Other Professionals
Dick Bruso
International Speaker, Author
Branding/Marketing Expert
Founder, Heard Above the Noise®
CCWC Team
An international speaker and founder of Heard Above The Noise®, Dick Bruso is a highly regarded branding and marketing expert. Dick teaches his audiences and clients how to develop and expand their brands to powerfully penetrate the marketplace. His clients include best-selling authors and professional speakers, as well as successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Dick is also a contributing author, on the topic of branding, to the National Speakers Association’s (NSA’s) popular books, Paid To Speak and Speak More! In addition, he has given numerous high-powered presentations at CCWC, GPCWC, and other writers’ conferences since the early nineties.
Pre-Conference Workshop – Brandstorming (Tuesday, April 19, 5:00 pm MT – link coming)
Don’t miss out! Learn how to set yourself apart by attending Dick Bruso’s highly acclaimed story-based Brandstorming session for creating powerful, unique, and enduring brands in a very noisy marketplace.
For well over two decades, Dick has presented his in-demand Brandstorming program all across North America. This year, it’s being offered virtually, at no additional cost, as a special bonus, via Zoom, to all registrants of the 2022 Colorado Christian Writers Conference.
During this dynamic interactive session, Dick will demonstrate (with the assistance of two randomly selected attendees) how you and your writer colleagues can develop brands based on your unique and powerful life stories. You’ll also learn the secret of how to apply the “umbrella branding” approach to encompass all aspects of your career as a professional writer while staying totally congruent with your desired target markets.
Dianne E. Butts
Screenwriter, Producer, Director
Author, dianneebutts.com
Dianne has attended the Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference since 1989. During that time, she has authored 6 books, 7 more ebooks (with more coming), and has contributed to 22 books including Chicken Soup for the Soul books and Divine Interventions (Guideposts 2020). She has published 300 articles in national print magazines including articles in Focus on the Family and Light & Life and short fiction in Clubhouse, Evangel, and Live.
After hearing about the Act One Program "Writing for Hollywood" at CCWC, Dianne applied, was accepted, and attended in 2010. She also attended Act One's Producing & Entertainment Executive Program in summer 2020.
Among Dianne’s screenwriting accomplishments, her feature film, Jenna’s Light, placed as a top ten finalist in Movieguide’s Kairos Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays (Feb. 2015), and as a quarterfinalist in the National Screenwriters Day Screenplay Competition (Jan. 2018). She is currently writing this story as a novel.
Her screenplay, Daemon, was a semifinalist in the Kairos Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays (2013). Her short film, A Cowboy’s Faith, was a finalist in the 168 Film Project’s “Write of Passage” in 2010.
Dianne has written, produced, and directed award-winning short films. The 2017 documentary she produced/directed, The Door, won Best Documentary and the Evangelista Award for the film with the clearest presentation of the Gospel at the 168 Film Festival in Los Angeles. In 2018 Dianne co-wrote, co-produced, and co-directed Thoughts & Prayers which was nominated for 15 awards and won the 168 Film Festival’s Evangelista Award for Dianne’s second year in a row.
In 2019, Thoughts & Prayers and The Door, along with her feature length screenplay Hidden Treasures, were all Official Selections of the International Christian Film Festival in Orlando, Florida. Thoughts & Prayers was also nominated for Best Screenplay.
Dianne has also served on the Jury (judging panels) for both the 168 Film Project’s film festival and their “Write of Passage” short film-writing contest.
Fun trivia: Dianne worked as a paid extra in the 2017 Netflix film Our Souls at Night starring Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, Bruce Dern, and Judy Greer. You might see her in a café scene with Robert Redford.
Dianne desires to use her writing talents to write faith-friendly screenplays and is working toward seeing them produced. She lives in southern Colorado. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys riding her motorcycle with her husband Hal, gardening, and photography. They are members of the Christian Motorcyclists Association.
Continuing Session – Screenwriting & Story Structure
Learn 3-act structure and how knowing what goes into each act helps you plan your story – whether a novel or a screenplay. Choose characters and plot events that express your story’s theme. Discover amazing questions you can answer to go deeper and make your story more profound. Study how writing novels is different than writing screenplays. Learn basic screenplay format, software, and resources so you can look like a pro. Discover how the film and TV industry works: ways to get your toes into the film community, what steps you can take toward getting your book made into a movie, who to approach, how, and more.
Marty Goetz
Songwriter, Psalmist 
www.MartyGoetz.com
Emmy nominated, Marty Goetz, has been called a modern day psalmist. His songs are Scriptures beautifully set to music, leaving listeners spiritually moved, inspired, and educated. With melodic and fresh acoustical/classic arrangements, Marty has the ability to lead you into a place of true intimacy with God.
In 1965, when thirteen year-old Marty stood at the bimah of Cleveland's Temple on the Heights for his Bar-mitzvah and solemnly sang the ancient words of the Torah, no one – least of all Marty – could have envisioned that some twenty years later he would be singing to God, this time as a featured performer at Billy Graham’s Rally in Central Park.
As half of “Bert & Marty,” he sang at clubs and dinner theaters around Pittsburgh while studying English at Carnegie Mellon University. There was even a non-singing guest appearance on “Mister Rogers” as Smokey Bea.
After graduation, he and Bert set out for New York City, determined, as Marty remembers, “to give it two weeks to become a star or I'd go back to Cleveland and the family furniture business.” Just one week later, Marty and Bert found themselves performing at hotels in the Catskill Mountains. At the end of the summer they were named Best New Act of 1974.
Then Bert found Jesus. Horrified at his partner’s born-again experience, Marty broke up the act and returned to New York City. He worked steadily as a songwriter and cabaret entertainer until 1978, when he shifted his ambitions from Broadway to Pop and moved to Los Angeles.
Provoked by the increasing numbers of born-agains in his life, he began reading the Bible, “looking for loopholes.” A few short weeks later, sitting alone one night on a friend’s balcony, looking down on the lights of Sunset Boulevard, he realized with certainty that “the Jesus of the New Testament was the Messiah my people have been longing for.”
Within a year, Marty began performing with Debby Boone and soon began to establish himself as a strong and passionate voice for Messianic believers within the church.
He has ministered before congregations as diverse as Jack Hayford’s Church on the Way, Greg Laurie’s Harvest Christian Fellowship and Harvest Crusades, Coral Gables Presbyterian, Chicago’s Moody Church, and David Wilkerson’s Times Square Church. Ministries such as Focus on the Family, Insight For Living, TBN, Promise Keepers, Billy Graham Training Center/The Cove, and CBN have invited Marty to come and share his musical gifts and talents.
Marty has been recording music steadily since 1985. Today he lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Jennifer, who also is a Jewish believer in Jesus.
Note from Marlene – Both the Philly and Colorado Christian Writers Conference have been blessed several times through the years to have Marty share an evening of worship with us. Since the pandemic began last year, Marty has been encouraging me and hundreds of followers through his online House of Worship Tuesday and Friday evenings, 8 pm Eastern time. Join us on Facebook or YouTube and don’t miss excerpts from Marty’s House of Worship (shared with his permission and a love gift from the conference) before and after our keynotes.
Roy Hanschke
Author, Speaker, Trainer/Coach
Radio Personality, KPOF morning show
www.howdidimissthatmm.com
Roy is a Bible College and seminary graduate who enjoys speaking to men’s groups, preaching as “pulpit supply” for various churches, writing (first book In Search of Salom: The Success Every Man Desires), hiking the Colorado Mountains, blessing his family (wife of 52 years, six children which includes in-laws and 18 grandchildren), and sharing the morning show with two awesome co-hosts on KPOF Denver (AM91). That last one pays the bills! In addition, Roy loves to assist authors in their quests to become effective speakers (something he has done for over 20 years).
Workshop 2D – Peaks and Pitfalls in Indie Publishing with Robert N. Ruesch (Thursday, 1:45 – 2:45 pm MT)
Let’s face it, there are more and more companies willing to publish your book. Who do you choose? Why would you choose that company? What will the publisher and printer do to get your product to market, and then what? Bob is a three-time published author. Roy is a dynamic speaker, radio personality, and author. Both will share the pitfalls and the peaks that turned into perks in their publishing journey.
Dave Lambert
Owner, Lambert Editorial
Author
Dave is the owner of Lambert Editorial, which has been serving publishers and authors since 2003; the author of 11 books (including The Missionary and, with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, the 2018 memoir from Thomas Nelson, This Road I’m On). He is the former senior fiction editor at Howard Publishing, a division of Simon & Schuster; and former executive editor for fiction at Zondervan.
Workshop W2 – Solving Plot Problems (Wednesday, 4:30 – 5:30 pm MT)
Every novel is a mystery novel. By that I mean that every reader is reading to find something out—and when they no longer care about that something, they stop reading. The way you keep their interest piqued is by the skillful use of plotting. In this class, we’ll examine many aspects of this all-important fiction technique: Handling suspense; handling conflict, confrontation, and compulsion; foreshadowing; plot structure; the intersection of plot and character; and common mistakes. (Open to everyone but a prerequisite for those in Dave’s clinic.)
Fiction Clinic
Taught by a fiction writer, editor, and teacher with more than 40 years of experience including more than 20 years as an acquiring editor in fiction for HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster, this hands-on clinic will help you with your work in progress as well as your fiction technique in general. Besides the 6 hours of group workshop time, you will meet for a half hour individually with the instructor. (By application.)
Susan Neal
Director, Christian Indie Publishing Assc.
Certified Writing Coach, AWSA
Author
As a Certified AWSA Writer Coach, Susan Neal RN, MBA, MHS, desires to help others publish and sell their God-given message. She is the author of seven healthy living books. Her self-published number one Amazon best-seller, 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates, won the Selah award and sold over 17,000 copies in three years.
Susan won the 2020 Christian Author Network Crown Award for Outstanding Broadcast Media for her book marketing campaign. She is a trusted advisor for authors and helps many sell more books. Susan is the Director of Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA). CIPA teaches authors how to self-publish like a professional.
Join Christian Indie Publishing Association
Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA) was created in 2004 to provide independently published authors and small publishers with resources to publish like a traditional publisher. Learning about the publishing industry and how to self-publish is challenging. CIPA discounts, educational materials, and marketing tools makes your publishing experience easier and more profitable. Why do it alone when you can join CIPA? Annual Membership $90.
Workshop 3F – Drive Traffic to Your Website thru Blogging & Pinterest (Friday. 10:45 – 11:45am MT)
Blogging drives traffic to your website. As an author, you want to be found and Google likes websites that post new content. An author needs to create an intentional plan when blogging and use search engine optimization techniques to increase your website’s visitor rate. This workshop will review blog categories, keywords, guidelines, title, meta description, tags, and more. Last January, for example, Susan Neal’s website (https://susanuneal.com/) had over 9000 website views because she consistently blogged and used Pinterest pins at the bottom of each post to drive traffic to her website. (Beginner, Intermediate)
Workshop 6D – How to Create a Professional Looking Book (Saturday, 10:45 – 11:45 am MT)
This workshop walks a self-published author through the steps needed to create an industry standard, professional-looking book. Instructions include interior formatting (front and back matter, content) and cover design for print books. Also, included is a Metadata Checklist that reviews all the information required by the book industry supply chain (distributors, retailers, and consumers) to describe a book. Complete and accurate metadata is critical for a book to be discoverable and found by consumers. (Beginner, Intermediate)
Richard Rieman
Audiobook Producer
Narrator & Author
Audiobook Revolution Productions
“The Audiobook Wizard,” Richard is an acclaimed authority on Audiobook self-publishing. He has consulted and produced hundreds of Indie-published audiobooks. He is the author of the Global eBook Awards Gold Medal Winner in Writing/Publishing, The Author's Guide to Audiobook Creation. Richard is also an Audible Approved Audiobook Producer (Top 10%), a 2019 Gold Medal National Ben Franklin IBPA Award Winner for Audiobook Nonfiction, and a five-time winner of the EVVY Award for audiobook narration and production. He is a member of the “Over the Hill” Ski Club.
Workshop 4E – Creating a Caviar Audiobook on a Tuna Fish Budget (Friday, 1:45 – 2:45 pm MT)
If you are considering creating an audiobook, this session is for you! You will get the key steps you need to take and plenty of insider tips and tricks of the trade from both the audiobook producer and author’s perspective, including
Jonathan Shank
Project Management, Graphic Design
Programming
Celebration Web Design
Celebration Web Design, is a website development company committed to providing the best business, ministry and non-profit website development and marketing services available. Since 2002, our team of experts has been helping organizations enhance their competitive edge. In 2006, the associates developed a website for an international ministry organization based in Boston. After the completion of this project, the company’s focus dramatically changed. God called us to start developing websites for ministries and non-profit organizations as well as businesses. Today we continue to develop uniquely designed, handcrafted, custom websites for individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations, and ministries.
We consider it a privilege to help our partners with their website development needs. Celebration Web Design is proud to have partnered with organizations ranging from local businesses, churches, authors and missionaries to international aid organizations building orphanages and wells around the world. Our team continually strives to develop custom websites that fit the exact need of each unique partner. We continue to develop strong partner relationships. Relationships are the key to developing successful websites.
Note from Marlene – I’ve never stopped thanking the Lord for leading me to Celebration Web Design around ten years ago. Jonathan and his father, Bruce, are not only gifted professionals, they are my Christian brothers and prayer partners. I can’t recommend them highly enough.
Patti Shene
Writer, Blogger
Podcaster
www.pattishene.com
Patti has enjoyed writing since childhood. She is published in two anthologies, Love is a Verb Devotional and Angels, Miracles, and Heavenly Encounters, as well as in local publications.
She loves to encourage and promote other writers through her two blogs, Patti’s Porch and The Over 50 Writer, found on her website, www.pattishene.com, where she hosts guest authors, both published and pre-published.
Patti hosted the podcast Lit(erally) Speak(ing) from January through June of 2015, a Blog Talk Radio show in contributing partnership with The Road Less Traveled Internet Ministries. In September of 2015, she launched the podcast Step Into the Light, which features guests who have found their way out of darkness or who lead others from darkness.
Patti is seeking guests who wish to promote their work or ministry to a global audience through a podcast interview conducted via telephone.
Workshop 4F – Magnify Your Message (Thursday, 1:45 – 2:45 pm MT)
Behind every good book, whether nonfiction or novel, is a message. Magnify your message over the airwaves. Learn how to create an engaging podcast and how to share your message effectively as a podcast guest.
Becky Spencer
Author, Speaker
Songwriter
Worth Fighting for Blog
Co-founder & Executive Director, Grand Staff Ministries
Becky and her husband, Tracy, have been on an adventure together for almost 45 years. The highlight has been raising their 8 children (4 birth, 4 adopted) and playing Grammy and Grandpa to 28 grandchildren. They are co-founders of Grand Staff Ministries, Inc., based in Buhler, Kansas, which connects sponsors to abandoned, orphaned, and vulnerable children in eSwatini, Africa. The first orphan home they built in Swaziland, Shepherd’s Care Home, was dedicated in July, 2017. They’re raising funds now to build the second care home, because the first one is bursting at the seams! The ministry operates a thrift boutique in Buhler to help with ongoing expenses of the orphan home.
Becky’s known as “the fight lady.” She doesn’t go looking for a fight, but battles find her. So she writes, sings, and speaks about things worth fighting for—things like marriage, orphans, wayward children, and faith. When she’s not on the road or at the boutique, you’ll find her serving her guests at their home-turned-bed-and-breakfast , sharing the love of Jesus with the people He sends her way, or maybe dreaming of the next adventure . . . to be continued!
Workshop 5G – Seasoned with Salt (Friday, 10:45 – 11:45 am MT)
We have a message that changes lives, but we can’t force feed people whose lifestyle is counter to truth. Learn how to lure them with the bait of compassion without compromise.
Staff and CCWC Team
Donna DeLoretto Brennan
Author
Faculty Interviews
www.DegunkingLife.com
Donna was a technical writer for over ten years before becoming a computer programmer. Since leaving the corporate world after her twins were born, she’s had short stories, interviews, and nonfiction articles published online and in print magazines.
She’s a member of the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group (GLVWG) and the Lancaster Christian Writers Association. She’s served in various capacities on the GLVWG board, including several terms as Conference Chair. She’s always looking for opportunities to encourage others and to share what she’s learned.
Dick Bruso
International Speaker, Author
Branding/Marketing Expert
Founder, Heard Above the Noise®
CCWC Team
An international speaker and founder of Heard Above The Noise®, Dick Bruso is a highly regarded branding and marketing expert. Dick teaches his audiences and clients how to develop and expand their brands to powerfully penetrate the marketplace. His clients include best-selling authors and professional speakers, as well as successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Dick is also a contributing author, on the topic of branding, to the National Speakers Association’s (NSA’s) popular books, Paid To Speak and Speak More! In addition, he has given numerous high-powered presentations at CCWC, GPCWC, and other writers’ conferences since the early nineties.
Pre-Conference Workshop – Brandstorming (Tuesday, April 19, 5:00 pm MT – link coming)
Don’t miss out! Learn how to set yourself apart by attending Dick Bruso’s highly acclaimed story-based Brandstorming session for creating powerful, unique, and enduring brands in a very noisy marketplace.
For well over two decades, Dick has presented his in-demand Brandstorming program all across North America. This year, it’s being offered virtually, at no additional cost, as a special bonus, via Zoom, to all registrants of the 2022 Colorado Christian Writers Conference.
During this dynamic interactive session, Dick will demonstrate (with the assistance of two randomly selected attendees) how you and your writer colleagues can develop brands based on your unique and powerful life stories. You’ll also learn the secret of how to apply the “umbrella branding” approach to encompass all aspects of your career as a professional writer while staying totally congruent with your desired target markets.
Darcie J. Gudger
YA Author
Adjunct Instructor, Casper College
Freelance Editor, Writing Coach
Co-founder/ leader WY Write
www.darciejgudger.com
Darcie spends much of her time dodging the Wyoming wind, ducking into historical museums and archives, and imagining life on the frontier prior to modern comforts. When not in a library or at her computer, Darcie can be found paddling the river in her kayak, hiking, walking her psychotic freak-biscuit of a dog, or in the pool determined to hit her two-mile goal. Her ridiculous love of books almost flattened her son when over-burdened shelves collapsed on him during his birthday party. Her husband implemented an immediate ban on physical books. Undeterred, Darcie finds creative ways to sneak books into her home and pushes her Kindle to its limits.
She earned her B.A. in psychology from Houghton College and her Masters of Education from the University of Colorado, Denver. She spent four years in the classroom as a high school special education teacher. For 15 years, Darcie instructed several award-winning scholastic color guard teams from Colorado. She was also on staff with WGI Open class semi-finalist team Malachi Independent Winter Guard. Currently, Darcie is an adjunct instructor at Casper College teaching courses on the craft of writing. She also facilitates WY Write, a group for Christian writers in the state of Wyoming.
A hopeless book addict, Darcie is on a mission to help writers write great books she would love to read.
Workshop 2B – Deep POV (Thursday ,1:45 – 2:45 pm MT)
Deep POV transforms readers from passive observers to participants thus engaging them in your story. Many writers are mystified by this technique. Join me as I decode this elusive approach.
Workshop 4F – Revolutionary Writing (Friday, 1:45 – 2:45 pm MT)
We are living in a “such a time as this” where your God-given writing skills can be used to make a difference. In this workshop, we will see how a few writers sparked the revolution that built the greatest country in the world and how you can hone your skills to preserve it. (Friday, 1:45 – 2:45 pm MT)
Teens Write – Coordinator (Saturday)
Barbara E. Ha
ley
Author, Speaker
Freelance Editor
Conference Registrar
Appointments Coordinator
www.barbarahaleybooks.com
Barb is a teacher, writing mentor, and the author of three juvenile chapter books; two devotional books: There’s a Song in the Air and Lord, Get Your Needle—I’m Falling Apart at the Seams (The Emotional Strain of Chronic Pain); and her debut novel Biz On the Go. She is the co-author of Sleeping Near the Ark: Writing with a Fresh Vision with Michael Gantt. Barb has also ghostwritten two books and written magazine articles, weekly devotions for The Quiet Hour and The Secret Place, and stories for Chicken Soup for the Soul and God Answers Prayers. A retired elementary teacher and Reading Interventionist, she lives in San Antonio, Texas, where she enjoys writing at IHOP, tutoring, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Whether through fiction or nonfiction, Barbara strives to equip readers to search for God’s healing truth as they learn to Face Facts in a World of Fiction.
In May, 2016, Barbara was named Writer of the Year at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference.
Debbie Hardy
Representative, ChristianDevotions.us
Author, Speaker
www.debbiehardy.com
CCWC Team
Debbie, the Queen of Resilience, didn’t start writing until age 57. Since then, she has published three books; written devotions, blogs, and magazine articles; contributed to anthologies; and been interviewed on radio and TV over 200 times. A Colorado resident and accomplished pianist, Debbie is a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, National Speakers Association of Colorado, and writers groups where she mentors aspiring authors. She speaks at women’s meetings, retreats, and conferences, sharing ideas on how to fight age and become fabulous. Gramma Debbie is proof that you’re never too old to live your dream.
Workshop 5F – How to Market Your Book When You Don't Want to and Don't Know How (Saturday 9:30 – 10:30 am MT)
The title says it all. Most of us don’t know how to market and would rather not. Let’s learn how to sell your book.
Ava Pennington
Author, Bible Teacher
Writing Coach, Freelance Editor
www.AvaPennington.com
Ava has a heart for God’s Word and God’s people. For 16 years she has taught an interdenominational, weekly Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class of (presently) 175 women. Ava is passionate about encouraging writers to use their gifts for His glory. She began writing for publication after a 20+ year career as a corporate executive in NYC. As she transitioned to writing and teaching, she learned, first-hand, the importance of establishing a solid foundation as she pursued writing. Her publication credits include articles in numerous magazines as well as short stories in 30+ anthologies. Her one-year devotional, Daily Reflections on the Names of God, is being released by Revell Books this year in a gift book edition that includes content from the original devotional. For more information about Ava’s books, speaking, and writers’ services, visit her website.
Continuing Session – Your Writing Life - Dig Deep, Build High: Set a Solid Foundation & Fan the Flames of Your Passion!
The taller the building, the deeper the foundation. You may have just begun your writing journey. Or you may be multi-published, but you’re feeling stuck. Either way, what are you building on?
Learning the technical skills to write in our chosen genre is important. But we won’t finish well if we don’t have the foundation in place to fulfill God’s call on our life.
This continuing class will include:
Regardless of where you are in your writing journey, this class will serve as a mini-retreat for you to recharge, refocus, reconnect, and rejoice in what God is doing in and through you and your writing!
Marti Pieper
Senior Editor, Charisma Media
Author, Collaborative Writer, Editor
CCWC Team
Marti’s eclectic publishing career includes ghostwriting a young adult memoir that made the ECPA bestseller list and traveling to six Latin American countries to share stories of teen mission trips and an award-winning missionary memoir. She has written 7 traditionally published nonfiction books and edited several more, written and edited for both print and digital publications, and taught at multiple writers conferences. A fulltime freelance writer and editor, she serves as senior editor for Charisma Media and hosts several podcasts on the Charisma Podcast Network. Find her at www.martipieper.com, where her “Snapshots of Dementia” blog details life with her husband, who suffers from an early-onset dementia.
Workshop 4C – Book Doctor: Take Your Nonfiction from Good to Great (Friday. 1:45 – 2:45 pm MT)
Marti applies both her writing and editing experience to expose common errors in nonfiction manuscripts and offers practical help. The workshop includes tips on identifying your unique selling point and target audience, proposal-writing, and eliminating the common flaws that leave manuscripts lingering in the slush pile.
Workshop 6C – Narrative Nonfiction: The Power of Story (Saturday, 10:45 – 11:45 am MT)
How can I make my nonfiction more compelling? How can truth and creativity coexist in my work? In this workshop, which includes both practical tips and inspiring examples, Marti shares the basics of this popular genre. Learn how to transform your writing through the power of authentic storytellng while you catch—and keep—your readers.
J. Chris Richards
Author, Editor
Writing Coach
Conference Bookstore
www.jchrisrichards.com
Chris is an author, editor, and writing coach. She is somewhat addicted to writers groups of which she is currently a member of two, American Christian Fiction Writers and Writers on the Rock. In the past, she has worked for two publishing houses, been the member of multiple writers groups, and taught/directed writing conferences for teenage writers. While still trying to figure out exactly what part of the writing world she wants to live in, she is working on the sequel to her suspense novel, Shattered Trust; is near finishing a chapter book; is creating journals; and is helping new authors learn the writers’ life. Her biggest challenge is finding time to write between spending time with her husband, three daughters, and six grandchildren while exploring as much of the world as she can, taking pictures, and doing needlework.
Roy Richards
Conference Bookstore
Tabatha Scheffler
Tech Team
Joy A. Schneider
Author
Prayer Room
Joy is an award-winning author of three books. She is passionate about equipping and encouraging people to stand strong in the spiritual battles they face in life. Identifying the Hierarchy of Satan: A Handbook for Wrestling to Win! is a powerful reference book for the Body of Christ and Joy’s flagship work. Released last December was Shame Free: How to Remove the Cloak of Shame, the second book in “Battle Over the Anointing” Series. How to Keep Grief from Stealing Your Destiny is the first book of this Series.
Joy is a board member of AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) and a member of CIPA (Christian Indie Publishers Association). She lives in Fort Collins, Colorado. She enjoys time with her daughters and their families, including eight grandchildren.
Laura Shaffer 
Blogger, Daily Bible Prayer
Hear More From God
Prayer Room
Raised as an Army Brat and moving almost every year till college, Laura was delighted to discover that wherever she went, God was always there ahead of her.
She writes to encourage people to lean in to God to hear from Him in their daily life through nature, Scripture, circumstances, and prayer.
Note from Marlene:The depth and wisdom of the prayers Laura shares daily bless me and will bless you.
Eric Sprinkle
Tech Team Captain
Author, Speaker
Founder, Adventure Experience
Founder of Adventure Experience Press and author of the AdventureDevos book series for Men, Women, and Youth, he is also a Writing Conference Faculty veteran and can help with almost any questions you have. A Colorado native, please forgive him for jogging between buildings and don’t be alarmed to find him wearing Teva sandals in the snow.
