It was such an honor to have this great novelist sharing insight on The Write Conversation. He will be dearly missed by readers and writers.
December 16, 1927 - April 15, 2019
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is the director of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Retreat, and the Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, or any of the social media platforms listed at diannmills.com
Award-winning Filmmaker, Speaker, Teacher, Story Coach, and Podcast Host
Zena has worked professionally in the entertainment industry for over 20 years as a writer, producer, director, actress, and story consultant. Zena also teaches advanced classes on writing all over the country. As a writer, Zena has won numerous awards for her work. She also has several feature film projects in development through her independent production company, Mission Ranch Films. In addition to her work as a filmmaker, Zena launched The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe, a podcast designed to serve the whole artist, not just focus on craft. In 2021, Zena launched The Storyteller’s Mission Online Platform, where she offers advanced classes and other key services to writers. Zena loves story and loves to support storytellers. Her passion is to equip artists of all levels to achieve excellence at their craft, so that they will truly have everything they need to change the world for the better through story.
To find out more about Zena or her current courses and projects, check out her websites at www.missionranchfilms.comand www.thestorytellersmission.com
In 2004, after 2,300 published articles and 13,000 interviews, Larry moved into the book publishing industry. Since that time, he has ghostwritten 30 books, edited more than 400 manuscripts, and coached hundreds of authors through the writing and publication process. For more than a decade Larry has taught at numerous general market and inspirational conferences nationwide.
You can find him online on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
From college campuses and churches to boardrooms, and from radio to television and webcasts, Dr. Craig von Buseck has been in the public eye for more than 35 years. As sought-after keynote and conference speaker, Craig has spoken across the US and overseas. Craig is a multi-published author and serves as the Managing Editor for InspirationToday.com in Charlotte, North Carolina. Craig is also a contributing writer for CBN.com, MTL Magazine, and Charisma Magazine. He holds a Doctor of Ministry and an MA in Religious Journalism from Regent University. His new book is Victor! The Final Battle of Ulysses S. Grant.
Beth K. Vogt is a non-fiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. Now Beth believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” Beth’s first women's fiction novel for Tyndale House Publishers, Things I Never Told You, released May 2018. Moments We Forget, book two in the Thatcher Sisters Series, releases May 2019.
Beth is a 2016 Christy Award winner, a 2016 ACFW Carol Award winner, and a 2015 RITA® finalist. Her 2014 novel, Somebody Like You, was one of Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Books of 2014. A November Bride was part of the Year of Wedding Series by Zondervan. Having authored nine contemporary romance novels or novellas, Beth believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us.
An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Novel Rocket and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people, and their youngest daughter, Christa, who loves to play volleyball and enjoys writing her own stories. Connect with Beth at bethvogt.com.
Linda and her hubby, Sam are empty nesters leading full lives. With four adult children and grand-baby #15 on the way—life is a new adventure every day. She loves sipping frothed coffee with friends, traveling the countryside with Sam, and sharing transparent truth to help others take their next best step—personally and professionally.
Connect with Linda
Website - HTTPS://WWW.LINDAGOLDFARB.COM
Facebook - HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/LINDA.GOLDFARB
Pinterest - HTTPS://WWW.PINTEREST.COM/GOLDNTEXAS/
LinkedIn - HTTP://WWW.LINKEDIN.COM/IN/LINDAGOLDFARB
Instagram - HTTPS://WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/TEXASGOLDFARB/
Twitter - HTTPS://TWITTER.COM/LINDAGOLDFARB
YouTube - HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/C/LINDAGOLDFARBLIFECOACH
Eva Marie grew up in the picturesque Mayberry-like town of Sylvania, Georgia which has become the landscape for many of her works of Southern fiction. She is a seminary graduate and has taught Bible study for over 25years. Eva Marie and her husband enjoy their three grown children and children-in-love and are especially proud of their grandchildren. They live in Central Florida where they are owned by their cat, Vanessa.
Linda Gilden is an experienced writer, speaker, editor, and writing coach. Author of the popular Love Notes series, she is also the author of Mommy Pick-Me-Ups, Mama Was the Queen of Christmas, PERSONALity Perspectives, Called to Write, and several ghostwritten books. With over a thousand magazine articles to her credit, Linda Gilden is a prolific writer who loves to share a great story. As a freelance editor and writing coach working with publishers and individuals, she encourages others to make their writing the best it can be. As a member of the CLASS Seminar training staff, Linda enjoys helping others polish their speaking and writing skills on their journeys to clear, concise communication. As Director of both the CLASS Christian Writers Conference and the Carolina Christian Writers Conference, Linda helps many writers take the next step in reaching their writing goals.Linda Gilden is a member of AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors), AACC (American Association of Christian Counselors), and CAN (Christian Authors Network).
Karen Whiting (www.karenwhiting.com) is an international speaker, former television host of Puppets on Parade, certified writing and marketing coach, and author of twenty-six books for women, children, and families. Her awards include the Christian Retailing Best Award, children’s nonfiction (The One Year My Princess Devotions) and the Military Writer’s Society of America Gold Medal (Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front). Her newest book, 52 Weekly Devotions for Families Called to Serve, uses stories, activities, and chat prompts to help families develop servant hearts book. Other books like The Gift of Bread: Recipes for the Heart and the Table reflects her passion for bread and growing up helping at her grandparent’s restaurant.
She has a heart to grow tomorrow’s wholesome families today. She has written more than seven hundred articles for more than sixty publications and loves to let creativity splash over the pages of what she writes. She writes for Leading Hearts, The Kid’s Ark, and BCM International.
As a recognized marketing coach and strategist, a certified writing and speaking coach, and a respected conference presenter, Patricia serves via one-on-one and small group coaching, online courses, and a private Facebook group for Christian communicators. She also contributes monthly columns to The Write Life, Almost an Author, and The Write Conversation.
Though Patricia's vision impaired, Jesus sends her on grand adventures across the country, all to serve Him. Don't worry...He sends help when she needs it. One day that might be you!
Yvonne Ortega walks with a small footprint but leaves a giant imprint in people’s lives. This power-packed package is a professional speaker and the author of the Moving from Broken to Beautiful® Series through cancer, divorce, forgiveness, and loss. Learn more at www.YvonneOrtega.com
Yvonne speaks with honesty and humor as she shares her life and struggles through presentations that empower women to find peace, power, and purpose through God’s Word.
Yvonne’s background as a licensed professional counselor brings a unique perspective into the heart of women. She’s a speaking and writing coach and the owner of Moving from Broken to Beautiful®, LLC. She belongs to the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, the Christian Authors Network, the National Speakers Association, and Toastmasters International.
She celebrates life at the beach, where she walks, builds sand castles, blows bubbles, and dances.
He’d love to connect with you on his website, www.joshuajmasters.com or engage with you on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Goodreads.
Crystal Bowman is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 100 books for children and four nonfiction books for women. She also writes lyrics for children’s piano music and is a monthly contributor to Clubhouse Jr. Magazine. She loves going to schools to teach kids about poetry. She also speaks at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) groups and teaches workshops at writers’ conferences. When she is not writing or speaking, she enjoys going for walks, working out at the gym, and eating ice cream. She and her husband live in Michigan and have seven huggable grandkids.
Joshua J. Mastersis a pastor, author, and speaker. He’s been featured on CBN Television, HIS Radio, and the Light Radio Network. Josh is the author of American Psalms: Prayers for the Christian Patriot and is a contributing author for Feed Your Soul, Refresh Bible Study Magazine, and One Christian Voice.
As a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), Josh has also worked as an actor and crew member in the film industry. He continues to have a passion for film, but also enjoys Geek culture where he’s known as The Bat Pastor.
As a pastor and ministry leader at a large church, Josh has had the opportunity to evaluate the issues that most commonly affect people’s spiritual growth. Combined with his extensive background in the fields of theater, film, and communication, his ministry work has uniquely equipped him to address those spiritual stumbling blocks in an approachable, yet challenging way.
Josh lives with his wife, Gina, and Franklin the Pup outside Greenville, South Carolina where he serves as a speaking and care pastor.
MaryAnn Diorio writes riveting fiction from a small, quaint Victorian town in southern New Jersey where the neighbors still stop to chat while walking their dogs, the houses still sport wide, wrap-around front porches, and the charming downtown still finds kids licking lollipops and old married couples holding hands. A true Jersey girl, MaryAnn is a big fan of Jersey diners, Jersey tomatoes, and the Jersey shore. You can learn more about MaryAnn at maryanndiorio.com.
Tropical island votary and history buff, PeggySue Wells parasails, skydives, snorkels, scuba dives, and has taken (but not passed) pilot training. Writing from the 100-Acre wood in Indiana, Wells is the bestselling author of twenty-eight books including The Slave Across the Street, Slavery in the Land of the Free, Bonding With Your Child Through Boundaries, Homeless for the Holidays, and Chasing Sunrise. Optimistic dream-driver, PeggySue is named for the Buddy Holly song with the great drumbeat. At school author visits, she teaches students the secrets to writing, and speaks at events and conferences. Connect with her at www.PeggySueWells.com, on Facebook at PeggySue Wells, and Twitter @PeggySueWells.
Ane Mulligan writes Southern-fried fiction served with a tall, sweet tea.She's an award-winningnovelist and playwright whobelieves chocolate and coffee are two of the four major food groups. She resides in Sugar Hill, GA, where she leads a Community Theatre troupe. You can find Ane at www.anemulligan.com or Amazon author page.
Sarah (Sally)
Hamer is a lover of books, a teacher of writers, and a believer in a good
story. Most of all, she is eternally fascinated by people and how they 'tick'.
She’s passionate about helping people tell their own stories, whether through
fiction or through memoir. Writing in many genres - mystery, science fiction,
fantasy, romance, medieval history, non-fiction – she has won awards at both
local and national levels, including two Golden Heart finals.
A teacher of memoir,
beginning and advanced creative fiction writing, and screenwriting at Louisiana
State University in Shreveport for over twelve years, she also teaches online
for Margie Lawson at www.margielawson.com. Sally is a free-lance editor and book coach,
with many of her students and clients becoming successful, award-winning
authors.
Henry’s debut novel, Journey to Riverbend, won the 2009 Operation First Novel contest.Henry edits novels, leads critique groups, and teaches at conferences and workshops. He enjoys mentoring and coaching individual writers. Connect with Henry on his blog, Twitter and Facebook.
Lynn H. Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She’s passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don’t make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in South Carolina with her true love, Brian, and their three children. Her first book, Covert Justice, won the 2016 Selah Award for Mystery and Suspense and the 2016 Carol Award for Short Novel. Her second book, Hidden Legacy, released in June 2017 and her new Dive Team Investigations series kicks off in March of 2018 with Beneath the Surface. The second book in the series, In Too Deep, releases in November of 2018. You can follow her real life happily ever after at www.LynnHBlackburn.com and on Facebook, Twitter, Pinteres
Katy Kauffman is an award-winning author, an editor of Refresh Bible Study Magazine, and a co-founder of Lighthouse Bible Studies. She graduated from Luther Rice Seminary with a BA in Religion (2004), and she has taught the Bible to women and teens. Her Bible studies focus on winning life’s spiritual battles.
At the conference, she represents Refresh and will gather names of potential contributors, provide information about the magazine, and collect articles for the 2020 issues.
Refresh seeks to be a Christian voice in an increasingly secular world, and its mission is to connect God’s Word to life today. It’s a free, digital magazine published by Lighthouse Bible Studies. The quarterly topics for 2020 are as follows with their deadlines. Please note that BRMCWC conferees will have an extended deadline to submit to the June issue. If you’re interested in writing for these topics, Katy will give you more details of what she is looking for.
- (March 30, 2020 – Sustaining Life’s Victories)
- June 30 – Psalms and Proverbs (The deadline is May 11, 2020, with an extension for BRMCWC conferees only.)
- September 30 – Contributor’s Choice (The deadline is Aug. 15, 2020.)
- December 7 – Christmas (The deadline is Nov. 2, 2020.)
Since the magazine’s purpose is to connect Scripture to life today, each article or submission should include at least one Bible verse. The word count varies according to your type of submission (please visit our website for guidelines), and all submissions need an encouraging and friendly voice, as if you are talking to a friend. Refresh publishes short Bible studies, Christian living articles, devotions, poetry, prayers, and short stories.
Katy loves connecting with writers and working alongside them in compilations, such as Heart Renovation: A Construction Guide to Godly Character, which was a 2019 Selah Awards finalist and Director’s Choice finalist. Although Lighthouse Bible Studies is not a traditional publisher, we do publish compilations on a regular basis. Ask Katy for details about upcoming books.
Katy’s writing can be found at CBN.com, thoughts-about-God.com, the Arise Daily blog, three blogs on writing, and in online magazines. She loves spending time with family and friends, making jewelry, and hunting for the best donuts. Connect with her and find writers’ guidelines for Refresh at www.lighthousebiblestudies.com.
Want to know more? Awesome-sauce! Check out Amy’s website at www.amycwilliams.com or follow her adventures on social media @free2bfearless.
A.C. Williams (you can call her Amy) has been writing stories since she was five years old, completing her first full-length novel when she was eleven. By the time she hit college, she had written more than 30 full-length novels, and she’s still writing today. She has currently published three devotional books, seven full-length novels, two novellas, and more flash fiction than you can shake a stick at.
Amy started working in libraries in junior high, and then after college, she accepted a creative writing position in the marketing department of an international manufacturer where she worked in web design and copywriting for five years. But Jesus called her in a different direction, and in 2015 she went into business for herself, writing, designing websites, and providing audio/visual services for conferences.
Now, Amy has shifted her focus toward book coaching, which is something she’s been doing on the side for at least 15 years. It’s her passion, after all (other than Jesus, coffee, sushi, and cats… yes, in that order). With a specific focus on fully rounded characters, complex plot structure, and epic-scale worldbuilding, Amy is excited to start using her many years of experience to help authors craft stories that can shine the light of hope and truth in our ever-darkening world.
Audrey Frank is an author, speaker, and storyteller. The stories she shares are brave and true. They give voice to those whose words are silenced by shame, the hard things in life that don’t make sense, and the losses that leave us wondering if we will survive. Audrey and her family have spent over twenty years living and working among different cultures and world views, and she has found that God’s story of redemption spans every geography and culture. He is the God of Instead, giving honor instead of shame, gladness instead of mourning, hope instead of despair. Although she has three different degrees in communication and intercultural studies, Audrey’s greatest credential is that she is known and loved by the One who made her.
Her upcoming book, Covered Glory: The Face of Honor and Shame in the Muslim World, is an outpouring of Audrey’s heart to introduce others to the God of Instead. Shame is not unique to the developing world, the plight of the women behind veils, young girls trafficked across borders; shame is lurking in hearts everywhere. Through powerful stories from women around the world, Covered Glory illuminates the power of the Gospel to remove shame, giving honor instead. Available for pre-order now at https://www.amazon.com/author/audreycfrank
You can also find Audrey at www.audreyfrank.com, as well as on Twitter and Facebook
Julie Lavender loves an excuse for a celebration, and the month of November reminds her to count blessings all the way to the Thanksgiving feast with family and friends. She is especially grateful this month for two book blessings: the recent release of Come and Behold Him, a co-authored book with Michelle Cox, prolific author who pens the When God Calls the Heart series, devotional books based on the content of the television show, “When Calls the Heart.” The devotional is available at Amazon, Target, and bookstores. And, the manuscript for her first book with Revell Books, Baker Publishing Group, is due on November 15 to editor Vicki Crumpton, whom Julie first met at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference three years ago.
Besides writing for her local newspaper, Julie contributes to Guideposts Publications, other magazines, a couple of homeschooling blogs, Just18Summers.com, and many compilations. Combining her education degree, love of homeschooling, and joy of celebrating, Julie wrote a devotional entitled, 365 Days of Celebration and Praise, a party planning book called, Creative Sleepovers for Kids, and three teacher resource books for the religious division of Carson-Dellosa. Julie and David are enamored with their four adult children, one son-in-love, and one gorgeous grandson. Keep up with Julie on social media and at her blog at julielavender.blogspot.com.
Martin Wiles is the Managing Editor for Christian Devotions, the Senior Editor for Inspire a Fire, and a Proof Editor for Courier Publishing. He has also served as Web Content Editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolina. Wiles has authored A Whisper in the Wood: Quiet Escapes in a Noisy World (Ambassador International), Grits & Grace & God and Grits, Gumbo, and Going to Church (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas), Morning By Morning, Morning Serenity, and Grace Greater Than Sin (America Star Books) and is a contributing author in Penned from the Heart (Son-Rise Publications), and Rise (Chaplain Publishing). He has served as Regional Correspondent and Sunday school lesson writer for the Baptist Courier and has also written for Lifeway’s Bible Studies for Life curriculum.
Wiles has also been published in Christian Living in the Mature Years, Mature Living, Open Windows, Proclaim, The Secret Place, The Word in Season, Upper Room, Light from the Word, Reach Out Columbia, Mustard Seed Ministries, Journey Christian Newspaper, Common Ground Herald, The Quiet Hour, Power for Living, Halo Magazine, Joyful Living Magazine, Christian Broadcasting Network, Sharing, Today’s Christian Living, These Days, Plum Tree Tavern, Eskimo Pie, The Scarlet Leaf Review, Creation Illustrated, LIVE, Purpose Magazine, Stand Firm, The Banner, Relevant, and Lutheran Digest. He is a regular contributor to Christian Devotions, PCC Daily Devotions, Theology Mix, Inspire a Fire, The Write Conversation, and Vine Words and is a regular writer for the Dorchester County Eagle Record, the Orangeburg County Times and Democrat, and the Greenwood County Index Journal. Wiles’ next book, Don’t Just Live…Really Live is under contract with Ambassador International.
Kathleen Neely resides in Greenville, SC with her husband, two cats, and one dog. She is a retired elementary principal, and enjoys time with family, visiting her two grandsons, traveling, and reading.
She is the author of The Street Singer, Beauty for Ashes and The Least of These. Her newest novel, In Search of True North, will be released on July 6, 2021, and is now available for presale. Kathleen won second place in a short story contest through ACFW-VA for her short story “The Missing Piece” and an honorable mention for her story “The Dance”. Both were published in a Christmas anthology. Her novel, The Least of These, was awarded first place in the 2015 Fresh Voices contest through Almost an Author. She has numerous devotions published through Christian Devotions.
Kathleen continues to speak to students about writing and publication processes. She is a member of Association of Christian Fiction Writers.
Website – www.KathleenNeely.com
Facebook – www.facebook.com/kathy.neely.98
