The Writers Bloc Podcast

Is Cozy Fantasy the Genre We’ve Been Missing? A Conversation with Deborah Pettit

What exactly is cozy fantasy, and why is it suddenly everywhere?

In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, Cara sits down with children’s fantasy author Deborah Pettit (author of The Heroes of Tuduma Forest series) to explore the rise of cozy fantasy, what sets it apart from epic fantasy, and why this genre may be filling a deeper cultural and spir...

If you’re a writer who’d rather hide behind your laptop than step on a stage… this interview is for you. 🙌 Join me for this fun and informative conversation with Robyn Dykstra—a national Christian speaker and bestselling author. We talk about one of the most overlooked (and most powerful) ways writers can grow their platform: ✨ Turning your book message into a signature talk. In this interview, we talk about: 📌 Why writers ca...

Why do ministry creatives — writers, teachers, and leaders — need intentional retreat time? In this conversation, Cara welcomes Bible teacher, pastor, author, and podcaster Angie Baughman back to The Writers’ Bloc to talk about the spiritual and practical value of creative retreats. Together they explore how getting away — even briefly — can bring clarity, peace, deeper listening to God, and more sustainable creative output. An...

Ghostwriting can sound mysterious—but Kent Sanders pulls back the curtain and shows how practical (and relational) it really is. In this conversation, Kent shares how he went from teaching ministry and theology at a small Christian college to building a full-time writing business, why ghostwriting is often misunderstood, and what it takes to become the kind of steady, professional presence high-level clients trust with their “book ...

Is your idea strong enough to become a book? If you've ever wrestled with that question, you're in good company. In today’s episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, I sit down with writing coach and author Ann Kroeker to talk about how to know whether your idea has the depth, clarity, and longevity needed for a full manuscript. Together, we explore: ✨ How to test and validate your book idea long before you write the full draft ✨ ...

Writing online can feel like shouting into the void or slipping into self-promotion. In this conversation with Grant Herbel of The Writer’s Calling on Substack, we explore a different way: seeing writing as worship, serving readers rather than chasing numbers, and using Substack’s features to build a real, engaged community. If you’ve wondered whether Substack is worth your time, how to grow there without “platform panic,” or how ...

What if the most fruitful writing life isn’t about going bigger—but going smaller? In this conversation, author Kristen Couch (Deep Roots, Good Fruit) shares how “thinking small” has shaped her craft: trading platform chasing for prayerful presence, social scrolling for noticing, and grand gestures for steady obedience. Kristen opens up about her process and her weekly workflow. She shares editorial tips, such as the power of rea...

How do you write honestly about pain, without despair, and with real gospel hope? In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, Vaneetha Rendall Risner shares her journey from childhood polio and profound loss to a ministry of writing that comforts the suffering. We talk about lament, journaling, discernment about what (and when) to share, and how God often calls “reluctant writers” to faithful words. Key takeaways for writers La...

In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, Cara Ray sits down with Lori Ann Wood, author of Divine Detour: The Path You’d Never Choose Can Lead to the Faith You’ve Always Wanted. Lori Ann shares how an unexpected heart failure diagnosis became the catalyst for her writing journey, leading her to process suffering through journaling and eventually publish a traditionally published, award-winning book. She opens up about walking...

Welcome to The Writers’ Bloc Podcast! In this episode, Cara sits down with Mary DeMuth—a powerhouse in the Christian publishing world. Mary is a literary agent, a daily podcaster of Pray Every Day, a Scripture artist, a speaker, and the author of over 50 books. 🎙️ In this conversation, we talk about: What makes a strong agent–author relationship How to build a meaningful platform that truly connects with readers

Common publis...

Writing isn’t just about fighting distractions—it’s about facing the mindsets that keep us stuck. In this episode of the Writer’s Bloc Podcast, Cara Ray and Amy Simon (host of The Purposeful Pin Podcast and writer of the Pen Points newsletter) talk about building a sustainable writing routine rooted in discipline, grace, and truth. We dig into: Why writing is a spiritual discipline How to spot (and replace) unhealthy mindsets...

Can you really pray for your writing? In this episode of The Writer’s Bloc Podcast, I sit down with author Jenn Soehnlin to talk about the power of prayer in the writing life. Jen shares her journey from resisting God’s call to write to discovering how praying Scripture transformed not just her motherhood and faith but also her words on the page. We explore: How prayer shapes and sustains the writing process The surprising le...

What does it mean to adorn Christ’s work with our words? In this heartfelt episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, I’m joined once again by my dear friend Cara Blondo. Together, we explore the biblical call to adorn the gospel—not through outward beauty, but through the hidden beauty of the heart and the good works that flow from it. We talk about: 💡 The meaning of the word adorn in Scripture and its connection to our writing liv...

Resources Mentioned In This Episode Join the Write Your Book Proposal in 6-Week Challenge here: https://writers-bloc.mn.co/plans/1878... Whether you dream of landing a traditional publishing deal or simply want to clarify the vision for your next book, a strong book proposal is your non-negotiable first step. Join us for this Gathering where we sit down with writer and editor Lara D’entremont to demystify the proposal process—what...

A one-sheet can open the door to publishing opportunities—but only if it’s done right. In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, Cara Ray interviews Rose Jordan about how to distill your book proposal into a clear, captivating one-page pitch. Rose shares: -What a one sheet is (and what it isn’t) -The essential elements every author should include -How to design for clarity and impact -Tips for tailoring your one sheet to ...

In this episode of the Writers' Bloc Podcast, we chat with our friend Mariel Davenport to hear her story of coming to faith in Jesus and how the Lord led her from atheism to becoming a Bible study teacher and writer. Mariel shares how the Lord "tended" her heart through the Word and has been faithfully teaching and guiding her ever since. As writers, who struggle with comparison, you'll appreciate this honest conversation about f...

Have you ever wondered if God could use your pain to point others to His promises? This episode is for every woman who has walked through a hard season and felt a nudge to turn her testimony into a Bible study that brings hope and healing. Cara sits down with ministry leader and Bible study author Teresa Whiting, who shares her powerful journey from brokenness to boldness—and how the Lord led her to write studies rooted in Script...

For over two decades, Tim Challies has been a consistent voice in the Christian blogging world, encouraging believers with clarity, conviction, and biblical truth. As a pastor, author, and one of the internet’s most prolific Christian writers, Tim has modeled what it means to steward the written word with faithfulness and purpose. In this special interview, we talked with Tim about his long-standing commitment to the craft of wri...

In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc, we sit down with Ashe of America, a journalist and conservative pundit known for her sharp insights and fearless commentary. As a writer for Badlands Media, Ashe analyzes the day's news stories, breaking down current events with a critical eye and a deep understanding of cultural and political trends. We’ll explore her journey into journalism, her approach to news analysis in an era of media ...