Writing at the Red House

21/08/2023

Friends, we have several people in this group who are in southern California. I want you to know we are praying for you and sending so much love.

14/07/2023

Do you love to read? Do you love to talk about what you've read? We want YOU to help us launch this very special book! Share with a friend or two -- we are going to have such a good time working on this together!

Details about joining the team: https://kathi.link/launchteam

19/04/2023

How would you rate yourself on keeping your audience at the top of your mind in your writing? Joy Groblebe says, "You can't forget about your consumer. You cannot forget about the person you're serving." She's the Content Marketing Director for Dayspring.

In this week's episode, Kathi chats with Joy about making your brand unique and service-focused. Part 2 drops next week, so stay tuned!

Listen to Part 1 this week.
https://www.writingattheredhouse.com/2023/04/17/344-building-your-author-brand-part-1/
Joy Polis Groblebe DaySpring

17/04/2023

Are you struggling to build your author brand? If so, this is the episode for you. Today Kathi talks with Joy Groblebe, Content Marketing Director for Dayspring. Beyond simply defining a brand, Joy shares some of her insight into how we, as authors, can begin to conceptualize our own unique brand.

Listen in and learn:

*The importance of knowing your primary audience.
*Why a pre-published author needs a brand.
*How to involve Jesus in your brand.

Stay tuned for Part 2 next week.
https://www.writingattheredhouse.com/2023/04/17/344-building-your-author-brand-part-1/
Joy Polis Groblebe DaySpring

12/04/2023

"I didn't realize I was someone who needed so much help until my life fell apart." Debbie Alsdorf shares more of her story and how to be real in your writing in this week's episode. Intrigued?

Kathi and Debbie unpack three key ways to be real and authentic in your writing like:

-Be real about real things.
-Honor those in your story.
-Don’t fall into the perfection trap.

Listen to Episode 343 The Importance of Being Real in Your Writing with Debbie Alsdorf to hear more tips that will enrich you as a writer.

https://www.writingattheredhouse.com/2023/04/10/343-the-importance-of-being-real-in-your-writing-with-debbie-alsdorf/
Debbie Alsdorf/Author

10/04/2023

How real are you in your writing? In today's episode, Kathi and Debbie Alsdorf discuss ways to be authentic with your audience.

Listen in as they get real and vulnerable about how to honor those in your story and avoid perfection.

This episode will especially inspire you to be yourself in your writing. Check out Episode 343: The Importance of Being Real in Your Writing with Debbie Alsdorf below.

https://www.writingattheredhouse.com/2023/04/10/343-the-importance-of-being-real-in-your-writing-with-debbie-alsdorf/

04/04/2023

So you get how to turn your personal story into a published book...now it's time to focus on the small details! Kathi is back with literary agent Kathleen Kerr to chat about exploring structure, themes, and titles.

Listen in and learn the importance of:
- Using the message mapping strategy.
- Knowing when not to write about a topic.
- Choosing a title and subtitle.

Make sure you catch Part 1 of this episode and then listen in to Part 2 below.
https://www.writingattheredhouse.com/2023/04/03/342-how-to-turn-your-personal-story-into-a-published-book-part-2/
Kathleen Kerr

29/03/2023

"For most of us...as readers, we're not so much looking for the story. We're looking for what we can learn from your story." Kathi and literary agent Kathleen Kerr chat about how to do that in this week's episode.

Listen in and learn the importance of:
-Incorporating your story into nonfiction books.
-Waiting until the story is finished.
-Understanding what your reader needs.

Stay tuned next week with part 2 of this episode!
Kathleen Kerr

https://www.writingattheredhouse.com/2023/03/27/341-how-to-turn-your-personal-story-into-a-published-book-part-1/

27/03/2023

Do you have a personal story you want to turn into a book? Today, Kathi and literary agent, Kathleen Kerr, explore this question. Some stories are hard to share, and it’s important to know how and when to share them.

Tune in to this two-part episode and discover the parts of your story that will touch the heart of your reader.

Kathleen Kerr

Kathi and literary agent, Kathleen Kerr, are discussing how to share your personal stories in a way that will benefit your audience.

15/03/2023

How easy is this REALLY? "Trust the people...that you're working with to publish your book." According to art director Meg Schmidt, this is crucial to a successful book cover.

In Part 3 of this series, Kathi wraps things up with literary agent Kathleen Kerr and art director for Harper Collins Christian Publishing, Meg Schmidt.

Find out:
- What book covers Kathi likes.
- The importance of communication in the publishing industry.
- What makes Meg want to work with an author.

Be sure to catch Parts 1 and 2!
HarperCollins Kathleen Kerr Alive Literary Agency

https://wp.me/p7pa2r-4nB

13/03/2023

Ever wonder about the artistic mind behind a book cover? In the third and final episode in this series on getting to your best book cover, Kathi returns with literary agent Kathleen Kerr and art director for Harper Collins Christian Publishing, Meg Schmidt.

Together they wrap things up by talking book covers (of course!) plus what authors can do to make their team THRILLED to work with them again.

By the way, did you catch Parts 1 and 2? Be sure to catch these episodes packed full of helpful insights for authors.

HarperCollins Kathleen Kerr Alive Literary Agency
https://wp.me/p7pa2r-4nB

08/03/2023

Trusting someone with your book-baby can be really hard! But Meg Schmidt says, "Trust the people...that you're working with to publish the book." If you've published a book or are in the process, was this challenging for you?

This week's episode is Part 2 of Getting to Your Best Book Cover where Kathi chats with two fabulous people again: literary agent Kathleen Kerr and art director for Harper Collins Christian Publishing, Meg Schmidt. These ladies have the scoop on how authors, agents, and art directors can work together to achieve that amazing book cover!

Be sure to check Part 1 from last week and definitely don't miss part 3 next week!

https://www.writingattheredhouse.com/?p=16806

Kathleen Kerr Alive Literary Agency HarperCollins

06/03/2023

Did you catch Part 1 of Getting to Your Best Book Cover? In Part 2, Kathi is back with literary agent Kathleen Kerr and the art director for Harper Collins Christian Publishing, Meg Schmidt. Together they discuss how authors, agents, editors, and art directors interact, as well as the different things that affect book cover designs.

Listen in and learn:
- What book covers Meg and Kathi like.
- How cover designs are impacted by supply chain issues.
- What things make an agent or art director want to work with an author.

Stay tuned for Part 3 next week!

https://www.writingattheredhouse.com/?p=16806

Kathleen Kerr Alive Literary Agency HarperCollins

01/03/2023

Kathi may not know all things about books, but she's not afraid to ask! In Part 1, Kathi talks with agent and editor Kathleen Kerr and her sister Meg Schmidt, art director at Harper Collins Christian Publishing to share their best practices about creating your book cover with a publisher.

Here are some of their time-tested tips:

>Give them keywords and let them do their job.
>Think about a visual thesis and then have a conversation.
>The author's personal preference isn't always the audience's preference.

Want to hear more life-changing episodes from Kathi, Kathleen Kerr, and Meg Schmidt?
HarperCollins Kathleen Kerr Alive Literary Agency

Come back next week to listen to Part 2!
https://www.writingattheredhouse.com/2023/02/27/337-getting-to-your-best-book-cover-with-harper-collins-art-director-meg-schmidt-part-1/

27/02/2023

Ever wonder how to create an amazing book cover? In this episode, Kathi welcomes agent and editor Kathleen Kerr and her sister Meg Schmidt, art director at Harper Collins Christian Publishing! Together they share ideas to help create the best book cover.

This episode is full of best tips and practices you won't want to miss!

Come back next week to listen to part 2 as Kathi, Kathleen, and Meg continue their conversation.
.e.kerr

https://www.writingattheredhouse.com/2023/02/27/337-getting-to-your-best-book-cover-with-harper-collins-art-director-meg-schmidt-part-1/

22/02/2023

Marketing your book doesn't have to be a mystery. In this week's episode, Kathi chats with Michele Cushatt about steps to use the book's content to market it well.

These steps include:
• Determining what has worked in the past.
• Assess what readers’ needs are and what they are looking for.
• Pay attention to their language.

Listen in to Part 2 of this empowering conversation with Michelle and come back here to share what stood out to you about planning marketing as you write your book! Michele Cushatt, Author

Kathi and Michele Cushatt are back in Part 2 of the series to share three more key steps for how to bake marketing into your book.

20/02/2023

Wise words to live by friends. Do the very best you can and keep doing it.

15/02/2023

Marketing your book doesn't have to be a mystery. Kathi and Michele Cushatt chat about steps to use the book's content to market it well.

These steps include:
• Determining what has worked in the past.
• Assess what readers’ needs are and what they are looking for.
• Pay attention to their language.

Tune in next week for Part 2.

Having difficulties baking marketing into your book? Kathi and Michele Cushatt are here to give you three steps to do just that.

14/02/2023

We appreciate all of you!

13/02/2023

Are you overwhelmed or feeling lost when it comes to marketing your book? Then this episode is for you. Kathi sits down with Michele Cushatt to discuss the first steps of how to bake marketing into your book.

These simple tips will have a huge impact. And you won’t want to miss next week as Kathi and Michele chat through Part 2.

https://www.writingattheredhouse.com/2023/02/13/https-traffic-libsyn-com-secure-communicatoracademy-335_baking_marketing_into_your_book_with_michele_cushatt_part_1_project_proposal_and_structure-mp3/

10/02/2023

Happy Friday!

08/02/2023

How are we doing this week friends??

07/02/2023

Taking a break from your platform can feel overwhelming and scary. Last week I sat down with my good buddy Michele Cushatt, Author to discuss the first step of how to take a break from your platform. Now, in Part 2, Michele will reveal the next four steps that she learned during her own platform break. These steps include:

*Establishing a timeline that makes sense for your why.
*Doing a brain dump of all your tasks and projects.
*Prioritizing what you can let go of and what you can keep.
*Communicating to those who need to know, including yourself.

Join us by listening in

Kathi and Michele Cushatt continue their conversation to reveal the next four steps that Michele learned during her own platform break.

07/02/2023

Who you sit with matters. Change your seat accordingly.

06/02/2023

Anyone else??

29/01/2023

"Look at you all pushing through like the incredible word warriors you are!! 👊💪
TWO days left?!
Is anyone a bit sad it's almost over? Has anyone considered yet what you will do differently going forward? Do you plan to keep going?
When you’re done for the day — come back and ring your 🔔"

27/01/2023

Have you been experiencing a crisis of confidence? If so, then this is the episode for you. Kathi is sitting down with her friend and fellow author, Michele Cushatt, Author, to discuss how to regain your confidence after hitting a low point with your writing.

Listen in and learn three ways to get your confidence back:
• Acknowledge and normalize what is happening.
• Take stock of how you speak and how you think.
• Focus on small wins.

Every writer is going to experience highs and lows, so it’s important to know how to handle them so you can keep moving forward in the right direction.

Listen in to the full episode here:

Kathi is sitting down with Michele Cushatt to discuss how to regain your confidence after hitting a low point with your writing.