Welcome to The Amy Foundation Website. As a thoughtful American you have experienced concern for the deepening moral and spiritual challenges in our nation.

Here you can participate in solutions leading to restoration of the goodness that makes America great. Explore the features and resources at this site and participate in the grandest of all causes: that work resulting in "one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Latest News:  

2011 Amy Writing Awards

NOTE:  Entries published in 2011 must be postmarked on or before January 31, 2012 to qualify for the 2011 Amy Writing Awards. 

Click here for more information on the Amy Writing Awards

Upcoming Christian Writers Conferences:

Florida Christian Writers Conference - March 1-4, 2012, features a wide array of speakers to encourage and equip both veteran and aspiring writers to communicate God’s truth to a needy world.  This 25th annual FCWC offers appointments with editors and agents, continuing classes, workshops, and more.  Rusty Wright, representing the Amy Foundation, will present on:

Relating Christ to Secular Audiences:  Learn how readers think and feel, what they want and why.  Practical tools for analyzing and connecting with secular audiences.  Tap felt needs, grab attention, touch hearts and minds, and sensitively communicate spiritual truth.

Secrets of Successful Humor:  How to use humor effectively to attract and hold your readers.  Why do people laugh?  How can you relate humorous stories with a punch? This workshop, by the author of the award-winning book, Secrets of Successful Humor, gives you practical ideas to help your articles and publications sparkle.  Learn to use humor appropriately to help your readers (and your coworkers) understand, enjoy and remember your important points and thirst for more.

Rusty Wright is an award-winning author, lecturer, and syndicated columnist who has spoken on six continents.  He holds Bachelor of Science (psychology) and Master of Theology degrees from Duke and Oxford universities, respectively. www.RustyWright.com

Inland Northwest Christian Writers Conference (Spokane Valley, WA) - March 16-17, 2012:   Whether you're an experienced writer or are exploring the arena of writing for the first time, we'd love to have you join us.   Develop your writing skills - following God's design for your gift.  Teach others - We offer critique, encouragement, networking, and training for writers of all experience levels;  Encourage inspiration and information to increase enthusiasm for writing.  Visit www.inlandnwchristianwriters.com for more information.

The seventh annual Antelope Valley Christian Writers’ Conference, May 4-5, 2012, is quickly approaching. If you enjoy writing, and you’d like to sharpen your skills and learn how the publishing business works, you are welcome to join us. Registration is now open.
 
Our keynote speaker will be author and mentor Cecil Murphey.  (You might know him as the author of Ninety Minutes in Heaven.) Meet agent Bill Jensen, grammar expert Kathy Ide, magazine columnist B.J. Taylor, novelist Kathi Macias, and more. Between them they have over a century of experience in training writers for today’s competitive market.

You can attend workshops in a wide array of creative categories. A special program (with a discounted price) is offered for teen writers, age 12-17. Fellowship with other writers who share your calling. Receive a free critique for your latest writing project.  Pitch your book idea directly to our publishers and agents. Together, we can help you take your writing to the next level.
 
We’re located in the High Desert of Southern California, within easy driving distance from Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Bakersfield, or Ventura County. Or you can also get here via the Metrolink commuter train from Downtown LA or Burbank Airport.

Complimentary refreshments, a continental breakfast, and a catered lunch will be served. A special deal is available for any church or school sending five people or more.  Please have a look at our website, at www.avwriters.com.  Or write to us at info@avwriters.com.

From Syndicate Writer Rusty Wright:

Rusty Wright, a previous winner of multiple Amy Writing Awards, an Amy Internet Syndicate author, and guest speaker many Christian Writers Conferences was recently interviewed by Alton Gansky of Gansky Communications.  "I was honored when Al Gansky asked to interview me on video about my recent article, Evangelicals’ Image Problem.  He wanted us to analyze the op-ed to help Christian writers sharpen their skills.  Perhaps this video can be of use to the communicators in your own circles."

Anatomy of an Article: Writing for Skeptics.  Prolific author Alton Gansky – director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference – interviews Rusty Wright about his short op-ed, Evangelicals’ Image Problem.  Follow along with the article as Al and Rusty dissect it on video.  Discover ways to attract and keep attention; connect with skeptical readers; select effective words and colorful illustrations that move people emotionally and intellectually; and offer resolution for impact.  (Online video, 31:06)

Click “here”  to view a previous interview between Alton Gansky and Rusty Wright about The Amy Foundation and the Amy Writing Awards.

Alton Gansky is a fulltime writer with an eclectic background. He has been a firefighter, spent a decade in architecture, and twenty-two years as a Baptist minister. He is the author of forty or so books, both fiction and nonfiction and has written for a variety of businesses.  In addition to his own writing, Alton, through his company Gansky Communications, provides writing services to publishers, agents, businesses, and other authors. An active public speaker, Alton has delivered messages, seminars, and classes across the country, and in Canada.  Alton directs two conferences for writers: The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in Ridgecrest, North Carolina; and the Southwest Christian Writers Studio in Glorieta, New Mexico. 

Pen & Sword:  

The Pen & Sword Newsletter is now digital.  Please email us at amyfoundtn@aol.com with your email address to continue receiving our quarterly newsletter.

Please click here for information on Amy Foundation books and materials.

Overcoming Subtle Sins:       Other Amy Foundation Books & Materials: