Asia Christian Writer Conference

Letter from a Mongolian Participant:
Dear John,

The conference was an answer to one of my prayers, encouraging me to write more and write more confidently. As you know already, I was very discouraged as an editor in my radio station. I felt weak as a young, short story writer. I didn’t know how to start a novel, the perspective I was supposed to write from, etc. Now I know there is no rule for writing novels!

Another answered prayer was that I had asked God for a person to teach and share about today's Christian literature with us. But God answered me with not just one person, but by showing me MAI’s commitment to help build up Mongolian Christian literature.

The translation of Christian literature is vital in Mongolia among Christians. Getting to know other Christian brothers and sisters was another privilege that I gained from the conference. Based on the needs of Mongolia’s present Christian leaders, I am planning to translate "When God Calls You to Rest” which I learned about at the conference.

And lastly, I was challenged to write a book about Hangai, a kind of bear who lives only in the Gobi desert of Mongolia. I’ll write about its journey of life and conflicts.

Again, it was really a fruitful time for me to be at that conference. Please pass on my gratitude to the generous people who made it possible for me to attend the wonderful conference. 

Blessings to all of you,
*Timothy (name changed for security reasons)

Conference Background:
In recent years, MAI held on-site writer workshops at the request of Christian publishers in Nepal, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar/Burma, Cambodia and other Asian countries. These publishers were mainly producing translations form the West, and recognized the need for locally authored books in the heart language and culture of their readers. But where to find gifted writers, and how to nurture them? That was the focus of these on-site writer trainings.

The Asia Christian Writer Confererence in Chiang Mai, Thailand, provided additional training to these emerging writers, and helped connect them with potential poblishers. Since many writers work largely in isolation and without encouragement from peers, the gathering provided valuable peer fellowship and fostered a regional network for Asia Christian writers. 

Conference sessions included both vision-building and practical training. Participants split into interest tracks: writing for youth, writing for children, fiction, writing the magazine article, and writing the non-fiction book. Each writer developed an idea for a viable book manuscript or article, and began writing under the tutelage of seasoned trainers.