Carolyne Aarsen, originally a city girl, was transplanted to the country when she married her husband, Richard. While raising four children, foster children, and various animals, Carolyne’s résumé gained some unique entries—growing a garden, sewing blue jeans, baking, pickling and preserving. She learned how to handle cows, drive tractors, snow machines, ride a horse, and train a colt. Somewhere in all this she learned to write. Her first book sold in 1997, and since then she has sold more than 20 additional titles. Her stories show a love of open spaces, the fellowship of her Christian community and the gift God has given us in Christ. Carolyne’s book, The Only Best Place (Warner Faith), won The Word Guild’s award in 2007 for the Romance Novel category.
Steve Barclift has been involved in the Christian publishing industry for two decades. He was the founding managing editor of Christian Parenting Today magazine before accepting a book-editing position with Questar Publishers in 1989. He was a senior editor with Questar/ Multnomah for several years. Steve has been managing editor at Kregel Publications since 1997. A children’s-book author, Steve received a Gold Medallion Award for The Beginner's Devotional in 1992. (A revised, updated edition, titled, Beginning with God, was released in 2004 by Kregel Kidzone.) Steve and his family live near Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Donald G. Bastian edits, produces, and distributes books through his company, Bastian Publishing Services Ltd. He is the publisher of Bastian Books, a Canadian list distributed by Publishers Group Canada, and BPS Books, an international list distributed by Ingram Book Group. Don was for 14 years the managing editor of Stoddart Publishing, where he edited the books of many best-selling and award-winning authors, including John Ralston Saul, William D. Gairdner, David Chilton, Marq de Villiers, and Carole Corbeil.
Ron Benrey, the author of the The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing Christian Fiction, is an experienced novelist who has coauthored, with his wife Janet, eight Christian romantic suspense novels (the Pippa Hunnechurch Mysteries for B&H, The Royal Tunbridge Wells Mysteries for Barbour, and the current Glory, North Carolina, Mysteries for Steeple Hill). He also wrote two Barbour romance novellas and has authored nine non-fiction books. Ron has taught dozens of courses and workshops at major Christian Writers’ Conferences, and has also been a mentor for the Christian Writers Guild. He has taught college-level courses in magazine and corporate writing at the University of Pittsburgh (as a member of the adjunct faculty). Ron and his wife Janet live in North Carolina.
Ken Bosveld, publisher of Beacon Magazine, has been active in the community publishing industry for more than 25 years. After leaving his family-owned paper (The Flamborough Review), Ken served as publisher of the Guelph Tribune and Cambridge Times, and then as managing editor of the Brabant Group of community newspapers in the Hamilton area.
He was president of the Ontario Community Newspapers Association (1992-93), and in 2000 was recognized as one of the 50 individuals who have made the greatest contribution to the community newspaper industry in Ontario in the past 50 years. Ken has also served as a Director of the of Grand Rapids (Michigan)-based CRC Publications, the publishing division of the Christian Reformed Church, with responsibility for church school, instructional, devotional and worship materials, as well as the denominational magazine The Banner. Ken is presently the owner/operator/publisher of Beacon Magazine, an interdenominational bi-monthly publication serving the Christian community in Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville.
Steve Burchell is CEO and part owner of Lyrix Music Group Inc. and the executive producer of Freedom Fest Canada. Lyrix Music Group Inc. intends to publish Lyrix Magazine, a music magazine concentrating on positive music and the positive side of the music business.
Since 1983, Steve has made significant contributions to the Canadian Christian music industry and ministry through his work with the GreenFest Music Festival, Lighthouse North concert house, concert promotion companies Rainbows End Productions, Xtreme Music and the MRC (Ministry Resource Centre). Steve has brought many major artists to Ontario including Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill, Steve Taylor, Stryper, Michael W. Smith, Sandy Patty and Amy Grant. Steve has promoted concerts for Canadian artists and has also contributed to Christian radio station operations CFWC in Brantford and CHJX in London, Ontario.
Belinda Burston is the Member Care team lead for The Word Guild. She writes the Canadian Authors monthly column for Maranatha News. Belinda’s daily devotional blog, Whatever He Says, won second place in the category of Religious Blogs in the 2007 Canadian Blog Awards.She has been published in The Village Magazine in the U.K. and Exceptional Possibilities, a magazine published by Christian Horizons the organization for which she has worked since 1984.
Keith Clemons is the author of four novels. His first three, If I Should Die, Above the Stars, and These Little Ones, have accumulated a total of five awards, including The Word Guild’s Christian Writing Awards Best Contemporary Novel in 2004, 2005 and 2007 respectively. His fourth novel, Angel in the Alley, was released in July 2007. In addition to writing, Keith is a popular speaker and frequently appears on radio and television where he expounds trends that affect the church and society at large. He resides with his wife at their home in Caledon, Ontario.
Annette Cooper has written, produced and directed dinner theatre, training manuals in secular as well as Christian settings, and self published books for children, gardening, and travel journals using her own poetry and photography. Annette is on the Canadian Board of Artists In Christian Testimony International (A.C.T. Intl).
Annette was born in Nigeria, and grew up in Liberia, West Africa on a radio station. She has served alongside her husband Warwick Cooper in more than 35 countries around the world and in the pastorate since 2003.
Annette served on staff as Global Outreach Associate at The Peoples Church, Toronto. She organized and hosted missions trips as well as co-coordinated the Global Outreach Conferences. She has coordinated and spoken at many conferences around the world on missions and the Christian life. Her heartbeat is ‘mission’ and she sees her workstation as the world.
Connie Brummel Crook decided to write historical fiction in order to bring to life Canada's heritage for students in the classroom, after teaching English in Ontario's public secondary schools for 30 years. She is qualified as a reading specialist for grades 1 to 12 by the Ontario Ministry of Education and the Secondary School Teachers’ Federation. Her nine historical novels and three picture books are used in public and private schools across Canada. Most have won secular and/or Christian awards. Her books dramatize Canadian heroines Laura Secord and Nellie McClung, as well as historical events such as the flight of United Empire Loyalists to Canada after the American Revolutionary War. Connie, who was widowed as a young mother and later remarried, has two daughters and five grandchildren.
Janice Dick is an award-winning Canadian author from the Saskatchewan prairies. She has written an historical fiction trilogy as well as inspirational and informative articles, short children’s stories, books reviews and devotionals. She is a member of His Imprint, Inscribe Christian Writers Fellowship, The Word Guild and American Christian Fiction Writers, and is an AC Bronze Toastmaster. Janice loves to share what she has learned about writing with those who are also on the journey.
Robert Du Broy is a director of Ottawa’s Christian radio station, CHRI-FM, which he helped found in 1997. In addition, having spent 10 years as the station’s general manager, he now serves as vice-president of strategic planning. He is currently seeking to establish a second Christian radio station in Ottawa, Word FM, which would focus on teaching and hymns programming to meet the needs of mature Christians. Bob’s experience includes management at the CBC (1987–96) and hosting the Christian music show, Song for You, at Carleton University radio, CKCU-FM, from 1987 to 1997. Bob helped change the CRTC's Religious Broadcasting Policy in 1993 to make Christian stations legal after a 60-year ban in Canada. He helped create a Christian Artist Juno Award and served three times as a judge for the Juno awards. Bob is available to assist prospective Canadian Christian broadcasters with start-up issues and regulatory matters. He has a particular call on his life to enable Catholics and Evangelicals to work together in Christian media.
Teresa Evenson is the founder and director of T.E.A.M. Services, an organization committed to media train authors and equip them to pitch their book/message to national media producers. She was a senior publicist and manager of media relations for more than 14 years in the publishing industry and was recognized as one of the most experienced and talented publicists. Her responsibilities included overseeing the entire publicity campaign of print, radio, and broadcast interviews. She has booked authors on thousands of Christian and general national programs, including Oprah, Regis & Kathy Lee, Fox & Friends, Politically Incorrect, O’Reilly Factor, The 700 Club, Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, Life Today w/James Robison, Truths that Transform, Moody Broadcasting, LeSea, Daystar, BET, ABC, INSP, TBN and landed one author on The David Letterman Show. She has worked on major campaigns for Stormie Omartian, Kay Arthur, John Ankerberg, Debby Boone, Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie, Bruce Wilkerson, Dr. Tim LaHaye, H. Norman Wright, Jack Hanna, and numerous others.
Margaret Gibb is president of Women Alive, a national Canadian organization that equips and encourages women in their personal, professional, and spiritual lives. She works closely with editor Karen Stiller in the development of Women Alive Magazine, Canada’s Christian magazine for women. Her editorial articles are featured in Maranatha News (“Canada’s Amazing Women” column), The Christian Herald, ChristianWeek and www.christianity.ca. She is a frequent speaker at churches, denominational conferences and women’s retreats. Margaret is a leader—with a mission! Called to motivate and encourage, her passion is to see women develop their gifts and talents in order to fulfill their God-given potential.

Ellen Graf-Martin has worked with R.G. Mitchell Marketing Group as Manager of Media & Consumer Relations since 2004. Previous to this she served four years with Authentic Books / OM Literature in Waynesboro, Georgia as their Marketing Manager. Ellen is passionate about seeing Canadian readers connect with life-changing books. Ellen and her husband Dan reside in Waterloo, Ontario and spend copious amounts of time pursuing the perfect cup of coffee.
Marjonneke Grech is an award-winning producer, writer and director. Her television series, specials and documentaries have aired internationally, making the Top 10 Christian Videos List and have been featured in the Montreal Film Festival. Marjonneke's passion is to help raise awareness and support and for the world's poor and underprivileged. She currently works for World Vision Canada.
Bonnie Grove is an innovative thinker, speaker and author. Passionate about people, she speaks and writes with clarity about empowerment, hope, strengths and the fullness of life found in Christ. Bonnie’s eclectic background includes being a bank teller, courier, café owner, student, program developer, counsellor, wife, mom, speaker and author. Her book Living Out of Your Strengths (working title) will be published in March 2009. She has developed a true “how-to” book that helps people discover and use their strengths to change their lives. Bonnie’s extraordinary journey to becoming a writer is touching, often hilarious and inspiring. In addition to non-fiction, she writes short stories (two appear in anthologies published in 2008) and novels. She lives, with her husband and two children, in Saskatoon, Sask.
Dr. David M. Haskell is Assistant Professor of Journalism at Wilfrid Laurier University, Brantford campus. His primary research involves Christianity and media. David began his career in journalism writing features for the Toronto Star and London Free Press. His first job in television was that of reporter-videographer for CFPL in London. He later moved to CHWI in Windsor where, in addition to his reporting duties, he served as the station’s entertainment columnist. He has received awards from TV Ontario and the Radio Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) for his news reporting. Before joining the faculty at Laurier-Brantford in 2005, David spent four years as a professor of Journalism at Conestoga College in Kitchener. He has also enjoyed careers as a high school teacher, professional musician and motivational speaker.

Mary Haskett has been writing seriously for several years. She has been published in The Upper Room and Beyond Ordinary Living, and is a contributing author in the book, EveryDay Grace, EveryDay Miracle. She is a regular contributor to her local Christian paper, Christian Life in London, and has other pieces being held for publication. Mary has written articles for her church bulletin and presented workshops in her church. In March she presented a workshop at Write! London and received positive feedback. Her book, Reverend Mother’s Daughter, published by Believe Books, Washington, DC, and launched just over six months ago, has taken her to a new plane with radio interviews and many speaking engagements. Mary is leader and founder of Ready Writers, London, a Christian writers' group that meets once a month in her home. She serves as assistant prayer team lead for The Word Guild and holds positions of leadership in her home church. She lives in London, Ontario, with her husband, Allan. They have six children, three daughters-in-law, two sons-in-law and five grandchildren.
Darren Hewer is an online editor with TruthMedia, the Internet division of Power to Change Ministries (formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ Canada). Darren recently earned his Master of Theological Studies degree from Tyndale University College & Seminary in Toronto and has been involved in Web development since 1996. He runs several of his own Web sites, which receive over 10,000 unique visitors per day combined. In his work with TruthMedia, he has written articles about Christian living and modern challenges to the Christian faith, such as The Da Vinci Code and The Secret, as well as dozens of Christian devotionals, and a free ebook called The Historical Reliability of the New Testament. He is currently the lead of TruthMedia's blog community initiative.
Rev. Ed Hird, the author of the award-winning book Battle for the Soul of Canada, is the Anglican Rector at St. Simon's Church North Vancouver, B.C. He is the National Chaplain and Past President for Alpha Canada and a past National Chair for Anglican Renewal Ministries of Canada. A prolific writer, Rev. Hird has written over 270 articles for mainstream newspapers on faith issues. As the communication director for two Anglican renewal movements, Rev. Hird has been interviewed about issues related to the Anglican church by most major Canadian media outlets including CBC, The Vancouver Sun, National Post, Globe and Mail, and CTV. He has also appeared on 100 Huntley Street, It's A New Day, The Miracle Channel, and On the Line.
Elaine Ingalls Hogg is an award-winning, best-selling author. She is the author of Historic Grand Manan (2007) and the editor of Christmas in the Maritimes (2006). She wrote the popular history, When Canada Joined Cape Breton (2005), and the children’s picture book, Remembering Honey (2000), winner of the Marianna Dempster Award. Other writing experience includes stories in more than a dozen anthologies, a documentary for CBC radio, articles for Christian and secular magazines and more than three hundred published devotionals. Her latest book, Meditations for the Journey—From Heaven and Earth (2008) is a collection of her newspaper columns published in The Kings County Record. Elaine and her husband live in Smiths Creek, New Brunswick.
Laurie Jennings is a seasoned editorial expert with 10 years of experience in the Canadian magazine industry. She is currently the managing editor of Wish magazine, published by St. Joseph Media, one of Canada’s leading publishing companies, where she is responsible for ensuring the magazine offers a fresh mix of smart editorial content for readers to enjoy. Laurie works closely with a team of 18 editors and a number of freelance contributors to produce the magazine’s content from concept to printed page. Previously she was an editor in the custom publishing division at Rogers Publishing, where she worked on several lifestyle projects and contributed to such magazines as Glow, Glow Health and Chatelaine. She also led the publications teams for a number of film festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival. She is currently the vice-president of the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors and sits on several industry committees.
William (Bill) Jensen has worked in book publishing for nearly 30 years. He has discovered, launched, and championed the publishing careers of numerous best-selling authors. He has acquired and worked with authors such as Stormie Omartian, Michelle McKinney Hammond, Kay Arthur, Greg Laurie, Tony Evans, Pat Robertson, Lisa Whelchel, Jill and Stuart Briscoe, Lisa Samson, Mark Buchanan, Erwin Lutzer, Dr. James Dobson, Shaunti Feldhahn, Joni Eareckson Tada, and a host of others. In October 2005 he opened the William K Jensen Literary Agency. Bill is representing 35 authors and is accepting proposals. Currently, he is representing authors such as D. James Kennedy, Mark Hitchcock, Allison Pittman, Christin Ditchfield, Lenya Heitzig, and Tammy Maltby.
Fazal Karim Jr. is the founder and publisher of The Christian Herald a monthly newspaper which is the largest of its kind in Canada, distributed free of charge across southern Ontario. Fazal currently serves as vice-president of the Gospel Music Association Canada and has served on the board of the Toronto March for Jesus. He also works closely with numerous Christian groups, including the Jesus in the City Parade, The Word Guild and MissionFest Toronto.
Lloyd Kelly, Vice President, CollinsCanada and Zondervan, has been at HarperCollins Canada for more than 24 years and is currently responsible for their non-fiction publishing program, acquiring new projects in the fields of home improvement, parenting, sports, inspiration, business, personal finance, and how-to. He is also responsible for their religious-market sales and marketing efforts of the Zondervan list.

Marcia Laycock's writing began in the attic of her parents’ home where she wrote poetry and short stories for her dolls. She says they never complained, so she kept it up. Since those humble beginnings, God has led and blessed her with publication in magazines, newspapers and on the web. Her work has been heard on CBC radio and has won many prizes, garnering praise from writers like Janette Oke, Mark Buchanan and Phil Callaway. She has self-published two devotional books, and in 2006 won the Best New Canadian Christian Author Award for her novel, One Smooth Stone. Marcia has been on the executive of Inscribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship for several years and has taught writing workshops for Inscribe and The Word Guild, as well as other organizations across the country. She is a sought-after speaker for women’s groups. Marcia leads a busy life as a pastor’s wife and mother of three girls in Blackfalds, Alberta.
Monica Leis, co-publisher and business manager of Maranatha News, co-founded the publication in 1996 to cover news about and celebrate the accomplishments of Canada’s diverse Christian community. With her strong management skills, and as the business manager, Leis is the implementer of concepts and uses her business savvy and attention to detail to make these concepts succeed. Maranatha News is a monthly publication distributed free of charge to evangelical churches, Christian bookstores and colleges, and stores across Canada (www.maranathanewspaper.com). Leis is also co-founder of Read For Life, a Canadian program that encourages young people to read.
N. J. Lindquist is a multi-award-winning Canadian author and columnist, as well as a popular motivational speaker and co-founder of The Word Guild. Her writing career began in 1991, when a short story she had written became a Judge's Choice in the Toronto Star's Short Story Contest, just as her first book was being release by Moody Press. N. J. is currently the author of two adult crime novels told from multiple viewpoints, and five coming-of-age novels for teens, told from the viewpoint of two 17/18-year-old boys. One of her most popular workshops is "The Power of Fiction to Change Lives." Originally from western Canada, N. J., her husband Les, and their four sons have lived in Markham, Ontario since 1986. Her newest book is Hot Apple Cider, which she co-edited.
Lloyd Mackey is an Ottawa-based journalist specializing in reporting and analysis on the faith/political interface. Lloyd has four books to his credit, the latest being Stephen Harper: The Case for Collaborative Governance (ECW Press, 2006). He has 40 years behind him in community and Christian newspapering, as a reporter, editor, publisher and columnist. He is a 2006 recipient of the Leslie K. Tarr award.
Andy Meisenheimer is an editor at Zondervan in Grand Rapids, MI, acquiring both fiction and non-fiction. He is in his fifth year at Zondervan, his ninth year of marriage, his second year of fatherhood, and, like most everybody else, the fourth season of LOST. You can find his name in the acknowledgements of books such as My Name Is Russell Fink and The Almost True Story of Ryan Fisher.
Kevin Miller's screenwriting career began five years ago when he boarded a plane for Moscow with director David L. Cunningham and set off to get some firsthand experience of the secret world beneath Moscow. Since then, his produced credits have included the supernatural thriller, After..., which was a result of that Moscow trip; the feature-length documentary, Expelled, starring Ben Stein; and the short film, Detox, which is about a vampire who is trying to kick the habit. He currently has numerous other feature film and television projects in development. Prior to working in film, Kevin wrote, co-wrote, and edited more than three dozen books. Originally from Foam Lake, Saskatchewan, Kevin now makes his home in Abbotsford, BC. He lives in a house on the edge of town with his wife Heidi and their four young children. When he's not writing, Kevin loves to get outside and take on any challenge nature has to offer.
Ross W. Muir has been a professional journalist/editor for the better part of 20 years. He began in 1987 as a proofreader for
The Manitoulin Expositor, a community newspaper in northern Ontario. For the next 12 years, he worked his way through the ranks, progressing from a reporter/photographer to news editor, a position he held for four years. In 1999, he left the business to pursue a Master of Theological Studies degree at Tyndale Seminary, graduating in 2002. After graduation, he did a number of contract editing jobs at community newspapers and a trade publication before becoming a public relations writer/photojournalist at World Vision Canada. Since 2005, Ross has been the managing editor of
Canadian Mennonite, the national publication of Mennonite Church Canada. He lives in Kitchener, Ontario, with his wife, Diane.
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