Kim Vogel Sawyer
Wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, author, speaker,           
singer of songs and lover of chocolate...
email me
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 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 needED 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 employing 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 incite 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 PER WRITING-RELATED PRESENTATIONS: $200 + 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, 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.
2011 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jan. 15--BOOKSIGNING Perfect Peace Christian Lifestyle Store, Wichita, KS
Jan. 23--Kim's birthday
Feb. 2-7, 2011 -- K-LOVE Cruise
Feb. 17-20 -- Conference prep
Feb. 25--Hubby's birthday
Mar. 19--Grandson #4's birthday
Mar. 25-26, 2011 -- SPEAKING: Heartseekers, Galesburg, IL, Friday 6-8:00 PM, Saturday 9 AM-3:00 PM
"In His Footsteps"
Apr. 1, 2011      MANUSCRIPT DUE
Apr. 10 -- SPEAKING: Ashland UMC, Ashland, KS, 2:30 PM
"Life Lessons Learned From Chocolate"
Apr. 24--Grandson #5's birthday
Apr. 30 -- SPEAKING (event TBA)
May 23-25 -- Author Brainstorming Retreat
June - August -- RESERVED for writing/book signings only
June 4-10  -- Author Retreat
June 2--Grandson #3's birthday
June 23--Big Grandgirl's birthday
July 4--Grandson #6's birthday
July 22--Daughter #3's birthday
Aug. 1, 2011       MANUSCRIPT DUE
Aug. 11--Hubby and my anniversary
Aug. 16 -- Grandbaby due!
Sept. 1, 2011       MANUSCRIPT DUE
Sept. 3--Little Grandgirl's birthday
Sept. 22-25 -- ACFW Conference
Oct. 16 -- SPEAKING: Potwin, KS
"Life Lessons Learned From Chocolate"
Oct. 23 -- TEACHING: OCFW Fiction Writers Conference
2221 E. Memorial Rd.; Enid, OK
Nov. 1, 2011       MANUSCRIPT DUE
Nov. 1--Grandson #1's birthday
Nov. 13 -- SPEAKING 4:00 PM      "An Unlikely Journey"
First Mennonite Church
52 Rambler Road
Hutchinson, KS
Nov. 18--Grandson #2's birthday
Nov. 23--Daughter #'s birthday
Dec. 1, 2011       MANUSCRIPT DUE
Dec. 3 -- SPEAKING 9:30 AM"Life Lessons Learned From Chocolate"
Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church
1304 K-15 Hwy
Goessel, KS
December -- RESERVED for family
Dec. 17--Daughter #2's birthday
 
2012 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jan. 23--Kim's birthday
Feb. 1, 2012       MANUSCRIPT DUE
Feb. 6-10, 2012 -- K-LOVE Cruise
Feb. 25--Hubby's birthday
Mar. 19--Grandson #4's birthday
Apr. 3 -- SPEAKING: PEO Group, Hays, KS
April 27-28 -- SPEAKING:        "In His Footsteps"
ACFW Colorado Retreat
      Larkspur, CO
Apr. 24--Grandson #5's birthday
June - August -- RESERVED for writing/book signings only
June 4-10  -- Author Retreat
June 2--Grandson #3's birthday
June 23--Big Grandgirl's birthday
July 4--Grandson #6's birthday
July 22--Daughter #3's birthday
Aug. 11--Hubby and my anniversary
Aug. 17--Littlest Grandgirl's birthday
Sept. 3--Little Grandgirl's birthday
Sept. 19-22 -- ACFW Conference
Nov. 1--Grandson #1's birthday
Nov. 17 -- SPEAKING: "Journey to Publication"/Q&A
Iola Public Library
1801 N. Cottonwood
Iola, KS
Nov. 18--Grandson #2's birthday
Nov. 23--Daughter #'s birthday
December -- RESERVED for family
Dec. 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.
email me
"I finally feel like I know what I'm doing!"
~Characters That Walk Off the Page (Into Your Reader's Heart)
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. Ideal for women's fellowship events.
    (Suggested fee: $250 + expenses if greater than 60 miles from Hutchinson, KS) 

An Unexpected Touch--(30 minutes) Kim's personal testimony, focusing on her physical healing as it relates to publishing. Ideal for women's fellowship events, library events, or couple events.
    (Suggested fee: $150 + expenses if greater than 60 miles from Hutchinson, KS)

In His Footsteps--(Three Sessions Women's Retreat) Includes 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.
    (Suggested fee: $750 + expenses if greater than 60 miles from Hutchinson, KS)

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! Ideal for women's events, mother/daughter events, or couples events.
    (Suggested fee: $150 + expenses if greater than 60 miles from Hutchinson, KS)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
MUSIC: Each topic can include musical numbers. Adding music will not increase the suggested fee. Please discuss any financial needs with Kim prior to booking.