Christian Publishing Show

The cultural ground beneath us is shifting fast. The kinds of books that impacted your faith a decade ago, and possibly inspired you to write, likely won’t have the same effect on readers in this cultural moment.How do you write books that resonate with readers without compromising biblical truth?In this week’s episode, I speak with pastor and author Chase Replogle to talk about 21st-century apologetics and why Christian authors must rethink what it means to “engage culture.”You’ll discoverWhat current readers value more (fact or feelings?)How your book can rise above the noise without creating more noiseWhat Jordan Peterson and other influential voices teach writers about relevanceIf you want to impact people for Christ by answering the questions they’re asking without compromising truth or sounding cliché, this conversation is for you.Support the show

Why do some books keep readers up all night while others fall flat?If you've ever wondered whether your novel is gripping enough, you're not alone. One of the biggest challenges writers face is keeping readers hooked to the end.In this week’s episode, we dive deep into what truly drives great storytelling. Whether you're writing legal thrillers, Amish fiction, or epic fantasy, tension is your secret weapon, and knowing how to dial it up or down can make or break your story.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why reading current bestsellers (without judgment!) is key to leveling up your writingHow different genres handle tension differentlyWhat every author needs to understand about their reader’s motive for readingListen in or read the blog version to discover the many types of tension and how to weave it into your novel to keep readers reading to the end.Support the show

Did you know the Apostle Paul didn’t write the book of Romans by hand? He dictated it to a someone else who wrote it down, and he’s not the only famous author to do so.In this week’s episode, we explore how authors from Cicero to Agatha Christie to USA Today bestselling author Misty M. Beller have used dictation to write faster, better, and with more freedom.In this interview with Misty, you’ll learn:✅ How to overcome the intimidation of hearing your own voice✅ Which dictation tools are most accurate and beginner-friendly✅ How to spur creativity and increase your output without burning outWhether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, dictation can save you time and unlock your most natural storytelling voice. Misty shares how she writes up to six books a year using this technique and how you can too.Write faster. Write smarter. Write like the Apostle Paul. Listen in or read the blog version to learn more.Support the show

Most authors start writing from the beginning. But what if the beginning is the wrong place to start?In our most recent episode, I talk with bestselling author and writing teacher James Scott Bell about one of his most powerful ideas: the mirror moment.You’ll learn✅ Why the midpoint is more than just the halfway mark✅ How to turn a sagging middle into your novel’s strongest moment✅ What Casablanca, Goodnight Moon, and The Cat in the Hat have in common✅ How one scene can help you fix your beginning, your ending, and everything in betweenWhether you’re a plotter or a pantser, listen in or read the blog version of this episode. It will change how you approach your next novel.Support the show

The term "pantser" has been used to describe writing a book without an outline. At writers conferences, outlining and "pantsing" (also known as discovery writing) are often framed as rivals. However, most writers fall between the two extremes.I've seen successful authors across that spectrum. What truly matters is finding the method that works best for you.While there are countless books on outlining, there are very few on discovery writing. So how do you learn to "write by the seat of your pants"?In this month's episode, I interviewed bestselling author Steven James, who shared his secrets for discovery writing—the art of writing "by the seat of your pants" while creating gripping stories.He shared✔️ Four questions that can solve any plot problem✔️ What truly drives a great story to a satisfying ending✔️ How to use pivots to surprise and satisfy your readersIf you've ever struggled with outlining or wondered if  "pantsing" could work for you, this episode will give you the guidance and courage to give it a try. Listen in or read the blog version to learn more.Support the show

Have you ever started a book but struggled to get past the first few chapters? Or maybe you finished one, only to feel let down by the ending? The truth is, beginnings and endings can make or break a novel.In this week’s episode, I sit down with Christy Award-winning author Angela Hunt to unpack what makes a strong opening that hooks readers and a satisfying ending that keeps them talking.We’ll cover: How to craft an opening that keeps readers turning pages The secret to endings that spark word-of-mouth recommendations Common mistakes that weaken your novel’s impactIf you want to grab your reader’s attention from page one and leave them with an unforgettable conclusion, listen in or read the blog version.Support the show

Have you ever dreamed of writing a novel but don’t know where to start? Maybe you've tried before, but the story just didn’t come together—or you’re staring at a blank page, unsure of what to do next.In our latest episode, we’re talking to Steve Laube, seasoned literary agent and co-author of Write Your First Novel. Steve shares actionable advice on:Creating characters your readers will love.Crafting a plot that keeps readers hooked.Overcoming fear and embracing the writing process.You’ll also learn the key to writing boldly and how to avoid common pitfalls that hold writers back.If you’re ready to finally start your novel (and finish it!), listen in or read the blog version.Support the show

Imposter syndrome sometimes tells you the truth.Sometimes, you really do need to get better at the task in front of you to succeed. Many gurus will tell you that you already have everything you need. You just need to pay them money so you can be successful. But in the real world, success requires the hard work of improving your craft. Now, it's true, sometimes imposter syndrome lies, but deep down, you know you can improve.But how do you know where you need to improve? And once you find out, how do you get better?In this week's episode, you'll hear from Brad Pauquette about structuring a novel and improving your craft. He's a 15-year industry veteran who's helped hundreds of authors write and publish their best work, hit bestseller lists, and win awards. He's also the author of The Novel Matrix: The Complete Novel Writing Guide.You'll learn·      Three phases of improving your craft·      What feedback to implement or ignore·      How to ensure your writing is accurate and believableListen in or read the blog and discover insights on balancing creativity with structure, interpreting feedback wisely, and staying true to your Christian values by continually inviting the Holy Spirit into your work.Support the show

In college, I took a class on entrepreneurship, where our big project was to write a business plan. That same semester, I was also working on a book proposal, and I realized that book proposals are business plans.Fundamentally, they serve the same purpose. A business plan helps you convince investors to invest in your business, and a book proposal helps you convince publishing companies to invest in your book.To be traditionally published, you need to think like an entrepreneur and to be independently published, you need to be an entrepreneur.In this week's episode, we'll hear from Kara Swanson. She's a successful fantasy author, entrepreneur, and the co-founder of The Author Conservatory, an online college alternative for aspiring writers.You'll learn how to·      Build a financially sustainable writing career·      Build your skillset for marketing your book·      Build a schedule that balances creativity and businessListen in or check out the blog and learn how to become an author entrepreneur by leveraging transferrable business skills to build a sustainable writing career.Support the show

I'm excited to announce that tickets are now for sale for the 2025 Novel Marketing Conference. The conference will be held in Austin, Texas, on January 17th and 18th. This event is not a typical writer's conference where you learn how to write and publish a book. Our conference is focused on book marketing, and our goal is to help you make 2025 the best year of your author career so far!In this episode, you'll find out·      Three special ingredients that make the Novel Marketing Conference unique·      How this year's conference will differ from last year's·      Why we've made certain deliberate choices for this year's conferenceListen in or check out the blog version of this episode to get details about the 2025 Novel Marketing Conference.Support the show