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.”

• 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)
• How ghostwriters capture a client’s voice through listening, patterns, and a collaborative revision process
• What the ghostwriting process actually looks like: outlines, Zoom interviews, transcripts, “brain dumps,” and intensive sessions
• How ghostwriting intersects with publishing: self-publishing, assisted self-publishing, hybrid, and traditional publishing
• The ethics question—and why Kent believes ghostwriting is a natural extension of how books are always made (teams, editors, designers, etc.)
• Why professionalism matters more than people think (reliability, calm communication, and emotional regulation)
• 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

  1. Publish your own book (and invest in a professional cover)
  2. Tell people what you do—build visibility and clarity
  3. Get your first client win quickly to build momentum and confidence

• “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.

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.

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.

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

Is your idea strong enough to become a book? If you've ever wrestled with that question, you're in good company. In today’s episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, I sit down with writing coach and author Ann Kroeker to talk about how to know whether your idea has the depth, clarity, and longevity needed for a full manuscript. Together, we explore: ✨ How to test and validate your book idea long before you write the full draft ✨ Why sharing your idea early is a gift—not a risk ✨ How curiosity, calling, and stewardship shape the projects we pursue ✨ What traditional publishers are really looking for ✨ When self-publishing is the stronger path ✨ How to build a brand that supports your message—without losing sight of ministry ✨ Why experimentation, iteration, and “just making things” matters for every writer ✨ The surprising connection between platform, clarity, and long-term passion for your topic Ann’s wisdom will encourage you to slow down, think deeply, and discern where God might be leading you as a writer. If you're standing at the crossroads of Do I write this book? or Is this idea enough?, this episode will meet you right where you are. You can follow Ann at annkroeker.com and her podcast, Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach, wherever you listen to podcasts. 👇 Let me know in the comments: What idea are you exploring right now—and what step will you take this week to test it?

Writing online can feel like shouting into the void or slipping into self-promotion. In this conversation with Grant Herbel of The Writer’s Calling on Substack, we explore a different way: seeing writing as worship, serving readers rather than chasing numbers, and using Substack’s features to build a real, engaged community. If you’ve wondered whether Substack is worth your time, how to grow there without “platform panic,” or how to think Christianly about promotion and audience-building, this episode will steady and encourage you. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why your “failed” blogs and abandoned projects aren’t wasted in God’s hands How a secure identity in Christ can free you to write boldly without making writing your identity What makes Substack unique for writers who want depth, not just clicks. How Substack Notes can become a top-of-funnel way to meet new readers Practical ways to host a community using comments and Chat Healthy ways to think about paid subscriptions and monetizing your writing 🔗 Find Grant on Substack: thewriterscalling.substack.com If this conversation encouraged you, like, subscribe, and share it with a writer friend who’s trying to navigate calling, community, and platform with a clear conscience before the Lord.