Virelle Kidder is a full-time writer and conference speaker. Her six books include Meet Me at the Well and The Best Life Ain't Easy, But It's Worth It from Moody Publishing.

A former contributing writer for Today's Christian Woman, Virelle has had her articles published in a wide variety of Christian periodicals, including Moody Magazine, Focus on the Family, and Decision.

Virelle will be teaching a continuing workshop called "Writing from Life Experience."

David Mills, now deputy editor of First Things and editor of the award-winning Touchstone Magazine from 2003 to 2008, is the author of Knowing the Real Jesus and editor of The Pilgrim's guide: C. S. Lewis and the Art of Witness.

He also teaches writing at Trinity School for Ministry and is authoring a volume on writing for Baker Books. A full-time author and editor, David includes among his clients ISI Books, the journal First Things, and the Witherspoon Institute.

David will be teaching a continuing workshop called "The Christian Superstars' Guide to Writing Well" and a focus workshop on "Editing Those Prickly Creatures Called Writers."

David Pierce has had nearly a dozen mystery stories published in Alfred Hitchcock's and Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazines. He also collaborated with his wife, Chonda, on two Zonderkidz children's books: Tales from the Ark and Tales from the Manger.

An adjunct English professor at Middle Tennessee State University, David recently had his first nonfiction book, Don't Let Me Go, published by WaterBrook Press.

David will be teaching a continuing workshop called "The Secrets of Good Storytelling," and a focus workshop on "Perseverance."

Eric Potter, 2009 Professor of the Year at Grove City College, is also a poet whose work has appeared in such varied publications as The Christian Century, First Things, Ruminate, and 32 Poems.

Advisor to Echo, the Grove City College literary magazine, Eric holds his doctorate in English from the University of Virginia.

Eric will be teaching a continuing workshop called "Liberating Constraints:  Explorations of Voice, Meter, and Metaphor in Poetry.”

Melanie Rigney a past editor of Writer's Digest magazine, has also served as a judge for its writing competitions and as editorial director of Writer's Digest Books. She has more than 25 years experience as an editor and writer and has edited and evaluated manuscripts for dozens of clients.

Melanie is also a writer-editor with the Department of the Treasury and oversees content on 25 of its web sites.

Melanie will be leading the Writers' Retreat.

Anne Slanina is the author of the Annie Mouse series, books designed to teach children coping skills and empathy for others. Anne is also an associate professor in elementary/early childhood education at Slippery Rock University.

In writing her books, Anne draws on her experience as a former kindergarten, reading, and gifted education teacher. She holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Kent State University. 

Anne will be teaching a continuing workshop called "Writing for Young Children: a Wellspring of Opportunity."

Linda Taylor is editorial director at the Livingstone Corporation. She was part of the team that developed the best-selling Life Application Study Bible (Tyndale) and its commentary series.

In addition to managing and editing large Bible projects, as well as packaging and producing other kinds of books, Linda is the author of Saints & Scoundrels of the Bible (Howard Books), Praying God’s Promises for My Child (Tyndale), and Glorious Refrains (Nelson).

Linda will be teaching a continuing workshop called "From Manuscript to Book: How It Happens," and focus workshops on "Why Writers Write: A Bird’s Eye View of the Publishing World" and "Creating a Concept that Connects: How to Get Your Words Heard."

James Watkins has authored over two thousand articles and fifteen books, including Communicate to Change Lives in Person and Print from Wesleyan Publishing House and Writing with Banana Peels.

Winner of a Campus Life Book of the Year award and a Christian Retailers Choice Award for Best Series, Jim is also an editor with Wesleyan Publishing House.

James will be teaching a continuing workshop called "The Wired Writer," a general session titled, "I'm a Giant Killer," and a focus workshop on "Building Your Online Platform."