Good News Authors Mentoring Team
Kathryn Ross is a writer, speaker, and teacher who owns Pageant Wagon Publishing with book shepherd and publishing services for Christian writers and speakers. She is the author of The Gatekeeper’s Key, Fragrant Fields: Poetic Reflections for Journaling, and the Fable Springs Parables Picture Books. She recently launched the Gold Nugget Chronicles Chapter Books based on the biblical performance storytelling of her late husband, Ed Ross. Miss Kathy founded the Good News Christian Writers Critique Group in 2013 with her late editor and writing mentor Janice Hall Heck. The Good News Christian Writers Retreats and Workshops, in partnership with event facility at Restoration Family Farm, are dedicated to the legacy of Janice’s writing mentorship to the group over the years.
Linda Slomin is a Licensed Professional Counselor who retired from Cumberland County College (now Rowan College of South Jersey) after 34 years. In 2020, Linda self-published her first book, The Very Sensitive Princess. The idea for the book came after doing a puppet show on the mission field while ministering to children in India and Zambia. Linda is the co-director of the Paryer ROoms and co-director of Missionaat Chestnut Assembly of God. She is an Ordained Minister through Joan Hunter Ministries and is currently working on a book exposing the false gospel of self-righteousness, to set people free of religious and legalistic bondages. She is married to Donald and has a stepdaughter, Katie, and a grandson, Kai. She attends Chestnut Assembly of God Church in Vineland, New Jersey.
Stacy Lee Flury endured the painful realities of parenting a troubled teen daughter through years of turmoil. In her award-winning book endorsed by Jim Daly of Focus on the Family, Turning the Tide of Emotional Turbulence: Devotions for Parents of Teens in Crisis, Stacy recounts how faith in God gave her victory over the swirl of negative emotions that raged in her heart. She blogs at Hope for the Broken Family and, as a Certified Biblical Counselor who helps families battle upheaval in their homes. Stacy is the 2021 Enduring Lights Silver Medalist for Exemplary Christian-Themed Books since the year 2000. Her book is available in print and ebook. She looks forward to encouraging other Christian writers with the wisdom, skills, and experience she’s gained through the years.
Trish Weldon is a Bible study teacher who has written and taught a study guide for the Christian classic, Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard, plus an in-depth study on The Women of the Bible. Her first book, Meet Me in Your Quiet Place: Hearing God's Gentle Whisper in a Busy Bee World, launched this past summer through Pageant Wagon Publishing. She writes about real life situations to inspire and encourage her readers in their relationship with the Lord at her devotional blog Rooted in Purpose - Reflections and Life Lessons from the Pen of Trish Weldon. Her advice to writers is: “My heart’s desire is to encourage writers to pursue what the Lord has called them to write and not give up. The blessing of writing is truly in the journey.” She is married to her wonderful husband Bill with a beautiful, blended family of 6 children and 6 grandchildren.
Christine Strittmatter is a wife, mom, teacher, military veteran, mentor, and writer, passionate to share Scriptural truths with women and children. She taught for 20 years at a Christian school and has a master’s degree in Human Services, Marriage and Family Studies from Liberty University. She’s received master’s certifications from LU in Pastoral Counseling and Military Resilience. She has published two books, The Real Life Mom: 96 Inspirational Thoughts & Stories for Mothers, and The Real Life Mom: 52 Devotions to Cultivate Fruitful Living which inspires, encourages, and challenges others in their everyday walks with God. She’s also published articles in New Jersey Family Magazine. Chris and her chivalrous husband, Dave, have two grown children in over 40 years of a blessed life together. She hopes to encourage new writers with their personal goals and dreams.
2023 PIONEERS WITH PENS SPECIAL GUEST MENTOR:
Dawn Kohansky began formal studies in art at the age of 8-year-old under Pat Witt, fouder of the legendary Barn Studio of Art, Millville, NJ. She is a 1980 graduate from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AS degree in Fashion Illustration. At graduation she was awarded Best Portfolio in outstanding achievement, proficiency, and creative performance. Dawn was a founding member on the Board of Directors for the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts in 1999. She has been honored for her talents, dedication, and achievements in the community by State Representatives of New Jersey and awarded a Senate Citation for inspired leadership, commitment, and service to RRCA. As an accomplished artist, she uses acrylics, oils, pencil, pastel, mixed media, and digital art. Her paintings come from the heart with subjects taken from still life, florals, landscapes, and portraiture. Dawn can be found in her studio or outdoors with an easel painting Plein-air. She enjoys working on personal designs, commissions, and freelance projects. After several years, this has allowed her to work proficiently and achieve award winning art. She is an Independent Artist, owner of Kohansky Art & Design Studio. Visit her at facebook.com/DawnKohansky. For our 2023 Retreat and Workshops, Dawn oversaw an inspirational Plein-aire Painting Break-out Group allowing attendees to try their hand at landscape art to fully engage the creative within!
Dawn Kohansky began formal studies in art at the age of 8-year-old under Pat Witt, fouder of the legendary Barn Studio of Art, Millville, NJ. She is a 1980 graduate from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AS degree in Fashion Illustration. At graduation she was awarded Best Portfolio in outstanding achievement, proficiency, and creative performance. Dawn was a founding member on the Board of Directors for the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts in 1999. She has been honored for her talents, dedication, and achievements in the community by State Representatives of New Jersey and awarded a Senate Citation for inspired leadership, commitment, and service to RRCA. As an accomplished artist, she uses acrylics, oils, pencil, pastel, mixed media, and digital art. Her paintings come from the heart with subjects taken from still life, florals, landscapes, and portraiture. Dawn can be found in her studio or outdoors with an easel painting Plein-air. She enjoys working on personal designs, commissions, and freelance projects. After several years, this has allowed her to work proficiently and achieve award winning art. She is an Independent Artist, owner of Kohansky Art & Design Studio. Visit her at facebook.com/DawnKohansky. For our 2023 Retreat and Workshops, Dawn oversaw an inspirational Plein-aire Painting Break-out Group allowing attendees to try their hand at landscape art to fully engage the creative within!