Advertise on podcast: Christian Publishing Show

Most writing advice assumes you have a healthy body and a full tank of energy. But what if you don't? What if chronic pain, fatigue, brain fog, or an autoimmune disease makes every paragraph a fight? Some authors have a bad week or a bad month, but others deal with conditions unlikely to ever go away. So how do you write with a chronic health challenge? In this week’s episode, you’ll hear from Glenna Marshall, who has published six books and many articles, most of them while living with a painful and rare autoimmune disease. Her new book, Praying in Pain, is the resource she wished someone had handed her when the pain first started 16 years ago. You’ll discover Scheduling tips that can help you get the most out of your good days.Tools that can help you work when you can barely walk.Encouragement for your soul for the very hard daysWhat to do when you can’t do anythingWhether you live with chronic illness yourself or you want to understand a fellow writer who does, this episode will change the way you think about productivity, calling, and what faithfulness looks like when every word costs more than it should. Blog Link: https://www.christianpublishingshow.com/how-to-keep-writing-when-your-body-wont-cooperate/ AuthorMedia.social Link: http://authormedia.social/c/christian-publishing-show/how-to-keep-writing-when-your-body-wont-cooperate/ Support the show

How long have you been working on your novel? Has it been years? How do you know when it’s finished? Have you considered why you might not have finished it yet? What if you could finish a book in two months? Would it be a better book than the one you’ve spent years writing? Or would it be worse? In this week’s episode, you’ll hear from Colleen Mitchell, a writing coach and host of the Novel Writing Podcast, who spent years running a 60-Day Novel Writing Challenge that's taken writers of every skill level from blank page to finished draft. You’ll learn: When rewriting might be keeping you from finishingHow to propel yourself through the “messy middle”Whether you should write faster (or not)Where you can find free guidance and a system for finishing your bookWhether you're sitting on a half-finished manuscript or an idea that's been in your head for years, listen in or read the blog version to find a practical roadmap to get it done. Blog Link: https://www.christianpublishingshow.com/how-to-write-a-novel-in-60-days-with-colleen-mitchell/ Authormedia.social link: http://authormedia.social/c/christian-publishing-show/how-to-write-a-novel-in-60-days-with-colleen-mitchell/ Support the show

Have you ever finished a book you loved, handed it to a friend, and heard back, "It was fine"? That disconnect has nothing to do with the quality of the writing. It has everything to do with a principle C.S. Lewis understood well enough to write classics that have endured for decades. In this week's episode, I sat down with bestselling novelist Angela Hunt to break down the four ancient loves that drive all fiction, and how mastering them can help you produce a bestseller and a classic. You’ll learn The type of love almost every genre needs more of, and why the most violent stories need it most.How the loneliness epidemic is creating a massive hunger in readers, and which type of love lonely readers are yearning for.The type of love that makes for a classic but is hardest to write and easiest to botch. Get it wrong and your climax feels cheesy. Get it right and readers won't shut up about your book.We also explore the dark side of each love and how to use that tension to propel your plot forward. If the stakes in your story aren’t working or you’re sick of cheap, salacious storylines, listen in or read the blog version to learn how to incorporate these four types of love into your story. This one might change how you outline your next book or build your characters. Blog link: https://www.authormedia.com/the-four-loves-that-drive-fiction/ Support the show

About a year ago I launched a new podcast and YouTube show called Author Update. It is primarily a news show but recently we covered a news story I wanted to share with you here on the Christian Publishing Show.  Pope Leo XIV recently published an encyclical titled MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS. It the the best theological breakdown I’ve seen on AI, and that means a lot coming from me because I’m not Catholic. I’m not aware of any authoritative stances on AI from either the Orthodox or Protestant churches, which means, if and when those do come out, they will be responding to and echoing the Pope’s Encyclical.  If you have ever been curious about how, when, and why Christians can use AI I think you will find this breakdown helpful. But I want to share one other news story first that will help give some context. This story is about the Anti AI Butalrian Jihad that my cohost Jonathan Surger and I break down.  Support the show

Steve Laube and Thomas Umstattd, Jr. answer questions from authors about publishing and discuss Steve's new book for writers called Sacred Margins. Support the show

A kid in my fifth-grade Sunday school class recently asked, "What's social media?" She had no idea. And she wasn't the only one. Gen Alpha grew up with less screen time, more parental guardrails, and completely different expectations for the stories they want to read. That means, middle-grade books are going through a shift right now, and the rest of publishing will feel it soon. On this week's episode of the Christian Publishing Show, you’ll hear from award-winning middle grade author J.J. Johnson, who shares how to write books that reluctant readers actually want to pick up. You'll learn: What word count and chapter length are best for this new generation of readers.Which protagonists are resonating with them (Hint: think Minecraft, not Diary of a Wimpy Kid.)How to title and write books that interest kids (and are willingly purchased by their parents!)If you want to write for middle-grade readers, who will soon become YA and adult readers, you need to know how they are different from previous generations of readers. Listen in or read the blog version to get the inside scoop. Support the show

To say yes to something good, you often have to say no to other things. In the past, we’ve discussed that sometimes quitting writing is the right move for your career and life. But what about when you know you can't quit? What do you do when you feel called to write but the work is hard, success is nowhere in sight, and you're dragging your feet? What if you need the income from writing to feed your family? In this episode of the Christian Publishing Show, Brian Hicks joins me to talk about how writers can keep going. Brian has spent decades studying what separates people who push through from people who give up. You’ll learn: The ultimate motivation hack for Christian writers that has nothing to do with bestseller lists or salesThe daily choice that will change your writing lifeThe best (and worst) way to start your writing careerListen in or read the blog version to find out how you can keep writing when you're broke, rejected, and exhausted. Blog Link: https://www.christianpublishingshow.com/how-to-stay-motivated-when-writing-gets-hard/ Author Media.social Link: https://authormedia.social/c/christian-publishing-show/how-to-stay-motivated-when-writing-gets-hard Support the show

Have you ever watched a medical show and thought, “Is that how CPR really works”? Your readers are thinking the same thing about your book. In the Google era, writing sloppy medical details was risky for your writing career. In the AI era, they’re deadly to your credibility and career. Readers now carry little AI tools in their pockets that can pass medical exams. If your character survives a car crash and goes boxing in the next chapter, someone will notice. In this month’s episode, I interview physician and award-winning novelist Ronda Wells of NovelMalpractice.com about how to write medically accurate fiction, even if you have zero medical background. You’ll learn How concussions and amnesia can be related (but aren’t always!)How to use medical events (and their consequences) to increase tension in your storyWhy the “sip and die” trope rarely makes senseHow historical context changes everything from treatments to fatalityMedical accuracy does not kill drama. It intensifies it. If you want deeper tension, stronger verisimilitude, and stories that honor your readers’ trust, listen in or read the blog version. Blog Link: https://www.christianpublishingshow.com/how-to-keep-bad-medicine-from-killing-your-novels-credibility/ Support the show

Have you decided to write a book but feel overwhelmed by everything there is to learn? Wondering where to start, what to write first, or how to know if your writing is any good? In this episode, I talk with New York Times bestselling author Jerry B. Jenkins (215 books, 73+ million copies sold) about how new and beginning authors can start the right way. In this interview, you’ll discover: What your first project should be a book and how it can help you grow quickly as a writer.A mindset shift that will change how you think about feedbackHow to find your writing voiceIf you want practical advice from a seasoned writer that will save you years of frustration, listen in or read the blog version. Support the show

Mystery isn't just a genre. It's a storytelling skill that every author can use to keep readers turning pages, no matter what they write. In this month’s episode, USA Today bestselling mystery author Sara Rosett reveals how writers of any genre can use elements from the mystery genre to keep readers hooked. Whether you write mystery, fantasy, romance, or nonfiction, this conversation will change the way you think about story structure and reader engagement. You’ll discover: Which genres benefit from using elements of mystery writingHow to hide clues and red herrings in a way that feels natural but surprisingCommon mistakes new mystery writers make and how to avoid themIf you want to build stories that feel more immersive, compelling, and satisfying, listen in or read the blog version and make your next story un-put-down-able. Support the show

You’ve heard it said that a great beginning will sell your book, but a great ending will sell your next book. Every bestseller becomes a bestseller because word spreads from reader to reader, and what creates that good word of mouth? Satisfying endings. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn: What makes an ending satisfying (hint: it doesn’t have to be happy!)How endings must vary from genre to genreWhat advantage Christian authors have over secular authors when writing endingsListen in or read the blog version if you want to write an ending that your readers can’t stop talking about. Support the show

Many authors have received that dreaded rejection letter from a traditional Christian publisher siting platform size as the reason for the rejection. Is there a platform size that makes you a shoo-in for a traditional Christian publisher? What if even millions of followers can’t get you a contract with a traditional Christian publisher? Is there something else going on? In this episode, Chase Replogle and I discuss trends in Christian publishing that we’ve observed from the inside. We’ll discuss What makes a Christian publisher “Christian”Questions we ought to be asking of the Christian publishing industryHow Christian authors can navigate the current publishing landscapeListen in or read the blog version to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how Christian publishing has changed over the years. Support the show

If social media leaves you drained and you’re unsure what to do with AI, this week’s episode is for you. I recently appeared on the Writing off Social podcast to unpack how authors can step off the social treadmill and put AI to work without losing their voice. In our conversation you’ll learn: What boundaries you can set around your use of AIWhere to start using AI in your workMy prediction for the future of nonfiction (and how to make sure you control your brand of expertise)Listen in or read the blog version and get practical steps for using AI to increase your productivity and relieve you of the writing and publishing tasks you don’t enjoy. Support the show

Last week brought heartbreaking news. Charlie Kirk, a Christian author and speaker, was shot and killed while addressing his audience. In this special episode of the Christian Publishing Show, we share an Author Update conversation about what Charlie’s life, work, and death mean for Christian authors today. You’ll discover: How Charlie built his platform through books, speaking, and social media without compromising his convictions.Why listening well to your audience can make you a stronger communicator and writer.What authors should (and shouldn’t) say during emotionally charged cultural moments.This is a sobering episode, but also an inspiring one for anyone called to write, speak, and share truth with courage. Listen in, read the blog version, or watch on YouTube. Support the show

Is using AI sinful, helpful, or just complicated? In this thought-provoking episode, bestselling author Kate Angelo joins us to discuss the ethical, practical, and spiritual implications of AI for Christian writers. From biblical analogies to real-world tools, this conversation explores some pressing questions for Christians about AI, creativity, and ethics, without the hype or fear-mongering. In this episode, you'll discover: How AI is similar to and different from other technologies that became mainstreamHow good and evil impact or result from the use of AIHow Christians can leverage AI for goodWhether you're AI-curious or AI-cautious, listen in or read the blog version to discover how Christian authors are thinking about AI and how it can be leveraged for good in your marketing, productivity, and writing. Support the show