Pastor Writer: Conversations on Reading, Writing, and the Christian Life

Os Guinness is one of the world's foremost Christian thinkers. His books such as The Call, have already become modern Christian classics. Os joins me to talk about the lost art of persuasion and how pastors and writers must learn to be subversive.

Mick Silva, an editor and writing coach, offers valuable insights on evaluating book ideas, refining concepts, defining target audiences, and crafting compelling book proposals. The episode highlights the importance of authenticity, integrity, and creative struggles in the writing process, providing guidance for aspiring authors.

Explore the captivating story of how the world's most popular devotional 'My Utmost For His Highest' came to be, through the partnership of Oswald and Biddy Chambers. Learn about the impact of this timeless devotional on readers globally and the spiritual depth involved in writing biographies. Dive into daily reflections on Oswald Chambers and discover more about the author's upcoming speaking tour.

In this podcast, the host and guest delve into the dangers of cliches in writing, exploring how they weaken creativity, hinder originality, and dilute meaning. They discuss strategies for identifying and eliminating cliches to enhance the quality of writing, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and courage in expression.

The podcast discusses the importance of active listening and asking thought-provoking questions in writing Bible studies. It explores the challenge of balancing quality and quantity in content creation for the church. The speaker shares insights on creating a Bible study on Thessalonians and emphasizes the essence of listening in writing. The conversation also covers the guest speaker's journey in editing daily publications at the Gospel Coalition.

Drew Dyck, an acquisitions editor and author, shares insights on writing and publishing. Topics include navigating book acquisitions, transitioning from preaching to writing, balancing family and work, importance of collaboration in writing, and the significance of self-control in moral failings.

Writing is hard. But it's hard for more reasons than the grammar and vocabulary. Revising requires a certain amount of self-awareness and great writers learn to keep themselves off the page.

Doug Newton, author of the Fresh Eyes book series, discusses his writing process and the organizational techniques he used to tackle a three-book series. He shares insights about his journey as a pastor writer and the importance of imposing self-imposed deadlines. The podcast also includes a conversation about recommended books and ways to stay connected with Doug's future work.

Mike Loomis, author of Your Brand is Calling, discusses the importance of personal branding for writers. He emphasizes authenticity, transparency, and the need to reflect and connect through personal branding. The chapter also explores the challenges of understanding one's calling, the significance of a supportive team, and practical aspects in executing your personal brand.

Rachelle Gardner, a literary agent specializing in Christian publishing, discusses the traditional publishing process. She covers topics such as finding an agent, the proposal process, self-publishing, the role of a literary agent, measuring success in the industry, and navigating the landscape of Christian publishing.