The Writer’s Desk

Lydia Johnson
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Books

A behind-the-scenes look at the creative process of writing. Each week, Lydia shares an update on writing and self-publishing her Christian nonfiction book, from outline to publication. Lydia’s book recounts her 20s, exploring career changes, evolving relationships, and faith. Along the way, Lydia interviews Christian writers and authors about their own creative processes and the stories behind the work they bring into the world. If you love writing, storytelling, and honest conversations about faith and creativity, this podcast invites you inside the process.

  1. Jun 15

    Making Work You're Proud of, No Matter the Response with Chelsey DeMatteis

    On today’s episode, Chelsey DeMatteis joins The Writer’s Desk! Chelsey is an author, speaker, wife, and mom living in central Ohio. She’s written for a variety of publications, including Lifeway’s Journey Magazine, iBelieve, and Christianity.com. Chelsey published her first book, More of Him, Less of Me, through a small publisher in 2021. Then, she self-published an Advent devotional in 2024. Her forthcoming book, Mercy in the Margin, published with B&H, releases in August. During this conversation, Chelsey makes a strong case for why self-publishing is no longer inferior to traditional publishing, why social media matters less than you think it does, and why you should be proud of your work regardless of the response you do or don’t receive. As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. You can read more about it on my Substack. For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram! Links: Chelsey’s website Preorder Chelsey’s forthcoming devotional: Mercy in the Margin Chelsey’s Instagram

    54 min

  2. Jun 1

    Don't Wait for Permission to Write with Katy Boatman

    Today, I’m welcoming Katy Boatman to The Writer’s Desk! Katy is an author, speaker, and mentor. She is the author of two devotionals, You Can Rest, a devotional for preteen girls, and You Can Trust, a devotional for preteen boys. In addition to her personal writing pursuits, she works alongside author and podcaster Annie F. Downs, helping create resources that connect people to fun, purpose, and Jesus. During our conversation, Katy shared how a 10-day devotional originally written for her niece as a 10th birthday present went from a personal gift to a traditionally published 100-day devotional, practical tips for how she managed writing a book while working a full-time job, and her best advice for writers who are interested in traditional publishing but don’t necessarily have the platform to catch the eye of literary agents and publishers. I had such a fun time talking with and learning from Katy, and I’m so excited for you to learn from her as well. As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. You can read more about it on my Substack. For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram! Links: Katy’s website Katy’s Instagram Katy’s devotional for preteen girls: You Can Rest Katy’s devotional for preteen boys: You Can Trust

    39 min

  3. May 18

    You Aren't Just One Thing with Caroline Lunne

    On today’s episode, Caroline Lunne joins The Writer’s Desk! Caroline is a content creator, founder of Migrate Marketing, a boutique marketing agency based in Charleston, South Carolina, and author of Noticing, a weekly newsletter on Substack. For years, Caroline felt like the creative world was passing her by, but now she treats the Internet like an art form and inspires others to do the same. In our conversation, we discussed Caroline’s writing journey, why she loves Substack, her best tip for writers just getting started, and, in a gracious gesture, she even pulled back the curtain on how she landed a literary agent. I’m so grateful for Caroline’s openness and willingness to share her wisdom and knowledge about writing, marketing, and pathways to traditional publishing. As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. You can read more about it on my Substack. For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram! Links: Caroline’s website Caroline’s Substack Caroline’s Instagram

    39 min

  4. May 4

    Building a Writing Community with Mary Spencer Veazey

    Today, I’m welcoming Mary Spencer Veazey to The Writer’s Desk! Mary Spencer is an author and speaker who published her first book, Cul-de-sac Crossroads in 2024. Her book serves as a guide for how young adults in their twenties can navigate life’s twists and turns with courageous clarity. Mary Spencer continues to write on topics relevant to young adults on her Substack. If you’re interested in learning more about writing and publishing a book, how writers can use Substack to build a platform, and how to seek out community with other writers and authors, then this is an episode you don’t want to miss. For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram! The Writer’s Desk episode #1: Deciding to Write a Book and How an Outline Can Help Mary Spencer Veazey’s website Mary Spencer Veazey’s book Mary Spencer Veazey’s Instagram Mary Spencer Veazey’s Substack

    49 min

  5. Apr 20

    What You Can Learn from 10 Years of Online Writing and Self-Publishing with Courtney Hope Jones

    Today, I’m welcoming Courtney Hope Jones to The Writer’s Desk! Courtney is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, and podcast host. In 2018, Courtney released It Is Written, a devotional that teaches you how to use Scripture to speak truth over lies. Since then, she started Little Creative Company, which provides website design and SEO for creatives and service providers. She’s also the host of the newly relaunched podcast Vessels, which shares conversations that equip multi-passionate Christian women in their calling. Courtney is truly a rockstar in all areas, and I’m so excited to share our conversation. If you’re interested in writing and publishing a book (whether through self-publishing or traditional publishing) and learning more about best practices for building a platform, this is the episode for you. As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. You can read more about it on my Substack. For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram! Links: Courtney’s website, Instagram, and book Courtney’s podcast (Apple, Spotify) Courtney’s web design and SEO company’s website Courtney’s self-publishing course Courtney’s self-publishing podcast series (traditional vs. self-publishing, is self-publishing worth it?, 5 things I wish I knew before self-publishing)

    54 min

  6. Apr 13

    Permission to Pursue Multiple Creative Projects with Addison Ott

    Today, I’m welcoming Addison (Addie) Ott to The Writer’s Desk! Addie is an author, podcaster, and entrepreneur living in Indiana. She is the founder of gentle & lowly co., a clothing brand that helps you carry the gentle love of Jesus. Her first book, Fellowship Over Followers, was published in 2024, and Addie is currently working on her second, which we will discuss in today’s episode. Addie balances all of these creative pursuits along with her day job as a graphic designer. This conversation is perfect for anyone interested in writing, self-publishing, and balancing pursuing multiple creative projects at the same time. As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. You can read more about it on my Substack. For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram! Links: Addie’s Instagram Addie’s website gentle & lowly co. website gentle & lowly co. Instagram gentle & lowly co. podcast She Speaks Conference

    51 min

  7. Apr 6

    How Your Writing Can Encourage Others with Sarah Spradlin

    Today on the show, I chat with Sarah Spradlin. Sarah is a poet and farmer raised in Georgia, now living in Central America, where she's worked in cross-cultural ministry since 2020, which pretty much boils down to planting things, talking to people, and writing poetry on long bus rides. Her poetry has been published on Story Embers and Kingdom Pen (just to name a few). In this conversation, we discuss the role encouragement played in helping Sarah overcome her hesitancy to call herself a poet, the unfortunate reality that self-doubt never really goes away in the creative process, and why it’s important not only to share our stories but also to invite feedback from others. As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. You can read more about it on my Substack. For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram! Links: Sarah’s Instagram The Rabbit Room website Mary Marantz (website, Instagram, podcast) Mary Marantz’s episode on Alli Worthington’s podcast (You’re Not Starting Over, You’re Starting From Wisdom: The Truth About Pivots and Purpose)

    58 min

  8. Mar 30

    There's Room for Your Book, Too with Katherine Hall

    Today on the show, I chat with Katherine Hall, author, speaker, and creator of Everyday Scripture, a free Bible study resource. Katherine is passionate about making Scripture engaging and easier to understand. In this wide-ranging conversation on writing, publishing, theology, and faith, Katherine not only shares the backstory of Everyday Scripture and what’s next, but also a verse that makes clear there is so much more to be said and written about Jesus. As always, I also share an update on my own writing journey. I’m currently writing a Christian nonfiction book geared toward women in their 20s. You can read more about it on my Substack. For episode visual guides and other resources, follow The Writer’s Desk on Instagram! Links: Everyday Scripture (website, Instagram, Bible app reading plans) Katherine’s website She Speaks Conference The Bible, Simplified by Zach Windahl

    45 min
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out of 5
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About

A behind-the-scenes look at the creative process of writing. Each week, Lydia shares an update on writing and self-publishing her Christian nonfiction book, from outline to publication. Lydia’s book recounts her 20s, exploring career changes, evolving relationships, and faith. Along the way, Lydia interviews Christian writers and authors about their own creative processes and the stories behind the work they bring into the world. If you love writing, storytelling, and honest conversations about faith and creativity, this podcast invites you inside the process.

Information

  • Creator
    Lydia Johnson
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Lydia Johnson
  • Show Website
    The Writer’s Desk

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