Your Best Writing Life

What did you think of this episode?Writing conferences. Building a writing career. Pseudonyms.  Award-winning author and publisher, Ramona Richards gives us the inside scoop on attending writers conferences, tips on how editors really see writers, writing in different genres, and much more.Ramona Richards is the associate publisher for Iron Stream Media, and she has been working in the Christian publishing industry for almost 40 years. She's worked in every aspect of the business, from reading the slush piles to clerking in a bookstore. As an editor, Ramona has worked on trade nonfiction, Bibles, curriculum, Bible reference books, CD-ROMs and DVDs, magazines, and fiction. She's the author of 12 books, including her recent suspense novel, Burying Daisy Doe. She loves talking to writers and is a frequent speaker at writers conferences around the country. Please welcome, Ramona to Your Best Writing Life.Why attend a writers conference?What is one of the hardest things for writers to do in order to build a writing career?How can writers make a two-pronged writing path work?How do pseudonyms work? LINKSThe Top 10 Things Editors Look for in a Writer PDFIron Steam Media Story Trumps Structure by Steven JamesC heck out WattPad for short-story writingRamona Richards Ramona's Books Download the January Writing Tips & Soul Care for Writers PDFVisit our website Your Best Writing Life PodcastJoin fellow writers on our FaceBook page for the live, Your Best Writing Life after-show party, every Tuesday at 12-noon ET.Visit the website of our host, Linda GoldfarbVisit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?What is God doing in your life as a writer? What are you willing to allow Him to do? Former politician turned award-winning author Michelle Cox and Linda Goldfarb share writing possibilities and opportunities at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.Co-author of When God Calls the Heart devotional books based on Hallmark's When Calls the Heart. Michelle Cox is a speaker and author and the creator/developer of the Just 18 Summers® brand. Her “Life with a Southern Grandmother” column runs each Tuesday and Thursday on Guideposts.org. She’s written for groups like FoxNews.com, WHOA Magazine for Women, Focus on the Family, and Product Concept, and writes a weekly food column for Fox News Personality Todd Starnes. Welcome, Michelle to Your Best Writing Life podcast!What if you never wanted to write?How do you write with short deadlines?How to take advantage of everyday life?So. Much. More.LINKSJust18Summers on FacebookMichelle's parenting blogMichelle Cox on TwitterDownload the January Writing Tips & Soul Care for Writers PDFVisit our website Your Best Writing Life PodcastJoin fellow writers on our FaceBook page for the live, Your Best Writing Life after-show party, every Tuesday at 12-noon ET.Visit Linda Goldfarb's websiteVisit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?Self-editing like a pro is something all writers can do. Linda Goldfarb's industry expert is writing coach extraordinaire, Larry J. Leech II. He has written/ghostwritten thirty books and uses his expertise to help writers excel in their craft. Larry was a journalist for 23-years. He's lived out a lot of "story" and he's here to help you do the same.As a writing coach, Larry is passionate about helping aspiring writers rise to success. He already has 15-writing clients who are award-winning authors, maybe you could be his number 16. Today, Larry shares tips from his Magic 25 editing guide and he's giving it away to all of our listeners. A strong manuscript shows evidence of the words you left out. QualifiersProgressive TenseStart and BeganDialogue LINKSLarry J. Leech IIDownload Larry's Magic 25 Editing Guide Download the January Writing Tips & Soul Care for Writers PDFVisit our website Your Best Writing Life PodcastJoin fellow writers on our FaceBook page for the live, Your Best Writing Life after-show party, every Tuesday at 12-noon ET.Visit Linda Goldfarb's websiteVisit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?Why write blog posts? Who can you write for? What do blog owners expect from their writers? Linda's industry expert, Heather Kreke, is the Blog Manager for BlueRidgeConference.com and she's a Blue Ridge Conference Assistant.Along with those two roles, Heather is a novelist who is passionate about showing teens and young adults they can trust God’s plan for their lives, even during their darkest times. Heather is published on numerous blogs and in the Christian Writers Market Guide. She also teaches a writing class at her church. Heather, welcome to Your Best Writing Life."The BRMCWC blog is an awesome resource for writers to learn about the craft, hear          from other writers, and to be published themselves." Heather Kreke Blog guidelines--Topic ideasWho can submit to the BlueRidgeConference.com blog?LINKSGeneral Guest Blog Post Guidelines Contact Heather KrekeBlue Ridge Conference BlogAn audio Christmas gift from Linda,  the Lovey Mouse Adventure Book with audio.December Writing Tips & Soul Care for Writers downloadJoin fellow writers on our FaceBook page for the live, Your Best Writing Life after-show party, every Tuesday at 12-noon ET.Visit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?Surveys show that public speaking is the most feared activity by people everywhere. Why is speaking publically so important and can we really learn how to do it well? Linda's guest, Karen Porter shares how anyone can be a better speaker by following a few time-proven strategies.Karen Porter is a professional speaker and writer coach, an international speaker, a successful businesswoman, and the award-winning author of seven books. She is co-owner with her husband George of Bold Vision Books, a traditional publishing company. During this episode, Linda and Karen discuss:How to find the subject matter to speak on?   How to get comfortable on any stage.The importance of having a "neutral" position.How to build a speaking platform.and more!Karen says her greatest achievement is her marriage to George. In her spare time, she follows her lifelong quest to find the perfect purse. LINKSKaren PorterEmail Karen kaeporter@gmail.com mention Your Best Writing Life in the Subject-lineAmplify - a speaker's course in a book.Evernote App for your notesAn audio Christmas gift from Linda,  the Lovey Mouse Adventure Book with audio.December Writing Tips & Soul Care for Writers downloadJoin fellow writers on our FaceBook page for the live, Your Best Writing Life after-show party, every Tuesday at 12-noon ET.Visit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?Ready to write a Christian book for children, but not sure how to start? Linda's guest, award-winning author Michelle Lazurek has tips to get you on the right path to writing life-impacting books for early readers.Know the role you play as a writer of children's books.Consider a problem and solve it.How to research the writing style that fits you.Michelle S. Lazurek is a multi-genre award-winning author, speaker, pastor's wife, and mother. She is a regular contributor for ibelieve.com and crosswalk.com and is a movie reviewer for Movieguide Magazine. She also is a literary agent for Wordwise Media Services. When not working, she enjoys sipping a Starbucks latte, collecting 80s memorabilia, and spending time with her family and her crazy dog, Cookie. LINKSMichelle Lazurek 10 Tips When Writing Books for Early ReadersAn audio Christmas gift from Linda,  the Lovey Mouse Adventure Book with audio.December Writing Tips & Soul Care for Writers downloadJoin fellow writers on our FaceBook page for the live, Your Best Writing Life after-show party, every Tuesday at 12-noon ET.Visit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?How to overcome literary bloat. Does your manuscript suffer from pleonasm? Multi-award-winning author, Alton Gansky explains manuscript clutter and how to avoid it.Alton Gansky is the author of over 50 books. He has been a Christy Award finalist ( for A Ship Possessed) and an Angel Award winner ( for Terminal Justice) and received the ACFW award for best suspense/thriller for his work on Fallen Angel. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in biblical studies and was granted a Litt.D. (Doctor of Literature as well). It’s an honor to have you with us today Al!What is manuscript clutter?When should a writer obsess over clutter?How to override over-writing.LINKSAlton Gansky An audio Christmas gift from Linda,  the Lovey Mouse Adventure Book with audio.December Writing Tips & Soul Care for Writers downloadJoin fellow writers on our FaceBook page for the live, Your Best Writing Life after-show party, every Tuesday at 12-noon ET.Visit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?Are Christians missing the mark when it comes to sharing hope in their books? Linda's guest, storyteller, and book coach, Amy, A.C., Williams speaks from the heart with her concern that inspirational writing is not speaking hope to Millennials and Zoomers. Amy is a coffee-drinking, sushi-eating, story-telling nerd who loves cats, country living, and all things Japanese. She’d rather be barefoot, and if she isn’t, her socks will never match. With books in space opera, superhero adventure, and action-comedy, Amy loves helping authors discover the genre-defying joy of speaking Truth in fiction. Welcome to Your Best Writing Life – Amy!!Hope is communicated differently todayAuthenticity is everythingCompare and contrast inspiration and  hopeLINKS Book chapters of RONNIE AKKARD & THE BROTHERHOOD OF BLADES and Saving SparrowsAmy Williams An audio Christmas gift from Linda,  the Lovey Mouse Adventure Book with audio.December Writing Tips & Soul Care for Writers downloadJoin fellow writers on our FaceBook page for the live, Your Best Writing Life after-show party, every Tuesday at 12-noon ET.Visit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?How can self-publishing lead to a traditionally published book? Our guest, Athena Dean Holtz has worked in the publishing industry for over thirty years. As the co-founder of Redemption Press, Athena has stories to share and tips to advance your writing career.Athena Dean Holtz is a publisher, speaker, author, podcaster, pastor’s wife, and former radio host. For over thirty years, she has worked in the book business, spearheading the independent publishing movement in the Christian market. In 2014 Athena cofounded Redemption Press to fill an author-centered niche in publishing. Welcome her to Your Best Writing Life with our host, Linda Goldfarb.How did you personally experience this strategy?What seems to be the expectation with traditional publishers in order for them to consider contracting your self-published title for their house?Do you have some examples of those you’ve worked with who have been picked up by a traditional publisher?LINKSShe Writes for Him: Stories of Resilient Faith  She Writes for Him Bootcamp Editing Essentials for the Christian WriterNovember Writing Tips & Soul Care for Writers downloadJoin fellow writers on our FaceBook page for the live, Your Best Writing Life after-show party, every Tuesday at 12-noon ET.Visit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?Writing a book proposal that sells is the only one we want to write, right? Literary agent and author, Blythe Daniel is sharing the secrets to a successful book proposal.What stands out as a sellable idea?Why do some books get picked up and others don't?Who can writers trust to help with writing book proposals?Blythe has been in publishing for over 20 years. She’s a marketer, author, literary agent, and has written for Focus on the Family, Christian Retailing, and others. She and her mother co-wrote: Mended: Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters. She lives in Colorado with her husband and children. LINKSThe Blythe Daniel AgencyRead The Rise of a Writing PlatformGet the book, Mended: Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and DaughtersOur Mended HeartsNovember Writing Tips & Soul Care for Writers downloadJoin fellow writers on our FaceBook page for the live, Your Best Writing Life after-show party, every Tuesday at 12-noon ET.Visit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast