Conference Team
Marilyn K. Blair
Author, Speaker
kidspitpub.com
After spending 10 years in the business world, and 20 as an educator, Marilyn has left technical writing and the classroom behind to explore the world of fiction. Her primary work, The Eastport Series, is a collection of novels set in the real-life town of Eastport, Maine. Book 4, What are the Odds, was released this May. Marilyn is the recipient of the 2024 Write His Answer Conference Pacesetter Award. Since being introduced to Canva for the first time in 2018, she has created over 1,000 graphics.
Marilyn is a wife, mother, enthusiastic Philadelphia sports fan, devoted woman of faith, and admirer of all things Maine. A lifelong resident of Pennsylvania, she currently lives in the beautiful farm country of Lancaster County.
Breaking News: Marilyn is a finalist for the 2026 ACFW Carol Award for Contemporary Fiction! This is for the third novel in the series, Before I Go. Marilyn is part of the morning and evening critique group. We are so proud of her!
Donna DeLoretto Brennan
Conference Registrar, Author
DegunkingLife.com
Donna was a technical writer for over ten years before becoming a computer programmer. Since leaving the corporate world after her twins were born, she’s had short stories, interviews, and nonfiction articles published online and in print magazines. Her second book, a novel called A Different Kind of Something, is due out in August, and her novella, Many Kinds of Crazy, is due out in September.
She is a member of the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group (GLVWG) and has served in various capacities on the GLVWG board, including several terms as Conference Chair. Donna is always looking for opportunities to encourage others and to share what she’s learned.
Beatrice Bruno 
Speaker, Author, US Army Veteran
Drill Sergeant of Life
Beatrice is the author of 6 books, and counting—Christian Living, Motivational/ Inspirational, and Fiction. She is the ghostwriter of 11 books for various clients, has been a contributing author for several books, and is an editor and book reviewer as well.
In the current season, Beatrice has learned more than she desired to know on the topic of Widowhood. She is looking for her new normal . . . if there is such a thing . . . after losing her beloved husband. Discovering what grief is all about and what it entails, Beatrice lets her audiences know, “You don’t have to traverse the path alone.”
The founder and leader of Writer, Thou Art Loosed! Writers’ Conferences, Beatrice helps seasoned and potential writers, Write On for the Glory of God! She is also the leader of POWWOW—Prophetic, On-Watch Warriors of Worship and War—conducting conferences and daily prayer calls Monday through Friday to stand on the walls of our families, communities, and world.
The Drill Sergeant of Life’s mission is to empower you to be all you care to be on the Battlefield of Life.You can be a Commander in Life! Be Bold and Courageous! God’s Got You . . .You’ve Got This!
Keynote – “For Such a Time as This” (Friday, 9:40 am)
This season, God is elevating the gifts and talents He has placed within us, especially as writers, to address the challenges we currently face. The latest horrific event in Shreveport shows that the times are worsening. People are looking for a word. Many of them will not turn to the Bible, the Word of God. They come to us as writers, looking for a word that will hopefully make sense of everything we see happening. You, as writers, were created . . . for such a time as this! Take advantage of the gift and talent God has placed inside of you to write as never before. Time is short!
Damola Curtis
Writer & Blogger
substack.com/@damolacurtis
Damola Curtis is a lifelong church girl with 30+ years in ministry, including worship teams and children’s ministry. A former journalist, she now writes daily with a raw, honest voice that blends Scripture with personal reflection. She shares her work daily on Red Confessional and lives in the Greater Philadelphia area.
Workshop 4F– From Idea to Impact: Starting Your Substack Now (Friday, 5:15 – 6:05)
You don’t need a master plan, just a clear message and the willingness to start. In this session, you’ll get a simple, proven framework for launching your Substack newsletter and using it as a tool for ministry and message. Whether you're writing devotionals, reflections, or creative nonfiction, you'll walk away with a blueprint, three solid post ideas, and the clarity to stop overthinking and start writing. Come with a rough idea, you'll leave with a path forward.
Victoria Dorshorn
Author, Editor
victorythroughlight.com
Award-winning Screenwriter
Vicki is the author of Victory through Light: How to Overcome the Growing Cultural Darkness; Victory through Voice: How to Speak Truth When the Culture Demands Silence; and a short allegory, Called into Light. She has also published a novel and a collection of poetry under her maiden name. Vicki has won screenwriting awards and garnered official selections and nominations in many festivals, both international and local. She has worked on three short films that have won awards. She teaches composition at Southern Wesleyan University, edits scripts and books, and converts books to film. She has judged for ICVM and Write of Passage.
Workshop 5I – Writing to Victory (Saturday, 2:00 – 2:50)
We are in danger of losing our children and grandchildren to identity confusion. Families divide over sexual rebellion. And our nation is in grave danger over the misinformation, deception, excused crime, and destructive rioting which is rampant. Explore how your writing can influence your loved ones and others in this battle for a return to biblical principles in home and in society. Consider how your genre can bring victory to others as you write what God has called you to write.
Catherine Jacobs
Author, Illustrator
Speaker
Teaching Artist
catherine-jacobs.com
Catherine is a published author and children’s book illustrator and maker. She has illustrated one picture book written by another author and published by 40day Publishing.
Currently, as she is chasing two toddler grandsons in two different states, Catherine is working on her 32-page picture book and a couple pro-life educational products. See godslittleones.com.
Learning Lab – Canva for Authors (Wednesday, 3:45 – 6:00)
A basic intro to Canva – what it is, what it can do, and how it can help authors. How to work with images, text, color, fonts, shapes, backgrounds, layers, and multiple-page documents. How to find and create a folder for your files stored in Canva. How to create and schedule a social media post.
Ava Pennington
Author, Bible Teacher
Writing Coach, Freelance Editor
AvaPennington.com
Ava is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher with a Bible Studies Certificate from Moody Bible Institute and an MBA from St. John’s University. She is a freelance editor and certified coach for Christian writers and speakers, and a mentor with Word Weavers Int’l.
Ava’s newest book is Flourish: Grace-Centered Practices to Protect and Grow a Fruitful Life in Christ (Kregel). Other books include the devotional, Reflections on the Names of God (Revell), endorsed by Precepts founder Kay Arthur. Ava’s articles have appeared in Christian magazines and she has also contributed to 40 anthologies, including 31 Chicken Soup for the Soul books.
When she’s not writing, Ava teaches a weekly Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class of 200+ women, and is also an inspirational speaker for church groups, community organizations, and writers conferences. Learn more at AvaPennington.com.
Keynote – Flourish By Sharing the Fruit of Your Writing (Wednesday, 7:00 pm)
Identify the characteristics of a fruitful writing life and how to share this fruit with your readers. When your writing flourishes, so do they!
Marti Pieper
Author, Collaborative Writer
Editor, WHAC Team
martipieper.com
Marti Pieper holds a B.S. in Dental Hygiene/Education from The Ohio State University and an M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has a long career in collaborative writing, book editing, and conference teaching. Marti has also written and edited for both print and digital publications and currently serves as editorial director for the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida. Her most recent book project is Heroic Faith from Voice of the Martyrs. Marti was married to Tom, a pastor, professional musician, and worship pastor, for 41 years before God delivered him from young-onset dementia by taking him to heaven in August 2024. She continues to write and speak about their dementia journey.
Workshop 3F – The Genuine Article: From Idea to Acceptance (Friday, 2:00 – 2:50)
In her years of experience as both writer and editor of thousands of nonfiction articles and cover stories, Marti has learned how to take an idea, concept, or assignment and turn it into an article that not only sells but leaves a lasting impact. This workshop includes tips on brainstorming, identifying your target audience, focusing your idea, self-editing, and more. Learn to make editors smile and leave your audience asking for more.
J. Chris Richards
Author, Editor
Writing Coach
jchrisrichards.com
Chris is an author, editor, and writing coach. She recently released Jesus Gets Hand-Me-Downs, a chapter book of stories the children of Bethlehem tell to the Baby Jesus. Designed for parents and young children to read together, the book includes discussion questions and a companion coloring book. Two more books are planned in this series.
She is somewhat addicted to writers’ groups of which she is currently a member of two, American Christian Fiction Writers and Writers on the Rock. In the past, she has worked for two publishing houses, been a member of multiple writers’ groups, and taught/directed writing conferences for teenage writers.
While still trying to figure out exactly what part of the writing world she wants to live in, she is working on the sequel to her suspense novel, Shattered Trust; is creating journals; and is helping new authors learn the writers’ life. Her biggest challenge is finding time to write between spending time with her husband, three daughters, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, while exploring as much of the world as she can, taking pictures, and doing needlework.
Roy Richards
Virtual Studio Team
Tabatha Scheffler
Tech Team Captain
Joy A. Schneider
Award-Winning Author
wateroflifeunlimited.com
Prayer Room
Joy is an award-winning author of five books. She is passionate about equipping and encouraging people to stand strong in the spiritual battles they face in life. Identifying the Hierarchy of Satan: A Handbook for Wrestling to Win! is a powerful reference book for the Body of Christ and Joy’s flagship work. Released in December 2023 was Shame Free: How to Remove the Cloak of Shame, the second book in “Battle Over the Anointing” Series. How to Keep Grief from Stealing Your Destiny is the first book of this series.
Joy is a board member of AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) and a member of CIPA (Christian Indie Publishers Association). She lives in Fort Collins, Colorado. She enjoys time with her daughters and their families, including eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Laura Shaffer
Blogger, Daily Bible Prayer
Author, 40 Day Prayer Guides
Speaker
Conference Prayer Coordinator
Laura writes and speaks to equip others to pray more intentionally and consistently to empower their prayer lives and deepen their relationship with God. Her biweekly devotional blog encourages you to listen for how God may be speaking to you through prayer, His Word, His creation, and your circumstances.
Workshop 6A – TIME - Got a Minute? (Saturday, 3:45 – 4:35)
I’m trying to number my days, but I keep losing count! How about you? Don’t fall for satan’s lies that you have plenty of time, or that you work better under pressure, or that busy-ness is close to godliness. Let’s ask and listen to the Lord, not the world, for our priorities.
Evening Prayer Fellowship – Join Laura Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evening.
Note from Marlene: The depth and wisdom of the prayers Laura shares daily bless me and will bless you.
Patti Shene
Shedding Light Through Story
Patti is the former host of Step Into the Light, an interview style podcast where guests shared their darkness to light stories or spoke about their ministries and other creative endeavors. This year, she has turned her attention to full-time writing and the contract she has just received for three Western historical romance novels. She is the author of Cathy’s Christmas Confession, a sweet widow/widower holiday romance novella. Patti hosts pre-published and published authors on her two blogs, Patti’s Porch and The Over 50 Writer on her website at pattishene.com.