ACFW Upstate SC

⚒️What happens when history steps off the page?

We’re welcoming a real Viking reenactor to our March 14th meeting — and yes, it’s going to be as incredible as it sounds.

Brian Arthun will be sharing about authentic Viking culture, weapons, combat, daily life, and what Hollywood gets wrong.

If you write historical fiction, fantasy, or epic battle scenes… you won’t want to miss this.

Because sometimes the best worldbuilding starts with holding history in your hands.

Writers, come prepared. Bring your questions, and possibly your courage.

Doors open March 14th at 9:30 am, and the fun starts at 10 am.

Renovation Church - Simpsonville
611 Richardson St, Simpsonville
Every second Saturday

Hey, writer friends!

We're just a few weeks away from the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, and there's still time to register! Registration ends May 16th.

Our own amazing Edie Melson has done so much to make this conference one for the books, so if you're able and interested, be sure to check it out!

We're on the hunt for a new home!

If you want to support Christian writers in the Upstate and know of a space we could use one Saturday each month, we're all ears!

In the meantime, our in-person meetings are still happening, though the location may move around the Upstate from month to month.

We meet the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Our spring season is full of speakers, critiques, and writing camaraderie.

We'd love to have you join us!

📧 Shoot us an email, and we'll let you know where to find us each month.
[email protected]

NOTE FOR FEBRUARY 8th ONLY:
We will be meeting this month at Antioch Presbyterian Church (3600 SC-417, Woodruff, SC 29388). As usual, the doors will open at 9:30 and the meeting will begin at 10. Hope to see you there!

Congratulations to one of our own, Author Heidi Gray McGill!

Come join us May 11 to learn more about "Adorable Antag(onists)" by book coach and editor-in-chief Larry Leech.

Villains are the best. Absolutely the best. Darth Vader. Loki. Thanos. Joker. Lex Luther. Freddy Krueger. Voldemort. Wicked Witch of the West.

They’re just so loveable. Adorable actually. Without them, storytellers wouldn’t have a story to share. The protag could just lay around eating bonbons and watching soap operas. Or lazing on a Sunday afternoon at the beach.

Having the right antag in a story makes a difference. Imagine Loki in Harry Potter. Or Thanos in Star Wars. Or Darth Vader in Superman. Knowing what the antag wants and if they are strong enough are just two of five key elements of having the perfect villain in a story. So, come now and experience the power of the adorable antag.

More about Larry: Writing coach of award-winning authors and Editor-in-Chief at Bold Vision Books, Larry J. Leech II has spent more than forty years writing and editing. He started his career as a sportswriter in southwestern Pennsylvania where he covered prep sports, as well as the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers. In 2004, after 2,300 published articles and 13,000 interviews, Larry shifted to freelance writing and editing. Since that time, he has ghostwritten 30 books, edited more than 400 manuscripts, and coached hundreds of authors through the writing and publication process. For more than a decade Larry has taught at numerous general market and inspirational conferences nationwide. You can find him online on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Registration closes on THURSDAY!
https://forms.gle/geqi9X5BLYpMoDDq6

From the Beginning to "The End" ACFW Upstate SC Spring Workshop 2024

Calling all writers!

WRITING WORKSHOP featuring Lynette Eason, Lynn Blackburn, and Pepper Basham

Join us for "From the Beginning to 'The End,'" a writing workshop covering everything from writing during busy seasons and crafting banter to engage your readers.

Learn how to write romance like Jane Austen and a synopsis to catch an agent's attention.

April 27, 9 am-3 pm at Cross Roads Baptist Church in Greer, SC
Tickets cost $45 for non-ACFW Upstate SC members and $30 for members. (Lunch is included.)

To register, follow this link:

From the Beginning to "The End" ACFW Upstate SC Spring Workshop 2024

This week's featured ACFW Upstate SC author: Jim S. Davis

James Samuel Davis (Jim) is a writer of many genres. He grew up in the frozen wasteland of central Maine in a small rural community defined by its bogs, gravel pits, and dairy farms. When he moved to South Carolina as a young adult, the cultural and climactic contrasts deepened his appreciation for writing about local color and traditions.

Jim attempted to write and illustrate books at a very young age. At three years old, he began peck-typing on his mom's old Royal typewriter. He finished his first chapter book around age 13, but it was lost in a hard drive crash.

His parents, James C. and Susan Davis, were newspaper journalists during the 1980s, and taught Jim and his siblings at home. Jim developed his writing skills and had a magazine article published at age 16.

After his mom, Susan Page Davis, became a traditionally published author in her late 40s, Jim devoted more time to writing. In 2016, he and Susan co-authored their first book together, "The Seafaring Women of the Vera B." They completed the second book in the series, "The Scottish Lass."

Jim's first published book was "Nylo of Maradon" in 2022. Since then, Jim discovered Amazon Kindle Vella and the Ream platform and began publishing his other works.

"Nylo MacClurin, the Levelheaded," Book 2 in the "Ancient Cothric Chronicles" series.

Jim also spearheaded the project of a Bible commentary on Hebrews, James, and I John, called "The Hard Books," co-authored with Gary Ray, Matthew Morrow, and Jeff Eldridge.

Jim has a day job working at a sawmill in Easley, South Carolina, and enjoys gardening, travel, historical research, and selling things. He also has a passion for tractors, although he currently doesn't own one. He sometimes goes by "That Tractor Guy." He has been married to his wife, Debbie, for twenty years, and has eight children, ages 3-19. His greatest passion is knowing Jesus Christ.

To check out Jim's books, visit https://linktr.ee/jimdavissc.