Kim Vogel Sawyer

Wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, author, speaker,           

singer of songs and lover of chocolate...

Kim Sawyer wears many hats--hats she dons cheerfully and willingly. Some hats, such as mom to a special-needs child and long-time sufferer of chronic pain, have been worn with frustration. Hats she's found the courage to discard are the coverings of fear and shame brought about by abuse and welfare reliance.

                  

God's miraculous hand of healing in Kim's physical and emotional life is a source of inspiration which she would like to share. Kim's gentle yet forthright testimony, interspersed with humor, lends credence to the promise of Psalm 117:2--"...great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever."

~Inspirational Speaker

PREPARED TOPICS & DESCRIPTIONS for RETREATS/WOMEN'S GROUPS*

An Unlikely Journey--(1 hour) Kim's personal testimony of how God used unlikely circumstances in her life to mold her into the person He designed her to be. 

An Unexpected Touch--(30 minutes) Kim's personal testimony, focusing on her physical healing as it relates to publishing

In His Footsteps--3-session women's retreat including Kim's personal testimony, "An Unlikely Journey," plus "He Makes Good Plans," and "He Will Be There." Focusing on God's perfect plan for each life,  participants will build a "rock altar" of memories and seek out God's hand in the past, present, and future. (Each session lasts approximately 1 hour; works well for a Friday evening/Saturday morning fellowship time.)

Wrapped In God's Love--(45 minutes) Using the concept of a quiltmaker putting together a masterpiece in fabric and stitches, Kim draws correlations to God's loving touch in our hearts and lives.

Lessons Learned From Chocolate--(30 minutes) A light-hearted look at how opening the wrappers on a certain brand of chocolate candy helped open Kim's eyes to Bible-reading...and put her on a growth spurt that didn't involve pounds! (Appropriate for mother/daughter or couples events.)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

MUSIC: Each topic can include musical numbers. Adding music will not increase the suggested price.

  

PREPARED TOPICS & DESCRIPTIONS for WRITER'S GROUPS or CLASSROOMS

Turning Rejection Into Redirection--(45 minutes) Rejection is inevitable in the writing life, whether in the form of a decined proposal from an editor or less-than-favorable feedback from a reviewer. This workshop looks at the various reasons why rejection happens, presents ways to make rejection less likely, and also examines the positive side of receiving a rejection. 

From Proposal to Published Piece--(45 minutes) Especially geared for classrooms or new writers, this workshop examines the entire publishing process from submitting the idea to seeing the book on a shelf in a store.

Characters That Walk Off the Page (Into Your Reader's Heart)--(45 minutes) Gingerbread men are wonderful treats at Christmastime, but no reader wants to find cookie-cutter characters in a story. Participants will explore the elements needs to bring characters to life on the page and will practice using their own works-in-progress as the basis for study.

Plotting for Seat-of-the-Pants Writers--(45 minutes) A seat-of-the-pants writer enjoys the surprise of creation--who knows what will happen next???--but the downside of such writing is that it's easy to write yourself into a corner. By emplying a few simple techniques of planning roadblocks involving all three story threads, a map guides the SOTP-er to a satisfying conclusion for both writer and reader.

I've Signed on the Dotted Line... Now What?--(45 minutes) Achieving that first contract is a dream-come-true moment! But it can also inspire panic. This workshop examined the various responsibilities of meeting a contract's requirements as well how the writer's life will change when he/she transitions from writing for self to writing for a publisher.

Q & A --(from 20-45 minutes) Kim will visit your writing group,classroom, or library and answer questions concerning her personal journey toward publication, publishing in general, or writing in general.

*SUGGESTED FEE: $200/presentation hour (plus travel expenses if the location is more than 60 miles from Hutchinson, Kansas). Please contact Kim if your group has a special financial need.

SPEAKER BIO: Best-selling, award-winning author Kim Vogel Sawyer is a wife, mother, grandmother, author, speaker, singer of songs and lover of chocolate... but most importantly, she's a born-again child of the King! A former elementary school teacher, Kim closed her classroom door in 2005 to follow God's call on her heart to write and speak. Now blessed with multiple writing contracts with Bethany House, Barbour, and Zondervan Publishing, Kim enjoys sharing her journey to publication as well as the miraculous story of her healing from a life-long burden of pain and shame. Kim's gentle yet forthright testimony lends credence to the promise of Ps. 117:2--"Great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever."

"I can't imagine how this workshop could have been any better."

~In His Footsteps

"Dynamic!"

~An Unexpected Touch

"Kim's time with us was an absolute blessing from beginning to end."

~An Unlikely Journey

"Your testimony touched each audience member in a unique way. Thank you for your willingness to share your heart."

~An Unexpected Touch

"You helped me remember how much

I need the Lord in

my life..."

~An Unexpected Touch

"Was it Dolly Parton

in Steel Magnolias who said laughter through tears was her favorite emotion? Well, that's what you gave us.

Thank you."

~Lessons Learned

from Chocolate

To schedule a speaking event, please e-mail Kim's assistant. 

Scroll down for topics, suggested fee, and currently scheduled events.

2010 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

January 23 -- Kim's birthday

Feb. 1, 2009      MANUSCRIPT DUE

Feb. 1-5, 2010K-LOVE FRIENDS & FAMILY CRUISE

Feb. 13 -- SPEAKING: Marion County Library, 203 N. 3rd, Marion, KS; 10:30 AM

"Life Lessons Learned From Chocolate"/Q&A

Feb. 16 -- SPEAKING: Morgan Elementary School 5th Grade Classes, Hutchinson, KS; 1:20 PM

Feb. 23 -- SPEAKING: Morgan Elementary School 6th Grade Classes, Hutchinson, KS; 2:00 PM

Feb. 27 -- SPEAKING: Ashland Library; 604 N. Main, Ashland, KS; 2:00 PM

"Life Lessons Learned From Chocolate"

Feb. 25--Hubby's birthday

Mar. 3 (Rescheduled) -- SPEAKING: United Methodist Church, 600 W. Lincoln, Greensburg, KS; 6:30 PM

"Life Lessons Learned From Chocolate"

March 19--Grandson #4's 3rd birthday

Mar. 24, 2010 -- SPEAKING: Anthony UMW, 225 N. Bluff, Anthony, KS; 6:30 PM

"An Unlikely Journey"

Mar. 25-27 -- Author Mini-Retreat

MAR. 31 -- MANUSCRIPT DUE

Apr. 18, 2010 -- SPEAKING: United Methodist Church, 405 Harrison, Little River, KS, 3:00 PM

"Life Lessons Learned From Chocolate"

April 24--Grandson #5's 2nd birthday

May 1, 2010 -- SPEAKING: Trinity UMC, 224 S. Main, Lindsborg, KS, 5:30 PM

"Life Lessons Learned From Chocolate"

May 5, 2010 -- SPEAKING: United Methodist Women, 118 N. 4th, Hill City, KS, 6:00 PM

"Life Lessons Learned From Chocolate"

May 20-22 -- Author Mini-Retreat

MAY 30 -- MANUSCRIPT DUE

May 31-June 5 -- Author Mini-Retreat

June - August -- RESERVED for writing/book signings only

June 2--Grandson #3's 4th birthday

June 5 -- BOOKSIGNING Century II Convention Center, Wichita, KS, 11 AM-12:30 PM

June 12 -- SPEAKING St. Francis, KS (details to follow)

JULY 1 -- MANUSCRIPT DUE

July 9 -- BOOKSIGNING Thee Bookstore, 117 N. Main, Hillsboro, KS, 7:00 PM

July 10 -- BOOKSIGNING The Well, 101 N. Main, McPerson, KS, 9-11:00 AM

July 10 -- BOOKSIGNING Faith & Life Bookstore, 606 N. Main, Newton, KS 1-3:00 PM              

July 22--Daughter #3's birthday

August 11--Hubby and my anniversary

Sept. 3--Granddaughter's  2nd birthday

Sept. 17-20, 2010 -- ACFW Conference, Indianapolis, IN

Sept. 28, 2010 -- Kingman UMC, 133 E. Ave. D, Kingman, KS; 6:30 PM

"Life Lessons Learned From Chocolate"

Oct. 7-9 -- Author Mini-Retreat

Oct. 21, 2010 -- 1st Baptist Church, 600 E. Marlin, McPherson, KS; 6:30 PM

"Life Lessons Learned From Chocolate"      

November 1--Grandson #1's 7th birthday

Nov. 4-6 -- Author Mini-Retreat

Nov. 13 -- SPEAKING Caldwell, KS (details to follow)

November 18--Grandson #2's 6th birthday

November 23--Daughter #1's birthday

December -- RESERVED for family

Dec. 1, 2010         MANUSCRIPT DUE

December 17--daughter #2's birthday

2011 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

January 23--Kim's birthday

Feb. 25--Hubby's birthday

March 19--Grandson #4's 4th birthday

March 25-26, 2011 -- SPEAKING: Heartseekers, Galesburg, IL, Friday 6-8:00 PM, Saturday 9 AM-3:00 PM

"In His Footsteps"

April 24--Grandson #5's 3rd birthday

May 1, 2011      MANUSCRIPT DUE

June - August -- RESERVED for writing/book signings only

June 2--Grandson #3's 5th birthday

July 22--Daughter #3's birthday

August 11--Hubby and my anniversary

Sept. 3--Granddaughter's 3rd birthday

Oct. 1, 2011         MANUSCRIPT DUE

November 1--Grandson #1's 8th birthday

November 18--Grandson #2's 7th birthday

November 23--Daughter #1's birthday

December -- RESERVED for family

December 17--daughter #2's birthday

"That was the best workshop I've ever taken in (how many?) years of attending conferences!"

~Turning Rejection

Into Redirection

Kim would enjoy the opportunity to share her testimony with women's groups whether large or small. All of her topics carry a Christian perspective with an honesty that will touch your heart. She is able to provide special music if you would like a complete program.

Kim is also available for book signings; writer's groups; and library or classroom guest visits to discuss writing, publishing, or engage in a Q&A session.

Please note: Kim's 2010 calendar is nearly full.

She is  scheduling for 2011.

"I finally feel like I know what I'm doing!"

~Characters That Walk Off the Page (Into Your Reader's Heart)