Afleveringen

  • Your manuscript could be flawless, and readers still might not give it a chance—because the cover never invited them in. This week on The Writer’s Bloc Podcast, I’m joined by graphic designer Kaycee Parker of KP Communications, who’s spent over a decade helping authors and churches communicate with clarity through design.

    Kaycee brings a rare dual perspective to this conversation: she’s a working designer and a self-published author who’s hired out her own book covers, even though design is her day job. We talk about why so many writers pour thousands of hours into their manuscripts and then try to save a few hundred dollars on presentation—and why that trade-off rarely pays off. Kaycee makes the case that good design isn’t vanity; it’s stewardship. It removes barriers so a God-given message can actually reach the reader it’s meant for.

    We dig into how author branding actually gets built, the most common (and avoidable) mistakes self-published authors make with their own covers, and where a tight budget should go first if you can’t do it all. Kaycee also gives us a preview of what she’ll be unpacking in much greater depth with our paid community on Thursday: five practical, no-design-degree-required ways to strengthen your book’s design.

    If you’ve ever felt like the writing is the “real” work and design is just an afterthought, this episode will change how you think about that.

    What’s in this episode:

    * Why presentation can make or break a book—and why skimping on it to save money usually backfires

    * A theology of design as stewardship: removing barriers so your message can be received

    * The #1 mistake self-published authors make with their own cover design

    * Why Kaycee, a professional designer, still hires out her own book covers

    * Realistic pricing, timing, and what to invest in first on a limited budget

    * A preview of Kaycee’s upcoming Writers’ Bloc teaching: five practical ways to improve your book design

    Connect with Kaycee at:kpcommunications.net

    🎙️ Subscribe to The Writers’ Bloc Podcast.

    🖊️ To access Kaycee’s teaching, and many others, join our Premium community at mywritersbloc.com



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • What does it look like to offer your words as an act of worship — not just to an audience, but to the church?

    In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc podcast, Cara sits down with her own worship leader and songwriter, Josh Sellers — Director of Worship at Christ Church in Mesa, Arizona — for a conversation that moves from Canadian Idol to a leper colony in India, from co-writing in Nashville to the four women who accidentally wrote “I Speak Jesus.”

    Josh shares how God redirected his hunger for fame into a calling to lead people into the weight and richness of God’s presence through biblically rooted songs the church can actually sing. Along the way, he talks honestly about what it takes to write well — for the church, with a team, and from a place of theological conviction rather than platform ambition.

    Whether you write words on a page or words set to music, this episode is a reminder that what you put your life to matters — and God will use it.

    In this episode:

    * Josh’s journey from Canadian Idol to full-time vocational ministry

    * How getting saved in India changed everything

    * The theology behind writing songs for the church (not just for yourself)

    * Practical wisdom on co-writing, publishing, and building a songwriting culture

    * Why you don’t have to be famous — or even a good singer — to write something God uses

    Connect with Josh: Vintage Worship on Spotify | Wings Music



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?

    Klik hier om de feed te vernieuwen.

  • I’ve been sitting with this conversation since we recorded it — and I keep coming back to the moment Thomas compared a well-written AI prompt to the book of First Timothy. Paul opens with identity (I, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ), then establishes the recipient and their role, then gives detailed instructions. Thomas’s point was quiet but clarifying: the better you can articulate who you are, what you want, and what faithful execution looks like, the better any tool — human or AI — can serve your goals.

    That’s the spirit of this whole conversation.

    Thomas Umstattd Jr. is the CEO of Author Media, host of the Novel Marketing Podcast and The Christian Publishing Show, and someone who has spent nearly two decades helping writers build platforms and sell books with integrity. He’s also become one of the most grounded, practically wise voices I know on AI — not because he’s enthusiastic about every new thing, but because he understands the landscape clearly and isn’t afraid to name what’s actually happening.

    We talked about why AI is already embedded in every tool you use, why the question isn’t whether to engage with it but how, and — most helpfully for the writers in this community — what tools are actually worth your time and trust.

    A few things that stayed with me: the “paragraphs, not sentences” principle (most of us are prompting AI the way we Google, and it’s producing weak results because of it); the very real theological bias built into ChatGPT and Claude and why Grok’s commitment to truth-seeking makes it behave differently; and the story of Cosmo — an AI trained so thoroughly on the Western canon that it quietly became Christian without anyone intending it to.

    There’s also a sober, helpful section on ethics: what publishers allow, what none of them do, and why wisdom in this space requires thinking beyond permissions to what actually serves your readers and preserves your voice.

    Thomas shares where to find his Patron Toolbox (AI tools built specifically for authors), his free Micaiah Mode prompt, and the practical steps for moving from ChatGPT to a model that works better for your writing.

    Find Thomas at:

    * authormedia.com — his main hub, including all three podcasts and the Patron Toolbox

    * novelmarketing.com — the Novel Marketing Podcast

    * thomasumstattd.com — his personal site

    * social.authormedia.com — where you can find the free Micaiah Mode project instructions



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • What If the Key to Growing Your Platform Is Linking Arms Instead of Striving Harder?

    Becky Beresford never planned to be a writer. A special needs mama navigating postpartum depression, she found herself with a passion for discipling women and no way to get out of the house to do it. So she picked up her pen — and everything changed.

    In this conversation, Cara sits down with Becky Beresford — writer, speaker, coach, and author of She Believed He Could, So She Did (Moody, 2024) — to talk about one of the most underutilized tools in a Christian writer’s toolkit: collaboration.

    Becky shares how intentional partnerships with other writers helped her grow her platform, build her email list, land a literary agent, and launch her book — not through hustle, but through the simple, biblical conviction that we are better together than we are alone.

    In this conversation, you’ll discover:

    * How writing became a ministry when Becky couldn’t leave her home

    * Why your email newsletter outperforms social media every time

    * Practical, low-pressure ways to start collaborating — including email swaps, giveaways, bundles, and launch teams

    * How to find trustworthy creative partners who share your values

    * Why collaboration is obedience, not just strategy

    “We don’t have to do it alone. We’re not supposed to.”

    Whether you’re just starting out or years into your writing journey, this conversation will encourage you to take one small, faithful step toward another writer this week.

    🎧 Listen now — and don’t miss Becky’s extended solo teaching inside the Writers’ Bloc Teaching Archives, where she goes even deeper into the practical architecture of Christian collaboration.

    Follow Becky at www.beckyberesford.com

    For more information on the Writers’ Bloc, visit: www.mywritersbloc.com



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • What if building your writer platform didn’t have to feel fake, forced, or exhausting?


    In this conversation with Kimberley Grabas, we talk about:
    • Why most writers approach platform-building backward
    • The difference between platform, branding, marketing, and tactics
    • How to identify your ideal reader
    • Why “niching down” can feel impossible for creative people
    • How to market your work without becoming pushy or performative
    • and why the best brands are built from authenticity, not imitation


    One of my favorite moments was when Kimberley said creative people naturally resist being squeezed into “a tiny little box.” Instead of flattening your personality, a healthy platform helps you clarify what threads already run through your work.


    This episode will especially encourage writers who feel overwhelmed by social media, unsure of their message, or afraid they have “too many interests.”


    Watch now and let us know in the comments:
    What part of building a writer platform feels hardest for you right now?


    To connect with Kimberely about how to position your writer platform, visit her at: https://yourwriterplatform.com/




    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • If you want to become a better writer…


    Read more.


    Not just to produce something. Not just to “get content.”


    But because over time, it builds something inside you.


    A kind of file cabinet in your mind—


    filled with ideas, illustrations, and insights you didn’t even know you’d need.


    And when it’s time to write…


    you’re not starting from empty.


    You’re drawing from a life that’s been paying attention.


    🎙️ Listen to Habits of a Prolific Writer with Cara Ray & Trevin Wax on The Writers’ Bloc podcast


    ➡️ Join a community of writers growing in both craft and calling!



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • What does it really take to write, edit, and launch your first book while juggling real life, family, and faith?
    In this special episode of The Writers’ Bloc, the tables are turned as Cara Ray is interviewed by writer and educator Keri Willis about her debut book, The Pursuit of Holy Leisure: Enjoying God in Everyday Places.
    Together, they pull back the curtain on the real journey of writing a book from the first spark of an idea to the long road of proposals, rejection, revision, and ultimately, publication. This is not a highlight reel; it’s an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about faith, perseverance, and the quiet work God does in the process.

    ✨ In this episode, you’ll discover: How the concept of holy leisure transformed Cara’s relationship with God What surprised her most about the writing and publishing process The realities of book proposals, rejection, and finding the right publisher How to navigate the “messy middle” of writing The role of community, prayer, and obedience in finishing a book What Cara wishes she had known before launching Cara also shares how this message grew out of her own struggle wanting to enjoy time with God, but feeling like she was constantly falling short and how a simple phrase changed everything.

    Whether you’re dreaming of writing your first book, stuck in the middle of one, or simply longing for a deeper, more joyful walk with God, this conversation will encourage and equip you.

    📘 Get the Book: The Pursuit of Holy Leisure: Enjoying God in Everyday Places
    (Available April 14 – preorder now!)

    🌿 Join The Writers’ Bloc Community:
    Mywritersbloc.com



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • What if fruitfulness in your creative life isn’t about producing more but about cultivating a deeper life with God?


    In this conversation, Cara Ray welcomes prophetic artist, writer, and speaker Bette Dickinson to explore the surprising parallels between vineyards, creativity, and the spiritual life. Drawing from the rich imagery of John 15, Bette shares how learning from a real-life vine dresser reshaped her understanding of seasons, fruitfulness, and abiding in Christ.


    Together, they discuss how writers and creators can move from a productivity-driven mindset to a flourishing approach, learning to embrace seasons of dormancy, pruning, growth, and harvest. If you’ve ever felt pressure to constantly produce, this conversation will encourage you to slow down, remain connected to Christ, and trust the deeper work God is doing beneath the surface.


    You’ll discover how creativity, spiritual formation, and the rhythms of creation intersect—and why the health of the vine matters far more than the quantity of the fruit.


    Whether you're a writer, artist, or creative believer seeking direction, this conversation will help you recognize your current season and learn to cultivate a life of abiding, creativity, and faithful growth.



    What You'll Learn in This Episode:



    Why do vine dressers focus on the health of the vine, not the fruit
    The four creative seasons: dormancy, pruning, growth, and harvest
    How abiding in Christ shapes your creative life
    The difference between productivity and flourishing
    Why creative “winter seasons” are necessary for deeper fruitfulness
    How writing and art become tools of spiritual formation


    Connect with Bette Dickinson:


    🌿 Website: bettedickinson.com


    🌿 The Art of Vine Making: theartofvinemaking.com



    About The Writers’ Bloc Podcast:


    Hosted by Cara Ray, The Writers’ Bloc podcast equips Christian writers and creators to grow in their craft, deepen their faith, and build meaningful creative work that serves others.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • Is Cozy Fantasy the Genre We’ve Been Missing? A Conversation with Deborah Pettit


    What exactly is cozy fantasy, and why is it suddenly everywhere?


    In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, Cara sits down with children’s fantasy author Deborah Pettit (author of The Heroes of Tuduma Forest series) to explore the rise of cozy fantasy, what sets it apart from epic fantasy, and why this genre may be filling a deeper cultural and spiritual need than we realize.


    Deborah shares her personal journey through depression, how Scripture reshaped her thinking, and how that transformation now informs the character-driven stories she writes for young readers. Together, we discuss:



    What cozy fantasy actually is (and what it isn’t)
    The difference between epic fantasy and cozy fantasy
    Why many modern fantasy books leave Christian parents uneasy
    How classic stories like The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, and The Little Prince fit into today’s evolving definitions
    Writing moral, clean fantasy without relying on occult themes
    Why character arcs matter more than plot in cozy storytelling
    The spiritual hunger beneath the popularity of this genre

    Whether you’re a fiction writer, nonfiction writer, homeschool parent, or simply someone who cares about the stories shaping the next generation, this conversation will help you think more critically about imagination, storytelling, and truth.


    👉 Deborah will go deeper into the spiritual themes behind cozy fantasy in her extended teaching inside the Writers’ Bloc community.


    Resources mentioned in this episode:



    The Positive Trait Thesaurus and The Negative Trait Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi
    Deborah Pettit’s Heroes of Tuduma Forest series

    If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a writer who needs to hear it.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • If you’re a writer who’d rather hide behind your laptop than step on a stage… this interview is for you. 🙌

    Join me for this fun and informative conversation with Robyn Dykstra—a national Christian speaker and bestselling author. We talk about one of the most overlooked (and most powerful) ways writers can grow their platform:

    ✨ Turning your book message into a signature talk.
    In this interview, we talk about:
    📌 Why writers can’t afford to stay invisible anymore
    📌 How speaking builds trust faster than almost anything else
    📌 How to stop viewing speaking as performance—and start seeing it as an offering
    📌 The difference between a signature talk and “teaching your whole book”
    📌 How speakers sell books effectively without being salesy

    If you’ve ever felt nervous, unqualified, or intimidated by public speaking—this conversation will give you courage, clarity, and practical next steps.

    🎧 Watch now and get ready to take your message from page… to stage.

    Don't forget to hit Subscribe 🔔for more great content from the Writers' Bloc!

    To learn more about Robyn's speaking training, visit: https://robyndykstra.com/inspirational-speaker-training/



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • Why do ministry creatives — writers, teachers, and leaders — need intentional retreat time?

    In this conversation, Cara welcomes Bible teacher, pastor, author, and podcaster Angie Baughman back to The Writers’ Bloc to talk about the spiritual and practical value of creative retreats. Together they explore how getting away — even briefly — can bring clarity, peace, deeper listening to God, and more sustainable creative output.

    Angie shares from decades of ministry experience how structured retreat rhythms helped her plan, discern, and avoid burnout — and how writers and ministry leaders today can build simple, realistic retreat practices into busy lives. They discuss resistance, guilt, budget options, spiritual formation, rest vs. recovery, and practical retreat planning from food prep to scheduling.

    If you’re a writer, ministry creative, or Bible teacher feeling stretched thin, this episode will help you reframe retreat as obedience and investment — not indulgence. Guest: Angie Baughman — licensed pastor, Bible teacher, author, podcaster, and founder of Steady On Ministries. Creator of the Step-by-Step Bible Study Method and Study On University.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • Ghostwriting can sound mysterious—but Kent Sanders pulls back the curtain and shows how practical (and relational) it really is. In this conversation, Kent shares how he went from teaching ministry and theology at a small Christian college to building a full-time writing business, why ghostwriting is often misunderstood, and what it takes to become the kind of steady, professional presence high-level clients trust with their “book baby.”


    In This Episode, You’ll Learn

    Kent’s winding road into writing—and why his shift started with a practical need to support his family
    A clear, everyday definition of ghostwriting (hint: you’ve “used” a ghostwriter before—think greeting cards)
    How ghostwriters capture a client’s voice through listening, patterns, and a collaborative revision process
    What the ghostwriting process actually looks like: outlines, Zoom interviews, transcripts, “brain dumps,” and intensive sessions
    How ghostwriting intersects with publishing: self-publishing, assisted self-publishing, hybrid, and traditional publishing
    The ethics question—and why Kent believes ghostwriting is a natural extension of how books are always made (teams, editors, designers, etc.)
    Why professionalism matters more than people think (reliability, calm communication, and emotional regulation)
    What clients are really looking for when choosing a ghostwriter: trust, steadiness, fit, and the ability to create psychological safety

    Kent’s 3 best tips for aspiring ghostwriters



    Publish your own book (and invest in a professional cover)
    Tell people what you do—build visibility and clarity
    Get your first client win quickly to build momentum and confidence



    Memorable Moments

    “Ghostwriting happens all the time—we just don’t frame it that way.”
    The “Find the Ghostwriter” game: Kent looks for hidden credit clues in acknowledgements and encourages ghostwriters behind the scenes.
    A helpful distinction: author vs. writer—the ideas can be the author’s even when a writer shapes them.

    Quick Summary of Kent’s Approach

    Kent treats ghostwriting like high-level consulting: yes, the deliverable is writing, but the work also includes clarity, support, structure, and calm leadership throughout a complex process.


    About Kent Sanders

    Kent Sanders is a ghostwriter, entrepreneur, and author/co-author of dozens of books. He writes books for business leaders and hosts The Profitable Writer podcast. He also leads The Profitable Writer Membership, helping writers increase their impact and income through practical strategy, mindset, and professionalism.


    Connect with Kent

    Website:kentsanders.net
    Community + Podcast:theprofitablewriter.com
    Amazon: Kent Sanders


    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • Is your idea strong enough to become a book?

    If you've ever wrestled with that question, you're in good company. In today’s episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, I sit down with writing coach and author Ann Kroeker to talk about how to know whether your idea has the depth, clarity, and longevity needed for a full manuscript.

    Together, we explore:
    ✨ How to test and validate your book idea long before you write the full draft
    ✨ Why sharing your idea early is a gift—not a risk
    ✨ How curiosity, calling, and stewardship shape the projects we pursue
    ✨ What traditional publishers are really looking for
    ✨ When self-publishing is the stronger path
    ✨ How to build a brand that supports your message—without losing sight of ministry
    ✨ Why experimentation, iteration, and “just making things” matters for every writer
    ✨ The surprising connection between platform, clarity, and long-term passion for your topic

    Ann’s wisdom will encourage you to slow down, think deeply, and discern where God might be leading you as a writer. If you're standing at the crossroads of Do I write this book? or Is this idea enough?, this episode will meet you right where you are.

    You can follow Ann at annkroeker.com and her podcast, Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach, wherever you listen to podcasts.

    👇 Let me know in the comments:
    What idea are you exploring right now—and what step will you take this week to test it?



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • Writing online can feel like shouting into the void or slipping into self-promotion. In this conversation with Grant Herbel of The Writer’s Calling on Substack, we explore a different way: seeing writing as worship, serving readers rather than chasing numbers, and using Substack’s features to build a real, engaged community.

    If you’ve wondered whether Substack is worth your time, how to grow there without “platform panic,” or how to think Christianly about promotion and audience-building, this episode will steady and encourage you.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:
    Why your “failed” blogs and abandoned projects aren’t wasted in God’s hands
    How a secure identity in Christ can free you to write boldly without making writing your identity
    What makes Substack unique for writers who want depth, not just clicks.
    How Substack Notes can become a top-of-funnel way to meet new readers
    Practical ways to host a community using comments and Chat
    Healthy ways to think about paid subscriptions and monetizing your writing

    🔗 Find Grant on Substack:
    thewriterscalling.substack.com

    If this conversation encouraged you, like, subscribe, and share it with a writer friend who’s trying to navigate calling, community, and platform with a clear conscience before the Lord.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • What if the most fruitful writing life isn’t about going bigger—but going smaller? In this conversation, author Kristen Couch (Deep Roots, Good Fruit) shares how “thinking small” has shaped her craft: trading platform chasing for prayerful presence, social scrolling for noticing, and grand gestures for steady obedience.

    Kristen opens up about her process and her weekly workflow. She shares editorial tips, such as the power of reading aloud, choosing stronger verbs, cultivating specificity, and guarding sacred writing hours. She also offers gracious counsel on life rhythms and what it means to write for an audience of One while serving the many.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:
    Why “small faithfulness” produces deep fruit in your writing
    How to protect creative focus in a distracted world
    Practical editing moves: read aloud, feel the “potholes,” strengthen verbs
    The surprising reach of specificity (how small stories touch universal nerves)
    A simple analog system for capturing ideas that won’t get lost
    How to build a sustainable weekly writing rhythm without guilt

    Connect with Kristin
    Website & newsletter: the-palest-ink.com (The Good, the True, the Beautiful)
    Audio course: Write the Truth Beautifully (details on her site)
    Book: Deep Roots, Good Fruit (The Good Book Company)

    To access Kristin's teaching in the Writers’ Bloc, consider becoming a premium member here: https://writers-bloc.mn.co/plans/3029...
    If this encouraged you, share it with a writer who needs a nudge toward steady, quiet faithfulness. Subscribe for more craft-forward, gospel-hearted conversations, and join our community to grow in the art and heart of writing—together.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • How do you write honestly about pain, without despair, and with real gospel hope? In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, Vaneetha Rendall Risner shares her journey from childhood polio and profound loss to a ministry of writing that comforts the suffering. We talk about lament, journaling, discernment about what (and when) to share, and how God often calls “reluctant writers” to faithful words.

    Key takeaways for writers

    Lament is candid grief with trust—bring your full heart to God and let the turn to praise arise honestly.

    Write from processed pain: journal now; publish later.

    Measure faithfulness, not metrics. Obedience beats “virality.”

    Your plain, unadorned voice can be precisely the vessel God uses.

    Resources mentioned

    Scripture: John 9; Romans 8:28; the Psalms of lament

    On lament: Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop

    Mentors referenced: John Piper; Joni Eareckson Tada; Ann Voskamp; Paul Tripp

    Writing tool: Dragon NaturallySpeaking (voice-to-text)

    Connect with Vaneetha

    Website: vaneetha.com (aka “Dance in the Rain”)

    Books: Watching for the Morning (devotional); Walking Through Fire (memoir); The Scars That Have Shaped Me; This Was Never the Plan (forthcoming, April 1)

    Stay connected with The Writers’ Bloc

    Subscribe for more conversations that help you grow in the art and heart of writing.

    Share this episode with a friend who’s writing through hard places.

    Want community and craft support? Join us inside The Writers’ Bloc.

    If this episode encouraged you, drop a comment with a one-sentence lament or prayer let’s bear one another’s burdens and point each other back to Christ.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, Cara Ray sits down with Lori Ann Wood, author of Divine Detour: The Path You’d Never Choose Can Lead to the Faith You’ve Always Wanted. Lori Ann shares how an unexpected heart failure diagnosis became the catalyst for her writing journey, leading her to process suffering through journaling and eventually publish a traditionally published, award-winning book.

    She opens up about walking through seasons of deep uncertainty, how she wrote her story in small, faith-anchored pieces, and how God meets us on the detours we didn’t plan for.

    If you’ve ever wondered how to write from scars instead of wounds—or how to trust God when your life takes an unplanned turn—this conversation is for you.

    📖 Connect with Lori Ann Wood:
    Website & book trailer → https://loriannwood.com/books

    Instagram & Facebook → @LoriAnnWood

    ✍️ The Writers’ Bloc Podcast is a place for Christian writers to grow in craft, faith, and community.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • Welcome to The Writers’ Bloc Podcast! In this episode, Cara sits down with Mary DeMuth—a powerhouse in the Christian publishing world. Mary is a literary agent, a daily podcaster of Pray Every Day, a Scripture artist, a speaker, and the author of over 50 books.

    🎙️ In this conversation, we talk about:

    What makes a strong agent–author relationship

    How to build a meaningful platform that truly connects with readers


    Common publishing myths (and what agents are really looking for)

    Why great writing and original ideas still matter most

    Tips for craft, mentorship, and marketing that help authors stand out

    Mary also shares personal insights from her decades-long career, from writing in journals as a young girl to mentoring writers around the world.

    📚 Learn more about Mary: marydemuth.com

    📖 Her latest book: The Freedom of Surrender (IVP)

    🪴 Writers, be encouraged: God does impossible math with your loaves and fishes. Steward your words well, and trust Him with the reach.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • Writing isn’t just about fighting distractions—it’s about facing the mindsets that keep us stuck. In this episode of the Writer’s Bloc Podcast, Cara Ray and Amy Simon (host of The Purposeful Pin Podcast and writer of the Pen Points newsletter) talk about building a sustainable writing routine rooted in discipline, grace, and truth.

    We dig into:

    Why writing is a spiritual discipline

    How to spot (and replace) unhealthy mindsets like imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and “all-or-nothing” thinking

    Balancing God’s role and our role in the writing process

    How to write faithfully, even when numbers or recognition don’t come

    If you’ve ever felt stuck, distracted, or discouraged in your writing, this conversation will give you hope, clarity, and practical steps for moving forward.

    👉 Don’t miss Amy’s premium teaching inside the Writer’s Bloc, where she’ll go even deeper into mindsets and strategies for writers. Join us at www.mywritersbloc.com.

    You can follow Amy at @amylynnsimon.com and The Purposeful Pen Podcast.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe
  • Can you really pray for your writing? In this episode of The Writer’s Bloc Podcast, I sit down with author Jenn Soehnlin to talk about the power of prayer in the writing life.

    Jen shares her journey from resisting God’s call to write to discovering how praying Scripture transformed not just her motherhood and faith but also her words on the page. We explore:

    How prayer shapes and sustains the writing process

    The surprising lessons Jenn learned about praying Scripture

    Practical ways writers can pray for their words, ministry, and readers

    Why prayer changes us even before it changes our circumstances

    Whether you’re wrestling with imposter syndrome, longing for direction in your calling, or simply wanting to align your words with God’s will, this conversation will encourage you to see writing as a ministry, rooted in prayer.

    📖 Connect with Jen: embracing.life

    📖 Download her 25 Scriptures to Pray for Your Writing: https://prayerempoweredwriter.substac... https://jennembracinglife.substack.com/ https://embracingthisspeciallife.subs...



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe