• 5 Things You Should NOT Do if You Want to Self-Publish a Book that Sells
    Sep 25 2025

    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 supportive community of nonfiction Christian writers at the free Facebook group Publish Like a Pro.

    Step 2: Get more personalized support through 1:1 book coaching at www.dalenebickel.com/bookworthy-coaching

    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!

    Voir plus Voir moins
    16 min
  • 135 | Hesitant to Build Your Author Brand? 3 Mindset Shifts for Christian Writers
    Sep 18 2025

    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 - 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 supportive community of nonfiction Christian writers at the free Facebook group Publish Like a Pro.

    Step 2: Get more personalized support through 1:1 book coaching at www.dalenebickel.com/bookworthy-coaching


    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!

    Voir plus Voir moins
    15 min
  • Ep.134 | Constantly Distracted? 4 Ways to Get Focused and Write a Book Faster
    Sep 11 2025
    • 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

    Step 2: Get more personalized support through 1:1 book coaching at www.dalenebickel.com/bookworthy-coaching

    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!

    Voir plus Voir moins
    17 min
  • Writing Your First Christian Book? 3 Tips for Beginning Authors | Ep.133
    Sep 4 2025

    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's always good to be reminded of the basics and shore up our foundations, particularly in our faith.

    I'm so excited you're here and I can't wait to help you write your nonfiction book!

    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!

    Voir plus Voir moins
    9 min
  • 2 Strategic Actions You Can Take Now to Make a Bigger Impact with Your Book | Ep.132
    Aug 29 2025

    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 Publish Like a Pro Facebook group!

    Voir plus Voir moins
    15 min
  • In a Writing Slump? Do This to Create a Productive Writing Routine | Ep.131
    Aug 21 2025

    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 following every step correctly but still aren't seeing the results you want, or
    • if you're confused and struggling to understand a concept, or
    • if you simply don't know WHAT you should be doing right now,

    be sure to book a 1-hour, 1:1 coaching call with me.

    Get the clarity and action plan you need to become the writer God's called you to be.

    Schedule your call today.

    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!

    Voir plus Voir moins
    10 min
  • 3 Ways to Market a Book and Reach More Readers Even Before It's Published | Ep.130
    Aug 14 2025

    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!

    Voir plus Voir moins
    16 min
  • How to Write a Book Faster (WITHOUT Generative AI) Ep.129
    Aug 7 2025

    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!

    Voir plus Voir moins
    13 min