I’m excited to introduce today’s guest, Olivia Feller-Gerber. Liv is an author and speaker who openly and vulnerably shares her journey with chronic pain, bringing hope and comfort to others walking a similar path. Her first book, Hold Hope, was released in 2024. Liv and I met at She Speaks this summer, and I was immediately struck by her bright, optimistic spirit. Knowing her “Hakuna Matata” ethos, she even describes herself as confetti, and I couldn’t agree more! This conversation is perfect for anyone who wants to share their story with the hope of bringing comfort to others, has a niche topic that’s perfect for an underserved community, or is balancing creative pursuits with work and other obligations.

As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. You can read more about it on my Substack.

For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram!

Links:

Liv’s website

Liv’s book

Find Liv on Instagram

On today’s episode, Austin Gentry joins The Writer’s Desk! Austin is a pastor, podcaster, and author. He has written several books, including 10 Things Every Christian Should Know for College, as well as Bible studies on Nehemiah and Hebrews. As you’ll hear more about in this episode, Austin also has a new book releasing with Lifeway next summer. This episode is for anyone who is looking for ways to make the most of what you've already created: whether it's a blog post, Sunday morning message, or a Bible study lesson you've prepared for your small group.

As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. You can read more about it on my Substack.

For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram!

Links:

Austin’s Substack

Austin’s Podcast

Austin’s Website

Austin’s Instagram

Today on the show, I talk with Caroline Shankle, author, speaker, and somehow also a graduate student at Texas A&M University. Her first book, The Lion and the Bear: A 100-Day Guide for Facing Your Giants, released last October and has stayed on the ECPA bestseller list basically ever since.

This episode is for anyone who struggles to balance writing with other responsibilities, who's still uneasy about promoting themselves and their work on social media, and, most of all, anyone who finds joy in writing and knows it's part of what God created them to do.

I know you'll love this episode and getting to know Caroline, if you don't already. She's kind, funny, and fully embraces how God has uniquely gifted and created her, a reminder we can all use.

As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. Be the first to know when the book is ready for pre-order by subsribing to my newsletter.

Links:

Caroline’s book: The Lion and the Bear

Caroline’s Instagram

Caroline’s website

Lydia's Instagram

The Writer's Desk Instagram

On today’s episode, Tindell Baldwin joins The Writer’s Desk! I’m excited to introduce today’s guest, Tindell Baldwin. Tindell is an author, podcaster, wife, and mom of four living in Atlanta, GA. She is the author of Popular, a memoir detailing Tindell’s journey from pursuing popularity through partying and risky behavior to ultimately finding redemption and purpose through her Christian faith. Tindell’s passion for writing is two-fold: it’s how she best connects with God and a way she believes God has gifted her to serve others. I read Tindell’s book when I was in high school and was truly so honored to talk with her. Not only will you learn more about Tindell’s unexpected journey to a traditional book deal in her early 20s, but more than that, you’ll leave feeling inspired by Tindell’s infectious love of writing.

As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. You can read more about it on my Substack.

For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram!

Links:

Tindell’s book

Tindell's parenting podcast

Tindell’s Substack

Tindell’s Instagram

On today’s episode, Chelsey DeMatteis joins The Writer’s Desk! Chelsey is an author, speaker, wife, and mom living in central Ohio. She’s written for a variety of publications, including Lifeway’s Journey Magazine, iBelieve, and Christianity.com. Chelsey published her first book, More of Him, Less of Me, through a small publisher in 2021. Then, she self-published an Advent devotional in 2024. Her forthcoming book, Mercy in the Margin, published with B&H, releases in August. During this conversation, Chelsey makes a strong case for why self-publishing is no longer inferior to traditional publishing, why social media matters less than you think it does, and why you should be proud of your work regardless of the response you do or don’t receive.

As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. You can read more about it on my Substack.

For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram!

Links:

Chelsey’s website

Preorder Chelsey’s forthcoming devotional: Mercy in the Margin

Chelsey’s Instagram

Today, I’m welcoming Katy Boatman to The Writer’s Desk! Katy is an author, speaker, and mentor. She is the author of two devotionals, You Can Rest, a devotional for preteen girls, and You Can Trust, a devotional for preteen boys. In addition to her personal writing pursuits, she works alongside author and podcaster Annie F. Downs, helping create resources that connect people to fun, purpose, and Jesus. During our conversation, Katy shared how a 10-day devotional originally written for her niece as a 10th birthday present went from a personal gift to a traditionally published 100-day devotional, practical tips for how she managed writing a book while working a full-time job, and her best advice for writers who are interested in traditional publishing but don’t necessarily have the platform to catch the eye of literary agents and publishers. I had such a fun time talking with and learning from Katy, and I’m so excited for you to learn from her as well.

As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. You can read more about it on my Substack.

For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram!

Links:

Katy’s website

Katy’s Instagram

Katy’s devotional for preteen girls: You Can Rest

Katy’s devotional for preteen boys: You Can Trust

On today’s episode, Caroline Lunne joins The Writer’s Desk! Caroline is a content creator, founder of Migrate Marketing, a boutique marketing agency based in Charleston, South Carolina, and author of Noticing, a weekly newsletter on Substack. For years, Caroline felt like the creative world was passing her by, but now she treats the Internet like an art form and inspires others to do the same. In our conversation, we discussed Caroline’s writing journey, why she loves Substack, her best tip for writers just getting started, and, in a gracious gesture, she even pulled back the curtain on how she landed a literary agent. I’m so grateful for Caroline’s openness and willingness to share her wisdom and knowledge about writing, marketing, and pathways to traditional publishing.

As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. You can read more about it on my Substack.

For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram!

Links:

Caroline’s website

Caroline’s Substack

Caroline’s Instagram

Today, I’m welcoming Mary Spencer Veazey to The Writer’s Desk! Mary Spencer is an author and speaker who published her first book, Cul-de-sac Crossroads in 2024. Her book serves as a guide for how young adults in their twenties can navigate life’s twists and turns with courageous clarity. Mary Spencer continues to write on topics relevant to young adults on her Substack. If you’re interested in learning more about writing and publishing a book, how writers can use Substack to build a platform, and how to seek out community with other writers and authors, then this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram!

The Writer’s Desk episode #1: Deciding to Write a Book and How an Outline Can Help

Mary Spencer Veazey’s website

Mary Spencer Veazey’s book

Mary Spencer Veazey’s Instagram

Mary Spencer Veazey’s Substack