The Business of Christian Fiction
Podcast • Library
Ep 34: Merging Various Interests into Your Author Platform with Ashli Montgomery
About the EpisodeWe’re told to be authentic but we’ve also been told to niche our platform. So, how do you navigate building an author platform when your authentic self has lots of interest. Today’s guest shares her experience and tips. GET ASHLI'S BOOK ✅CLICK...
Ep 33: The Value of In-Person Events with Victoria Deviney
About the EpisodeIn today’s discussion, we chat with Victoria Deviney on how to leverage in-person events as a cornerstone of your marketing strategy for selling your fiction by building genuine, real-world connections. Topics covered in this episode: Utilizing...
Ep 32: Cultivating Opportunities for Your Novel with Nicole Thomas
About the EpisodeWhen it comes to getting her books in front of readers, today’s guest is a pro at thinking outside the box and seizing opportunities as they come. Topics covered in this episode: The Role of Faith and Inspiration in Writing Importance of Professional...
Ep 31: 5-Figure Author Sara Ward Shares Her Fiction Marketing Secrets
About the EpisodeWhen Sara set out to self-publish, she applied her years of marketing experience to the release of her books. Today, she’s sharing her top marketing strategies that led to book sales. Be sure to listen as Sara's sharing the secrets to help supercharge...
Ep 30: The Pros & Cons of DIY-ing the Publishing Process with JR Kopenski
About the EpisodeJR Kopenski joins us today on the podcast to share about her experience writing, illustrating, and self-publishing a children’s book. We chat about her creative process, self-publishing adventures, and the pure fun of sharing stories with kids. Topics...
Ep 29: How This Author Self-Published Multiple Audiobooks w/ Kelda Poynot
About the EpisodeTune in for an absolute treat as we dive into the captivating world of self-publishing audiobooks. Our guest, the incredibly talented Kelda Poynot, is here to spill the beans on her revolutionary journey using ACX to bring her novels to life in a way...
Ep 28: Is Writing an Act of Worship?
About the EpisodeIs Writing an Act of Worship? Let’s explore the intersection of writing and worship. During the book Launch Collective’s Spring Rally event, I had the privilege of interviewing seven authors about their creative processes. In this compilation, you'll...
Ep 27: How this Author Overcame Genre Bias in the Publishing Industry w/ Richard Collins
About the EpisodeIn this episode, we welcome special guest Richard Collins, who shares his challenges in the publishing journey for a novel outside traditional genres. Richard's experiences serve as inspiration for writers navigating unconventional paths, as he...
Ep 26: Thinking Creatively about Book Promotion with Meghan Newkirk
About the EpisodeWhen it comes to marketing a book the tried and true method is to get people talking about your book through a book launch team and doing interviews. Today’s guest shares some of the creative ways she promoted her novel. Topics covered in this...
Ep 25: When Should You Worry about Your Author Platform?
About the EpisodeHow early is too early to start getting a move on things like author platform, email list growth, website, income-generating activities, etc? Should you start worrying about the business side of writing fiction before, during, or after you finish...
Ep 24: The Value of Mentorship in Publishing with Christen E. Krumm
About the EpisodeFiction writers can feel very lonely in this writing and publishing journey but today’s guest shares how her unique publishing journey is leaning on mentorship to launch her career. Topics covered in this episode: Utilizing both self-publishing and...
Ep 23: Don’t Create a Lead Magnet Until You Do THIS First
About the EpisodeHow do you come up with an idea for a lead magnet (also called a reader magnet or opt-in) when you are a fiction writer who hasn’t published a novel yet? In today’s episode, Rachel is walking you through the process, complete with examples! NEED IDEAS...
Ep 22: How Becky Wade Used Kickstarter to Fund an Audiobook
About the EpisodeIf you've ever considered using Kickstarter as an author, you won't want to miss today's episode with long-time novelist, Becky Wade. In our conversation, we talk about Becky’s writing and publishing journey, her thoughts on using Kickstarter as an...
Ep 21: The Reason Authors Need Lead Magnets
About the EpisodeWe’re talking about lead magnets in today’s episode. This marketing tool (also known as a reader magnet, opt-in, or a freebie) is vital to your future sales success. NEED IDEAS for your lead magnet?✅CLICK HERE...
Ep 20: 6 Rules for Building Your Author Platform
About the EpisodeLet’s talk about setting boundaries around growing an author platform online, especially with social media marketing, so we don’t burnout or feel like we’re losing a piece of our soul. GET YOUR COPY Write & Rally Planner ✅CLICK HERE...
Ep 19: Unveiling the *Real* Truth Behind Publishing Paths
About the EpisodeTraditional Publishing? Self-publishing? Hybrid Publishing? You have options, right? Today, Rachel is busting the myth that there are different paths or types of publishing. GET YOUR COPY Write & Rally Planner ✅CLICK HERE...
Ep 18: You CAN Write Both Nonfiction and Fiction with Erin Greneaux
About the EpisodeThe advice from literary agents and traditional publishers is to pick a lane and stay in it when it comes to writing nonfiction and fiction. But, today’s guest, Erin Greneuax, shares how she has used both to deliver her message to her readers. GET...
Ep 17: How this Author Got Bestseller Status on Amazon with His Christian Fantasy Novel with Caleb Ward
About the Episodehttps://amzn.to/3YI7KJkGetting bestseller status feels like an unattainable dream for most fiction writers. But, today’s guest Caleb Ward was able to do just that with his debut Christian fantasy novel. He shares how he got there and how it’s possible...
Ep 16: This Author’s Nightmare Experience with Book Publishing with Kevin King
About the EpisodeFor Kevin King, pursuing his publishing dreams soon became a 3-year nightmarish challenge to get his novel into the hands of a reader. Today, he’s sharing his journey not to bash the publisher or to complain but to offer lessons learned for writers...
Ep 15: Practical Advice for Marketing YA Fiction with Chantal MacDonald
About the EpisodeHow in the world do you get a YA novel into the hands of a teenager? Today’s guest, Chantal MacDonald has really sound advice for both writing and marketing YA fiction–and no, you don’t have to dance on TikTok to do it. **** CHECK OUT CHANTAL’S NOVEL,...
Ep 14: From Writing Comic Books to Sci-Fi Novels with Ben Avery
About the EpisodeToday’s guest, Ben Avery, has spent years working with a spectrum of publishers from starting his own independent comic publisher to working with Marvel Comics and ZonderKids (as well as many different publishers in between). Now he’s in a new phase...
Ep 13: Why this Author Skipped Traditional Publishing with Tara Grace Ericson
About the EpisodeIn this episode Rachel discusses indie publishing, book marketing strategies, lead magnets, newsletters, and so much more with Christian romance novelist, Tara Grace Ericson. GET TARA’S NEWEST BOOK, Hostile Intent, a romantic suspense story...
Ep 12: Lessons Learned as a Multi-book Christian Novelist with Laura Thomas
About the EpisodeIn this episode Rachel chats with traditionally published, multi-book novelist Laura Thomas about the fiction publishing journey. GET LAURA’S NEWEST BOOK, The Christmas Cabin, a romantic suspense story ✅CLICK HERE 👉...
Ep 11: Self-publishing Christian Children’s Books with Guest Charity Rios
About the EpisodeIn this episode Rachel chats with children’s book author Charity Rios about the self-publishing process for children’s picture books! GET CHARITY’S BOOK, My Heart’s Garden which helps kids overcome anxiety and fear through lyrical rhyme and whimsical...
Ep 10: Making the Move from Traditional to Indie Publishing with Emily Conrad
About the EpisodeHave heard about the idea of Indie Publishing (also known as self publishing) and wondered if it is really worth pursuing? Well, today's guest, Emily Conrad, shares her journey of first being traditionally published and then moving to the indie...
Ep 09: Do You Have an XYZ Statement?
About the EpisodeHave you heard the phrase, an XYZ statement and wondered what in the world is that? And do I as a fiction writer need one? Well, here’s the answer: absolutely! An XYZ statement is simply a positioning statement that gives clarity and helps guide your...
Ep 08: Make Sure You Have this Person on Your Team
About the EpisodeYour reader isn’t just someone you are writing for, they are someone you are teaming up with! Treating your reader like a teammate instead of a customer is a key way to help your novel succeed. Today, we’re diving into how your reader is part of your...
Ep 07: Set Your Story’s End Goal (It’s Not What You Think)
About the EpisodeStop! Before you write your novel you need to set your story’s end goal into place. Knowing why you are writing is just as important as the writing itself and yet for Fiction Writers, we don’t take the time to articulate why we are writing a novel and...
Ep 06: Do This Instead of Platform Building
About the EpisodeIf you have been in the writing community for a hot second, you’ve probably heard the phrase “platform building.” And while it’s true you as a fiction writer don’t necessarily need a TON of followers, publishers still want to see that you have some...
Ep 05: Being a Writer vs Having a Writing Career
About the EpisodeDeep down, everyone has a drive to create and it comes out in the most beautiful and diverse ways from the obvious forms of art to the not so obvious like the corner drug store. There's creativity all around us, and for some of us that creativity...
Ep 04: Do THIS for the Sake of Your Novel
About the EpisodeThe Fiction world is a competitive one, especially for Christian Fiction. The reality is that Fiction titles make up a small portion of the Christian publishing world but editors receive a ton of manuscript submissions. Which means your novel needs to...
Ep 03: Get Yourself Some Solid Writer Friends
About the EpisodeWriting is a lonely activity–we literally write by ourselves–but you don’t have to go at it alone! Today we’re talking about the six types of writing communities you can find and where to find them, as well as what makes for a solid writing friend...
Ep 02: How Does a Book Get Published?
About the EpisodeHow exactly does a novel go from a story idea to a physical book in the hands of a reader? From Beta Readers to Pitching to an Editor to Post-launch follow-up, we’re taking a high-level look at the publication process on today’s...
Ep 01: The #1 Step to Writing a Great Novel
Learn what’s the number #1 step you need to take today in order to write a great novel as a Christian writer. Spoiler alert: it’s not what you think!