October 17, 2026–Grand Junction, Michigan—More than 25 ethnically diverse publishing professionals share expertise in Free to Write: Essential Insights to Equip and Encourage Christian Writers of Color, released on September 30, 2026 from Global Christian Family Books (GCFB) in collaboration with Publishing in Color (PIC).
PIC’s annual virtual conference on October 26-30, features those publishing professionals’ “sneak peeks” of their Free to Write content and their professional lives alongside their PIC workshops, networking lunches, and 1-on-1 appointments with registrants. The group’s mission is to grow ethnic diversity in Christian publishing. Registration for the intentionally worshipful conference starts at $99, and a free, signed Free to Write softcover copy will be given as a door prize to one registrant each conference day this fall.
Author Marie Chan explains in her PIC sneak peek how her prayers and those of others were answered in the publication of Free to Write. After attending a PIC conference, Marie searched for a book to further her creation, Mamie Takes a Stand: A Chinese American Girl’s Fight for School Rights. Chan prayed with Stephanie Carter, who then invited Publishing in Color to help GCFB develop the book that would meet authors’ need for training in their craft. PIC director Dinkins prayed with Carter and then invited veteran freelance author and editor Linda Washington to become her Free to Write coeditor. Joyce and Linda had first met as David C Cook editors almost 40 years ago. “Linda and I prayerfully developed Free to Write alongside Stephanie, and contributed articles. After two years of continued prayer and production work, Free to Write offers help.
“Kirkus Reviews calls Free to Write: ‘A comprehensive guide that will assist many writers in navigating the publishing landscape.’ Publishers Weekly writer Ann Byle described PIC as ‘undeterred from its mission to bring all voices into Christian publishing’ in her article, “Publishing in Color Stays the Course” after attending our conference last fall.”
PIC assistant director David Dinkins explains the conference–book collaboration: “The functions of PIC and Free to Write align—they’re complementary. It’s like pairing the benefits of studying in a math class with studying the math book on your own. PIC’s additional offerings, including Go, Know, Grow™ book proposal services, provide the feedback, coaching, and content editing services aimed at benefitting authors and the Christian publishing industry. We’re also building our 2027 calendar of work with our new PIC Podcast to provide expert interviews and author conversations that continue our connections.”
The Dinkinses conclude, “We’re excited to see PIC’s community of sharing that draws seasoned professionals to interface with budding as well as established authors at our conference, and to promote Free to Write. Among fall 2026 PIC conference speakers, registrants, and scholarship recipients are First Nations, Black American, European American, Thai American, Chinese American, Mexican American, Latin American, Asian, and individuals from six African nations. We’re grateful to serve all those whom God sends.”
Publishing in Color is an affiliate member of the Evangelical Christian Publishing Association (ECPA) since 2023, when Joyce Dinkins Publishing, LLC received PIC ownership from Brian Allain, who founded and operated PIC successfully for about a decade. For more information, see publishingincolor.com.
CONTACT:
Joyce Dinkins, PublishingInColor.com (PIC), publishing_in_color@proton.me
