Ethel Herr is the author of eleven books, teacher, historian, conference speaker (our 1st and 10th keynoter), and mentor of writers. She is author of An Introduction to Christian Writing, Lord, Show Me Your Glory, andDr. Oma: The Healing Wisdom of Countess Juliana von Stolberg.

Ken Jones has authored four books including God Happened to Be in the Neighborhood. He has written for major Christian publications such as Moody Magazine and The Christian Reader, and in 1994 was Mt. Hermon Writer of the Year. He is a life coach and is the current Bay Area Director of the Christian Medical and Dental Association.

Donna Albrecht writes for secular and Christian markets, and is the author of seven books and hundreds of articles. Her book, I Love to Tell the Story: Favorite Bible Stories of Famous People, received the Angel Award. She has served on the Board of the American Society of Journalists & Authors.

Cindy Martinusen Coloma is the author of six novels: Winter Passing (2000 Christy Award finalist), Blue Night, North of Tomorrow, Eventide, and The Salt Garden and the Orchid House. She co-founded Quills of Faith writer’s group, teaches writer’s workshops, and is currently working on multi-contracter novels.

Bryan Jeffery Leech is a writer, composer, Pastor Emeritus, playwright and conference speaker. Bryan was our keynote speaker in 1996, and has authored three books, five plays, and over 300 spiritually rich songs and hymns. He is the former host of KFAX Morning Song.

Sean Gaffney is Story Administrator for Warner Bros. Features, has authored 20 produced plays, seven produced videos, over 20 produced short fi lms, three published books, is a script consultant, and a senior lecturer at BIOLA University. Sean teaches for Act One.

Laura Jensen Walker is the award winning author of ten non-fiction books(including Reconstructing Natalie) and four novels,including Reconstructing Natalie, the 2006 Women of Faith Novel of the Year. She won the 2005 Mt. Hermon Pacesetter Award.

Marlo Schalesky is author of over 600 articles, and four novels, Veil of Fire, Cry Freedom, Freedom’s Shadow, and Only the Wind Remembers. Her nonfiction Empty Womb, Aching Heart, tackles the topic of infertility. Her next novel, Beyond the Night, will be released in May.

John Olson is a Ph.D. biochemist, now a full-time writer and speaker. His novels have won a Silver Angel and a Christy Award, and been placed on the New York Public Library’s Best Books for the Teen Age list. His next two books, Fossil Hunter and Shade will be released later this year.

Pamela Erickson writes articles for secular and Christian newspapers and magazines, and has contributed to multiple devotional books. She served as news editor for three newspapers, and one periodical, teaches creative writing, and hosts a Christian writer’s group.

Denella Kimura is a widely published poet, author, ESL Teacher, and writing instructor. She was the recipient of the Lucille Gardner poetry scholarship, and received a Masters in English from San Francisco State University.

Pat Sikora has authored ten books, booklets and bible studies, and over 100 articles. Her book Why Didn’t You Warn Me? How to Deal with Challenging Group Members was released in April 2007.

Nancy Hird is the author of two children’s books and many articles, has written for Clubhouse, Brio and Beyond, Breakaway and Children’s Ministry Magazine, and is currently writing for Focus on the Family.

Jan Coleman is author of five books including After the Locusts and Woman Behind the Mask. Jan began as a journalist penning feature stories, and is a busy speaker, conference teacher, and cheerleader of writers.

Carol Green is a storyteller and teacher who, despite the loss of her sight, teaches writing to children and adults. Her talking computer, “George” helps her write poems, devotionals, and award-winning children’s books.

Judi Braddy is an author and popular motivational speaker. She is the author of Prodigal in the Parsonage, It All Comes Out in the Wash, and Simple Seasons. Her book True North arrived in November, 2007. She contributes to periodicals and has two books contracted.

John Vonhof writes for both secular and Christian audiences and is the author of self-published and mainstream books, and articles in print and on the web. He has a knack for writing books for niche markets.

Lynne Thompson can be heard regularly on the Focus on the Family Weekend Broadcast as “The Soccer Mom”. She is the author of The Official Soccer Mom Devotional (Regal), articles and stories.

Tasra Dawson is the award-winning author of Real Women Scrap, the host of Real Women Scrap TV, a national speaker, blog consultant, and personal coach. She has appeared on television programs reaching billions.

Jan Collins wrote feature articles for a local paper and her work has appeared in many other publications including Pockets, Spirit-Led Writer, InTouch, and others. Her play Secret Service was published by Lillenas.

Norris Burkes writes a syndicated column for Gannett News Service which takes a spiritual, often comical, look at everyday life. He writes from his experience as a pediatric chaplain.

Jeanette Hanscome has written three books for teen girls, with Focus on the Family, including Want More? Joy. Her articles and stories have been published many places, including Brio and Encounter—the Magazine.

Carol Hall is the author of For Those Who Serve: A Devotional for Church Volunteers. She has also written newspaper and magazine articles, has done grant writing, and owns an eBay store.

Marci Seither has entertained readers with her family humor columns for over four years. She has written feature stories, is a stringer for Gold Country Media, speaks and teaches, and is writing a book of family humor.

Kari West is the author of Dare to Trust, Dare to Hope Again, and co-author of When He Leaves. She is widely published in magazines and newspapers, and is a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul and God Allows U-Turns. She is a speaker who has appeared on Focus on the Family.

All sessions will be taped. In most cases, tapes ordered will be available by the end of the Seminar. You may gain more benefit from taped instruction heard repeatedly, than sessions you attend in person. CD’s will be made after the Seminar, and mailed to you. They will be 80 minutes of the nonstop recording of the session placed on CD.