Thirty-seven Contributors

We are a group of Canadian writers who share a love of writing. We are all members of The Word Guild - and association of Canadian writers and editors who write from a Christian worldview. We are:

A. A. Adourian is a writer—creative, focused, ready. A librarian by profession with more than a decade of experience in the field, A. A. is a skilled researcher and author of numerous business-related reports in a corporate environment. A. A. is in awe of how God brought this, her first published work, to pass. While A. A. recently completed a half-marathon, she is daily challenged to run after God, serve Him, and make Him known

Brian C. Austin is a writer and speaker. His work includes print and audio poetry, nonfiction articles, historical fiction and dramatic monologue. He has two books: Muninn’s Keep (Word Alive Press), Laughter & Tears (Word Alive Press). Brian is an active member of The Word Guild and contributed several poems to Hot Apple Cider: Words to Stir the Heart and Warm the Soul. He lives near Durham, Ontario.

Paul M. Beckingham is the author of the memoir, Walking Towards Hope: Experiencing Grace in a Time of Brokenness . For Paul, writing became a lifesaver. In Kenya, a car wreck threatened three family members’ lives, and left him for dead at the roadside. Writing builds new meaning into his life. Paul’s book—and many of his richly woven shorter articles—have earned literary awards. He calls Vancouver, B.C. home.

Bonnie Beldan-Thomson’s writing is informed and enriched by the diversity of her life experience. She is an award-winning poet and journalist who has been published in Canada and internationally since 1987. Her writing often revolves around themes of mercy, grace and redemption. She is a retired elementary school teacher, a music teacher and a director of music ministries. Now living in Pickering, Ontario, Bonnie has also lived in Alberta and, for shorter periods, in the Middle East and Scotland.

Glynis M. Belec is a freelance writer, children’s author, and private tutor in Drayton, Ontario. Her books include Jailhouse Rock and Jesus Washes Peter’s Feet (Concordia Publishing). She loves mentoring beginning writers, speaking at schools, and leading writing workshops. Glynis particularly enjoys being published in the children’s market. Her work includes newspaper editorial columns, devotionals, stage plays, short stories, Sunday school take-home papers, and nonfiction articles for children’s and adult magazines.

Mary Ann Benjamins, an elementary school supply teacher, writes from her home base in Brantford, Ontario. Born and raised in Pembroke in the heart of the Ottawa Valley, Mary Ann has lived all over Ontario and the United States. She is a member of The World Guild and this is her second published work. An earlier essay in the “My Hometown” contest was published in The Observer newspaper in Sarnia, Ontario. Mary Ann writes and speaks for area churches and schools.

Vilma Blenman is a teacher and counsellor with the Toronto District School Board. She holds a Master of Education degree in Counselling Psychology. Vilma writes sporadically between counselling at-risk teens, facilitating personal growth groups, and managing a private practice. “Lost: One Green Scarf” and “Cries for Keyon” are her first published pieces. Originally from Jamaica, she brings the voices of the Caribbean-Canadian community to her writing. Vilma lives in Pickering, Ontario.

Bill Bonikowsky is a writer, editor and photographer based in Surrey, British Columbia. His work includes editing Alpha News for Alpha Ministries Canada, and editing Report to the People for Greater Vancouver Youth for Christ, where he served for 27 years. Bill was a contributing writer for the NIV Life Application Study Bible while serving as pastor of Grove Community Church in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Born in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Bill was raised in Guelph before moving to B.C. in 1974.

Ann Brent is passionate about getting God’s Word and His message of salvation through Jesus to as many people as possible. As director of national ministries for Empower Ministries, she produces publications that inform, challenge and inspire people with the news of how God is working around the world today. A lover of words, she fully understood the meaning of “overjoyed” when she held her first grandchild, Jacob. Ann is determined to face life’s changes and challenges through the filters of laughter, optimism and faith. She lives in Brights Grove near Sarnia, Ontario.

Connie Brummel Crook, a retired teacher from Peterborough, Ontario, is the author of 11 historical fiction novels, and two picture books. Her novels include the Nellie McClung trilogy, the Meyers saga, and other pioneer stories, such as The Hungry Year. Her books have won numerous awards. Meyers’ Rebellion was a 2007 finalist for the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People. In 2008, Connie received the Leslie K. Tarr Award for a major career contribution to Christian writing in Canada.

Marguerite Cummings has a distinctively international background. Born in Belgium into a French-speaking family with roots in Austria, Belgium, Poland, and Romania, she moved to England in her late teens. There she completed an Oxford degree, attended Bible college, trained as a technical writer and editor, and worked in computing, until her move to Canada in 1998. Marguerite now feels completely at home in Toronto, the multi-cultural capital of Ontario. “O Canada” is her first article as a freelance writer.

Kevin J. Dautremont, MD, is a family physician in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and an associate clinical professor with the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine. His writing focuses on mysteries and historical fiction. In 2008, Kevin won the Best New Canadian Christian Author Award for The Golden Conquest. This alternative history novel is a story of adventure and faith set during the Spanish Conquest of Mexico in the 1500s.

Donna Fawcett (pen name Donna Dawson) is a speaker, singer, novelist, news columnist, magazine writer, and creative writing instructor for Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. Her novel Vengeance won two categories in The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards in 2009. Her newest novel Rescued offers a potential solution to the abortion issue. Donna lives in southwestern Ontario.

Angelina Fast-Vlaar, an award-winning author, was born in Holland and resides in St. Catharines, Ontario. Her writing includes nonfiction books, articles and poetry. As an inspirational speaker, Angelina draws on her wealth of experience to captivate and motivate audiences. As a cancer survivor, she offers hope and encouragement. in her book, The Valley of Cancer: A Journey of Comfort and Hope. She won the 2004 Best New Canadian Christian Author Award for her book, Seven Angels for Seven Days.

Rosemary Flaaten, MA, is a sought-after speaker for professional and women’s groups, retreats and corporate training. She is also one of the speakers with Girls Night Out. Her writing, which focuses on relationships, encompasses study curricula, books, devotionals and articles. Rosemary leads the Professional Women’s Network in Calgary, Alberta, where she resides. She was raised on a farm in southern Saskatchewan.

Her books are A Woman and Her Relationships and A Woman and Her Workplace.

Ed Hird, MDiv, BSW, DMin candidate, has served as the rector of St. Simon’s Church North Vancouver since 1987. Ordained in 1980, he also served at St. Philip’s Vancouver and St. Matthew’s Abbotsford, all located in British Columbia. Ed is past president of Alpha Canada, and former national chair for Anglican Renewal Ministries of Canada. Over the past 23 years, Ed has written two books and more than 300 articles for local North Vancouver newspapers. His latest book is Battle for the Soul of Canada.

Ron Hughes is a producer, writer and presenter, both on radio and in person. A missionary in Ecuador from 1983 to 1993, he now lives in Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula. Most of Ron’s recent work has been inspirational and devotional in character, produced in conjunction with FBH International, a multi-language media ministry based in St. Catharines, Ontario. While most of Ron’s output is available in text and audio format through the Internet, some is also in print.

Evangeline Inman is a speaker, writer, and multiple award-winning recording artist. Her work includes a Bible study for the book Shine On by Sharon Hamilton, radio devotionals, a large catalogue of songwriting credits, and recording projects. She travels internationally singing and speaking, and is the founder and president of Women Who Worship Conferences. Evangeline makes her home in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

David Kitz is an actor, award-winning author, and teache whose books include Psalms Alive! and Little Froggy Explores the BIG World. He served as an ordained pastor for 12 years. His love for drama is evident to all who have seen his Bible-based performances. He has toured across Canada and the United States with a variety of one-man plays for children and adults. Raised in Saskatchewan, David now lives in Ottawa, Ontario.

Marcia Lee Laycock is a writer, speaker and teacher from central Alberta. She won the Best New Canadian Christian Author Award in 2006 for her novel One Smooth Stone. Her devotional book Spur of the Moment has been endorsed by Mark Buchanan and Phil Callaway. The sequel to One Smooth Stone will be released in 2011.

Les Lindquist is an experienced Change Consultant with a passion for helping organizations and people embrace change in a positive way so they can go forward in difficult situations. He specializes in intuitive, visionary and cost-effective approaches to address complex problems. He has a knack for finding alternatives and discovering unique ways to get things done. Les is currently treasurer for the board for Christian Info Canada, the ministry that includes The Word Guild.

N. J. Lindquist, an award-winning author, inspiring speaker, and empowering teacher, is driven by a desire to see people become everything they were created to be. N. J. has 12 published books, including the award-winning Manziuk and Ryan mystery series and the coming-of-age Circle of Friends series. N.J's favourite award is the Deeds Speak Award from the York Regional Police for her book, In Time of Trouble. Originally from the Canadian Prairies, N. J. now lives in Markham, Ontario.

Heather McGillivray lives in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, blocks from where she grew up. Since God has changed the direction of her life, she’s rekindled an old flame—writing. She lives with a chronic illness and the grace to carry her through. Stories, poems, blog posts, and songs are some of her best company. She’s written regularly for a local newspaper, had a smattering of articles and poetry published, is trying her hand at editing, and is currently working on two book projects.

Heidi McLaughlin is an international speaker, author and columnist. For over two decades, she has been inspiring women to discover and unleash their most valuable, unexpected, God-given gift: the endowment of their genuine, beautiful selves. Her Beauty Unleashed Study Guide is being studied by hundreds of women across Canada. Her second book is Sand to Pearls: Making Bold Choices to Enrich Your Life . Heidi lives amongst the beautiful vineyards of West Kelowna, British Columbia.

M. D. Meyer is the award-winning author of five novels and two children’s books set in the fictional First Nations community of Rabbit Lake in Canada’s North. She is also the editor of 10 anthologies, many featuring the works of Aboriginal authors. Dorene currently resides in Norway House, Manitoba, where she is a part-time instructor at University College of the North. Two recent titles include Jasmine and The Little Ones.

Ruth Smith Meyer, a writer and speaker raised in the Stouffville area, now alternates living between Ailsa Craig and Listowel, Ontario. She has published two well-received adult novels and a children’s book. As an inspirational speaker, she addresses a wide variety of topics. Ruth also teaches how to positively face death, dying, and the grief journey. Her book titles include Not Easily Broken and Not Far from the Tree.

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. Wendy holds an MA in Communications with high honour from Wheaton College. Based in Toronto and Norfolk County, Ontario, Wendy was one of 45 inductees selected from her secondary school’s 118-year history for its inaugural Wall of Distinction in 2010.

Kimberley Payne is a motivational speaker and writer. Her writing relates raising a family, pursuing a healthy lifestyle, and everyday experiences to building a relationship with God. Kimberley, who lives near Peterborough, Ontario, offers practical, guilt-free tips on improving spiritual and physical health. Her energetic and enthusiastic workshop presentations have encouraged listeners at churches, women’s retreats and conferences. Her books include Fit for Faith and Where Family Meets Faith.

Judi Peers is an author, speaker, publisher and Bible study leader. She has produced children’s books for many publishers: Scholastic, General, Stoddart, and James Lorimer. A passion for Old Testament history is reflected in her recent allegorical adventure and its companion adult Bible study, Guardian of the Lamp. Currently, Judi is at work in Peterborough, Ontario, where she is beginning a study of Isaiah and compiling an anthology entitled Shekinah: God’s Glory Revealed in Unexpected Places.

Gloria V. Phillips was born in northern Alberta and lived in various locations throughout Alberta and Saskat-chewan before settling in Collingwood, Ontario. She is a genealogist who wrote two nonfiction books before turning her hand to historical fiction. Her talents as a researcher are reflected in novels chronicling two generations, starting with the journey of a child immigrant to Canada in the early 1900s. Her titles include A Pilgrim Passing Through and

A Pilgrim’s Daughter.

Johanne Robertson is a writer, speaker and business consultant. She is co-founder and co-publisher of Maranatha News, a Canadian Christian newspaper celebrating 15 years of serving the community, and co-founder of Read for Life, a ministry encouraging Canadians to read life-changing books (www.readforlife.ca). Born in Montreal, Québec, and currently residing in Toronto, Ontario, Johanne has served on the board of directors for two national ministry organizations, The Word Guild and Women Alive.

Denise Budd Rumble is a writer and speaker who shares her stories as a woman living in the real world with a real faith, and encourages others to see God at work in their lives too. Denise’s blog, Midlife Odyssey, focuses on menopause, aging parents and other midlife challenges. Her articles have been published in newspapers and magazines across Canada, including Faith Today and Focus on the Family Canada. Born in England, Denise lives in southwestern Ontario and is the managing director of The Word Guild.

Jayne E. Self is a writer, speaker and church musician. Her work includes mysteries, short stories, nonfiction articles and devotionals. Her novel Caught Dead: A Dean Constable Mystery was shortlisted in the 2008 and 2009 Best New Canadian Christian Author contests. An active member of The Word Guild, Jayne has lived coast to coast in Canada and presently resides in Orangeville, Ontario.

Adele Simmons is an award-winning writer and editor who has published in many media, including books, journalism, television, scriptwriting, songwriting, and poetry. Also a professional singer and speaker, recording artist, and worship leader, she teaches music, public speaking, and creative ministries. Adele hails from British Columbia and Alberta, but spent her career life in Québec and Ontario, in business management, mental health, special education, and college teaching. She lives near Whitby, Ontario. Watch for Adele’s upcoming memoir, The Cabin: No Ordinary Miracle.

Janet Sketchley is an East Coast writer working to break into print in novel-length Christian women’s suspense. Her unpublished novel Praying for the Enemy was shortlisted for the Best New Canadian Christian Author Award in 2008. She has published more than 100 short articles, columns, stories, and reviews. Stop by her blog, God With Us: Finding Joy, for book reviews, inspirational articles, and features. Janet lives in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Jeannie Lockerbie Stephenson opened a Literature Centre while a missionary in Bangladesh. She has written 28 books translated into Bengali and nine in English. The latest is By Ones and Twos: Building Successful Relationships. She was her mission’s director of publications, producing The Message magazine (circulation 100,000) and editing 25 books. Jeannie conducts writing conferences overseas and in North America. Born in Hamilton, she lives in London, Ontario and is available for speaking engagements.

T. L. Wiens is a writer and speaker with an emphasis on youth. Her books include Making the Bitter Sweet and Where a Little Rain Comes Down. Living in the beauty of the hills along Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan forms a stark contrast to T. L.’s novels, which address difficult issues. She is an organizer and workshop leader at the His Imprint writers’ conference and a member of The Word Guild, InScribe, and Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild.