GENERAL INFORMATION
Major Morning Tracks:  Check out the Tracks available and choose the one you would like to be part of.  There is no sign-up ahead of time*  . . . just arrive and go to the one of your choice the first morning and stick with it the entire time.  If after the first session you find it's not what you anticipated, you may transfer to another track.  There is only one transfer possible, so make sure you've read the descriptions carefully.

*Exception:  Mentoring Tracks for both Fiction and Non-Fiction require additional $50 charge so you must decide ahead of time.  Read carefully the requirements for Mentoring tracks on Major Morning Track page.

Afternoon Optional Workshops:  There are 70 afternoon workshop options to choose from, ten per session. These are valuable times of teaching by experienced faculty.  Check the Tentative Workshop Schedule, and begin thinking about what workshops you'd like to take each session.  You do not have to sign up ahead of time.

ON-LINE MATERIALS
Forms:  Available now for downloading are Manuscript guidelines, manuscript submittal forms, travel information and shuttle request form, book consignment form, a variety of writer’s helps, and the Tentative Workshop Schedule at http://www.mounthermon.org/writers/forms or by clicking the "forms" button on the menu above.  The form that shows "What Editors and Publishers Are Looking For" has been uploaded to the web.  Look for it under "Forms".

ARRIVAL SHUTTLE SERVICE
Please plan to arrive at San Jose International (SJC) between 8:00 and 11:30 AM on Friday, March 14, 2008. If you must come in later, please plan on renting a car for the week.  Arrival shuttle service is available from the San Jose International Airport only by advance arrangement through Mount Hermon.  You must fill out the shuttle form to receive this service, and return it by March 1st at the latest.  See FORMS. We are unable to provide shuttle service from San Francisco.  Cost is $71.00 per person, round-trip from San Jose. Shuttles for early arrivals run 1:30-5:00 PM, Thursday, March 13.

DIRECTIONS TO MOUNT HERMON
We are off Route 17 between San Jose and Santa Cruz.  Exit at Mount Hermon Road, which goes through Scotts Valley and deadends at Graham Hill Road (3.5 miles).  Turn left on Graham Hill, and just past the small shopping mall at that corner is Mount Hermon's "little sign."  Turn left up the hill.  Conference Dr. takes you into the middle of campus.  (If getting directions to Mount Hermon on Google Maps or any other direction service on the web, input Felton, CA for best results.)  Directions with maps are available here.

DEPARTURE
The conference ends with lunch around 1:00 PM, Tuesday, March 18, with airport shuttle service beginning at 1:15 PM. Please plan any flight departure for 3:00 PM or later.

WHAT TO BRING
Casual clothes are the rule for the week, with comfortable walking shoes. Weather this time of year is erratic.  Dress for warm, wet, cold, sunny!  Layering is the operative way to go. We’ll send you information on other things to bring when you register.

MEAL SERVICE
All meals are served buffet style at set times in Mount Hermon’s Dining Hall. Registrants eat at faculty tables at noon and dinner. PLEASE NOTE: WE CANNOT PROVIDE SPECIAL DIETS OF ANY KIND, but our director of food service will work with those who have food allergies by advance arrangement only. Please inquire of Shannon Taimani in Registration if you have a special need. Our Fountain (snack shop) is open afternoons and evenings. Complimentary refreshments each morning and afternoon between sessions.

CDs & MP3's AVAILABLE
All general sessions and most workshops are professionally recorded and available for purchase from O.T. Studios of Whittier, California.  Most are available for purchase to non-registrants by mail after the conference, beginning April 15, 2008.   Find form at http://www.mounthermon.org/writers/forms or by clicking the "forms" button on the menu above. 

BOOK SALES
Conferees who are published authors may bring their own books to place on consignment (20% fee) at our writers conference bookstore. All books must be pre-priced.  Click the "forms" button on the menu above for an Excel consignment form.  You may give your book information to us in two ways:  1) PREFERRED: download consignment form, fill it out and e-mail it as an attachment to Joy Harrison, JHarrison54@msn.com, OR 2) download, fill it out and bring it with you when you deliver your books to the bookstore.

FREE PRE-CONFERENCE CRITIQUES, AVAILABLE ONLY FOR REGISTRANTS
Each registrant may send the first 20 pages of two manuscripts or two articles, 2 children's books or 5 poems or 3 devotionals ahead of the conference for critiquing OR editorial review.  Editorial review is by an editor of your chosing as to whether the work is something he or she might be interested in for their company.  It does not include critiquing.   If you choose the critiquing opportunity, you will have published freelance writers with years of expertise in your area of writing assess your work, offering concrete observations and advice.  If you have never been published, please choose critiquing instead of editorial review.  All submissions must be in hard copy and must be postmarked by Saturday, March 8, and/or received at Mount Hermon at the latest by Tuesday, March 11.  Proper formatting is listed in the Guidelines for Manuscripts under FORMS.  NOTICE:  The listing of "What Editors Want to See" is on the website.  Find it under FORMS in pdf format.  Print and use to determine who you would like to either review or critique your manuscripts.  If you have questions about who might be the best person, feel free to contact Rachel Williams at rachelw@mhcamps.org (preferred way of communicating).    As the manuscripts arrive, you will be informed by e-mail.  If you do not hear from us, please e-mail Rachel Williams to find out if your manuscripts have been received.

This year's critique team consists of Gayle Roper (Chair), Jim Scott Bell, Joseph Bentz, Brandilyn Collins, Barbara Curtis, Ethel Herr, Mona Hodgson, Kathy Ide, Randy Ingermanson, Karen O'Connor, and Christine Tangvald.  The team will be available throughout the conference, Saturday-Monday afternoons, in the Multipurpose Room from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm for walk-in critiques, first-come, first-served.  NOTE:  Bring along another copy of your manuscript in case there is a second opportunity for submitting it mid-conference.   

EXTRA NIGHT OPTION
Want to come a night early on March 13 to enjoy the beautiful Santa Cruz area and our McAfee Fieldhouse before the conference?  Dinner, overnight housing, and breakfast on March 14 are available for $83.  A cozy fire, wireless availability, and a pleasant gathering spot await early arrivals in Central Lounge.  (There is no program planned during this time, except two optional headstart workshops Thursday evening…see schedule.) Enjoy the historic Roaring Camp Railroad within walking distance, and the Pacific Ocean beaches, Boardwalk, and fabulous restaurants of Santa Cruz, just six miles away. Carmel-by-the-Sea and Point Lobos State Reserve are 60 minutes south, and San Francisco is 90 minutes to the north. Several state parks and other beautiful spots beckon within a few miles. Our gym and exercise room are open for use as well at the McAfee Fieldhouse. Check the box on your registration form if you want the early night option.  (Note: We cannot provide transportation once you’re at Mount Hermon. Why not consider a rental car or carpooling with other early arrivers to enjoy the area opportunities?)

HOW TO REGISTER
Register Online. Pay either by MasterCard®, Visa®, or The Discover Card®.  If you are unable to register on-line, telephone 831-335-4466.

1. Mail a registration form with a $100 per-person non-refundable deposit, to Registrar, Christian Writers Conference, Mount Hermon Association, P.O. Box 413, Mount Hermon, CA 95041, or
2. FAX your registration to 831-335-9335.

Registration is FULL-TIME ONLY. Limited to first 400 conferees to register. Be sure to indicate your roommate preference. If none is shown, Mount Hermon will assign one for you. Registrations processed in the order in which they are received.  Payment of all fees is due in full by February 14, 2008, or space cannot be guaranteed. NOTICE: This is an ADULTS-ONLY conference, professional in nature. Thank you for not asking to bring young children of any age with you, aside from those in 9th-12th grades who are participating in the Teen Track.

TOTAL REGISTRATION FEE (per person.  Includes tuition)

The full registration fee includes the following:  1) $395 tuition*, 2) all conference workshops and sessions, 3) two manuscript critiques, 4) 100-page resource syllabus, 5) refreshment breaks, 6) housing, 7) 13 meals, and 8) program activities. (*Teen Track tuition is $315)

Questions?
If you have questions about billing or housing, call Shannon Taimani at 888-642-2677.
If you have writers questions, e-mail Rachel Williams at rachelw@mhcamps.org.  (Preferred over phone calls.)

Camperships
Mount Hermon keeps its rates as low as possible, but if finances are a problem, consider applying for a Campership grant. Through the generosity of friends of Mount Hermon, limited funds are available, on a first-come, first-served basis. Campership assistance is normally granted on tuition expenses only and on a partial basis as need is determined.

Please ask for a Campership Request form after registering and sending in your deposit if you'll be needing assistance.  Campership requests cannot be processed without a deposit. (Your deposit is refundable if the Campership grant is not available or is not sufficient to permit your attendance.)  1-888-MH-CAMPS.

Appointments with Editors & Manuscript Evaluations During the Conference
Panel discussions by groups of editors and publishers, plus personal appointments are valuable highlights of the conference.  Both provide a great way to get an inside look at the editor’s needs and to learn how to ask the right questions about your finished manuscript or work-in-progress. Sign up when you get to the conference and pick up your syllabus at Hospitality. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards with your full contact information on them.  If you don't have a formal card, print up some 3x5 cards with the information on them.

NEW! First-timer Buddy System
Attention first-time registrants! The Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference is an exciting, awesome, and sometimes overwhelming experience--and it's good to come prepared! If you are attending for the first time and want an experienced buddy to help you prepare, please e-mail Jeanette Hanscome at jeanettehanscome@sbcglobal.net for details.  In order to fully benefit from the Buddy System, please sign up by March 1.

To all of you conference veterans! If you have attended at least one Mount Hermon Writers Conference then you are qualified to pass your preparation and conference survival tips on to others. If you would like to be a buddy to a first-timer, please e-mail Marilyn Hilton at marilyn@rivergem.com for details.

NOTICE:  EARLY BIRD "PITCHING YOUR PROJECT" CLASS
If you're coming in on Thursday, come prepared with your project pitch info and the basics of your project, and attend the evening class, "Maximizing Your Experience at Writers Conference", taught by Tim Riter.  Anticipate practical help, actual practise on your pitch, advise for good editor meetings during the week and lots of comraderie in the process.  What a great way to start the Writers Conference!