The Writing at the Red House Podcast

Your Group Isn't Quiet Because Nobody Cares Every writer who has ever started a Facebook group knows the feeling. You invite people in. You post something thoughtful — something you actually worked on. And then… nothing. Crickets. And the very first thought that shows up is, Nobody cares. I'm bad at this. I should shut the whole thing down and go eat some cheese. In this episode of Writing at the Red House, Kathi Lipp sits down with community expert Tonya Kubo to talk about why that silence usually isn't what writers think it is. Tonya's take: low engagement is rarely a content problem. It's almost always an onboarding problem. Why This Matters for Writers Most writers are told they need a platform, an audience, a group of "their people." What nobody explains is what to actually do once those people arrive. So writers keep producing more content, working harder, posting more often — and wondering why the room stays quiet. Kathi and Tonya unpack the simple, practical shifts that turn a silent group into a living community — without adding hours to an already full week. What Listeners Will Take Away Why people lurk instead of comment — and what that silence is actually saying The low-hanging fruit most group owners never handle (hint: it starts with notifications) How to make a group feel safe enough that members will ask the question they think is "dumb" A simple welcome email sequence that doesn't require a tech degree to set up Why a fuzzy group description invites exactly the members you don't want — illustrated by a 300,000-member cautionary tale How to turn a private DM into content that serves the whole group (and makes the asker feel like a VIP) The weekly rhythm that keeps members coming back without burning out the leader The one onboarding goal that changes everything six months down the road The Heart of It As Tonya puts it, the goal of a good onboarding process is to make it "easier for them to participate than it is to not participate." And Kathi sums up the why behind all of it: when people know what to expect, they feel safety and they feel freedom. For writers building an audience while juggling kids, jobs, caregiving, and a manuscript that keeps calling — this episode is a reminder that community doesn't have to be one more thing to carry. Done right, it carries you back. Listen now and find out what's really happening in that quiet little group of yours.

There's a sentence that has stopped more writers in their tracks than almost any other: "Memoir doesn't sell." If you've ever sat across from an agent or editor at a conference with a finished, polished manuscript in your lap, you may have heard it — and then watched the conversation end before it started. In this episode of Writing at the Red House, Kathi Lipp sits down with her neighbor (and New York Times bestselling author) Susy Flory, who got so frustrated with that myth that she did something about it: she founded Shake Ridge Press, a memoir-only publishing house. Together they dig into why memoir keeps getting rejected, what publishers are actually trying to say when they say no, and how a writer can take a personal story and turn it into a book a stranger will stay up all night reading. What Listeners Will Take Away Why "memoir doesn't sell" isn't the whole truth — and what's really happening behind that brick-wall response at writers conferences. The "memoir plus" framework — the single concept that separates a personal journal from a publishable book, and why every story can be developed into it. How to stop speaking a different language than publishers — how to lead with the bigger elements of your story so an editor leans in instead of shutting down. How to find your right reader — a simple, low-tech way to test what actually connects, using the faces of the people right in front of you. What a memoir-only publisher is actually looking for — and what a writer should have ready before she reaches out. Your Story Is Not Just Your Story One of the most freeing moments in this conversation comes when Susy explains the shift every memoirist has to make: seeing your life not just as what happened to me, but as a work of art you're creating — one where you have choices. Kathi shares how that shift played out in her own book, The Accidental Homesteader, a book that's about her… but isn't really about her. Susy also pulls back the curtain on three wildly different memoirs releasing this fall — a Green Beret nicknamed "Doom" writing about PTSD and leading with love, a grieving mother and her adult son with autism searching for clues about his dad, and a preacher's daughter who became the biggest fan of her professional-wrestler son. None of them are celebrities. All of them are proof. For the Writer Who's Been Told No As Susy puts it, "We're not here to be dream crushers." If you've been sitting on a story you believe God gave you — and you've been quietly wondering whether anyone in publishing will ever want it — this episode is the encouragement (and the practical next step) you've been waiting for. Listen in, and then go tell your only-you story of God's extravagant love in your life.

Every writer has imagined it: the book deal comes through, and suddenly a publishing house swoops in with a marketing team, a book tour, and a private jet waiting on the tarmac. (Okay, maybe not the jet.) But when the launch date arrives and the phone doesn't ring, a lot of authors are left wondering what went wrong.In this episode of Writing at the Red House, Kathi Lipp tackles one of the hardest — and most freeing — truths in publishing: your publisher is not your marketing department. Kathi talks with author and publisher Susy Flory, who now sits on both sides of the table, about what a publisher actually does, what belongs to the author, and why understanding the difference is the key to a launch that doesn't leave you crushed.Why This Conversation Matters for WritersIf you've ever felt abandoned after your launch week, confused about why your book isn't on a featured table at the bookstore, or overwhelmed by the idea that marketing is now your job on top of everything else in your life — this episode is for you. Kathi and Susy talk honestly about disappointment, unrealistic expectations, and the very real ways authors can connect with readers without a five-figure marketing budget.In This Episode, Listeners Will Learn:The actual job description of a publisher — produce the book, make it available, distribute it — and where that job endsThe difference between publicity (free, pitched, story-driven) and marketing (paid, transactional) — and why confusing the two sets writers up for disappointmentWhy publishers and agents are so focused on the size of your audience, and what that means for writers building a platform from scratchWhat "author-owned marketing" looks like in real life, and how to start it long before your book releasesWhy public speaking and teaching may still be the most effective connection tool an introverted writer hasHow to identify your unique advantages — the readers you can reach that your publisher never couldWhat can go wrong even with a great publisher, and how to hold your expectations with open handsThe question to ask before pitching yourself to another creator's audience (hint: it's not "here's what I want to talk about")Why setting aside your own marketing money matters — and what to ask your publisher before you sign the contractThe Heart of ItAs Kathi puts it, this isn't about being cynical — it's about being protected. There's a world of difference between being perpetually disappointed and being genuinely empowered. Your publisher loves your book. They chose it. But they don't know your people. You do.Susy reminds listeners that readers don't buy books from HarperCollins. They buy from you — the writer they know, trust, and want to hear from. And that relationship isn't a burden to dread. It's the whole point.Listen to this episode for a clear-eyed, encouraging look at what's actually yours to carry as an author — and how to carry it well.

Do you have a manuscript written that is ready to be published? Do you want to self-publish your book but have no idea where to begin?In today’s podcast, Kathi and literary agent and self-published fiction author Sherri Wilson Johnson talk about all things self-publishing. From covers to which software programs to use, Sherri answers the questions you have to answer to go from a manuscript to a published book.How to be your own publisher and make money on Amazon.Which software programs work best for the design and layout of your book.How to set a budget and invest a major portion of it in designing a cover.How investing in how to become a better writer will help you in the long run.Sherri and Kathi discuss the practical aspects of self-publishing, including the design process, editing, budgeting, the importance of cover design, and platforms and tools that make self-publishing accessible to authors. They highlight the differences between traditional and self-publishing, the advantages of retaining creative control, and the importance of platform building for indie authors. The conversation touches on real-life experiences, challenges in the publishing journey, and actionable advice for those ready to take publishing into their own hands.

Have you ever wondered how some writers manage to stay in the game for decades while others burn out after one book? If you've been feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure if you can sustain this writing journey, this episode is for you. What You'll Discover in This Episode Kathi Lipp sits down with longtime friend and fellow author Susy Flory to explore the secrets behind building a writing career that lasts. With combined decades of publishing experience, these two Gen X writers get real about the challenges of staying creative, motivated, and connected in an industry that can feel isolating. Four Keys to Writing Longevity Get Writing Friends: Discover why having a cohort of fellow writers is essential for surviving rejection, gaining perspective, and staying encouraged when the writing life gets hard. Pursue Deep Teaching: Learn why committing to one significant learning experience each year—whether a book, course, conference, or mentorship—keeps your craft sharp and your ideas fresh. Always Think About Your Next Project: Find out how to keep ideas percolating even while you're 50 feet deep in your current book, and hear Susy Flory's practical system for tracking and developing new concepts. Feed Your Imagination: Explore surprising places where creative ideas strike—including church!—and learn how to create a life culture dedicated to creativity and inspiration. Why Community Matters Both Kathi and Susy emphasize that writing doesn't have to be a solitary pursuit. Whether it's commiserating over rejection, sharpening each other's ideas, or simply being around creative people who "get it," having a writing community can make the difference between quitting and thriving. Key Takeaways for Your Writing Journey Rejection is normal—it's just part of the writing life, and having friends who understand makes it bearable. Being "aspirational" isn't a criticism—it's essential for growth as a writer. Your competitive side can push you forward if you harness it humbly and learn from others. Capture your ideas when lightning strikes—keep tools handy because you won't remember later. Speaking your ideas out loud to safe people gives them air and helps them breathe. Whether you're wrapping up your first book or your fifteenth, this conversation will encourage you to keep going, keep learning, and keep creating alongside others who share your passion for words.