Summer Campbell - Special to the Sun

The Kern River Valley is full of a diverse array of accomplished citizens who purpose themselves to better the community. Elementary school teacher, mother, women’s ministry leader and soon to be author Mer Conner is one such resident.

Conner has lived in the Kern River Valley for 23 years, 14 of which she has worked as a teacher at South Fork Elementary School. Conner has recently decided to pursue her desires to become a published author. Conner heard about the Mount Herman Christians Writer’s Conference while attending a meeting at the First Baptist Church in Lake Isabella. Conner had been aspiring to write a book for nearly a year and jumped at the opportunity to attend a conference that would help her not only write her book, but possibly get it published. 'I want to get the word out that this conference is a really good opportunity for writers,' said Conner. Conner exlplained that she has encountered many local residents that have a desire to write but do not know where to go with their writings.

Mer Conner

Conner decided to write a book on a message that she spoke at a women’s meeting at her church. 'I am writing this book because the Lord just kept giving me more and more.' Conner’s inspiration came when she was listening to a message and a pastor said 'God will speak through you, through your passion.' Conner knew immediately that her passion was fashion and hence she named her book 'Thou shalt not wear,' after her favorite television show What Not to Wear. The book is based on the Bible story of Lazareth and the need for people to rise up and shed their grave clothes and adorn new clean garments.

The Mount Herman Christian conference held in Northern California March 14-18 is the largest Christian Writers conference in the country and included some 400 aspiring authors. Before the writers conference, participants had the opportunity to submit the first chapter of their book as well as a summary of its contents to professional editors for their critique. Conner sent in the required portion of her book in progress. Once the book summaries were examined participants retrieved their feedback and looked to see if they had made it to the next step, referral to an editor.

While at the writers conference participants were also able to attend workshops on writing as well as the technical elements of getting a book published. Participants who were not referred to an editor from their book summaries had the opportunity to schedule appointments with various editors to pitch their book.

On the first night of the conference, Conner arrived for dinner where she coincidentally sat at a table of editors one of which had examined her book submission and referred her to an editor. While Conner was guaranteed at least one appointment with an editor she feared approaching others. 'I was scared to get an appointment with an editor, because I don’t like selling myself,' commented Conner. Conner attended a workshop on grammar; while in this workshop she mustered up the courage to ask for an appointment with the editor instructing the class which she was successfully granted.

Ultimately Conner pitched her book to two editors both of which have given her six months to send them the first three chapters of her book for review. In addition to her success at the writer’s conference Conner will also be the main speaker at this year’s local women’s conference that will be held at the First Baptist Church April 19. While Conner has no guarantee that her book will be published she is happy to be successfully pursuing her aspirations. 'If nothing else this will be an interesting experience,' said Conner.

For more information on the Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference visit their website at http://www.mounthermon.org/writers/. For more information on Mer Conner’s book 'Thou Shalt Not Wear,' or to register for the local women’s conference email Mer Conner at merconner@yahoo.com.