The Writers Circle

If your tone misses the mark, your readers stop reading — no matter how great your ideas are. Author and Moody Publishers editor Drew Dyck joins Will Parker Anderson to tackle one of the biggest struggles nonfiction writers face: tone. It's easy to get caught up in sounding smart or sharing everything you've learned, but that can push readers away. Drew unpacks how to strike the right balance—writ...

The best publishing advice doesn't come from what's trending—but from someone who's been shaping books for decades. Today's guest is Dave Kopp, a behind-the-scenes legend in Christian publishing and the mentor of mentors. He shares practical wisdom every nonfiction writer needs—including a framework called The 5 P's that helps clarify your concept and reach readers. Enjoy decades of Dave's hard-ea...

You might have a powerful message, but if it's not compelling, it won't land. In this episode, Will sits down with fellow editor and coworker Drew Dixon, executive editor at WaterBrook and Multnomah. Drawing inspiration from Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, Drew unpacks six key elements that make any message more compelling. Whether you're writing a book, a blog, or a pitch, this...

Ever feel like giving up creative control means giving up your voice? In this Real-Time, Real-Talk episode, I sit down with co-authors Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton—two writers in the thick of crafting their second book together. We unpack the tension every writer faces when someone else enters the creative process: the edits, the pushback, the shared vision. Kristen and Sarah show what it lo...

Trevin Wax—author, columnist, and one of the most disciplined writers we know—joins us to talk habits, structure, and what it really takes to keep showing up. His insights are equal parts motivating and doable for any writer hoping to level up. Hi! I'm Will and I'm an editor and writing coach, here to help you get the message burning in your heart onto the page and into the world. At Writers Circl...

What if the secret to better writing isn't more content—but more attention? In today's conversation, Ashley Hales, editorial director of print at Christianity Today, invites us to slow down. She unpacks why sustained attention is a writer's superpower in a world addicted to distraction—and how cultivating it can change both your craft and your soul. Hi! I'm Will and I'm an editor and writing coach...

Publishing sounds exciting—until you're staring down a deadline at 2 a.m. In this Real-Time, Real-Talk segment, we sit down with artist, entrepreneur, and YouTuber Ruslan KD to capture the raw, in-the-moment emotions of the publishing journey. From the thrill of landing his first book deal to the all-nighters spent finishing the manuscript, Ruslan shares the highs, lows, and what keeps him going....

Rejection isn't failure—it's part of the process. Patrick Miller, author and co-host of Truth Over Tribe, gets candid about the uphill climb to getting published. Smart, thoughtful, and seasoned in his craft, Patrick opens up about the setbacks behind the scenes—and why staying the course is always worth it. Hi! I'm Will and I'm an editor and writing coach, here to help you get the message burning...

Feeling stuck trying to grow your platform—and not sure what actually works? You're not alone. Building a platform can feel like shouting into the void. But today's guest, Kathleen Kerr of Alive Literary, brings clarity with a tool she calls "The Platform Pyramid"—a fresh, strategic approach that actually makes sense. No gimmicks, no burnout. Just smart steps to grow your audience with purpose. Hi...

It's easy to forget your readers are human when you're chasing clicks, likes, or a book deal. In this powerful episode, author and thought leader Andy Crouch helps writers reframe their work with one big reminder: your readers are image-bearers. He unpacks what it means to write with dignity in the digital age—and drops a stunning metaphor about music and writing that just might change how you app...

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 exceptions. Rather than pretending it's not a strug...

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 editor Will Parker Anderson how she hopes the indu...

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 Curtis Yates, he explains to senior editor Will Parke...

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: writing.   When it comes to platform, writers ma...

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 director at Moody Publishers. She is a powerhouse o...

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. If you ignore this and go it alone, your craft will...

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 to write her first book. 3 years later, she p...

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.   However, this is daunting for most writers. Whe...

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 misinformed. The average author doesn't take a...

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 to the right. We compare ourselves to others, whi...

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 eventually give up. Writing consistently is difficult. Tod...

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 knew 10 years ago? An author of several books, incl...

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 introductions.    She highlights the editor's role as a suppor...

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 offering people something of substance. But on the...

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.   If we're being real, few of us know how to mar...