In this episode of Created to Write, Melbourne-based Christian author Simon Camilleri shares a writing journey that is as intentional as it is inspiring, rooted in fatherhood, rhythm, and a deep love for making faith accessible to children.

Simon writes theologically grounded children's books designed to help parents introduce Christian faith and prayer in ways that are engaging, age-appropriate, and beautifully crafted. For parents and Christian writers alike, his approach to biblical literacy through storytelling is both refreshing and deeply purposeful.

What makes Simon's Christian author process particularly fascinating is where it begins... not with a plot outline, but with rhythmic poetry. He crafts the sound and feel of a story first, then collaborates with illustrators to add symbolic visual layers that deepen the theological meaning. It's Christian creativity at its most deliberate and its most artistic.

His self-published book When Santa Learned the Gospel is a standout moment in this conversation — a personal project that grew into a traditionally published international success, warmly embraced by the professional Santa community worldwide. It's the kind of story that reminds every beginner writer that you genuinely cannot predict where faithful, quality work will take you.

Simon also speaks about the need for intentional quiet space in the writing process, a counter-cultural conviction that the best words come not from busyness, but from stillness and attentiveness to language.

Simon is a Christian writer based in Melbourne, Australia, where he lives with his wife and two awesome kids. He loves creating gospel-focused resources, learning magic tricks, training people in public Bible reading and labouring over a rhyming paragraph where the metre just works. And rocky road. He LOVES rockyroad. Just in case you're looking for a gift. Follow Simon:   / simoncamilleri  "When Santa Learned the Gospel": https://www.santagospel.com/"Wow God! Thank You, Sorry, Please" & "Read, Think, Pray, Do": https://www.kidsguidebooks.com/

In this episode of Created to Write, Michelle Dennis Evans tackles one of the most avoided conversations in the Christian writing community… how do you actually pay for your writing career?

From editing costs to publishing expenses, the financial reality of being a Christian author is real. Michelle reframes it around creative stewardship - managing your time, energy and resources as gifts entrusted to you for a purpose.

For Christian writers juggling career and calling, she offers practical strategies for finding time to write. Because writing as a Christian means carving sacred space out of an already full life.

She also shares her personal journey through home-based businesses, from candle making to her current wellness venture, making a compelling case for supplemental income that buys you the freedom to write without financial stress.

Christian creativity flourishes when the practical foundations are in place.

https://michelledennisevans.com/contact/

In this episode of Created to Write, Christian author Susan J. Bruce takes us on a fascinating journey from veterinary science and science journalism to writing uplifting cozy mysteries that leave readers with hope, warmth, and a renewed sense of empathy.

For anyone exploring writing, Susan's story is a masterclass in playing to your strengths. Her unique blend of theology, science, and storytelling gives her fiction a grounded authenticity that's hard to manufacture and her mission is refreshingly clear... produce high-quality stories that help real people face real challenges.

Susan also gets honest about the mistakes many beginners make early on - namely, getting so consumed by marketing and technical tasks that the actual writing gets pushed aside. It's a trap she's navigated herself, and her advice is practical and direct.

One of the standout moments of this conversation is her passionate case for writing communities - not just for peer support and accountability, but as a vital safeguard against predatory vanity publishers.

Susan's warm, grounded approach to faith-based writing is a reminder that stories rooted in hope are never small, they're some of the most powerful tools we have.

What separates writers who finish from writers who dream? According to writer and editor Kiara Thomas, it starts with one non-negotiable: you have to be a reader first.

In this episode, Kiara brings sharp, experienced insight into the craft, from beating writer's block through meticulous planning and outlining (and why "pantsing" might be quietly sabotaging you), to her fascinating reframe of the editor's role. Forget red pen and ruthless cuts, Kiara sees the editor as a "book midwife," walking authors through four essential stages: appraisal, structural editing, line editing, and proofreading. Each one exists to deliver your best work into the world.

But Kiara doesn't stop at craft. She gets honest about what actually builds a sustainable literary career, formal education, real community over hollow networking, and the kind of intentional growth most writers skip in their rush to publish. Her challenge to anyone waiting for the right moment? A blank page gives you nothing to work with. Start writing - then make it brilliant.

If you're serious about the craft, this episode is required listening.

Kiara Thomas is a communications specialist focusing on writing and editing. Kiara is particularly interested in editing faith-inspired works of all genres, writing and editing children’s literature and editing non-fiction, including memoirs and biographies. Website: https://kiarathomaswriter.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581688283636LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiara-thomas-261b35370/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576049229424

In this special episode, host Michelle Dennis Evans gets personal, reflecting on her writing journey that began with a secret passion and survived the kind of discouragement that silences too many voices too soon.

Michelle opens up about teachers who dismissed her creative efforts as immature and impractical, and the years she spent writing poetry in secret. Her story will resonate with every Christian writer and author who has ever been told their dreams are not serious enough.

Professional training through a correspondence course gave her the skills and confidence to publish. A poetry book, a verse novel and a young adult trilogy later, she is living proof that investing in your craft is never wasted.

Her message to aspiring writers, beginner writers, and those new to writing is clear: your critics do not get the final say. Perseverance and the courage to embrace your unique voice will always outlast the doubt.

Celebrating twelve months on YouTube. The best is still ahead.

Subscribe to Michelle's Novelish News on her website https://michelledennisevans.com/

Books by Michelle Dennis Evans are available on Amazon and all your good book sellers.

Life Inspired

Sink, Drift or Swim

Spiralling out of Control

Spiralling out of the Shadow

Spiralling Solo

Fantasy novelist Justice Tilsher didn't start with a keyboard; he started with a love of visual storytelling. In this episode, Justice traces his creative journey and delivers some of the most practical, faith-rooted writing advice you'll hear - stop measuring yourself against other authors and start measuring yourself against who you were yesterday.

For writers stuck in the comparison trap or paralysed by perfectionism, this conversation is the reset you need. Justice unpacks his belief that writing is divine stewardship, a calling bigger than your word count, and introduces Jesus Writing Month, his faith-based alternative to NaNoWriMo launched in November 2025. Think prayer, accountability, and a community built to help authors actually finish their manuscripts.

If fear is the reason your story isn't written yet, Justice's message is simple: your creativity belongs to something greater than your self-doubt. It's time to share it.

Author and illustrator Alexia Macken left academia behind to follow her creative calling and she hasn't looked back. In this episode, Alexia walks us through her published works, from a practical discipleship guide for mothers to an illustrated children's book rooted in spiritual prophecy, proving that writers don't have to be boxed into one genre.

For aspiring writers, this one's gold. Alexia shares her signature "brain dump" writing method, how she tackles the unique challenges of editing across multiple genres - including verse and young adult fiction - and her honest take on modern book marketing. She also gets real about imposter syndrome and how her faith became the bridge over it.

Her message to anyone sitting on a story? Just start. Your creativity exists to inspire others — so use it.

In this episode of Created to Write, host Michelle Dennis Evans tackles a topic many Christian writers find uncomfortable but absolutely cannot afford to ignore - money.

Michelle brings her trademark straight-talking warmth to the financial realities of a writing career, reminding every Christian author that valuing your work isn't pride, it's stewardship. From understanding your worth to recognising the red flags of industry scammers, this episode is essential listening for anyone navigating the business side of writing.

For those considering investing in their growth through conferences, coaching, or professional development,Michelle offers a balanced, practical framework. She's a firm advocate for investing wisely in yourself, while sounding a clear warning against high-cost vanity publishers that prey on the hopes of beginner writers. Her advice? Lean into your community, ask hard questions, and use every modern tool available to verify the legitimacy of any offer that lands in your inbox.

The conversation also turns to the often-overlooked power of authentic reviews and Michelle makes a compellingcase for readers and writers to actively support their peers with honest, generous feedback. In a crowded market, community generosity is a strategy as much as it is a virtue.

Woven throughout is the spiritual thread that makes this more than just a business conversation. Michelle grounds every practical insight in faith-based writing values, encouraging creators to trust in divine provision and walk in obedience even when the finances feel uncertain. It's the intersection of Christian creativity and real-world resourcefulness at its most practical.

Christian Author ShowcaseQueensland https://www.casq.online/

Church planter, educator, and author Pedro Alexandrino shares his journey from Brazil to New Zealand to Australia and the book that came out of it. Pedro breaks down how he blended the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai with a Christian worldview to write a purpose-driven guide that resonates with readers across cultures.

For writers, this episode is packed with insight: Pedro opens up about his writing philosophy, why he believes in crafting a meaningful literary legacy over using AI-generated content, and the personal growth that surprised him throughout the publishing process. He also discusses building free Bible schools and local faith communities - proof that one person's story can fuel both a book and a movement.

Whether you're working on your first manuscript or searching for your author's voice, Pedro's story is a masterclass in writing with intention.

J