est assured, you won't be alone on your journey.  Each of our Mentors has been personally selected by Jerry Jenkins, based on their experience and expertise.  Each is a distinguished writer and/or editor, recognized throughout the industry.  And each is a committed Christian eager to see you grow and flourish in your own writing career.

One will be your personal mentor, but all will contribute to making the Christian Writers Guild the best source of training and encouragement. 

Sandra Aldrich

The former senior editor of Focus on the Family magazine, Sandra is a popular speaker as well as the author or co-author of 16 books and 500-plus magazine articles.

Stephen & Janet Bly

One of the Guild’s husband and wife mentor teams, Steve and Janet have separately authored more than 100 books and countless articles.

Judy Bodmer

Having written articles both for children and adults, taught creative writing at the college level, contributed to books such as Chicken Soup for the Mother’s Soul, and had two of her own non-fiction books published, Judy’s credentials in the writing and publishing business are numerous and earned.

Sandra Byrd

Among Sandra’s 25 books are The Secret Sisters series (WaterBrook Press) and The Hidden Diary series (Bethany House). She has also written for periodicals such as Guideposts, Decision, Teachers in Focus, Christian Parenting Today, and Clubhouse Magazine.

Deborah Christensen Serving as the editor for all of the magazines and curricula for children from CSB Ministries for almost 18 years, Debbie knows the ins and outs of the written word. She has also been a freelance writer for over 25 years, and currently works for Lighthouse Christian Products Co. as a writer/editor.

 

Sheila Cragg

Her articles have been published in such widely circulated periodicals as Readers’ Digest and Family Weekly, and her devotional Bible study series, A Woman’s Walk With God, has been featured by Crossings Book Club. Sheila currently leads Bible studies and speaks at women’s retreats.

 

Lisa Crayton

Lisa is the publisher/editor of Spirit-Led Writer, an online magazine for Christian writers named by Writer's Digest as one of the 101 Best Web sites for Writers in 2003. A former corporate editor/writer, Lisa also is an award-winning freelance writer. She writes columns, features, profiles and fillers for Christian and non-Christian print and online markets.

Jim Dyet

The author of more than 18 books, nearly 50 Bible curriculum courses, and hundreds of articles, Jim recently retired after a long career as an editor specializing in Christian education. During his decades as an editor and writer, Jim also pastored several churches.

Joyce K. Ellis
 The author of more than a dozen books for all ages, Joyce has also written hundreds of articles and short stories. She’s a former magazine editor and has edited more than 60 books.

Eva Marie Everson

Eva Marie is the award winning author of several works, including Shadow of Dreams, The Potluck Club, and Sex, Lies, and the Media. She has written fiction, nonfiction, devotionals, and articles. She is a seminary graduate and past president of Word Weavers Christian Writers Group. Her latest work, Reflections of Israel; A Personal Journey Through God's Holy Land, received a number of accolades and earned its editor an award nomination months before release.

 

Joy Gage

A writer for many years, Joy is the author of 16 books (fiction, nonfiction, and Bible studies) and is a contributor to seven anthologies. Her magazine credits include The Saturday Evening Post, Moody Magazine, Home Life, The Christian Reader, and others.

 

Jeannie Harmon

An an author, editor, and teacher with more than 16 years experience in Christian publishing, Jeannie understands both sides of the editor's desk. She has authored 20 childrens books, numerous devotionals, book reviews, articles, and Sunday school curricula. Jeannie also co-authored an e-book: Become a Children's Book Author.

 

Bob Haslam

A lifelong communicator, Bob has served as pastor, missionary, and Christian journalist. He's been published in more than 70 Christian magazines, plus several books. Editor of Light and Life magazine for 10 years, then book editor, one of his greatest joys is helping writers develop their craft.

 

Douglas Hirt

The author of one nonfiction book and 29 novels, Doug specializes in westerns and historical accounts. He has been a finalist twice for the Western Writers of America Spur Award.

Julie-Allyson Ieron

Julie is an accomplished author, speaker, and trainer. Once the managing editor of Moody Press, she’s also taught Journalism, English, and Communications.

Virelle Kidder

Virelle has authored four books and countless magazine articles, and served for many years as a contributing writer for Today's Christian Woman. For over twenty-five years she's been speaking to thousands of women around the country and abroad about the love of Christ. Her fifth book, Meet Me at the Well, will be released this year by Moody Press.

 

Yvonne Lehman

During her 25-year writing career Yvonne has written short stories, articles, and 42 historical and contemporary novels in the categories of mainstream, biblical, romance, young adult, mystery, and women's fiction. Her novels have won numerous awards, and several have appeared on the CBA best-seller list. She is also the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.


Jeanette Gardner Littleton

A prolific writer and author, as well as an editor, Jeanette has served on staff with eight publications, including Moody magazine, and also a book publisher.


DiAnn Mills

First published in 1998, five of her anthologies have hit the CBA best seller list, and three of her books have been named Best Historical of the Year by Heartsong Presents. To add to that, DiAnn is also a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers.
 

 

Susan Nikaido

For 15 years, Susan served as editor of Discipleship Journal. The author of two Bible study guides, her articles have appeared in Decision, Today's Christian Woman, New Man, and Leadership

 

Karen O’Connor

Karen is an award-winning author of 40 books and hundreds of magazine articles for children and adults, a retreat and conference speaker, and a writing instructor with 20 years of experience.

 

Roger Palms

Roger is the author of 15 books and hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles. He’s taught in more than 40 countries.

              

 

 

 

Dr. William Petersen

Bill was a newspaper editor, editorial director of one magazine, founder of another, and editor and publisher of Eternity magazine. He has also edited newsletters and been a book publisher, an acquisitions editor, and the author of 30 books and hundreds of articles.

 

Kim Peterson

Kim is a Writer -at-Large for Bethel College (Indiana), is a freelance writer, conference director, and speaker. Her writing has appeared in various anthologies including Chicken Soup for the Caregiver's Soul and Rocking Chair Reader: Family Gatherings.


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Norman B. Rohrer

Norm founded the Guild in 1965 and has been teaching writers by mail for decades. Former Executive Director of the Evangelical Press Association, he has published hundreds of magazine articles and 28 books.

 

Christy Scannell

Christy is currently a freelance editor and writer, in addition to working part-time as associate editor of The San Diego Metropolitan, a monthly business magazine, and the North Park News, a community newspaper. For 10 years Christy was editorial director at Rainbow Publishers/Legacy Press, where she oversaw the acquisition and publication of Christian nonfiction books for children and teachers.

 

Cynthia Schnereger

Co-founder of Christian Writers of Idaho, Cynthia is an editor for the Free Methodist Web site and has written for Focus on the Family , War Cry, Upper Room and other magazines , as well as the book Seasons of a Woman's Heart . Currently working toward a Biblical Studies degree from Moody Bible Institute, Cynthia regularly leads workshops and conducts one -on-ones and manuscript reviews at writers' conferences.

Les Stobbe

Our Editor-in-Chief began his career through a correspondence course and has been a journalist, book editor, magazine editor, author, book publisher, consultant, writing teacher, and agent.

 

Kathy Tyers

Specializing in science fiction for both the CBA and ABA markets, Kathy has published 10 novels. She has also written a travel book and several short stories, and was published in Guideposts and Symphony magazines.

 

Carol Umberger

 

As a first-time author, Carol sold a three-book contract to Integrity Publishers for a fiction series set in her favorite time and place, medieval Scotland. The series has won more than a dozen awards.


Jim Uttley

For more than 13 years, Jim served as editor of Indian Life , a bimonthly Christian newspaper for Native Americans. During his tenure, the publication won numerous awards from the Evangelical Press Association and the Native American Journalists Association.

Larry Weeden

Larry has been a magazine editor, currently serves a major evangelical publisher as a book editor, is a widely published author, and speaks frequently at writing conferences and workshops.

Terry White

Terry has taught in or headed the journalism departments of five midwestern colleges. In addition to being a published writer, he’s also a photographer and book editor.

Jim Zabloski

Jim is currently employed by Liberty University, where he is also pursuing his doctorate in Education. He is an author and writer of contemporary dramatic musicals. He served 12 years for an international book publishing house as editorial director.