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

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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.

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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 sales
• The daily choice that will change your writing life
• The best (and worst) way to start your writing career

Listen 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

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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 story
• Why the “sip and die” trope rarely makes sense
• How historical context changes everything from treatments to fatality

Medical 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/

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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 feedback
• How to find your writing voice

If you want practical advice from a seasoned writer that will save you years of frustration, listen in or read the blog version.

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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 writing
• How to hide clues and red herrings in a way that feels natural but surprising
• Common mistakes new mystery writers make and how to avoid them

If 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.

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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 genre
• What advantage Christian authors have over secular authors when writing endings

Listen in or read the blog version if you want to write an ending that your readers can’t stop talking about.

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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 industry
• How Christian authors can navigate the current publishing landscape

Listen in or read the blog version to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how Christian publishing has changed over the years.

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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 AI
• Where to start using AI in your work
• My 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.

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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.

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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 mainstream
• How good and evil impact or result from the use of AI
• How Christians can leverage AI for good

Whether 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.

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