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.
Reading the feed…
Do you have a manuscript written that is ready to be published? Do you want to self-publish your book but have no idea where to begin?In today’s podcast, Kathi and literary agent and self-published fiction author Sherri Wilson Johnson talk about all things self-publishing. From covers to which software programs to use, Sherri answers the questions you have to answer to go from a manuscript to a published book.How to be your own publisher and make money on Amazon.Which software programs work best for the design and layout of your book.How to set a budget and invest a major portion of it in desi
Have you ever wondered how some writers manage to stay in the game for decades while others burn out after one book? If you've been feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure if you can sustain this writing journey, this episode is for you. What You'll Discover in This Episode Kathi Lipp sits down with longtime friend and fellow author Susy Flory to explore the secrets behind building a writing career that lasts. With combined decades of publishing experience, these two Gen X writers get real about the challenges of staying creative, motivated, and connected in an industry that can feel isolatin
You've set the deadline. You've blocked the time. And yet somehow, the finish line keeps moving further away. Sound familiar? If you've ever found yourself in a panic-fueled sprint to finish a writing project—only to crash afterward and wonder if you can ever do it again—this episode is for you. In this conversation, Kathi Lipp sits down with writer, ghostwriter, and writing coach Julie Lyles Carr to unpack why so many writers struggle to meet their deadlines and what sustainable writing really looks like. Julie shares the crucial difference between racing toward a deadline and pacing yourself
You have a book on your hard drive. Maybe it's been there for months. Maybe years. You're passionate about it, you believe in the story, and yet somehow it just won't get finished. Sound familiar? In this episode of Writing at the Red House, Kathi sits down with prolific author and ghostwriter Julie Lyles Carr to unpack why finishing feels so impossibly hard—even when we desperately want to cross that finish line. With nearly 30 ghostwriting titles under her belt alongside her own published works, Julie noticed something fascinating about her own writing habits: the projects with external dead
Do you feel like your writing dreams are always stuck on "someday"? You're not alone. Many writers struggle to move from dreaming about their book to actually making progress—especially when life is full of other responsibilities. In this episode of the Writing at the Red House podcast, Kathi Lipp sits down with Tenneil Register to pull back the curtain on the quarterly planning process used inside the Red House Writers Collective. This isn't about fancy calendars or color-coded spreadsheets. It's about a simple, practical framework that helps writers finally get traction. The Create, Serve, B
Every writer or creative entrepreneur has faced it: that gut-punch moment when the numbers take a nosedive. Whether it's email subscribers disappearing, podcast downloads plummeting, or engagement grinding to a halt, the temptation to panic—or quit altogether—is real. In this episode of the Writing at the Red House podcast, Kathi Lipp and her husband Roger Lipp tackle the uncomfortable topic of what to do when the metrics aren't going your way. Drawing from their own hard-won experiences (including losing two-thirds of their email list overnight and watching podcast numbers crater due to algor
You've been doing the work. Showing up. Posting. Writing. Sending newsletters. And yet... the numbers aren't moving. Maybe they've even dipped. If you've ever wondered whether flat growth means you're failing—or if God is closing a door—this episode is for you. What You'll Learn in This Episode Kathi and Roger Lipp tackle one of the most emotionally loaded topics for Christian writers and creatives: what to do when your metrics aren't growing the way you hoped. With warmth, humor, and practical wisdom, they explore the difference between staying faithful and getting stuck—and why ignoring your
Have you ever felt like your opinions don't matter? Like you should just keep quiet and not rock the boat? If you grew up in certain church or cultural contexts, you may have learned that being a "good woman" meant making yourself smaller. But what if that's not what Jesus modeled at all? In this powerful conversation, Kathi sits down with author and friend Susy Flory to explore what it really takes to move from being a writer to becoming a thought leader. This isn't about having millions of followers or starting political movements—it’s about having the courage to share your unique perspectiv
Have you ever dreamed of seeing yourself on local TV promoting your book or message—but had no idea where to start? You're not alone. Many writers feel overwhelmed by the idea of pitching media, building relationships with producers, and finding that newsworthy angle that gets them booked. In this episode of the Writing at the Red House podcast, Kathi Lipp sits down with Tenneil Register, a writer and entrepreneur who has been appearing on local TV for nearly 20 years. Tenneil shares her practical, relationship-centered approach to building community partnerships that have put her in front of
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
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
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
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 audien
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 EpisodeWhether you're sending newsletters weekly or struggling to get one out qua
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 a
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 EpisodeWhy posting book covers alone never works (and what to do instead)The "breadcrumb" strat
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
Have you ever tried to pitch a book and felt like you were throwing spaghetti at the wall? Or maybe you've described your audience as "everyone who needs hope" and wondered why agents and publishers weren't biting? Here's the truth that might sting a little: if your book is for everyone, it's really for no one. In this episode, Kathi Lipp and Tenneil Register dive deep into the concept of audience clarity—the foundational work that must happen before you ever pitch your book. They share practical questions and exercises that will help you stop spinning and start writing with laser focus. What
Have you ever felt the tension between what you genuinely believe and what Christian publishing seems to expect? You're not alone. In a world where church culture and gospel truth don't always align, finding your authentic voice as a faith-driven writer can feel overwhelming. What You'll Discover in This Episode In this honest conversation, Kathi Lipp and twenty-time author Dr. Susy Flory explore what it really means to let your faith—not your religion or your tribe—inform your writing. Whether you're navigating the shifting landscape of Christian publishing or wrestling with how to stay true
Do you ever sit down to write only to realize you've forgotten that brilliant idea you had in the shower? Or maybe you've captured dozens of notes at conferences that are now buried under layers of paper on your desk, slowly dying from neglect?If you've ever felt like you struggle more with starting than with actual writing, this episode is for you.Kathi Lipp and Roger Lipp dive into the unsexy but life-changing truth about writing productivity: boring systems are what actually get the work done. Not inspiration. Not waiting for the perfect moment. Just simple, repeatable systems that remove t
Ever find yourself scrolling through 11,000 photos on your phone, desperately searching for that one picture that actually looks like you? You're not alone. For authors and creators trying to build a consistent presence online, the photo hunt can feel like a second job.In this episode, Kathi Lipp sits down with branding expert Tenneil Register to introduce a game-changing concept: the branding bank. This isn't about hiring expensive photographers or chasing the latest Instagram aesthetic—it's about building an organized, authentic collection of visual assets that make showing up online faster
Do you ever stare at a blank screen, knowing you have something to say but feeling paralyzed by the pressure to be brilliant? What if you could create meaningful, compelling content in just five minutes—without spiraling into overthinking?In this episode of the Writing at the Red House podcast, Kathi Lipp and storytelling expert Tenneil Register unpack a simple four-part framework that will transform how you approach micro content. Whether you're crafting Instagram reels, blog introductions, newsletter copy, or social media posts, this formula gives you the container you need to share your mes
Do you find yourself overthinking every social media post, waiting for the perfect story, or saving your best moments for "someday"? You're not alone. Many writers and creators feel paralyzed when it comes to content creation, believing everything needs to be big and polished to matter. In this episode, Kathi Lipp and Tenneil Register introduce a game-changing framework called Micro Message Mapping—a simple four-word system that's already helping writers transform their social media engagement. One collective member went from 5 views to 200 on a single reel, and Tenneil Register herself saw 20
Have you ever found yourself in the middle of writing a book, feeling like you should be further along? Like everyone else writes faster, thinks clearer, and somehow has it all figured out? You're not alone—and you're probably measuring the wrong things. In this episode, Kathi Lipp and Roger Lipp introduce a powerful framework from Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy's book The Gap and the Gain and explore how it applies specifically to the writing journey. If you've ever felt stuck in the "messy middle" of your book, this conversation will help you understand why—and give you a new way to mea
Have you ever wondered what it really takes to go from self-published author to landing a traditional publishing contract? If you've been dreaming of seeing your book on shelves with a traditional publisher's backing, this episode pulls back the curtain on exactly what that journey looks like.What You'll Discover in This EpisodeSue Donaldson joins the podcast to share the real, unfiltered story of how she went from four self-published books to signing her first traditional publishing deal for her book Never Alone. Whether you're just starting your writing journey or you've been self-publishing
