About Us
Who We Are: Discover the Unique Spirit of Blue Lake
Who We Are: Discover the Unique Spirit of Blue Lake.
At Blue Lake, we joyfully embrace being both! Situated in the serene Conecuh National Forest at Blue Lake Camp, a beloved site for church retreats and camps, our conference offers the intimacy of a retreat with the enriching experience of a conference.
We are writers, speakers, bloggers, podcasters, and more, all learning to be better at what God wants us to do.
A Gathering of Few,
A Community of Many
With attendance capped at 100, our small scale ensures a peaceful, nurturing atmosphere, akin to a spiritual family reunion. This setting allows for meaningful connections and personal growth, making every session and interaction significantly impactful.
Unique experiences alongside the Holy Spirit.
Expert Guidance in a Rustic Setting
Unlike large, impersonal venues, Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference boasts a rustic charm that enhances our laid-back, professional environment. Experienced faculty cover a wide range of writer-related topics, offering insights that cater to every genre—from fiction and nonfiction to blogging, marketing, and podcasting. Our accommodations are clean and comfortable, our meals hearty, healthy, and satisfying. The perfect environment to focus on your craft and spirit.
Spiritually Enriched, Creatively Inspired
At the heart of Blue Lake is our spiritual life. Prayer warriors dedicate time to bless our gathering, covering faculty and attendees in prayer. Our sessions often open in our chapel, a perfect setting for praise and worship, cultivating an atmosphere of divine inspiration and tranquility.
Flexibility for Personal Reflection
We understand the writer’s need for solitude and reflection. Whether you choose to immerse in every session, retreat to your room for writing, or wander the grounds for quiet meditation, your time at Blue Lake is yours to mold.
A Family of Faithful Creatives
Join a close-knit community where everyone from writers and speakers to bloggers and podcasters learns not just
to develop their skills, but to discern
and fulfill their God-given purpose.
That’s the essence of Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference.
Are you ready to be part of something transformative?
Join us and let your creativity soar in a community that nurtures both your craft and your spirit!
Meet the Team
Susan Neal
Director
As a Certified AWSA Writer Coach, Susan Neal RN, MBA, MHS, desires to help others publish and sell their God-given message. She is the author of nine healthy living books. Her self-published, award-winning, best-seller, 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates, won the Selah award and sold over 25,000 copies in five years.
Susan won the 2020 Christian Author Network Excellence in Marketing Award for Outstanding Broadcast Media for her book marketing campaign. She is a trusted advisor for authors and helps many sell more books. Susan is the CEO of Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA), Christian Authors Network (CAN), Christian Indie Awards, and CAN Marketing Awards. You can find Susan at SusanUNeal.com.
Ginny Cruz
Social Media Coordinator
Ginny Cruz, MPA, PT, is a pediatric physical therapist, an award-winning author, and a Speak Up Certified speaker. She is a member of Word Weavers International and was the founding president of the Pensacola chapter. Ginny is an encourager and teacher at heart. All of her work aims to help others, especially mothers. She is a regular contributor to The Write Conversation, Focus on the Family, and her personal blog. Be on the lookout for her first book, The New Mom’s Guide: Help and Hope for Baby’s First Year, coming in 2025, published by End Game Press. She is the mother of two grown sons, married to her college sweetheart, and enjoys hiking, camping, and reading. She’d love to connect with you at ginnycruz.com.
Mike Logan
Assistant Director & AV Technology Guru
Mike enjoys retirement from corporate America and keeps busy as a Tour Guide at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Mike has been the computer and technology person at Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference since 2017 and the Florida Christian Writer’s Conference since 2021. Mike won a Living Waters Honorable Mention Award in 2022 for a non-fiction work he is still working on, “Poppy’s Proverbs.” Now living in Lexington, Kentucky, Mike and his wife Brooks live their best life between Church, writing, and six grandchildren.
Rachel Coggins
Conference Chaplain
Dr. Rachel Coggins, called to ministry in 1974, serves as the Prayer Team Leader for this writers’ conference. Licensed, ordained, and commissioned, she dedicated 25 years as an Army Reserve Chaplain, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Her book, Gateway to Iraq, shares heartfelt stories from her time with military service members. In 1992, she founded Rachel’s Well Ministries, a writing and speaking ministry. Rachel remains active in ministry through writing, community service, and global outreach, drawing inspiration from her travels, education, and experiences for God’s glory.
Babbie Mason
Babbie Mason is an award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, author, speaker, and television talk-show host. She is the recipient of two Dove Awards and a USA Today Best-selling author award. Babbie has received nominations for the Grammy, the Stellar, and the Emmy Awards. In 2010 Babbie was recognized for her contributions in Gospel music and was inducted into The Christian Music Hall Of Fame. In 2021, Babbie received the Golden Scroll Award, for excellence in writing, from the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Learn more at babbie.com.
Alice Murray
Living Waters Contest Director
After 35 years as a Florida adoption attorney, Alice H. Murray now pursues a different path as Operations Manager for End Game Press. Her work includes contributions to several Short And Sweet books, The Upper Room, and Chicken Soup For The Soul. Alice is a regular contributor to GO!, a quarterly Christian magazine in the Florida Panhandle, and she has three devotions a month published online by Dynamic Women in Missions. Her devotions have also appeared in compilation devotionals such as Ordinary People Extraordinary God (July 2023) and Guideposts’ Pray A Word A Day, Vol. 2 (June 2023) and pray a word for Hope (September 2023). Alice’s first book, The Secret of Chimneys, an annotated Agatha Christie mystery, was released in April 2023.
John Gilden
John Gilden has been working with Christian conference bookstores for almost 13 years. He has worked with the Carolina Christian Writers Conference, Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, and the Florida Christian Writers Conference book stores. He enjoys helping authors and conference attendees. John is a people person who enjoys visiting with people from different parts of the country. A writer and excellent editor himself, bookstore opportunities have helped him meet and become friends with many publishers and editors. John has been married to his favorite author for over 52 years.