Another debut novelist joins me in Episode 17 of Season 2. Karen Higgin's book A Garden Grows is the first of three books scheduled in The Hills of Harvest series. Karen is traditionally published through Mountain Brook Ink but the journey to get to her recent book launch has taken years. While homeschooling her kids and teaching them about writing, a desire within her own heart opened up to become an author. So, in the midst of many years of busy mothering of five kids, Karen grabbed every moment she could to add to her growing storyline. She also attended writers conferences and joined a critique group as she continually sought to hone her craft along the way. Until, voila! In April of 2026 her book is published and two more are coming close behind it.

Nova McBee is my guest in Episode 16 of Season 2. She is an award-winning author, a screenwriter and a world traveler. The adventures packed into her Calculated book series are inspired by her own adventure-filled life. Book #4 - Liberated - is slated to be released on June 30, 2026. Nova talks about the preparations she made after God told her to write a book - she studied her craft, practiced her writing and poured over the ins and outs of the book publishing world. You'll hear inspiring stories behind her journey from agent query letter responses to book club critique partners showing up at just the right moment. Nova has also become proficient in the art of screenwriting and now leads an entire group of writers as they adapt books and craft original scripts for screens large and small. You can follow her at www.novamcbee.com as well as www.yxentertainmentgroup.com.

Episode 15 of Season 2 finds us exploring one teen aged girl's experience of living near a United States naval base in the Philippines during the Vietnam War - all through the lens of Mary Sheldahl's debut novel "Torn Between Two Worlds - The Cost of Forgiveness". The book is based on Mary's own life experiences when she and her family were sent to the Philippines so that her father could run a Lutheran Serviceman's Center near Subic Bay Naval Station. Taking her memories and processing them into a compelling story arc was healing, challenging and rewarding for Mary. Listen in as she explains how that journey unfolded for her as she looked back on things that happened many years ago and pulled them into this fresh novel that is relevant to today.

Claire Holloway Is Winging It is the first in Angela Ruth Strong's new contemporary romance series - High Flying Romance. Based on Angela's own experiences as a flight attendant, it will be released on March 17th. In Episode 14 of Season 2, you get a preview of what's behind the new book as well as many of her other books and series. You'll hear how Finding Love In Big Sky, Montana (part of her Resort to Love Series) was made into a movie and how one of her TikTok posts unexpectedly went viral! Angela also shares how some of life's harder moments like divorce and breast cancer, actually helped her find her way in her writing career. A traditionally published author, Angela gives us a glimpse into what that journey has looked like for her and why she loves this publishing option. She has ventured into Indie publishing from time to time in collaboration with fellow authors - listen and find out the fun doors that opened for her there as well.

Steve Rzasa is a prolific author of science fiction and fantasy stories who also works as a ghostwriter for non-fiction books. In Episode 13 of Season 2, we get to explore a few of his many writing adventures including his soon to be released book The Null Razor Heist. This story is a full blown novel about a character Steve developed in one chapter of Eon City Burnout - A Cyberpunk Anthology (refer to Episode 4 with Tina Gollings). Steve thrives on collaborative writing projects with his fellow realm building authors without neglecting his own individual series like The Face of the Deep, Vincent Chen, The Interstice Universe, Takamo Universe and more. He's got a lot going on including being a workshop presenter at the upcoming NCWA Renewal Conference on May 16, 2026 in Everett, WA. Register now and meet Steve in person!

Katie Mathews was 16 years old when her life was turned upside down in a car accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury and a quadriplegic body. In her memoir, Unparalyzed: Shattering Limits While Finding Freedom, Katie shares her journey from anger, resentment and hopelessness to freedom in discovering the purposes of God for her life. Her revelation about the power of renewing our minds through gratitude and gaining a higher perspective is truly inspiring. Of course, we also talk about how Katie moved her manuscript off her computer - where it sat for 12 years - into a published paperback as well as an audiobook. But this is just part of the ongoing impact of Katie's life. She has also established a non-profit organization and works as a life coach and public speaker. You can contact her at www.limitlessjourney.org. As always, I walk away from my conversation with Katie encouraged, challenged and inspired - I'm guessing you will too.

I know I promised Season 2 would be all about my fellow Christian authors and their books...and I do start out the episode with a quick review of some my take-aways from the amazing authors I've had the privilege of interviewing thus far. But the rest of Episode 11 is devoted to my latest novel, The Sabotage Scroll. You'll hear about the inspiration behind the book, the obstacles I had to overcome to finish the book as well as a few of the ways I've approached the marketing of this my fourth book. Since the book has spiritual warfare woven throughout the narrative, you'll also get to hear the stories of what I experienced in that realm as I worked through this assignment. My hope is you will find the inspiration and determination you may need to not allow the buffeting of life's pressures and the winds of spiritual resistance to dissuade you from completing the assignment you've been given to write your book.

Welcome to the the second half of Season 2! We start off the new year with our first Young Adult Fiction writer - Kim Vandel. Her Under Fire series will be wrapping up this year with book 4 coming out in the Fall sometime. So there's a long on ramp for you to grab books 1, 2 and 3 and be ready for that final climactic volume. In Episode 10, we get to really delve into the world of indie publishing. Kim has gone down this route and has many good tips about how to navigate it. She has also honed skills in the world of social media marketing and shares with us some very helpful insights. We cover a lot of other bases in this conversation from Scrivener writing software to Kindle Unlimited strategies to overcoming real life challenges along the way. Listen in and grab some inspiration for 2026!