It’s easy to lose yourself in the pursuit of success. We incessantly check Instagram. Or Substack. We feel less-than, comparing ourselves to others. When our content hits, we like it一maybe a bit too much. We write about God, but inside, we feel hollow. Like we’re faking it. It takes honesty to admit this. And here’s the thing: we all feel it. No ex…

There’s a problem with publishing. It feels like quantity trumps quality. Those with big platforms get book deals. Meanwhile, many who have something worthwhile to say get ignored. But it’s not all bad news. Today’s guest, Jackie Hill Perry, proves it’s possible to have a massive following and still deliver powerful content. She explains to senior …

A lot of writers struggle with the idea of building a platform. Some of us lack motivation because it seems impossible to get noticed in today’s noisy world. Some of us get pulled into the black hole of social media, depleting our energy and resorting to gimmicks to try and promote our writing. In Part 2 of this conversation with literary agent Cur…

Why does your platform matter so much to publishers? Isn’t good writing enough? Is it necessary to become an online personality just to land a book deal? You’ve probably asked these questions, as you watch countless writers exhaust themselves trying to gain traction on social media. It’s noble to want to exit the circus and focus on what matters: w…

As a Christian writer, it’s likely that you interact with scripture in your work. Sometimes you retell a story from the Bible, or quote a verse, or reference an idea. And every time we do, there’s a responsibility to handle scripture well. But how do we do that? Today’s guest is Trillia Newbell, a prolific author, speaker, and the acquisitions dire…

Feedback is terrifying. It’s vulnerable to have your writing scrutinized, especially when you’ve poured so much of your time, heart, and energy into it. It’s tempting to avoid feedback altogether, but this ignores the overwhelming research on the benefits of coaching and mentorship. We grow faster and more profoundly under the tutelage of others. I…

If you could spend 45 minutes with a writing coach who’s helped hundreds of people write books, how would that transform your writing process? How much time and energy would you save if you put her advice into practice? That’s what this episode is all about. After grad school, Ally Fallon quit her job to write full-time. She gave herself 6 months t…

Do modern writers have to be marketers? In a word, yes. This catches many authors by surprise. Isn’t it the publisher's job to promote a book? Yes, but in today’s publishing climate, marketing is a joint effort一a partnership between author and publisher. In the age of social media, writers are expected to leverage their audience to boost sales. How…

Do you ever feel like there’s no time to write? Life is busy. As we strive to steward the many aspects of our lives一school, kids, work, church, and family一writing often gets pushed to the backburner. This leads many to conclude: “I’m just not meant to write in this season.” While that may be true, perhaps our expectations about the writing life are…

It’s easy to lose yourself as a writer. With good intentions, we start with a message we think the world needs. It’s about helping others, not building a brand. And yet, steadily and silently, the lure of fame and approval seeps into our bones. We long to see our name on the front cover. Publishers demand social media numbers that are moving up and…

What if people looked forward to your writing every week? What if they eagerly waited for your newsletter to hit their inbox? Unfortunately, a lot of writers resort to spammy, gimmicky tactics to gain readers. This might work for a short while, but eventually, people unsubscribe. For others, they’ve tried to create a weekly newsletter, but eventual…

Finding the right tone in your writing is difficult. How do you balance knowledge with humility? Challenge with grace? Creativity with clarity? Most people toggle between all of these, hoping their words land. But it feels like a guessing game. Today’s guest, Steve Carter, gives this helpful advice: Write to your former self. What do you wish you k…

In this episode, Will Parker Anderson interviews Megan Hill, managing editor at The Gospel Coalition, about the intricacies of writing and getting published. They delve into crafting a winning article, avoiding common pitfalls, and valuing feedback. Megan shares tips on finding unique angles, structuring pieces, and creating compelling introduction…

Good writing is provocative. It grabs your attention, not as click bait, but because it resonates with reality一it names the ache you feel in everyday life. It emboldens you to stay in the fight, to forgive, to grow. Unfortunately, it’s easier to be predictable than prophetic. On one hand, some writers go over the top to gain attention, without offe…

If you don’t market your book, don’t expect anyone to read it. That sounds harsh, right? The problem is, most writers assume that good writing is enough to garner reader attention. They pour countless hours into creating content, but give little thought to packaging and marketing it. Readers won’t come to a book if they don’t even know it exists. I…

Ever feel like social media is draining your soul? But you can’t let it go because you’re trying to build a platform to appease publishers? It’s a common conundrum. A lot of writers invest hours posting on social, with limited results. It’s discouraging and draining. On the other hand, writers who ditch social feel left out一like they’ve committed c…

Why is it so hard to make time to write? With good intentions, we set out to create a regular rhythm, only to get distracted or discouraged, and it fades away. If you struggle to write regularly, it’s probably because you haven’t discovered the secret to forming a lasting habit. No shame一it’s easier said than done. Today’s guest, Justin Whitmel Ear…

Welcome to episode #1, with author and pastor, Rich Villodas, the lead pastor of New Life Fellowship in Queens, New York. This one’s fun because Will Parker Anderson is Rich’s editor at Waterbrook, so they invite you behind-the-scenes to reveal the unique relationship between writer and editor—the good, the awkward, and everything in between. They …

The Writers Circle is a podcast for nonfiction writers who want to sharpen their skills and publish their work for the glory of Jesus. Senior book editor Will Parker Anderson interviews authors and experts about the writing life.A podcast for nonfiction writers who want to sharpen their skills and publish their work for the glory of Jesus. Senior b…