Ink and Impact - Write a Book that Makes a Difference

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or frustrated when it comes to writing and marketing your book, know that you’re not alone.Every published author I’ve ever met has had to deal with fluctuating emotions, doubts, time constraints, decision fatigue, and information overload throughout the various stages of their writing journeys.Yet it is estimated that 500,000 new self-published books were released last year by U.S. authors alone. Assuming that some authors wrote multiple books in one year, that means at least a quarter of a million people were able to push past all the challenges and overwhelm to successfully write and self-publish their books.You can, too.On today’s episode, I’m going to share a SIMPLER way to write – and market – your book.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Bookworthy Academy WaitlistSelf-Publishing Checklist - FREE 2-page resourceYour Path to Publishing - FREE 9-page guide to help you determine if traditional, hybrid, or self-publishing is right for you.The Inkwell membership - weekly writing sessions and monthly Craft ChatsOswald Chambers's My Utmost for His Highest devotional * (affiliate link) *Additional Writing/Self-Publishing Resources:1:1 Coaching Session - gain strategy and clarity; limited slots availableConnect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.comThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

At the outset, writing and self-publishing a book sounds straightforward - just write it and upload it to Amazon or whatever online retailer you choose.Easy-peasy, right? 😃Weellll…behind every overarching topic (writing, editing, publishing, and marketing) are MANY tasks and corresponding sub-tasks.Compounding the problem is that when writers begin to search for answers to their questions and challenges, they’re inundated with so much information, it’s often overwhelming. 😳In fact, the realities of authorship cause many aspiring authors to become one of three types of writers.Ready to learn what they are? Listen in!Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Self-Publishing Checklist - FREE 2-page resourceThe Inkwell membership - weekly writing sessions and monthly Craft Chats1:1 Coaching Session - gain strategy and clarity; limited slots availableConnect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.comThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

In today’s episode of the Ink and Impact podcast, I’m going to cover 5 Essential Networking Tips for Writers.As a book coach who serves Christian indie writers throughout their self-publishing journeys, I’ve learned that one of the biggest challenges they face is promoting and marketing their brand and their books.Yet one of the best ways to promote oneself is the very thing that many writers avoid like the plague: networking.Listen in to discover the 5 Essential Networking Tips for Writers.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Self-Publishing Checklist - FREE 2-page resourceThe Inkwell membership - weekly writing sessions and monthly Craft ChatsAdditional Writing/Self-Publishing Resources:1:1 Coaching Session - gain strategy and clarity; limited slots availableConnect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.comThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

Compromise as a Christian writer isn't something many people talk about ... but it's something that can easily creep into our author life if we're not careful.What kinds of things might cause you to compromise? Listen in to discover a few examples and discover how you can prevent - or remedy - a compromising situation.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Self-Publishing Checklist - FREE 2-page resourceThe Inkwell membership - weekly writing sessions and monthly Craft ChatsAdditional Writing/Self-Publishing Resources:1:1 Coaching Session - gain strategy and clarity; limited slots availableConnect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.com#christianwriters #christianauthors #writingtipsThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

You may recall that back in episode 68, I asked, Is There Still a Market for Christian Books?Well, thanks to a recent 41-page 2024 State of Christian Retail report by The Parable Group, I can conclusively say YES there is still a market for Christian books, particularly within independent Christian retailers.On today's episode, I'm going to share:Highlights from the 2024 State of Christian Retail report,What those results mean for Christian authors, and 9 strategies indie Christian authors can use to potentially get their books into indie Christian bookstores.Listen in and be sure to SUBSCRIBE!Mentioned in this Episode:Self-Publishing Checklist - FREE 2-page resourceThe Inkwell membership - weekly writing sessions and monthly Craft ChatsHow Do I Get My Christian Book Listed on CBD (Christian Book Distributors) - blog post by Christopher D. SchmitzAdditional Writing/Self-Publishing Resources:1:1 Coaching Session - gain strategy and clarity; limited slots availableConnect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.comThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

I recently had the honor of interviewing Becca Wierwille, author of the middle grade novel, Road Trip Rescue. On today's episode, we address how to incorporate your own experience into a fictional story ...  and why it matters. Regardless of what genre of fiction you're writing - and even if you're writing nonfiction - today's episode offers practical advice, tips, and lots of encouragement to guide you in this topic of incorporating your own experience into your writing. I'm just excited to share it with you. Listen in!Connect with Becca Wierwille:Website - https://beccawierwille.com/Book - Road Trip Rescue (*affiliate link)Email Newsletter - Becca Wierwille's Email Newsletter (subscribepage.com)  Social Media - Amazon Author PageGoodreadsInstagramFacebookPinterestTwitterResources Mentioned in this Episode:The Inkwell membership - weekly writing sessions and monthly Craft ChatsAdditional Writing/Self-Publishing Resources:Your Path to Publishing - a free guide that compares self-publishing, hybrid publishing and traditional publishing so you can make the right choice for your book.1:1 Coaching Session - gain strategy and clarity; limited slots availableConnect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.comThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

How is your writing coming along? How about your marketing? Are they going as well as you had hoped they would at the beginning of the year?If not, know you're not alone. New habits can be difficult to establish, and mindset plays a big factor in how successful you'll be.Do you want to learn how to develop an effective, God-honoring mindset?if so, be sure to listen to today's episode of the Ink and Impact podcast, where I share four practical ways to cultivate a Christian author's mindset.#inkandimpactAuthor SpotlightR.M. Ruiz, author of The Chosen Kids. Visit her website.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Ink & Impact Facebook Community - free private groupThe Inkwell membership - weekly writing sessionsAdditional Writing/Self-Publishing Resources:Your Path to Publishing - a free guide that compares self-publishing, hybrid publishing and traditional publishing so you can make the right choice for your book.1:1 Strategy Session - gain strategy and clarity; limited slots available1:1 (4-week) Coaching Package - includes select manuscript critiques!Connect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.comThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

Regardless of whether or not you like Costco, the 7 strategies I'm going to share with you today can help you reach - and retain - your readers. Book marketing, after all, is all about serving your readers.This is one of several great topics I have lined up for you in Quarter 1 this year, along with some fabulous guest interviews. I can’t wait to share them all with you!But now, it’s time to dive into today’s topic. Let’s go!Resources Mentioned in this Episode:The Inkwell membership - 8 weekly writing sessions + a group craft chat every month (all virtual).Costco - "Costco is a membership warehouse club, dedicated to bringing our members the best possible prices on quality brand-name merchandise."Additional Writing/Self-Publishing Resources:Your Path to Publishing - a free guide that compares self-publishing, hybrid publishing and traditional publishing so you can make the right choice for your book.1:1 Coaching Session - gain strategy and clarity; limited slots availableInk & Impact Facebook Community - free private groupConnect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.comThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

Creating content out of thin air is never a great idea. What's the source of YOUR writing? Listen to today's episode to discover three distinct yet unified sources you can use right away to become a better writer!Resources Mentioned in this Episode:1:1 Coaching Session - gain strategy and clarity; limited slots availableThe Inkwell - try a session of the paid membership for FREE on the 2nd Wednesday of the monthAdditional Writing/Self-Publishing Resources:Your Path to Publishing - a free guide that compares self-publishing, hybrid publishing and traditional publishing so you can make the right choice for your book.Ink & Impact Facebook Community - free private groupConnect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.comThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

If you're like me, you might be eagerly anticipating the new year on one hand, but also hesitant about it on the other hand.In today's episode, I share how to prepare for 2024 as Christian writers and authors, and that revolves around the acronym R.A.C.E.Listen in to discover what RACE means and be encouraged in your writing journey!Register for the Self-Publishing Unpacked Master Class!Thursday, December 28th at 3:00 pm EST          Click here to learn more and register.Additional Writing/Self-Publishing Resources:Ink & Impact Facebook Community - free private group for listeners like you!The Inkwell membership - monthly virtual co-writing sessionsYour Path to Publishing - a free guide that compares self-publishing, hybrid publishing and traditional publishing so you can make the right choice for your book.1:1 Coaching Session - gain strategy and clarity; limited slots availableConnect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.comThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

With so many U.S. Christian bookstores that have gone out of business over the last ten years, is there still a market for Christian books? And if so, what can indie authors do to reach that market and sell more books?That’s what I’m going to discuss on today’s episode of Ink and Impact!Register for the Self-Publishing Unpacked Master Class!Tuesday, December 12th at noon ESTThursday, December 28th at 3:00 pm EST          Click here to learn more and register.Articles referenced in this episode:7 interesting facts about the attack on Pearl Harbor | U.S. News (christianpost.com)Mitsuo Fuchida’s Salvation | Articles | Moody Church Media (moodymedia.org)The Bookseller - News - X remains primary social media platform for publishersA Treatise on the State of Middle Grade and Young Adult Publishing Today (teenlibrariantoolbox.com)Additional Writing/Self-Publishing Resources:Ink & Impact Facebook Community - free private group for listeners like you!The Inkwell membership - monthly virtual co-writing sessionsYour Path to Publishing - a free guide that compares self-publishing, hybrid publishing and traditional publishing so you can make the right choice for your book.1:1 Coaching Session - gain strategy and clarity; limited slots availableConnect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.comThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

Happy Thanksgiving, fellow writer! Just like Thanksgiving dinner, there are a multitude of moving parts associated with self-publishing. To ensure that the book gets done on time AND that it satiates your hungry readers' expectations, you need to do a lot of advance planning and prep work.That’s what I’m going to share with you today: 3 Things to Do Now to Self-Publish in 2024.PLUS take advantage of $15 off my new Self-Publishing Unpacked Master Class coming up in December using coupon code INK15. Hurry - the discount ends at 11:59 pm EST on Monday, November 27, 2023.Thanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

Remember how the saying used to be, “There’s an app for that”? Well, today there seems to be a coach for everything, too. A quick online search reveals dozens if not hundreds of different types of coaches: life coaches, business coaches, fitness coaches, executive coaches, health coaches, acting coaches, even travel coaches. And yes, book coaches.So what exactly do coaches do, and more specifically, how can a book coach help YOU?That’s what I’m going to talk about in today’s episode of Ink and Impact - the podcast dedicated to helping you write a book that makes a difference. You’ll want to listen through to the end because I’m going to share a special offer just for my podcast listeners.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Writer Insight SurveyYour Path to Publishing - a free guide that compares self-publishing, hybrid publishing and traditional publishing so you can make the right choice for your book.1:1 Coaching Session - gain strategy and clarity; limited slots availableAdditional Writing/Self-Publishing Resources:Ink & Impact Facebook Community - free private groupThe Inkwell membership - weekly writing sessionsConnect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.comThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

In the last episode, I shared how you can find time to write your book. Today, I’m going to share the ONE thing you need to sell more of that book.As I’ve mentioned before, we need to market our books at all stages of the author journey – from just starting out to long after publication. There are many practical tips and strategies available to help you sell your books, but even if you used them all, you wouldn’t get as far as you would if you first developed this ONE thing.What is it?Listen in and find out!Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Ink & Impact Facebook Community - free private groupThe Inkwell membership - weekly writing sessionsAdditional Writing/Self-Publishing Resources:Your Path to Publishing - a free guide that compares self-publishing, hybrid publishing and traditional publishing so you can make the right choice for your book.1:1 Coaching Session - gain strategy and clarity; limited slots availableConnect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.comThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

One of the biggest challenges I hear from writers is a variation of time:There’s no time to write in my crazy busy life.It takes too long to grow a platform.There’s not enough time to juggle everything you’re supposed to do for writing and marketing your book.It takes too much time to learn how to use a particular tool or technology to help with your writing.But the fact is that many authors DO find time to complete their books - often writing more than one throughout their career - and effectively market them.How?That’s what I’m going to share with you today on the Ink and Impact podcast: "Time to Write Your Book: 5 Strategies to Create a Writing Routine."Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Ink & Impact Facebook Community - free private group The Inkwell membership - weekly writing sessionsAdditional Writing/Self-Publishing Resources:Your Path to Publishing - a free guide that compares self-publishing, hybrid publishing and traditional publishing so you can make the right choice for your book.1:1 Coaching Session - gain strategy and clarity; limited slots availableConnect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.comThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

In this episode, your host Dalene Bickel shares 7 Things to Avoid When Writing Your Life Story (or memoir, or autobiography).When you follow these guidelines, your story will attract readers rather than repel them. Sometimes, it's not about what you do but what you DON'T do that makes the biggest impact.Listen and SUBSCRIBE!Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Book: One-Year Collection of Weekly Writing Prompts: Write Your Life Story, One Question at a TimeInk & Impact FB CommunityYour Path to Publishing (free guide)1:1 Coaching Session - gain strategy and clarity; limited slots availableConnect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.comThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

Did you know that while booksellers are buying about 250 to 300 titles a month (if they're a large seller), there are almost 1 million new, traditionally published books and, on top of that, 2-3 million self-published books produced every year in the United States alone?That is a lot of competition, my friend.So how can you make your book stands out and have a chance at getting it in bookstores and found by readers online?  Listen in to today's episode, where I talk about the four different "P" components that can help your books be found - and bought - by readers.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Ink & Impact FB CommunityYour Path to Publishing (free guide)1:1 Coaching Session - gain strategy and clarity for your author journey; limited slots availableConnect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.com#selfpublishing #authortips #bookmarketingThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

In this episode, you'll learn not only about the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference and why you should attend, but special guest Gregg  Bridgeman also shares some excellent tips for how to best prepare for a conference AND key insights about the challenges we Christian writers face in today's culture.Also, I announce that the Ink and Impact podcast is moving to a bi-weekly schedule through the end of the year. There won't be a new episode next week, but I'll be back the following week. Be sure to listen in, SUBSCRIBE, and join the discussion over at the new Ink and Impact Facebook group!Resources Mentioned in this Episode:KY Christian Writers Conference websiteKY Christian Writers Conference YouTube channelInk & Impact FB CommunityYour Path to Publishing (free guide)1:1 Coaching Session - gain strategy and clarity; limited slots availableConnect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.com Thanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

You have a message to share. But how you can do it in a way that offers hope and makes a difference in the lives of your readers?Today's guest, author James H. Belt III, joins me and shares the approach he took to do this - and the lessons he learned along the way - when writing his new book, Hope Realized.Be assured: No matter your message, you, too, can be a hope bringer. Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Book: Hope RealizedJames's Website: jameshbelt.comInk & Impact FB CommunityYour Path to Publishing (free guide)1:1 Coaching Session - gain strategy and clarity; limited slots availableConnect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.comThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).

On today's episode, Dalene Bickel shares a self-check for writers:  four things you should consider throughout every stage of your writing life, not just when you’re embarking on a new project or entering a new calendar year.Can you guess what they are? You just might be surprised!Listen in to discover if you’re correct … and if any of them resonate with you.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Ink and Impact Facebook Community Inkwell Writing SessionsAdditional Resource:Your Path to Publishing - a free guide with worksheets and an in-depth comparison chart of self-publishing, hybrid publishing, and traditional publishing to help you determine which publishing method is right for you.Connect with Your Host, Dalene Bickel:Email: info@inkandimpact.comInstagram: @‌dalenebickelWebsite: inkandimpact.comThanks for listening! Join the FREE Ink and Impact Facebook community for Christian writers. Want FREE promotion? Send an audio recording of your favorite thing about this podcast to info@inkandimpact.com (be sure to include your name, book title, and website URL!).