Mentoring Sessions with Our Experts
Have you ever wished you could sit down with an expert—a mentor—for a half hour? Someone who has taken the time to look over your work carefully and who is willing to go over things like your hopes … your next career moves … what works and what doesn't within your work?
Now you can. FCWC offers you a list of mentors to choose from—one (or more) perfect for you and your genre(s).
Look over the list below. Once you choose your ideal mentor(s), email Jean Wilund at [email protected]. Jean will connect you with your mentor(s)
Mentoring sessions cost an additional $45 paid directly to the expert/mentor. Before the conference begins, we will set aside a half-hour for you with your mentor(s). Thursday afternoon (during the sign-up session, 4:00 – 5:00) go directly to the sheets of your mentor(s) to find out when your appointment is so that you do not double-book your time with them and with your free 15-minute appointments.
Adams, Michelle Medlock (Wren and Bear Books)
Genre: Children’s board books and picture books (both fiction and nonfiction), Magazine queries and articles
Available Appointments: FULL – NO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE
Michelle Medlock Adams is a New York Times bestselling ghostwriter and the author of over 100 multiple-award-winning books. This year, her book (coauthored with Eva Marie Everson) “Our God is Bigger Than That!” won the coveted ECPA Children’s Book of the Year. Over the course of her career, she has written more than 1500 articles for print and online magazines as well as acted as a newspaper reporter, and she has written dozens of nonfiction books for women and many children’s board books and picture books. In her free time, she helps writers realize their dreams of publishing as well as strategizes best practices for gaining publicity for past and current projects. In addition, her children’s book imprint—Wren & Bear Books (a division of End Game Press)—debuted this year with its first three books: “I Made the Earth” by Shannon Cook, “Love Connects Us All” by Michelle Medlock Adams, and “Martian Food” by Cindy Lescarbeau. To learn more, go to www.michellemedlockadams.com.
Andrews, Mesu
Genre: Biblical Fiction; biblical/historical research; brainstorming biblical fiction topics—what’s truth, fact, and fiction (I’ll review a one-page story synopsis that includes the ending or up to three research questions)
Available Appointments: 5
Mesu Andrews is a Christy Award-winning, best-selling author of biblical novels and devotional studies whose deep understanding of and love for God’s Word brings the Bible alive for readers. Her heritage as a "spiritual mutt" has given her a deep yearning to both understand and communicate biblical truths in powerful stories that touch the heart, challenge the mind, and transform lives. Mesu lives in North Carolina with her husband Roy, where she stays connected with her readers through newsie emails, blog posts, and the social media we all love to hate. For more information, visit MesuAndrews.com.
Cartee, James
Genre: Public Speaking and Coaching, Career Inspirational Speaking, Storytelling, Blogging, Devotions, Nonfiction, and Platform Brainstorming
Available Appointments: 5
James L. Cartee, III often works in the nonprofit sector, teaches multiple university classes in Communication, and once owned Cartee Communications, a small creative business. He traditionally published three poetry and photography books and a memoir. All His Gifts, James’s most recent fourth poetry book, was released in 2022. James has taught collegiate-level Public Speaking courses for over fifteen years and has professionally spoken at several conferences, churches, and business events, including Christian inspirational messages.
James actively writes guest blog entries, magazine articles, travel journals, and academic literature. James’s research has now been featured in five academic journals across the United States. In addition to his master’s degree, James is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Communication at The University of Tennessee. As a young father, James maintains a strong following of readers with an inspirational blog about his family and everyday spiritual topics at www.daddydestinations.com.
This combination of real-life experience and academic viewpoints provides a unique outlet to analyze inspirational speaking as a potential occupation with honorariums. I seek to coach writers in public speaking strategies, speech writing, presentation composition, professional blogging, visual communication, and nonfiction narratives.
Cambron, Kristy (Gardner Literary)
Genre: New Author Coaching, Branding, and Proposal/Query Review (fiction and nonfiction)
Available Appointments: FULL – NO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE
Kristy Cambron is a bestselling and Christy Award-winning author with a diverse background in published works for HarperCollins Christian Publishing, including historical fiction, Bible studies, Bibles, a Bible study journal, and a gift book anthology for Dayspring. She's also served as a Women's Ministry Leader for one of the nation's largest churches, and is an experienced keynote speaker at national conferences and ministry events.
As a literary agent with Gardner Literary, Kristy represents authors in both fiction and nonfiction genres, and uses her background of fifteen years in leadership development for a Fortune 100 corporation and undergraduate studies in art and design to coach authors who want a kick-start to take their career to the next level. Whether you want to work on author branding, polish a winning proposal, or brainstorm your next project, I'll want to review your one-sheet, proposal/query, and/or your first two chapters in advance so we get the most out of our time together.
You can connect with Kristy at: kristycambron.com, and on social media, at @kristycambron on Instagram and BookBub, and at @kcambronauthor on Facebook and Twitter.
Clapp, Andy (C.Y.L.E. Agency)
Genre: devotional, Christian Living
Available Appointments: 3
Andy Clapp is an award-winning author who wit three devotional books released in 2022, one which earned the Selah Book of the Year (nonfiction). His debut novel, Midnight, Christmas Eve, released in 2021. 2023 will see two devotional books set to release. He is also an award-winning screenwriter. He is a literary agent with C.Y.L.E. and is happy to look at any type of devotional books, or Christian Living books, to give insight and feedback on the project.
Cowell, Cheri (EA Books)
Genre: Non-fiction and fiction, including devotional and poetry; Children’s books but no board books; and ministry or project-type books.
Available Appointments: 3
We work with authors to develop ideas into publishable books. I love to encourage, equip, and sharpen their books and ideas so their message shines.
Daniel, Blythe (The Blythe Daniel Agency)
Genre: Marketing, Platform Building, Manuscript, First 10 pages of a book proposal or chapter. No memoir, poetry, or short stories
Available Appointments: 5 (NOTE: Deadline for submission to Blythe is September 1st.)
Blythe Daniel has written a chapter book and a devotional book with her mother; a tween devotional with her teen daughter, and a devotional book with her mother and son. She works on marketing campaigns and also leads workshops on platform building. She’ll give feedback and direction on your writing and/or idea. Visit Blythe at theblythedanielagency.comand ourmendedhearts.com.
Areas/topics of mentoring for proposals/sample chapters:
Adult:
Non-Fiction:
Christian Living, Spiritual Growth, Current Events, Business/Leadership, Church Leadership, Social Issues, Military, Women's Issues, Men's Issues, Devotionals, Specialty (lifestyle, home, wellness, sustainable living, inspirational prayers, comfort and encouragement, family, friendships, travel/outdoors, food/recipes from those who specialize in these areas) and topical Bible studies.
Fiction: Contemporary Women’s, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Historical, and Military.
Children’s:
Fiction and Non-Fiction: Picture Books, Chapter Books, Middle Grade
DeArmond, Deb (Lifeway Group and Elk Lake)
Genre: Non-fiction, Mentoring, Author Coaching
Available Appointments: 4
Deb DeArmond is known for her humor and ability to connect with writers to help you “finish what you started.” A multiple-award winner, Deb’s focus is non-fiction. She’s also a certified writing coach. New writers routinely ask, “How do I start?” Whether you’re new to the craft or struggling to reach the next level, Deb will help you clarify your message, identify your key audience, help polish your writing, and create a writing discipline—whether you’re started or stuck.
Author of six books, Deb is a multi-award winner with two Selah and two Golden Scroll. Her most recent release – a compilation – The Write Calling: Encouragement for the Writer’s Heart is dedicated to helping writers stay the course and finish strong. Deb is in her tenth year as a monthly columnist and frequent feature writer for Lifeway’s Mature Living magazine. She has been featured on Focus on the Family broadcast several times and was awarded their most watched interview in 2020.
DeVries, Catherine (Kregel)
Genre: Children’s, Nonfiction
Available Appointments: FULL – NO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE
Catherine DeVries (Kregel Publications) has over 30 years of experience in Christian publishing and a proven track record of crafting best-selling Bibles, books, and ministry resources for all ages. She began her career with Zondervan/HarperChristian, where she stayed for 17 years and helped launch the NIrV translation and Zonderkidz and acquired The Jesus Storybook Bible. As brand manager at United Methodist Publishing House, DeVries launched the Common English Bible translation. Then as Publisher for David C Cook, Catherine was responsible for Sunday school curriculum lines, trade books, ministry resources, and the Action Bible children’s line of products. Catherine has been with Kregel since 2018 and leads the English publishing division, including acquisitions and publishing planning in all formats and genres—fiction, non-fiction, children’s, academic and ministry. She is also the author of 25 children’s books.
Florea, Jesse (Focus on the Family)
Genre: Children’s literature of all ages and genre, including short fiction, picture books, poetry, devotions
Available Appointments: FULL – NO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE
For more than 30 years, Jesse has been the editor of Focus on the Family Clubhouse magazine, and currently oversees Clubhouse Jr. magazine as well. He co-hosts the Official Adventures in Odyssey podcast and the Official Average Boy podcast, two of the top-ranked podcasts for kids and families. Jesse has authored more than 5,000 devotions and written or co-written more than 40 books, including Defend Your Faith children’s apologetics Bible, The Case for Christ for Young Readers, The Case for Grace for Kids, and three books with comedian Bob Smiley—Devotions for Super Average Kids, books 1 and 2 and Average Boy’s Above Average Year. If you write for children, Jesse would love to schedule a mentor appointment with you.
Glaz, Linda S. (Linda S. Glaz Literary Agency)
Genre: Nonfiction, fiction: romance, suspense, historic (please no children's/spec of any type)
Available Appointments: 3
Linda Glaz is an author and owner of Linda S. Glaz Literary Agency. She teaches nationally 10-12 times a year where she also looks for that next GREAT novel just waiting to be contracted. Linda can't wait to look at up to 15 DOUBLE-SPACED pages of your work that she can hopefully help you take to the next level. She's very big on you catching her attention on page one (and keeping it), whether fiction or nonfiction.You'll find more about what she's looking for at lindasglaz.com
Hatcher, Lori
Genre: Devotional writing, Non-fiction book proposals, Blogs, Christian living articles or book ideas, Speaking presentations
Available Appointments: 10
Lori Hatcher has worked in Christian non-fiction writing since she wrote her first article for her high school newspaper. She’s spent a decade as editor-in-chief of a regional Christian magazine and interviewed Christian celebrities such as Tim Hawkins, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Anne Graham Lots. She currently serves as a member of the Our Daily Bread Publishing editing team. She’s written seven devotionals for Our Daily Bread Publishing; contributed to a dozen compilations, including six Guideposts projects; and taught speaking and non-fiction writing at conferences throughout the Southeast. She blogs for Revive Our Hearts and is an award-winning Toastmaster (ACG, ALB). Lori’s motto is “Encouraging and Equipping."
She’ll meet with ten conferees who’d like non-nonsense advice, kind feedback, and practical suggestions for taking the next step in your writing life. To learn more about Lori, visit her website at LoriHatcher.com.
Hutchinson-Hayes, Dr. Katherine
Genre: Fiction, Podcasting, Nonfiction
Available Appointments: 5
Author, speaker, educational consultant, and editor–Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Ed. D., has had her hand in leadership for many years. She loves speaking to groups, delivering messages with quick wit and real-life stories. Katherine is a freelance writer/content editor, a content editor/writing coach for Iron Stream Media and a sensitivity reader for Sensitivity Between the Lines. She is a review board member and contributor to Inkspirations (an online magazine for Christian writers) and her writing has been published in Guideposts. Her work in art/writing is distinguished by awards including the New York Mayor’s Contribution to the Arts, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona, and the Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference (2016, 2019, 2021). Katherine is the host of the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She has authored a Christian Bible study for women and is currently working on the sequel and prequel to her first general market thriller novel, A Fifth of the Story. Learn more about Katherine at drkatherinehayes.com.
Kauffman, Katy (Lighthouse Bible Studies)
Topics Available for Mentoring: Bible Studies, Devotions, Christian Living, Canva, Mailchimp, WordPress, Blogging, Editing, Marketing, Publishing Process, Critiquing
Available Appointments: 3
Katy Kauffman has won awards in each of the Bible-based genres mentioned above, and she loves working with writers to publish compilations and magazine issues. She co-runs Lighthouse Bible Studies and co-leads the Enrich Conference for Bible study writers, speakers, and teachers. As faculty for several writers’ conferences, she loves talking to writers. She contributes to The Write Conversation, the Blue Ridge conference blog, and The Write Editing.
With fifteen years of writing experience and ten years of publishing experience, Katy is available to brainstorm ideas for a book, an article, or a marketing plan. If an article or the beginning of a book (1500 words max) is emailed to her by September 12, she can provide a critique. Otherwise, she can give on-the-spot feedback on the first two pages of an article, a book, or a book proposal. Check out all-year opportunities for writers at https://lighthousebiblestudies.com/for-writers/.
Lavender, Julie
Genre: Newspapers, magazines, and book proposals
Available Appointments: 5
Julie Lavender is an award-winning author and journalist who loves encouraging others along their writing journey. As a journalist, she's written over 1000 newspaper and magazine articles, including several Guideposts publication credits after winning the Guideposts Writing Contests in 2014. Julie wrote children's curriculum for Group Publishing Incorporated for a number of years, and her work appears in a several anthologies, too. Julie's most recent book, Children's Bible Stories for Bedtime, published by a Penguin Random House imprint, won a first place Selah in Children's Literature and Children's Book of the Year at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and is an Amazon Bestseller in a rather odd category! (Ask her - she'd love to ponder the category with you!) Preceding that title, Julie wrote 365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories, published by Revell. She's still celebrating the blessing of talking about that book on a Focus on the Family Broadcast interview that aired back in January. Her next book, a mom's devotional, releases in the fall from the same Penguin Random House imprint as her children's Bible story book.
After writing for almost three decades, Julie knows the challenges of persevering in the writing industry and loves sharing what she's learned from others during her own writing journey. She'd love to help you break into or further your writing career with newspaper and magazine writing. And she'd love to help you navigate the ins and outs of writing a book proposal. To learn more, go to www.julielavenderwrites.com.
Lowe, Zena Dell
Genre: Types of Stories: Screenplays & Fiction (any genre, but especially fantasy and action).
Strengths: Story structure, character development, worldview, world building, and mythology. Basically, I’m good at identifying plot holes, character issues, and helping people break down their overall story
Available Appointments: FULL – NO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE
Zena Dell Lowe is a Hollywood screenwriter, producer, actress, and story consultant. Her podcast, The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe (available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@thestorytellersmission8256), has become a popular show among Christian artists all over the world. Zena loves story and storytellers, and offers coaching, critiques, and comprehensive online courses for writers through The Storyteller’s Mission Online Platform, https://www.thestorytellersmission.com/
What to submit: For completed screenplays, submit a 1-2 page synopsis plus the first ten pages of your script. For completed manuscripts, submit a 5-10 page synopsis plus the first two pages of your manuscript. You may also submit a new or unwritten story idea that you’d like to brainstorm.
Melson, Edie
Genre: Soul Care, Social Media, Blogging, Nonfiction, Devotional, Freelance and Speculative Fiction
Available Appointments: FULL – NO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE
As an award-winning author and industry professional for over 20 years, Edie Melson has the proven expertise to help writers navigate the multi-discipline world of publishing and ministry. The first part of her career was spent as a freelance writer, often publishing over 700 articles a year. She's been a professional blogger, copywriter, ghost writer, speaker, novelist and nonfiction author. Her reputation as an online expert is well-deserved. Her blog reaches thousands and has been consistently named a Writer’s Digest Top 101 Sites for Writers. She's the director of one of the largest Christian writers conferences in the nation and board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She understands what it's like to hit detours and roadblocks along the publishing road. And she knows that many of the difficulties writers face can be overcome by drawing closer to God. Her passion is to encourage and equip other writers to follow the unique path God has for them and become ever more sensitive to the things He whispers into a writer's soul.
Mooney, Britt
Genre: Christian Living, Speculative Fiction, Podcasting
Available Appointments: TBD
Britt Mooney is an award-winning author of We Were REBORN for This: The Jesus Model for Living Heaven on Earth, Shield of the King: Elowen Book 1, epic fantasy and science fiction. His Kingdom Over Coffee podcast has great interviews and teaching on the nature and practical impact of the Kingdom of God, and he's growing his writing YouTube channel, Great Stories Change the World. Britt loves to encourage creatives with the dreams and messages God gives them and can help with proposals, developing ideas, and starting podcasts.
Moore, Karisa
Genre: Fiction, Nonfiction, Website Evaluation
Available Appointments: 5
Karisa Moore specializes in contemporary, sci-fi, fantasy, website content, poetry, devotionals, and encouragement. Prepare your 1st chapter and a 1-2 page synopsis (include the ending, don’t leave her hanging), nonfiction first 1,500 words plus one-page synopsis, contact to discuss website review.
She would love to assist you in brainstorming your fiction and nonfiction ideas, pass on resources needed to put your inspired words on paper, and equip you to better connect with your readers. Please send copies in advance of the conference for feedback at the conference. She can’t wait to meet you and read your work.
Neal, Susan
Genre: Self-Publishing and Book Marketing
Available Appointments: 5
As a Certified AWSA Writer Coach, Susan Neal RN, MBA, MHS, desires to help others publish and sell their God-given message. She is the author of eight healthy living books. Her self-published number one Amazon best-seller, 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates, won the Selah award and sold over 25,000 copies in five years.
Susan won the 2020 Christian Author Network Crown Award for Outstanding Broadcast Media for her book marketing campaign. She is a trusted advisor for authors and helps many sell more books. Susan is the CEO of Christian Authors Network (CAN), Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA), Christian Indie Awards, and CAN Excellence in Marketing Awards.
CAN and CIPA teach authors how to self-publish professionally and market effectively.
Please email Susan at [email protected] if you are interested in meeting at the conference. After she receives your email, Susan will provide her address so you can mail the mentoring session fee, and she will send you a link to complete an online coaching form so she can be prepared to help you.
Pennington, Ava
Genre: Nonfiction, devotionals, Bible studies (no children’s)
Available Appointments: 5
Ava Pennington is an author and freelance editor. She is a member of the Christian Authors Network, a certified writers coach through the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and a mentor with Word Weavers International for online critique groups. She is also a Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) teacher. Ava is available to discuss your nonfiction, devotional, or Bible study manuscript or book proposal (maximum 20 pages) to provide you with feedback and answer your questions. See www.AvaPennington.com for more information.
Porter, Karen
Genre: Nonfiction, Fiction, Coaching
Available Appointments: 6 appointments
Karen Porter is a certified speaker and writer coach and has written ten non-fiction books. She is also co-owner of Bold Vision Books and serves on the acquisition team. If you’d like to learn the craft of writing with practical and helpful tools, Karen will teach you the skills you need. She will also help you focus your book or article idea into a project that will get the attention of agents or publishers. If you are ready to take your message to the stage, Karen will help you develop an outstanding presentation and present it with humor and power. www.KarenPorter.com and www.boldvisionbooks.com
Porter, George
Genre: Nonfiction, Fiction
Available Appointments: 4 appointments
As a publisher, George Porter can help you develop your book idea into a project that will attract the attention of editors and agents. He uses his varied experiences as a teacher and a publisher to spot potential and help you discover your best audience, genre, and style. He is co-owner of Bold Vision Books and serves on the acquisition team. www.boldvisionbooks.com
Powell, Jan
Genre: Fiction and Non-fiction
Available Appointments: 4
Jan Powell will help you remove the weeds around the garden of your words. She’ll help you polish your writing and catch the eye of agents, editors, and publishers. Her clients have received high praise for the excellence in their writing.
Jan is a graduate of the University of South Florida and has two small businesses. Through Writing with You, she offers writing services: editing, rewriting, coaching, and ghost writing for fiction and non-fiction. She loves to help polish manuscripts. She offers in-depth editing and rewriting with poetry, devotionals, memoirs, business practices, as well as fantasy, murder mysteries, romantic suspense, and flash fiction.
Jan has been published in The Wordsmith Journal and Splickety, and is a regular contributor to Inkspirations, hosted by Tina Yeager. In the late 1990s she wrote spin off feature news stories from Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures. She’s written blogs, feature news, and web material for a Tampa business.
Sproles, Cindy
Genre: fiction, non-fiction, devotions, manuscripts
Available Appointments: FULL – NO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE
Cindy Sproles has over twenty years of experience in the publishing industry. She is the Exe. editor of ChristianDevotions.us and an award-winning author who has served as a managing editor for Lighthouse Publishing and Ironstream Media. Now as a freelance editor, mentor, and writing coach with Ironstream Media, Cindy works with Lori Marett forming the Writing Right Author Mentoring Services. Cindy is happy to work with you on your fiction or non-fiction manuscripts as well as with devotional manuscripts and single devotions. We can look at glaring issues that need to be repaired such as POV slips, show-don't-tell, and information overload. We can also work on character development, clarity in your work, great hooks, and cliff hangers.
Turk, Marilyn
Genre: New Author Coaching, Fiction Critique (first chapter and 1-2 page synopsis), devotion writing and critique
Available Appointments: 10
Marilyn Turk is a multi-published, award-winning author of over 20 novels and novellas, mostly historical. In addition, she has written articles and devotions for Guideposts over ten years and published her own book of devotions. Marilyn loves to help authors along their writing journey and point them in the right direction. With her experience in both fiction and nonfiction, she understands the challenges of both. She can be found at marilynturk.com. Connect with Marilyn on Facebook: facebook.com/marilyn.turk.9 and facebook.com/MarilynTurkAuthor
Yeager, Tina
Genres: Nonfiction, devotions, speculative fiction, psychological manuscript reviews, podcasting, video content creation, on-line course creation, and public speaking, media interviews, psychological content, mission statements, and branding basics
Available Appointments: 7
Tina Yeager is an award-winning author of three books, contributor to three compilations, and author of numerous articles and devotions. She’s also an online content creator and show host for Flourish-Meant podcast and Flourish Today radio program and has an active YouTube channel. She’s a marketing team member for STRUCK streaming series, publisher of Inkspirations Online devotional publication, and serves as the Director of Traditional Groups for Word Weavers. As a licensed therapist and life coach, Tina has supported best-selling authors by reviewing manuscripts for psychological authenticity. For more information, visit her website tinayeager.com, YouTube channel, and Online Courses.
Zill, Lora
Genre: Any type of poetry including children's books that depend on rhythm and rhyme
Available Appointments: no limit
Lora Zill is a teaching artist with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. She is also a faculty member in Allegheny College’s gifted programs for middle and senior high schoolers and teaches composition and critical analysis at Gannon University. Lora leads creative writing and poetry residencies in schools, trains teachers in arts infusion activities and teaches at national and regional conferences including the National Council of Teachers of English conference, and Christian writing conferences. Her award-winning poetry and prose have been published in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K, and she is co-author of a chapter in the textbook Teaching Creatively and Teaching Creativity (Springer, 2013). She is the past director of the St. Davids Christian Writers’ Conference and edits and publishes the poetry journal, Time Of Singing.
