Keynote Speakers
Nyla Watson
Anchor Keynote Speaker
Nyla Watson gives all glory to God for the opportunity to serve as an actor, author, concert artist, voice teacher, and coach in New York City. A proud graduate of NYU (M.M. in Music Theater Voice) and Baldwin Wallace University’s Conservatory of Music, she has appeared on Broadway in Waitress with Sara Bareilles and on PBS in ShowBoat: Live at Lincoln Center with Norm Lewis, Vanessa Williams, and Fred Willard.
Her Off-Broadway credits include Black No More (written by and featuring Black Thought of The Roots) and Gigantic the Musical. National tours include Hadestown, Wicked, and The Color Purple. She was also featured in the Rodgers & Hammerstein Estate’s 75th Anniversary celebration of Oklahoma! at the 92Y.
Nyla is the founder of Queen Studios of Voice and Acting, which produces concerts, masterclasses, and training opportunities nationwide. She gratefully credits her faith, family, and mentors for her journey. Acts 4:7–12.
Robin Jones Gunn
See Bio Below
Robynne Miller
See Bio Below
Barb Roose
See Bio Below
We may add more faculty members over the coming weeks
Conference Director / Emcee
Robynne Elizabeth Miller
Conference Director
Robynne Elizabeth Miller holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction and Fiction and a B.A. in English Literature. She is the author of ten books and countless articles, including Finding Common Ground: One Octogenarian’s Quest to Help our Nation Heal and The Three Faces of Nellie.
Along with speaking nationally, Robynne teaches writing via online and in-person events such as writers' conferences, workshops, and retreats.
As well as being the Director of the Vision Christian Writers Conference at Mount Hermon, she is also a writing and publishing coach, editor, and mentor for both traditionally published and self-published authors. She's passionate about helping writers bring their stories and messages into the world. Robynne is agented with Books & Such.
Worship Leader
Dustin Pounders
Worship Leader
Dustin 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!
Dustin currently serves as Worship Pastor at Hope City Church in Meridian, MS. He is married and a father of four beautiful children and lives in western Alabama.
Major Morning Track Faculty
Keren Baltzer
Keren Baltzer is the Associate Publisher for Zondervan Books. She has focused her editorial career on promoting titles that not only tell a great story and elicit a transformational response but are also strikingly well written and have broad commercial appeal. In her 20+ years in the Christian market, Keren has published a range of nonfiction NYT bestselling authors. At Zondervan, she works with best-selling authors Rebekah Lyons (The Fight for Us), Nona Jones (The Power of Petty Prayers), Kristen Welch (The Little Big Life), Matt Smallbone (The Prayer Experiment) and many others. Keren holds an MA in French Studies from New York University and a BA in French and International Studies from Taylor University. She, her husband, and their three kids make their home in New York City.
Tricia Goyer
Professional Track
Tricia Goyer is a speaker, podcast host, and USA Today bestselling author of over 85 books. Tricia writes in numerous genes including fiction, parenting, marriage, and books for children and teens. She’s a wife, homeschooling mom of ten, and she love to mentor writers through WriteThatBook.Club. Tricia lives near Little Rock, AR.
Bob Hostetler
Nonfiction and Fiction Proposals
Bob Hostetler is an award-winning author, 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.
Linda Howard
Writing for Kids and Youth
Linda Howard joined the David C Cook team as executive publisher in 2025. She manages the ministry’s relationships with authors, agents and partners, and oversees all aspects of trade publishing.
With extensive experience across multiple book genres, Linda combines her publishing and leadership expertise to guide a team focused on acquisitions, editorial development and production for the ministry’s growing brands.
Prior to her role with David C Cook, Linda served as associate publisher at Tyndale House Publishers leading the acquisition and development of Christian children’s products and overseeing Tyndale’s Kids Division. Before her nearly 20 years with Tyndale, she was the assistant director for the Community School of the Arts at Wheaton College.
Laura Wheeler
Fiction
Laura Wheeler is the senior acquisitions editor of Thomas Nelson Fiction, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. With over fifteen years of experience in the publishing industry, she specializes in editing fiction across a wide range of genres—including romance, Southern fiction, women’s fiction, suspense, and historical fiction—helping authors bring compelling stories to readers. Laura lives in Louisville, KY, with her husband, two children, and one very good canine boy. Outside of work, she is happiest baking French pastries, playing nerdy board games, sharing laughs over a meal with friends, and (of course) getting lost in an excellent novel.
Specialty Faculty
Robin Jones Gunn
Robin Jones Gunn is the bestselling and award-winning author of over 100 books including the Christy Miller, Glenbrooke, Sisterchicks® and Suitcase Sisters series along with 8 nonfiction and gift books, plus 14 children’s books. Sales top 6.5 million copies. Four Hallmark Christmas movies were created from Robin's novels. Robin’s passion for speaking and teaching has taken her around the world. She served on the Board of MAI and currently co-hosts the Women Worth Knowing podcast.
Bill Myers
As a writer/producer Bill’s work has sold over 8 million books/videos and has won over 80 national and international awards including the C.S. Laws Honor Award. His favorite kid series is The Incredible Worlds of Wally McDoogle (2.2 million copies sold) and his favorite fiction for adults is the Rendezvous with God series.
Workshop Faculty
Lindsay Franklin
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).
Sean Gaffney
Sean Gaffney has authored thirty produced plays, three feature films, four commissioned television pilots, two published chapter books, as well as over two hundred produced videos, animation projects, YouTube series episodes and short films (including for Big Idea and SuperBook). He was the Story Administrator for Warner Bros. Features, editor of Drama Ministry Magazine, the Managing Director of Taproot Theatre (Seattle) and General Manager of Lamb’s Theatre Company (New York). Gaffney currently is a Professor in Media Communication and Screenwriting at Asbury University, as well as Associate Dean of the School of Communications. He received his BFA from Drake University, his MFA from Columbia University, and studied with Act One: Writing for Hollywood.
Mentoring Faculty
Linda Glaz
Linda S. Glaz is a wife, mother of three, and grandmother of six whose vibrant life has included serving as an Air Force meteorologist and teaching karate, self‑defense, and soccer.
A multi‑published author and writer herself, she founded the Linda S. Glaz Literary Agency in 2022 after thirteen years as an agent. She has worked with New York Times and bestselling authors, award‑winners, and debut writers, and nothing delights her more than calling an author with a contract offer. A lively conference speaker, she loves encouraging writers and sharing her passion for the craft.
Barb Roose
Barb Roose is a Christian speaker, Bible teacher, author, and literary agent who helps overwhelmed women stop carrying responsibilities God never asked them to carry so they can experience God’s peace, freedom, and purpose. She speaks nationally and internationally at conferences and retreats, including Aspire Women’s Events, ECPA Leadership Summit, and She Speaks Conference. Barb is the author of seven Bible studies, including Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus and five books, including Stronger Than Stress. She is a literary agent with Books & Such Literary Management. Barb hosts the Bold, Brave & Beautiful podcast and writes a weekly Happy Monday devotional. Barb is the proud mom of three adult kids. She lives in northwest Ohio and prefers to eat dessert first.
Non-Teaching Faculty
Teddi Deppner
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). Topics she never tires of: the myriad benefits of writing short stories, partnering with God in all things, toy photography, and the joy of tacos.
Rachel Kirsch
Rachel Kirsch is senior managing editor of trade, academic, and ministry books at Kregel Publications.
She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband and four kids. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to podcasts, doing puzzles, and staying active with her family.
Adjunct Faculty
Angie Baughman
Angie Baughman is a licensed pastor, Bible teacher, and creator of the Step By Step Bible study method. Through Steady On Ministries, she helps writers and ministry creatives slow down, study Scripture with care, and create from a place of connection with Jesus. Angie leads an ongoing online Bible study community, hosts the Understand Your Bible podcast, and mentors leaders seeking sustainable rhythms for life and ministry. Her teaching is shaped by her own experience of learning to rely on God’s Word in hard seasons.
Austin Boyd
From farm boy in West Virginia to Navy pilot, then to almost-astronaut, on to business entrepreneur and novelist, God always had a plan for Austin Boyd. What is God’s plan? That’s the question he asks every day as he seeks the Spirit’s guidance in the next steps. Book ideas abound, telling the story of Jesus through international thrillers, speculative fiction, and Christian sci-fi—each story designed to draw the seeker closer to the Creator. Austin is the founder of Synovix, a fast-growing defense contractor in Huntsville, AL with 400+ employees. With six published novels and more than 800 defense proposals to his credit, his approach—to accomplish the job left undone—has built a multi-million-dollar enterprise, benefited hundreds of clients, and thrilled thousands of readers.
S.E. Clancy
An adrenaline junkie, S.E. Clancy has skydived and worked as a 9-1-1 dispatcher prior to releasing stories in anthologies and publishing contemporary Biblical retellings including "True" and "Mercy." Her young adult novel "Victoria Grace the Jerkface" was a semi-finalist for the 2021 ACFW Carol Awards. A bit of a sci-fi nerd, geek, and self-proclaimed dork, there isn’t much she won’t try at least once … unless it involves mayonnaise, because that stuff is just gross.
Rachel Dodge
Rachel Dodge is the bestselling author of The Anne of Green Gables Devotional, The Little Women Devotional, The Secret Garden Devotional, and Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen. Her upcoming releases include two new devotional books with HarperCollins Christian Publishing and one with Kregel Publications. She also teaches writing classes, speaks at conferences and retreats, and writes for Jane Austen’s World blog. With a background in public relations and marketing, Rachel is always seeking fresh ways to help authors grow their reach and build their platform.
Stephanie (S.L.) Dooley
Bestselling and award-winning author SL Dooley crafts fantasy worlds where darkness lurks behind enchanting facades, weaving the paranormal and horrific into spellbinding landscapes where she explores the power of faith amid darkness highlighting the power of spiritual resilience. When not building haunted worlds, SL Dooley mentors emerging writers and speaks on the transformative power of dark fantasy as a vehicle for hope and redemption. She lives in Texas with her husband where she collects old books and new journals.
Chanté Griffin
Chanté Griffin is a journalist and speaker who is committed to the spiritual formation of readers and audiences. Chanté’s publication credits include The Washington Post, The Root, Christianity Today, Faithfully Magazine, AARP, Good Housekeeping, Vogue.com; and her writing has received support from the California Arts Council and the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism. Her debut book, Loving Your Black Neighbor As Yourself: A Guide to Closing the Space Between Us, received a NAACP Image Award Nomination for Outstanding Literary Work - Instructional. Chanté enjoys salsa dancing, reading no fewer than five books at a time, and coaching writers through 31 Exodus Arts Collective.
Rick Hamlin
Rick Hamlin is the author of numerous books on prayer, including Pray for Me, Ten Prayers You Can’t Live Without, Finding God on the A Train (a Book-of-the-Month Club alternate selection) and novels such as Reading Between the Lines and Mixed Blessings. A long-time editor at Guideposts magazine, he’s written several op-eds for the New York Times and the Washington Post. His wife the writer Carol Wallace wrote the book To Marry an English Lord, which became the inspiration for the series Downton Abbey. His most recent book is Everlasting Jesus: 40 Days of Divine Wisdom for Modern Living.
Liz House
Liz House is an author, speaker, and mother of five with a background in clinical social work and ministry. She writes from a deep desire for real, honest intimacy with Christ. Her clinical experience shapes how she sees people, offering insight into the wounds and questions beneath the surface of life and faith. She is the author of two books, with a third in progress, and creates resources rooted in Scripture and theological depth. Known for honesty and humor, she teaches and writes about following Jesus through clarity and struggle.
Shadia Hrichi
Shadia Hrichi is a passionate Bible teacher and multi-award-winning author whose greatest joy is hearing her readers say, “You make me want to read the Bible more.” Weaving together personal story, vivid illustration, and an unwavering trust in biblical authority, she brings Scripture to life in fresh and unexpected ways. Shadia holds two master's degrees — in biblical and theological studies and criminal justice — and her teaching is featured on Right Now Media. She is the author of several award-winning Bible studies, and often speaks at churches, retreats, conferences, and events. Residing in northern California, Shadia loves visiting the ocean for “a date with Jesus.”
David Hyde
David M. Hyde is a multi-optioned award-winning screenwriter including the Movieguide Kairos Prize for his 9/11 docudrama Hope From the Ashes currently in development. He was most recently the final edit writer for the movie No Address released in Spring 2025. David has written episodic, novel adaptations, original scripts as well as true-life drama and is the script consultant for Studio 2.22. He lives in Northern California, enjoying family, the outdoors and, of course, a really good story.
Tara Johnson
Tara Johnson is an author and speaker, and loves to write stories that help people break free from the lies they believe about themselves. Tara’s books have earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly, and she has been a finalist in the Carol and Christy awards. She is multi-published in both fiction and nonfiction, and is a certified body language expert. Tara is president of Story Spark Author Development Agency LLC.
Bitsy Kemper
Bitsy Kemper has appeared on CNN and CBS This Morning, as well as radio, newspapers, magazines, & podcasts across the nation. A former syndicated newspaper columnist, she is an award-winning author of 30 children's books including the 2025 Devotional of the Year Mommy & Me Micro-Moments: Nurturing Faith, Sharing Laughs and the 2026 Living Water winner Best Friends With Grandma. She’s also written for Guideposts, A Mother’s Heart, Arise Daily, and many, many technical magazine articles. A recovering 15-year corporate marketing/PR manager and accomplished speaker, she’s presented workshops from CA to NY.
Staci McLean
Staci McLean is a New Zealand Christian author, speaker, coach, and neurodiversity advocate passionate about sharing hope, healing, and freedom through faith in Jesus Christ. Drawing from her personal journey of overcoming addiction, mental health and life struggles Staci encourages others to discover God’s grace, purpose, and restoration through authentic, faith-filled storytelling and practical wisdom.
Curtis Miller
Curtis Miller (M.F.A.) is a playwright, kids author, and award-winning IP writer. As an in-house creative for PragerU Kids, he’s written many books, scripts, and animated episodes for a national audience. He’s also authoring a middle-grade reader based on the ‘Dot Conner: Webtective’ kids series. Live theater played a formative role in Curtis’s journey. His articles on drama have appeared in City Journal, Align, and The Federalist, while his plays have delighted audiences in Los Angeles, Sacramento, Idaho, and the U.K. His comedy ‘All Packed’ was recognized by the Kennedy Center and recently produced by Stage Right Theatrics in Columbus, Ohio. Curtis lives in SoCal with his wife, two young sons, and year-round sunshine. Having taught playwriting last year, he is thrilled to be back!
Tisha Mills
Tisha Martin Mills is a 16x award-winning editor, book coach, and national book contest judge since 2014. Founder of Tisha Martin Editorial and The Manuscript Kitchen, she serves authors, founders, and creatives through every stage of writing, editing, and self-publishing—with joy, precision, and a belief that stories heal, inspire, and challenge. With $2,000, a nearly empty apartment, and a writer’s conference, she began editing five months later. Twelve years on, she has spoken at universities and conferences across the country, and contributed to a major industry house style guide. Working with authors is a sacred partnership.
Christina Nelson
Christina Suzann Nelson is an award-winning author and inspirational speaker whose stories explore belonging, resilience, and the long shadows—and healing—of family and trauma. She is the author of multiple novels and the recipient of both the Christy Award and the Carol Award. Her work is deeply rooted in the belief that people can become who they were created to be, no matter where they started. She lives in Oregon, where she writes, speaks, and connects with readers who long for hope that feels honest and hard-won. Christina is the mother of six and a grandmother. She also writes as C. S. Nelson.
Jill Osborne
Jill Osborne loves Jesus and kids. She’s written fourteen books for middle graders, including The Good News Shoes series and The Belt of Truth series. Jill’s 35+ year career working with kids includes serving as a children’s and preteen ministry director, where she met many intriguing real-life characters who “may” have ended up in a story or two. Her writing encourages the next generation to set its hope anew on God. (Psalm 78:7)
Joshua Pack
Josh Pack is a pastor with the Free Methodist Church and adjunct professor of Christian Theology at Grand Canyon University. He holds an M.Div. and D.Min. from Asbury Theological Seminary and is currently completing a dual Th.M./Ph.D. in Theological Studies with Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where his research focuses on the preaching practices of the early Church.
Robin Patchen
Robin Patchen is a USA Today Bestselling author and speaker who writes Christian romantic suspense for women who crave adventure. Her 30+ books have won her a Lyra Award and Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award. Robin believes God uses danger and trials to prove His faithfulness and has built a writing career on putting her characters into situations where they are forced to lean on God’s promises…and each other. Robin reads, writes, and edits her heart out in the hill country of Texas with her critique partner, Purrcy the cat, and her emotional support husband, Eddie.
Mary Pero
Mary Pero is a certified ghostwriter, book coach, and self-proclaimed memoir lover who helps authors turn big ideas into marketable literary properties. From pitch-perfect proposals to full manuscripts, she works behind the scenes to craft stories that captivate and sell—and now brings those stories to life on the Women Worth Knowing podcast, as a co-host alongside Cheryl Brodersen and Robin Jones Gunn. In an earlier chapter, she lived in Poland and Ireland, led worship around the world, and opened her heart and home as a foster parent. These days, you can find her reading, writing, and dreaming up new projects for her husband in their historic English Revival home in Southern California.
Hannah Prewett
Hannah is an author and illustrator who has been telling stories all of her life. She loves creating tales of truth and light with a bit of whimsy. She is represented by Jen Babakhan of Books and Such Literary Management and is pursuing traditional publication as a children's book author/illustrator while working as a freelance artist and illustrator. Her short story, Let it Shine, was published in Clubhouse Jr. in 2024. She has illustrated three indie picture books, one middle grade novel, and has created art for various authors. When she's not drawing, spending time with her family, or thrifting 80s toys for her collection, she can be found walking at her favorite neighborhood park, dreaming up ideas for her next story. That, or searching closets for Narnia.
Nikki Rickman
Nikki Rickman is a Canadian writer who is passionate about understanding trauma and how it affects all aspects of life, on and off the page. She is currently working on an early chapter book that explores difficult childhood experiences, the courage to overcome them, and the impact a loving family can have. Becoming a follower of Jesus later in life, she understands the contrast of navigating those experiences with and without God. Nikki received Biblical Counseling Certification with ABC, and Level II trauma-informed training through the Christian Trauma Healing Network alongside formal study in English Literature. She believes an informed understanding of hardship and healing deepens meaningful storytelling.
Rhonda Robinson
Rhonda Robinson is the author of two award-winning books. Her new book releases in 2027. Rhonda brings 25+ years of publishing experience, with hundreds of articles published across print, digital, conservative, and Christian media. After four years as a content strategist and managing editor for Focus on the Family web content, Rhonda has returned to her first love: writing and speaking on the social, political, and cultural issues shaping the American family. A Colson Fellow, she brings a biblical worldview lens to the cultural issues facing today’s families. Her bylines include The Federalist, PJ Media, The Daily Citizen, CBN, and Focus on the Family.
Lori Roeleveld
Lori Stanley Roeleveld is a writer, coach, speaker, and disturber of hobbits, who specializes in coaxing comfy souls out of their cozy holes and into the terrifyingly beautiful Jesus adventure. She writes for Christians who love Jesus, distrust easy answers, and have at least once whispered, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief,” while staring into the refrigerator like it might contain theological clarity. Lori helps writers find their voice, finish their books, survive publishing, and stop treating their calling like a suspicious casserole at a church potluck. Lori believes God does His deepest work offstage, that mercy is not weakness, that writers over fifty are not finished but flammable, and that every hobbit-sized act of faith can become kingdom-sized trouble for the darkness.
Lyneta Smith
Lyneta Smith is a procurer of archaic, cool-sounding words, but as much as she loves them, she edits them out for clarity. She graduated summa cum laude from Oregon State University and earned her professional editing certificate from UC Berkeley. She provides coaching, developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading services. Her memoir, Curtain Call, won the Cascade Award and the Selah award. When she’s not editing or writing, you can find her playing with grandkids or her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Harli.
Blossom Turner
Blossom Turner is a multiple-time award-winning author who began her writing career later in life. An adventurer at heart, she enjoys skydiving, gardening, and singing for fun. Her work has appeared in anthologies, devotionals, and as a newspaper columnist. Today, she writes fiction with purpose—stories filled with faith, love, hope, and deep relationships. She is the author of the award-winning historical romance series The Shenandoah Brides and The Victory Series, a gripping trilogy that brings spiritual warfare vividly to life. She and her husband, David, live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada, with their Shepherd/Bernese dog, Lacey.
Tiffany Vakilian
Tiffany Vakilian—bestselling author, award-winning speaker, and founder of Speak Fire Publishing—empowers writers to transform stories into impactful, published works. She has her master’s (and additional certification) in Transformative Language Arts (TLA), and plentiful career memberships. Her dynamic teaching and editorial guidance inspire learners, clients and fans to confidently share their stories, achieve business goals, grow sales, and reach audiences worldwide.