In this episode of Created to Write, host Michelle Dennis Evans sits down with award-winning Australian author Karen Brough of Heart Hope Publishing. Karen shares her inspiring journey from primary school teacher to faith-based author and children’s book creator after an autoimmune diagnosis changed the course of her life.

She explains why she thrives as a “pantser,” following passion and divine inspiration instead of rigid outlines and how that approach fuels authentic storytelling. Karen also discusses writing for two unique audiences: serving faith-focused readers navigating chronic illness or grief, while reaching secular audiences through heartfelt children’s picture books. She opens up about the devastating moment an editor stripped away her authentic voice, how she recovered, and why every author must become their own voice’s biggest cheerleader. Finally, she offers practical advice for new authors on rejecting one-size-fits-all strategies and building a sustainable, introvert-friendly writing and marketing path that plays to personal strengths.

Whether you’re a faith-based writer, children’s book creator, pantser, or introverted author looking for realistic marketing tips, this conversation offers encouragement, hard-won wisdom, and practical strategies to help you write with purpose and protect the voice that makes your stories uniquely yours.

Karen Brough is an award-winning Australian author and founder of Heart Hope Publishing, creating books that nurture hearts and minds through life’s journeys. She writes children’s picture books and faith-based resources that gently support emotional wellbeing, grief, and everyday life challenges. Karen is also the creator of the Introvert-Friendly Book Marketing course, helping authors share their work with confidence in a way that feels natural and sustainable.

Karen's Books: https://amzn.to/4zPYSE9

https://karenbrough.com/

https://hearthopepublishing.com/

https://introvertbookmarketing.com/