Carmen Wittmeier, a former college instructor, describes a classroom experience in “A Child on the Tracks” (page 260 of Hot Apple Cider). While facing a group of skeptical college students grappling with the subject of global poverty, she is brought back to her own encounter with human suffering in the dark hallways of a Romanian orphanage.
Carmen Wittmeier grew up surrounded by bookshelves (two to three layers deep) and vividly remembers the day she, her mother, and her brother exceeded their 99 book limit at the library. Her recognition of her own power to wield words began in her early teens when she forged impassioned love letters between unsuspecting victims.
Despite her delinquent beginnings, Carmen pursued literature in earnest, earning her BA in English (Honours) from the University of Calgary and her MA from the University of Alberta. A penniless graduate at the age of 23, she landed a job reporting for a national weekly magazine, The Report Newsmagazine, delving into matters of law, crime, and social justice. She simultaneously honed her skills as a writer, interviewer, and researcher for Alberta in the 20th Century, a set of history books.
Her love of classical literature eventually prevailed, and Carmen went on to teach English literature at three colleges, including Langara College in Vancouver, B.C.
Bonnie Grove is the author of the critically acclaimed novel Talking to the Dead and the soon to be released Time and Time Again.
M. D. (Dorene) Meyer is the award-winning author of six novels for adults, teens, and children. Her titles include Jasmine, The Little Ones, and Deep Waters for adults; Colin’s Choice for teens; and Pilot Error and Get Lost! for children. She also wrote the non-fiction book, Meet Manitoba Children’s Authors.
Brian C. Austin and his wife live on a small acreage at Durham, Ontario, Canada. They have three grown children and seven grandchildren. Besides being a writer, Brian is a church librarian and serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Grey-Bruce Branch. Until recently, he worked part-time in a local Christian bookstore.
As a child at the cottage, Diane Roblin-Lee loved lying on the sun-soaked dock, staring at her rippled reflection in the water, wondering who she would become.
Grace Fox is an author and speaker best described in three words: Daring. Deep. Devoted. Her passion is to help women develop the same characteristics – to become daring in their faith, deep in their convictions, and devoted in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Drawing from Scripture and personal experiences learned while living on Canada’s rugged coastline, in urban U.S.A., and in Nepal’s Himalayan mountains, she uses the written page and the public stage to build Christ-based confidence in audiences worldwide.
Ray Wiseman's early memory—being pushed up a rope ladder and over the side of a tramp steamer at age two—set the tone for his life. He has spent much time traveling, and most of his life looking from the hilltop of one adventure to the beginning of the next. Born in England, Ray has lived in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and South Africa. He has traveled in Africa and Asia.
