The Writer’s Desk

Today, I’m welcoming Mary Spencer Veazey to The Writer’s Desk! Mary Spencer is an author and speaker who published her first book, Cul-de-sac Crossroads in 2024. Her book serves as a guide for how young adults in their twenties can navigate life’s twists and turns with courageous clarity. Mary Spencer continues to write on topics relevant to young adults on her Substack. If you’re interested in learning more about writing and publishing a book, how writers can use Substack to build a platform, and how to seek out community with other writers and authors, then this is an episode you don’t want to miss.For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram! The Writer’s Desk episode #1: Deciding to Write a Book and How an Outline Can Help Mary Spencer Veazey’s website Mary Spencer Veazey’s bookMary Spencer Veazey’s InstagramMary Spencer Veazey’s Substack

Today, I’m welcoming Courtney Hope Jones to The Writer’s Desk! Courtney is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, and podcast host. In 2018, Courtney released It Is Written, a devotional that teaches you how to use Scripture to speak truth over lies. Since then, she started Little Creative Company, which provides website design and SEO for creatives and service providers. She’s also the host of the newly relaunched podcast Vessels, which shares conversations that equip multi-passionate Christian women in their calling. Courtney is truly a rockstar in all areas, and I’m so excited to share our conversation. If you’re interested in writing and publishing a book (whether through self-publishing or traditional publishing) and learning more about best practices for building a platform, this is the episode for you. As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. You can read more about it on my Substack. For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram! Links:Courtney’s website, Instagram, and bookCourtney’s podcast (Apple, Spotify) Courtney’s web design and SEO company’s website Courtney’s self-publishing course Courtney’s self-publishing podcast series (traditional vs. self-publishing, is self-publishing worth it?, 5 things I wish I knew before self-publishing)

Today, I’m welcoming Addison (Addie) Ott to The Writer’s Desk! Addie is an author, podcaster, and entrepreneur living in Indiana. She is the founder of gentle & lowly co., a clothing brand that helps you carry the gentle love of Jesus. Her first book, Fellowship Over Followers, was published in 2024, and Addie is currently working on her second, which we will discuss in today’s episode. Addie balances all of these creative pursuits along with her day job as a graphic designer. This conversation is perfect for anyone interested in writing, self-publishing, and balancing pursuing multiple creative projects at the same time. As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. You can read more about it on my Substack. For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram! Links:Addie’s InstagramAddie’s websitegentle & lowly co. websitegentle & lowly co. Instagramgentle & lowly co. podcast She Speaks Conference

Today on the show, I chat with Sarah Spradlin. Sarah is a poet and farmer raised in Georgia, now living in Central America, where she's worked in cross-cultural ministry since 2020, which pretty much boils down to planting things, talking to people, and writing poetry on long bus rides. Her poetry has been published on Story Embers and Kingdom Pen (just to name a few).In this conversation, we discuss the role encouragement played in helping Sarah overcome her hesitancy to call herself a poet, the unfortunate reality that self-doubt never really goes away in the creative process, and why it’s important not only to share our stories but also to invite feedback from others.As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. You can read more about it on my Substack.For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram!Links:Sarah’s InstagramThe Rabbit Room websiteMary Marantz (website, Instagram, podcast)Mary Marantz’s episode on Alli Worthington’s podcast (You’re Not Starting Over, You’re Starting From Wisdom: The Truth About Pivots and Purpose)

Today on the show, I chat with Katherine Hall, author, speaker, and creator of Everyday Scripture, a free Bible study resource. Katherine is passionate about making Scripture engaging and easier to understand. In this wide-ranging conversation on writing, publishing, theology, and faith, Katherine not only shares the backstory of Everyday Scripture and what’s next, but also a verse that makes clear there is so much more to be said and written about Jesus.As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. You can read more about it on my Substack.For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram! Links:Everyday Scripture (website, Instagram, Bible app reading plans) Katherine’s website She Speaks Conference The Bible, Simplified by Zach Windahl

Today on the show, I get to talk with Jessica Kitchel! Jessica and I first met through North Point Community Church back in 2013. I’ve always admired how Jessica has honestly and openly shared the good and the hard things she has walked through. Jessica first began publicly sharing her writing on a blog, but now shares on Instagram. As you’ll hear more about in our conversation, Jessica began sharing her writing when she and her husband experienced unexplained fertility. Their family has now been touched by adoption, IVF, spontaneous twins, and Down syndrome. Through it all, Jessica has continued to share her and her family’s story to bring hope and comfort to others. As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. You can read more about it on my Substack. For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram! Other links:Jessica Kitchel’s Instagram

In this episode, Lydia shares her progress on her Christian nonfiction manuscript and an inspiring conversation with author, artist, and disability advocate, Alyssa Kumle. Alyssa’s debut book, Doubtless, was published in April 2025. More than a memoir, Alyssa's story is an invitation to anyone facing life's hardest battles to see that challenges don't have to define us. They can refine us. Lydia and Alyssa discuss Alyssa’s writing and publishing journey, as well as what’s next for Alyssa and her ministry. If you’re an aspiring Christian author or just interested in learning more about how a book comes to life, listen in! Other links:Lydia’s SubstackAlyssa Kumle’s website, book, and Instagram

In this episode, Lydia shares her progress on her Christian nonfiction manuscript, a newfound realization about the consistent role of doubt in the creative process, an exciting update on the podcast's future, and more! If you’re an aspiring Christian author or just interested in learning more about how a book comes to life, listen in! For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram! Other links:Lydia’s SubstackSecond Life podcast episode with Alison Roman (Apple Podcasts, Spotify)Second Life podcast episode with Andrea Beaty, children’s book author (Apple Podcasts, Spotify)

In this episode, Lydia shares her progress on writing her Christian nonfiction manuscript, the unexpected inspiration she found from the winter Olympics and U.S. skier Breezy Johnson, and details on other behind-the-scenes things like writing copy for her new website and figuring out what to wear for the headshots she’ll be doing in a few weeks. If you’re an aspiring Christian author or just interested in learning more about how a book comes to life, listen in! For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram! Other links:Lydia’s SubstackLittle Creative Company Desk of Lauren Olympic gold medalist Breezy Johnson’s interview

In this episode, Lydia shares her progress on writing her Christian nonfiction manuscript, encouragement for dealing with self-doubt, and her decision to register for She Speaks, a writers’ conference put on by Proverbs 31 Ministries, led by best-selling author and speaker Lysa TerKeurst. If you’re an aspiring Christian author or just interested in learning more about how a book comes to life, listen in! For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram! Other links:Lydia’s SubstackShe Speaks Conference Everyday Scripture - free Bible study resources Desk of Lauren

In this episode, Lydia shares her progress on writing her Christian nonfiction manuscript, a writing mistake she’s still figuring out how to fix, the importance of protecting your writing time, Biblical encouragement for why you should share your work with others, and more! If you’re an aspiring Christian author or simply interested in learning more about the creative process behind writing and self-publishing a book, listen in! For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram! Other links:Lydia’s SubstackPersonal Branding Podcast with Anna Vatuone: How Colette Fehr Landed a Literary Agent and a Book Deal with Penguin Randomhouse (Apple, Spotify)Colette Fehr Instagram

In this episode, Lydia discusses the compounding effects of short writing blocks and why consistency is what matters most in achieving big goals. As always, Lydia shares her weekly progress on her Christian nonfiction manuscript, along with a few helpful platform-building tips and resources for anyone who struggles to use social media effectively but knows it’s an important part of reaching their desired audience as a creative. If you’re interested in writing and/or self-publishing a nonfiction book, this episode will encourage you to continue taking small steps toward your goal of writing a book, even if your everyday life doesn’t allow for long, uninterrupted writing sessions. For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram! Other links:Lydia’s SubstackMaster of One by Jordan RaynorBook Marketing Simplified podcast (Spotify, Apple) Jenn Hanson-dePaula Instagram Anna Vatuone blogJon Acuff's Instagram post

In this episode, Lydia shares progress from the first official week of writing her Christian nonfiction manuscript. She shares her surprise in learning to shift from writing “short” to “long”, how to fit writing time into a busy schedule, why it’s important to limit self-editing when you’re just trying to get words on a page, and how to keep your writing focused on the reader’s transformation. For anyone interested in writing and/or self-publishing a nonfiction book, this episode will give you helpful tips for starting the writing process and encourage you when you inevitably encounter difficulty along the way.For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram!Other links:Lydia’s Substack

In this episode, Lydia introduces herself and her background as a writer, shares why she decided to write and self-publish a Christian non-fiction book, and gives a behind-the-scenes look at creating an outline that will serve as a roadmap for writing the manuscript. For anyone interested in writing and/or self-publishing a nonfiction book, this episode will give you a better understanding of the early stages of turning your idea into a book.Resources mentioned (and others):Write Your Story podcast (Spotify, Apple Podcasts)Ally Fallon’s Instagram A Book in Six Months courseCOMPEL Pro (faith-based writer’s membership website created by Lysa Terkeurst and Proverbs 31 Ministries)COMPEL Pro InstagramWriters Circle podcast with Will Parker Anderson (Spotify, Apple Podcasts)For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram!

Have you ever wondered how a book goes from just an idea to the physical copy you hold in your hands? Join Lydia Johnson as she shares a behind-the-scenes look at her book-writing journey from outline to publication. If you’re a writer or simply interested in the self-publishing process, listen in!