Episode 6 – Essentials for Writers

Episode Summary In this lighter, fun episode of Writing to Win with Mya Kay, Mya breaks down her seven essential tools for the Christian woman author's journey. From websites to promo packets, she shares what has actually worked for her over nearly 15 years in the industry, and why investing in your writing career doesn't have to break the bank.

Key Points

• Why your website is your storefront and how to keep it simple but professional.
• The truth about free book giveaways and what to do instead to grow your email list.
• How to use a social media scheduler so you can stay focused on writing.
• Setting SMART goals with a real example from Mya's own Kindle Unlimited goal.
• Why every author needs Canva Pro, editing books, and a promo packet.

Timestamp Overview

• Welcome back + what to expect: a fun, practical episode before two heavier ones.
• Essential #1: Your website — BookBub, WordPress, Wix, or Canva; what matters most.
• Essential #2: Email list — why Mya doesn't give out free books and what she does instead.
• Essential #3: Social media scheduler — how Mya uses Buffer to stay off social and still show up.
• Essential #4: Goals — Mya shares her real 1 million pages read Kindle Unlimited goal breakdown.
• Essential #5: Canva Pro — cover design, graphics, branding, and brainstorming.
• Essential #6: Editing books — Elements of Style and building your own editing toolkit.
• Essential #7: Your promo packet — what's in it and why every author needs one + recap.

Call-to-Action

• 📖 Get the Rooted to Write devotional — 30-day digital devotional for writers: Grab Your Devotional Today
• 🔗 Connect with Mya and her books at writermya.com
• Follow Mya on social @writermya

Episode 5 – How to Wait Well

Episode Summary In this episode of Writing to Win with Mya Kay, Mya speaks to Christian women writers about how to wait well between writing projects. Drawing from her own journey — including her experience with Kindle Unlimited pressure, her novel The Essence of His Soul, and a season off social media — she unpacks why rest between projects is a spiritual discipline, not wasted time. Listeners will learn how to use the in-between season to consecrate themselves, let their work do its work, and rediscover who they are outside of writing.

Key Points

• Why disciples of Christ can't write on the world's production timeline.
• The spiritual warfare that happens after you finish a God-given assignment.
• How God used The Essence of His Soul to touch on gaslighting, generational trauma, and God-ordained relationships — without chasing trends.
• Why downtime is actually God's best download time.
• Three practical tips for waiting well: consecration, letting your work work for you, and doing an identity audit.

Timestamp Overview

• Welcome back + why Christian women writers must wait on God's timing, not industry pressure.
• Sponsor spotlight: Rooted to Write devotional + a deep dive into The Essence of His Soul.
• Tip #1: Consecration — praying, fasting, removing distractions, and intimacy with the Holy Spirit.
• Tip #2: Stop watching trends and other authors; let your work work for you.
• Tip #3: Identity audit — finding out who you are outside of writing + rest of episode.

Call-to-Action

• 📖 Get the Rooted to Write devotional — a 30-day digital devotional for writers: Grab Devotional Here
• 🔗 Connect with Mya and her books at writermya.com
• Follow Mya on social @writermya.

In this episode of Writing to Win with Mya Kay, host Mya Kay teaches writers how to craft a powerful first chapter that immediately draws readers in and keeps them engaged.

After reflecting on the growth of the podcast and the decision to rebuild it with greater authenticity and obedience to God, Mya recaps the foundational lessons from the first three episodes—building a writing foundation, navigating the industry as a Black Christian woman, and outlining a book.

She then walks listeners through four key elements of a compelling first chapter, using both biblical examples (Genesis 1, John 1, Luke 1) and a detailed breakdown from her novel The Essence of His Soul. Mya shows writers how to start with action, reveal character through behavior, build intrigue without oversharing, and end with connection and curiosity.

She closes by challenging nonfiction writers to rethink how they approach their work, emphasizing that storytelling is just as essential in nonfiction as it is in fiction. Through a powerful real-life example, she demonstrates how to draw readers into transformation by starting with lived experience rather than simply presenting information.

Listeners will walk away with a clear, practical framework for writing first chapters that are engaging, intentional, and rooted in both craft and calling.

The Non-Fiction example starts at minute 24 and ends at minute 30.

Timestamps

• [0:00–02:00] – Why this season of the podcast feels different
• [02:00–06:00] – What the Bible teaches about strong beginnings
• [06:00–16:00] – The 4 keys to writing a powerful first chapter
• [16:00–End] – How to apply this to nonfiction writing

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