” – taught by Susan Neal, Award-winning author and President of CAN and CIPA.

Join Susan as she explains how Christian writers can expand their influence and connect with more readers. This practical class covers essential elements like creating an engaging website, utilizing social media effectively, crafting compelling email content, and maximizing your presence on platforms like Amazon Author Central and Goodreads. You’ll also learn strategies for blogging, guest appearances on podcasts, and writing magazine articles to enhance your outreach. This class is an opportunity to not only grow your platform but also to share your message of faith more broadly. Wed 2-4pm.

Why should I take the Early Bird class, “Ten Steps to Building an Amazing Author Platform.”

Price $40

VIP LUNCH

Thursday and Friday – Lunch in a separate room with a motivational keynote.

Price $20 each day

PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOTS

Faculty member Marci Seither will be available to take your professional headshots. Signup schedule will be available at the conference.

Price $40

CONFERENCE T-SHIRT!

Join the excitement and commemorate your participation at this year’s conference with our specially designed T-shirts. Available for just $20 each, these shirts are a perfect way to remember an inspiring event and share your passion for writing with others.

Sizes Available:

  • Small (S)
  • Medium (M)
  • Large (L)
  • Extra Large (XL)
  • Double Extra Large (XXL)

Order on the registration page and add a stylish memento to your wardrobe!

Price $20

CONFERENCE RECORDINGS

Take the classes with you on audio so you can re-listen to those you took or “attend” those you couldn’t.

Price $35

NIGHT CLASSES

For you Night Owls that can’t get enough teaching in one day, we are offering a night class Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Price:  Included in conference fee

Interested in receiving Blue Lake CWR news and updates?  Sign up to get our blog posts delivered to your Inbox

Sign Me Up!

Great introduction to the Christian writing world and how to begin navigating it. Grateful for exposure to resources like Word Weavers writing groups and publishers that invite you to send book proposals and encourage you in an intimate non-overwhelming setting.

Carol McCracken
Blue Lake’s relaxed atmosphere offers opportunities that can be lost in larger conferences: quiet opportunities to connect with other writers, agents, and publishers in deeper, more meaningful ways that create abiding friendships and a lasting support network.
Felicia Ferguson

Because of the relationships formed at BLCWR, I have found an invaluable critique group and direction in my writing. The education and training provided by the instructors offer an insight to the industry that new writers may not discover on their own. BLCWR is a great event for all levels.

Michelle Ruschman, Contributing Writer for GO! Christian Magazine

While I expected BLCWR to be educational, I was amazed at the encouragement and confirmation which I received as a result of my attendance. Writing can be a trying pursuit filled with rejections, lengthy waits for responses, etc., but learning that our writing is a calling from God and that fellow believers who are writers are there to help us along this service path was a spiritual boost.

Alice H. Murray

My experience at the Blue Lake Writer’s Conference was all that I had hoped for and more!! The speakers were very knowledgeable and informative, the topics were helpful, and the setting was gorgeous.

Jan LeMaster

You can get lost in the crowds of a large conference, but Blue Lake offers all the good stuff in a smaller, more intimate setting, which is absolutely gorgeous! Conference leaders have time to spend with you, and you are there with other writers who are eager to share their knowledge and resources, and celebrate your successes. Awesome worship kept us focused on why we write and Whom we serve.

Sherri Stone

This writers’ retreat is one of the highlights of my year. The setting, the schedule, the faculty, the participants are all great reasons to attend. But the word I would choose to describe it is encouragement. And what writer doesn’t need a little more of that?

Dottie Lovelady Rogers