Sarah Sumpolec is co-director of the Gideon Media Festival for teens, a hands-on conference that connects teens with some of the biggest names in the Christian world of arts, media, and authors. We shared the news of the festival last week, but wanted to know more. We invited Sarah Sumpolec to join RTF.

Suzie Eller: Before we talk about the festival, I’d love to hear about you. Tell us a little bit about your writing.

Sarah Sumpolec: My Becoming Beka series came out a few years ago but I am so blessed that new girls are still discovering the stories. I get letters begging me to continue the series, but to be honest, there are several other stories that I’ve been working on. (more…)

Are you interested in film, producing, writing screenplays, acting, writing, or broadcasting? If you are, then you might be interested in being a part of the Gideon Intern Program at the Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival May 31-June 4, 2009.

Teens accepted into the program have the opportunity to meet with film directors, producers, screenwriters, actors, graphic novels, and radio personalities. Classes catered to these interests. Must be 16-18 years old.

For more information on the general conference, visit the website for more information.

Tomorrow I’ll interview Sarah Sumpolec, author and co-director of the program. Are you interested? Check back here tomorrow when Sarah shares more about the Gideon Media Arts Conference!

For more information on the teen program, visit here.

What can one teen do? They can publish books! Lydia Rule, RTF Staff writer has signed a contract for her new book, Devo’s on the Go. Her desire is to change the world through her writing.

She’s looking for a few more devos to add to the book. Here’s what Lydia had to say about this project.

Hey Everyone…

I have a book coming out called Devo’s-on-the-Go! My publisher, Power Publishing, is looking for some writers to add short vignettes/couple of paragraphs into my devotional book. The book is based on a fast-food theme… speedy devotions delivered each day! The book’s target audience are teens and college-aged students who have a hard time fitting a daily devo time into their busy schedule. (more…)

Interview with YA author, Jenny B. Jones

by Maddee Schrader, RT Staff Writer

Maddee: When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

Jenny: I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I used to write plays in elementary school and force my classmates to watch my one woman show. (Reasons not to go to the reunion…) The stuff I wrote in school was REALLY bad though, so take heart if you’re age 5-18, and you haven’t cranked out anything fabulous yet.

Maddee: That’s definitely encouraging – I know a lot of writers that age, including myself. I know you’re a teacher – how did this play into the Katie Parker books?

Jenny: I was blessed with the opportunity to start a drama program at a small school some time ago. We saw kids coming into their own, using talents they didn’t know they had and just many a-ha! moments. I had a student who found her place through drama—something she discovered she totally rocked at. But then I also had a student, “Maggie,” who came from a horrible home life and got “stuck” in the class. Though she did her best, it wasn’t her cup of tea. I will never forget the night of the play for the community. The kids got a standing ovation, but “Maggie’s” family didn’t show. (more…)

Writer’s Bloc held a contest for teen writers. One of the prizes was publication on Real Teen Faith. We don’t often have fiction on RTF, but we are pleased to offer this winning entry. It’s a great story!

The Spartan
By Jamin Goecker

Ben rolled over and punched his pillow. His clock beamed 12:03. He sighed and lay on his back. Green blobs vibrated in the lava lamp on his desk. Moonlight cut through the blinds and stabbed a multicolored award tacked on the bulletin board over his desk.

Best eighth grade Bible verse memorizer

Did I get that only a year ago? I’m certainly old enough by now not to be afraid of being alone

His lip quivered as a laundry pile rose and formed an armored figure. The soldier lowered a long spear and tickled Ben’s throat with its leaf point. (more…)

Maddee Schrader, 16, RTF Staff writer and Suzie interview author Erynn Mangum, author of Miss Match!

Maddee: Congrats on your recent wedding! After writing so much about a single girl and her dating relationships, what is it like to be married?

Erynn: It is awesome! My husband, Jon, is my best friend – we have so much fun together. Thanks for the congrats!

Maddee: Are any of the characters in your books based on real people?

Erynn: A couple of characters are based on composites of different people I know – but there isn’t one that’s just based on one specific person.

Maddee: You say you love coffee, so what are your favorite three drinks at Starbucks?

Erynn: Oh gosh…Mocha, Caramel Frappuccino and um… oh! The Cinnamon Dolce Latte. That one is yummy. (more…)

Shelley Adina is the author of three books that will come out this year called All About Us. It’s a fresh, great series. After reading “Fruit of My Lipstick” (book two), I wanted to check in with this author to talk about the book, about faith, and about life! Hope you love this interview as much as I did. 

Suzie: Hi Shelley, I met you first through reading advanced copies of your books (which I loved!). It’s great to meet you. Tell us a little bit about your writing journey.

Shelley: And I was thrilled to see such a great review … it made my week! I’ve been writing all my life, and have always known that was what I wanted to do. After a B.A. in Literature from the University of California, I earned an M.A. degree in Writing Popular Fiction in 2002 from Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania.

I watched with interest the meteoric popularity of a certain glitz-and-glam series that shall remain nameless, and then came a blinding moment of clarity when I … well, okay, it wasn’t that dramatic. I was eavesdropping. I overheard some women talking about their daughters’ reading material, and I could tell by their voices how distressed they were about it, yet on the other side of the coin, their girls were reading. We all want teens to be reading, right? So it was a dilemma for these parents.

A light went on in my head and I thought, “What if there was a series of books where, given similar choices and circumstances, the characters made different decisions based on their faith?” Next thing I knew, I was running for my computer! (more…)

 

I’m so excited! The other night I woke up with a great idea. I wish I could share it with you. I will. I promise, just not yet.

But I will say that a new teen fiction series is in the works. The twist? It will involve real teens. Maybe even you.

Intrigued? Stay in touch. . .