Writers Circle
Episodes
Kevin Burrell: How to bring your ideas to life
21 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Debut author Kevin Burrell shares some crucial lessons he learned while writing and promoting his first book. He also discusses with senior editor Wil...
The Mom Test
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How can you get honest feedback on your ideas, without putting pressure on others to just tell you what you want to hear? In today's coaching episode,...
Andrew Peterson: Honesty, beauty, and truth
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 2 of this conversation with Andrew Peterson, he helps us navigate some creative tensions like how to balance clarity and creativity, how to de...
Andrew Peterson: Be willing to be misunderstood
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Musical artist and prolific author Andrew Peterson offers some of his favorite learnings about the craft of writing. Join our Patreon: patreon.com/w...
A very special announcement
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
To kick off the new season of the Writers Circle podcast, Will shares a special announcement about the future of the show. Join our Patreon: patreon....
What topic should you write about?
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever find yourself asking, "What should I write about?" or "Where's the gap in the market?" I understand these questions, but I think they're the wron...
A liturgy for feedback
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every writer has a love-hate relationship with feedback. We need it, but it still stings. What if feedback isn't a bitter pill we have to swallow, but...
The 10 commandments of platform building (part 2)
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 2 of this special coaching series, senior editor Will Parker Anderson shares five tips from his "10 Commandments of Platform Building." This e...
The 10 commandments of platform building (part 1)
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling worn out, fake, or frustrated trying to grow your author platform? You're not the only one—and there's a better way. In this special coach...
J.R. Briggs (part 2): Questions every writer should ask
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 2 of my interview with my leadership coach J.R. Briggs, he unpacks: 1. Questions we need to ask ourselves as writers 2. Questions about the r...
J.R. Briggs: The art of asking better questions
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the questions you ask readers have a greater impact than your statements? In this episode with my leadership coach, J.R. Briggs, we unpack the...
Rich Villodas: Writing as spiritual formation
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever feel like you're writing for God but not with Him? In this episode, I sit down with author and pastor Rich Villodas to talk about how writing can...
Dr. Michael Longinow: How to write a lead line
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The first sentence is usually the hardest, but if you don't immediately pull readers in, they'll ditch you. Today I sit down with my former journalism...
Nathan Baugh: The 4 Tenets of Storytelling
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you ever worry your stories aren't landing with readers? Too many nonfiction writers share great content but miss the chance to make readers feel. ...
Stephanie Duncan Smith: When efficiency eats creativity
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
AI is everywhere—and for writers, it's confusing. Is it a genius creativity hack or the end of creativity as we know it? In part two of my conversa...
Stephanie Duncan Smith: Why most memoirs fail
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many writers feel compelled to share their story—but here's the hard truth: while everyone wants to tell their story, most readers don't actually wa...
Rachel Buller: The 4 C's of Communication
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's easy to say the same things in the same way over and over—to get stuck in a communication rut. Today's guest, Rachel Buller, shares a framework...
Doug Wekenman: Say It So They'll Remember It
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this Real-Time, Real-Talk episode, Doug Wekenman explains why it's worth taking the time to distill your ideas into their catchiest form, and how i...
How to write stuff people actually read
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling like your words go unheard? You're not alone. That's why I'm hosting a live workshop—*How to Write a Substack Post People Actually Read*—o...
What's Your Unfair Advantage?
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Salisbury: Writing Slow, The Joy of Obscurity, & Other Essentials
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling behind in your writing—or wondering if it's even worth finishing? In Part 2 of my conversation with literary agent Mike Salisbury, we di...
Mike Salisbury: Why Storytelling Matters
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Literary agent Mike Salisbury shares his unique journey into Christian publishing, starting from his unexpected role as a mascot to becoming a literar...
Vanessa Reyner: How To Land a Literary Agent
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Start watching Will's proposal course here: https://will-anderson-fde4.mykajabi.com/proposalsmadesimple Want to publish your book but don't know wher...
Will Parker Anderson: Proposals Made Simple
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Struggling to get publishers to pay attention to your book idea? In this episode, the mic flips—host Will Parker Anderson becomes the guest as lead...
Andy Patton: Are you called to write a book? (Part 2)
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Last week, we started asking the question: Am I really called to write? In this follow-up episode, Andy Patton (content director at The Rabbit Room) ...
Andy Patton: Are you called to write a book? (Part 1)
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder if you're actually called to write? You're not alone. Maybe you've said, "God called me to this"—but your book isn't published, your pla...
Drew Dyck: Why Tone Matters
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If your tone misses the mark, your readers stop reading — no matter how great your ideas are. Author and Moody Publishers editor Drew Dyck joins Wi...
Dave Kopp: What Makes Readers Turn the Page
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The best publishing advice doesn't come from what's trending—but from someone who's been shaping books for decades. Today's guest is Dave Kopp, a b...
Drew Dixon: 6 Keys to Compelling Communication
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You might have a powerful message, but if it's not compelling, it won't land. In this episode, Will sits down with fellow editor and coworker Drew Di...
Sarah Walton and Kristen Wetherell: The Blessing and Burden of Collaboration
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever feel like giving up creative control means giving up your voice? In this Real-Time, Real-Talk episode, I sit down with co-authors Kristen Wether...
Trevin Wax: How to Cultivate Better Writing Habits
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trevin Wax—author, columnist, and one of the most disciplined writers we know—joins us to talk habits, structure, and what it really takes to keep...
Ashley Hales: Finding Beauty in the Ordinary
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the secret to better writing isn't more content—but more attention? In today's conversation, Ashley Hales, editorial director of print at C...
Ruslan KD: Real-Time, Real-Talk
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Publishing sounds exciting—until you're staring down a deadline at 2 a.m. In this Real-Time, Real-Talk segment, we sit down with artist, entreprene...
Patrick Miller: How to Write About Culture
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rejection isn't failure—it's part of the process. Patrick Miller, author and co-host of Truth Over Tribe, gets candid about the uphill climb to get...
Kathleen Kerr: The Platform Pyramid
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling stuck trying to grow your platform—and not sure what actually works? You're not alone. Building a platform can feel like shouting into the ...
Andy Crouch: Writing As An Act of Love
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's easy to forget your readers are human when you're chasing clicks, likes, or a book deal. In this powerful episode, author and thought leader And...
Your Soul Matters More Than Success with Jackie Hill Perry
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's easy to lose yourself in the pursuit of success. We incessantly check Instagram. Or Substack. We feel less-than, comparing ourselves to others. W...
What's Wrong With Publishing with Jackie Hill Perry
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There's a problem with publishing. It feels like quantity trumps quality. Those with big platforms get book deals. Meanwhile, many who have something...
How to Grow Your Platform with Curtis Yates (part 2)
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A lot of writers struggle with the idea of building a platform. Some of us lack motivation because it seems impossible to get noticed in today's noisy...
Why Platform Matters with Curtis Yates (part 1)
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why does your platform matter so much to publishers? Isn't good writing enough? Is it necessary to become an online personality just to land a book de...
Letting Scripture Lead with Trillia Newbell
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As a Christian writer, it's likely that you interact with scripture in your work. Sometimes you retell a story from the Bible, or quote a verse, or re...
Murder Your Darlings with Brett McCracken
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Feedback is terrifying. It's vulnerable to have your writing scrutinized, especially when you've poured so much of your time, heart, and energy into i...
How To Write Your Story with Ally Fallon
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you could spend 45 minutes with a writing coach who's helped hundreds of people write books, how would that transform your writing process? How muc...
How to Slay the Marketing Monster with Jordan Raynor
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do modern writers have to be marketers? In a word, yes. This catches many authors by surprise. Isn't it the publisher's job to promote a book? Ye...
God's Mercy in the Mess with Faith Eury Cho
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you ever feel like there's no time to write? Life is busy. As we strive to steward the many aspects of our lives一school, kids, work, church, and ...
Caring For Your Soul with Jenni Burke
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's easy to lose yourself as a writer. With good intentions, we start with a message we think the world needs. It's about helping others, not buildi...
Newsletters That Change Lives with Jon Tyson
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What if people looked forward to your writing every week? What if they eagerly waited for your newsletter to hit their inbox? Unfortunately, a lot of...
Write to Your Former Self with Steve Carter
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Finding the right tone in your writing is difficult. How do you balance knowledge with humility? Challenge with grace? Creativity with clarity? Most ...
How To Pitch an Article with Megan Hill
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Will Parker Anderson interviews Megan Hill, managing editor at The Gospel Coalition, about the intricacies of writing and getting pub...
Prophetic Prose with Dr. Eric Mason
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Good writing is provocative. It grabs your attention, not as click bait, but because it resonates with reality一it names the ache you feel in everyda...
How to Market Your Book with Don Gates
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you don't market your book, don't expect anyone to read it. That sounds harsh, right? The problem is, most writers assume that good writing is...
Rethinking Social Media with Sandy Cooper and Mary Tiller
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever feel like social media is draining your soul? But you can't let it go because you're trying to build a platform to appease publishers? It's a com...
Writing Habits with Justin Whitmel Earley
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why is it so hard to make time to write? With good intentions, we set out to create a regular rhythm, only to get distracted or discouraged, and it fa...
Vulnerable Editing with Rich Villodas
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to episode #1, with author and pastor, Rich Villodas, the lead pastor of New Life Fellowship in Queens, New York. This one's fun because Will...
Trailer
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Writers Circle is a podcast for nonfiction writers who want to sharpen their skills and publish their work for the glory of Jesus. Senior book edi...