Episode 456: When Publishers Say No to Your Idea But Yes to Your Voice
What happens when everything about your book changes during the publishing process? In this episode, Kathi sits down with author Jill Baughan to discuss her remarkable publishing journey that took nearly four years and involved multiple pivots.
Jills story began with a vision for 52 adventure essays and ended with No Matter What: 90 Devotions for Experiencing Unexpected Joy in Tough Times from Our Daily Bread Publishing. Along the way, she changed agents, switched from essays to devotionals, shifted from adventure to joy, and learned to write in an entirely new formatall while staying true to her authentic voice.
Listeners struggling with publishing rejections or feeling pressure to completely change their message will find hope in Jills experience. She demonstrates how flexibility with method, combined with faithfulness to your core message, can lead to unexpected opportunities and broader impact.
Whether youre navigating agent relationships, considering different publishers, or wondering if you should adapt your book concept, this conversation offers practical wisdom about when to bend and when to stand firm in the publishing world.
Your Host
Kathi Lipp
About Our Guests
Jill Baughan
Author, Speaker, Podcaster
Resources Mentioned
- No Matter What: 90 Devotions for Experiencing Unexpected Joy in Tough Times
Jill Baughan's latest book published by Our Daily Bread Publishing; result of her multi-year publishing journey.
- Find Joy…No Matter What (Jill’s Podcast)
Jill Baughan's podcast focused on helping people find joy in tough times.
- Our Daily Bread Publishing
Christian book publisher specializing in devotionals and inspirational content; publisher of Jill's book.
- The Collective
A community and program for writers and speakers by Kathi Lipp.
- Susy Flory
Professional writer; mentioned as a recommended resource.
- Tonya Kubo
Community-building expert; mentioned as a recommended resource.
- Kathleen Kerr
Literary agent/editor at Alive Literary; mentioned as a recommended resource.
Full Transcript
Episode Topics

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