Pencils&Lipstick podcast
Episodes
Ep 308:Not Where You Thought You’d Be? Listen to this
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I'm talking about how unpredictable this whole indie author journey is, how you can put in a ton of effort and still not get the resul...
Ep 307 Craft & Connect 3: Ideal Readers
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Figuring out your ideal reader is key to running your book business. It's key to marketing! Today Becky and I discuss Ideal Readers, how to figure out...
Ep 306 Reader Magnets: More Than a Delete Scene
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about Reader Magnets. Because they're on my mind as I try to come up with some for my next novel, Next, Love. Everyone always says to slap ...
Ep 305 Good Books are for Any Age with Molly Arbuthnott
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week I'm talking with Molly Arbuthnott about writing picture books, working with illustrators and creative ways to get our books in front of the ...
Ep 304 Choosing the Right Cover with Matt Stone
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Today I am talking with Matt Stone from 100covers.com. We chat about how to find the right cover, how an author should approach cover art, how to work...
Ep 303 Why You Need an Author Website with Maite Dalila
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Maite Dalila is a Squarespace website designer who works exclusively with authors. She has built 20+ author websites for debut novelists, querying wri...
Ep 302 Craft & Connect Marketing: Core Values & Newsletters
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week Becky and I talk about the Core Marketing Values, why they're important and how to choose them. I'm the guinea pig this week. Let's see how ...
Ep 301 Voice Over Perfection with Jessica Snyder
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jessica Snyder started out editing for the traditional romance publishers. She had since moved into independent editing and has created the HEA club w...
Ep 300 Talking Sustainable, Long-term Writing Habits with Nidhi Kona
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Nidhi Kona is a versatile professional who wears many hats and offers a refreshing perspective on topics that matter the most. As a molecular biologis...
Ep 299 Characters with Conviction with guest Jake Lynch
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Pencils and Lipstick, I sat down with Jake Lynch to talk about his unexpected journey into writing Christian fiction. He share...
Ep 298 Craft and Connect: Your Marketing Pillars
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the first episode of Craft and Connect, the marketing show on Pencils&Lipstick with Becky Grogan and Kat Caldwell! Today we are talking...
Ep 297 The Case For Crime Fiction with Melanie Anagnos
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Today I'm speaking with Melanie Anagnos about being a police procedural author. Melanie received an MFA from Sarah Lawrence, and although she started ...
Ep 296 Welcome to the Book Marketing Hour
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Pencils&Lipstick Book Marketing Hour! We will be here every month...and we will be working on that title...Every third Monday of ev...
Ep 295 How to Start Writing A Story
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Here are the links for the books, websites and classes I mention in the episode.LiveWriteThrive.com has a LOT of great courses on writing.Reedsy.com/l...
Ep 294 Five Tips for Self-Editing Your Manuscript
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Once you type The End on your manuscript, the real work begins: editing. But editing is not just re-reading and tweaking a few words here and there. E...
Ep 293 The Courage to Be Authentic with Antonio Michael Downing
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
I'm super excited for you to listen to this interview (chat, really) that I had with Antonio Michael Downing. It isn't everyday that I get to have suc...
Ep 292 An Intentional Writing Life
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Is it possible to set goals as a writer? As a creative? When there are so many different variables that go into creating a story? In this episode I go...
Ep 291 Writing Books in a Social Media World with Viktoria Nikola
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Merry Christmas! Thank you for listening to Pencils&Lipstick this year! It's been an amazing one. And to finish it with a bang, I'm chatting with ...
Ep 290 If You've Hit the Muddy Middle... Do THIS
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week let's talk about the Muddy Middle. That moment when you hit about 40-45,000 words and then you lose ALL MOMENTUM. I have a solution for you....
Ep 289 Big 5 Personality Traits and Your MC
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I talk about the Big 5 Personalities and how we can use them to create depth in our characters.Grab the pdf here: https://katcaldwell.com/bi...
Ep 288 Six Things Your Scenes NEED
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let's get into the micro of scenes and learn about the essentials you can look at when deciding which scenes stay in your book.Grab the cheatsheet her...
Ep 287 Character Arc Scenes vs Plot Scenes
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week and next week we are going to review scenes. Today we'll be looking at the macro of scenes. What scenes are needed in genre fiction as well ...
Ep 286 Remember the Reader
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today is a writing tip day. I'll be doing more of these, which will be a bit shorter than the interview episodes. Let me know what topics you want to ...
Ep 285 In Person Book Events with Nancy Christie
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I have Nancy Christie back on the show to talk with us about selling our books in person. Nancy has had several dozen in person book events working wi...
Ep 284 The Marketing Book Coach with Becky Grogan
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today I'm speaking with Becky Grogan who is a marketing guru and a certified book coach who specializes in romance fiction. She has some great marketi...
Ep 283 Zombies and Anniversary Editions with Alex Apostol
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
An Amazon Bestselling Author, Alex Apostol first started independently publishing her books in 2012. Her first series, Chronicles of a Supernatural Hu...
Ep 282 A Twist on Jane Austen with Joan Bischoff DeWitt
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Christy and Carol Award–winning author Joanne Bischof DeWitt writes romantic fiction that tugs at the reader's heartstrings. Her historical romance ...
Ep 281 Writing Fantasy with Realism with guest Hope Cole
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I'm talking with Hope Cole about her book Daughter of the Void (https://amzn.to/4o8Hrbu) Find out more about Hope Cole here: https://www.hr...
Ep 281 Writing Fantasy with Realism with guest Hope Cole
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I'm talking with Hope Cole about her book Daughter of the Void (https://amzn.to/4o8Hrbu) Find out more about Hope Cole here: https://www.hrc...
Ep 280 Memoir and Book Marketing with guest Kevin Hall
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today I talk with Kevin Hall about all the things he had learned in marketing his books. He has put all of his ideas, what works and what doesn't, int...
Ep 279 Keeping it Real in Fantasy with RL Baxter
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today I have a wonderful conversation with author RL Baxter. We talk about writing fantasy, writing for YA and adults, finding your path as an indie a...
Ep 278 Plottr and Story Designing with Cameron Sutter
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are talking to Plottr creator Cameron Sutter. Plottr has loads of templates that make crafting a satisfying ending for any gen...
Ep 277 Writing Her Parents' Story with Nancy Hastings
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former journalist Nancy Hastings, the daughter of missionary parents, is the author of “Mission Possible.” Nancy’s 30 plus years of experience a...
Ep 276 It's a Numbers Game
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back, everyone! It's the seventh season of Pencils&Lipstick! I want to take a moment to reflect on the summer, encourage you to keep writi...
Ep 275 Stronger Through Writing with Stacy Smith Rogers
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Author and Stronger Girl Coffee founder Stacy Smith Rogers discovered the power of community in a unique story of entrepreneurship, grief and encourag...
Ep 274 Stories Are Everywhere with Joan Schoettler
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Joan Schoettler has surrounded herself with children’s literature, sharing it with her sons when they were young, inviting children she taught ...
Ep 273 Born From A Writing Dare with Hannah Jordan
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hannah grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia but wound up in South Jersey after falling in love with her complete opposite. She's got all th...
Ep 272 13 Ideas to Keep Writing This Summer
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Get signed up for the Book Sales School Summit here: https://katcaldwell.com/booksalessummit2025If you're a fiction teacher or coach you might be inte...
271 Page Turner Awards Writing Contest with Paula Sheridan
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Page Turner Awards is an inclusive writing and book awards with one goal – to change the lives of as many writers as possible. The team at Page Turn...
BONUS: Across the English Channel Teaser
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Want to read the book? Head here to buy from me: https://katcaldwell.com/books Head here for Amazon: https://katcaldwell.com/english-channel Want o ma...
Ep 270 Fiction from the Ruins with Esther Goldenberg
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Esther thought of herself as a reluctant reader until she read John Irving’s, The World According to Garp in her teens. From that day on, she d...
Ep 269 Revolutionizing Audiobooks with guests Phil and Andrew from Spoken
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I'm so excited to bring an interview with Spoken to you! They are truly changing the audiobook industry and I want you to be part of it! I'v...
Ep 268 The Editor-Author Partnership with Melissa Burnham
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today I'm talking with Melissa Burnham from Embers Igniting. Melissa is a writer herself and sees editing as a partnership, walking beside writers thr...
Ep 267 Stories with Sass & Soul with Nancy Christie
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I am talking with author Nancy Christie. She got her start in journalism and has written nonfiction, short stories and novels. Nancy's ficti...
Ep 266 Selling Books, Keeping Profits with Greg Keogh from Curios
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today I'm talking with Greg Keogh from Curios. Curios is a self publishing platform for digital content that puts the creator and their audience first...
Ep 265 Behind the Book Launch with Joel Pitney
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Launch My Book, Inc. was founded in 2013 by Joel Pitney. A writer by training with a background in digital marketing, he helped launch his first book ...
Ep 264 Hooked in 150 Words with Jessie Cunniffe
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are talking all about blurbs! After this episode I'm betting you'll feel more confident in your abilities to understand them, as well as writ...
Ep 263 Links & Literary Bits
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Want to be an ARC reader for my historical romance? Click and share the link: https://katcaldwell.com/ARC-historical-romanceCheck out curios.com, Chec...
Ep 262 This Will Make You Love Editing with Rebecca Pickens
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rebecca Pickens is a certified book coach, editor, and host of Self-Editing Essentials, a group coaching program for writers with finished or almost f...
EP 261 Plot Twists & Growing Pains with Lynn Bohart
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lynn Bohart is a mystery writer that probably has the BEST author newsletter for crime and mystery writers that exists, but she has switched to YA. Wh...
Ep 260 Emails and Email Marketing for Authors
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We are talking about email, newsletters and email marketing today. And we're starting with the basics. My course with more details is here:https://wri...
Ep 259 Ten Key Scenes for a Novel
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let's review the key scenes that each novel needs and how to get started on writing a novel. Like Substack? Find me at Lessons In Story. https://lesso...
Ep 258 Give Grace for the Messy Draft with C.C. Tyler
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today I'm chatting with C.C. Tyler about the misconceptions of an "almost perfect" draft, another way to look at getting feedback and her unique appro...
Ep 257 Brain Fog and Habits with guest Roland Denzel
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Roland Denzel is bringing his health and habits coaching expertise to his writing and his teaching us how we can too! we chat about the Pomodoro effec...
EP 256 Editing Tips for Authors with Stacy Juba
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Editing is an essential process to writing a book. Contrary to what a lot of authors think, there might be several rounds of edits before a book hits ...
Ep 255 The Premise Promises Help with Janice Hardy
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes we buck so much against the system (in publishing and writing) that we can end up throwing everything out, the bad and the good. Today Janic...
Ep 254 Dragons, Luck Gods, and Kickstarters with J. Gabriel Gates
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today I want to encourage you to embrace the interruptions in your life. And to make an interruption if you don't have one coming! I explain a little ...
Ep 253 Author of Both Worlds: Traditional and Indie with MT Solomon
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My guest today, MT Solomon, talks about her latest book, Liar Queen, and what it's like to be both traditionally and indie published at the same time....
Ep 252 What's Blocking Your Novel
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is your goal for 2025 to finish your book? Are you having a hard time finding "the story", the climax or the ending? Today's episode is going to help ...
ep 251 A New Year My Way
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Happy New Year! Time to get those resolutions going, but perhaps we should do them differently this year? After years of feeling like I should do what...
Ep 250 The Concept of Show, Don't Tell
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's the end of 2024! We're talking a few things on the show today. First, if you can't write these next few weeks and why that's okay. And then we're...
EP 249 10 Tips to FinishYour Novel
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about how to get those words written down. To get that manuscript DONE! Because in the end, an editor can only edit what is written, right?...
EP 248 First Steps to Marketing Your Book
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Need a Christmas book? Check out Jaime P Bradley’s book: WAIT. Get it here: https://jaimepbradley.comAuthor Newsletter workshop discount code: PENCI...
Ep 247 Structuring Your Novel in 3s with guest Seralynn Lewis
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We are talking a new way to plan and organize your novel and all that goes into writing a novel today with Seralynn Lewis. Seralynn is a Christian con...
Ep 246 Escalating the Tension in Your Story
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Escalation in tension is important for your novel. The lack of tension by the middle is why many people put a book down and never pick it up again. It...
Ep 245 Publishing in Kid Lit with Sara Gentry
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sara Gentry is a Math Ph.D. turned Author Accelerator certified book coach for fiction, memoir, and nonfiction book writers. She uses her analytical a...
Ep 244 Memoir Writing with guest Deborah Lucas
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As a Certified Author Accelerator Book Coach, Deborah can pass on what she has learned, to help you with your writing, whether you are:...
243 What's Under Your Bed? with guest Rebecca Dolence
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I'm talking with Rebecca A. Dolence about writing scary stories for kids. Because it's almost Halloween! Come join the fun.Rebecca A. Dolenc...
242 When Your Writing Gets Rejected with guest Rhonda Douglas
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rejection comes with writing, unfortunately. This week I talked with Rhonda Douglas about rejection. We swapped stories in which we have experienced i...
Ep 241 Restructuring Resistance for Writers with Monica Hay
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I talk with Monica Hay today about something she helps writers with everyday: procrastination and perfectionism. Do you struggle with either of those?...
Ep 240 Creative Energy and Book Writing with Ben Hawken
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
My interview today is with debut novelist, Ben Hawken. We chat about creative energy, a life of finding creative outlets and, ultimately, how he took ...
Ep 239 Three Tips on Writing Backstory
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Should we write backstory? Should we not? How much backstory should we include? Where and how should we include it?We tackle these questions today wit...
Ep 238 Can Dictation Help Your Writing? with Guest Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer is an indie author who writes historical fiction that features authentic American Indian characters. Sign up for her newsletter...
EP 237 A Perfect Beginning to Your Novel
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The other day, I heard Mark Hurwitz say that "the beginning of the book (exposition is the literary term) is a bit like a social contract between the ...
Ep 236 Accepting the Superpower of ADHD with Paulette Perhach
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Paulette Perhach’s writing has been published in the New York Times, Vox, Elle, The Washington Post, Slate, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Ma...
Ep 235 Welcome to year 6 News and things that annoy me
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bended Loyalty is up for PREORDER! https://books.katcaldwell.com/loyaltyGet Bended Dream here: https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-prequel Like ...
234 Writing through Summer: Productivity Tips
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Summer is here! Which can mean a complete disruption to our writing routine. Whether you're continuing a novel, starting a new one or wondering how to...
233 Writing Tips and Novels with Mary Carroll Moore
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mary is a bestselling and award-winning author of 14 books in 3 genres, chef and former cooking school instructor. Her latest novel, A Woman...
232 Making a Movie From Your Story with Beth Barany
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wanted to make your story into a movie? Beth Barany dreamed about it for years and is now making her dreams come true! In this episode w...
231 A Glimpse into Indie Author Magazine with Chelle Honiker
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today I speak with Chelle Honiker of Indie Author Magazine. We talk about the origins of the magazine, where it started and where it's going, what att...
230 Sustaining Your Author Career with Claire Taylor
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I have return guest Claire Taylor back to talk about her new book Sustain Your Author Career. We talk about the changes already happening in the book ...
229 Combining Nature and Writing with Cheryl Grey Bostrom
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For most of her life, Pacific Northwest naturalist, photographer, poet, and author Cheryl Grey Bostrom has lived in the rural and wild lands that infu...
228 Lit Agent to Story Coach with Karyn Fischer
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Karyn Fischer has extensive experience in the publishing and story world. She has worked behind the scenes at publishing house, as children's book and...
Ep 227 Themes and Retellings with Jeanne Blasberg
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You can find out more about Jeanne and get her book from your favorite bookstore at https://jeanneblasberg.com/ Be sure to sign up for her reader's ne...
226 Mysteries and Marketing with Lynn Bohart
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Discover more about Lynn, her freelance writing company, her love for dogs and all her books at https://www.lynnbohart-author.com. Find Lynn's marketi...
Ep 225 A Master in Storytelling with Steven James
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Steven James is a critically acclaimed author of eighteen novels and numerous nonfiction books that have sold more than 1 million copies. His books ha...
Ep 224 The Editing Process with Golden May Editing
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
At Golden May, we offer one-on-one coaching, a life-time access writing program, and regular workshops/events. We love working with fiction writers in...
Ep 223 Kickstarter Rundown
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you're looking for an expert course on this the one I took was the WriterMBA course found here: https://courses.writermba.com/p/the-kickstarter-acc...
Ep 222 Reviving a Book with Sher Davidson
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sher Davidson is an author of many genres. Her memoir, Europe with Two Kids and a Van, came out 50 years ago but is still relevant today. Now the trav...
Ep 221 The Future of Publishing Rundown
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Check out ReamStories.com PublishDrive.comLook into IndieAuthorTraining.comBe an early reader of the Bended Duet by supporting the Kickstarter here: h...
Ep 220 Writer Wellness and WriteDay Subscription with Joy E Held
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
WRITEDAY is a subscription box program that delivers curated products from authors, creators, and small businesses to writers and readers in the US. I...
Ep 219 Writing Brave with Brooke Adams Law
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brooke Adams Law is an award-winning author and founder of the Writing Brave movement. Brooke helps creative, intuitive women claim their author ident...
Ep 218 Mastering Romance Writing with Paula Judith Johnson
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today my guest is Paula Judith Johnson. She's a historical romance writer and the creator of the Writing Romance Mastery Summit held twice a year. Whi...
Ep 217 Embodied Writing with Traci Skuce
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
My guest today is Traci Skuce. She's been a writing mentor to me during Covid. I took her six-month Embodied Story Intensive TWICE, that's how much I ...
Ep 216 Book Brush to the Social Media Content Rescue! with Kathleen Sweeney
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You can find everything you need to know about Book Brush and how to get started with their hourly concepts of ethel social media management with the ...
Ep 215 Writing with Valor and Meaning with Lynne Golodner
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lynne is an author, writing coach, marketing entrepreneur and host of the Make Meaning Podcast. Her first novel, Woman of Valor, was release...
Ep 214 Promoting Your Book (and You) on Podcasts with Michelle Glogovac
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You can find out more about Michelle and buy How to Get On Podcasts at https://michelleglogovac.com/ Find out more about the work and the clients she ...
Ep 213 Writing True to Your Passions with Susan DeFreitas
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Susan DeFreitas is on a 'mission to tell stories that matter and help other's to do the same.' You can find out more about Susan, including how to wor...
Ep 212 Creative Writing and Poetry with Emily A Myers
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emily A. Myers is an award-winning author of romantic suspense. Her first novel, The Truth About Unspeakable Things, was a First Place winner for the ...
A Different Method of New Year's Writing Goals
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Go to Emmadhesi.com to sign up for the Be A Best-Seller summit.Looking for workshops? Go here https://workshops.katcaldwell.com/2024-workshops/ to fin...