So God Told You To Write a Book - Now What?

Eva Marie Everson is my guest in Episode 18 of Season 2. Her latest novel, Miss Beth Bettencourt, is being released on May 12, 2026. We discuss the evolution of that story from the combination of a Miss Abby column and a writing exercise into a full-blown novel set in small-town Georgia. We also get to delve into Eva's various ventures beyond her prolific writing career such as being the conference director for Florida Christian Writers Conference, the CEO of Word Weavers International and the overseer of the Selah Awards and Foundation Awards for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. Eva Marie shares about setting goals in her writing process with word count and deadlines in mind while also recognizing that life happens to all of us despite our best laid plans. Her advice? Embrace real life even as you enjoy the journey of writing. 

Another debut novelist joins me in Episode 17 of Season 2. Karen Higgin's book A Garden Grows is the first of three books scheduled in The Hills of Harvest series. Karen is traditionally published through Mountain Brook Ink but the journey to get to her recent book launch has taken years. While homeschooling her kids and teaching them about writing, a desire within her own heart opened up to become an author. So, in the midst of many years of busy mothering of five kids, Karen grabbed every moment she could to add to her growing storyline. She also attended writers conferences and joined a critique group as she continually sought to hone her craft along the way. Until, voila! In April of 2026 her book is published and two more are coming close behind it. 

Nova McBee is my guest in Episode 16 of Season 2. She is an award-winning author, a screenwriter and a world traveler. The adventures packed into her Calculated book series are inspired by her own adventure-filled life. Book #4 - Liberated - is slated to be released on June 30, 2026. Nova talks about the preparations she made after God told her to write a book - she studied her craft, practiced her writing and poured over the ins and outs of the book publishing world. You'll hear inspiring stories behind her journey from agent query letter responses to book club critique partners showing up at just the right moment. Nova has also become proficient in the art of screenwriting and now leads an entire group of writers as they adapt books and craft original scripts for screens large and small. You can follow her at www.novamcbee.com as well as www.yxentertainmentgroup.com. 

Episode 15 of Season 2 finds us exploring one teen aged girl's experience of living near a United States naval base in the Philippines during the Vietnam War - all through the lens of Mary Sheldahl's debut novel "Torn Between Two Worlds - The Cost of Forgiveness". The book is based on Mary's own life experiences when she and her family were sent to the Philippines so that her father could run a Lutheran Serviceman's Center near Subic Bay Naval Station. Taking her memories and processing them into a compelling story arc was healing, challenging and rewarding for Mary. Listen in as she explains how that journey unfolded for her as she looked back on things that happened many years ago and pulled them into this fresh novel that is relevant to today. 

Claire Holloway Is Winging It is the first in Angela Ruth Strong's new contemporary romance series - High Flying Romance. Based on Angela's own experiences as a flight attendant, it will be released on March 17th. In Episode 14 of Season 2, you get a preview of what's behind the new book as well as many of her other books and series. You'll hear how Finding Love In Big Sky, Montana  (part of her Resort to Love Series) was made into a movie and how one of her TikTok posts unexpectedly went viral! Angela also shares how some of life's harder moments like divorce and breast cancer, actually helped her find her way in her writing career. A traditionally  published author, Angela gives us a glimpse into what that journey has looked like for her and why she loves this publishing option. She has ventured into Indie publishing from time to time in collaboration with fellow authors - listen and find out the fun doors that opened for her there as well. 

Steve Rzasa is a prolific author of science fiction and fantasy stories who also works as a ghostwriter for non-fiction books. In Episode 13 of Season 2, we get to explore a few of his many writing adventures including his soon to be released book The Null Razor Heist. This story is a full blown novel about a character Steve  developed in one chapter of Eon City Burnout - A Cyberpunk Anthology (refer to Episode 4 with Tina Gollings). Steve thrives on collaborative writing projects with his fellow realm building authors without neglecting his own individual series like The Face of the Deep, Vincent Chen, The Interstice Universe, Takamo Universe and more. He's got a lot going on including being a workshop presenter at the upcoming NCWA Renewal Conference on May 16, 2026 in Everett, WA. Register now and meet Steve in person!

Katie Mathews was 16 years old when her life was turned upside down in a car accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury and a quadriplegic body. In her memoir, Unparalyzed: Shattering Limits While Finding Freedom, Katie shares her journey from anger, resentment and hopelessness to freedom in discovering the purposes of God for her life. Her revelation about the power of renewing our minds through gratitude and gaining a higher perspective is truly inspiring. Of course, we also talk about how Katie moved her manuscript off her computer - where it sat for 12 years - into a published paperback as well as an audiobook. But this is just part of the ongoing impact of Katie's life. She has also established a non-profit organization and works as a life coach and public speaker. You can contact her at www.limitlessjourney.org. As always, I walk away from my conversation with Katie encouraged, challenged and inspired - I'm guessing you will too. 

I know I promised Season 2 would be all about my fellow Christian authors and their books...and I do start out the episode with a quick review of some my take-aways from the amazing authors I've had the privilege of interviewing thus far. But the rest of Episode 11 is devoted to my latest novel, The Sabotage Scroll. You'll hear about the inspiration behind the book, the obstacles I had to overcome to finish the book as well as a few of the ways I've approached the marketing of this my fourth book. Since the book has spiritual warfare woven throughout the narrative, you'll also get to hear the stories of what I experienced in that realm as I worked through this assignment. My hope is you will find the inspiration and determination you may need to not allow the buffeting of life's pressures and the winds of spiritual resistance to dissuade you from completing the assignment you've been given to write your book. 

Welcome to the the second half of Season 2! We start off the new year with our first Young Adult Fiction writer - Kim Vandel. Her Under Fire series will be wrapping up this year with book 4 coming out in the Fall sometime. So there's a long on ramp for you to grab books 1, 2 and 3 and be ready for that final climactic volume. In Episode 10, we get to really delve into the world of indie publishing. Kim has gone down this route and has many good tips about how to navigate it. She has also honed skills in the world of social media marketing and shares with us some very helpful insights. We cover a lot of other bases in this conversation from Scrivener writing software to Kindle Unlimited strategies to overcoming real life challenges along the way. Listen in and grab some inspiration for 2026!

If you've been looking for some inspiration and practical tips about branding your work, Episode 9 with Steve Brock is just the ticket! His new book - Brand Something Beautiful: A Branding Workbook for Writers, Artists and Other Creatives - is bursting with ideas to guide you through building your own brand. Our conversation ventures from Steve's personal 'why's' behind his latest book to the many and varied ways of hearing from God. We talk about the difference between slogging through what we think we should do in marketing to finding delight in discovering our unique contributions to the world of books through our personal brand. You'll also hear about Steve's passions for both travel and for lifting creatives to new levels of adventures in creativity - both of which resulted in books as well. You can connect with Steve on his website - www.brandsomething beautiful.com to get more information and a sneak peek into the book itself. 

Heidi Gray McGill is my guest on Episode 8 of Season 2. Her newest Christmas novella - A Place to Belong - comes out on November 18th. It is the latest book in her Discerning God's Best series. Our conversation runs the gamut from how she first felt called to begin a writing career in 2020, to the why's behind publishing under her own imprint, to her ongoing process of learning the craft of writing novels, to the challenges of writing squeaky clean romances. She pulled out some of her favorite books that have helped her hone her skills (I have listed them below). We also discuss how and why to enter writing contests (https://book-publicist.com/top-book-awards-for-authors/)as well as why she published her audio books 'for free' on YouTube. Heidi is a wealth of knowledge and a generous soul who is willing, wanting and able to help her fellow Christian authors thrive in their writing lane. Again, I learned so much.GMC: Goal, Motivation & Conflict: The Building Blocks of Good Fiction by Debra DixonThe Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca PuglisiSave the Cat! Writes A Novel: The Last Book on Novel Writing You'll Ever Need by Jessica BrodyUnderstanding Show, Don't Tell (And Really Getting It) by Janice HardyThe First Five Pages: A Writer's Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile by Noah LukemanHow NOT to Write a Novel: 200 Classic Mistakes and How to Avoid Them--A Misstep-by-Misstep Guide by Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman

In Episode 7 we have the privilege of hearing from Val Barschaw who has walked with her husband - a heart transplant recipient - through 35 years of medical care. It was this very personal journey that gave Val the information, the experience and the passion to equip others who are facing hospitalizations for themselves or their loved ones.  Surviving the Hospital: Six Secrets Every Patient Should Know is an essential guide for anyone who is navigating the complex world of healthcare - to do so with confidence and empowerment. On the podcast, Val takes us into the moment she knew God called her to write the book and then all the steps that followed to get it published and into the hands of those who need it. You can follow Val and find more resources on her website - www.hospitaltohealth.com 

Ann Harrison is my guest for Episode 6 of Season 2. She is the author of a new devotional entitled Praying Through the Seasons: Seven Aspects of Prayer and Communion with God. Ann is not only an author but a poet and freelance editor - she is also totally blind. She is tenacious about overcoming obstacles whether that be from technology, external forces or her own inner struggles. Throughout this conversation, you will find that Ann has connected herself to a bunch of writing resources and groups including Christian Book Academy and 540 Writers Community. I learned so much from Ann and I'm sure you will too. 

Episode 5 takes us into the Historical Fiction genre with a saga about Tudor England in the 1500's - specifically into the life of Blessed Thomas Abel, the personal priest to Katherine of Aragon who was the first wife of Henry VIII. Theresa Abell Haynes' new book, The Queen's Priest, is also a personal tale for the author because Thomas Abell is one of her ancestors. Our conversation ranges from the layers of research she got to do - including going to the Tower of London to see where Thomas Abell spent the last 7 years of his life - to the layers of editing she went through as she self-published this her debut novel. We also dip into the process of how to get a book done as an audiobook through the ACX platform. To keep up with all the developments in Theresa's writing, you can visit her website at www.TheresaAHaynes.com or follow her Substack newsletter. 

Ever read a Cyberpunk Anthology before? Maybe not but in Episode 4 of Season 2 we get to meet one of the 9 authors who collaborated on just such a work of fiction. Tina Gollings is a teacher and writer who has dabbled in a number of genres over the course of her writing career starting in 2nd grade with a submission to a school writing contest to starting a dystopian novel in college to writing a children's picture book which is due to be published in 2026. But in this episode, we focus on her latest published piece in Eon City Burnout. All eleven stories by the nine authors are both great writing and great fun. And, as Tina says, the entire process of world building and collaborating as a team was great fun as well. You're sure to find something interesting and inspiring in Tina's journey!

In Episode 3, we get to know Susie Crosby. Her latest book which came out in July of 2025 is a children's book entitled Where Is Sheep 100? - A Skip Counting Story About the Good Shepherd's Love. Susie takes us behind the scenes with her agent, illustrator and publishing house as she moves this book from idea to finished product. We also get to hear about LIghthearted - 100 Day Devotional which came out in 2024. It is a devotional aimed at helping us utilize the promises of God to overcome heavy emotions and live a light-hearted life. Susie gives us some great marketing tips as well as inspirational nudges to keep us all moving forward. So, grab a cuppa and take a listen. I think you'll be glad you did. 

Episode 2 of Season 2 is an interview with Sonja Anderson, the author of a children's picture book entitled "A Christmas Wish for Little Dala Horse: A Saint Lucia Celebration".  This book is traditionally published through Tyndale Kids. So we walk through that process from getting an agent to signing a contract to engaging with an illustrator and much more. Sonja is a public school librarian as well as an author of middle-grade novels, devotional articles and an historical picture book she wrote with her husband called Mount Rainier's Historic Inns and Lodges. She is a wealth of information about the book industry and writing process as well as a rich well in her spiritual journey. I learned a lot through this conversation with Sonja and I'm sure you will too!

In Episode 1 of Season 2 I interview Georgia Morris the author of a memoir entitled Unfailing Love: Freedom From Abuse, Shame, And Control Of A Schizophrenic Spouse. Since this season is all about exploring the many different avenues authors take to get their books published, Georgia and I spend some time chatting about her experience going through a hybrid publishing company - both the good and the challenging aspects. We talk about a few of the particular issues associated with writing a memoir as well as the general battles authors go through as we write. Georgia ends with a few Scriptures that helped her in her journey and a nugget of advice for her fellow authors. 

In this the final episode of Season 1, Wendy Jo talks all things marketing....at least the things that she knows. From social media to Goodread giveaways to websites to podcast interviews - and whatever else she can think of within her realm of experience. She also gives a long range perspective on the power of simply getting your book out into the world and letting it take on a life of its own. Marketing is the ongoing work that follows the work of writing. It never really ends...but that's okay because neither does your book. Carry on, fellow authors. Carry on!

It's time to get that manuscript in shape for publishing. What does that entail? Formatting, formatting, formatting. In this episode, Wendy Jo discusses some of the elements of getting your manuscript print ready. Everything from margins, sizing,  pagination, fonts, etc. Lots of decisions and details but much satisfaction when the finished product comes out in the form of a proof copy. There are many options from various software programs to YouTube learning to professional formatters. She also makes some comparisons between uploading onto KDP and IngramSpark - what's the difference? - as well as ebook formatting. 

Time to talk about the all important book cover. Yes, I know, God views us through the lens of what is going on in our hearts. But people.... well, we tend to judge things (at least initially) by the outward appearance. In this episode, we discuss the elements that will make up your cover as well as different places you can go to find cover designers. There is quite a spectrum of options both financially and technically. Something for everyone! I also expose some of the design process I have recently been through for Solbakken: A Tale of Generations. It has taken some doing, but the cover is done! Glory!

Is a rose by any other name just as sweet? Hmmm.... in Episode 12 we talk about the importance of naming your book. A short overview of our biblical naming inheritance shows we have the DNA of a very creative 'namer'. We can do this. Finding the title that settles and lands for you as well as engages your target audience is paramount. There's a big reveal in the middle of the episode of the title for my latest book. Ta da! There are also some books I recommend that I have come across recently as I continue to learn about writing and publishing that I think might be helpful to you as well.

In Episode 11, we continue our chat about audiobooks with some more specific information about the recording and editing process. Included is information about the software I use, the editing plug-in I recommend as well as discussion about ACX.com and the parameters they require for you to upload your audio files. Then I've included a little sneak preview of my upcoming audiobook recording of my second novel - The Agreements - with the Prologue and beginning of Chapter 1. Hope you enjoy!

Episode 10 is all about audiobooks - the fastest growing segment of the book industry. We'll look at some of the statistics regarding the amazing growth in audiobooks over the past decade. And then we chat about some of the details of what it takes to get a book up onto an audio platform. Do you go with Audible exclusivity? Or do you go for a wider audience through Findaway Voices that includes library accessibility? We look at royalty percentages and toss around those options. Also included are the various ways you can hire someone to narrate your book and how to pay them whether it be through a Per Finished Hour rate or a Royalty Share contract. Lots of practical tidbits with some of my audiobook recommendations and experiences thrown in for good measure. 

In this episode, I back track a little to some of the things we discussed in the previous episode. First, I set out a biblical foundation for the spiritual practices I alluded to of interacting with the great cloud of witnesses. Then we go into some practical elements of putting together a copyright page for your manuscript. And finally, I spend some time chatting about the setting for my book in the north woods of Minnesota. You'll hear a few stories of my Norwegian forefathers who immigrated to that area as well as my childhood memories of their homestead.  

Before you publish your manuscript there are some additional little pieces besides the storyline that you will need to think about . In Episode 8, we chat about the extras like a dedication page, acknowledgements,  an author bio, about the book page and any other additional bits and bobs you'd like to add to personalize your book.  Since I spent the week writing  my 'about the book' page, I go into some detail about the impetus behind my latest work.  I talk about the two long-term contemplations that led me into this particular story as well as some of my own motivating life circumstances. It's a little peek behind the curtain of my process. 

Well, the manuscript is in the hands of the editor. So, what am I doing in the meantime? Episode 7 explores the concept of waiting. Do we just twiddle our thumbs or do we wait with eager anticipation of promises about to be fulfilled? I talk about some of the promises I speak over my books - the expectations I have about the impact they will have. I also go into some of the things I do when I'm not writing that make me feel fully alive. The 'meantime' is a great time to embrace some of those activities. And then, I go into some details about the different types of edits - what they are, how much do they cost, why do we need them? Isn't it wonderful  that there are folks who thrive on making our manuscripts become the best that they can be? Thank God for editors!

Episode 6 explores the concept of connectivity - the need to stay in relationship with other people as we venture to write our books. Wendy Jo celebrates the completion of her first draft! But quickly underscores that the next phase of the journey - the editing phase - requires that we connect with someone else with skill sets that are other than our own. We chat about keeping in relationship with our spiritual tribe as well. That though they may not necessarily be writers, they can be our Aaron and Hur who keep our hands lifted in the battle. Wendy Jo also shares her struggles with marketing that go way back- all the way to Bluebirds - and how being in an online community of Christian artisans is helping her overcome some of those fears and obstacles. People - friends - encouragers - editors - marketers - intercessors - writers. We need 'em! Even in this solo venture called writing.

Episode 5 revolves around the subject of tenacity - that quality we need to develop in order to overcome the obstacles, challenges and trials of writing a book or accomplishing most anything that's worthwhile. I talk about some of the things I have had to get through in order to finish the assignments I have been given including wading through the editing process and figuring out how to record an audiobook. It's easy to laugh at some of the bumps and bruises I acquired along the way in retrospect, but at the time some of the challenges had me on the brink of giving up. So, what's the point of persevering? What's the upside to developing tenacity? Well, the prizes we receive include character, hope, expanded capacities, strength, and the ability to meet the next difficulty with a whole new set of tools in our toolbelt. The prize is definitely worth the price. Tenacity .... yup, gotta get some.

In Episode 4 we talk about Audacity - the grit, spunk, and chutzpah factor that we must develop and continually protect in order to write the book we know God wants us to write. Biblically, the call for this shameless boldness is found in both the Old and New Testament and it is no less called for in today's world. Writing is not for the faint of heart! We also get into a discussion about getting into the flow of your writing by priming the pump with intentional, scheduled writing time. One things for sure, if you don't set aside the time to write, your book will never get written. It takes setting value on what you are doing both for yourself and for those who will read what you've written. It takes some courage. It takes some boldness. It takes audacity!

In Episode 3, I address the question - how do I know for sure I'm supposed to write a book? We'll walk through some biblical principals as well as some of my own experiences with stepping out in faith to begin writing.  Every book is different but each one was birthed by attaining a level of certainty that yes, indeed, this is the direction I am supposed to take.  My hope is your confidence levels will rise as you listen leading you to a place of certainty as well.

Where does a book begin? In Episode 2, I talk about the time before you even put pen to paper. Filling up the well of your creativity by spending intimate time with God and allowing that space to be your source. Intentionally developing your imagination by tapping into the limitless imagination of the Creator. I also open up about my journaling practice as well as some practical steps to take about setting up your writing documentation tools. 

In this introductory episode, I tell you a little about myself and my background before getting into the back story of how I became an author learning to co-create with the Creator. It's a journey that started unexpectedly one day in January of 2015 when these words dropped from the blue into my heart - "There is a baby catcher gate in heaven". Bam! A strange thought followed by a direction to write a book - something I'd never done before. Hopefully you'll be encouraged by my journey and find some kernels of encouragement to help you step into new phases of faith and fulfillment in your own.