New Workshop 2022 dates will be announced soon.
Faculty Bios
Kathryn Ross is a writer, speaker, dramatist, and teacher who equips women and families with the tools to develop a Family Literacy Lifestyle, producing readers and thinkers who can engage their world from a biblical perspective. She owns Pageant Wagon Publishing with book shepherd and publishing services for Christian writers and is the author of The Gatekeeper’s Key, Fragrant Fields: Poetic Reflections for Journaling, and Fable Springs Parables Picture Books among others. She lives in southern New Jersey with her career book-seller husband, Ed in a house full of props, costumes, and bookshelves. Miss Kathy founded the Good News Christian Writers Critique Group in 2013 with her editor and writing mentor Janice Hall Heck, who passed in early December 2020. The Good News Christian Writers Workshops are dedicated to the legacy of Janice’s writing mentorship to the group over the years.
Linda Slomin is a Licensed Professional Counselor who is recently retired from working at Cumberland County College (now called Rowan College of South Jersey) for 34 years. In 2020, Linda self-published her first book, The Very Sensitive Princess. The idea came after doing a puppet show on the mission field while ministering to children in India and Zambia. She is currently working on a book which exposes the false gospel of self-righteousness and aims 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 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 new writers through the wisdom, skills, and experience she’s gained through the years.
Nikki Zimmerman holds a bachelor’s degree in the Writing Arts from Rowan University and has been a part of the Good News Christian Writer’s Critique Group for over three years. She authored and self-published a children’s picture book, Pogo the Roving Pup, and enjoys devotional writing. Nikki hopes to inspire all who participate in the Good News Christian Writer’s Workshop 2022 to dive into their varied writing projects and publication dreams with courage. “Give God your ability,” she says, “and watch Him bless it, break it, and multiply it for His glory!”
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, as well as an in-depth study on The Women of the Bible. Her first book, Rooted in Purpose, is due for release in Fall 2022 through Pageant Wagon Publishing. She writes at her devotional blog, under the same name as her book, Rooted in Purpose, using real life situations to inspire and encourage. Her advice for the Christian writer is simple: “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 with 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. Her first book, The Real Life Mom, shares real life snippets to inspire, encourage, and challenge others in their everyday walks with God. She’s published articles in New Jersey Family Magazine and releases her second book, The Real Life Mom: Breaking up Fallow Ground to Cultivate the Gift of Real Life in spring 2022 through Pageant Wagon Publishing. Chris and her chivalrous husband, Dave, have two grown children in 42 years of a blessed life together. She hopes to encourage new writers with their personal goals and dreams.
Tabatha Schaeffler is a writer/speaker, teacher, and counselor/life coach. She helps people to live healthy lives beyond what they believed possible. Her education spans professional marriage and family counseling, theological studies, and experience raising/homeschooling a child with Severe Asperger and mental health issues. She has an extensive court systems knowledge base plus mental health issues, trauma, and the undercurrent of society. She works alongside many churches and agencies to educate others about trauma counseling. Tab is a staff member for the Colorado and Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conferences. She creates virtual events to allow individuals from anywhere gain inspiration from varied speakers—including her original 3-day Women’s Retreat Events that she writes and produces. Tab hopes to encourage attendees to the GNCWW to “find the inspiration and courage to write what God has called YOU to write because no one can reach the individuals God has sent to YOU; like YOU can!”