Steward Your Words for God’s Glory

Is Cozy Fantasy the Genre We’ve Been Missing? A Conversation with Deborah Pettit

What exactly is cozy fantasy and why is it suddenly everywhere?

In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, Cara sits down with children’s fantasy author Deborah Pettit (author of The Heroes of Tuduma Forest series) to explore the rise of cozy fantasy, what sets it apart from epic fantasy, and why this genre may be filling a deeper cultural and spiritual need than we realize.

Deborah shares her personal journey through depression, how Scripture reshaped her thinking, and how that transformation now informs the character-driven stories she writes for young readers. Together, we discuss:

What cozy fantasy actually is (and what it isn’t)
The difference between epic fantasy and cozy fantasy
Why many modern fantasy books leave Christian parents uneasy
How classic stories like The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, and The Little Prince fit into today’s evolving definitions
Writing moral, clean fantasy without relying on occult themes
Why character arcs matter more than plot in cozy storytelling
The spiritual hunger beneath the popularity of this genre
Whether you’re a fiction writer, nonfiction writer, homeschool parent, or simply someone who cares about the stories shaping the next generation, this conversation will help you think more critically about imagination, storytelling, and truth.

👉 Deborah will go deeper into the spiritual themes behind cozy fantasy in her extended teaching inside the Writers’ Bloc community.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Positive Trait Thesaurus and The Negative Trait Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi
Deborah Pettit’s Heroes of Tuduma Forest series
If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a writer who needs to hear it.

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#podcast #writersbloc

If you’re a writer who’d rather hide behind your laptop than step on a stage… this interview is for you. 🙌

Join me for this fun and informative conversation with Robyn Dykstra—a national Christian speaker and bestselling author. We talk about one of the most overlooked (and most powerful) ways writers can grow their platform:

✨ Turning your book message into a signature talk.

In this interview, we talk about:

📌 Why writers can’t afford to stay invisible anymore

📌 How speaking builds trust faster than almost anything else

📌 How to stop viewing speaking as performance—and start seeing it as an offering

📌 The difference between a signature talk and “teaching your whole book”

📌 How speakers sell books effectively without being salesy

If you’ve ever felt nervous, unqualified, or intimidated by public speaking—this conversation will give you courage, clarity, and practical next steps.

🎧 Watch now and get ready to take your message from page… to stage.

Don't forget to hit Subscribe 🔔for more great content from the Writers' Bloc!

To learn more about Robyn's speaking training, visit: https://robyndykstra.com/inspirational-speaker-training/

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#podcast #christianwriters #writersbloc #questioninggod
Ghostwriting can sound mysterious but Kent Sanders pulls back the curtain and shows how practical (and relational) it really is. In this conversation, Kent shares how he went from teaching ministry and theology at a small Christian college to building a full-time writing business, why ghostwriting is often misunderstood, and what it takes to become the kind of steady, professional presence high-level clients trust with their “book baby.”

In This Episode, You’ll Learn
1. Kent’s winding road into writing and why his shift started with a practical need to support his family A clear, everyday definition of ghostwriting (hint: you’ve “used” a ghostwriter before think greeting cards)
2. How ghostwriters capture a client’s voice through listening, patterns, and a collaborative revision process
3. What the ghostwriting process actually looks like: outlines, Zoom interviews, transcripts, “brain dumps,” and intensive sessions
4. How ghostwriting intersects with publishing: self-publishing, assisted self-publishing, hybrid, and traditional publishing
5. The ethics question and why Kent believes ghostwriting is a natural extension of how books are always made (teams, editors, designers, etc.)
6. Why professionalism matters more than people think (reliability, calm communication, and emotional regulation)
7. What clients are really looking for when choosing a ghostwriter: trust, steadiness, fit, and the ability to create psychological safety

Kent’s 3 best tips for aspiring ghostwriters
Publish your own book (and invest in a professional cover)
Tell people what you do build visibility and clarity
Get your first client win quickly to build momentum and confidence

Memorable Moments
“Ghostwriting happens all the time we just don’t frame it that way.”
The “Find the Ghostwriter” game: Kent looks for hidden credit clues in acknowledgements and encourages ghostwriters behind the scenes.
A helpful distinction: author vs. writer the ideas can be the author’s even when a writer shapes them.

Quick Summary of Kent’s Approach
Kent treats ghostwriting like high-level consulting: yes, the deliverable is writing, but the work also includes clarity, support, structure, and calm leadership throughout a complex process.

About Kent Sanders
Kent Sanders is a ghostwriter, entrepreneur, and author/co-author of dozens of books. He writes books for business leaders and hosts The Profitable Writer podcast. He also leads The Profitable Writer Membership, helping writers increase their impact and income through practical strategy, mindset, and professionalism.

Connect with Kent
Website:kentsanders.net
Community + Podcast:theprofitablewriter.com
Amazon: Kent Sanders

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