Nan Rinella is a writer, speaker, and freelance journalist. She has published more than 200 articles in Amarillo, Texas publications, and in Daily Devotions for Writers, Focus on the Family magazine, and Consumer Research. She was a National Journalism Center senior fellow with Human Events in Washington D.C. and is a graduate of Bible Study Fellowship and Christian Leaders, and Authors & Speakers Services Seminar (C.L.A.S.S.). Over the last 20 years Nan has served as program and publicity chair, and president with Panhandle Professional Writers, directing their annual writers’ conference, Frontiers in Writing. She has written a book on travel and is working on a Narnia-inspired novel.

Kim Hatton is a disciple of Christ Jesus, wife of Tim, and mother of four. She has recently retired from the oilfield service business after 30+ years, with the last 8 years as an international event manager. The experience she has garnered through managing domestic and international events will be employed to serve staff and attendees of the 2011 CS Lewis Southwest Conference.

Speaker and writer on C.S. Lewis and his fellow Inklings. Andrew holds an M.A. in Modernist British Literature from Rice University where he was Javits Fellow in the Humanities, and a B.A. in English with minors in Latin and Medieval Studies from UC Davis; he is currently completing a Master of Arts in Teaching. When not teaching English at St. Thomas High School in Houston, Andrew is in much demand as a popular retreat, conference, and seminar speaker on C.S. Lewis. Andrew has published several articles and book reviews on C.S. Lewis and other Inklings and co-edited Mere Christians: Inspiring Encounters with C.S. Lewis.

Responsible for managing staff and day to day operations of the production department. Kirk did undergraduate work at Biola University, Fullerton College, Cal. State Fullerton, Coastline Community College and finally graduated with a BA in Religious Studies from The Union Institute. But he considers his primary education to be 15 years in youth ministry and then 10 years in film business…as well as the discipline of the Holy Spirit everyday.

Lancia E. Smith brings a rare integration of literature, arts, and spiritual maturity to her readers and audiences. She has been photographing professionally for more than 20 years; taught English and Art as an integrated subject for 5 years; and writes on topics related to C.S. Lewis, spiritual development and arts intersecting culture. Widely read and passionately involved in teaching at all levels of communication, she is continuing her studies in English Literature at the University of Colorado in Boulder with a specific focus on the works of C.S. Lewis. Lancia hosts the website “Cultivating the Good, the True and the Beautiful” at www.lanciaesmith.com.

Melanie Stiles is an award-winning poet, freelance writer and a Christian Life Coach. She has published hundreds of bylines in many publications. Melanie also writes for nonprofit organizations and develops leadership training materials for lay ministry programs. Her new book, The Heart of a Ready Scribe – 52 Reflections for Writers, was just released in June 2011. Melanie speaks and teaches on a variety of subjects. www.MelanieStiles.com

A home educator for almost twenty years, and a bibliophile for over forty, Rebekah writes:  “I don’t remember a time when I couldn’t read; books have always been the lenses through which I view the world.  The Book, the Word, the Light, brings into being my very faculty of sight.  Some books are corrective glasses, clearing up distortions and bringing into focus all things needful for me to see.  Others are binoculars, extending my field of vision to identify far off things of which I would otherwise have only blurry glimpses.  Certain books are microscopes, showing me minute particulars which despite their seeming smallness are of vital significance.  Still others are telescopes, directing my gaze past this finite world to wonders of the great Beyond.  Some books are windows, letting light and air into the rooms in which I am too apt to shut myself up.  And some are mirrors, holding up before me the honest reflection of my true self which I would not otherwise see.”  www.beckasbooks.blogspot.com