A VISIONARY START
Ours is a collective history of multiplied blessings. The very act of developing a faith-based writer's website was probably the best lessons in faith our management team has experienced.
The initial website design seems like a vision too small in retrospect. In 2000 FaithMania.com made it's debut on the worldwide web. Christian writers were encouraged to be the driving force of a site desire for, by and to Christians. The original design was intended for a small cast of writers to showcase their wordsmithing capabilities while making the site one which visitors wanted to return to time and again. The downside to the original design was that each article had to be uploaded manually by our staff. As the site began to grow it was clear there was something bigger at work and if the site grew much larger we wouldn't be able to keep up with submissions.
It really was no burden when a few articles needed to be placed on the site, but when dozens of articles began pouring in from the growing stable of writers it was clear the pressure of the site design had reached critical mass.
As the vision enlarged so did the plans for a new website that would mirror the growing desire to assist Christian writers in their pursuit of excellence.
A NEW DEBUT
Within a year of the launch of FaithMania.com a new website with a plan for expanded growth was launched. FaithWriters.com provided the architecture to allow automatic author submissions to a comprehensive subject menu. Yet even this advance would not be enough to contain the member-inspired growth of FaithWriters.com.
By the summer of 2002 the writers who were making FaithWriters.com a 'home on the web' inspired the launch of a message board that has seen multiple thousands of posts. As technology advanced so did the features available to FaithWriters.com members. What began as a site for as many as 100 members now has tens of thousands of members that are able to gain access to information and encouragement many have never experienced before.
A VISION SET FREE
Within three years of the launch of what is now known as FaithWriters.com marketing campaigns were developed and new features were added to assist our growing membership. No longer was FaithWriters.com simply a place to have your work read by others, it was becoming a clearinghouse of information and opportunities. Contact information became available for writers seeking to connect with magazine and book publishers. Articles and resources were unveiled that made it possible for writers to grow in their skills and confidence. Private Messaging services were added to allow publishers to target writers with publishing opportunities.
A weekly challenge that was unveiled in 2003 has resulted in more than a dozen quarterly anthologies filled with roughly 100 original articles in each volume. Many of these authors have gone on to additional publishing success while some are already established authors.
MILESTONES
- July 2002: 129 members.
- July 2002: Members Message Boards added.
- January 2003: Writers Resources added.
- February 2003: E-Books added.
- April, 2003: PM and EZ Site Builder added.
- June 2003: Author Tracking and My Favorites added.
- December 2003: Chat added.
- December 2003: The official writing challenge added.
- May 2004: Interactive Writing Courses added.
- June 2004: Local writing groups added.
- July 2004: FW 500 implemented.
- September 2004: 8,000 members.
- September 2004: FaithWriters Magazine goes live.
- September 2004: First book published.
- October 2004: Addition of Submission Tracker.
- November 2004: The Critique Circle added.
- December 2004: Sign up of member number 10,000 Scott West.
- May 2006: Addition of FaithWriters for Kids.
- May 2006: Addition of the FaithWriters ebook store.
- August 2006: First Annual FaithWriters.com conference announced.
- September 2006: Free Reprint Article feature unveiled for ezines and print publications to utilize.
- October 2006: Guided Online tours of FaithWriters.com's most popular features added.
- June 2009: 40,000 members.
- January 2010: Complete redesign of the FaithWriters website. Gold members area added.
THE FUTURE
The continued growth of FaithWriters.com is a direct result of our member's enthusiastic support and their interest in seeing the life-changing message of Christianity spread through the use of the writing skills via the web. With worldwide membership it is clear to see that FaithWriters.com has become the premier destination of Christian writer's on the web. We believe FaithWriters.com has become a dependable source for the content needs of editors through a variety of faith-based publications.
We have always been sensitive to the needs and suggestions of our members and we continue to listen to members as they assist us with new ideas for improving the services of FaithWriters.com.
Ultimately we best understand the future by observing the past. God has brought us a long way from the humble beginnings of FaithMania.com. We are content to strive to do our best and watch to see what God does next.
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