Teacher Bios

Amy Deardon had a literary agent before she discovered self-publishing. Later she founded a company that helps authors self-publish, and now speaks regularly on story structure, writing habits, and ways to publish. Write to her at amy@ebooklistingservices.com.

***
Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009 then quit writing romance when her husband left her. Ten years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there's nothing else she'd rather write about. Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been optioned for film, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon bestsellers. She also writes non-fiction for SpiritLed Woman. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho, and she teaches as an expert online at WRITE THAT BOOK. Find out more at www.angelaruthstrong.com.

***
Barbara M. Britton was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, but currently lives in Southeast Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. Barb writes romantic adventures for teens and adults in the Christian fiction and Mainstream markets. She is published in Biblical fiction and enjoys bringing little known Bible characters to light in her stories. Barb’s debut novel, Providence: Hannah’s Journey, released in October of 2016 from Harbourlight Books and kicked off her Tribes of Israel series. 

In October of 2019, she will bring the daughters of Zelophehad to light with Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey. Look for Barb to venture into Christian Historical fiction in 2020 with Until June. Barb is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers of America and Wisconsin Romance Writers of America. Barb has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Find out more about Barb’s books at http://www.barbarambritton.com/books.html

***
Gregg Bridgeman has been a Gold ACFW member since 2012. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief at Olivia Kimbrell Press. He is husband to best-selling Christian author Hallee Bridgeman and parent to three. He continues to proudly serve in the US Armed Forces and has done so in either an active or reserve capacity for more than twenty years as an airborne and air assault qualified paratrooper, earning a Bronze Star for his service in combat. Most importantly, he was ordained in October of 2001 after surrendering his life to Christ decades earlier.

***
With over fifteen years in marketing and website/design experience, and drawing on her work with professional authors, Heather Duff has developed a very targeted email course with fiction writers in mind. She loves the creative process, helping others develop and bring their ideas to life.
Heather lives in Louisiana and has 9 years of experience serving on her church staff in the media department. A passionate Bible teacher, she recently started a weekly podcast called Simple Truth, Big Change. She also writes fiction. Find her online at heatherkduff.com

***
Heidi Chiavaroli writes women’s fiction, exploring places that whisper of historical secrets. Her debut novel, Freedom’s Ring was a Carol Award winner and a Christy award finalist, a Romantic Times Top Pick, and a Booklist Top Ten Romance Debut. Heidi makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons. Visit her online at heidichiavaroli.com

***

Joanna Davidson Politano writes Victorian-era novels of mystery and romance, including her debut Lady Jayne Disappears. She loves tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives and is eager to hear anyone’s story. She lives with her husband and their two babies in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan and you can find her at www.jdpstories.com

***

Leslie is a professional editor and proofreader. Her editing career began as a reviewer for RT Bookreviews Magazine, where she reviewed books of various genres for twelve years. She currently reviews for Publishers Weekly and publishers. Books have always been a significant part of her life. She has been professionally editing and proofreading manuscripts for authors and publishing houses since 2012. She is one of the editors at Spark Flash Fiction (an online magazine: https://sparkflashfiction.com/).  Leslie’s lifelong love of reading and learning, in addition to reviewing and teaching, led her into the publishing industry. Editing and reviewing are not merely jobs. They are her passions. Leslie is an avid reader with an eye for detail, making her a perfect match for this career.

Leslie is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and she has served as a judge for their First Impression, Carol Awards, and Genesis contests. She is also a member of The Christian PEN. Some of her devotionals were included in compilations published in 2017 by Ellie Claire: Just Breathe (https://amzn.to/2TOvKIf) and Refresh Your Soul (https://amzn.to/2JXgWHQ). Her flash fiction story, “A Knight to Remember,” was published in Splickety Magazine’s September 2018 issue (https://amzn.to/2OEDfRc), and “Love on the Scrambler” in Spark Flash Fiction (online) in the July 2019 issue (https://sparkflashfiction.com/love-on-the-scrambler/).

In her spare time, Leslie enjoys reading, playing piano, crocheting, spending time with family and friends (and her turtle!), and rooting for the NY Giants.

You can find out more about her editorial services on her website: (lmckeeediting.wix.com/lmckeeediting). You can also find her on her blog (lmckeeediting.blogspot.com), on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram (@lmckeeediting).

***
Amazon Best-Selling author Patrick E. Craig, is a lifelong writer and musician who left a successful music career to concentrate on writing and publishing fiction books. In 2011, Patrick signed a three-book deal with Harvest House Publishers to publish his Apple Creek Dreams series. His latest books, The Amish Heiress, The Amish Princess, and The Mennonite Queen, as well as the reprinted Apple Creek Dreams are self-published by Patrick’s imprint, P&J Publishing. In 2017, Harlequin Publishing purchased The Amish Heiress for their Walmart Amish series and will release it in April 2019. He also recently signed a contract with Elk Lake Publishers to produce his middle grade/YA  mystery series, The Adventures of Punkin and Boo. Patrick and his wife Judy live in Idaho. They have two daughters and five grandchildren. Patrick is represented by the Steve Laube Agency.

Where can readers find Patrick online?

Where can readers purchase my books?
***

Sarah Hamaker has been spinning stories since she was a child. She’s had two traditionally published nonfiction books (Hired@Home and Ending Sibling Rivalry), plus her stories have appeared in several Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Her first romantic suspense novel, Dangerous Christmas Memories, comes out in November 2019. She also won the 2015 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for romantic suspense. Sarah is a member of ACFW and the ACFW Virginia Chapter, as well as the president of Capital Christian Writers Fellowship. Sarah lives in Virginia with her husband, four children, and three cats. Connect with her at sarahhamakerfiction.com.


***

Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood, when she was accused of having a very active imagination and cited with talking entirely too much. Today, she has honed those childhood skills to become an award-winning and best-selling author and speaker who is also an advocate for literacy as an educational consultant with Usborne Books. In whatever she does, she strives to help others become their best from the inside out. She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, along with their two children and three dogs in Colorado. She has sold twenty (21) books so far and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. You can also find her on Facebook and GoodReads.

***

Teresa Lynn is a writer and editor with a background in journalism and education. She has written for a range of publications on a variety of topics, including book publishing, current events, historical topics, food, nature, and pop culture. She has authored two books, Little Lodges on the Prairie and Thanksgiving Joy, under her own name, as well as ghostwriting works for others.

In 2014, Teresa helped establish Tranquility Press, a hybrid publishing company near Austin, Texas. Today, she provides all types of writing, editorial, and publishing services. She is also administrator and board member of Story Circle Network, editor for Georgetown Friends of the Library, Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers Cen-Tex, and Distribution Editor for Story Circle Book Reviewers. 

She is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Former Texas Rangers Association, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association. Teresa speaks to groups nationwide on writing and publishing, Freemasonry, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and the Texas Rangers law enforcement agency.

In her free time, Teresa enjoys reading, traveling, and seeking out little-known history of interesting people and places. She lives in Georgetown, Texas with her husband, near their two grown daughters.
 

***
Next year will mark Terri Main's 50th anniversary of writing professionally. She sold a short poem to a church youth magazine for $2.00. In 1970, you could fill your gas tank for that. So, it wasn't small potatoes. Since then she has written just about every type of print, broadcast, and performance material including magazine articles, nonfiction books, novels, advertising, newspaper articles, radio drama, stage plays, video documentaries, and short fiction. She is also editing a new magazine Wayfarers Journal http://wordmastermedia.tech/wayfarers and is an UnCandidate for UnPresident http://theuncandidate.com (Just for fun). Terri is a retired college professor with sixty titles on Amazon and has published both traditionally and independently. She lives in Reedley, California with her three cats. "Yes, I'm holding down the stereotype," she says, "Old maid school teacher with cats." 

WordmasterMedia.Tech. Website design, Social Media consulting, promotion, content creation, ghostwriting, business writing. Special Offer Five-Page Website for $59.00 (20% Discount for ACFW or Catch Members) Email: terrimain@outlook.com for information. 

Blogs:
Serious Analysis of societal trends, social issues, and my Fake Run for President in 2020
Hints and tips for writers and self-publishers
Daily Devotions that Challenge as well as Encourage. It Ain't Chicken Soup, Honey.


4 comments:

  1. Thanks to all for contributing to the on-line conference so that those of us who cannot go to the main conference may still learn many applications of the craft. God bless you all.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The on-line conference couldn't have come at a better time. I became two years ago with cellulitis and now residing in a health care facility in Phoenix, AZ. The staff have been so supportive, but this is only due to the mercy and love of Jesus Christ who won't let give up and is making me a witness here. I am getting back to my book projects and am looking forward to getting much needed advise on how strengthen my characters, and keeping the transitions flowing. Look forward to feedback and getting acquainted with new people. God Bless You. Diana Dilcher

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us. I look forward to participating in the AT Home Conference!

    ReplyDelete