Author Karen Kingsbury shares writing tips and her passion for Liberty

Award-winning novelist and Liberty University parent Karen Kingsbury addressed parents visiting for College For A Weekend (CFAW) during “Koffee with Karen,” an information session, on Friday, April 10.

In January, Liberty announced a partnership with Kingsbury, welcoming her as a visiting professor for residential and online programs. Kingsbury contributes to the university’s English and creative writing programs and provides writing curriculum exclusively to Liberty. This includes teaching about story development, marketing, and publishing through both written pieces and video instruction.

Through the partnership, Liberty is offering the Karen Kingsbury Liberty University Scholarship (enter to win) contest, which awards four students $20,000 each toward tuition.

Kingsbury has been on campus as a guest lecturer in creative writing classes throughout the week and has shared her thoughts on writing as part of the university’s Alumni Lecture Series. She also held a book signing for her latest novel, “Chasing Sunsets,” at the Liberty University Bookstore.

On Friday, Kingsbury shared with prospective parents why she is passionate about Liberty and its mission.

“I could cry telling you how much this university has helped my children develop into solid people of faith,” she said. “I will stay with this phrase until the Lord calls me home that if Heaven had a university it would be Liberty, because they welcome you and your child here with open arms of love.”

Kingsbury told parents that every professor at Liberty is a Christian and that their children will also be accepted and loved by their peers and student leadership.

“These are the tug-of-war years for your children where Satan wants to pull them away from their faith, and God is pulling them the other way,” she said. “At Liberty, your kids will be pulled towards the right way and (encourage them to) keep their faith intact.”

Three of Kingsbury’s children — Sean, Josh, and EJ, who were adopted from Haiti in 2001 — and a nephew, are students. Her oldest son, Tyler, began his collegiate career as a member of Liberty’s LU Praise team, and her only daughter, Kelsey, is a Liberty alumna. Kelsey is married to Liberty alumnus and Christian recording artist Kyle Kupecky.

Kingsbury shared that since her three sons have started attending Liberty, they have drastically matured and grown in their faith.

“May God always keep this university a campus that always operates in faith and not fear,” she said. “Here at Liberty they will love your kids and you as a parent.”

After her talk, Kingsbury joined David Nasser, Liberty’s senior vice president for Spiritual Development, in a Q-and-A-style discussion. Kingsbury read excerpts from a few of her novels and answered questions from CFAW parents.

Kingsbury has been hailed by Time magazine as the “Queen of Christian Fiction.” She is a No. 1 New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, earning her the distinction of America’s favorite inspirational novelist. More than 25 million copies of her award-winning books are in print worldwide. As a public speaker, Kingsbury reaches more than 100,000 women annually through various national events.

Additionally, Kingsbury frequently interviews Liberty students on her weekday radio program, “The Karen Kingsbury Show,” which launched last year. The radio show is currently heard on Liberty’s newly reformatted radio station, The Journey FM, throughout Virginia and North Carolina. It is also nationally syndicated on Salem Radio and TodaysChristianMusic.com.