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. J...

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 h...

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 interv...

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...

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 benef...

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...

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 disc...

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 re...

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 c...