Jenifer Carll-Tong

November is almost here, and it’s time to get your writing plans in place! But before you set an ambitious word-count goal, make sure you have a plan that works for your actual life.

In this episode of the Christian Indie Writers’ Podcast, we’re talking about how to prepare for a successful November writing challenge without overwhelming yourself or setting yourself up for discouragement.

We’ll cover three important steps to help you make the most of your writing month:

Set Realistic Writing Goals: Learn how to choose achievable goals, create a consistent writing schedule, and define what success looks like for you.

Create a Writing Survival Plan: Identify your ideal writing time, establish a backup plan, prepare for common obstacles, and figure out how to get back on track when you miss a day.

Give Yourself Permission to Be Imperfect: Let go of unrealistic expectations, stop comparing your progress to others, and learn to celebrate progress instead of chasing perfection.

Whether you’re participating in our 30 Days of Writing Sprints or simply hoping to make more progress on your writing projects this November, this episode will help you head into the month prepared, encouraged, and ready to write!

Remember: You don’t have to have a perfect writing month to have a successful one. Set your goals, make your plan, give yourself grace, and keep going!

In this episode of the Christian Indie Writers’ Podcast, we’re talking about how to breathe new life into older books, reach new readers, and generate more sales from the stories you’ve already published. Instead of constantly focusing on your next release, learn how to make your entire book catalog work for you!

What does it really mean to be an indie author? Are you simply writing books, or are you also running a publishing business? In this episode, we’re talking about the different hats indie authors wear, from writer to publisher to entrepreneur, and whether you really need to wear all of them to build a successful writing career. 

What are successful indie authors doing differently in 2026? The publishing landscape is changing fast. Algorithms shift, AI is changing how readers discover books, advertising is becoming more complicated, and authors have more publishing options than ever. But the authors who are growing aren’t necessarily waiting for everything to settle down. They’re focusing on what they can control, building stronger relationships with readers, and finding new ways to get more mileage from the books they’ve already written. In this episode of the Christian Indie Writers Podcast, we’re looking at what the latest 2026 indie author data reveals about authors who are building momentum.

Written Word Media surveyed 582 authors, and its “growing authors” group was defined by current growth, positive business sentiment, and expected income growth. (Written Word Media) https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/2026-mid-year-indie-author-survey/amp/

What happens when an AI-generated book appears under your author name and readers think you wrote it?

In this episode, we explore the growing problem of AI-generated books, author impersonation, intellectual property, and protecting your author brand. We’ll also discuss what happens when readers can’t tell what’s authentic and why human authorship may become more valuable as generative AI changes publishing.

Sometimes the moments readers remember most aren’t the biggest plot twists — they’re the little details. A favorite mug. The smell of rain. A nervous habit. A line of dialogue that suddenly feels personal.

In this episode, we discuss how small, meaningful details make fiction unforgettable. We explore why readers connect so deeply to specific moments, how details reveal character and emotion, and practical ways writers can make their stories linger in readers’ minds long after “The End.”

This isn’t another “scene structure” episode. It’s about recognizing that every scene should be indispensable. Readers don’t feel a story dragging because it’s long—they feel it dragging because scenes aren’t earning their place.

Ever feel like your novel starts strong… but somewhere along the way, it just loses steam? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Christian Indie Writers Podcast, we’re breaking down the five places every novel loses momentum—and, more importantly, how to fix them.

From the dreaded sagging middle to slow openings, wandering first acts, and endings that overstay their welcome, we’ll show you how to identify the most common pacing problems and keep readers turning pages until the very end.

Whether you’re outlining your first novel, revising your latest manuscript, or trying to figure out why beta readers are putting your book down, this episode is packed with practical, actionable advice you can apply immediately.

You only get one chance to make a first impression, and your first chapter is making promises to readers whether you realize it or not.

In this episode of the Christian Indie Writers Podcast, we’re unpacking what separates a page-turning opening from one readers quietly abandon. From creating an emotional connection to building intrigue and setting expectations for the journey ahead, we’ll explore the subtle techniques that make readers say, “Just one more chapter.”

Whether you’re drafting a new novel or revising an old one, this discussion will help you take a fresh look at the opening pages of your manuscript. Plus, we’ll leave you with a writing sprint challenge.

Many writers spend years polishing a manuscript, waiting for the “right” time to publish. But what if the pursuit of perfection is actually slowing your growth? Today we’re talking about why getting your work out into the world sooner rather than later can build momentum, accelerate learning, and help you reach your writing goals faster.