So God Told You To Write a Book - Now What?

Wendy Jo Cerna
  • 5.0 (4)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Author Wendy Jo Cerna gives weekly teaching, tips and inspiration for people who feel called to write a book but just don't know where to start or how to finish.

  1. 11/17/2025

    Steve Brock - Branding/Marketing - Brand Something Beautiful: A Branding Workbook for Writers, Artists, and Other Creatives

    If you've been looking for some inspiration and practical tips about branding your work, Episode 9 with Steve Brock is just the ticket! His new book - Brand Something Beautiful: A Branding Workbook for Writers, Artists and Other Creatives - is bursting with ideas to guide you through building your own brand. Our conversation ventures from Steve's personal 'why's' behind his latest book to the many and varied ways of hearing from God. We talk about the difference between slogging through what we think we should do in marketing to finding delight in discovering our unique contributions to the world of books through our personal brand. You'll also hear about Steve's passions for both travel and for lifting creatives to new levels of adventures in creativity - both of which resulted in books as well. You can connect with Steve on his website - www.brandsomething beautiful.com to get more information and a sneak peek into the book itself.

    1h 3m

  2. 11/10/2025

    Heidi Gray McGill - Historical Romance - A Place to Belong

    Heidi Gray McGill is my guest on Episode 8 of Season 2. Her newest Christmas novella - A Place to Belong - comes out on November 18th. It is the latest book in her Discerning God's Best series. Our conversation runs the gamut from how she first felt called to begin a writing career in 2020, to the why's behind publishing under her own imprint, to her ongoing process of learning the craft of writing novels, to the challenges of writing squeaky clean romances. She pulled out some of her favorite books that have helped her hone her skills (I have listed them below). We also discuss how and why to enter writing contests (https://book-publicist.com/top-book-awards-for-authors/)as well as why she published her audio books 'for free' on YouTube. Heidi is a wealth of knowledge and a generous soul who is willing, wanting and able to help her fellow Christian authors thrive in their writing lane. Again, I learned so much. GMC: Goal, Motivation & Conflict: The Building Blocks of Good Fiction by Debra Dixon The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi Save the Cat! Writes A Novel: The Last Book on Novel Writing You'll Ever Need by Jessica Brody Understanding Show, Don't Tell (And Really Getting It) by Janice Hardy The First Five Pages: A Writer's Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile by Noah Lukeman How NOT to Write a Novel: 200 Classic Mistakes and How to Avoid Them--A Misstep-by-Misstep Guide by Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman

    53 min

  3. 11/03/2025

    Val Barschaw - Medical Advocacy - Surviving the Hospital: Six Secrets Every Patient Should Know

    In Episode 7 we have the privilege of hearing from Val Barschaw who has walked with her husband - a heart transplant recipient - through 35 years of medical care. It was this very personal journey that gave Val the information, the experience and the passion to equip others who are facing hospitalizations for themselves or their loved ones.  Surviving the Hospital: Six Secrets Every Patient Should Know is an essential guide for anyone who is navigating the complex world of healthcare - to do so with confidence and empowerment. On the podcast, Val takes us into the moment she knew God called her to write the book and then all the steps that followed to get it published and into the hands of those who need it. You can follow Val and find more resources on her website - www.hospitaltohealth.com

    57 min

  4. 10/27/2025

    Ann Harrison - Devotional - Praying Through The Seasons

    Ann Harrison is my guest for Episode 6 of Season 2. She is the author of a new devotional entitled Praying Through the Seasons: Seven Aspects of Prayer and Communion with God. Ann is not only an author but a poet and freelance editor - she is also totally blind. She is tenacious about overcoming obstacles whether that be from technology, external forces or her own inner struggles. Throughout this conversation, you will find that Ann has connected herself to a bunch of writing resources and groups including Christian Book Academy and 540 Writers Community. I learned so much from Ann and I'm sure you will too.

    46 min

  5. 10/13/2025

    Theresa Haynes - Historical Fiction - The Queen's Priest

    Episode 5 takes us into the Historical Fiction genre with a saga about Tudor England in the 1500's - specifically into the life of Blessed Thomas Abel, the personal priest to Katherine of Aragon who was the first wife of Henry VIII. Theresa Abell Haynes' new book, The Queen's Priest, is also a personal tale for the author because Thomas Abell is one of her ancestors. Our conversation ranges from the layers of research she got to do - including going to the Tower of London to see where Thomas Abell spent the last 7 years of his life - to the layers of editing she went through as she self-published this her debut novel. We also dip into the process of how to get a book done as an audiobook through the ACX platform. To keep up with all the developments in Theresa's writing, you can visit her website at www.TheresaAHaynes.com or follow her Substack newsletter.

    53 min

  6. 10/05/2025

    Tina Gollings - Cyberpunk Anthology - Eon City Burnout

    Ever read a Cyberpunk Anthology before? Maybe not but in Episode 4 of Season 2 we get to meet one of the 9 authors who collaborated on just such a work of fiction. Tina Gollings is a teacher and writer who has dabbled in a number of genres over the course of her writing career starting in 2nd grade with a submission to a school writing contest to starting a dystopian novel in college to writing a children's picture book which is due to be published in 2026. But in this episode, we focus on her latest published piece in Eon City Burnout. All eleven stories by the nine authors are both great writing and great fun. And, as Tina says, the entire process of world building and collaborating as a team was great fun as well. You're sure to find something interesting and inspiring in Tina's journey!

    45 min

  7. 09/29/2025

    Susie Crosby - Childrens Book - Where is Sheep 100?

    In Episode 3, we get to know Susie Crosby. Her latest book which came out in July of 2025 is a children's book entitled Where Is Sheep 100? - A Skip Counting Story About the Good Shepherd's Love. Susie takes us behind the scenes with her agent, illustrator and publishing house as she moves this book from idea to finished product. We also get to hear about LIghthearted - 100 Day Devotional which came out in 2024. It is a devotional aimed at helping us utilize the promises of God to overcome heavy emotions and live a light-hearted life. Susie gives us some great marketing tips as well as inspirational nudges to keep us all moving forward. So, grab a cuppa and take a listen. I think you'll be glad you did.

    55 min

  8. 09/24/2025

    Sonja Anderson - Children's Book - A Christmas Wish for Little Dala Horse

    Episode 2 of Season 2 is an interview with Sonja Anderson, the author of a children's picture book entitled "A Christmas Wish for Little Dala Horse: A Saint Lucia Celebration".  This book is traditionally published through Tyndale Kids. So we walk through that process from getting an agent to signing a contract to engaging with an illustrator and much more. Sonja is a public school librarian as well as an author of middle-grade novels, devotional articles and an historical picture book she wrote with her husband called Mount Rainier's Historic Inns and Lodges. She is a wealth of information about the book industry and writing process as well as a rich well in her spiritual journey. I learned a lot through this conversation with Sonja and I'm sure you will too!

    54 min
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5
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4 Ratings

About

Author Wendy Jo Cerna gives weekly teaching, tips and inspiration for people who feel called to write a book but just don't know where to start or how to finish.

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