2008 Authors

			Liz Babbs, M.Ed. http://www.lizbabbs.com http://www.myspace.com/lizbabbsimmerse Liz is an award-winning author, performer, broadcaster, spiritual director and creative prayer consultant. She is author of 9 books and 4 CDs including the award-winning Into God’s Presence (Zondervan 2005). Liz works as a missionary, her evangelistic ministry being authorised by the Anglican Church in the UK. Earlybird E1 - Capture Your Call

			Sue Cameron http://my-own-little-corner.blogspot.com/ Sue is a grammy of six, a Bible teacher, speaker, and author. Over the last twenty years, her writing has appeared in various Christian magazines such as Focus on the Family, BRIO and Breakaway, as well as in secular newspapers and eight devotional books. Find her CD, “Praying for My Husband and Marriage,” at www.letspraytoday.com. First-Timer's Orientation Workshop 1D - Eternity in the Ordinary Paid Critiques - articles, devotionals, short fiction for teens, personal experience stories & articles

			Sandy Cathcart www.sandycathcart.com sandycathcart.blogspot.com Sandy has published hundreds of articles and over a thousand photos with regional and national publications, both the in the Christian and general markets. Several of her photos have appeared on the cover of Oregon Fish and Wildlife Journal. She has her own line of popular greeting cards and recently added a line of requested photojournalism books. Sandy is also the author of Totally Honest Tax Tips For Writers, and recently completed her requested nonfiction book, Wild Women—A Real Walk in the Woods. Earlybird E6 - Totally Honest Tax Tips Continuing Session - Digital Photography & Writing: Merging the Best of Both Worlds Paid Critiques - articles, devotionals, personal experience stories and articles, photo coaching

			Mary Davis http://marydavisbooks.com Award winning author Mary Davis has been writing for over seventeen years. She has had eight novels published with three more contracted. Her short story "Blind Dates" appeared chapter-by-chapter in the 2006-2007 Heartsong Newsletter. She has a novel collection and a novella due out in 2007. She leads two critique groups and loves to go into schools to talk to students about writing. She has attended more than a dozen writers conferences including the CCWC more than half a dozen times. She loves to encourage new writers. She is an active member of ACFW. She has a bachelor's degree in education. She has completed the basic course from the Institute of Children’s Literature and the Beyond the Basics Course. She lives in the Colorado Rockies with her husband of 23 years and her three teenagers. Earlybird E4 - OneSheet and Synopsis Basics Workshop 6B - The First Three Chapters Paid Critiques - fiction book proposals, historical novels, romance novels

			Mary E. DeMuth http://www.marydemuth.com Blog - http://www.wannabepublished.blogspot.com Mary helps people to turn their trials into triumphs. An expert in Pioneer Parenting, Mary enables Christian parents to navigate our changing culture when their families left no good faith examples to follow. Her parenting books include Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture (Harvest House, 2007), Building the Christian Family You Never Had (WaterBrook, 2006), and Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God (Harvest House, 2005). Mary also inspires people to face their trials through her real-to-life novels, including Watching the Tree Limbs (nominated for a Christy Award) and Wishing on Dandelions (NavPress, 2006). She’s currently writing three novels and a memoir for Zondervan. Mary has spoken at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, American Christian Fiction Writers Conference, and has had the privilege of speaking around the US and Europe about writing and faith. She is the owner of the online group, The Writers View (1 & 2), with over 1200 members. In addition, she teaches aspiring writers through her blog http://www.wannabepublished.blogspot.com. A pioneer parent herself, Mary and her husband, Patrick, reside in Texas with their three children. They recently returned from breaking new spiritual ground in Southern France, where they planted a church. Learn more about Mary at http://www.marydemuth.com. Keynote - Well Writing Workshop 2A - Inside Out Workshop 3B - Point of View 201: Beyond Head Hopping Workshop 6A - Rhythm Writing Paid Critiques - fiction and non-fiction book proposals, contemporary and women's fiction, literary fiction

			Wanda Dyson http://www.wandadyson.com Wanda is a suspense novelist that knows how to keep you in suspense. After writing three critically acclaimed police thrillers, Wanda was commissioned to bring that page-turning writing style to a true story (Why I Jumped) released in hardcover by Revell and introduced in an exclusive on Oprah. She is the founder of http://www.keepmeinsuspense.com, a Web site dedicated to exploring the finer points of writing suspense and thrillers, and is as passionate about her horses as she is about writing crime thrillers. She is currently working on her next series, The Prodigal Recovery Series, the first of which will be released by WaterBrook next spring, as well as working on the biography of WWE superstar, Tully Blanchard. Workshop 6C - Suspense, Thrills, and Chills Paid Critiques - crime/mystery, romantic suspense, supernatural thrillers, suspense & thrillers Appointment Coordinator

			Jonathan Friesen http://www.jonathanfriesen.com http://writehomestudio.com Jonathan is a writing coach, speaker, and young adult author for Penguin, USA. His upcoming title, Jerk, California, released in September of this year, with two more novels to follow in 2009. Besides his work in the general market, he is a regular contributor to Focus on the Family's Clubhouse magazine. When he's not traveling, teaching or hanging out with his family, Jonathan's passion is coaching gifted young writers the art of fiction. Workshop 2B - Redemptive Writing: At Home in Any Market Workshop 4C - Capturing the Young Adult Heart Workshop 5A - From Struggle to Story Paid Critiques - novels for children, young adults, tweens, and teens

			Patricia Hickman http://www.patriciahickman.com Patricia Hickman, M.F.A., is a communicator and an award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction whose work has been praised by critics and readers alike. Patty first studied creative writing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and then went on to do graduate studies in writing at Queens University. She writes for major publishers and is currently at work on her sixteenth book for Random House. Painted Dresses is set to release Summer 2008. She has served as an adjunct writing professor at UNCC and teaches in writing workshops across the country. Patty is the Chairperson and Founder of the Secret Angels Project, benefiting North Carolina families with HIV/AIDS. Earlybird E5 - The Novelist's Launch Pad Workshop 4B - Emotional Architecture

			Angela Elwell Hunt http://www.angelahuntbooks.com With more than three million copies of her books sold worldwide, Angie is the best-selling author of The Tale of Three Trees, The Note, and The Shadow Women. Hunt began her writing career in 1983. After five years of honing her craft working for magazines, she published her first book in 1989. Since then, the prolific author has written over ninety books in fiction and nonfiction, for children and adults. She is also a skilled collaborator, having worked with some of the best-known names in the publishing industry. She and her youth pastor-husband, Gary, make their home in Florida with their two teenagers and two mastiffs. Nangie U 202 & 404 (with Nancy Rue)

			Polly Hutchison Polly has been writing for over thirty years. BREATH OF RAPTURE, her first novel, was published by Spire Books. Beta Books published her second novel, the story of Esther. When Spire decided not to publish fiction, and her editor there died, Poll was left without a contact. Not being all that fond of the submission process, she would send out queries for a few months, then decide she would rather be writing. The result is fifteen novels sitting in file boxes. Therefore, she decided to go the POD route, and at least see her work in print. Polly was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming and her father was career Army. Her sister was born in Puerto Rico, and Polly attended high school in Japan. She has also worked in a few ministries, i.e. the Mission School at Christian Retreat in Florida, Morris Cerullo in San Diego, and she ghostwrote the World History Textbook STREAMS OF CIVILIZATION while working at Creation Life Publishers in San Diego. She did legal writing at the Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Hawaii, and wrote Army Training Manuals at Courseware, Inc. in San Diego. Several times she decided to give up writing, but like Jeremiah, there was a burning in her heart, and she would always begin a new book. Currently living in Cheyenne, Wyoming, she teaches an adult Sunday school class. Workshop 6E - The Pros & Cons of Print-on-Demand

			Lissa Halls Johnson http://www.lissahallsjohnson.com Lissa is a freelance writer and fiction editor, author of novels for teens, tweens, and young adults. Among her 19 books is the most recent: Still Growing, authored with Kirk Cameron; as well as A Full House of Growing Pains with Barbara Cameron. She is formerly a book producer at Focus on the Family where she was the creator, editor, and writer for the Brio girls series and for the Kid Witness book series. She has contributed to Reader’s Digest, Brio, Breakaway, Focus on the Family Magazine, TQ, and other periodicals. She has written radio drama scripts and was previously a member of the ADVENTURES IN ODYSSEY creative team. She has contributed to a number of fiction and non-fiction books. Lissa loves to speak to writers throughout the country. She especially enjoys putting beginning writers at ease, sharing with them the basics to give them a foundation upon which to grow. Keynote - The Power of Truth Continuing Session (with Mick Silva) - Please, NO Pat Answers! Paid Critiques - young adult, tween, and teen novels; literary fiction, contemporary & women's fiction

			Carmen Leal Carmen is a frequent and popular presenter at writers conferences nationally and internationally and is the author of WriterSpeaker.com and You Can Market Your Book. As her husband's caregiver for twelve years, Carmen knows firsthand the stresses and the joys of caregiving. Out of her experiences God birthed a ministry to families with Huntington's disease and those in caregiving situations. She is the founder of SomeOne Cares, a Christian caregiver conference sponsored by LifeWay, and the author of, among others, The Twenty-Third Psalm for Caregivers, The Twenty-Third Psalm for Those Who Grieve, and Faces of Huntington's. Her writings have been featured in Guideposts, Focus on the Family, Decision Magazine, the Orlando Sentinel, and numerous national and local publications. A storyteller with a dramatic testimony, she is a popular presenter at women's retreats, church groups, conventions and conferences. Her wit, humor, and poignant personal observations, coupled with her down-to-earth style and common sense approach to dealing with life, inspire her audiences. Through her transparency, she has the ability to encourage and bring hope to all. Carmen lives with her family on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Continuing Session - Book Marketing A Through Z Workshop 5F - What a Web We Weave Paid Critiques - articles, non-fiction book proposals, devotionals, personal experience stories & articles, publicity campaigns (non-fiction books), Web site evaluation

			Gail Martin http://www.gailmartin.com Multi-award-winning author, Gail Gaymer Martin, writes for Steeple Hill, Barbour Publishing, and Writers Digest. Gail has signed forty fiction contracts and has 2-1/2 million books in print. She is a co-founder of American Christian Fiction Writers and a keynote speaker and workshop presenter at conferences across the U.S. Gail is the author of Writing the Christian Romance, released by Writers Digest. She has a master's degree and post-master’s classes from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Earlybird E7 and E12 - Writing the Christian Romances, Parts 1 & 2 Workshop 3C - Writing Romantic Suspense Workshop 5B - The Sagging Middle Paid Critiques - romance novels, romantic suspense

			Katie Martinez - Unable to come :( Katie manages projects in worship and Christian formation for the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC denomination). She has earned a certificate in spiritual direction and will soon complete a master's degree at North Park Theological Seminary. Katie serves on the teaching team at Crossroads Covenant Church in Loveland, CO. *Workshop 3A - Becky Spencer will teach Tickling Ears or Tackling Fears? in this time slow.*

			Donita K. Paul http://www.donitakpaul.com Donita retired early from teaching and dove into a new career. She's written three short novels, four novellas, and the acclaimed Dragon Keeper Chronicles along with short stories and devotions. She comes from a family of storytellers and finds creating fiction to be part of her nature. She lives in Colorado in a "hobbit hole." *Workshop 5C -* Fantastic Fiction Paid Critiques - fantasy; romance novels; young adult, tween, and teen novels

			Tracie Peterson http://traciepeterson.com Tracie is the best-selling author of over 70 books. She is married to Jim and lives in Montana with their son Erik, her mother Jeanine, and mother-in-law Casey. Tracie has a passion for serving the Lord in writing and helping new authors. She helped to found the American Christian Fiction Writer's organization, now over 1,000 strong, and is the Zone Director for the Rocky Mountain region of this organization. Until recently Tracie was managing editor for Heartsong Presents. She teaches at conferences and women's retreats, encouraging people no matter their calling, to fall more passionately in love with God. Clinic (with Jim Peterson) for not-yet-published writers of contemporary women's fiction, historical novels, and romance novels

			David Pierce http://www.davidwpierce.com David has had a dozen short stories published in Alfred Hichcock’s and Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazines. He’s taught mystery writing workshops at Taylor University in Ft. Wayne, IN and worked as a writing mentor for The Writer’s Loft, a continuing education program at Middle Tennessee State University, where he is also an adjunct professor of English. He’s co-written two children’s books, along with his comedian wife Chonda Pierce, both published by Zonderkidz (Tales from the Ark and Tales from the Manger). His new non-fiction book will be published by WaterBrook spring of ’09 titled Hiking Boots on High Places. Earlybird E8 - And the Secret to Writing a Mystery Is . . . *Paid Critiques -* *crime/mystery novels*

			Nancy Rue http://www.nancyrue.com Nancy is the best-selling author of over 100 books for children and young people including the current top-selling Lily Series and Sophie Series for tweens (Zonderkidz), and the 'Nama Beach High series for teens, as well as four novels for adults. She is a former high school teacher and theatre director, and now uses her experience and master’s degree in education to teach workshops for young writers and for tween and teen girls nationwide. Nancy has an adult daughter and lives in Lebanon, Tennessee, with her husband, Jim. Nangie U 202 & 404 (with Angie Hunt)

			Tim Shoemaker Tim is the father of three boys ranging from 16 to 22 years old. He is the author of six books, including Smashed Tomatoes, Bottle Rockets…and Other Outdoor Devotionals You Can Do With Your Kids, Mashed Potatoes, Paint Balls…and Other Indoor/Outdoor Devotionals You Can Do With Your Kids, Bashed Burritos, Green Eggs…and Other Indoor/Outdoor Devotionals You Can Do With Your Kids, and Reboot Your Brain…Byte Sized Devotions for Boys. A former “one hour photo” lab owner, Tim now writes and speaks full time. He has a passion to help boys grow to be men of God. Tim lives in Illinois with his wife and three sons. Workshop 1B - Putting Words in Their Mouths Paid Critiques - articles, devotionals,, short stories, and novels

			New! Becky Spencer www.beckyspencerministries.com Those who were at our 2007 conference will remember Becky's moving presentation on the Children of Swaziland. Becky is an author, speaker, singer, and songwriter. She will be filling Workshop 3A since Katie Martinez is unable to be with us. Workshop 3A - Tickling Ears or Tackling Fears?
*Up Agents & Other Book Editors Periodical Editors*