peakers' Bureau

The St. Davids Speakers' Bureau makes available writers who speak from a Christian position, comfortably crossing denominational lines. Each has other areas of expertise, in addition to writing. If you are interested in having one of these women speak at your literary, church, or community event, please contact her directly by E-mail to make arrangements.

Lora Zill of Conneaut Lake, PA is director of the St. Davids Christian Writers' Conference. She also edits Time of Singing, a quarterly journal of literary poetry which was described in Christianity Today as "an arts magazine of special interest to Christians." A member of the Conneaut Lake school board, she is also eager to share the knowledge she has acquired that will help concerned Christians have an impact on public schools. Suggested topics include:

How to Touch Your Public School: How concerned parents and community members can work with educators to effect change.

The Music in Words: How poetry fills our lives with its music and song.

Connie Bretz resides in Phoenixville, PA where she wears many hats--and frequently a biker's helmet! (Connie earned a silver medal in the PA state Senior Olympics.) She has taught kindergarten, acted at the Forge theater, hosted a radio show, and had more than a thousand poems and articles published in both the religious and secular press. A story-teller for 25 years, Connie also enjoys clowning. Her talks have been known to break out into song or dance--and audience applause. Suggested topics include:

The Rumor is Humor: This author's study and practice of writing humor has laughable effects.

The Bells are Ringing for You: The speaker's bell collection comes with jokes, history, and the significance of ding-dongs.

Marjorie Stewart lives in Pittsburgh, PA, where she edits Edgewood, the borough newsletter, and is actively involved in drama. A two-time winner of the Playwright Award given by the New Works Festival, Marjie is the only person whose plays the festival has produced each year for five consecutive years. "Waiting Impatiently for Godot," "Winter Women Throwing Stones" and "A Secret Audience with HRM Queen Victoria" are among twenty of her dramas that have been produced in the Pittsburgh area. A past director of the St. Davids Christian Writers' Conference, Marjie enjoys speaking to teens, adults, and seniors--and involves her audiences in improvisational games. Suggested topics include:

The World of Fringe Theater: A successful playwright tells (almost) all.

Towards Moral Fiction: Lies that Tell the Truth: The value of fiction.

Bonnie Hellum Brechbill, who lives in south-central Pennsylvania, writes non-fiction pieces for magazines and newspapers. More than 440 of her articles have appeared in Newsweek, Highlights for Children, Country Woman, Central Pennsylvania Life and many other publications. She speaks on writing topics at several conferences and is a tutor for the Writing Academy. Bonnie is also available to speak to general audiences. Suggested topics include:

Making Your Opinion Publishable: The four things you must have to write a convincing opinion piece, how to find a topic that's right for you, and where and how to sell your finished article.

Marketing Your Work: Lots of practical advice for the beginning writer who is just starting to market his/her work.

I'm a Writer, but You've Never Heard of Me: What a Writer's Life Is Really Like: For general audiences. Life for the average writer is not one continuous round of glamorous book parties and huge royalty checks. Bonnie shares her experiences of living the more typical writer's life for 15 years.

Gloria Clover a novelist from Hadley, PA, has published two Christian romances, Brianna's Pardon and Tangled Truths. The latter is the first book in her Truth Seekers series, designed to bridge the gap between ABA and CBA markets. She has also edited four volumes of Penned from the Heart, a book of daily devotions from Son-Rise Publications. Some of the topics on which she is prepared to speak are spiritual gifts, cults, abstinence, spiritual warfare, a basic gospel message, and her own spiritual walk. Gloria does not limit her speaking engagements to children and teens, but she would be an excellent choice for a children's event or career day. Suggested topics include:

Discovering the You God Sees: Abundant living results from seeking to know and to fulfill God's unique purpose for us.

The Truth Seekers: Cultivating before planting seeds of truth.

Kathy Scott of Conestoga, PA is president of the St. Davids Christian Writers' Association, a guide for Friendship Bible Coffee groups, and a teacher of women's study groups. Her articles have appeared in more than 50 publications and range from inspirational pieces to those dealing with depression, retirement, the parenting of teens, and knowing God's will. Kathy is available to speak to girls, women, and older adults. Suggested topics include:

Retirement Survival Stages: With planning, retirement can be victorious.

Journey into the Unknown: At every age, the future can be frightening. How can we know God's will and make decisions not spelled out in the Bible?

Time: Are We Bottling or Battling It?: Time management issues.

God Is No One's Debtor: Financial crises.

Dressing with Maturity: Spiritual growth.

Eileen Berger lives in Hughesville, PA. She is a medical technologist, wife of a retired Baptist minister, and author of 11 published Biblical and romance novels, including The Samaritan Woman, A Place to Call Home, and To Galilee with Love. Eileen has a special enthusiasm for encouraging others in their writing efforts. She has enjoyed several trips to Israel, bringing back experiences which appear in her novels and oral presentations. Her calendar fills quickly, so we suggest booking well in advance of your program date. Suggested topics include:

One Book Leads to Another: A prolific novelist answers the question: "Where do you get those ideas?"

Since 1997, Michele Huey has described her struggles as a Christian wife, mother, and grandmother in her weekly newspaper column, Minute Meditations. As an inspirational speaker, she brings the same humor and poignancy to the stage, addressing spiritual growth, family life, and relationships at mother-daughter banquets, women’s retreats and seminars, and community events.

Michele’s books, Minute Meditations: Meeting God in Everyday Experiences (April 2000), I Lift Up My Eyes (November 2002), and Wings of the Morning (November 2004) are compilations of her columns. In 2001 she launched a daily inspirational radio program, "God, Me and a Cup of Tea." Her work has appeared in Guideposts, The Upper Room, Pathways to God, Christ in Our Home, Teachers in Focus, Home Life, Purpose, Chicken Soup for the Christian Family Soul, God’s Abundance, God’s Vitamin C for the Spirit of Women, Why Fret That God Stuff? and For Better, For Worse.

A member of St. Davids Christian Writers Association Board of Directors, she teaches Bible, English, and journalism/communications at Punxsutawney Christian High School, as well as workshops on writing at writers’ conferences. Michele and her husband, Dean, live in western Pennsylvania and have been married since 1973. They have three adult children and four grandchildren.

Speaking Topics

"Oh, Joy!"
Based on Proverbs 17:22 -- "A cheerful heart is good medicine." -- this speech encourages the audience to cultivate joy, with the premise that God has created within each of our hearts a room for joy, but we choose whether to leave it empty or fill it up.

"From Bethel to Peniel"
Based on Philippians 1:6 -- "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion." -- this speech reminds audiences that, despite our faults, weaknesses, and imperfections, God can still use us to make a difference for eternity, but we have to let Him work in us. This speech contains Michele's personal testimony of how God brought her from Bethel -- when she first met God -- to her personal Peniel that changed her profoundly.

Michele also speaks on such topics as spiritual growth, family life, and relationships.

Teaching topics:

"The Writer's Role in Self-publishing"
Workshop covers what the writer needs to know and do in order to successfully self-publish, business end, marketing, publicity, as well as writing. Michele has self-published two books, as well as numerous bookmarks and plaques.

"Pursue the Vision: The 5 W's of Launching Your Writing Career"
Workshop covers what a beginning writer needs to know, using the 5 w's: WHO are you? (Everyone is unique. What experiences have you that make you unique?) WHAT is your message? (How to use this uniqueness to find what God wants to say thorugh you.) WHEN should I start? (How to avoid procrastination, tips for managing time wisely) WHERE do you want to go with your writing? (Setting goals, training) HOW will you convey your message (Type of writing, devotionals, short stories, poetry, etc.) WHY do you want to write? (Developing a mission statement).

"Beginners, Etc. -- Enthusiasm, Training, & Commitment"
Workshop covers the importance of maintaining enthusiasm in the face of rejection, developing your writing talents through training and self-study, and commit ting yourself to achieving your writing goals. Includes "how to's."

"The Writing Process"
Workshop covers the steps of writing from idea to publication: finding ideas, selecting a topic, developing a main idea statement, brainstorming, gathering information, researching, drafting, revising, proofreading, publishing. A must for new writers and a good refresher course for those who find their writing careers stagnant.

Other Topics:

• "Make Your Writing Sparkle"
• "Writing Effective Devotionals"
• "Getting the Good News in the News"
• "Meditations in the Media"
  E-mail Michele Huey
  Decorative initial by Bora, background by Blue's Borders.