About Us
Our Mission Statement
The mission of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference is to inspire writers to connect with God, other writers, and industry professionals as they embrace their calling with excellence.
We believe God can change the world by working through individual writers. Our mission is to encourage writers and would-be writers to courageously step out and follow the call of God. To this end, we provide connection points with God, other writers and industry professionals through onsite events, digital gatherings, and ongoing mentoring opportunities. Together we’re building a community of believers coming together to serve God through all aspects of writing.
And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”—Matthew 13:52 (ESV)
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Edie Melson
Director
Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. No matter whether she’s talking about faith, writing, or social media, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” Her reputation as an online expert is well-deserved. Her blog reaches thousands each month and has been named a Writer’s Digest Top 101 Sites for Writers.
Her numerous books, including her latest offering – Soul Care When You’re Grieving – reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives.
She’s the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, social media director for the Southern Writers Magazine, and board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and author of numerous books. She’s quick to remind those she meets about the practical and personal applications of God’s infinite love. Connect with her online at www.EdieMelson.com and through social media.
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Edwina Perkins
Co-Director
Edwina Perkins is an award-winning writer, freelance editor, speaker, a sensitivity-reader, and advocate for seeking more diversity in the publishing industry.
She is the Acquisitions Editor with End Game Press, Harambee Press—an imprint that seeks to publish ethnic writers. She’s also the Mentoring Coordinator with the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and loves the excitement of writers and watching them develop in their craft.
Edwina serves on the Word Weavers International Advisory Committee and is also a freelance writer for Guideposts Magazine.
After thirty years away, she loves calling North Carolina home again. Edwina is a wife, mother of four adult children, and grandmother of two.
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Linda Goldfarb
Emcee
Linda Goldfarb is a bold communicator whose passions include teaching about personalities and helping others live God’s next-best life. She believes in the power of relational transparency—in all walks of life and is quick to share with her readers, audience members, and clients that, transparency transforms!
As an award-winning, multi-book author, international speaker, certified personality consultant, professional actress, board-certified Christian life coach, audiobook narrator, and talk radio veteran, Linda has logged thousands of hours influencing lives, impacting families, and igniting hope around the world. She’s the award-winning host of the Your Best Writing Life podcast, the Staying Real About Faith & Family podcast, a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and co-founder of the LINKED® Personality Assessment.
When Linda is not emceeing, writing, performing, podcasting, or working with clients, you’ll find her sipping frothed coffee on a comfy couch or photographing nature from odd angles while she and her hubby, Sam, play golf and hike their way across the USA. Spending time with her four favorite children, amazing grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and country dogs—check off the boxes that complete her life.
Connect with her at LindaGoldfarb.com and on social media.
The BRMCWC Leaders
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Eva Marie Everson
Contest Director
Eva Marie Everson is the bestselling and multi-award winning author of both fiction and nonfiction work. She is the president of Word Weavers International (word-weavers.com) and the director of Florida Christian Writers Conference. Eva Marie is a popular speaker at writers conferences across the United States and the Contest Director for Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. Eva Marie is a seminary graduate and student and has taught a Bible study for over 20 years. Either she’s really good and the folks just can’t get enough … or she’s really bad and they’re still trying to learn something (the jury is out). Eva Marieand her husband enjoy their three grown children and children-in-love and are especially proud of their grandchildren. They are owned by their dog, Poods.
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Karynthia Phillips
Mentoring Assistant
Karynthia Glasper-Phillips a speaker and author whose workshops, coaching, and blogs, integrate the importance of selfcare of spirit, mind, and body as the foundation for effectiveness in fulfilling any life call.
She is bi-vocational as a minister , internal medicine practitioner, and conference speaker. She is an adjunct professor at American Baptist College. Karynthia is an advocate for decreasing disparity of cancer among women as demonstrated in her work with nonprofit organization Echoes of Hope, Inc.
Karynthia’s coaching style is visible in her passion to see clients connect the dots and step beyond their personal boundaries into fulfillment of goals and dreams as speakers, business owners, leaders and authors. Her unique ability to combine well-being in her coaching style hones client’s skills, which make their strong characteristics shine brighter as they journey forward achieving their vision as God designed.
To name a few achievements Karynthia is a contributing author in Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie’s book, Not Without a Struggle: Leadership for African American Women in Ministry. Karynthia is also a contributing writer for Our Daily Bread. Most recently collaborative project Blessed Is She released 2019 with Discovery House.
As a wife and mother in her spare time she enjoys crocheting, horseback riding, color painting, and playing the flute. Her desire to see a revival of Scripture reading is her prayer. She and her husband and adult children live in Nashville, Tennessee.
Her mantra: “ Self-care is not by Chance it’s a Choice.”
Facebook : Karynthia Glasper-Phillips
Twitter : Karynthia Phillips @QT_HisTime
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Linda Gilden
Conference Chaplain
Linda Gilden is an award-winning writer, speaker, editor, certified writing and speaking coach, and personality consultant. Her passion is helping others discover the joy of writing. Linda recently released Articles, Articles, Articles! and is the author of over a thousand magazine articles and 17 books including the new LINKED Quick Guides for Personalities. As Director of the Carolina Christian Writers Conference, Linda helps writers take the next step in reaching their writing goals. Linda’s favorite activity is floating in a pool with a good book surrounded by splashing grandchildren—a great source of writing material! www.lindagilden.com
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Heather Kreke
Blog Manager, Conference Assistant & Reader Connections Coordinator
Heather is a novelist who is passionate about showing teens and young adults that they can trust God’s plan for their lives – even through the darkest times.
She is published on numerous blogs and in the Christian Writers Market Guide. She also teaches a writing class at her church and completed coursework through the former Christian Writers Guild.
Heather, a redhead herself is a mother of 3 redheaded girls and has been married to a redheaded husband since 2004.
She lives near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Debb Hackett
Reader Connections Coordinator
Writer, broadcaster and speaker Debb Hackett has been a radio journalist for more than twenty years. Married to a Royal Air Force test pilot, Debb writes for military wives and lives just outside Washington DC with her husband and children, despite being British. She’s having lots of fun working on a contemporary romance series and is a Genesis award semi-finalist.
When she’s not writing, Debb can be found leading worship, playing bass or skiing. If you can swing by her house while she’s making scones, that would also be a win. She blogs at: debbhackett.com
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Darlene L. Turner
Reader Connections Coordinator
Darlene L. Turner’s love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message.
Darlene won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense twice and an ACFW Genesis award. She’s represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. Her debut book, Border Breach, was released in April, 2020 with Love Inspired Suspense.
Darlene met her husband Jeff at the turtle races in Ontario, Canada. She loves flavored coffee and plaid shirts. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.
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Tammy Karasek
Social Media Coordinator
Tammy Karasek uses humor and wit to bring joy and hope to every aspect in life. Her past, filled with bullying and criticism from family, drives her passion to encourage and inspire others and give them The Reason to smile. She’s gone from down and defeated to living a “Tickled Pink” life as she believes there’s always a giggle wanting to come out!
She’s the Social Media Manager for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Founding President and current Vice-President of ACFW Upstate SC, Founding President of Word Weavers Upstate SC. She’s a writing team member for The Write Conversation Blog, Novel Academy, and MBT Monday Devotions and others. Her work was published in a Divine Moments Compilation Book—Cool-inary Moments. When not writing Women’s Fiction and Rom-Com, she’s The Launch Team Geek helping authors launch their books and a Virtual Assistant for authors.
Connect with Tammy at HTTPS://WWW.TAMMYKARASEK.COM.