Faculty Bios
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. She worked to redraft a performance play for the printed page and delights children with companion puppet making when marketing the book. She is currently at work on a book exposing 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 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, Rooted in Purpose, 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 new devotional blog under construction, Trish Weldon Writes. 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.
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!”
2023 PIONEERS WITH PENS SPECIAL GUEST FACULTY:
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.
Dawn will be overseeing an inspirational Plein-air Art Sketch and Painting Break-out Group allowing attendees to try their hand at landscape art to fully engage the creative within! Click HERE to see as sample of her work!
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.
Dawn will be overseeing an inspirational Plein-air Art Sketch and Painting Break-out Group allowing attendees to try their hand at landscape art to fully engage the creative within! Click HERE to see as sample of her work!
GOOD NEWS CHRISTIAN WRITERS RETREAT WORKSHOPS MISSION STATEMENT:
Under the umbrella of Pageant Wagon Publishing, Christian writers in Southern New Jersey gather at the annual
Good News Christian Writers Retreat and Workshop where they can quiet their souls and enrich their spirits
in a restful and creative atmosphere, to secure God’s vision for their work,
hone writing and communication skills, and critique multi-genre manuscripts for publication.
Learn how to tell His Story through your story, and bring the Light of God’s salty Good News
to the mountains of social and cultural influence.
Kathryn Ross, Retreat Director
Under the umbrella of Pageant Wagon Publishing, Christian writers in Southern New Jersey gather at the annual
Good News Christian Writers Retreat and Workshop where they can quiet their souls and enrich their spirits
in a restful and creative atmosphere, to secure God’s vision for their work,
hone writing and communication skills, and critique multi-genre manuscripts for publication.
Learn how to tell His Story through your story, and bring the Light of God’s salty Good News
to the mountains of social and cultural influence.
Kathryn Ross, Retreat Director