JPC Allen
Hosting: CE 01
JPC Allen started her writing career in second grade with an homage to Scooby Doo, and she’s been tracking down mysteries ever since. She’s a Selah finalist in both the short story and YA categories for her series, Rae Riley Mysteries. Her first Rae Riley novel, A Shadow on the Snow, won first place in the ACFW KidLit contest for published YA fiction. Online, she offer tips and prompts to ignite the creative spark in every kind of writer. She also leads workshops for teens and adults encouraging them to discover the adventure of writing. Coming from a long line of Mountaineers, she’s a life-long Buckeye, a wife of one for twenty years, and a mother of two for sixteen.
Kate Angelo
Hosting: Early Bird #2
Kate Angelo once sold a lion to a circus in Shreveport after her mom realized lions weren’t great house pets. Growing up, Kate was a bookworm, dog groomer, exotic pet wrangler, horse trainer, cowgirl, and teenage pool shark. After aging out of foster care, Kate cultivated her inner computer nerd and worked as a web programmer. During a visit to Australia, Kate encountered Jesus and left the corporate world to pursue a life in ministry.
From her home in Southwest Missouri, Kate serves alongside her husband, strengthening and encouraging marriages and families through their nonprofit ministry. And after raising their 5 children, they are now fluent in both sarcasm and eye rolls.
Kate is a romantic suspense author, a coffee addict, tech guru, productivity enthusiast, expert knitter, avid boater, dog lover, prayer warrior, and known klutz. With Willow, her long-haired chihuahua taking up half her desk space, Kate writes thrilling stories with flawed characters who encounter hope and healing while ducking danger along the way. Connect with Kate at https://kateangelo.com/
Pepper Basham
Hosting: Early Bird #3 WS 11: Romance-ology Q & A
Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is a wife, mom to five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus. Her novel, Hope Between the Pages, was a finalist for the prestigious Christy award. You can learn more about Pepper and her books on her website at www.pepperdbasham.com
Bettie Boswell
Hosting: CE 01
Bettie Boswell is a multi-published author of educational works and Christian Fiction for chapter books, picture books, romance, devotions, and short stories for anthologies. She is one of the founders of the ACFWKidlit Chapter. She is a former educator for all age levels and a minister's wife. During her life as a teacher and church musician, she also created musicals for school, community, and church. She is the mother of two, an in-law of one, and grandmother of three. Bettie has been a finalist or winner for Selah, Southern Christian Writers Conference, and ACFW Virginia contests.
Sandra Bretting
Hosting: WS13:Switching Genres & Staying Sane
Author of eleven books (all traditionally published), including a bestselling cozy mystery series that ran for five years with Kensington Publishing. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, I began my career writing for the Los Angeles Times, Orange Coast Magazine, and others. From 2006 until 2016, I wrote feature stories for the award-winning business section of the Houston Chronicle. Since making the switch from mysteries to inspirational historical fiction, I’ve garnered accolades for my first title, Unfit to Serve, which debuted in August 2024. The novel explores how the U.S. military brought the IQ test to America at the start of World War 1 and the turmoil it caused.
Colleen Coble
Web Site: http://www.colleencoble.com
Hosting: CE 03 The Author’s Blueprint: Building Buzz Through Tours and Tech
USAToday bestselling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has 4 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com and connect at Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/colleencoblebooks?ref=hl
Mary Connealy
Hosting: WS 11: Romance-ology Q & A
Mary writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader's Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of over 75 books and novellas for both Bethany House and Barbour such as Golden State Treasure, A Western Light Series, Brothers in Arms, Wyoming Sunrise, The Lumber Baron’s Daughters, and The Brides of Hope Mountain. Contact Mary through her website at https://www.maryconnealy.com/.
Emilie Hendryx Haney
Hosting: CE 02
E. A. Hendryx is an award-winning author, graphic designer, photographer, and podcaster living in Indiana with her husband, two dogs, and a cat named Pages. She writes fiction in multiple genres and spends more time on Instagram than she probably should. She grew up on a steady diet of Star Trek and Nancy Drew and believes that every idea is better in space.
Rachel Hauck
Web Site: http://www.rachelhauck.com
Hosting: Early Bird #4
WS03: The Story Equation
Rachel Hauck is an award winning, New York Times Bestselling author, conference speaker and writing coach.
Victor Hess
Hosting: CE 01
Victor Hess is an award-winning author whose fiction draws from his boyhood in the Midwest during the 1950s and ’60s. His stories explore Christian values and how young people face life’s challenges with courage and faith. His Searching for Family coming of age series has earned multiple honors, including recognition in the William Faulkner–William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition and finalist status in the 2018 Best American Books competition for Jesse Sings. His books have been featured at the Ohioana, Louisiana, and Mississippi Book Festivals, where he has also presented on writing historical fiction and served on panels. Victor is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and now writes full-time in his Ohio hometown. He is currently halfway through a six-book adventure series for middle grade readers. He also brings decades of experience as a Sunday School teacher, military veteran, and business leader.
Angela Hunt
Web Site: http://www.angelahuntbooks.com
Hosting: Early Bird #1-Deep Dive
Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who expect the unexpected in novels. With over five million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 150 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to non-fiction books, to novels.
Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards–one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City.
Afterward, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport.
Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, chickens, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.
Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers in 2019.
Also in 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree. She completed her doctorate in biblical studies in 2008 and her Th.D. in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her pets, of course. She is also an avid photographer, using her photos to help find homes for animals at local rescues.
Lisa Jordan
Web Site: http://www.lisajordanbooks.com
Hosting: WS12: Creating a 5-Year Writing Plan
faith have always been important to Lisa Jordan, so writing stories with those elements comes naturally. Represented by Cynthia Ruchti of Books & Such Literary Management, Lisa Jordan is an award-winning, PW-bestselling author for Love Inspired and an author and line director for Sunrise Publishing’s contemporary romance line, Hometown Hearts. She is also the operations manager for Novel Academy, an online writing academy powered by My Book Therapy. Happily married to her real-life hero for over thirty-five years, Lisa and her husband have two sons. When she isn't writing, Lisa enjoys quality family time, being creative with friends, or getting lost in a good book. Learn more about her at lisajordanbooks.com.
Bitsy Kemper
Hosting: CE 01
Bitsy Kemper, a seasoned media personality, has graced esteemed platforms including CNN and CBS This Morning, along with nationwide radio, print, and digital outlets. As a former syndicated newspaper columnist, she's authored 24 children's books and the new fun devotional journal Mommy and Me Micro-Moments: Nurturing Faith, Sharing Laughs.
Annika Klanderud
Hosting: CE 01
In 2024, Annika’s MG novel, I LIVED THROUGH A WIND CHILL ADVISORY, won the OCW Cascade Contest. In 2022, her YA novel, RED ROCK, won the same contest. And her YA novel, QUALIFY, was a runner up in 2024. Over forty of her articles have appeared in numerous publications such as Keys for Kids. Her goal is traditional publication, and over the past two years, she has received seven full manuscript requests and nine requests to read more of her novels from Harvey Klinger Literary, Storm Literary, Tyndale, and others. Additionally, she is passionate about revolutionizing the Christian publishing industry—especially for authors of MG and YA novels. She has worked with numerous Christian authors to start a book fair in the state of Oregon, facilitate critique groups, and host events like the Author Spotlight and book clubs. Notably, she has worked side-by-side with three separate unpublished authors to polish their MG and YA novels. Each of these stories either won or finaled in a writing contest. Visit Annika at: annikaklanderud (@annikaklanderud) / X (twitter.com) Instagram: Annika Klanderud
(@annikaklanderud) • Instagram photos and videos Facebook: Annika Klanderud | Facebook Her website is annikaklanderud.com. When she is not wrestling with words for her novels, you can find her in the utility room battling her twelve children’s mountain of laundry.
Julie Lavender
Hosting: CE 01
Julie Lavender is a journalist, international speaker, former teacher and homeschooling mom, and award-winning author of thirty-seven books. Julie's new picture book, A Gingerbread House, released last year just in time for the holidays. She's also the author of Children's Bible Stories for Bedtime, a work-for-hire project assigned by Penguin Random House with almost 30,000 copies in the hands of little children. Julie writes educational books for elementary students with her live-in science expert - her husband David, a retired entomologist and wildlife biologist. They are the parents of four, in-laws of two, and grandparents of three.
Julie Lessman
Web Site: http://www.julielessman.com/
Hosting: WS 11: Romance-ology Q & A
Irish family sagas that evolve into 3-D love stories: the hero, the heroine, and the God that brings them together. Author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, and Heart of San Francisco series, Julie was ACFW’s 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered over 21 Romance Writers of America and other awards. Voted #1 Romance Author in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Reader’s Choice Awards, Julie’s novels also made Family Fiction magazine’s Best of 2015, Best of 2014, Essential Christian Romance Authors 2017, Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction, and Borders Best Fiction. Contact Julie through her website at http://www.julielessman.com/.
Joy Massenburge
Hosting: WS 01: Unmasking Perfection
Joy K. Massenburge is a multi-published author. She is also a contributing author for Our Daily Bread: Oh, Freedom Edition. When she is not writing, she is speaking at women’s retreats, conferences, and team building workshops for various companies. As the CEO of Joy K. Massenburge & Associates, she leads a team of mindset accountability coaches who help focused-driven women defend their calling, discover their strengths, uncover their blind spots, and declutter their lives by mastering their calendar so they can walk in the fullness of JOY.
She resides near Tyler, Texas. You can find her curled up reading a book to her grandchildren, caretaking for a donkey, hens, a dog, cat, or filling her five-acre country home with fifty-plus people for a Blue Bell ice cream party.
Cara Putman
Web Site: http://www.caraputman.com
Hosting: Early Bird #4
WS 15: Creating a Series Bible
Cara Putman is the award-winning author of 34 novels and a non-fiction title. By day she is an award-winning lecturer at a top business school at a Big Ten university. By night she writes the stories her characters whisper to her. Her latest novel Lethal Intent released in January from Harper Collins Christian Publishing. You can learn more about Cara and her books at http://CaraPutman.com. You can also listen to her podcast Book Talk with Cara Putman on Spotify, Google, or Apple Podcasts
Janice Thompson
Hosting: WS07:Pinterest Marketing Strategies: A Goldmine for Novelists
Award-winning author Janice Thompson got her start in the industry writing screenplays and musical comedies for the stage. Janice has published over 170 books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books and more. She particularly enjoys writing light-hearted, comedic tales because she enjoys making readers laugh. Janice is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing. Her tagline, “Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever Afters!” sums up her take on life. She lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends, and several mischievous dogs. When she’s not busy writing or playing with her nine grandchildren, Janice can be found in the kitchen, baking specialty cakes and cookies for friends and loved ones. She loves to blog about cakes, cookies, and other sweet treats on her Out of the Box Baking Blog. No matter what she’s cooking up—books, cakes, cookies or mischief—she does her best to keep the Lord at the center of it all.
Bethany Turner
Hosting: WS 10: Responding to Rejection: The Choice is Ours
Bethany Turner has been writing since the second grade, when she won her first writing award for explaining why, if she could have lunch with any person throughout history, she would choose John Stamos. She stands by this decision. Bethany now writes pop culture–infused romantic comedies for a generation of readers who crave fiction that tackles the thorny issues of life with humor and insight. Bethany’s rom-coms have won the Colorado Book Award, multiple Colorado Authors League Awards, multiple Selah Awards, and been finalists for the Romance Writers of America’s Vivian Award and the Christy Award. Her work has also been rejected by agents and editors some ninety-three times (and counting) and received some of the most glorious one-star reviews ever written. She’s very proud of her novels and even prouder of her two adult sons, but she considers her greatest achievement having met George Clooney’s dad when she was an adolescent, George Clooney’s mom on her (Bethany’s) fortieth birthday (when Mrs. Clooney sang to her and told her stories from George’s childhood), and once spotting George himself through a window, on the other side of a crowd of people. She lives in Southwest Colorado with her husband, whom she met in the nineties in a chat room called Disco Inferno. As sketchy as it sounds, it worked out pretty well in this case. (After nearly twenty-five years of marriage, Bethany can confidently declare he’s almost certainly not a serial killer as her parents once feared.) Text Bethany anytime at (970) 387-7811 or connect with her across social media @seebethanywrite, where she clings to the eternal dream that John Stamos will someday send her a friend request.
Karen Witemeyer
Web Site: http://www.karenwitemeyer.com
Hosting: WS02-Winning Readers With Humor
Karen Witemeyer is a bestselling, award-winning author and experienced speaker who has taught workshops at national conferences such as RWA, ACFW, and FHLCW, as well as at numerous regional events such as the Texas Writes Speaker Series. Her books have won the Christy Award, ACFW Carol Award, National Reader's Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, and Inspirational Reader's Choice Award.