About

Our Mission

The Northwest Christian Writers Association exists to empower, equip, and connect writers to honor God through writing.

In fulfilling this mission, we

  • Develop our writing skills. Fiction, nonfiction, magazine articles, devotionals, websites ... whatever we write, we want to do it with excellence.
  • Teach others. We offer critique, encouragement, networking, and training for writers of all experience levels.
  • Encourage each other to love God more deeply and know Him more fully. We strive to please Him with our prose, but our measure of success in the end is if have glorified God. We believe the story of life is not about us, but about Him.

Statement of Faith

Board Members

The following people serve on our Board of Directors. Our board members are volunteers. They are the ones who bring the meetings, special events, and the conference together. Our terms are for three years. Each year some move on for varying reasons. We hope some of you may want to step up and serve in some way. It is quite rewarding, and each new board member brings unique gifts and perspective to our organization.

Download Board Job Descriptions

Officers

President - Pat Schantz

Pat Schantz is a life-long lover of stories. He’s toted books all his life, in his carrier-bag as a paper boy and in the cargo pockets of his army uniform. Since retiring, Pat lives with his wife in Bonney Lake and enjoys writing adventure novels set in the near future. He loves critique groups and is currently serving as President for NCWA.

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Vice President - Tina Gollings

Tina is a second-grade teacher at a classical Christian school in Tacoma, Washington and serves as the vice president of the Northwest Christian Writers Association. She is a multi-time finalist and two-time winner of the Cascade Award for unpublished speculative fiction and children’s books. Tina is also an artist and illustrator.

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Secretary - Liz Holtzman

Liz Holtzman is an educator, intercessor, and author. Her passion is to see people become all God intends, rooted and established in Christ. She leads several weekly prayer meetings, has served as a mentor to a sixth-grade prayer committee, classroom assistant, and substitute teacher at a classical Christian school. Liz and her husband have two adult children.

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Treasurer - Durrone Schuler

Durrone and his wife of fifty-three years, Trena, have four daughters and live with their youngest in Arlington. He is a retired Pastor, retired Aircraft Electrician, retired Office Machine Tech, and retired business owner looking for one more thing to retire from. He loves writing creative historical fiction and memoirs but has recently completed a crime novel with his friend, Pastor David Marshall, a retired undercover officer.

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Coordinators and Directors

Author Support Coordinator  Marianne Petersen

Marianne felt like she had “died and gone to heaven” after finding NCWA in 2016. She’s helped NCWA through the years, while gaining support to get her award-winning book published, God and My Pillow. She actively shares her story via her blog/website, https://mariannesmemoirs.com. Marianne’s thankful to be part of the board and hopes to do more for NCWA by using her talent of video design.

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Critique Coordinator
Cindy Arora

Cindy Arora is an artist, author, and avid lover of Jesus. Her Bible study Chosen: Understanding Identity and Authority from Ephesians is designed to create space for every believer to hear God’s words of Identity over them.

On her blog and website "Reflections on Beauty" she writes and creates reflections of His beauty. Come see how you can walk in the beauty of intimacy with Jesus at www.reflectionsonbeauty.com 

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Devotional Coordinator Wendy Thayer

Wendy Wendy writes an inspiring devotional/Christian living blog at  www.wendythayerministries.com. Her favorite topic is “hope,” which is also the theme of her first book, I Wish for You Hope, Inspirational Christian Quotes for Grief, Loss, and Healing a Broken Heart. Wendy's  business, Hope's Rising, is a Christ-centered ministry that offers biblical support for life's challenges. Wendy enjoys cooking, golfing, and celebrating the joys of life.


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Editors Connection Coordinator
Dori Harrell

Dori is a USA Today best-selling author, an award-winning writer and editor, and an author coach and speaker. When not eating licorice and fantasizing about living in Hawaii, Dori edits books and writes full time. She owns Breakout Editing and edits for mainstream publishers—including Kregel Publications—as well as indie authors, and she serves as managing editor of Redemption Press. She’s on a mission to prove that commas do make a difference.

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Hospitality Coordinator  Georgia Morris
Georgia was a music specialist for over 30 years in Christian and public schools. She is currently writing her first non-fiction children's book. Her passions are many, including cooking, hospitality, travel, crocheting, and painting. She and her husband, Wes, have 4 children and 7 amazing grandchildren. They are active in serving and leading small groups at their church.


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Membership Coordinator  Vivienne Aulaire

Vivienne Aulaire is a speculative fiction writer working on a series set in a Christian Fantasy world, filled with fun, unique characters. Vivienne has been a member of NCWA since 2017, and on the board since 2019. When she's not writing, Vivienne spends her time watching her adorable 2 year old nephew, running her church nursery, drinking tea, practicing archery, painting, and spending time with friends and family.

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Program Coordinator Theresa Haynes

Theresa Abell Haynes is a writer, journalist, history student, and lifelong learner. She began writing professionally as a crime-beat newspaper reporter in West Virginia. She is currently working on a historical novel based on Thomas Abell, a martyred 16th-century priest who carved his name in the Tower of London.

Theresa has lived in Los Angeles and Sweden, but currently lives in Snohomish with her husband, cat, and eight chickens."

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Social Media Coordinator Rose Angove

As the social media coordinator, it is Rose's goal to keep you informed of NCWA events, to help you stay inspired on your writing journey and to cultivate community. When she is not posting for NCWA, she's writing in the health and wellness space and working on a devotional. She looks forward to connecting with some of you non-fiction writers out there!

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Writers Coach Coordinator 
Chelsea Wagner

Chelsea is passionate about spreading the beauty of the Gospel and glorifying God in her writing. She is a North Carolina native and has lived in California and New Mexico, where she met her wonderful husband.  She set aside journalism and a sundry of professional goals to stay at home with her two precious children.  A study abroad program in college introduced her to India and one day she hopes to return as a missionary focused on helping orphaned children. Things in life that bring her the most joy, aside from Jesus, are hot-air balloons, books, children, vibrant sunsets and courage in all forms.  Currently, she is working on a candid memoir about trauma and wrestling with God as a prodigal daughter. She feels honored to be a part of NCWA

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Renewal Conference Directors
Charles & Perry Harris


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Renewal Conference Director Janet Sergeson

Janet Sergeson has been a member of NCWA for approximately two years. Her interest in writing began in childhood and was published in poetry, creative writing and essay writing. Janet has a passion for writing and helping other writers reach their God given potential. In her spare time she enjoys photography, horses and spending time with her family and friends.

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Contact

If you have a specific question that you'd like to address, email our board members.

Key Email Addresses:

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