In this deeply honest episode of Writing to Win with Mya Kay, Mya speaks directly to Black Christian women writers trying to navigate a publishing industry marked by systemic racism and discouragement. She shares a personal story from her own indie publishing journey, walks through hard statistics about Black underrepresentation in publishing, and then counters them with biblical truth and strategy.

Drawing from the stories of Joseph, Simeon, and Anna, Mya shows how to write with excellence, prepare for “famine seasons,” pray over destiny helpers, and remember that there are people in the earth already praying and fasting for the very book you’ve been called to write.

Listeners will walk away with:

• A clearer understanding of how systemic racism shows up in publishing and why their voice is still needed.
• Encouragement to write with excellence and craft, not from a place of proving themselves, but from a desire to honor God with the pen.
• A spiritual framework for preparing for dry seasons, praying over destiny helpers, and discerning God’s strategy for their route (traditional, indie, or self-publishing).
• Fresh confidence that their assignment is on Heaven’s radar, with intercessors already praying for the very book God has put in their hearts.

Timestamps

• [0:00–05:00] – Why this episode is dedicated to Black women writers and how racism shows up in publishing.
• [05:00–15:00] – A behind-the-scenes story of Mya’s indie deal, a YA novel, and a missed marketing opportunity that revealed who really understood her audience.
• [15:00–22:00] – The hard numbers on diversity in publishing—and why they’re facts, not God’s final truth.
• [22:00–end] – How to prepare for famine seasons, pray over destiny helpers, and recognize the Annas and Simeons already praying for what you carry.

Resources mentioned:

Finance Your Writing Dream Quick Course

How to Write Your Memoir in 30 Days Webinar

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Episode Summary

In this foundational episode of Writing to Win with Mya Kay, Mya helps Christian women writers build a God-centered writing foundation before they chase book deals or marketing strategies. Drawing from the stories of Mary (Luke 2) and Bezalel (Exodus 31), she shows how God entrusts writers with “book babies,” gives detailed assignments, and even cares about their marketing language. Listeners will learn how to clarify their Christ-centered why, begin pulling out Spirit-led themes for marketing, and start thinking about their writer’s ecosystem so they can write—and keep writing—without compromise.

Key Points

• Why a Christ-centered why matters for every Christian woman writer (fiction and non-fiction).
• How the stories of Mary and Bezalel reveal what it means to carry and steward a God-given book.
• Why you should start identifying your book’s themes and marketing angle early, instead of panicking after the draft is done.
• A behind-the-scenes look at how Mya used these principles with her novel The Essence of His Soul.

Timestamps

• [0:00–05:00] – Mya shares the heart behind the podcast and why Christian women writers need more than talent.
• [05:00–15:00] – A fresh look at Mary’s story and what it means to carry a “book baby” from God.
• [15:00–25:00] – How God can give you your marketing themes before your book is even finished.
• [25:00–end] – Rethinking success, work, and building a writer’s ecosystem that can actually last.

Call-to-Action:

• Get the free mini workbook + audio teaching:
  Join the email list to receive the “Writing to Win: Foundation” mini workbook and the audio teaching on building a successful writing discipline.

• Connect with me & my books:
• • Learn more about “The Essence of His Soul” and her other Christian romance titles.
  • Follow along for future episodes on outlining, marketing, and building a sustainable writing life.

Follow me @writermya on social (IG, FB, TikTok, and Threads).

Join our email list to get a free audio teaching on how to build a successful writing discipline, along with a free mini workbook to accompany episode 1. Email List Sign Up