2023 Faculty
KCWC workshop leaders are successful agents, editors, and authors. They have been carefully chosen as instructors based on their commitment to Christ and their desire to share valuable wisdom and insight with other Christian writers. Click on the names below for an “express train” to the presenter’s bio.
Agents
A literary agent represents writers and their written works to publishers and assists in sales, promotion, and deal negotiation.
Editors
An editor works for a media outlet and facilitates the publishing process, sometimes including proofreading, copy-editing, and critiques.
Authors
A Christian author is a person who writes to glorify God. KCWC faculty members are recognized industry professionals.
Michelle Adserias
Michelle Adserias is the editor of Today’s Christian Living Magazine, a print and digital publication focused on recounting inspirational stories. She does some freelance writing and photography on the side as well. Michelle’s work has appeared in Refresh Bible Study Magazine, Heart Magazine, A Cup of Comfort for Teachers, and Canoe Magazine. She also has numerous images available on Shutterstock.
Michelle resides in Central Wisconsin with her husband, Peter. They have four grown children, one daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren. Now that their homeschooling years are over and the nest is empty (other than one fat, sassy cat), they enjoy the peace and quiet of rural living and as much traveling as their schedules allow.
Twila Belk
Also known as The Gotta Tell Somebody Gal, Twila Belk is a writer, speaker, encourager, consultant, and champion for writers. She has authored eight books (including the bestselling Raindrops from Heaven and The Power to Be) and contributed to many others, as well as written numerous articles and promotional materials.
Since 2007, she has worked closely with veteran author Cecil Murphey as his executive assistant and associate, which has provided her with a wide range of industry knowledge, connections, and experience. Twila is also a former bookstore owner and writers conference director. She has had the pleasure of teaching and speaking at many writers conferences across the nation and enjoys brainstorming and working with aspiring and established writers.
Gregg Bridgeman
Please enjoy Gregg’s entertaining and highly original bio on our Home page. In addition to being the 2023 KCWC Conference Director, Gregg Bridgeman began operating Olivia Kimbrell Press in 2011 acting as Editor-in-Chief. Then as now, he operates the press as a ministry.
The primary objective of OKP remains that of lifting up and helping ministry-minded Biblical authors fulfill the Great Commission—to bring the Gospel message to the entire world—for every tribe and every nation.
Gregg currently serves in the Army National Guard as a decorated combat veteran with over 20 years of experience as an airborne and air assault qualified paratrooper. In addition to being the devoted husband to best-selling author, Hallee Bridgeman, Gregg is known for his technical savvy and extensive knowledge of cybersecurity.
Crystal Caudill
Crystal Caudill is the author of “dangerously good historical romance,” with her work garnering awards from Romance Writers of America and ACFW. She is a stay-at-home mom and caregiver, and when she isn’t writing, Crystal can be found playing board games with her family, drinking hot tea, or reading other great books at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio.
Rhonda Dragomir
Rhonda Dragomir is a multimedia creative who treasures her fairy tale life in Central Kentucky, insisting her home is her castle, even if her prince refuses to dig a moat. She has published works in several anthologies and periodicals, and her first novel, an historical romance, will be published by Barbour Books in March, 2024. Rhonda was named 2019 Writer of the Year by Serious Writer, Inc., and she is represented by Linda Glaz of the Hartline Literary Agency.
Rhonda formed The Dragomir Group to offer websites and design services to writers. She is a frequent guest in writers’ conferences and forums, teaching multiple subjects focused on the use of technology.
Gary Hetzel
Gary’s professional experience began prior to his interest in the law. After a career in the United States Army, Gary became an Alabama State Trooper. During his decade in law enforcement, Gary was also active in the Alabama National Guard, including a deployment to Afghanistan with 20th Special Forces Group. He returned Stateside with the Bronze Star. Gary began studying martial arts at age 10 and teaching at age 20. He has Teacher’s Certifications (black belts) in two forms of Kali, a Phillipino martial art involving open hand, stick, and edged weapons, as well as advanced belts in several other disciplines. In addition to hand to hand combat, Gary is an FBI certified firearms instructor, and has taught SWAT schools in several states. Gary has been in private legal practice since graduating from law school in 2010, and is licensed to practice before the Alabama Supreme Court and all lower courts.
Lin Johnson
Lin Johnson is a full-time freelancer, whose business includes editing, writing, proofreading, and training writers. She is the editor-administrator of The Christian Writers Market Guide, a proofreader and editor for Friends of Israel, and former managing editor of Christian Communicator. Lin also teaches at writers’ conferences around the world.
Author of more than 70 books, Lin specializes in Bible curriculum and is a Gold Medallion Book Award and an Evangelical Press Association Higher Goals award recipient.
She has a B.A. in Christian education from Cedarville University, a B.A. in Bible-theology from Moody Bible Institute, and an M.S. in adult and continuing education from National-Louis University. She is a former special instructor of Christian education at Moody Bible Institute.
Note: As of 7-6-2-23, Lin’s site is still under construction. Please visit again.
DiAnn Mills
Our keynote speaker’s bio is on the home page. As an added benefit to attendees of KCWC, DiAnn will present her outstanding workshops on The Art of Plotting, Parts One and Two, and The Art of Emotion.
Five fun facts about DiAnn:
- She always dreamed of becoming a Hollywood actress, but she decided writing stories would be more fun than acting the part.
- Her favorite place to write is on the treadmill, but she refuses to be called a hamster.
- She is, admittedly, a picky eater. She prefers fresh veggies, fruits, whole grains, and dark chocolate. She’s building her own food pyramid.
- She once took an African Safari by herself. Sleeping lions didn’t bother her. Neither did the charging elephant. But the crocodiles gave her nightmares.
- The oldest piece of clothing she owns is her high school jacket – the one with a boot to show she was a majorette.
Karynthia Glasper-Phillips
Karynthia Glasper-Phillips is a speaker and author whose workshops, coaching, and blogs integrate the importance of effectiveness in life by beginning with self-care of spirit, mind, and body. She is a minister, internal medicine practitioner, and adjunct professor at American Baptist College. Karynthia is an advocate for decreasing disparity of cancer among women as demonstrated in her work with Echoes of Hope.
Karynthia’s coaching style is visible in her passion to see clients connect the dots and step beyond their personal boundaries into fulfillment of goals and dreams as speakers, business owners, leaders, and authors. Her unique ability to combine well-being with dreams strengthens clients’ weak areas, which make their stronger characteristics shine brighter as they journey forward achieving their vision as God designed.
JP Robinson
JP Robinson is an award-winning author, minister, and community leader. He graduated from SUNY Stony Brook University at 19 with a bachelor’s degree in English and another in French. A former educator with 13 years in public and private schools, JP is currently wrapping up his Master of Education degree with a focus on improving the K-12 experience of Black students. With more than two decades of ministry experience—including marriage, refugee, drug, and prison ministry—JP infuses gritty realism into his writing.
He is a contributor to Guideposts, Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse, and the Salvation Army’s War Cry. His work has been praised by industry leaders such as Publishers Weekly and secured the #1 spot on Amazon’s historical thrillers category. JP’s writing focus now centers Black characters in the WW2 era. He has been a happy husband for 18 years and is a proud father of three incredible children.
Diane Stark
In 2018, Diane Stark won the Guideposts Writers Workshop Contest and became a regular contributor to the four magazines published by Guideposts. She has written hundreds of personal experience pieces and ghost-written the experiences of others. Her stories have been published in more than 50 Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Diane writes about the important things in life: her family and her faith.
Peggy Sue Wells
PeggySue Wells is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of 33 books and collaborator of many more. Action and adventure, romantic suspense, military romance, and cozy mystery are the page-turning novels by P.S. Wells. How to live better, easier, and simpler is the focus of non-fiction books by PeggySue Wells.
Tropical island votary and history buff, PeggySue Wells parasails, skydives, snorkels, scuba dives, rides horses, and has taken (but not passed) pilot training. Writing from the 100-Acre wood in Indiana, Wells is the author of Chasing Sunrise, The Patent, Secrecy Order, Homeless for the Holidays, and The Ten Best Decisions A Single Mom Can Make.
Terry Whalin
In sixth grade Kentucky history class, Terry studied about his five-great grandfather, Captain James Estill, the namesake of Estill County, Kentucky. Terry Whalin understands both sides of the editorial desk. A former literary agent, Terry is an Acquisitions Editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 books for traditional publishers and several books have sold over 100,000 copies.
Terry has also written for more than 50 magazines. As a frustrated editor in 2004, Terry wrote Book Proposals That Sell, 21 Secrets to Speed Your Success which has over 150 Five Star reviews and has helped many authors. Terry is an active member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and lives near Denver, Colorado.
Tina Yeager
Award-winning author, inspirational speaker, and life coach, Tina hosts the Flourish-Meant podcast and the Flourish Today radio show. Yeager also publishes Inkspirations Online, a weekly devotional for writers. She has won over thirty writing awards, including a 2020 Golden Scroll Award and 2013 FCWC Writer of the Year. She has taught at Florida Christian Writers Conference, The Well Conference, multiple ACFW chapters, Writing Off The Beaten Path Conference, Wolf Creek Writers group, CCWF, Brandon Christian Writers group, Serious Writer Academy, Writers Chat, The 540 Club, multiple Word Weavers chapters, and other groups for writers, teens, and women.
Licensed as a counselor since 2005, she has over twenty years of experience teaching parenting to at-risk families, writing skills, communications, inner healing, and spiritual growth. She has counseled and taught adults, teens, and children in academic, clinical, and faith-based settings. Yeager holds a BA in creative writing and an MA in counseling.