//podcastplus.net/feed/podcast~530a468cd5e4f6f801d9d76293cdf14d8dc886ab22e8ea21357e58b41cd345b5 Hey there! I’m Dalene - a Jesus-loving mom and founder of Lasting Legacies Publishing. Twenty years ago, I accepted my first ghostwriting project. Even though I had been a manuscript editor for almost a decade by that point, I had never actually written a book before. Faced with that first book project, I was both excited and terrified.I knew how to write a book in theory, but I had no clue how to do it in practice. So I turned to the Internet. I listened to bits and pieces of advice from numerous  experts, which caused confusion and overwhelm rather than producing a clear plan of action. Worse yet, I put God in the back seat. With each subsequent book I wrote, I improved my writing process. I kept a pulse on the latest technology and industry changes. And in 2021, shortly after I put God back in His rightful place in the front seat, God told me to call His writers. Since then, I’ve pulled my insights and process together into a step-by-step system, which I’m eager to share with you! If you’re ready to: Replace distraction with productive action,Learn a clear and complete process to write, publish, and market your book, Communicate your message in a way that resonates with your readers, andGlorify God throughout it all…Then this podcast is for you!Fire up your computer and brew an extra pot of coffee. It’s time to write your book and make an impact! NEXT STEPS:Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!Schedule a 1:1 Coaching Callhttps://lastinglegacies.as.me/?appointmentType=39640667Join the Publish Like a Pro Communitywww.facebook.com/groups/publishpro/Visit the Websitehttps://dalenebickel.com/ink-and-impact/Email me: info@inkandimpact.com Sat, 26 Sep 2026 21:38:43 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17905509-136-5-things-you-should-not-do-if-you-want-to-self-publish-a-book-that-sells.mp3  Self-publishing offers a host of benefits, including - and most importantly - that you get to retain all the rights to your content and you have full access to all of your marketing analytics .  But in order to actually sell books and make the kingdom impact you want to make, you have to self-publish strategically.  In today's episode, I'm sharing 5 things you should NOT do in order to self-publish a book that sells.  Go grab a pen and notebook and let's dive in!  RESOURCES Snag a free copy of Your Path to Publishing Ep. 127 - Is Fear of Success Holding You Back?  Ep. 125 - Cultivating Your Message: Maximizing Impact without Compromising Values Ep. 40 - Overcoming Fear as a Writer with Jenn Hand   CONNECT WITH DALENE Contact - > info@inkandimpact.com Podcast -＞ www.inkandimpact.com Connect -＞ Join the free Facebook group Publish Like a Pro FB/IG/LI -＞@dalenebickel   NEXT STEPS Step 1: Join a supp... Thu, 25 Sep 2025 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17905509-136-5-things-you-should-not-do-if-you-want-to-self-publish-a-book-that-sells.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17868707-135-hesitant-to-build-your-author-brand-3-mindset-shifts-for-christian-writers.mp3 Have you ever said something like: "I don't want to market myself." "I want to give God the glory, not myself." "I'm writing a book to help others, not puff myself up." Those are all valid concerns. As Christians, we absolutely should give God all the glory and focus on serving others rather than ourselves. But I don't think that means Christian writers aren't supposed to build an author brand. Quite the contrary. I believe it's important to let potential readers get to know you, the author.  So in today's episode, I'm especially speaking to those of you who are hesitant to build your author brand. Listen in to discover 3 mindset shifts that will help you become a more confident Christian writer AND marketer. RESOURCES Snag a free copy of Your Path to Publishing Ep. 127 - Is Fear of Success Holding You Back?  Ep. 125 - Cultivating Your Message: Maximizing Impact without Compromising Values Ep. 40 -... Thu, 18 Sep 2025 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17868707-135-hesitant-to-build-your-author-brand-3-mindset-shifts-for-christian-writers.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17825122-ep-134-constantly-distracted-4-ways-to-get-focused-and-write-a-book-faster.mp3 Are you busy and distracted by all your day-to-day responsibilities? Trying to figure out how to fit writing a book into your already overcommitted schedule? Wish you could achieve a different level of focus? In this episode of Ink & Impact, I’m sharing 4 simple and practical writing strategies so you can finally get focused and write your book faster .  Related Resources: Snag a free copy of Your Path to Publishing Ep.129 - How to Write a Book Faster (without Generative AI) Ep.80 - How to Stop Procrastinating as a Writer Ep.7 - 5 Ways to Boost Your Confidence and Unleash Your Productivity Connect with Dalene: Contact - > info@inkandimpact.com Podcast -＞ www.inkandimpact.com Connect -＞ Join the free Facebook group Christian Authors in Action FB/IG/LI -＞@dalenebickel   Next Steps: Step 1: Join a supportive community of moms looking for simple and easy meal planning tips at the free Facebook group Christian Authors in Action ... Thu, 11 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17825122-ep-134-constantly-distracted-4-ways-to-get-focused-and-write-a-book-faster.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17791549-writing-your-first-christian-book-3-tips-for-beginning-authors-ep-133.mp3 A couple of years ago I hosted a morning coffee chat for Christian writers in my area. Later that day, I received a message from someone I had invited who asked, “How do you know if you’re a Christian writer?” She had been interested in attending, but didn’t go because she didn’t feel qualified. Remembering this led me to create today's.  Listen in to discover 3 tips for beginning authors who are writing their first Christian book.  Schedule a 1:1 Coaching Call    New and refreshed!  The Ink & Impact podcast now has a tighter focus and clearer mission.  Beginning today, each episode will speak to Christian writers who want to write and self-publish their first nonfiction book.  Ink & Impact will continue to focus on the three pillar areas of becoming an independent or "indie" author -- writing, self-publishing, and marketing -- all from a Biblical perspective.  If you happen to be an established writer, know that you're welcome, too! It&amp... Thu, 04 Sep 2025 19:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17791549-writing-your-first-christian-book-3-tips-for-beginning-authors-ep-133.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17755180-2-strategic-actions-you-can-take-now-to-make-a-bigger-impact-with-your-book-ep-132.mp3 Two Strategic Actions You Can Take to Make a Bigger Impact with Your Book When I say there are two strategic actions for Christian authors, my guess is that you're immediately thinking of "Sunday School answers" such as prayer and reading our Bibles daily.  Those are, indeed, habits and treasured moments with God we want to build into our daily lives. That should go without saying.  But that's not what I'm going to talk about today. Today, I'm going deeper.  Let me warn you that what I share might step on your toes a bit. If it does, know you're not alone. I was convicted as well.  And that's a good thing.  We don't want to be superficial Christian authors. We want to make a powerful kingdom impact.  Listen in to learn how. BOOK YOUR 1:1 COACHING CALL What additional topics would you like to learn about? Ready to write and self-publish your first nonfiction book and make a kingdom impact? Join the FREE Pu... Fri, 29 Aug 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17755180-2-strategic-actions-you-can-take-now-to-make-a-bigger-impact-with-your-book-ep-132.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17706493-in-a-writing-slump-do-this-to-create-a-productive-writing-routine-ep-131.mp3 Are you in a writing slump? If your writing has been pushed aside for the past three months simply because you've been wanting to enjoy all that summer offers, there's no shame in that.  But now it's time to return to what God has called you to do and pick up that pen again. There's kingdom work to be done! To help you, I've put together 3 tips to get you out of your writing slump and back into a productive writing routine. That's what I'm going to share with you on today's episode of the Ink & Impact podcast. And, of course, you can also hop on a coaching call with me to receive a custom action plan with the exact next steps you need to take in your author journey.  The writing, self-publishing, and marketing information I share here on the podcast is useful for every nonfiction writer, but exactly how it should be applied is nuanced and different for each person.  If you feel as though you've been foll... Thu, 21 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17706493-in-a-writing-slump-do-this-to-create-a-productive-writing-routine-ep-131.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17672681-3-ways-to-market-a-book-and-reach-more-readers-even-before-it-s-published-ep-130.mp3 Today I share 3 marketing strategies you can begin to implement now to help promote your book and reach more readers even before it's published. Listen in to learn what they are! Schedule a 1:1 coaching session with me.   What additional topics would you like to learn about? Ready to write and self-publish your first nonfiction book and make a kingdom impact? Join the FREE Publish Like a Pro Facebook group! Thu, 14 Aug 2025 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17672681-3-ways-to-market-a-book-and-reach-more-readers-even-before-it-s-published-ep-130.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17631589-how-to-write-a-book-faster-without-generative-ai-ep-129.mp3 Some writers are tempted to use generative AI to write a book (in part or in whole) because it takes time and effort, perseverance and fortitude.  And for the author who wants their book out there RIGHT NOW, they don't want to bother going through the learning curve or putting in the days/weeks/months to write the book. This episode isn't for those types of authors. This episode is for the Christian writer who wants to write a book faster the ethical way by taking advantage of 5 tried-and-true, time-saving strategies.  Listen in to learn what they are! Schedule a 1:1 coaching session with me. Time Magazine  article about MIT's AI study. What additional topics would you like to learn about? Ready to write and self-publish your first nonfiction book and make a kingdom impact? Join the FREE Publish Like a Pro Facebook group! Thu, 07 Aug 2025 19:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17631589-how-to-write-a-book-faster-without-generative-ai-ep-129.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17595125-how-to-market-your-book-without-feeling-salesy-or-spammy.mp3 Which of the following best describes your current thoughts about marketing? Are you an author who stresses over book marketing so much you avoid it as much as possible? Do you want to get your book into the hands of your readers, but you simply don't know how? Are you afraid of marketing too much and annoying all your followers/subscribers? Regardless of which one resonated most with you, make sure you listen the whole way to the end of today's episode because I'm going to share 5 ways to market your book without feeling salesy or spammy. SCHEDULE YOUR BOOK MARKETING AUDIT What additional topics would you like to learn about? Ready to write and self-publish your first nonfiction book and make a kingdom impact? Join the FREE Publish Like a Pro Facebook group! Thu, 31 Jul 2025 18:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17595125-how-to-market-your-book-without-feeling-salesy-or-spammy.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17558607-is-fear-of-success-holding-you-back-ep-127.mp3 Is fear of success holding you back? If so ... or if you're not sure ... or if you know another writer who is struggling with this fear, then this episode is for you! Today I'm going to share practical advice from a biblical perspective to help you become a confident author who's willing and able to make a true impact. But before I dive in, I want to let you know that in August, I've opened up my calendar to accept (3) 1:1 coaching calls each week.  If you'd like to spend an hour with me to iron out a particular challenge and get a customized next-step action plan, be sure to click this link .  Looking for ongoing coaching? Check out my Bookworthy Coaching packages . What additional topics would you like to learn about? Ready to write and self-publish your first nonfiction book and make a kingdom impact? Join the FREE Publish Like a Pro Facebook group! Thu, 24 Jul 2025 17:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993938/episodes/17558607-is-fear-of-success-holding-you-back-ep-127.mp3