Conference Director N. J. Lindquist is an award-winning Canadian author and columnist as well as a popular motivational speaker and co-founder of The Word Guild. After attending her first God Uses Ink conference in 1988, she has been involved as a participant, planner or faculty member every year since. This is her ninth year as directer of the Write! Canada conferences (the conference was renamed in 2004 to mark its 20th anniversary); and she was the plenary speaker in 2006. In 2008, Lindquist co-edited and published Hot Apple Cider. She has written two Manziuk and Ryan mysteries, eight books for teens and a Christmas play. She writes a regular column, "As Each Part Does its Work" for Maranatha News. Lindquist also speaks on faith, creativity and writing across Canada and into the US. In 2006, Lindquist received the Leading Women Award for Communications and Media for co-founding The Word Guild, and a Deeds Speak award from the York Region Police for her teen book, In Time of Trouble. www.njlindquist.com www.writewithexcellence.com |
|
|
Conference Director Note: Unfortunately, Wendy has had to bow out of direct involvement with the organization of the conference, but she does plan to attend. Please do not contact her with questions or suggestions concerning the conference. Wendy Elaine Nelles is an award-winning journalist, writer, editor and speaker with wide-ranging experience in the corporate, not-for-profit and publishing sectors. She holds an M.A. in Communications with high honour from Wheaton College, Illinois. She has served on the leadership team of the God Uses Ink/Write! Canada conference for 22 consecutive years, after attending her first conference in 1988. Write! Canada 2010 is the ninth conference that Nelles has directed, since The Word Guild assumed responsibility for the conference (then known as God Uses Ink) from Faith Today/The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. Wendy co-founded The Word Guild in 2001, and has invested nine years in establishing the association and in building the professionalism of Canada's Christian writing community. She has filled a number of roles in the areas of teaching, speaking, mentoring, strategic thinking, needs analysis, event planning, public relations, editing, and quality control. In addition, for a number of years she oversaw all The Word Guild's writing awards programs and the Awards Gala. She continues to be active in her role as founder and consultant. In 2006, she was recognized nationally with the Leading Women Award for Excellence in Communications and Media. She co-edited the Canadian bestseller Hot Apple Cider in 2008, a groundbreaking 100% Canadian anthology showcasing 30 members of The Word Guild. www.wendynelles.com |
|
|
Conference Administrative Coordinator Shannon Leibold has a passion for both administration and writing, which is why a role as an Administrative Coordinator at Canada’s largest Christian writing conference is an exciting endeavour. This is her second year in this position. She attended her first Write! Canada conference in 2008 where she tied for first place in the God Uses Ink writing contest. Leibold works as a Business Administrator at her local church and has experience in both teaching and leading volunteers. Amidst working and raising two young children with her husband, she spends spare moments blogging and writing Bible Studies for small groups with the goal to inspire people to deepen their walk with God. Contact Shannon |
|
|
Conference Administrative Coordinator in Training
|
|
|
Registrar Bonnie Gilpin is a recently-retired office manager for a local building contractor. She is the mother of three grown children and grandmother of two. For the last nine years she has hosted the Writers’ Nest, a monthly meeting of aspiring and published writers who come together to inspire and encourage each other and hone their skills. She has acted as registrar for two Write! Toronto conferences and for the past six years as registrar for Write! Canada. Contact Bonnie |
|
|
Manuscript Critiques and Faculty Appointments Coordinator |
|
|
Appointments Overseer For over 25 years, Deb Schuchardt’s writing journey has been challenged by life’s storms. Her strong faith, experiences, and passion for writing have been the motivation that has kept her going, but as an encourager she wants to use the gifts God has given her, to reach others. Deb has built her portfolio with articles on faith, community events and school issues as well as a collection of unique tips for making life easier, inspirational and humorous poetry, kid’s stories, and a light mystery novel. She has attended many workshops, seminars and writing groups. Her 11-year passion for health and nutrition is now in the forefront of her journey and she will be starting seminars and cooking classes soon. Deb comes from the Grey and Bruce area and has 3 adult children. |
|
|
Appointments Overseer
She is now administrative assistant to Member of Parliament Maurice Vellacott, a position she has held for the past 12 years. Edna is married to Lloyd. |
|
|
Bookstore Coordinator Heidi VanderSlikke is a freelance writer and regular columnist for Christian Courier. She writes articles, short stories and devotionals, often focusing on three things she knows best: faith, family and farm life. Her work has been featured in ChristianWeek, The Upper Room and on Christianity.ca. Ever since winning the God Uses Ink novice award in 1997, Heidi has been hooked on Write! Canada. She has been a professional member of The Word Guild since it began, and has worked at the conference bookstore for many years. |
|
|
Bookstore Assistants Brian C. Austin and his wife Carolyn Austin live on a small acreage at Durham, Ontario. Besides writing, Brian serves as church librarian and until recently worked in a Christian bookstore. His published work has appeared in local newspapers, ChristianWeek, Fellowship Link, The Interim, Faith & Friends, and The Shantyman, as well as in the anthology, Hot Apple Cider and in the books of poetry, Laughter & Tears, Let Heaven Weep, and I Barabbas. A small number of awards hang on Brian's wall – but the one he treasures most comes from the Canadian Mental Health Association, Grey-Bruce Branch, presented in 2007 “For his outstanding contributions to Mental Health in Grey and Bruce Counties.” His first novel, Munnin's Keep, is being published this spring. |
|
|
Bookstore Assistant Charmaine Beckles is currently working as a technical writer (of sorts) for a large Canadian company. A story-teller and comedienne by nature, she became a member of The Word Guild in 2008 to learn how these talents could be put to use in writing about personal experiences. Although Charmaine is an introvert and somewhat shy, you are welcome hang out with her on beckisbench.blogspot.com, where she goes to laugh at life. |
|
|
Bookstore Assistant Adele Simmons has been a professional member of The Word Guild since its inception in January 2002. She is an award-winning writer and editor, a seasoned keynote speaker, teacher, manager, and musician. With decades of public presentation, Adele has encountered almost every speaking scenario you can think of… from national television interviews and performance to radio shows, from churches to hay wagons, from conferences and camps to train-the-trainer workshops. She is currently writing a memoir and two how-to books. She is often booked for motivational speaking or her workshops in Creative Ministries and Public Speaking. Her recent workshop series ME, SPEAK? has been sold out. Chestnut Lane Creative |
|
|
Volunteers Coordinator / "Stretch Breaks" Leader Kimberley Payne is a motivational speaker, author, and writer on spiritual and physical fitness topics. Through her work, Payne hopes to inspire people to live healthier lives that glorify God. |
|
|
Prayer Coordinator |
|
|
Julie-Anne Brace grew up in a strong Bible believing family in Toronto. In her teens, Julie-Anne moved with her family to northern Ontario, as part of a church plant. She remained in the north and taught school for many years.
Edna Mackey is a former elementary teacher who has held several responsible administrative and executive assistant roles at Carey Theological College and Trinity Western University in BC and Tyndale University College and Seminary in Ontario.
Recent Comments