Writers' Group
History shows how useful literature can be in the service of the kingdom. Pastors know this from their use of commentaries, theological, and devotional works. Most of us can point to one or two books that have had a dramatic effect on the way we think and live as Christians. Part of the work of Christian publishers is to keep the great old Christian books in print, but there is also a vital need for contemporary authors to write books that help the church in the language of our own day. There is also a need for faithful Christian scholars to contribute to the world of literature that is read in theological seminaries and universities. There are a number of established contemporary Reformed writers who have been publishing for many years now, but the list of younger pastor-writers and theologians is much shorter. The aim of the John Owen Centre Writers’ Group is to encourage and assist younger writers as they begin and establish their writing for publication.
The Summer School
Applications are invited for participation in the JOC Writers’ Group Summer School from anyone who is engaged in a writing project and feels that they are a ‘younger writer’ (this is less a description of their bodily age than their experience as a writer!). The Summer School will be a two day residential gathering of a small group of writers who have work in progress that is intended for publication. The aim is to have a mix of academic and popular pieces under consideration. Attendance at the Summer School entails a commitment to providing to the JOC an electronic copy of one article or chapter six weeks before the Summer School runs, and to reading carefully the submissions from the other participants (there will be a maximum of seven attending). Garry Williams, Director of the JOC, will lead the summer school, which will consist mainly of sessions working through the material that has been submitted. Those attending need to come prepared both to be encouraging and gently critical, as well as to be encouraged and have their work gently criticized. We also hope to have one publisher represented each summer who will talk about what they look for in a manuscript and needs in the market, as well as a session from a more experienced Christian writer.
Please note that the group is not intended to help with student dissertations or private projects that are not for publication.
Further details and application forms are available on request from johnowen@ltslondon.org.