The Writing at the Red House Podcast

Kathi Lipp
  • 5.0 (69)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to The Writing at the Red House Podcast where we gather at the table to break bread and tell tales with some of our favorite writers and speakers. Our heart is to equip and encourage men and women to be the communicators God has created them to be.

  1. 17H AGO

    Stop Planning Too Big or Too Small: How Quarterly Goals Actually Move Your Writing Forward

    Do you find yourself hitting a new quarter and realizing you have no idea what you should be working on? You're not alone. Writing is a long game, and without intentional planning, it's easy for your creative dreams to fall to the bottom of your to-do list. In this episode, Kathi Lipp and Tenneil Register pull back the curtain on the quarterly planning process they use inside the Red House Writers Collective. If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward with your writing, this episode offers a simple framework that can change everything. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why quarterly planning is the perfect unit of time for making real progress on your writing goals The Create, Serve, Build framework that helps writers focus on what matters most each month How to set realistic goals that fit your actual life—not some fantasy cabin-in-the-woods scenario Practical tips for keeping your goals in front of you (hint: sticky notes work!) Why 333 words a day can lead to 10,000 words in just 30 days The Create, Serve, Build Framework Create (July): Focus on your bigger projects—your book, a speech, a paid membership. This is the month for the 30-day 10K challenge where you aim to write 10,000 words on your work in progress. Serve (August): How are you currently nurturing your audience? Whether it's social media, newsletters, or guest posting, this month is about showing up for the people who need your message right now—not just when your book comes out. Build (September): This is about growing your business and platform. Maybe you're attending a conference, launching coaching services, or pitching to media. Build is how you create sustainability in your writing career. Key Takeaways A quarter is the perfect balance—long enough to make real progress, short enough to stay focused You don't need a color-coded spreadsheet; three sentences on Post-it notes can get you started Planning too small or too big are both traps—find the realistic middle ground Serving your audience now builds the foundation for readers to care about your future book It's not too early to start planning for Q3—July, August, and September are closer than you think!

    22 min

  2. MAY 17

    The Rule of Three: How to Research Your Way to a Book Deal

    If you're planning to pitch a book this year, you might be surprised to learn that the strategies that worked just a few years ago may not cut it anymore. The publishing landscape has shifted dramatically, and understanding these changes could make all the difference in whether your book finds its audience. What You'll Learn in This Episode In this episode of the Writing at the Red House podcast, host Kathi Lipp sits down with literary agent Barb Roose from Books and Such Literary Agency to unpack the critical shifts in book pitching for 2026. Whether you're preparing for conference season or crafting your first query letter, this conversation will help you approach publishers and agents with confidence. The AI Factor in Publishing Barb explains why literary agents can often tell when a query has been AI-generated—and why that matters. She shares practical wisdom about using AI as a tool without letting it undermine your unique voice and intellectual property. The key takeaway? Publishers want books that come from the DNA of humans, especially in faith-based publishing where trust is paramount. Understanding Discoverability in 2026 With 85% of books sold on Amazon and millions of titles competing for attention, how do readers find your book? Barb breaks down the concept of "niche felt need"—the specific problem readers are trying to solve or the exact type of story they're searching for. She offers a practical framework for researching your category and understanding what makes bestselling books in your space successful. The Rule of Three Barb shares her "rule of three" strategy for social media research: find three authors slightly ahead of you in your lane, study their social media comments, and identify what their readers are connecting with. This isn't about copying—it's about understanding what resonates and bringing your unique experience to meet that need. Key Takeaways Good books will always find readers, but you must help readers find your book Your story and experience are what set you apart—don't outsource your thinking to AI Do your Amazon research before pitching to understand what's already in your category Niche down: "Moms who are stressed" is too broad; "moms of small children with control issues" is discoverable Study the comments on successful authors' social media to understand what readers connect with If you're serious about getting your book into the hands of readers who need it, this episode will help you refine your approach and pitch with confidence in 2026.

    25 min

  3. MAY 4

    Writing to Two Audiences at Once: When Your Book Doesn't Fit the One-Reader Rule

    Have you ever felt stuck trying to narrow down your target reader? What if your book naturally speaks to two very different audiences? In this episode of Writing at the Red House, Kathi Lipp sits down with bestselling author and acquisitions editor Jennifer Dukes Lee to explore what happens when you break the "one ideal reader" rule. Jennifer opens up about the challenge she faced while writing her latest book, How to Love Your Morning. On one hand, she was writing to productivity-loving morning people who wanted to level up their routines. On the other, she was reaching out to those who dread mornings and have convinced themselves they could never change. How do you write—and market—a book that speaks to both? What You'll Learn in This Episode Why Jennifer chose to acknowledge both audiences on the very first page of her book How to identify when your book genuinely serves two different reader groups The three-pronged social media strategy Jennifer uses to reach both audiences What a "negative carousel" is and how it connects with reluctant readers Why neutral content (like famous people's morning routines) attracts everyone How this strategy can apply to other book topics beyond morning routines Key Takeaways for Writers Jennifer's approach challenges the conventional wisdom that every book must have one narrowly defined reader. While she still narrowed her audience to women, she discovered that by being transparent about who she was writing to—and creating targeted marketing for each group—she could serve both audiences well. For writers struggling with the "who is this for?" question, this episode offers permission to think creatively about your audience while still being strategic in your marketing approach. Whether you're in the book proposal stage or knee-deep in promotion, Jennifer's insights will help you think differently about reaching the readers who need your message most.

    14 min

  4. APR 27

    Your Newsletter Isn't a Headline: Why Sounding Like a Person Gets More Opens

    You're sending newsletters faithfully, but it feels like they're disappearing into a black hole. No opens. No responses. Just silence. If you've ever wondered whether anyone actually reads what you write, this episode is for you. Kathi Lipp and Tenneil Register dive into the real reason people aren't opening your emails—and it's probably not what you think. Spoiler alert: it's not about clever tricks or urgency-driven headlines. It's about something much more fundamental. What You'll Discover in This Episode Why newsletters matter more than ever for writers (hint: it's about owning your audience) The truth about why people actually open emails—and it's not the subject line alone How to write subject lines that feel like a thought, not a headline The "text a friend" test that will transform your subject lines Why over-editing can strip your authentic voice right out of your newsletter The generic opening lines that are costing you readers Key Takeaways Your email list is your owned audience. Unlike social media platforms that can change algorithms or shut down accounts, your newsletter subscribers belong to you. Publishers and agents are paying attention to this. People open emails from people they trust. Before worrying about clever subject lines, focus on building genuine relationships with your readers. Do they believe you actually care about them? Your voice isn't just a style choice—it's a signal. When readers open your email, they should hear YOU, not a polished, over-edited version that sounds like a research paper or a performance. The text test works. If your subject line would feel weird to text a friend, it'll feel weird in their inbox too. Keep it personal and genuine. If you're ready to transform your newsletter from something you dread writing into something your readers look forward to receiving, this conversation will give you the foundation you need to get started.

    20 min

  5. APR 20

    AI Won't Write Your Newsletter, But It'll Help You Actually Send It: 3 Friction Points Gone

    Do you find yourself staring at a blank page when it's time to write your newsletter? You know you should be connecting with your readers regularly, but between writing your book, managing social media, and all of life's other responsibilities, the newsletter keeps slipping through the cracks. In this practical episode, Kathi and Roger Lipp dive into three specific ways AI can remove the friction from your newsletter workflow—without sacrificing your authentic voice or creative control. What You'll Discover in This Episode Whether you're sending newsletters weekly or struggling to get one out quarterly, this episode addresses the real barriers that keep writers from connecting with their audience consistently. Finding Your Newsletter Themes Learn how to feed AI your existing content—podcast transcripts, blog posts, speaking notes—and let it identify themes you may have missed. This approach helps you create cohesive newsletters that point readers to your deeper content while saving hours of brainstorming time. Formatting Help That Actually Works If drag-and-drop newsletter builders pull you out of your creative flow, discover how to ask AI to generate HTML that you can drop directly into your email platform. Roger shares specific tips for working with Claude and why it follows formatting instructions better than other AI tools. Copy Editing With Purpose Go beyond grammar and spelling checks. Learn how to use AI to ensure your copy reaches your target audience by providing your reader avatar and asking for specific feedback—while keeping yourself in the driver's seat of your message. Key Takeaways AI should be your assistant, not your replacement—your readers signed up for YOUR voice A paid Claude subscription ($17/month) is worth the investment for newsletter formatting Always test links and verify dates before sending—AI makes assumptions and wants to be "helpful" Ask AI to highlight suggested changes rather than making them automatically An AI-assisted response is better than no response at all when connecting with your audience This episode is perfect for writers who value their newsletter readers but struggle to maintain consistency. Kathi and Roger share the exact workflow they use for both their weekly Clutter Free newsletter and bi-monthly Writing at the Red House newsletter. Want to go deeper? The Writing at the Red House Collective will be teaching these AI newsletter techniques step-by-step next month. Join the community of dedicated writers building AI-assisted content workflows that fit the way they work.

    23 min

  6. APR 13

    When Everything Falls Apart, Keep Taking Notes: A Real Talk About Writing Through Chaos

    Life doesn't pause for our writing schedules. Between long COVID, emergency surgery, a tree crashing through the house, and a week without power, Kathi Lipp and Roger Lipp have navigated one of their most challenging seasons yet—all while keeping the podcast going and even submitting a new book proposal. If you've ever wondered how to maintain your creative momentum when everything feels like it's falling apart, this episode is for you. Kathi Lipp and Roger Lipp pull back the curtain on what it really looks like to be a content creator during crisis and share why these difficult seasons might actually be the key to your most authentic, impactful writing. What You'll Discover in This Episode Why hard seasons make your writing more real and relatable to readers How brainstorming counts as writing—even when you can't sit at your desk Practical ways to capture ideas during chaotic times (notes apps, emails, voice memos) The power of talking it out with a partner, friend, or even AI Why you don't need all the answers to write authentically about struggle How to give yourself permission to write badly—because editing is easier than creating from scratch

    23 min

  7. APR 6

    Stop Slapping Your Book Cover on Instagram: What Actually Works for Author Marketing

    You've probably seen it a hundred times—an author posts their book cover on Instagram with a "Buy my book!" caption, and... crickets. If you've ever wondered why simply showing up with your book cover doesn't translate into sales, this episode is for you. Social media strategist and author Ruthie Gray joins Kathi Lipp to share the real secret to Instagram book marketing: it's not about the launch week—it's about the runway you build long before your book ever hits shelves. What You'll Discover in This Episode Why posting book covers alone never works (and what to do instead) The "breadcrumb" strategy that trains your audience to take action when it matters most How to connect your everyday life to your book's content in authentic ways What to start doing NOW even if your book doesn't release for another year Practical call-to-action ideas that build engagement without feeling salesy How to use Instagram Stories to test content before creating Reels Launch week strategies including Instagram Lives and collaborations The power of hitting pain points and creating content series Why This Matters for Your Writing Journey Whether your book releases next month or in 2027, the time to start building your Instagram presence is now. Ruthie shares from her own experience launching Empty Nest Awakening and preparing for her upcoming devotional, proving that consistency and authenticity trump flashy marketing every time. Key Takeaways Start before you need it: Build your Instagram consistency and engagement long before launch Train your audience: Use simple calls to action so followers are ready for the big ask Live your message: Find the intersection between your daily life and your book's content Test in Stories: Use Stories to discover what resonates before creating polished Reels Collaborate for reach: Instagram Lives and collaborations expand your audience during launch

    20 min

  8. MAR 30

    Write the Book Before You Write the Book: 8 Ways to Test Your Message Before You Type Chapter One

    Have you ever poured your heart into a book idea, only to wonder if anyone will actually want to read it? What if there was a way to know—before you write a single chapter—that your message will resonate with readers? In this episode of the Writing at the Red House podcast, Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory reveal the approach that separates successful authors from those whose books gather dust: writing your book before you write your book. For writers who feel overwhelmed by the prospect of investing months (or years) into a manuscript without knowing if it will connect, this conversation offers a liberating path forward. Instead of hiding your ideas until they're "perfect," Kathi and Cheri share eight practical ways to test, refine, and develop your message while simultaneously building the audience who's waiting for it. What You'll Discover in This Episode Why keeping your book idea "under wraps" until release is one of the biggest mistakes new authors make How podcasting activates different parts of your brain and surfaces ideas that would never emerge through writing alone The power of being a guest on other podcasts to flex your message for different audiences Why social media feedback—even when it takes your idea in unexpected directions—is invaluable for your writing process How to develop a signature framework that gives your ideas memorable shape The freedom that comes from calling your workshop a "pilot" or "beta" program Why you're not responsible for your readers' transformation—just for providing the tools The mindset shift from "what I want to say" to "what they desperately need to know" Key Takeaways for Writers Start serving now. Publishers, agents, and your future readers don't want you waiting for a book deal to share your message. The book becomes a synthesis of what you've already been teaching—not the starting point. Use different platforms to access different parts of your brain. Speaking and writing engage different cognitive processes. What emerges in conversation may never appear when you're sitting alone trying to craft perfect sentences. Fall in love with your people. The process of testing your message transforms you from someone who has something to say into someone who desperately wants to serve. That shift shows up in every word you write. Whether you're just beginning to dream about your first book or you're refining ideas for your next project, this episode offers a roadmap for developing content that truly connects—long before you type "Chapter One."

    27 min
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About

Welcome to The Writing at the Red House Podcast where we gather at the table to break bread and tell tales with some of our favorite writers and speakers. Our heart is to equip and encourage men and women to be the communicators God has created them to be.

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