SCWC leaders Bruce Barbour and Karen Moore share wisdom, encouragement for writers

Participants in the 2023 Southern Christian Writers Conference will have the special treat of spending time with one of Christian publishing's true power couples. Bruce Barbour and Karen Moore--a husband/wife team with decades of experience in publishing and hundreds of books between them--will be at the annual SCWC gathering on June 9-10 in Birmingham, Alabama, with multiple opportunities for attendees to learn from their wisdom and encouraging words.

Bruce is a fifth generation publisher of Christian books whose two great-grand uncles, Fleming H. Revell and Dwight L. Moody, are still remembered as titans of early Christian publishing in the United States. He followed in their footsteps and has worked at such houses as Barbour and Company, Baker Books, Revell, Thomas Nelson, and Random House. Today, Bruce owns Literary Management Group; through his work there, he represents authors as an agent and also offers various publishing and coaching services for writers. Karen is a prolific author of more than 100 inspirational and devotional books, including the best-selling Prayers to Strengthen your Soul, It's Still Possible, Prayers from the Heart, What a Great Word, and The Heart-Shaped Live Daily Devotional. She recently launched a campaign called "Got 10 Minutes for God?" to inspire others to chat with God each morning.

The pair will be very involved at this year's SCWC, with Barbour delivering the keynote address on Friday night and hosting a workshop on working with agents and publishers; Karen will receive the Joanne Sloan National Award for the Encouragement of Writers and present a workshop on writing devotional books.

They will also each be available for one-on-one consultations with authors in person at the conference.

Every time we've been with Bruce and Karen we've come away refreshed and encouraged, and our past SCWC attendees have said the same thing. They've used words like "knowledgeable" and "kind" to describe their time with the two leaders. (Bruce and Karen have been SCWC workshop leaders in the past, and have worked with various SCWC authors over the years in working to find their books a home.)

We recently talked to both Bruce and Karen about their writing and publishing careers, their commitment to helping Christian authors, and how their relationship works in tandem with their writing work.

Why, as Christians, are you drawn to writing and publishing?

Bruce: "I grew up in a Christian book publishing family business so I always felt, as the fifth generation, I would go to work for the family business. But the night I accepted Christ (July 24, 1972), I had a distinct sense that I was called to help authors publishing the message they believe God gave them to write. Fifty one years later, I'm still at it!"

Karen: "I'm drawn to writing because it gives me a vehicle for sharing my heart for the Lord and for encouraging the hearts and minds of my readers as they deal with everyday lessons of life. I love to offer them another perspective if I can and remind them that God is in the midst of anything they are doing."

(Take a look at Karen's various books for Christians.)

Do you work together on some projects? How does that work?

Karen: "Bruce and I work together on projects when we can. Sometimes I'll read a manuscript to help him decide the best direction or opportunity for it. Sometimes I'll edit or proofread a project. Mostly, I share my ideas for new books or blogs with him and he provides a great view of the topic for me to consider. We both start our day doing morning devotions so we are intentional about seeking God's direction for the work we do separately or together.

Bruce: "Being married to a prolific author of over 125 books is humbling to stay the least. But I cut my teeth in publishing Christian books as an editor and  author over the years, and I've gotten better and better at it. So, one thing we do together is storyboard her books once she has the book of blog idea nailed down and when asked, I review and edit her work.

What are you currently working on?

Karen: "I'm working on developing a couple of new book ideas, and I write and post at least two blogs a week. I'm also doing podcasts to help promote my latest book on prayer, Prayers to Strength: Your Soul, which just released with Broadstreet Publishing in February. I'm also doing more speaking.

Bruce: "I continue working as an author coach, providing self-publishing services and also literary representation and consulting with publishers, ministries, and companies needing strategic and tactical help with their content."

What advice would you give to either newbies who are wanting to get into writing and publishing or those who have written for awhile and are still having a tough time?

Bruce: "Hang in there! Read lots of books in your category of choice and sharpen your writing skills, including attending great writing conferences like the SCWC."

Karen: "God calls believers to continue to tell His stories. We can do that in whatever form that takes in writing and publishing, but we have to trust that it is the right work for us to do. Once we are confident in his work, then we have to keep perfecting our skills and finding new ways to get our work in the hands of readers.

What do you look forward to sharing at the SCWC this year?

Bruce: "Stories and strategies that will inspire and motivate every attendee to stay the course."

Karen: "I feel blessed to be at the SCWC this year to help hold the door open for those who are ready to move forward with their projects. It's always a gift to get to talk with writers and encourage the work we are all trying to do."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Learn more about Bruce's literary management agency and writing services HERE.

Learn more about Karen's books and ministry HERE.

Registration for the 2023 Southern Christian Writers Conference opens on March 25. Sign up soon, and join us for this special time of education, encouragement, and fellowship.