7 Steps to Building an Author Platform That Honors God

As a Christian writer, you know your words matter. But have you ever paused to think about what your author brand truly represents? Are your stories and social media posts pointing others to Jesus—or pulling them toward something else?

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by worldly pressures to market yourself, struggled to balance faith with building an author career, or questioned how your writing impacts eternity, this episode is for you.

Join me, Urcelia Teixeira, as I unpack seven practical steps to creating an author platform that glorifies God while staying true to your calling as His ambassador. We’ll dive into Scripture, wrestle with hard questions, and tackle challenges like prioritizing purpose over popularity.

This conversation is a heartfelt call to realign your writing with God’s mission and embrace the eternal significance of your words.

Don’t miss the inspiration, encouragement, and actionable tips to thrive as God’s anointed scribe in a world that often values trends over truth.

Tune in, reflect, and reignite your purpose as a writer called for such a time as this.

👉 Listen now to get 7 powerful steps to building your author brand.

Transcript

You've heard it being taught in nearly every self publishing course or writing webinar. It's one of the key success pillars of your career as an author.
I'm talking, of course, about creating and establishing your author brand and platform.
But have you ever stopped to really think about your author brand and who your writing truly represents?
As Christian writers, every word we craft carries eternal significance. Our stories, our social media posts, our entire brand is about more than our personal image.
Is your author brand pointing others to Jesus or pulling them towards something else? If you've ever struggled with distractions, felt the pull of worldly pressures, or questioned the impact of your writing, this conversation will both challenge and inspire you.
So pull up a chair and listen closely because in today's episode, we're diving into the heart of Scripture and what it means to be an ambassador of heaven, an anointed scribe representing Christ to the world through your words.
This is episode nine.

I'm Urcelia Teixeira, ex real estate agent turned award winning author of Christian fiction. It wasn't that long ago that I wrote my first novel on a bucket list whim, setting the course for a spiritual journey that transformed my life.
But the journey through self publishing hasn't been easy as I soon found myself obsessing over book sales rankings and getting to the top of the shelves, all the while trying to stay rooted in Christ and live out my purpose.
But God has graciously been teaching me how to navigate the spiritual pitfalls of the brutal book publishing industry, and now I'm sharing them with you. Welcome to the Anointed Scribe Podcast where each week I open my personal diary to share soul nourishing stories designed to inspire, inspire, uplift and equip you for your writing life.
If you're already a Christian author or one in the making trying to balance faith with business, you're in the right place. Because for such a time as this, you have been called to thrive as God's anointed scribe.
Are you ready? Let's get started.

Hey, it's your author friend, Urcelia, and I'm really excited to dive into today's episode because it's not only thought provoking, but it's also deeply personal and, in my humble opinion, vital for every Christian writer.
Today we're taking a closer look at your author brand and what it means to write as an ambassador of heaven. Have you ever really thought about the weight of that calling?
But first, welcome back to all my faithful listeners. Thank you for subscribing. I'm so deeply deeply thankful that you're back for another episode to hear what I believe is God using me to help you grow not only spiritually, but also as a writer set apart for your unique calling.
If you're enjoying the content, I'd humbly ask you to take a moment to rate or review the show after this episode. Your support not only helps spread the word to other Christian writers like you, just as reviews help our books reach new readers, but also furthers the mission God has placed on my heart.
So thank you for being a part of this journey, and if you're new to the show, let me officially welcome you to the Anointed Scribe Tribe. Be sure to check out the resource library for tools and inspiration to support your writing journey.
You only need to gain free lifetime access once to keep receiving the freebies that supplement all my episodes. You'll find the Google Drive link in the show Notes okay, I hope you've got your coffee warmed up and sitting comfortably because I'm diving straight into the Apostle Paul the apostle Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 5:20 which says this we are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
Think about that scripture for a moment.
God is using us, yes, you and me, to communicate his truth and his love to the world.
As writers, our words carry incredible power to influence, to inspire, and to glorify God, but they also carry responsibility.
Today, I want to challenge you. I want to ask some hard questions and then share some encouragement that will inspire you to think twice about what you're writing and how you branding yourself as a Christian writer.
Are you reflecting God's heart in your work?
Are you representing the kingdom of heaven in a way that draws others closer to Jesus?
Or are you letting the noise of the world distract you from your calling?
These are the very questions I pondered back in 2021.
I had just published my first three Adam Cross Christian suspense novels and hadn't given much thought to my author brand until I began praying about what to write next.
If you've listened to the earlier episodes of this show, you'll recall how I shared the story of God calling me to write Christian fiction right at the time. The brand I had built over the previous 18 months reflected that of a mainstream author, not one writing faith driven stories rooted in Christ.
That realization led me to reassess everything my messaging, my audience, and ultimately how I could glorify God through my writing while still delivering the gripping suspense readers love.
And that introspection brought me to a powerful realisation As a Christian writer, I wasn't just representing myself or my books.
I was representing Christ.
This calling went far beyond crafting stories.
It meant aligning every part of my brand with the one who had called me to write.
And that got me thinking about a time in my life when I represented the employers and companies I had worked for at one time.
Have you ever been a representative for someone or something?
Maybe you've spoken on behalf of your company, your family or even a friend?
When you represent someone, everything you say or do reflects back on them. Your words and actions shape how others perceive the person or or group you're representing.
For example, imagine you're tasked with introducing a friend to a group of people who don't know them.
How would you describe them?
Would your tone, choice of words and attitude to justice do justice to who they are?
Would you convey their values and character? Or would your representation fall short?
This is the same responsibility we carry as Christians, except the company we're representing is God's kingdom and our CEO is God.
So let's break this concept down a little bit more.
According to the dictionary, yes, of course I'd go there. An ambassador, in the worldly sense, is someone who represents their home country in a foreign land.
They carry the authority of their nation and act as a bridge between cultures.
Their actions, their words and even their demeanour reflect not just who they are, but the country they represent.
Now, as Christians, our home is isn't here on earth, it's in heaven.
Philippians 3:20 tells us our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Doesn't this just blow your mind?
This world is not our home. We are here temporarily, but while we are here, we've been entrusted with this responsibility to represent the kingdom of God, to be ambassadors of our home country, heaven.
Now think about that. As a writer, every word you put on the page has the potential to represent heaven to someone else.
Every story you tell can either point people to Jesus or distract them from Him.
This is the responsibility we carry as Christians. As Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:20 when he says, we are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
Stop and think about that.
God is using you and me to represent him here on earth.
What an amazing thought, right? What a privilege that he picked you and me to represent him.
When Jesus walked the earth, he ministered to people in person. He healed the sick, forgave sins, taught truth and brought hope to the hopeless.
But after his death, resurrection and ascension, he left that ministry in the hands of his followers.
And I'll give you one guess who these followers are. Yes, you and me.
Jesus isn't here physically to speak to people, but His Spirit works through us to accomplish his mission.
This is why our role as ambassadors is so important.
And here's the truth. It's not restricted to our church life or our personal life. It extends to our work life. Also, what we say in our books, how we shape our characters and what they say and how we express their actions, it all becomes part of God's kingdom work.
And for writers, this takes on a special significance.
Our words have the power to reach beyond our immediate circles. A story, an article, or even a social media post can touch hearts and changed lives far beyond what we might ever see.
Let me share a story with you.
A few years ago, I found myself caught in a trap many writers fall into.
I was so focused on building my author brand, gaining readers, marketing my books, chasing deadlines, that I started to lose sight of why I was writing in the first place.
My stories were still clean, still faith based. But something was missing. They felt hollow.
One day, as I was praying over a new project, I felt the Lord gently convict me. He brought to mind Colossians 3:17 that says, and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father.
Through Him I realised I had been writing for me, for my goals, my success, my brand, even my readers.
But my words weren't fully aligned with my purpose as his ambassador.
That moment changed everything. I began to pray intentionally over every project, asking the Holy Spirit to guide my words and shape my stories.
I started to think about my audience, not just as readers, but as souls in need of truth, hope and grace.
You see, words are never neutral.
Proverbs 18:21 says, the tongue has the power of life and death.
As writers, we wield that power every time we sit down to create.
Our words can bring healing, encouragement and light, or they can harm, mislead or distract.
And here's the thing. You don't have to write sermons or explicitly Christian books to glorify God.
Whatever genre you're in, you can still infuse your work with kingdom values.
But it requires intentionality.
So next time you sit down to write, ask yourself, does my writing reflect God's truth, or is it influenced by worldly trends? Am I creating stories that inspire hope, redemption and love?
Or am I prioritizing what will sell what's popular or what's easier to write.
Being an ambassador of heaven means holding ourselves to a higher standard. Not a standard of perfection because we all fall short, but a standard of faithfulness.
Now, I know this responsibility can feel very overwhelming, but it's also deeply humbling, is it not?
You've been entrusted with a unique gift, a gift God wants to use for his glory.
When Paul says, we are ambassadors for Christ, it's not just a suggestion, it's a reality.
Whether you're aware of it or not. Your words are already representing someone or something.
The question is, are they representing Christ well, or are you using your words wisely?
Simply put, an author brand reflects your heart.
As Christian writers. Our brand isn't just about pretty graphics or clever taglines. It's about how we represent ourselves to the world and more importantly, to the kingdom of God.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Your author brand is part of that light. It's a reflection of your values, your purpose and your calling.
But here's the challenge.
Branding can become an idol.
It's easy to get caught up in the pressure to market yourself, to stand out from the rest, to build a platform.
And while those things aren't inherently bad, they can distract us from our true mission if you're not careful.
Let me ask you this.
If someone looked at your author website, your social media, or even your bookshelves, would they know you're an ambassador of heaven? Would they see Jesus in the way you present yourself as a writer?
You see, when we write as ambassadors of heaven, our focus shifts. It's no longer about us, it's about God.
So how can we, as Christian writers, represent Christ well, through our words?
I'm glad you asked, because I've put together a few practical steps you can implement right away to help you establish your author brand the Christian way.
We start with prayer. Before you write, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you your thoughts and creativity. Ask him to give you wisdom and clarity about what he wants you to say.
2. Know who you represent.
Take time to study God's character and His Word. The more you know about Jesus, the better you'll be able to reflect him in your writing.
Step number three. Filter your words through Scripture.
As you write, ask yourself, does this align with biblical truth? Does it reflect God's love, grace and holiness?
Step number four. Consider your audience.
Remember that your readers are not just consumers of your work. They are souls in need of hope, encouragement and truth. How can your words serve them in a way that points them to Jesus?
Step number five Examine your intentions.
Are you writing for personal gain or for God's glory?
This is a tough question, but it's one we need to ask ourselves regularly.
6. Seek accountability.
Surround yourself with fellow believers who can encourage you and keep you grounded in your purpose.
And number seven Trust God with the results.
Success in the world's eyes may look different from success in God's kingdom. Be faithful in your calling and trust him to use your work for his glory.
Okay, so these practical tips are great. But as we well know by now as Christian writers, the writing world challenges us on every single one of these steps.
The truth is, it's not always easy to write as an ambassador of heaven. The world often values trends, sales and popularity over integrity and purpose.
As writers, we face constant pressure to conform to what sells rather than staying true to our calling.
But let me encourage you.
Success in God's kingdom looks different from success in the world.
You may not always see the full impact of your work this side of eternity, but rest assured, when you write with integrity and faithfulness, God will use your words in ways you can't even imagine or see.
Let's circle back to 2 Corinthians 5:20 quickly.
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
What an incredible thought.
God is making his appeal to the world through you, through me, through us.
Every story we write, every article we publish, every social media post we share is an opportunity to reflect his love, truth and grace.
Friend Being an ambassador of heaven is a high calling, but it's also a deeply fulfilling one. It means knowing that your writing matters not because of the accolades or the sales, but because it's part of God's bigger story and plan.
You may never know the full impact of your words this side of eternity, but you can trust that God is working through them to accomplish his purposes. Because Isaiah 55:11 promises us that God's word will not return to him empty.
It will accomplish what he desires.
So when you write for him, you are sowing seeds that he will use in ways you can't imagine.
Writing as an ambassador of heaven isn't about perfection. It's about faithfulness. It's about recognizing that your words have eternal significance and choosing to use them for God's glory.
So as you sit down to write today or tomorrow, whenever, remember who you represent.
Ask yourself, what kind of ambassador are you being through your writing?
Take a moment to pray, to align your heart with his and to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you your every single word and know that your writing, no matter how small or ordinary it may feel to you, is part of God's greater story.
Keep filling your heart with His Word so you can keep shining his light, keep pointing others to him and keep writing with the boldness and grace of an ambassador of heaven.
Because for such a time as this, you have been called to thrive as God's Anointed Scribe. Thank you for listening.

Thanks for listening to today's episode of the Anointed Scribe Podcast. I hope you're leaving feeling inspired, encouraged and on fire to step boldly into your calling as a writer chosen and set apart to fulfill a unique purpose purpose in God's plan.
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I look forward to our next episode together. And remember, for such a time as this, you have been called to thrive as God's Anointed Scribe. I'll see you next time.