I thank God for Denise George who helped me hone my professional songwriting skills into writing books, children’s stories, and devotionals. Denise’s instruction and guidance will inspire you in your calling as a writer.

I first connected with Denise George in the late 1980s when I recruited her to write for Decision Magazine. She’s an exceptional writer herself, with strong biblical convictions and practical life application. But in the last several years, Denise has equipped and empowered me as an author. She introduced me to longtime friends Jim and Linda Jones, who help feed hungry children and families in central Alabama—with whom I co-authored a book about their ministry. Denise’s workshops—especially the one on traditional versus self-publishing—proved invaluable, and she has encouraged me often in this new editorial venture. She’s committed to helping authors, like myself, to write well and to keep writing as God leads.

Denise George’s teachings and encouragement (bootcamps, online courses, online group, and story competitions) are the lifeline I need so that my writing and publishing career didn’t end when I hit inevitable turbulent waters of rejection. I’m grateful I’ve invested in myself, my capabilities, and my calling with Denise because hers is, for me, a light that shines down a real-world proven path through industry changes and seasons of success.

If it hadn’t been for Denise George’s teaching on how to write a book proposal, I am confident I never would have published my first book. To state it positively, I am a published author because of Denise George’s expertise. She clearly and helpfully explained the process of writing a proposal, how to approach publishers, and publishing expectations, which gave me confidence and guidance as a first-time author. Now that I work in publishing as an acquisitions editor, I can testify at a secondary level that Denise truly is a leader in this field. She is your go-to expert with authority and experience in matters related to publishing.

Denise George not only served as my writing professor, she also provided inspiration and continual encouragement to take up the art of writing as a ministry for Christ and His Church. From my days in seminary, sitting under her teaching, I have written over a dozen books and nearly one hundred articles for both academic and popular-level publications. This has helped me secure important teaching positions in colleges and seminaries as well as provide material to help fellow believers in their Christian life!

Denise is a painter of word pictures that inspire, encourage, and equip others. Through Denise, I learned the value of a special writing place, how to prioritize writing times, how to handle writer’s block, and how to reimagine written work. I even learned how to get unstuck. Denise’s teaching is personal, accessible, transparent, funny, and engaging. She took a gift that God gave me as a child who enjoyed writing and gave me tools, a listening ear, a place to be sharpened, and a standard to strive for without urging her mentees to dilute their own voices.

I’ve attended many writing conferences such as the Jerry B. Jenkins Writing for the Soul conference and conferences sponsored by the Southern Baptists at Glorieta, but I gathered more takeaways from Denise George’s teaching than any others. She keeps the cost very doable, and participants receive wonderful workbooks with each course. Denise’s sweet spirit is manifest in the way she takes a sincere interest in all writers, whether a fledgling new writer or one well established, and her generous spirit inspired me to also help new writers.

Denise George has been an inspiration to me and my writing since 2006. She has always been an encouraging voice in the midst of self-doubt and feelings of not being good enough. Her thoughtful guidance and practical approach to writing and publishing have been vital to my growing love for writing. I consider Denise as a mentor and one of the main reasons I don’t give up writing on the hard days. She helped me to see that the gift of writing is the love of writing. Because of her encouragement, I can’t “not” write.

Years ago, I still held onto my twenty-five-year-old unpublished book. It was written with barely a spark of hope of ever becoming “real.” Through a friend of a friend, I learned of a Christian Writer’s bootcamp being held in Birmingham, Alabama, hosted and taught by Denise George. I was able to attend, and she inspired my small spark to grow. I could hardly wait to get to her next one. I knew she spoke to a roomful of people, but it seemed like her words were just for me. The way she said “You can!” was so full of profound belief and gave me blessed assurance. She taught everything from apostrophes to zip drives so clearly and easily understood. So exciting! Long story short: my little hopeful spark burst into flame, and through Denise’s guidance, instruction, and support, she helped me believe “I can,” so I did!

Sharon Atwood and I decided to co-author what we felt was a much-needed devotion book for the mental health community. We had a novel idea but needed direction to meet the nuances of publishing through the traditional route. Because of Denise’s teaching and guidance, just yesterday Sharon and I signed a book contract with a traditional publisher for our book Outta My Mind, Into His Heart. Publishing a book with a traditional publisher was a bucket list dream for me, and without Denise’s help, I am convinced we would have had to self-publish.

It has meant so much to me to be a part of Denise George’s online writing community, and I have learned so much in her writing classes (Writing for Guideposts, Traditional Book Publishing, and Article Writing). Denise is so unselfish in her sharing, not only teaching the basics but also freely sharing the little tricks that make writing easier and more professional. Without the encouragement of these classes and writing group, I doubt that I would have had the stamina to continue writing. Since joining the group and taking Denise’s classes, I have self-published two books and have sold two devotions and two stories to Guideposts. I am so thankful for Denise’s help and encouragement!