Christian Publishing Show

About a year ago I launched a new podcast and YouTube show called Author Update. It is primarily a news show but recently we covered a news story I wanted to share with you here on the Christian Publishing Show.  Pope Leo XIV recently published an encyclical titled MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS. It the the best theological breakdown I’ve seen on AI, and that means a lot coming from me because I’m not Cathol...

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

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 soo...

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...

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...

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 you...

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 wi...

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 gen...

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 Rep...

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...

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...

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...

The cultural ground beneath us is shifting fast. The kinds of books that impacted your faith a decade ago, and possibly inspired you to write, likely won’t have the same effect on readers in this cultural moment. How do you write books that resonate with readers without compromising biblical truth? In this week’s episode , I speak with pastor and author Chase Replogle to talk about 21st-century ap...

Why do some books keep readers up all night while others fall flat? If you've ever wondered whether your novel is gripping enough, you're not alone. One of the biggest challenges writers face is keeping readers hooked to the end. In this week’s episode , we dive deep into what truly drives great storytelling. Whether you're writing legal thrillers, Amish fiction, or epic fantasy, te...

Did you know the Apostle Paul didn’t write the book of Romans by hand? He dictated it to a someone else who wrote it down, and he’s not the only famous author to do so. In this week’s episode , we explore how authors from Cicero to Agatha Christie to USA Today bestselling author Misty M. Beller have used dictation to write faster, better, and with more freedom. In this interview with Misty, you’ll...

Most authors start writing from the beginning. But what if the beginning is the wrong place to start? In our most recent episode, I talk with bestselling author and writing teacher James Scott Bell about one of his most powerful ideas: the mirror moment . You’ll learn ✅ Why the midpoint is more than just the halfway mark ✅ How to turn a sagging middle into your novel’s strongest moment ✅ What C...

The term "pantser" has been used to describe writing a book without an outline. At writers conferences, outlining and "pantsing" (also known as discovery writing) are often framed as rivals. However, most writers fall between the two extremes. I've seen successful authors across that spectrum. What truly matters is finding the method that works best for you. While there ar...

Have you ever started a book but struggled to get past the first few chapters? Or maybe you finished one, only to feel let down by the ending? The truth is, beginnings and endings can make or break a novel. In this week’s episode , I sit down with Christy Award-winning author Angela Hunt to unpack what makes a strong opening that hooks readers and a satisfying ending that keeps them talking. We’ll...

Have you ever dreamed of writing a novel but don’t know where to start? Maybe you've tried before, but the story just didn’t come together—or you’re staring at a blank page, unsure of what to do next. In our latest episode , we’re talking to Steve Laube, seasoned literary agent and co-author of Write Your First Novel . Steve shares actionable advice on: Creating characters your readers will l...

Imposter syndrome sometimes tells you the truth. Sometimes, you really do need to get better at the task in front of you to succeed. Many gurus will tell you that you already have everything you need. You just need to pay them money so you can be successful. But in the real world, success requires the hard work of improving your craft. Now, it's true, sometimes imposter syndrome lies, but dee...

In college, I took a class on entrepreneurship, where our big project was to write a business plan. That same semester, I was also working on a book proposal, and I realized that book proposals are business plans. Fundamentally, they serve the same purpose. A business plan helps you convince investors to invest in your business, and a book proposal helps you convince publishing companies to invest...

I'm excited to announce that tickets are now for sale for the 2025 Novel Marketing Conference. The conference will be held in Austin, Texas, on January 17th and 18th. This event is not a typical writer's conference where you learn how to write and publish a book. Our conference is focused on book marketing, and our goal is to help you make 2025 the best year of your author career so far!...

You've likely heard the advice that writers should show instead of tell. Sometimes, it's good advice and can make your scenes better and your story more compelling. But it can also be terrible advice that will make your book unbelievably long and hard to get through. If you show every single thing in the room or on the journey where your story takes place, then the plot, characters, and...

Stories communicate truth in ways that facts and statistics cannot. They touch places in our souls that sermons cannot reach. When you open your Bible, the very first thing you find is not the Ten Commandments but a story. Even biblical instruction is often couched in a story because a story is a powerful tool for communicating truth. God knows that. He created in us a desire for story. Christian...

Discover what makes a romance novel appeal to a Christian readership and how you can write Christian romance books your readers will love. Support the show