Kingdom Writers: A Podcast for Christian Writers of All Genres

New live series: Writing Wins, every Tuesday at 11am Eastern (9 Mountain) on the Kingdom Writers YouTube channel through December 8. Each week CJ and I share one simple win to help you finish your book when life is busy, and the replays are waiting if you miss one.

Watch the Writing Wins playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCv2_QZJjAHg

We typically recommend giving yourself 90 days for each stage of the Kingdom Writers Path at the most.

However, we've had members publish a book within a month of joining Christian Book Academy. For example, Jennifer Nelson published a book 10 days after enrolling in our membership.

It depends on the time you have to invest and the scope of your book project.

If you take at least 90 days on each stage it would look something like this...

1. First Draft: 90 days
2. Final Draft: 90 days
3. Self-Publish: 90 days

This means you can get your book published in 9 months.

Join Our Community of Kingdom Writers

Get on the waitlist for Christian Book Academy here: https://christianbookacademy.com

New live series: Writing Wins, every Tuesday at 11am Eastern (9 Mountain) on the Kingdom Writers YouTube channel through December 8. Each week CJ and I share one simple win to help you finish your book when life is busy, and the replays are waiting if you miss one.

Watch the Writing Wins playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCv2_QZJjAHg

Many of you have visited the Redwood National Park in northern California. Shelley & I visited that area a few years ago. I remember walking through forests with lush ferns among these gentle giants in all their majesty. Imagine the Creator of those trees!

-Redwoods can grow as tall as 400 feet

-The oldest redwood is thought to be over 3200 years old and is known as the "President"

-Some are wide enough for a car to drive through

-Roots only go about 7-8 feet deep but can be spread out over 100 feet

-Redwood roots are intertwined with other redwoods which allows them to remain stable even through strong storms. I see Christian Book Academy like a gentle redwood forest where our roots intertwine with one another.

-A redwood cone can produce 150-250 seeds, each seed being only the size of a tomato seed. That's about the size of the head of a matchstick

Our books also begin with a seed idea. That seed is then watered by God and it continues to grow into something we could have hardly imagined.

Redwoods are rugged trees. Some have deep grooves in the bark, some have been struck by lightning, some partially burned by fire, some blown over by winds. Kingdom Writers are a rugged breed as we can all attest to. Many of us have been battered by various elements and yet we still stand tall with the Lord's strength.

"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." – 1 Peter 1:7 NLT

Among these redwood forests are also trees that have toppled over due to old age. These trees are ideal for kids and adults alike to jump up and play on. Many of these toppled trees also have new trees growing out from the middle where it might be hollowed out. These dead trees are still giving life to young trees! There will be a time when each of us topple over but we can continue giving life through our books and writings.

"Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith." – Hebrews 13:7 NLT

Finally, a single lone redwood tree is quite impressive by itself but a forest of these giants is spectacular. Similarly, a lone Christian writer can produce impressive stuff but it's a beautiful thing to be part of a forest of Kingdom Writers with all of our diversity, styles and varying backgrounds. We can lean on one another as the storms of life hit. Consider CBA to be a Kingdom Writers redwood forest where we cause others to look up and give glory to our great God!

Your Writing Battle Plan

Powerful things happen when you integrate your faith with your writing, publishing, and marketing.

Learn how to create your writing battle plan so you can move forward in God's call on your life to write in our Battle Plan All-Access Pass. You'll get 15 presentations plus 13 bonus trainings including our Priestly Pen bundle here: https://kingdomwritersconference.com/battleplan/

New live series: Writing Wins, every Tuesday at 11am Eastern (9 Mountain) on the Kingdom Writers YouTube channel through December 8. Each week CJ and I share one simple win to help you finish your book when life is busy, and the replays are waiting if you miss one.

Watch the Writing Wins playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCv2_QZJjAHg

There are three types of book marketing you can do.

1. Free organic marketing (usually takes longer and requires more time) 2. Paid ads (for authors the best platform is Amazon Ads but still requires a learning curve) 3. Partner marketing through strategic relationships (very powerful but requires connecting with others in your niche or those who already have a platform similar to your target audience)

Free Organic Marketing:

Content marketing, social media, etc. The pro is that it's FREE. The con is that it takes more time.

Amazon ads:

Amazon ads do take time and a learning curve. But with persistence, they can be very effective. We've done very well with ads for my book Broken Crayons Still Color.

Partner Marketing:

I share 11 ideas for partner marketing in this video. You can watch it here: https://trainingauthors.com/get/email-list/

27 Book Marketing Ideas

Download our free PDF with 27 different ideas to market your book here: https://www.trainingauthors.com/ideas/

New live series: Writing Wins, every Tuesday at 11am Eastern (9 Mountain) on the Kingdom Writers YouTube channel through December 8. Each week CJ and I share one simple win to help you finish your book when life is busy, and the replays are waiting if you miss one.

Watch the Writing Wins playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCv2_QZJjAHg

There are advantages to both traditional publishing and self-publishing. I personally have chosen self-publishing (independent publishing) and love it! However, it's not always the best fit for everyone.

Here are some benefits to consider: https://www.trainingauthors.com/the-benefits-of-independent-publishing-self-publishing/

If you want to go down the path of self-publishing, I'm your girl and can help you every step of the way. If you want to traditionally publish, you will need to create a book proposal and pitch it to publishers and/or find an agent to help you.

Publishing Map

Download our free publishing map and video explaining the self-publishing process here: https://www.trainingauthors.com/publishing-map

New live series: Writing Wins, every Tuesday at 11am Eastern (9 Mountain) on the Kingdom Writers YouTube channel through December 8. Each week CJ and I share one simple win to help you finish your book when life is busy, and the replays are waiting if you miss one.

Watch the Writing Wins playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCv2_QZJjAHg

When you have multiple book ideas, how do you decide which book to write first?

Here are a few questions to ask:

• When you're praying about it, do you get a sense from God which book is first?
• What do you feel the most passionate about right now? What are your goals right now? Does one of the books line up better with your goals?
• What are your goals right now? Does one of the books line up better with your goals?
• Which book could you get done first? Which one seems like you have the most content or is easiest to write? You learn the process, get it done, and start momentum.

Move Forward in God's Call to Write

If you don't have a copy yet, get your copy of our new book Kingdom Writers so that you can move forward in God's call to write in your life here: https://trainingauthors.com/book

New live series: Writing Wins, every Tuesday at 11am Eastern (9 Mountain) on the Kingdom Writers YouTube channel through December 8. Each week CJ and I share one simple win to help you finish your book when life is busy, and the replays are waiting if you miss one.

Watch the Writing Wins playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCv2_QZJjAHg

Psalm 127:1-2 - "Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones."

Our workaholic society tells us to push and strain and strive in order to accomplish our goals. Many books have been written with this method…but at what cost and for what benefit? We also see many in the world today trying to protect all of the work they've accomplished in their own human strength. If we're honest, we've all done this as if everything depends on us alone.

It's interesting to note that this Psalm is written by Solomon who wrote most of Proverbs, many of which instruct us to not be lazy and to work hard. Here, he's looking at the issue of going it alone without including God in the picture.

Whether it's building houses or writing books, both are acceptable enterprises. They serve an important purpose. Our motives behind these things are equally important. Are we doing these things for our own glory or God's glory? Ultimately, this is why we call ourselves Kingdom Writers. We're all about building His Kingdom, not some monument unto ourselves.

God makes no distinctions between the sacred and secular - Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…"

God is interested in ALL of our work including all the words we write. Our books will have more substance when we partner with God, just as families will have more substance in their relationships when they build their home with the Lord.

Regarding houses, they are viewed as a symbol of status. We can easily desire to have a huge, extravagant house in order to look good and be approved of by others. This kind of thing can also happen with our books. We can create something that comes off as polished and shiny in order to seek status. We can place our security in this status which is here today and gone tomorrow.

Why is our work wasted? It's wasted when we trade the eternal for the temporal

Your Writing Battle Plan

Powerful things happen when you integrate your faith with your writing, publishing, and marketing.

Learn how to create your writing battle plan so you can move forward in God's call on your life to write in our Battle Plan All-Access Pass. You'll get 15 presentations plus 13 bonus trainings including our Priestly Pen bundle here: https://kingdomwritersconference.com/battleplan/

Ready to finally finish the book God gave you? If so, the Procrastination to Publication is a 90-day sprint where we work together to get your book out of your head and onto paper. You get a weekly accountability check-in, a personal reply from me every week with encouragement and a prayer, and live Get It Done days twice a month where we set a timer and do the work.

The next sprint starts September 10, 2026

Join us at https://www.trainingauthors.com/sprint and use coupon code INNERCIRCLE25 for 25% off through September 12, 2026.

Right now, our doors to Christian Book Academy are open. WooHoo! 🥳

Christian Book Academy is an online membership where we help Christian writers of all genres, like you, write words that outlive you, self-publish books that fulfill your calling, and reach more readers with your message.

Join us here: https://christianbookacademy.com/

Don't forget to join us for the next 90-day sprint to finish your book here: https://www.trainingauthors.com/sprint

Use coupon code INNERCIRCLE25 for 25% off through September 12, 2026.

New live series: Writing Wins, every Tuesday at 11am Eastern (9 Mountain) on the Kingdom Writers YouTube channel through December 8. Each week CJ and I share one simple win to help you finish your book when life is busy, and the replays are waiting if you miss one.

Watch the Writing Wins playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCv2_QZJjAHg

You can still get a copy of our new book, Kingdom Writers, here: https://trainingauthors.com/book

And enjoy this excerpt from our War Room prayer meeting call with our Christian Book Academy members in January. We pray it blesses you!

Ready to finally finish the book God gave you? If so, the Procrastination to Publication is a 90-day sprint where we work together to get your book out of your head and onto paper. You get a weekly accountability check-in, a personal reply from me every week with encouragement and a prayer, and live Get It Done days twice a month where we set a timer and do the work.

The next sprint starts September 10, 2026

Join us at https://www.trainingauthors.com/sprint and use coupon code INNERCIRCLE25 for 25% off through September 12, 2026.

Today is the day we are launching our new book, Kingdom Writers. WooHoo!

Get your copy today at an early-bird price (plus all the bonuses) here:

https://trainingauthors.com/book

This book has been in the works for over 2.5 years. We have been praying for you and believe it will help you move forward in your call to write.

Here's what a few writers are saying…

"If you are a Christian and feel called to write a book, but maybe you're intimidated by the process, this book by Shelley and CJ Hitz was written for you. God is a God of story, and He has given us each a story to tell; some people are called to put that story in writing for the world to experience with us. Be encouraged with the practical tips in this book, by Shelley's own story, and also by the stories of other authors who have been in your shoes whom God has helped follow His plan for their lives."

- Katie Erickson, Editor, Designer, Author

Kingdom Writers was written to inspire you to share your story. Everyone matters and everyone has a story to tell. God has brought you through many circumstances of life that could be a help or blessing for someone to learn they can make it too. There is no limit to what God can do and this book will provide you with practical tips, encouragement and inspire you to seek God to show you His calling on your life that can be a blessing to others.

Lana Wynn Scroggins, PhD, author

Get your copy today at an early-bird price (plus all the bonuses) here:

https://trainingauthors.com/book

Don't forget to join us for the next 90-day sprint to finish your book here: https://www.trainingauthors.com/sprint

Use coupon code INNERCIRCLE25 for 25% off through September 12, 2026.

New live series: Writing Wins, every Tuesday at 11am Eastern (9 Mountain) on the Kingdom Writers YouTube channel through December 8. Each week CJ and I share one simple win to help you finish your book when life is busy, and the replays are waiting if you miss one.

Watch the Writing Wins playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCv2_QZJjAHg

In Luke 1:5-38 we see two different people visited by the angel Gabriel. Each was presented with something impossible which would be accomplished by God. One was a priest who had an extensive religious experience. The other was a teenage girl who had very little life experience, let alone religious experience.

Ironically, it was the one with extensive religious experience who didn't believe the angel's words while the teenage girl believed the impossible.

How about you and I? If we're honest, we've all identified with Zechariah's response when faced with the impossible. Do we really believe God can birth books through our lives that many times feel barren of words?

Like Mary, may we find ourselves saying, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." (Luke 1:38) Your Writing Battle Plan

Powerful things happen when you integrate your faith with your writing, publishing, and marketing.

Learn how to create your writing battle plan so you can move forward in God's call on your life to write in our Battle Plan All-Access Pass. You'll get 15 presentations plus 13 bonus trainings including our Priestly Pen bundle here: https://kingdomwritersconference.com/battleplan/