Steve and Janet Bly
Stephen Bly has authored over 95 books and hundreds of articles. His book, THE LONG TRAIL HOME, (Broadman & Holman), won the prestigious 2002 CHRISTY AWARD for excellence in Christian fiction in the category western novel. Three other books, PICTURE ROCK (Crossway Books), THE OUTLAW'S TWIN SISTER (Crossway Books), and LAST OF THE TEXAS CAMP (Broadman & Holman), were Christy Award finalists.
He speaks at colleges, churches, camps and conferences across the U.S. and Canada. He is the pastor of Winchester Community Church, and serves as mayor of Winchester, Idaho. He has spoken on numerous television and radio programs, including Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family. He is an Active Member of the Western Writers of America.
Steve graduated summa cum laude in Philosophy from Fresno State University and received a M.Div from Fuller Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Janet (who is also a writer) live at 4,000 ft. elevation in the mountains of north-central Idaho, in the pine trees, next to a lake on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation.
The Blys have three sons: Russell (married to Lois) and father of Zachary and Miranda, Michael (married to Michelle), and Aaron (married to Rina Joye). A third generation westerner, Steve spent his early years working on ranches and farms. In his spare time, he pursues the 3 R's of ridin', ropin', and rodeo . . . and construction of Broken Arrow Crossing, a false front western village near his home.
Janet Chester Bly received a B.S. degree in Literature & Languages and Fine & Performing Arts from Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, Idaho. She is a speaker at women's retreats, writer's conferences, and family seminars. She is a member of Winchester Community Church where her husband serves as pastor. She is author of ten books, co-author of eighteen books, and contributing author to five other books. She is a panelist for the on-line group, The Writer’s View. The Blys are mentors for beginning writers for the Christian Writers Guild .