Soul & Story

Sara R. Turnquist
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I’m a coffee lovin’, word slinging, clean Historical Romance author whose super power is converting caffeine into novels. I love those odd tidbits of history that are stranger than fiction. That’s what inspires me. Well, that and a good love story.

  1. 5d ago

    EP 070: The Importance of Your Publishing Path

    Traditional, indie, hybrid, or vanity press: which publishing path is right for you? And how do you make that choice based on facts instead of feelings? In this episode of Soul & Story, Cindy Smith sits down with Sara Turnquist, fresh off finishing her thirtieth novel in eleven years, to talk through one of the biggest decisions a writer makes. Sara shares her own journey from a small traditional press to full indie, breaks down the real differences in upfront cost, creative control, and marketing freedom between each path, and explains where first-time indie authors should put their budget. Most of all, she encourages writers to pray first and ask the Lord what success looks like in the calling He has given them. RESOURCES MENTIONED Publish and Thrive by Sarra Cannon (Heart Breathings): https://heartbreathings.comDavid Gaughran: https://davidgaughran.comKentucky Christian Writers Conference: https://kychristianwriters.comCoaching with Sara (Write With Me): https://saraturnquist.comGrab a FREE copy of Hope in Cripple Creek! https://trnq.st/db7f1a?videoId=[VIDEO ID] GET MORE: Don't forget to subscribe!Tune in to Soul & Story at https://podcast.saraturnquist.com/Get a FREE novella ebook at https://SaraTurnquist.com/list/Check out Sara's store at https://store.saraturnquist.com and grab some cool merch!Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorsararturnquist/Got questions or suggestions for future topics? Drop ‘em in the comments! #historicalromance © 2026 Sara R. Turnquist

  2. Sep 16

    EP 69: The Importance of Social Media

    Feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to post, promote, and perform on social media? Wondering if you even need to be on every platform to build a readership? In this episode of Soul & Story, Kayla Stevens, Communications and Marketing Director for Mom Life Ministries, shares how authors of faith can reframe social media as a tool for connection rather than self-promotion, and offers practical, grace-filled strategies for building an authentic presence without burning out. ==== Grab a FREE copy of Hope in Cripple Creek! ====https://trnq.st/db7f1a GET MORE:- Don't forget to subscribe!- Tune in to Soul & Story at https://podcast.saraturnquist.com/- Get a FREE novella ebook at https://SaraTurnquist.com/list/- Check out Sara's store at https://store.saraturnquist.com and grab some cool merch!- Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorsararturnquist/ Got questions or suggestions for future topics? Drop 'em in the comments! #historicalromance © 2026 Sara R. Turnquist

  3. Sep 2

    EP 68: The Importance of Editing

    Before we took our summer break, we recorded this...and our tech support forgot to release it. So here it is!Turns out editing your first manuscript can feel a lot like childbirth — painful in the moment, but the thing that makes the finished book worth holding.In today's episode, Sara sits down with debut author (and Soul & Story cohost!) Cindy Smith, fresh off wrestling through the self-edit of her very first manuscript, to talk honestly about the process.Why are rough drafts for the writer, but edits for the reader? When DO you stop tinkering and hand your work to a pro? And why AI can never replace a real human editor?==== Grab a FREE copy of Hope in Cripple Creek! ====https://trnq.st/db7f1aGET MORE:- Don't forget to subscribe!- Tune in to Soul & Story at https://podcast.saraturnquist.com/- Get a FREE novella ebook at https://SaraTurnquist.com/list/- Check out Sara's store at https://store.saraturnquist.com and grab some cool merch!- Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorsararturnquist/Got questions or suggestions for future topics? Drop 'em in the comments!#historicalromance© 2026 Sara R. Turnquist

  4. Aug 19

    EP 67: The Importance of Marketing

    Turns out marketing an epic fantasy novel isn't so different from selling any other product — the principles are the same, you just tweak the approach! In today's episode, we met up with best-selling fantasy author Angela J. Ford who writes mortal/immortal forbidden romance featuring Black heroines in worlds where gothic cinema meets fantasy. We piqued her brain on tactics that give readers real reasons to buy, and why genre-specific marketing fears might be overblown. Check out:✅ Angela's website - https://angelajford.com/✅ Follow Angela on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/angelajfordbooks ====Grab a FREE copy of Hope in Cripple Creek!https://trnq.st/db7f1a==== GET MORE:- Don't forget to subscribe!- Tune in to Soul & Story at https://podcast.saraturnquist.com/- Get a FREE novella ebook at https://SaraTurnquist.com/list/- Check out Sara's store at https://store.saraturnquist.com and grab some cool merch!- Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorsararturnquist/ Got questions or suggestions for future topics? Drop 'em in the comments! #historicalromance © 2026 Sara R. Turnquist

  5. May 27

    EP 66: The Importance of Grieving

    Ever lost someone dear you? Not sure how to make it to the next day? Next month? Next year? And where does God fit into all this? In this episode of Soul & Story, Hallee Bridgeman shares the struggle she faces with the loss of her son, how it impacted her writing career, and what she does today to rediscover hope and God. Check out:✅ The Melancholy Statue - https://www.revshirleymurphy.co.uk/post/melancholy-the-emptiness-that-incapacitates-us-through-grief✅ "You're Still God" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22WoEYfuZN0✅ "Made for more" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov9Ls4npIrc ====Grab a FREE copy of Hope in Cripple Creek!https://trnq.st/db7f1a==== GET MORE:- Don't forget to subscribe!- Tune in to Soul & Story at https://podcast.saraturnquist.com/- Get a FREE novella ebook at https://SaraTurnquist.com/list/- Check out Sara's store at https://store.saraturnquist.com and grab some cool merch!- Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorsararturnquist/ Got questions or suggestions for future topics? Drop 'em in the comments! #historicalromance © 2026 Sara R. Turnquist

  6. May 13

    EP 65: The Importance of What We Consume

    What you consume goes far beyond the food you ingest. It extends to news, podcasts, books, and more. In this episode of Soul & Story, Sara and Cindy dive deep into how what we consume plays an important role. ====Grab a FREE copy of Hope in Cripple Creek! https://trnq.st/db7f1a==== GET MORE:- Don't forget to subscribe!- Tune in to Soul & Story at https://podcast.saraturnquist.com/- Get a FREE novella ebook at https://SaraTurnquist.com/list/- Check out Sara's store at https://store.saraturnquist.com and grab some cool merch!- Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorsararturnquist/ Got questions or suggestions for future topics? Drop ‘em in the comments! #historicalromance © 2026 Sara R. Turnquist

  7. Apr 29

    EP 64: The Importance of Faith-filled Children's Fiction

    Did you read books as a child? Is it something you carried into your adulthood? What kinds of books do YOUR children read? Meet multi-published faith-based children's book author and illustrator Kim Caldwell as she shares some of the struggles and the joys producing books for the younger generation. ====Grab a FREE copy of Hope in Cripple Creek! https://trnq.st/db7f1a==== GET MORE:- Don't forget to subscribe!- Tune in to Soul & Story at https://podcast.saraturnquist.com/- Get a FREE novella ebook at https://SaraTurnquist.com/list/- Check out Sara's store at https://store.saraturnquist.com and grab some cool merch!- Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorsararturnquist/ Got questions or suggestions for future topics? Drop ‘em in the comments! #historicalromance © 2026 Sara R. Turnquist

  8. Apr 15

    EP 63: The Importance of Faith Threads - Balancing Truth and Creativity

    We all love a good story. Does that mean we have to forgo sharing the truth of Christ? Not at all! Find out why as our dear friend, award winning author Mandy Boerma joins us on today's episode of Soul & Story! ====Grab a FREE copy of Hope in Cripple Creek!https://trnq.st/db7f1a==== Check out Mandy's website!https://www.mandyboerma.com/ GET MORE:- Don't forget to subscribe!- Tune in to Soul & Story at https://podcast.saraturnquist.com/- Get a FREE novella ebook at https://SaraTurnquist.com/list/- Check out Sara's store at https://store.saraturnquist.com and grab some cool merch!- Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorsararturnquist/ Got questions or suggestions for future topics? Drop 'em in the comments! #historicalromance © 2026 Sara R. Turnquist

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About

I’m a coffee lovin’, word slinging, clean Historical Romance author whose super power is converting caffeine into novels. I love those odd tidbits of history that are stranger than fiction. That’s what inspires me. Well, that and a good love story.

Information

  • Creator
    Sara R. Turnquist
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sara R. Turnquist
  • Show Website
    Soul & Story

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