EP. 79 | Landing a Book Deal with a Big 5 Publisher and a Tiny Social Media Following w/ Lori G. Melton

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s truly possible to land a traditional publishing deal without a massive following–or without much of a social media presence at all—today’s episode is for you.

This week, we’re celebrating our friend, WOS student, retreat leader, spiritual director, and debut author Lori Melton on the launch of her first book, Journey with a Giant. She shares how she secured a book deal with Ink & Willow, the imprint from WaterBrook & Multnomah (a division of Penguin Random House). And she accomplished all of this without relying on social media.

We also discuss the importance of choosing a spiritual mentor, navigating the publishing world without a social media presence, and pursuing your writing dreams with confidence in God. It’s such a great conversation. Listen in!

Tune in to Hear:

How Lori landed a book deal with Penguin Random House — without using social media.
What inspired Lori’s debut book, Journey with a Giant, and the unique practice of “walking with a spiritual giant” for a year.
The divine “breadcrumb trail” of open doors that led Lori from homeschool mom to traditionally published author.
Lori’s advice for writers who feel pressured to “stay on social media” to be taken seriously by publishers.
How to discern your unique marketing path—and trust that God’s direction is better than any algorithm.

More About Lori:

Lori G. Melton is an author, spiritual director, retreat leader, and a member of Hope*writers. She and her husband, Bryan, are the creators of the Sanctuary Stirrings podcast and the founders and directors of The Sanctuary at Bear Creek, a retreat center that serves hundreds of people every year. When she’s not writing, speaking, or welcoming guests, Lori enjoys spending time with her six children and three grandchildren. She and her husband live in Allegan, Michigan.