Today on the show, I talk with Caroline Shankle, author, speaker, and somehow also a graduate student at Texas A&M University. Her first book, The Lion and the Bear: A 100-Day Guide for Facing Your Giants, released last October and has stayed on the ECPA bestseller list basically ever since.

This episode is for anyone who struggles to balance writing with other responsibilities, who's still uneasy about promoting themselves and their work on social media, and, most of all, anyone who finds joy in writing and knows it's part of what God created them to do.

I know you'll love this episode and getting to know Caroline, if you don't already. She's kind, funny, and fully embraces how God has uniquely gifted and created her, a reminder we can all use.

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. Be the first to know when the book is ready for pre-order by subsribing to my newsletter.

Links:

Caroline’s book: The Lion and the Bear

Caroline’s Instagram

Caroline’s website

Lydia's Instagram

The Writer's Desk Instagram

On today’s episode, Tindell Baldwin joins The Writer’s Desk! I’m excited to introduce today’s guest, Tindell Baldwin. Tindell is an author, podcaster, wife, and mom of four living in Atlanta, GA. She is the author of Popular, a memoir detailing Tindell’s journey from pursuing popularity through partying and risky behavior to ultimately finding redemption and purpose through her Christian faith. Tindell’s passion for writing is two-fold: it’s how she best connects with God and a way she believes God has gifted her to serve others. I read Tindell’s book when I was in high school and was truly so honored to talk with her. Not only will you learn more about Tindell’s unexpected journey to a traditional book deal in her early 20s, but more than that, you’ll leave feeling inspired by Tindell’s infectious love of writing.

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:

Tindell’s book

Tindell's parenting podcast

Tindell’s Substack

Tindell’s Instagram

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