Keynote Speaker
Bill Myers
Conference Keynote Speaker
Bill Myers is a renowned author, film director, and producer, best known for his work in Christian fiction. Born in Seattle, Washington, Myers has penned numerous books across various age groups, including children's, young adult, and adult fiction. His stories often blend elements of comedy, adventure, and faith, captivating readers with their relatable characters and inspiring messages. Myers' most notable creation is the popular animated series McGee and Me!, which follows the adventures of a young boy named Nicholas and his imaginary friend, McGee. The series has been instrumental in teaching children valuable life lessons and spiritual principles. In addition to his writing, Myers has also directed and produced films and has been involved in various media projects. His work has received widespread acclaim and has touched the lives of countless individuals.
Worship Leader
Dustin Pounders
Worship Leader
Dustin, who led worship the previous two conferences with Todd Tilghman, is married and a father of four beautiful children. He has been a musician His whole life and a worship leader for a good chunk of that time. He has traveled all over the country playing guitar and singing with Todd Tilghman. He loves the lord and has a heart for the people who the church labels as unreachable and for seeing the gospel of Jesus spread in a genuine way!
Major Morning Track Faculty
James Scott Bell
FICTION
James Scott Bell is a winner of the International Thriller Writers Award, the Christy Award (Suspense) and the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award. Jim served as fiction columnist for Writer's Digest magazine and has written bestselling craft books, including Plot & Structure, Conflict & Suspense, Just Write, and Write Your Novel From the Middle.
He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he studied writing with Raymond Carver, and graduated with honors from the University of Southern California law school. A former trial lawyer, Jim lives and writes in Los Angeles.
Linda Howard
Writing for Children
Linda Howard is Associate Publisher for Children and Youth at Tyndale House Publishers. She brings an extensive background working with children and children's products to her role including teaching, marketing, and product development for several brands.
Linda leads the kids' team, developing overall strategy for Tyndale Children and Youth, acquiring projects, and overseeing product development of all books. She and has worked with best-selling authors Tony Dungy, Esau McCaulley, Ann Voskamp, Karen Kingsbury, Mike Nawrocki, Amy Parker, and more.
Robin Patchen
Self-Publishing
Robin Patchen is not only a USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of over twenty novels. She's also a freelance editor and writing coach. Among her talented clients are Carol and Christy award winners, USA Today and even New York Times bestsellers.
As a four-time nominee for the ACFW Editor of the Year Award, Patchen has spent over a decade helping others learn the skills necessary to write life-changing, Christ-honoring fiction.
Barb Roose
Professional Track
Books & Such Literary Management Agent Barb Roose loves partnering with aspiring and established authors to achieve their publishing career goals. As a traditionally published author with past award-winning experience sales and megachurch executive leadership, Barb understands the tensions and triumphs embedded in a writer's publishing journey. Her heartbeat is helping others achieve their goals as well as increase representation and publishing opportunities for people of color.
Barb represents both Christian adult fiction and Christian nonfiction with an emphasis on nonfiction. She lives in NW Ohio and is the proud mother of three adult children. Whenever possible, Barb prefers to eat dessert first.
Marci Seither
Nonfiction (Long Form)
Marci Seither's writing career began after her humor article was published in a small-town newspaper. Since then, she has authored four books, and written hundreds of articles for local papers as well as Guideposts, Focus On The Family, and WORLD magazine. She has experience with traditional and independent publishing.
Besides writing, she enjoys teaching workshops, speaking, capturing drone footage, and food photography. Her biggest joy, besides being married to John for almost 40 years and raising six kiddos, is being a grandma to seven amazing grandcuties. She lives in Knoxville, TN.
Workshop Faculty
Bob Hostetler
Bob Hostetler is an award-winning author, game writer, international speaker, and literary agent (with The Steve Laube Agency). His more than fifty books include Don't Check Your Brains at the Door (co-authored with Josh McDowell) and The Shakespeare Devotional.
As a speaker, Bob presents regularly at writer’s conferences, pastor gatherings, church and marriage retreats, and men’s events. He was the founding pastor of Cobblestone Community Church in Oxford, Ohio, where he served from 2000-2010. He lives in southern Nevada.
Rachel Pfeiffer
Rachel Pfeiffer serves as Editor of Focus on the Family Clubhouse magazine and as a contributing editor for Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr. magazine. As an editor for these magazines, she acquires and crafts stories to entertain and disciple children.
She graduated from Taylor University with a degree in professional writing and Moody Theological Seminary with an MA in Biblical Studies. When she's not curled up with a good book, she can often be found hiking the beautiful Colorado Rockies.
Mentoring Faculty
Lindsay Franklin
Mentoring Faculty
Lindsay A. Franklin is the Carol Award-winning author of The Story Peddler, ECPA best-selling author of Adored, and Managing Editor of Enclave Publishing. She would wear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. Lindsay lives happily among the rain and evergreens of the Pacific Northwest with her scruffy-looking nerf-herder husband, their three (nearly) grown geeklings, and three demanding thunder pillows (a.k.a. cats).
Karen Neumair
Mentoring Faculty
Karen Neumair is a Senior Literary Agent and the Chief Operating Officer of Credo Communications, where she assists authors with their book proposals and connects them with potential publishers. Since 2009, she has worked alongside nonfiction authors who write about Christian living and Spiritual Growth, as well as topics geared toward women and families. In 2017, she expanded her representation to also include picture and board books.
Non-Teaching Faculty
Teddi Deppner
Teddi Deppner is the co-founder of Havok Publishing, a company run by Christians publishing flash fiction for the general market. After a career in web design and marketing, and with the homeschooling of her children complete, she is now exploring the next season of life with her husband of thirty years while facilitating Havok’s mission to help writers build their fanbase with short fiction.
Havok publishes award-winning flash fiction in two formats: a daily ezine and seasonal anthologies (both ebook and paperback).
Cheryl Ricker
Cheryl Ricker is an author, poet, ghostwriter, literary agent, and literary manager who enjoys all things artsy. Her memoirs and devotionals reveal God’s limitless power and love, igniting people to passionately pursue Him. Cheryl and her husband, Dwight, love helping gifted authors, screenwriters, and ministry leaders make a big Kingdom impact while reaching their literary dreams.
Cheryl gives her clients focused attention and representation through her agency, Dunamis Words. She studied creative writing and film at York University in Toronto, Ontario, theology at Christ For the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas, and screenwriting at Bethel Conservatory of the Arts in Redding, California. Cheryl loves spending time with her husband and adult sons in southeast Minnesota.
Adjunct Faculty
Sami Abrams
Adjunct Faculty
Award-winning, bestselling author Sami Abrams grew up hating to read. It wasn’t until her 30's that she found authors that captured her attention. Now, most evenings, you can find her engrossed in a Romantic Suspense.
She lives in Northern California, but she will always be a Kansas girl at heart. She is a retired teacher and has a love of sports, family, and travel. However, a cabin at Lake Tahoe writing her next story is definitely at the top of her list.
Helen Arnold
Adjunct Faculty
Helen Arnold followed her dream of helping others by working as an intensive care nurse and then as a specialist public health nurse. When her youngest child faced life-threatening health issues and another required educational support, she sought refuge in the Word and with her Lord. These tender moments inspired her Not So Secret Love Letters as she wants others to have opportunities to meet the God who still speaks today. In less than a year, Not So Secret Love Letters grew to over 12,000 followers and received over 500,000 views on Instagram and TikTok. Her popular devotionals are helping people of all ages find and follow Jesus. Helen enjoys hiking in the Californian Sunshine with her husband, and you can find her speaking with Jesus while climbing nearby golden hills with her dogs.
Jen Babakhan
Adjunct Faculty
Prior to becoming an associate agent in 2024, Jen graduated with a degree in communications and became a marketing specialist for an international nonprofit, where she worked to develop the business's brand and recognition of that brand—two important elements for every author to master as well.
She later transitioned into freelance writing and ghostwriting when her two children came along. In these roles Jen wrote for Reader's Digest from 2017 to 2021, and her work has been featured in various national outlets. Jen interned with Books & Such in 2024 after joining the agency as a client in 2018. As an author herself, Jen understands the vulnerability involved in writing, along with the adventure of publishing.
Jen acquires adult nonfiction and fiction.
Leann Barna
Adjunct Faculty
For over 15 years, Leann Barna has worked in film and television development with studios like Disney, NBCUniversal, and Affirm/Pure Flix.
She is also pursuing a Ph.D. in Strategic Media at Liberty University, focusing on women in faith-based media.
Leslie Bosserman
Adjunct Faculty
Fueled by local coffee and big dreams, Leslie M. Bosserman is on a mission to help you get after your goals to move from STUCK to started! For over a decade, Leslie has researched, coached, and trained teams around the world on the science of Emotional Endurance to enhance their fulfillment and recently gave a TEDx talk with over one million views! She launched Lead With Intention® where she collaborates with creative professionals desiring more. As an entrepreneur with a community engagement mission, she created The Makers Place™, Sacramento’s first coworking space with onsite childcare. Leslie is a novice pickleball player and an expert bargain shopper who lives in Northern California and travels internationally for coaching, organizational trainings, and retreat facilitation.
Nadine Brandes
Adjunct Faculty
Nadine Brandes is the 4-time Carol Award-winning author of seven Young Adult books and has been a professional developmental editor for over 12 years.
She is passionate about Jesus, mothering her four Halfling children, and creating with the Creator.
Teddi Deppner
Adjunct Faculty
Teddi Deppner is an indie author, veteran web designer and internet marketer.
She co-founded Havok Publishing in 2019 and has a passion for encouraging and equipping fellow creatives. Havok publishes award-winning flash fiction in two formats: a daily ezine and seasonal anthologies (both ebook and paperback).
Rachel Dodge
Adjunct Faculty
Rachel Dodge is the bestselling author of the award-winning Anne of Green Gables Devotional, The Little Women Devotional, and Praying with Jane: 31 Days through the Prayers of Jane Austen. Her newest book is The Secret Garden Devotional!
She teaches writing classes, speaks at conferences and retreats, and writes for Jane Austen’s World blog. With a background in public relations and marketing, she is always seeking fresh ways to help authors grow their reach and build their platform. A true kindred spirit at heart, Rachel loves books, bonnets, and ballgowns.
Sara Ella
Adjunct Faculty
Once upon a time, Sara Ella worked for Disney, dreaming of the day she would marry a prince and live in a castle. Now she spends her days homeschooling her three Jedi in training, braving the Arizona summers, and reminding her superhero husband that it's almost Christmas (even if it's only January).
She is the award-winning author of the Unblemished trilogy, Coral, and The Curious Realities duology. She loves fairy tales and Jesus and believes “happily ever after is never far away.”
Ian Feavearyear
Adjunct Faculty
Ian Feavearyear, a native of the rural county of Suffolk, England, earned a Juris Doctor from Purdue Global Law School and a B.A. in psychology from Leicester University (U.K.). A former professional genealogist, he is an avid historical researcher, with a particular interest in the opening of the West and homesteading.
Ian was lead researcher for the books The Three Faces of Nellie and Tennessee Wildcat: On the Trail of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Mr. Edwards. In his spare time, Ian loves reading, researching, exploring backroads, and visiting remote cemeteries.
Emma Fulenwider
Adjunct Faculty
Emma Fulenwider (rhymes with "full and wider") is a non-fiction writer, contest judge for Writer's Digest, former indie publisher. She is currently an agent with WordServe Literary Group representing adult non-fiction that is "nerdy, funny, helpful and true." She lives in Sacramento, California.
Chanté Griffin
Adjunct Faculty
Chanté Griffin’s is a California-grown journalist and essayist. She is the author of Loving Your Black Neighbor As Yourself: A Guide to Closing the Space Between Us, and a contributing writer for the Washington Post and Faithfully Magazine. Chanté is also a former contributor to The Root and The Christian Science Monitor. Chanté has received funding from the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism, the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship Foundation, the California Arts Council, and others. When Chanté isn’t writing, she coaches creatives through Spirit & Scribe, a workshop that sits at the intersection of writing craft & spiritual formation.
In her free time, she enjoys dancing salsa, west coast swing, and half-reading the dozens of books in her to-read pile.
Kelly Harrel
Adjunct Faculty
Kelly Harrel loves Jesus deeply and has a passion to inspire others into a deeper faith through her writing and speaking. Kelly published nine novels (Christian romance and inspirational fiction) while homeschooling her kids and teaching full-time. Her current work-in-progress is a nonfiction book, and her most recent publications include nonfiction articles in Guidepost Magazine. She resides in Southern California with her husband, their adult children, and their desert tortoise named George.
Sherry Kyle
Adjunct Faculty
Sherry Kyle is an award-winning author of books for kids, including The Christian Girl's Guide to Style (Moms Choice Award) and Love, Lexi: Letters to God (Cascade Award). God's Promises for Me, a devotional in her tween girls series, was a finalist for the ECPA Christian Book Awards. Sherry has also written books in The Adventure Bible and The Beginner's Bible lines for Zonderkidz, and contributed the Factoids feature for Tyndale's Go Bible. She also has novels and novellas for women to her credit.
When Sherry isn't writing, she enjoys taking walks along the beach with her husband, Douglas, spending time with her family and friends, and decorating her beach home. Sherry has four adult children and lives in California.
Lainey La Shay
Adjunct Faculty
Lainey La Shay is a writer who shines light on the deep issues of life and relationships. While she can't show you her face or tell you her real name, she can be a champion for readers who are facing insurmountable odds and bring them hope.
Living in the Pacific Northwest, Lainey is a lover of God's creation and enjoys spending time outdoors. She adores a good cup of tea and a good adventure. Lainey is an avid hiker, especially where active volcanoes are involved.
Lainey is the author of the devotional journal More Than a Survivor and writes for Focus on the Family. She is a member of ACFW, Inspire Christian Writers, Pikes Peak Writers, Cascade Christian Writers, and Women's Fiction Writers of America.
Julie Lavender
Adjunct Faculty
Julie Lavender is an award-winning author and international speaker. Her most recent book, A Gingerbread House, published by End Game Press released in October. Other recent releases include Children's Bible Stories for Bedtime and 365 Ways to Love Your Child, published by Penguin Random House and Revell, and several children's educational books for school libraries.
She enjoyed being a guest on Focus on the Family Broadcast to talk about her books. By the end of 2025, Julie will have thirty-five published books on her resume. Julie also loves writing short-form pieces for magazines and newspapers. She's written a newspaper family column for almost twenty years. After winning the Guideposts Writing Contest in 2014, Julie's enjoyed writing for a number of Guideposts publications.
Chantel Mathson
Adjunct Faculty
Chantel Mathson, CEO of Inspirational Incorporated and founder of Tea with Chantel Trainings, is a leading expert in branding and marketing with a master's in human behavior training and development. As a sought-after speaker, bestselling author, and college professor, she has inspired audiences across the U.S. and Canada with her dynamic programs in leadership, marketing, and personal growth. Chantel's Christian faith is central to her mission, empowering others to live with purpose and fulfill their God-given potential.
A proud military spouse, she understands the power of community, believing it often begins with a simple cup of tea and grows into lasting connections. Chantel lives in California with her husband, three children, and two dogs.
Stephanie Miller
Adjunct Faculty
Stephanie Miller is an accomplished author, speaker, and certified Spiritual Growth and Writing Coach with a passion for empowering women to embrace their creative potential. She conducts live workshops, speaks at virtual events, and has been a featured guest on over 50 podcasts. As the founder of Butterfly Beginnings Coaching LLC, Stephanie has guided numerous aspiring writers in overcoming their fears, honing their craft, and deepening their faith. Her book, The Butterfly Blueprint: How to Renew Your Mind and Grow Your Faith, and her contributions to various anthologies highlight her passion for fostering growth and transformation in others. Stephanie lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and three young children.
Chris Morris
Adjunct Faculty
Chris Morris is a certified mental health coach dedicated to promoting understanding of mental health issues within the church. Because of a lifelong struggle with depression and suicidality, Chris became committed to breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and encouraging others to seek after holistic health.
As a writer and speaker, Chris has shared his personal story and insights with audiences across the country, inspiring many individuals to take control of their own health, break free from poor theological teaching placed upon them, and seek the support they need. He has published several books on mental health.
Jill Osborne
Adjunct Faculty
Jill Osborne loves Jesus and kids. She's written thirteen books for middle graders, including The Good News Shoes series and The Belt of Truth series. Jill's 30+ year career working with kids includes serving as a children's and preteen ministry director, where some of her favorite activities involved camping in the wild outdoors, wearing camo, and tromping through creeks chasing kids with Frisbees. Her writing encourages the next generation to set its hope anew on God.
Jill lives with her husband in California's Central Valley—a short drive from her favorite place in the world—Yosemite National Park. A hike to the top of Half Dome in 2003 inspired her first book, Riley Mae and the Rock Shocker Trek.
Mary Pero
Adjunct Faculty
Mary Pero is a certified ghostwriter and book coach helping authors create marketable, literary properties—BOOKS THAT SELL! She's ghostwritten Memoir, Christian Living, Self-Help, Autobiography, and more for both self- and traditionally published authors. Clients love her Analysis & Recommendations (her secret weapon), which offers an in-depth breakdown of your book: what's working, what's not, and how to fix it!
When she's not reading or writing, you'll probably find her cooking or designing a new project for her husband in their never-ending-restoration project, a 1929 English Revival in Southern California.
Hannah Prewett
Adjunct Faculty
Hannah is a wife and mom of three who has been drawing and telling stories all of her life. She loves creating tales of truth and light with a bit of whimsy. Hannah is currently working as a freelance artist and illustrator and pursuing publication as an author/illustrator of children's books. Her short story, Let it Shine, was published in Clubhouse Jr. magazine in 2024, and she has several illustration projects in progress.
When she's not drawing, spending time with her family, or thrifting 80s toys for her collection, she can be found walking in her favorite neighborhood park and dreaming up her next story idea. That, or searching closets for Narnia. Hannah has attended conferences at Mount Hermon through the years and is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach this year.
Stephanie Rousselle
Adjunct Faculty
A recognized leader in Christian podcasting, Stephanie Rousselle is the founder and director of Gospel Spice Ministries, including the eponymous top 1% podcast in all-categories globally, reaching many 1000's in 170 countries. This globe-trotting, 100% French native is a public speaker, writer, Bible teacher, coach, mentor, prayer warrior, former women's ministry director and strategy consultant.
This dark-chocolate-fueled, not-so-tech-savvy podcaster loves few things more than a good laugh, especially at herself. She and her Gospel Spice Ministries team aim to glorify God by awakening our generation to delight in God. She cannot wait to serve you!
Torrie Sorge
Adjunct Faculty
Have you ever had a character or story that you wanted to share but the complex diversity (gender, race/ethnicity, ability status, etc) caused you to hesitate or stop? You want to share your character's story but don't want to offend anyone. What do you do?
Learn strategies for developing well-rounded, diverse characters that reflect a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. The session will focus on avoiding stereotypes and cultural appropriation while emphasizing the importance of authentic representation. Through discussions, examples, and practical exercises, attendees will gain insights into who should tell specific stories, and how to respectfully portray characters from different walks of life ensuring that their work is inclusive, sensitive, and impactful.
Carrie Talbott
Adjunct Faculty
Raised at The Herm as a staff kid, Carrie’s heart beats for redwoods and witty writing. After 12 years in Baja, she and her family now live in SoCal. She wrote for magazines, wrote a children’s book, and is now writing an unconventional devotional. Next is a memoir about their complicated years in ministry.
She never planned on returning to the States, buying another tract house, or wearing bell-bottoms again, but here we are. Carrie is dedicated to Jesus and avocados, and blogs regularly with optimism, humor, and helpful tips. She believes normal is boring and clever is better.
Tiffany Vakilian
Adjunct Faculty
Tiffany Vakilian (pronounced VAH-kilyan) is a bestselling author, editor, and award-winning speaker committed to helping people use words to facilitate art. She has her master's (and additional certification) in Transformative Language Arts (TLA), and numerous career memberships. Tiffany pursues "hidden" stories, inspiring fans to share their own. This is how she became a bestseller with “The Cry: Poems of Mourning Sickness.” From there, she created Speak Fire Publishing, helping people transform from holding stories inside to boldly sharing polished, published, profitable books on the global stage. There is fire in her to do so. "I believe in the power of spoken, written, sung, and embodied word art. You're all in when you've seen a published story bring someone back from the dead."
Dorena Williamson
Adjunct Faculty
Dorena Williamson is the bestselling author of eight children’s books, including ColorFull, The Story of Juneteenth, and Crowned With Glory. She brings her passion for diversity to conferences, churches, and elementary through university-level students. Her writing has been featured in Christianity Today and Barna and she has joined the cast of the Slugs & Bugs show and the Wingfeather Saga.
In 1995 Dorena and her husband planted a multiracial church in Nashville where she serves as Pastor of Belonging. She has four adult children and relishes her newest title - “Gigi” to her first grandson.