Faculty (in alphabetical order)


Abbott, Candy
Adams, Michelle Medlock
Ceban, Bonnie
Cook, Diane
James, Steven
Riddle, John
Wilder, Larry

 

 


Candy Abbott
Author, speaker and President of Fruit-Bearer Publishing, she founded and directs the Delmarva Christian Writers Fellowship.  Her book, Fruitbearer: What Can I Do For You, Lord?” continues to inspire readers all across the country.  A few months ago her new title, GAVIN GOODFELLOW: The Lure of Burnt Swamp, was published, and is being hailed by critics and readers alike as a WONDERFUL book! Nancy Rue, an award winning children’s author for Zondervan had this to say about Candy’s new book: “Our kids face spiritual challenges we didn’t even dream of in our adolescence, and they need a myriad of resources to equip them to meet those challenges. Candy Abbott provides one in Gavin Goodfellow, through great storytelling, sound Bible-based theology, and an obvious passion for the spiritual health of her audience. As a young people’s author, I can say without hesitation that she loves this audience as much as I do. I urge every adult who shares that love and passion to put Gavin into the hands of a kid you care about. And don’t pass up the chance to read it yourself!”

 


Michelle Medlock Adams is the author of 23 published children’s books. Her picture book, Conversations On the Ark earned her the “Barnes & Noble Texas Author of the Month” honor in May 2003. During 2006-2007, Michelle’s books What Is Halloween?; What Is Christmas?; Why I Trust You, God; Why I Praise You, God; Why I Thank You, God; Divine Stories of the Yahweh Sisterhood, Secrets of Beauty and Secrets of Happiness were released. In 2008, her children’s/tween titles, I Will Not Be Afraid; What Is Thanksgiving?; Counting Cows; Mama’s Belly; Sports Shorts: 10-Minute Devotions for Guys; and Sports Shorts: 10-Minute Devotions for Girls will debut. She is also the ghostwriter for five Simon & Schuster children’s books due out in 2008-2009.

Michelle taught “Writing For Children” during the fall semester at Taylor University in Fort Wayne, IN., in 2006.

Michelle is also an award-winning journalist, earning top honors from the Associated Press, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Sunday and Features Editors, and the Hoosier State Press Association. Since graduating with a journalism degree from Indiana University in 1991, Michelle has worked as a newspaper reporter for a daily newspaper in Southern Indiana, acted as a stringer for the Associated Press, written full time for a worldwide ministry’s website and magazine with 550,000 circulation, authored 39 books for publishers such as Simon & Schuster and Zonderkidz, and crafted hundreds of freelance articles for newspapers, websites and magazines including
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Today’s Christian Woman, CBN.com and Writer’s Digest. Michelle’s Christian Living book, Living the Love Chapter earned her the title of “Writer of the Year” in 2001 at the Write-to-Publish Conference in Wheaton, Illinois.

Michelle, who is also an inspirational speaker, has been a featured guest on several TV and radio programs.

Michelle is married to her high school sweetheart, Jeff, and they have two teenage daughters, Abby and Allyson, and three miniature long-haired dachshunds, Maddie, Miller and Mollie Mae. The Adams family resides in Bedford, Indiana where Michelle cheers on the Indiana Hoosiers all year long! www.michellemedlockadams.com


Bonnie Ceban As an author for both the Christian and secular marketplace, Bonnie has also written for numerous magazines, newspapers and Websites.  She has worked as a ghostwriter on several projects, and is the co-author of For God and Country. Her most recent title, 101 Ways to Say Thank You, was published last year. As an English instructor at a Delaware college, Bonnie enjoys encouraging new writers and challenges them to do their best.


Diane Cook - Former newspaper editor and journalist. Her marketing foundation came from 10 years in media sales and seven years as an owner of a successful public relations firm. She is executive director of Word Warrior Ministries (www.wordwarriorministries.org) and provides marketing consultation services through her business – Christian Lifestyles Enterprises. She has been featured (articles written about her) in state and national publications and has been a professional writer for more than 15 years. Diane is an active freelance journalist who contributes regularly for two state business publications. Her work has appeared in national publications like the Army/Air Force/Navy/Marine Corps Times, Family Digest Magazine, Corrections Technology Magazine, Long Term Care Magazine, etc. She has traveled internationally as a speaker and dramatist.


Steven JamesFrom an early age, Steven's vivid imagination and questioning spirit have led him to explore the boundaries of faith and spirituality, as well as the deep paradoxes of good and evil. This comes through clearly in his evocative, highly-acclaimed nonfiction and fast-paced novels of fantasy and suspense.

As an acclaimed author and one of the nation's most innovative storytellers, Steven shares his unique blend of drama, comedy and inspirational speaking at conferences, churches, schools and special events around the country. When Steven completed his Master of Arts in Storytelling in 1997, there were fewer than 100 people in the world with that degree. Since then, he has been in demand throughout the country as a conference presenter, family entertainer and performance storyteller, appearing more than 1,500 times throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

Since 2000, James has penned more than 20 books and recorded 4 CDs of children's stories. His books and recordings have won numerous awards, including a nomination for an ECPA Gold Medallion Book Award. Before he began writing and speaking full-time, he had diverse experiences working as a wilderness guide, museum educator, camp director and youth pastor.

Always exploring beyond the horizon, Steven has recently delved into writing fiction and suspense. His book Quest for Celestia (Tyndale 2006), is an epic fantasy adventure that reimagines and breathes fresh life into John Bunyan’s spiritual classic, The Pilgrim’s Progress.

Steven is a member of the International Thriller Writers. His first novel of psychological suspense, The Pawn, was published a few months ago, and the sequel, The Rook, will be published later this year.


John Riddle He is a freelance writer and author of 42 books.  He has also worked as a ghostwriter on numerous projects, and is a marketing wizard when it comes to getting publicity.  As the Founder of I Love To Write Day, he has successfully signed up over 20,000 schools all across the country that hold special writing events and activities every November 15, the “official” I Love To Write Day.  He speaks at Christian and secular writer’s conferences all across the country. His first e-book, How I Made $66,270 in 9 Months Writing for Websites, has helped thousands of writers learn how to make “lots of money” using their gift of creative communication.


Larry Wilderis owner of BisonWebs, a start-up web design company with special emphasis on assisting writers to get online, quickly and affordably, with their own websites. If you need help creating a Website and learning how to build the “Internet Buzz,” Larry is waiting to help you.