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Professional Skills

Look Rejection in the Eye and Keep on Going

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Magleby’s chocolate cake. Starbucks Italian cream sodas. Sailor Moon. What do these three things have in common? They are my rejection letter comforts.

Let’s face it. No one wants to see the words This just isn’t a good fit for me when they open that email from the agent who has had their query for the last twenty-three days (or twenty-three minutes, as was the case in my fastest rejection). But even your favorite authors have had to deal with rejection. So how do you survive when all you really want to do is climb into bed and never write another word again? Here are some tips to surviving rejection and living to write another day.

1. Reward yourself!

The mere fact that you’re putting yourself out there and sharing your story with the world is a big deal. You should be proud. A rejection means that you took a shot. You actually wrote that query, found that agent, and pressed send. You’re no longer just another soul who wrote a few words and called it a book. You are submitting. You are a writer. So when John Luc doesn’t think your story is right for him, smile and know that you are one step closer to finding who it is right for. And then go get that scoop of your favorite Baskin-Robbins flavor. You deserve it—because tomorrow you have another query to send.

2. Remember that not everyone loved Twilight.

It seems like every writing conference I go to I talk to someone who hates Twilight. Personally, I remember calling seven or eight people the minute I first finished reading it and telling them they had to read that book. This poor book has been raked over the coals, yet it has one of the biggest fan bases ever. The moral of the story? You are never going to please everyone. You don’t want an agent that is only so-so about your book. You want one that loves it like you do. Rejection is just a way to help you find your dream agent.

3. No doesn’t equal bad.

If you are going to survive the submission process, you need to change your mind-set. I have a dear friend who taught me this. When she first started a home business, she decided that instead of looking for the yes, she was going to look for the no. She was going to keep on contacting potential customers until she got twenty who said no. That wasn’t as easy as she thought it would be. She kept on getting yes after yes after yes. Let Murphy’s Law work for you: If you’re looking for a yes, you’re bound to get a no. But if you are looking for a no, well…

4. You’re not alone.

Kathryn Stockett was rejected 60 times before The Help finally found a home. Stockett isn’t alone. Consider Shannon Hale. J. K. Rowling. Stephen King. Some of the best-loved authors in the world got their fair amount of rejections before their novels found a place onto bookstore shelves and into the hearts of millions of readers. Well, they’re not alone, and neither are you. Agents don’t hate you if they reject you. Sure, you may get the occasional letter reminding you that only people who can actually write get published. When that happens, refer to point 1—and while you’re drowning your sorrows in chocolate, remind yourself that even Rudyard Kipling was told that he didn’t know how to use the English language. Then wash the sticky off your hands (or lick it off if you’re really depressed) and get back to submitting. You are not alone!

5. Read your book.

There is a reason you are putting yourself through this waiting game. You wrote a book—one that you love enough to share with the rest of the world. If you ever get to the point where you are ready to hang up your hat, go back and read a favorite scene. Remind yourself why you love this character or hate that villain. Find that one line that makes you laugh every time you think about it. Read that one part that you need almost an entire box of Kleenex just to get through. If you feel like it’s just not worth it, read your book, and then submit it for your characters. They are worth submitting for.

6. Overcome resistance.

Resistance is a major negative force that can hold you back from from fulfilling your dreams. Watch this inspiring video on how author Steven Pressfield overcame resistance, self-sabotage, and self-doubt (and how that’s more important than talent!).

Do This Now

  1. Submit. There is no need to worry about surviving rejection if you don’t take that first big step.
  2. Don’t sit by the mailbox playing the waiting game. Write. Read. Find someone else to whom you can submit.
  3. Get a three-ring binder and keep a copy of each rejection letter. Someday, when you’re famous, you’ll have some great stories to tell. While you’re at it, put a file in front of the binder to keep track of everyone you submit to and how long it took each one to respond.
  4. Lastly, you can stave off some of that rejection by learning what agents and editors are salivating for. Get some hints here.

This article was written by Sabine Berlin and was republished with permission from Eschler Editing.

A headshot of Sabine Berlin.

Sabine Berlin

Editor

Sabine Berlin is a senior editor at Eschler Editing, where she has worked for over twelve years to help writers bring their stories to life. She is the co-publisher of Mad Cat, the young adult imprint of Roan and Weatherford Publishing. Sabine has also successfully self-published (Oh My Oppa!) and traditionally published (And the Sky Full of Stars). 

    Author Voice: Why AI Can’t Replace It

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    Let’s talk about artificial intelligence (AI) and writing. It seems like every other day, there’s a new tool that promises to make writing faster, easier, and maybe even . . . automatic? It’s easy to see how many writers are pulled toward AI. Some people may even ask writers: Why spend days or months putting blood, sweat, and tears into something that AI can do in seconds?

    Here’s the thing: No matter how impressive AI gets, it will never compare to the unique voice, experience, and, well, humanity that each writer brings to their work.

    It’s true that AI can assist writers in getting through tricky passages and overcoming writer’s block. In later tips in this series about AI, we will discuss the benefits of using AI in your writing in greater detail. But in this article, we’ll focus on what AI can’t replace—your voice!

    Voice vs. Style

    Writing voice and style are two concepts that are often confused or conflated. There is a difference between the concepts, so let’s break them down:

    Voice: The writer’s innate opinions, attitudes, and experiences.

    Style: The writer’s word choices, sentence structures, and mechanical—or grammatical—patterns.

    Tiffany Yates Martin, an established editor with over twenty years of professional experience, has a beautiful description of voice on her website Fox Print Editorial:

    “Author voice, though, comes from the truest, most authentic heart of you. Your voice began to be formed even before you were born, and it has been shaped increment by increment by every single circumstance and element of your life since: where you were raised, by whom, how, in what circumstances; your socioeconomic level, your education, your frames of reference and your experiences; your personality, sensibilities, values, and passions.

    “It can be affected by age and perspective, state of mind and mood. It encompasses your vocabulary, your phrasing and rhythm, your diction and word choice, your verbal tics and habits. It’s reflected in the speed at which you communicate, the way in which you find and express your thoughts, whether you are direct or circuitous, literal or figurative, humorous or serious, and every permutation of all the above.”

    (Yates Martin, Tiffany. “What Is Author Voice and How Do You Find Yours,” Fox Print Editorial, October 8, 2024, https://foxprinteditorial.com/2023/08/10/what-is-author-voice-and-how-do-you-find-yours.)

    Yates’s beautiful description of voice shows just how personal and unique it is. Voice reflects the soul of a writer—their innate perspective and personality—while style is the way ideas are expressed on the page with words.

    Some writers have a writing style that is elaborate and embellished—meaning they love crafting long sentences full of imagery and metaphor. Other writers write short, punchy sentences. Some writers enjoy breaking conventional grammar rules, such as sentence fragments, run-on sentences, or omitting punctuation, and others write in sarcastic or mocking styles.

    A writer’s style may adapt to suit different genres, tones, or audiences, but their voice remains a consistent reflection of their unique personality and perspective. And while AI can mimic certain writing styles by replicating patterns and techniques, it lacks its own innate personality, or voice.

    Voice Is Personal

    The stories you tell—whether they are fictional or not—are uniquely your own. No AI, no matter how advanced, can replicate the intricacies of your lived experience. Your life, your choices, and your perspective are shaped by countless factors: your upbringing, culture, relationships, failures, and triumphs. These experiences color the way you see the world and inform the stories you tell.

    AI may be able to mimic style and structure, but it can’t capture the one thing that makes each writer unique—their individual way of writing stories and depicting complex human feelings. AI, by nature, uses algorithms to predict what should come next based on existing data, so its output often reads as generic.

    Because voice is so uniquely human, we are good at picking up its subtle nuances in the things we read without realizing it. Consider the uncanny valley phenomenon, which is when a “computer-generated figure or humanoid robot bearing a near-identical resemblance to a human being arouses a sense of unease or revulsion in the person viewing it.” (“Uncanny Valley,” Oxford English Dictionary, accessed December 2024, https://www.oed.com/dictionary/uncanny-valley_n?tab=meaning_and_use.)

    For example,  observe AI-generated photos of people that look extremely realistic—until you look closer and see hands with unnatural fingers or mouths with too many teeth. Similarly to this phenomenon, AI tools like ChatGPT can produce material mimicking different writing styles, but they can’t perfectly embody any author’s voice—or cultivate their own.

    Below are three comparable passages from stories that each carry themes of nostalgia, permanent loss, and a painful sense of longing:

    1. “Nick looked down into the pool from the bridge. It was a hot day. A kingfisher flew up the stream. It was a long time since Nick had looked into a stream and seen trout. They were very satisfactory. As the shadow of the kingfisher moved up the stream, a big trout shot upstream in a long angle, only his shadow marking the angle, then lost his shadow as he came through the surface of the water, caught the sun, and then, as he went back into the stream under the surface, his shadow seemed to float down the stream with the current, unresisting, to his post under the bridge where he tightened facing up into the current.

    “Nick’s heart tightened as the trout moved. He felt all the old feeling.” 

    (Hemingway, Ernest. Big Two-Hearted River. Scribner, 1925.)

    2. “Once there were brook trout in the streams in the mountains. You could see them standing in the amber current where the white edges of their fins wimpled softly in the flow. They smelled of moss in your hand. Polished and muscular and torsional. On their backs were vermiculate patterns that were maps of the world in its becoming. Maps and mazes. Of a thing which could not be put back. Not be made right again. In the deep glens where they lived all things were older than man and they hummed of mystery.” 

    (Cormac McCarthy, The Road. Alfred A. Knopf, 2006.)

    3. “The trout dart through the clear, cold stream, their silver bodies flickering like fleeting memories beneath the surface. Time here seems to slow, as though the current itself carries echoes of a forgotten summer. Now, the current feels quieter, the air heavier with the weight of things that are no longer. Each ripple in the water seems to stir an old ache, a quiet sorrow that lingers in the spaces between the rocks, where the trout swim without ever looking back. The stream, once so full of life and laughter, now whispers only of what’s been lost.”

    (ChatGPT. Prompt: “Write a paragraph about trout in a stream with these feelings: nostalgia, loss, and longing.”)

    The differences between these three passages highlight the profound gap between human writing and AI-generated text, particularly when it comes to voice, authenticity, and emotional resonance.

    Ernest Hemingway’s Big Two-Hearted River is marked by his distinctive, restrained style and voice that speaks volumes in what it leaves unsaid. The description of the trout’s shadow—rising, catching the sun, and then floating back into the current—reflects not just the fish’s physical movement but also Nick’s transient grasp of peace and the inescapable pull of memory. When Nick’s heart tightens, the reader feels the weight of his unspoken longing.

    In contrast, Cormac McCarthy’s voice in The Road is lush and poetic, and he evokes awe and reverence for the natural world. His description of the trout doesn’t just show us fish in a stream—it turns them into symbols of something much bigger, something lost that can never be recovered. With lines like “vermiculate patterns . . . maps of the world in its becoming,” McCarthy transforms the details of the trout into a meditation on time and the fragility of existence—a product of a philosophical mind engaging with the world.

    The AI-generated passage, while technically fine and polished, lacks the depth and authenticity of the human-authored examples. Descriptions like “their silver bodies flickering like fleeting memories” and “the air heavier with the weight of things that are no longer” attempt to evoke emotion but instead come across as formulaic and generic as if the AI is trying to fit some template of sentimentality. The passage feels like a compilation of poetic tropes, strung together without the lived experience or unique worldview that imbues an author’s voice with sincerity. As a result, the passage reads as imitative and hollow.

    Voice Is Experiential

    Writers draw from their personal histories—moments of joy, loss, struggle, and triumph—which shape how they perceive the world and how they choose to express it. Each character, scene, and narrative choice is made up of trinkets of the writer’s own life journey.

    AI, while impressive in its ability to mimic writing styles, lacks this experiential foundation. It can replicate the mechanics of storytelling, but it cannot draw from a lived history. AI doesn’t know what it feels like to experience love or loss, to face the challenge of a difficult decision, or to observe the world with the nuance of human perception. As a result, AI-generated novels often lack the depth and emotional resonance that comes from the lived experiences of a human writer. It may produce coherent narratives, but without the personal imprint of a real life, the voice it generates remains hollow and detached.

    Compare the following excerpts:

    1. “Soldiers carry the weight of their weapons, tools of survival and destruction, each one a constant reminder of their purpose and the danger that lurks. Their packs are heavy with rations, medical supplies, and gear—necessary burdens that ground them in the brutal present, yet leave little room for escape. Tucked deep within, they carry the ghosts of past battles, the memories of comrades lost, and the quiet longing for home, all bound in the recesses of their minds. The weight of duty is palpable in every step, as they march forward, burdened by both the physical and emotional tolls of war.”

    (ChatGPT. Prompt: “Write a paragraph about what soldiers carry in war.”)

    “They took up what others could no longer bear. Often, they carried each other, the wounded or weak. They carried infections. They carried chess sets, basketballs, Vietnamese-English dictionaries, insignia of rank, Bronze Stars and Purple Hearts, plastic cards imprinted with the Code of Conduct. They carried diseases, among them malaria and dysentery. They carried lice and ringworm and leeches and paddy algae and various rots and molds. They carried the land itself—Vietnam, the place, the soil—a powdery orange-red dust that covered their boots and fatigues and faces. They carried the sky. The whole atmosphere, they carried it, the humidity, the monsoons, the stink of fungus and decay, all of it, they carried gravity.”

    (O’Brien, Tim. The Things They Carried. Broadway, 1998.)

    Severe trauma and war are examples of things that AI has never experienced and will never experience. For all of ChatGPT’s flowery language, its paragraph above rings incredibly hollow when compared to O’Brien’s excerpt, which draws from his lived experience of serving in the Vietnam war. O’Brien is not using generalizations to speak for every soldier who fought in Vietnam, and he is not even trying to recount every factual detail of his experience. Instead, he speaks about his personal perceptions and feelings developed through his experiences.

    There are a huge number of life experiences—emotions felt, moments lived, and connections formed—that are uniquely human. Drawing from these experiences when writing connects writers with readers, even if they haven’t been through the same things, because they reflect the emotions and connections we all share. This connection is something AI may attempt but will likely never replicate.

    Voice Is Cultural

    Writers also draw from cultural and social dynamics—the gestures, tone, slang, vernacular, and unsaid meanings that make up human interaction. These nuances, shaped by culture, society, and history, enrich a writer’s voice, allowing it to capture the complexities of emotion and experience in ways that resonate with readers.

    AI, though skilled at mimicking writing styles, lacks the ability to truly understand or engage with the social intricacies that define human communication. While it can replicate language patterns or historical references, it cannot grasp the deeper layers of meaning embedded in these elements.

    In our interconnected and plugged-in modern culture, communication is becoming increasingly fluid. Slang, internet culture, and memes are playful, ever-evolving forms of communication that reflect shared humor, generational trends, and cultural moments. These quirks of language serve as social identity markers—the traits, symbols, and language that help people express who they are and where they come from.

    Writers understand how these identity markers operate within communities and use them in novels to create authentic dialogue, relatable characters, and vivid settings. Identity markers in writing can be incredibly subtle. A character’s hesitation before choosing a word might reveal their insecurity or the unspoken weight of their relationship with the person they’re speaking to. The use of the word “demure” might suggest not just modesty but “mindfulness,” “very respectful,” and “not doing too much” to Gen Z readers. A passing mention of the smell of rented bowling shoes could evoke an entire childhood for a reader without being explicitly tied to any narrative arc. These subtleties—rooted in how humans assign meaning to the smallest interactions and details—give writing a depth and resonance that AI may struggle to replicate.

    Voice is Irreplaceable

    AI can copy certain styles, but it can’t capture you. Your unique way of putting things and the little surprises that come with it? That’s your voice, and that’s something only a real, live person can bring.

    So, if you ever feel discouraged by the speed or apparent efficiency of AI, remember this: Your voice matters more than anything a machine could ever produce. Your stories, your emotions, your creativity—they are irreplaceable. Lean into your humanity, trust your unique perspective, and remember that the world is waiting for what only you can write. In the end, no machine can tell your story like you can.

    This article was written by Amy Guan and was republished with permission from Ever Editing.

    A headshot of Amy Guan

    Amy Guan

    Co-Owner and Managing Partner, Ever Editing

    I edit because I love it. I love plotting outlines, treading through unfamiliar topics, and discovering misplaced modifiers. Editing is an adventure, and I wouldn’t give it up for anything. I love playing video games (open world only), eating whatever my husband grabs from the clearance section at Asian Mart, and being taken on walks by my two big dogs. I have a BA in English and a minor in editing.

      How to Approach Feedback on Your Writing

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      Receiving edits from an editor, beta reader, or even a friend can be both exciting and daunting. It’s natural to feel a mix of emotions: nervousness to see what your reviewer thought about your manuscript, eagerness to dive into revisions, or apprehension about the work ahead. 

      Feedback can come in multiple forms. If it’s feedback from a beta reader, it might be a few paragraphs long and gloss over a handful of portions of your manuscript. If it’s from a copyeditor, you might get a style sheet and an entire manuscript’s worth of punctuation and grammar corrections. If it’s from a developmental editor, you’ll likely receive an editorial letter and pages of notes. No matter what kind of feedback you get, the following tips will help you interpret it and form a plan to revise your manuscript.

      Remember That Revisions Are Normal

      Going through feedback can be overwhelming. After all, you just handed off your book baby to a stranger! Receiving feedback that requires you to adjust a paragraph here and there may feel relatively easy, but it is another matter entirely to hear a suggestion that, if implemented, will require hours of planning and rewriting. Just take a breather and remind yourself that revisions are a normal step in the writing process.

      Recognize that feedback is not a critique of your writing abilities but a constructive assessment aimed at elevating your manuscript to its fullest potential. Every successful manuscript has been revised. It’s even safe to say that most manuscripts have gone through a plethora of revisions. Your manuscript is no different. Embrace the opportunity to learn and grow from the insights provided.

      Consider Others’ Perspectives

      Whether your reviewer is a professional in the publishing industry or a neighbor down the road, it’s important to consider his or her feedback, even if it differs from your own. One of the most valuable aspects of getting your manuscript reviewed is that there is distance between the novel and the reviewer. Unlike the writer of the manuscript, reviewers can look over the manuscript with fresh eyes. This means your reviewers are in a position to provide outside and objective insights that you as the creator may not be able to see. Their feedback will also reflect what other readers would notice as they read your book for the first time.

      Remember, reviewers provide feedback based on their expertise and experience. Editors have been specifically trained to learn how to make your manuscript successful. They bring a wealth of knowledge about what makes a story engaging and marketable to your target audience. Beta readers are avid readers who will recognize themes you should include in your novel. And perhaps a friend will give you some great pointers.

      No matter who your reviewers are, they will bring value to your manuscript.  It’s important to appreciate their time and effort and truly consider their feedback.

      Seek Clarity

      If you’re unsure about any aspect of the feedback, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. When reaching out to your reviewer, be specific about the areas of the feedback that are unclear or require further explanation. This might involve asking for examples, elaboration on certain points, or additional context to better grasp the reviewer’s perspective.

      Once you clearly understand the feedback, you may want to brainstorm with the reviewer. Or perhaps you have implemented more changes and want his or her perspective on your next draft. Ask your reviewer if you can share new ideas with him or her based on his or her feedback. Going in a new direction with your manuscript or implementing a big change is scary, and receiving additional feedback and validation from another person so intimately acquainted with your work can be extremely motivating, spurring you to tackle the revision with a sense of purpose and confidence.

      Most reviewers are happy to provide more insight or look over your manuscript again. After all, they’re now invested in your story too. However, it is a good idea to check with reviewers to see when or if they have time to give more feedback. And if working with professionals, make sure to review your contract to see how many revisions are covered or if you will need to schedule and pay for a new round.

      Know What Your Feedback Will Look Like

      There are multiple kinds of feedback, and depending on what that feedback is will determine how you will implement it into your next draft. Let’s talk about a few kinds of revisions.

      Developmental Editing: Editors will indicate which big-picture aspects of your story need the most attention. They will provide detailed explanations of existing issues and how they can be changed. You may receive an editorial letter with a list of items to address or you may receive a document with comments in it or both. No matter what format the feedback comes in, it is important to read and digest all the feedback before you start revising. This way, you can get a clear picture of the reviewer’s overall assessment of your novel. From there, you can determine what changes you need to make and in what order they should be done. Then, you can start rewriting, cutting scenes, or shifting paragraphs around.

      Line Editing: Editors will use Track Changes, which is a feature in electronic documents that allows reviewers to track the changes they make so the writer can see what the reviewers do versus their original work. You will be able to accept or reject these changes in the document. If the changes are simple, like changing a word here and there, you can accept or reject them as you read them. But if the suggested changes affect the manuscript as a whole, it’s a good idea to read all the way through the document before accepting or rejecting changes.

      Copyediting: Editors also use Track Changes to make edits to the technical elements of your manuscript, such as punctuation, grammar, and stylistic consistency. Again, you will accept or reject these changes directly in the document. But since these are all changes that affect presentation and not the book overall, you can accept or reject them as you read.

      Proofreading: When editors look over your typeset document, they will either leave comments directly in the document that note the errors they’ve found, or they will send you an additional document containing a list that indicates the page, paragraph, and line of the error. If you typeset the document yourself, you can use these edits to update your document. If you hired a typesetter, forward this feedback on to the typesetter, and he or she will make sure the feedback is incorporated.

      It’s also important to note that there are no industry-standard ways to give feedback. So it may be smart to ask your editor what format he or she uses or to tell a beta reader that you prefer to review feedback in a specific format. Having proactive conversations like these can prepare you for the feedback you will receive.

      Choose Which Feedback to Implement

      Not all feedback needs to be accepted. In fact, you can choose to accept or reject whatever feedback you like. (This may not be true if you have a contract with a publishing firm. So make sure to double-check that.) However, even though you can choose how to shape your manuscript, it is important to consider the reviewer’s expertise and your publishing goals when deciding which revisions to implement.

      Consider the type of edit done. For example, copyediting adheres to established rules and industry standards, meaning these revisions should typically always be accepted. Developmental edits, on the other hand, may involve significant changes to plot, story structure, or character development, which means they are open to interpretation and should be weighed carefully.

      Next, think about what pros and cons come with accepting or rejecting feedback. For example, if your editor advises reducing the word count to meet industry standards, you can choose not to, but be aware that it may be more difficult to get your book traditionally published. On the other hand, if one out of ten of your beta readers has a negative reaction to a certain character and suggests changes to improve that character, you might not need to implement his or her feedback. But if the majority of your beta readers have a negative reaction to that character, implementing their feedback and changing that character may be in your best interest.

      When looking over feedback, you should also think about your reviewer’s background. Does your reviewer have any credentials that would make their feedback more credible? Is your reviewer familiar with the publishing industry and giving suggestions that will make your manuscript more successful in a particular genre? Or is his or her feedback based on personal preference? For example, let’s say your manuscript focuses on a particular culture, and your reviewer has given you feedback suggesting you make changes to the description of that culture. You should evaluate your reviewer’s expertise in this area. Is he or she making this suggestion because he or she wants the story to be more familiar to him or her? Or is he or she a sensitivity reader who is familiar with the culture? If the former, you most likely don’t need to implement the feedback; if the latter, you probably should.

      It’s also important to remember that your story is uniquely yours. If the feedback you receive doesn’t sit well with you, you do not have to incorporate it into your next draft. For instance, let’s say your story is about two sisters growing up on a potato farm in Idaho. Your reviewer suggests making your characters a brother and sister instead of two sisters. Your reviewer may have a list of good reasons behind this change, and these changes may make your book more marketable. However, you may choose not to accept this suggestion because you have tension with your own brother, which would make it difficult to write about a brother and sister in the manuscript. Or perhaps you’ve been envisioning this book being about two sisters for decades and simply can’t part with that idea. Either way, it’s also important to stay true to your own vision for your manuscript.

      Deciding which feedback to implement is a lot of work. Make sure to evaluate each recommendation in light of your creative vision and narrative goals while also accounting for your reviewers’ expertise and industry standards.

      Remember, the editorial process is a collaboration aimed at elevating your work to its fullest potential. Every piece of feedback is a valuable opportunity to enhance your writing skills and bring your manuscript closer to publication. By balancing your writing goals with constructive feedback, you can navigate the editing process and feel great about the story you put out into the world.

      This article was written by and republished with permission from Ever Editing.

      Margaret Blair Young and the Power of Stories that Matter

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      In a small town in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a man stares at a hand-bound book in disbelief. Inside are the pages of his own story.

      “I’ve been poor my whole life,” he says. “I’ve been cheated out of a lot of things. But look, there’s a book about me.”

      For filmmaker and former Brigham Young University creative writing professor Margaret Blair Young, moments like this emphasize the power of storytelling. Throughout her career, Young has used stories to restore voices that history has overlooked—stories that heal, foster understanding, and illuminate faith.

      Young’s work documenting the history of Black members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began in 1998. “I had written quite a few books,” she recalls, “but I wanted to do something that really mattered.”

      After praying for guidance and receiving a blessing from her husband that confirmed her spiritual promptings, she latched onto this idea: “Why don’t I write stories of Black Mormon pioneers?”

      Soon afterward, she met Darius Gray under what she calls “pretty miraculous circumstances.” Gray is a journalist, businessman, and expert in Black Latter-day Saint history. He’s been actively engaged in human rights and civil rights causes for decades.

      “I actually had a cassette tape recording of him in my purse because I had ordered it while doing research,” Young recalls.

      When the two connected, Young had already written about one hundred pages. After reading the manuscript, Gray recognized the importance of the work. He looked over it and said, “Let’s do this together.”

      Young and Gray delved into history and wrote a trilogy of novels, Standing on the Promises, about the lives of early Black Latter-day Saints. When the pair began, these stories were largely undocumented. Even after publication, they continued to uncover new information that corrected earlier assumptions.

      “It’s a history that wasn’t terribly well known,” Young explains, likening the research required to that of three PhD dissertations.

      Confronting Racism in Church History

      Young’s work led to the documentary Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons, which explores the experiences of Black Church members before and after the 1978 revelation extending priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy male members.

      “We could say things that Church leaders couldn’t necessarily say and really hit the complexities and the depths of the issues head on.”

      Before the documentary’s release, Young and her collaborators showed it to the Church History Department and several General Authorities. The project was well received.

      Young’s determination to address such complexities stems from personal experience. She first confronted racism directly at fourteen when her seminary teacher used a racial slur in class.

      “I had a really visceral reaction to it.” She dropped out of seminary because of the incident. “That kind of [intensified] my own realization that we had a problem we needed to deal with.”

      Sharing Jane Manning James’s Story

      Young turned to creative work to confront the problem. She wrote the play I Am Jane about early pioneer Jane Manning James. When it was performed in Springville, Utah, around 2001, the production sold out and drew audiences from across the state. Many said they’d needed to hear Jane’s story, especially her petitions to President John Taylor asking about temple blessings. Young’s play captures the spirit of Jane’s appeal: If this was truly the “fullness of times,” and the promises to Abraham meant all people could be blessed, where was her blessing?

      Jane’s faith and courage invited audiences to open their hearts and recognize Christ in every person they encounter.

      In October 2020, President Russell M. Nelson called on members to “lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice.” For Young, that work begins with recognizing when conversations are built on racist assumptions or when history is minimized or ignored.

      Meaningful change, she believes, begins within individuals. Too often, conversations about racism end quickly, dismissed with a clever comment or meme. Real growth begins with humility and willingness to examine one’s own heart. The point is not condemnation but to allow God to reveal attitudes that might otherwise remain invisible.

      “Ask the Lord to help you discern where [racist views] are and how you can clear them out.”

      For Young, confronting prejudice is not separate from faith. It’s a central part of it. Latter-day Saints have a unique foundation for combating racism in the Book of Mormon, which repeatedly emphasizes unity and equality.

      “There were no ‘ites’ among them. That should be the foundation for everything we do.”

      A New Calling In the Congo

      Young’s work eventually expanded beyond American history. “Darius was… the one who told me a whole lot about Africa.”

      At the time, she and her husband were serving in an MTC branch where missionaries were learning to speak French. Through those missionaries—many of whom were preparing to serve in Africa—she began corresponding with individuals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

      “Cinema had died about forty years ago in the Congo,” she explains. Government corruption and economic collapse left once-beautiful areas abandoned and in ruins. Yet she believes film offers a path toward renewal. “Cinema allows us to present new narratives.”

      At first, Young thought they would be “making a movie that happened to be set in the Congo, but was maybe filmed somewhere else.” Instead, they discovered they were meant to support a Congolese team in reviving the country’s cinema industry.

      Following the Work

      Young realized that individualized storytelling could bring even more meaning to the community. When the team traveled to a remote town, the Congolese film director discovered his great-aunt living there. His mother had lost her own mother in childbirth, and this aunt had cared for her.

      His great-aunt wept throughout their meeting. Because they spoke different languages, a translator helped them communicate. The following year, the team returned with his mother so the two could reunite.

      Experiences like these confirm the stories of the Congolese people are waiting to be told. Young believes these stories carry a sacred weight, revealing the true character of a nation often portrayed only as a tragedy. She feels called to help share a broader vision of the Congo—one that reveals its beauty and reminds people that its citizens are “our brothers and sisters,” and that “we should strive to have ‘no ‘ites’ among us in our hearts.”

      Young’s team collected oral histories from residents eager to share their experiences.

      “We would bind the books using whatever materials they could find—cardboard, fabric…” With a generator powering the printer, Young helped students produce books featuring their own photographs.

      The long-term vision was to create a library made up entirely of local stories. Many had lived through the devastating war that ended in 2003. “Some of the stories are horrifying, but they matter.”

      Finding Her Path

      Looking back, Young does not describe her path as carefully planned. She says it unfolded simply by being willing to begin.

      “I don’t know that you’d want to follow the way I do things because I’m a little bit crazy,” she laughs. But her approach has always been rooted in openness, paying attention to ideas that feel meaningful, and acting on them before the full path is visible.

      “If you’re not moving, not much will happen.” Her advice is to pray about what kind of work might bring good into the world, then begin. “Be open to anything. Trust that when you start doing something that is truly meant to edify and bring greater light into the world, it will be sustained.”

      For Young, the work has always been about helping people see one another more clearly and remembering that every life holds a story worth telling.

      This article is based on a Called to Create podcast aired season 1, episode 11. To hear the full podcast, click here.

      Why and How to Recognize AI Writing

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      Can you really spot AI writing? Here are the subtle clues to look for.

      One of the biggest topics being debated in the writing world is how to approach or handle AI in writing. On one hand, AI can be an incredibly helpful tool for authors. It can help brainstorm, organize research, spark ideas, explore alternative verbiage, help you remember how to use a certain phrase—all things that most people agree can boost the writing process in a great way. 

      On the other hand, there are many fears about AI writing becoming a replacement for real writing—whether that means writers relying on AI or AI replacing humans altogether. 

      The key is to use AI responsibly and not let it replace your own voice. Readers can tell when AI has been used too freely, even if they don’t immediately recognize what’s off. When people copy and paste whole paragraphs of AI-generated content, that’s when inaccuracies, fabricated sources, awkward phrasing, or overly formal styles are noticeable. 

      Why Should Writers Learn to Recognize AI Writing?

      Why is it important for writers and readers to recognize AI writing? Here are a few reasons:

      To Stop Misinformation

      AI can and has spread inaccurate facts and information in the publishing industry.

      Imagine following a top summer reading list published by multiple newspapers only to realize that 10 of the 15 books were just made up by AI and, worst of all, were attributed to real authors. That actually happened in May 2025 in newspapers like the Chicago Sun-Times and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Notably, the fake reading list was published just two months after the Chicago Sun-Times had announced that 20% of its staff had accepted buyouts as the paper dealt “with fiscal hardship.” Naturally, subscribers were outraged, and the situation sparked debates online about publishing standards and credibility in a time when AI is being used more and more.

      Now imagine browsing books on Amazon, finding an intriguing one with numerous positive reviews, only to realize the reviews seem to be written by AI. And maybe the book itself is AI-generated. That is all too common now.

      AI-written “companion” books (summaries, workbooks, and guides of legitimate books) are also becoming a widespread problem on Amazon. These low-quality books are designed to piggyback on the success of new, human-written books by using nearly identical titles and the original author’s own name. By the time these books are caught and taken down, damage has already been done in the form of stolen sales, ruined reputations, and confused readers.

      Recognizing AI writing helps writers judge the trustworthiness of certain sources and ensure the accuracy of references. This is especially important for authors of nonfiction books.

      Generative AI chatbots are designed to be very agreeable, and their responses to prompts sound very authoritative and convincing, even when they are completely wrong. Many writers—or, unfortunately, their readers—are finding that AI boldly cites sources that don’t exist, attributes fake quotes to characters, or proclaims wrong details as truth. Authors, reporters, and lawyers who have relied on AI to assist them in writing have taken public hits to their reputations for publishing incorrect information. Learning to spot AI writing can help authors choose credible and real sources. 

      To Protect the Revision Process

      Some authors have paid for beta reading services only to discover later that the “feedback” was produced entirely by AI. The so-called beta readers confidently referenced sentences and ideas that didn’t exist anywhere in the manuscript, leaving the authors with wasted time and money, not to mention reduced confidence in the revision process.

      Being aware of AI writing could help authors—especially those self-publishing—put safeguards in place to find beta readers who won’t use AI and to spot AI-generated feedback.

      Some ways authors can carefully vet beta readers include reading detailed client reviews instead of relying on five-star ratings, utilizing reputable author circles for recommendations, and exchanging a small sample at first. Authors can also request examples of the reviewer’s work, use AI content detectors (imperfect as they currently are) as a preliminary screening tool, and request to pay for services after the feedback is received. For more on this topic, see 7 Ways Writers Can Prevent Beta Readers From Submitting AI-Generated Feedback.

      Occasionally checking out publishing forums, such as r/selfpublish, is a great way to stay informed on recent trends and pitfalls in the publishing industry.

      To Preserve Creative Writing

      From deciding to engage with a lengthy post on Reddit to picking a book, readers want to read content that is original, nuanced, relatable, and real. Aka, the kind of content that comes from lived experience.

      Almost every piece of published creative writing comes with an unspoken agreement between writer and reader: that it is written by another person. We care that care has been put into the media we consume and become invested in.

      AI can suggest ideas, but it struggles to form cohesive storylines or maintain consistent character and plot threads. Writers who can see these shortcomings can better appreciate the skill they bring to their own work.

      How Can Writers Recognize AI Writing?

      When it comes to AI writing, there are no hard and fast methods to determine if a piece of text is, in fact, AI. AI-detection software is getting better, but so is AI. The only indisputable way to tell if someone is using AI models, like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini, in their writing is if they forget to cut out their prompt.

      But the more AI-generated content is used in online discourse, social media, emails, and even creative works, the better we are getting at identifying it. This is because people are wired to recognize faulty patterns, inconsistent tones, and unnatural expressions. That’s why the concept of the uncanny valley—when something looks or sounds almost human, but feels slightly off—is a thing we pick up on fast.

      You can also identify multiple clues found in AI writing patterns that indicate the writing likely wasn’t written by a human. If you see a few of these clues in what you’re reading, be wary of the source.

      First Clue: A Dramatic Change

      The best clue might ultimately be familiarity. If a person’s writing style shifts dramatically within the same piece of content, or if they use more complex vocabulary or grammatical phrases than usual, it stands out. A sudden shift in tone, style, verbiage, etc., is something to take note of.

      Second Clue: Frequent Em Dashes

      A common attribute of AI-generated writing is its frequent use of em dashes. It is no surprise that AI favors em dashes, since AI models are trained on real human writing. And writers love em dashes!

      Em dashes are some of the most versatile punctuation—they can function like a colon, semicolon, parentheses, or even comma. Those of us who love to write probably use em dashes on an hourly basis; however, the general public does not—especially on social media.

      Because em dashes are easily identifiable, a piece of informal content like social media posts or articles that are filled with them may be an early indicator that AI was used, because humans likely wouldn’t use em dashes in these contexts as much.

      Third Clue: Overly Formal and Structured

      Remember the structured paragraph essay format you were taught in school? Introduction (broad overview and thesis statement), body paragraphs (supporting details and transition phrases), and conclusion (restatement of introduction). That structure was designed to teach students how to organize their thoughts clearly and is still used in professional reports, proposals, and academic-adjacent writing. But in everyday situations, few people write this way. AI, on the other hand, often does.

      AI tends to default to professional or academic language. It favors grammatically perfect sentences with predictable connectors like “furthermore,” “in addition,” or “it’s not x but y.” While these phrases aren’t wrong, their overuse can make the writing feel stiff, robotic, and overly polished. The issue is when this formula shows up in places where writing is usually more flexible, like emails, social media, casual articles, or creative writing. The rigid structure of the formula throws the casual tone off.

      In short, if the writing feels like it came out of a textbook or a standardized test—especially in places where a looser or more conversational tone would make sense—it might be AI.

      Fourth Clue: Surface-Level Substance

      AI-generated writing tends to lack substance. This is partly because AI is trained to predict what sounds plausible or typical, not what’s nuanced or new. As a result, its writing often resembles marketing copy: agreeable and inoffensive. But unlike marketing copy, which is typically concise and snappy, AI-generated writing tends to be verbose and overly relies on metaphors to explain simple concepts. You’ll notice familiar buzzwords, vague clichés, and an overall upbeat tone that avoids conflict or complexity.

      In sum, it’s writing that wants to please everyone.

      Fifth Clue: No Mistakes/Too Perfect

      We’ve all encountered the red or blue lines that show up under our misspelled words or incorrectly formatted phrases. And what are the programs that mark our mistakes powered by? AI. So it makes sense that AI-generated writing rarely contains typos, misspellings, or incorrect grammar.

      But flawless grammar and punctuation just isn’t part of the writing process, especially in early drafts. And flawless content is often not the goal in the first place. People bend grammar to sound more natural or to make a point or to simply be creative. We start messy and then revise. We leave a sentence fragment for emphasis. AI can’t make those intentional deviations effectively.

      So, when you encounter flawless and overly professional or stiff text on places like social media, that may be an indication of AI.

      Authors can use AI to support their work, but they must do so responsibly—for their readers and themselves.

      These are all helpful clues—but that’s all they are. Even when several signs point toward AI, there’s still plenty of room for doubt. Writers who use em dashes and ensure their writing is error-free shouldn’t feel afraid that their work will be confused with AI. Unless you have hard evidence, it’s best to assume the writing came from a human.

      Make AI a tool, not a replacement. At the end of the day, readers love, value, cherish, connect with, and pay for books written by humans.

      This article was written by Amy Guan and was republished with permission from Ever Editing.

      A headshot of Amy Guan

      Amy Guan

      Co-Owner and Managing Partner, Ever Editing

      I edit because I love it. I love plotting outlines, treading through unfamiliar topics, and discovering misplaced modifiers. Editing is an adventure, and I wouldn’t give it up for anything. I love playing video games (open world only), eating whatever my husband grabs from the clearance section at Asian Mart, and being taken on walks by my two big dogs. I have a BA in English and a minor in editing.

        Networking and Pitching to Agents (Even When You’re Scared to Death)

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        I have the world’s greatest critique group. Not only are the members super smart and talented, they are fun to be with. So why is it that every Thursday night I have to convince myself to get up and go to writers’ group? They don’t even care if I show up in my pajamas, so that can’t be it! The answer is, I’m a huge introvert. I love my down time, hidden in my room, not having to worry about socializing with anyone but Lizzy Bennet and Mr. Darcy, Katniss and Peeta, or my favorite characters of the week (which this week happen to be Anna and St. Clair!). If you’re an introvert like me, you know this feeling. Maybe that’s why we choose to be writers. We don’t get distracted by parties and events, and we’re fine staying home on a Friday night to type away. Writing appears to be a very on-your-own type of career.

        Until you finish your novel and actually want to get noticed.

        Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, had this same awakening after she finished her book. In an interview on Marie TV, Cain, a proclaimed introvert, said: “I spent seven years happily writing a book in splendid solitude and since then my life has been all about being public.”

        I’m sure there are hundreds of writers out there who would love that type of a “problem,” but for those of us who walk into a room and look for the nearest exits and the quietest corners, it can be a scary thing. Especially when you’re at a con or writing event and you not only need to talk to perfect strangers, but you also have to get them to want to read YOUR book.

        Never fear! Whether you are planning on pitching or just want to network confidently, we’re here with five great tips to keep in mind as you set out to your next con.

        1. Listen to Me.

        Many times, we look at our introverted personalities as a barrier, when actually they can be an advantage. One thing that introverts are usually great at is listening. Just because we’re quiet doesn’t mean we don’t know what’s going on. Listening to others—especially to an agent or presenter—can benefit your career greatly. Half the reason you’re at this particular con is to learn—so don’t be afraid to soak in all the advice you can. You’re sure to find great writing tips. Remember: Agents have hundreds of people who want to talk to them. When you take the time to listen to what the agents really want, you’re sure to be ahead when it comes to the pitching game.

        2. Pitch Perfect.

        If you’ve been listening, you’ll know the right time to bring out your pitch. But when that right time arrives, what should you say? On the introduction page of her website, Cain says, “I like to think before I speak.” This is another great introvert trait. Use it. Nothing is worse than being put on the spot. Knowing what your book is about doesn’t count. Even if you’re the most extroverted person out there, when you’re standing in front of your dream agent, anxiety will kick in and it’ll be nearly impossible to sum up your book in one brilliant sentence. Think about what you’re going to say. Plan out exactly how you want to present your book and yourself before you even leave the house! If this sounds as daunting as actually having to share it with someone, check out this article on writing pitches by our in-house expert Elena Johnson.

        3. Don’t Overdo It.

        Depending on which convention you’re attending, you may have the opportunity to talk to several of the presenters and pitch to several agents. If this makes you want to go back to your room and crawl under the covers, then don’t force yourself to do it. Cain advocates having a quota system. Tell yourself you’re going to network with one, two, or three people. Pick a number you feel comfortable with and stick to it. Wouldn’t you rather give one really great pitch or have one meaningful conversation on improving your skills than stress about having to live through five or ten mediocre ones?

        4. Agents: Big Bad Wolves or Fairy Godmothers?

        Agents are people too, and some of them are as introverted as you are. One member of our writing community, a solid introvert, wrote this after his first-ever pitch session: “This was going to be my first time actually interacting, in person, with actual agents. I follow some agents on Twitter, subscribe to some of their blogs, and read what others say about their experiences, but this was going to be my first pitch. Needless to say, I was extremely nervous—to the point I was worrying over how I should greet them. Did I go with the ‘Hi,’ the ‘Hello,’ or the ‘Nice to meet you’? I think I finally settled on ‘Hi’; it was all a blur. So what happened? All the agents were extremely friendly, open, willing to let me ask questions, responsive to my comments in their classes, and basically made me and the other aspiring authors feel at ease. Some people see agents as the big bad gatekeeping wolves, but for me they are now gracious fairy godmothers doing their best to create happily-ever-afters.”

        Don’t be afraid to look for a kindred spirit among the agents and pitch to that person. He or she may, after all, make your wishes come true.

        5. This, Too, Shall Pass.

        Just because you’re at a con, you don’t have to spend all your time pitching. But if you’re there, chances are you love your book enough to give it a shot. So do it. Make the pitch. According to Cain, we can act out of character for work we really love. But we should do it mindfully and then restore afterward. If you’ve practiced your pitch and set your quota, then you’ll be all right. Make the pitch. Break the shell, then give yourself a break. As Marie Forleo, who interviewed Cain and is, herself, often overwhelmed by being in the world spotlight, says, “When it’s time to fly, don’t deny.” Go ahead and let yourself restore when you need to.

        Trying to convince someone else that your book is the greatest thing since sliced bread can be hard and scary. But it doesn’t have to be. So stop trying to talk yourself into it and get the skills to feel confident. Follow these steps and you, too, “can shake the world in a gentle way.” We believe in you!

        Do This Now

        1. Write your pitch. Check out our How-to Guide.
        2. Start seeing your introversion as an asset to your career and learn how you can be successful without changing yourself. Check out the Susan Cain interview on Marie TV.
        3. Believe in yourself just the way you are. You don’t have to be swinging from the chandeliers to get noticed at a con.

        This article was written by Sabine Berlin and was republished with permission from Eschler Editing.

        A headshot of Sabine Berlin.

        Sabine Berlin

        Editor

        Sabine Berlin is a senior editor at Eschler Editing, where she has worked for over twelve years to help writers bring their stories to life. She is the co-publisher of Mad Cat, the young adult imprint of Roan and Weatherford Publishing. Sabine has also successfully self-published (Oh My Oppa!) and traditionally published (And the Sky Full of Stars). 

          Book of Mormon Picture Books for Young Families

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          Kennedy Kofford ran into a familiar problem for many Latter-day Saint parents: she wanted to teach her children gospel stories, but the books available were either too simple to be meaningful, too complex for young minds, or too long to finish before children lost interest—or fell asleep.

          Kennedy saw this challenge as an opportunity. She shared her idea with the women in her family, and what began as a simple conversation quickly grew into a collaborative family business called Faithful Chapters. Together, five women—Kennedy, her sisters-in-law Kenzie, Kaylie, and Laylah, and the family matriarch, Camille—create illustrated Book of Mormon board books that are doctrinally sound and visually engaging for young families.

          From Concept to Creation

          With no entrepreneurial experience, the women taught themselves the necessary skills through Google, ChatGPT, and community resources to navigate everything from obtaining business licenses and ISBNs to finding printing companies and designing packaging.

          “We didn’t know much about starting a business,” Kenzie admits. “It felt pretty intimidating, and we didn’t know if we could do it.” For aspiring entrepreneurs, Kenzie offers encouragement: “There’s so much help out there now. Anybody can do it—and there’s room for everyone to succeed.”

          Then Camille became involved. “We’re making this happen,” she said. “It’s going to be awesome—and I’ll finance it.” So, they pressed forward.

          Kennedy credits Camille’s financial backing as crucial to their enterprise. “We all have young families and don’t have extra money to throw into a business.” The women agree that it has taken every one of them to bring their vision to life.

          Camille adds, “We really, truly need each other’s support and contributions to make this happen.”

          The women gathered to select Book of Mormon stories, focusing on principles rather than retelling narratives. Camille explains their approach: “For us, it’s about the message. The tree of life teaches about returning to Christ and feeling God’s love. The brass plates teach obedience and persistence—even when answers don’t come immediately.”

          Kennedy and Camille draft each book, keeping them to twelve pages or less, then pass manuscripts back and forth for revisions. When the story feels strong, they bring it to the whole group for final edits and fresh perspectives. This collaborative effort ensures each book reflects the combined voice, testimony, and insight of all five women.

          A careful balance of doctrine, clarity, and creativity shapes how the team adapts scripture for a broad audience. Toddlers are drawn to the illustrations, while children around five or six years old engage more deeply with the text. Even parents can discover details they hadn’t noticed before.

          Camille laughs as she recalls reading one story aloud: “Two of my grown children stopped me and said, ‘Wait—that happened?’”

          Finding the Right Illustrator

          Finding the right illustrator was their next challenge. They posted on Instagram and reached out through personal networks, asking several artists to submit sample sketches. After praying for guidance, Kaylie felt prompted to search through BYU’s illustration program portfolios, where she discovered Abby Shumway’s work. Kaylie had envisioned images with “a sort of Alice in Wonderland vibe,” and Abby’s art fit that specification perfectly.

          But it wasn’t enough for the art to be beautiful. The Koffords knew they needed an illustrator with a testimony of the stories themselves—and Abby’s faith is evident in her art. “It’s just so happy and draws your attention,” Kenzie says. “We really connected with her work; it was whimsical, bright, and full of life.”

          The women all worked together to adapt the visuals for a G-rated audience. To soften intense moments in Nephi’s story, Abby illustrated Laban asleep in polka-dotted underwear with a pot carefully placed in front of his head—or lack thereof! The depiction adds humor while leaving room for parents to teach the story in age-appropriate ways.

          Design and Production

          Each book’s QR code links to family home evening resources formatted and overseen by Laylah, who spearheaded the lesson structure. Families can access her quick five-minute lessons or more detailed discussions, along with printable coloring pages—making the books flexible for varied schedules and ages.

          The books also feature an interactive element inspired by Kenzie’s childhood love of finding hidden CTR rings in The Friend magazine. Faith the Mouse serves as the series’ mascot, hiding on every page for children to discover.

          The women wanted books that could survive diaper bags, toddlers, and years of use while still teaching sacred stories. They initially designed the board books at 5×5 inches but then realized Abby’s detailed illustrations lost their impact at that size. “You couldn’t see Faith the Mouse or the bite mark in the fruit,” Kenzie said. They resized to 6×6 inches and continued refining. “It’s a process,” she adds. “You just keep trying until you get it right.”

          Looking Forward

          Faithful Chapters plans to ship directly to customers who order through Instagram. Despite her faith in their endeavor, Laylah admits she was a little nervous about their launch. “I just worried that we wouldn’t get any orders,” she says. But those concerns quickly vanished. “We get the notifications on our phones, and we get excited every time! It’s very heartwarming to feel the support.”

          Internet sales are just the beginning. “Our goal is to get into brick-and-mortar stores,” Kenzie says. “We’re still fresh—we’re focusing on getting our books out to friends and family first.”

          The Kofford girls plan to move chronologically through Book of Mormon stories, eventually offering themed bundles and expanding into Bible stories and Church history.

          Divine Guidance and Greater Purpose

          Beyond business goals, the Kofford women feel a deeper spiritual calling. Laylah explains, “Obviously, we’ve had hurdles, but God always guides us to a solution.”

          She adds, “As I’ve been rereading the Book of Mormon, I’ve noticed so many things I missed before. I feel strongly that this is what God wants us to do: introduce His children to the Book of Mormon earlier.”

          For Kaylie, the books meet a deeply personal need. “My husband left the Church about four years ago, and I have four kids ages one to eight,” she shares. “Even with a supportive husband, it’s sometimes hard to pull out the scriptures and teach the stories by myself. These board books are such a tool in my belt—something simple, engaging, and beautiful.”

          Faithful Chapters is intentionally designed to meet families where they are, supporting households of different beliefs with equal care.

          This shared sense of purpose fuels the sisters’ commitment. “We hope that when kids go to Sunday School,” Kenzie says, “they already know the stories because of our books.”

          Beyond creating products, Faithful Chapters has strengthened family bonds. “We’re all busy,” Kenzie adds, “but starting a business together has been so meaningful, and we’re all in it together.”

          As Faithful Chapters moves forward, the women are building more than a business. They’re creating a foundation of faith for the next generation—one colorful page at a time.

          Headshot of Kami Pehrson.

          Kami Pehrson

          Kami Pehrson lives with her husband and five teenage children in Stansbury Park, Utah. She recently finished her master’s degree in English and creative writing and has written three novels—but is still trying to figure out what to do with them. She loves editing, reading, and playing word games on her phone. She also enjoys listening to audiobooks while half-heartedly doing Pilates in the living room.

            The Art of the Interview

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            As creators, one of the greatest tools we have is the ability to listen carefully and ask meaningful questions. The art of interviewing can help us open doors to understanding, build trust, and draw out authentic stories that uplift and inspire others.

            When I was going through BYU’s journalism program in the late 1990s, I was surprised to discover there wasn’t a class specifically on interviewing. Which seemed strange, because interviewing is half the job!

            So, I learned it on the job. Over the years, writing for a variety of publications, I’ve interviewed people from all walks of life: farmers, CEOs, investors, first responders, city officials, cancer patients, etc. I’ve interviewed people over the phone, through email, video calls, or in person; sometimes in a tractor or in a hallway after a city council meeting. Each format comes with its quirks, but the heart of interviewing is always the same: helping people share their authentic stories.

            For those of us who create—whether it’s articles, books, podcasts, or films—interviewing is a sacred opportunity to really see someone, listen with care, and draw out their inner truths. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned along the way.

            Making It Happen

            Tracking down an interviewee and getting them to commit can be the biggest hurdle because people are busy or hesitant. The key? Be flexible. Offer multiple times, be willing to adjust, and show that you respect their schedule. That first impression will help build trust.

            I’ve used a go-between person to contact my interviewee many times. For example, when I worked for an agriculture magazine, I found it hard to get in touch with farmers. As a farm girl myself, I knew that most farmers just wanted to be left alone. So, I’d usually have the dairy association or another trusted contact reach out first to vouch for me. They were much easier to get ahold of after that.

            Also consider mode of contact. Some people prefer email, others text, others a phone call. Be open to trying different methods depending on the person—it shows respect for their preferences and increases your chances of connecting.

            Set the Stage with Clarity and Trust

            People get nervous in interviews. They don’t want to be misrepresented or say something wrong about a topic that matters deeply to them. That’s why I start by sharing my goals: “I’m writing about X, and I hope readers will come away with Y.” My hope is to reassure them that the experience will be positive and that I want the same outcome they do.

            Once, I had to contact someone for a tragic story. As I spoke to the interviewee, I told them, “Readers want to know what happened. Take your time. Our goal is to help readers understand.” That moment reminded me that interviews offer a safe space for someone to share something deeply personal, even painful.

            A little transparency and compassion reassures people that you’re not trying to “catch” them      and that you’re on their side. Trust begins before the first question.

            Send Your Questions in Advance

            I don’t always do this, but in cases where I sense the person is apprehensive, it works wonders. When someone has time to think beforehand, they’re able to dig deeper. Instead of surface-level responses, they’ll share insights that come from reflection. That’s often where the most meaningful and memorable stories come out.

            Try not to send too many questions, however, as that can feel overwhelming. I usually tell people, “I’ll send a few questions to get your mind going, but I’ll also have some follow-ups as we go.” That balance gives them confidence without making the process feel daunting.

            Create a Safe Space for Conversation

            My interview style is very conversational. I always begin with small talk.
            I’ll ask about where they grew up or comment on something interesting in their background, whether it relates to the story or not. It helps them relax and feel like they’re talking to a friend rather than facing an interrogation.

            From there, I generally don’t talk a lot. I ask questions in a natural way (rather than sounding like they come from a list), and then I listen and react. “Really? That must have been amazing!” That connection sparks something between myself and the person I’m interviewing. In those moments, we are on the same team and have the same goal. And that feels good.

            When people sense that you genuinely care about them—not just their quotes—they open up. Their answers become longer, warmer, and more personal.

            Ask Open-Ended Questions—and Really Listen

            There’s a time and place for yes-or-no questions, like the courtroom. Many people equate that line of questioning as negative and aggressive. Plus, their answers don’t tell you much. Open-ended questions invite people to tell stories, and follow-up questions show that you’re paying attention.

            If someone apologizes for “sharing too much,” I always tell them, “The more, the better.” Giving them permission to share more allows them room to add details and even emotion. Sometimes the added information helps give the story more heart, or leads to stories in the future. That simple reassurance often unlocks beautiful details they might have held back otherwise.

            Note-Taking vs. Recording

            I started my career when note-taking was the norm, and it took practice to master. Through countless interviews, I learned to pick out important information. Over time, you develop a knack for what should be quoted (such as key points expressed in interesting ways) and what can be summarized (such as basic background details).

            These days, recording conversations and using AI to transcribe them is a game changer! Always make sure to ask permission before recording. Even when recording, I still take notes during the interview. It keeps me engaged, helps me stay focused, and provides direction when it comes time to write the story.

            Always Offer Your Appreciation

            Many people want to share their stories, but it’s not required. Your interviewee offered their valuable time and a piece of themselves. Follow up and let them know how much you valued their time, and when appropriate, share the finished piece. Gratitude also helps build relationships for future interviews and collaborations.

            The Takeaway

            I feel strongly as a journalist that the Lord wants me to learn from each person I talk to. And I have. Every conversation is an opportunity to learn and understand perspectives we might never have considered. For us creators, interviewing is a chance to practice empathy, patience, and kindness. When we combine diligence with heart in our interviews, we open doors to truth, understanding, and the power of shared human experiences.

            Carrie K. Snider

            Carrie K. Snider is a Phoenix-based writer. She grew up on a dairy farm and graduated with a degree in journalism from BYU. She has reported for the Deseret News, EastIdahoNews.com, Good News Utah, and others. Several of her articles have received Praiseworthy Awards from LDSPMA. Carrie enjoys hiking, swimming, and watching musicals with her husband and four kids.