B.J. Taylor - Writer/Speaker - Huntington Beach, CA

B.J. loves to inspire others. Whether speaking to a small group of women or addressing a large room filled to the brim with women and men, she enjoys reaching her audience through story. Though she has won numerous awards, she is humble and demure, but resonates with those who hear her by sharing takeaways that can change their lives.

Testimonials

"I am sooo glad I took your two classes as they meshed incredibly well with the course on writing for speaking, speaking for writing! For your newsletter, your talent shared and your wisdom, THANK YOU!"

Normajean, Mount Hermon 2010 Attendee

Here are the responses off the forms that were left after conference. Looks like you hit the ball out of the park. Thanks for all your good work!

Workshop: Turning Personal Experiences Into Stories That Sell
· Great class, very helpful. She gives detailed instructions that are useful and necessary to the newbie. I appreciated her
teaching methods.
· This workshop surprised me in that I hadn’t even given any thought to writing for Chicken Soup for the Soul. I realized
that this could be a good “beginning place” to get published. Again, very good info and writing tips. Appreciate the
sample that was given and the books given out as prizes. Kept my attention!

Workshop: Writing for the Guideposts Contest
· B.J. is a good communicator and very succinct in her talks. She is also very compassionate, and asked writers for specific
prayer requests which she said she would pray for that night. This workshop wasn’t just to fill in the details about the
contest, but also gave good writing tips as well.
· B.J. is an animated, enthusiastic speaker who gave us specific, practical tips for writing for Guideposts and for the contest.
· Excellent class. Very helpful, will follow through with recommendations and send my article in for the contest.
· Very good. Gave specific help. Very practical and well-organized seminar.

Rachel Williams, Program Director, Mount Hermon Writers Conference

“Very good speaker with lots of enthusiasm.”

Owen Mascott, Spring Writers Day Attendee

“I reviewed the evaluations from your class and all attendees loved your presentation! They felt it was organized, comprehensive, encouraging and held their interest. All want to take another class with you. I suggest you repeat your presentation!”

Marge Ball, Orange Coast College

“I met B.J. at the Orange County Writers Conference and after listening to her workshop, I thought, ‘We need her to speak at ours.’”

Opal Mae Daily, Christian Writers Guild of Santa Barbara

“Successful writing doesn’t develop in a vacuum. The best kept secret of up and coming authors is finding a good writers group that really works. B.J. Taylor should know. For 13 years she’s been part of the Sixteen Thumbs group, and, more recently, of an online group. And yes, it is working! Her writing credits are piling up along with her speaking engagements. Practical, informational, and inspirational, her new book answers all the questions you never even thought to ask. Besides which, it’s just plain good reading!”

Kay Marshall Strom, Author and Speaker

“A friend and I started The Secret Garden Writers Group after attending your breakout session. All seven of our members have different orientations and different writing projects—that is exciting. Thanks for sharing with us and encouraging us.”

Susy Flory, Mount Hermon Conference Attendee

Favorite and Requested Topics

▪ Sunny Side Up: How to Stay Positive in a Negative World
▪ High Fives: Making the Right Choices Can Affect Your Entire Life
▪ What to do When Someone in Your Family is an Alcoholic (or a Substance Abuse Problem)
▪ Survive Menopause and Lose Weight at the Same Time
▪ How to Find Your Dog a Job
▪ Grieving? How Writing in a Journal Can Help
▪ Writing for Guideposts Magazine
▪ The Art of the Interview: Telling Another Person's Story
▪ Writers Groups: How to Make them Work for You
▪ Getting Published: How to Become a Cheerleading Member of the Winning Team

Awards

Pacesetter Award Winner
B.J. was the recipient of the coveted Pacesetter Award at the 2006 Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. There were 398 in attendance, the largest conference of writers on the West Coast—held every year over Palm Sunday weekend.

Guideposts Writers Workshop Winner
B.J. was a Guideposts Writers Workshop winner in October 2004. She was invited as one of 15 participants out of thousands of entrants to attend the much-sought-after five-day event in Rye, New York. She now writes on assignment for Guideposts.

She has also been a judge for Chicken Soup for the Soul’s 10th Anniversary Contest and was a reader for Chicken Soup for the Mothers of Preschooler’s Soul. In addition, she is a graduate of the Professional Writers Certificate Program at California State University, Long Beach.

Speaking Engagements

Dual Workshop Presenter at the Antelope Valley Christian Writers' Conference

Faculty Representative for Guideposts magazine and Dual Workshop Presenter at the Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference

Panel Member, Panel Moderator, and Multiple Workshop Presenter at the Yosemite Writers Conference

Keynoter at the Santa Barbara Christian Writers Guild

Double Workshop topics presented at the Orange County Christian Writers Fellowship Spring Writers Day

Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference Speaker/ Coordinator of four Night Owl Sessions on Writers Groups

Numerous Classes at Orange Coast College -- Successful Writers Don’t Write Alone: How to Develop a Professional Writers Group

Mount Hermon Conference 2010 - View Photos >

Mount Hermon Conference 2009 - View Photos >

Mount Hermon Conference 2008 - View Photos >

B.J.'s Schedule

	SUMMER/FALL 2010
	Taking a break from speaking to work on her dog-lit novels. Current project is about four women and one adorable Cocker Spaniel.

	APRIL 15-19, 2011 Join me at the largest conference in California. It's the best investment you'll make in your writing career. Meet with experienced fellow writers, attentive staff, and eager-to-meet-with-you editors and agents (all at no additional cost). A real perk: fabulous meals in an inspiring atmosphere. Don't miss it. Find out more by clicking HERE.



	APRIL 29-30, 2011 Orange County Christian Writers Fellowship (OCCWF) invites you to attend their newly-structured writers conference. Events begin on Friday evening and go through the whole day on Saturday. Jump-start your efforts for the year. Find out more by clicking HERE.

	MAY 20-21, 2011 Another great conference in Lancaster, California filled with incredible speakers you won't want to miss. Place it on your 2011 calendar (as soon as you get one) and add to your writer's toolbox by attending. For more information click here HERE.