Get to Know Our Wonderful SCWC Keynoters and Workshop Leaders for 2025
Get to know our leaders for this year's Southern Christian Writers Conference
The 2025 Southern Christian Writers Conference takes place on June 6-7 at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama. The conference features keynote presentations and 24 workshops on a variety of writing topics and genres. The conference takes place in person beginning Friday, June 7 at 11:30 a.m. and concludes on Saturday, June 8 at 4 p.m. (Note also that a special Thursday night event kicks off for those who want to participate in our Share & Critique Party.)
Our keynote presenters and workshop leaders have years of professional, writing, and publishing experience and bring a world of knowledge and inspiration to our conference this year. We look forward to learning and drawing inspiration from them.
(Note: in-person attendees will choose from a selection of workshops, and also have access later to other workshops online; virtual attendees will receive virtual access to keynote presentations and select workshops. A list of those virtual workshops will be announced later.)
Learn about our leaders and their workshop sessions below.
Keynote Speakers
T.I. Lowe
* Keynote presentation on Saturday: "My Writing Journey"
* Workshop: "Get to Know Your Characters"
T.I Lowe is a bestselling author of 20 novels, and is the winner of the 2024 Christy Award for Contemporary Romance and Overall Book of the Year for Indigo Isle. Other novels include Lulu's Cafe and Under the Magnolias (a 2022 Christy Award finalist). Her latest book, Lowcountry Lost, has received rave reviews (Publishers Weekly says "Lowe skillfully balances the story’s heavier themes with humor ... This is sure to tug on the heartstrings." Booklist calls it a "heartfelt tale of loss, healing, and second chances.") T.I. describes herself as an ordinary country girl from South Carolina who loves to tell extraordinary stories.” You can learn more about T.I. Lowe at her website HERE. And see all of her books HERE.
Caris Snider
* Keynote presentation on Friday night: "Anxious for Nothing"
* Workshop: "Writing Devotional Books"
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Caris Snider is the author of multiple books including the Anxiety Elephants series for adults, tweens, teens, and children. Caris is also the author of Car Line Mom Devotional, has written for a variety of blogs and magazines, has authored books for Eternal Light Company and serves on the TAB Media board. Caris is a popular speaker who shares from her personal experience of overcoming anxiety, depression, fear and shame. She desires to help people of all generations see their value and worth through the eyes of the Lord to grow in their faith and mental health. Caris lives with her husband, Brandon, and two daughters in Cullman, Alabama. You can learn more about Caris at her website. And check out her books HERE.
Jeanie Thompson
* Acceptance presentation on Friday in conjunction with the Joanne Sloan National Award for the Encouragement of Writers.
* Workshop: "Writing Poetry in Trying Times"
Jeanie Thompson is the author of The Myth of Water: Poems from the Life of Helen Keller, The Seasons Bear Us, White for Harvest: New and Selected Poems, Witness, and How to Enter the River. Her poetry and essays on the writing life have been published in Old Enough: Southern Women Writers and Artists on Creativity and Aging, Tributaries, Creativity and Compassion, Whatever Remembers Us, High Horse, Working the Dirt, All Out of Faith, The Best of Crazyhorse, and The Southern Poetry Anthology: Volume X: Alabama. In 2023 Jeanie retired as Executive Director Emerita of the Alabama Writers’ Forum and in June of that year she received the Albert B. Head Legacy Award from the Alabama State Council on the Arts for her work as a literary arts advocate. She has been a poetry faculty member of Spalding University's Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing since 2002. Learn more about Jeanie at her website.
Workshop Session and Leaders
David Bennett
Workshop: "What Editors Wish You Knew"
David will also meet with one-on-one consultations.
David Bennett is the managing editor of HomeLife, the flagship magazine of LifeWay Christian Resources, and content editor for Open Windows, LifeWay’s longest running devotional. He is author of Critical Decisions: Clarity in the Journey (Serendipity House), co-author of Share Jesus Without Fear (LifeWay Press) among other books. For the past 15 years he has been a contributor for The Athlete’s Bible (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). Among other work in the Christian publishing industry, David edited the first Beth Moore student resource and co-hosted the Experiencing God Youth Video Series with Henry Blackaby.
Elise Burke-Brown
Workshop: "How I Sold My First Novel"
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Elise Burke-Brown comes from a family of detectives, including a grandfather who filled her childhood with true crime stories she learned not to repeat at daycare. She is the award-winning author of the New Orleans-based Chase Harlem series, which she sold after signing with an agent after 100 rejections; she met her agent through a writers conference and met her eventual publisher after winning the Killer Nashville Award for an unpublished book. Chase Harlem (which has been described as "a puzzle through the Crescent City...served up with a gumbo of mystery, mischief and a side of sass that will leave readers thinking of the story long after the page turns") debuts on June 17 and is published by Rising Action and distributed by Simon & Schuster. Elise teaches composition at the University of Alabama and runs the popular book blog, https://coupleofbeesread.com/. You can connect with her on Instagram as @EliseBurkeBrown_Author on on X as @couple_of_bees.
Dianna Cagle
Workshop: "Edit Your Own Writing"
Dianna Cagle is special assistant to the editor for the TAB Media Team which includes the nationwide publication The Baptist Paper. She was previously assistant editor for North Carolina’s Biblical Recorder, staff member of several daily newspapers (Milledgeville, Georgia's Union-Recorder, The Decatur, Alabama, DAILY and the Birmingham Post-Herald) and a US/C-2 missionary with the North American Mission Board. She has degrees from the University of Alabama Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Read The Baptist Paper (part of Dianna's work through TAB Media).
Shirley Crowder & Harriet Michael
Workshop: "Collaborative Creations: How to Write Together"
Shirley Crowder was born in a mission guest house under the shade of a mango tree in Nigeria, West Africa, where her parents served as missionaries. She's a Biblical counselor and musician, and the author or co-author of 15 books (many of them devotionals). Her books include the Glimpses of God devotional series (including Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn books), Glimpses of the Savior, Hope for New Beginnings, Advent Meditations for Addicts, and Prayer Warrior Confessions among others. She and Harriet's most recent book is Wonder & Worship: 65 Days of Devotion. Shirley is also a SCWC Staff Assistant. Shirley's blog, Through the Lens of Scripture, includes posts on counseling, book reviews and more.
Harriet E. Michael is an award-winning writer with two 2021 Selah Awards, a 2021 Cascade Award and a 2023 Ames Award. She is the author of numerous books. Her prayer series, includes “Prayer: It’s Not About You,” a finalist in the 2011 Women of Faith book contest. Another of her books, "A Stand for Truth" co-written with her husband, is a First Place Nonfiction Books Selah Award winner. Her stories, articles, and devotions have appeared in publications by Focus on the Family, Lifeway, Standard Publishing, David C. Cook Co., Bethany House, American Life League, Crosswalk.com, Christian Communicator, Judson Press, Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Upper Room, Pentecostal Publishing House, Smyth and Helwys, and more.
Tommy Ford
Workshop: "Writing Compelling Stories"
Tommy Ford is a retired associate athletics director at the University of Alabama and also worked as the director of TIDE PRIDE (the Athletics Department’s football and basketball ticket priority program) and fundraiser for its National Alumni Association. He has experience as a sports editor and is the co-founder and host of co-founded Crimson Chronicles, a podcast about Alabama sports history. He also works as a freelance writer and is the author of twelve books on University of Alabama football, including the bestselling A Season to Remember: Faith in the Midst of the Storm and the University of Alabama Football Vault. See all of his books HERE. Ford is married to the former Robin Rich of Gadsden, and the couple has one son, 27-year-old John Michael.
Bill Fortenberry
Workshop: "How to Easily Build a Writer Website"
Bill Fortenberry has written books on a variety of topics ranging from history to theology and even medicine. His groundbreaking work Franklin on Faith is the world’s only complete collection of Benjamin Franklin’s writings on religion, and his recent book Ectopic Life covers the live births of hundreds of children from ectopic pregnancies. In 2024, Bill started Fortenberry Marketing to help authors and business professionals develop creative, low-cost solutions for marketing and brand awareness; his workshop will focus on easy tactics and resources for writers to build websites and other online landing spots.
Wayne Franklin
Workshop: "Demystifying A.I.: The Benefits and Pitfalls"
Rebecca George
Workshop: "The Importance of Platform (A Publisher's View)"
Rebecca George is the author of five traditionally-published books with more than 500,000 copies in print. Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages and are enjoyed by readers all over the world. Together, Rebecca and her wonderful mother-in-law, Denise George, lead “Christian Writers for Life,” an online community of creative Christ-followers who use their God-given writing talents to honor God and edify the world’s readers. Christian Writers for Life publishes four to six anthology books each year, highlighting the work of their members. Find Christian Writers for Life on Facebook and at ChristianWritersforLife.com.
Katie Ginn
Workshop: "How to Write for Regional Magazines"
Katie Ginn is publisher and editor of Mississippi Christian Living magazine and host of the "Oh My Word with Katie" podcast. When she was a freshman in college, God allowed her to dream of running her own Christian magazine one day. After creating a business plan and magazine prototype for her honors thesis at The University of Mississippi, she worked at The Northside Sun and Clarion Ledger newspapers in Jackson. Finally, in 2018, her magazine dream came true in a way she never expected: She took over Mississippi Christian Living from Marilyn Tinnin (who founded the publication in 2002 after hearing a talk at SCWC)! Katie is married to Stephen Ginn, a web developer and designer, and they live in Madison County, MS. She enjoys working out, reading, listening to podcasts, and pursuing Jesus and His community.
Vanessa Davis Griggs
Workshop: "Writing Romance for Christian Readers"
Vanessa is an award-winning novelist who is also a sought-out motivational speaker. Her novels include Wings of Grace, Blessed Trinity, The Truth is the Light, Ray of Hope, Redeeming Waters and many others. Her book The Other Side of Divine was a 2013 Romantic Times finalist for Best Multicultural Fiction. Her books are known for their outstanding characters and often include inspirational stories of love and romance. Her most recent release is May I Have a Word with You? Vanessa's prolific writing life also includes columns, devotional books and more. See all of Vanessa's books here.
John Herring
Workshop: "What Christian Books Publishers Want"
John will also do one-on-one consultations at the SCWC.
John Herring is CEO/Owner of Iron Stream Media, an emerging media company that includes the imprints Iron Stream Books, Iron Stream Fiction, Iron Stream Kids, Life Bible Study, and Brookstone Creative Group. Books published by Iron Stream include fiction in a variety of genres, nonfiction, devotionals, Christian living, Bible study, children's books and more; the company is pleased to offer submission opportunities to authors who attend writing conferences including the SCWC.John started his career serving local churches as an executive pastor, discipleship pastor, and consultant and has been in the publishing industry since 2006.
T.I. Lowe
Workshop: "Get to Know Your Characters"
T.I. will present one of the keynote presentations.
See full bio above.
Workshop: "Writing When Your Ideal Schedule Never Happens"
Linda Lyle is an author, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats who knits together novels with mystery, humor, and romance. Linda’s current releases are a novella collection A Christmas by Any Other Name and The 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life is Overwhelming, both available on Amazon. As a freelance writer, Linda has written for Open Windows, Salem Web Network, Refresh Bible Study Magazine and as a contributor for Lighthouse Bible Studies, Christian Writers for Life anthologies and SCWC books. You can check out all her work and her blog on lindalyle.com where The End of My Yarn is just the beginning.
Joe McKeever
Workshop: "From Book to Blog" and "Just for Fun: How to Sketch"
Joe will also sketch conference attendees throughout the SCWC weekend.
Joe McKeever pastored for 42 years at six Southern Baptist Churches–the last in Kenner, La. and worked for five years as director of missions for the SBC churches of metro New Orleans. He has drawn a daily cartoon for the Baptist Press (www.bpnews.net/comics), written a column on “My Favorite Deacon” for each issue of Lifeway’s Deacon Magazine, blogs almost daily for church leaders at www.joemckeever.com and has published numerous books of his cartoons and the ministry books "Help! I'm a Deacon," "Grief Recovery 101," "Sixty and Better: Making the Most of our Golden Years," "Pastoring," "A Healthy Church," "Pray Anyway," "Listen! God is Speaking" and more. He loves sketching people at events and in everyday places.
Zelda Oliver-Miles
Workshop: "Writing Fiction Where Faith is Felt not Forced"
Zelda Oliver-Miles is a storyteller at heart—whether through journalism, coaching, or crafting unforgettable fiction. A former reporter for The Birmingham News, she's the author of the novels The Weight of Silence ("a gripping novel about love, secrets, and the weight of unspoken truths") and A Hawthorne Christmas. Her other books include Amelia Gayle Gorgas—First Woman of Position (part of the Alabama Roots Biography Series) and My Headless Marriage (an exploration of marriage based on God’s principles of leaving, cleaving, and becoming one). Zelda loves to help authors along the storytelling process by helping them draw readers in, build tension, and leave a lasting impact.
Sue Mohr empowers creatives and entrepreneurs through her firm, The Inner Vizion (theinnervizion.com), helping clients overcome internal barriers to achieve success. As Creative Director of a Christian television show, she earned a Telly Award for her writing and directing; she's also the co-author of the devotional book Hope is… and has been published in numerous other books and magazines. As an ordained minister, Sue's passion for teaching Scripture is evident in her FiftyNess course, paralleling biblical women with today’s modern women. She is currently writing a how to book on tools for entrepreneurs (Breaking Through from the Inside Out) and facilitates a writer’s group called The Crooked Crown Writing Society.
Vernet will also offer one-on-one consultations.
Sue Mohr
Workshop: "The Business of Writing"
Sue Mohr empowers creatives and entrepreneurs through her firm, The Inner Vizion (theinnervizion.com), helping clients overcome internal barriers to achieve success. As Creative Director of a Christian television show, she earned a Telly Award for her writing and directing; she's also the co-author of the devotional book Hope is… and has been published in numerous other books and magazines. As an ordained minister, Sue's passion for teaching Scripture is evident in her FiftyNess course, paralleling biblical women with today’s modern women. She is currently writing a how to book on tools for entrepreneurs (Breaking Through from the Inside Out) and facilitates a writer’s group called The Crooked Crown Writing Society.
Vernet Nettles
Workshop: "Brainstorming with SCWC Staff"
Vernet Nettles served educational institutions for over 25 years as an English/Language Arts teacher and administrator. She is the author of books of poetry, devotions, and stories for children; they include Pray, Praise and Be Encouraged, Moments of Grace, and Beautiful Just Like Me. Vernet loves to plan events and activities for writers and is actively involved in the Montgomery, Alabama writing community. She is also a SCWC Staff Assistant. See Vernet's books here.
Tammie Polk
Workshop: "Your Book Should Attract Dollars, Not Dirt"
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Tammie Polk has written 200 books and has a line of 40 life and business planners. As the owner of Professionally Sassy, LLC, Tammie helps authors who wants to do more with their books by showing them what is possible using her B. E. S. T. (Books. Events. Services. Trinkets.) Framework. Through her main brand, she has launched two full-scale book brands, Girl, Go Eat A COOKIE and Every Woman Is A Business Woman, and has developed a nationwide following and partnerships. Tammie has also been published in numerous magazines and is the host of an internet radio show.
Stephanie Rodda
Workshops: "SCWC 101: Tips and Encouragement for Newbies" & "Discovering our Writing Voice"
Stephanie Rodda has written for such publications as Birmingham Parent and Focus on the Family, and is the author of the novel How Then Shall We Live? and the devotional book Hope and Help for Homeschooling Parents. She also writes devotional thoughts regularly on her social media platforms. Her most recent project is her first children's book, Backyard Betsey, which was inspired by her 15 years of foster parenting. She is also a SCWC Staff Assistant.
Ellen Sallas
Workshop: "How to Pitch Your Idea" (at the Thursday night Share & Critique Party)
Ellen will also meet with interested authors in one-on-one consultations.
Ellen Sallas is the Editorial Director and founder of Little Roni Publishers, LLC (an independent traditional publishing company), as well as founder of The Author’s Mentor (a free-advice, low-cost book services company that has helped over 400 authors publish more than 500 books). Ellen is a widely sought keynote speaker for book clubs, schools, and education organizations. Under the pen name Ellen C. Maze, she authored the 2020 Gold Medal Winner Reader’s Favorite International Book Award & #1 bestselling Christian Thriller Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider, among many other titles in different genres. You can learn more about Ellen and her books at www.ellencmaze.com.
Martine Sharp
Workshop: "Understanding Traditional, Hybrid and Self Publishing"
Martine will also meet with interested authors in one-on-one consultations.
Christopher Sloan
Workshop: "Spirituality and Writing"
Christopher Sloan is a freelance writer whose publications include magazine articles, columns, short stories, novels, and novellas, both in print and online. He's the author of the fantasy novel The Forgotten Heroes and the how-to book Ultimate Strength among other publications. He has published scores of articles focusing on strength building and fitness in national magazines and been a contributing editor for Planet Muscle and Ironman magazines. Christopher, who worships in the Orthodox Christian tradition, has a passion for spirituality and he often writes about the topic on his blog and in articles.
Caris Snider
Workshop: "Writing Devotional Books"
Caris will also present a keynote talk and do one-on-one consultations.
See full bio above.
Jeannie Thompson
Workshop: "Writing Poetry in Trying Times"
Jeanie will also present a recipient speech for the Joanne Sloan National Award for the Encouragement of Writers.
See full bio above.
Cheryl Wray
Workshop: "Telling Your Story through Personal Essays"
Cheryl Sloan Wray is the coordinator of the SCWC and a full-time writer with journalism degrees from the University of Alabama. Her more than 2,000 articles have appeared in numerous magazines over the years, and she's also a former sports reporter for The Birmingham News and Al.com. Her many books on writing include the popular Writing for Magazines: A Beginner's Guide (which was a Featured Selection of the Writer's Digest Book Club); she's written essays for numerous publications and in her book Notes from a Quarantine. She currently serves as cover story writer for Christian Family Publications and contributing writer for It's a Southern Thing, and is the editor of Anchored Magazine and SCWC Books.
Additional Sessions
There will also be breakout sessions held on Friday night on other writing topics not covered by workshops. Those topics include Writing for Children, Mystery & Suspense Writing, Using Social Media, Writing Memoirs, Podcasting, Scriptwriting, Writing for Newspapers and others.
Publishers, Editors and Writing Coaches
SCWC attendees will get the opportunity to meet with publishers, editors, and writing coaches at no extra charge during the conference. Registration for the one-on-one consultations will open on May 27 and will be sent to everyone signed up for the conference.
The following professionals will be available for consultations:
David Bennett (Lifeway Publications)
Holly Black (Bird & Bear Editorial Services)
Jake Erwin (SCWC Books)
John Herring (Iron Stream Media)
Ellen Sallas (Little Roni Publishing)
Martine Sharp (Soncoast Publishing)
Steve and Laura Young (YesBear Publishing)
Zelda Miles-Oliver (coaching)
Vernet Nettles (coaching)
Tammie Polk (coaching)
Stephanie Rodda (coaching)
Caris Snider (coaching)
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