There is a remarkable list of speakers for the Press Service International 2016 young writer conference in Sydney on 13 August – planned by Russell Modlin, Sophia Sinclair and Sam Gillespie, coordinated by young writer editor Sophia Sinclair.
Tash McGill
Tash wants to change the world by helping people to think differently. Mostly she likes to do that through words, written or spoken. Sometimes described as courageous by her friends, she frequently says aloud what no-one else is brave or stupid enough to say. She also finds writing third-person biographies uncomfortable. So in my own voice, "I am a community-minded, whisky-drinking writer-singer-poet girl. I love deeply and talk fast, over shared dinners and experiences."
"I'm glad to call New Zealand home but I love exploring the world whenever possible. By day, I work as Director of Digital Strategy and Content, working with senior business people to create meaningful digital experiences that engage human beings with captivating storytelling in beautiful ways." tashmcgill.com
Josh Reid
Josh is an Australian media professional having worked in stage, radio and film for 25 years. For the past 8 years he has been the CEO of Pulse 94.1 FM, the local Christian radio station based in Wollongong, NSW. Josh heads up a pro bono weekly mentoring group for the smaller Christian radio stations in Australia. He is author of non-fiction book 'Powerful Christian Radio' (now in its second edition) which explains the strategy, impact and ministry of local Christian radio.
Currently he has taken time off work to concentrate on writing a children's novel 'The Faerie Key', which has Christian analogies, metaphor and symbolism throughout. Josh is also producer and director of evangelical feature film '1500 Steps' which gained distribution in the USA and other countries. Josh has earned a Graduate Certificate in Management and a Graduate Diploma in Management, and is currently completing his MBA (Master of Business Administration). He has also studied tertiary units in writing and communications. Josh is an amateur Christian apologist, understanding that it's important to know why we believe. www.JoshReidMedia.com
Andrew Sinclair
Andrew previously worked for the New Zealand government in the field of youth justice. He has also completed an MTS internship through St John's Latimer Square in Christchurch. In 2014 Andrew studied preaching and teaching as part of the Tim Training Course. He is passionate about sharing the best news he's ever heard—the gospel. For 7 years Andrew has helped coordinate Christians from different churches around Christchurch to use the Canterbury A&P Show as an opportunity to talk with people about Jesus.
He currently lives in Sydney where he is studying towards a Bachelor of Theology at Sydney Missionary and Bible College. Andrew is a Press Service International Columnist for Christian Today Australia. www.sinclairs.info
John Sandeman
John, after almost three decades as a prisoner of Fairfax (senior journalist), John celebrated his freedom by the radically insane act of starting a Christian newspaper, Eternity, as the internet age was gathering pace. Seven years later Eternity is published by the Bible Society and the paper with a growing online presence fulfills its role of encouraging Australia's Christians by reflecting what God is doing in this nation.
Nikki Thompson
Nikki is a Sydney based writer with a PhD in Literature from Macquarie University. Nikki has worked as a freelance writer for nearly ten years and has taught creative writing and literature at university level. She has written for Millenium House publishing, Olive Tree Media, Cadence Media, The Mighty, and CASE magazine, as well as dabbling in academic editing. She blogs regularly at www.spilledmilkandsunsets.com
Charis Joy Jackson
Charis from the US, is working as a full-time missionary with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) a non-profit organisation in Queensland. During the day she makes movies and in her spare time is writing a novel. Charis is a Press Service International Columnist for Christian Today Australia. www.charisjoyjackson.com
Thomas Devenish
Thomas and Laura live in Hobart, Tasmania. He works as a motion designer and enjoys the diverse experiences life has to offer, from wake-boarding to curling up with a good book on a rainy day. Thomas is a Press Service International Columnist for Christian Today Australia. www.bluerobindesign.com
Justin Monaghan
Justin is currently launching as a professional prophetic artist under the label JR Faith Creations and runs a creative home fellowship with his wife Liana. Justin is also heavily involved in his local surfing community of South Australia as a surf coach, a national judge of surf contests and a member of Christian Surfers. Justin is a Press Service International Columnist for Christian Today Australia. www.facebook.com/Jrfaithcreations
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html