Would you like to learn how to create a personal, successful Substack column? Julie Gammack and Debra Engle will present a class to teach you how to do just that. Read the announcement of this endeavor here, and sign up now: Substack Success.
We are human. We have fears, and this moment in history is stirring up many of them. How we cope—and how we act—is a conversation worth having. Our Zoom guest today has some valuable insights on navigating fear, and together, we've come up with an idea that might help you write (not ride) it out.
Our guest was , executive director of Story Summit, an organization dedicated to building community among writers and faculty while delivering world-class instruction in storytelling.
She’s also a member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative, a long-time friend, and a mentor and coach to hundreds of writers. This fall, she’ll teach memoir and spiritual nonfiction at the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat.
Today, we announced a class on how to launch a Substack column. Deb and I will co-teach this through Story Summit. Three two-hour sessions will be on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9:00 p.m. starting June 11-25.
The conversation began as I welcomed everyone to our live Substack and Zoom session alongside Debra Engle. We acknowledged the global and personal challenges people face and clarified that this discussion wasn’t about dismissing fear or uncertainty—it was about finding ways to cope and navigate through it.
Deb spoke about the importance of managing fear-based thoughts rather than trying to control external circumstances. She shared how, during a difficult period in her life, she received the phrase, “Please heal my fear-based thoughts,” as guidance. That phrase became the foundation of her book, The Only Little Prayer You Need (available at Beaverdale Books or online). She explained that inner peace doesn’t mean ignoring real-world problems but instead finding a steady source of resilience within ourselves to face challenges with clarity and strength.
I asked Deb how she responds to people who are skeptical about this approach, particularly those facing extreme hardships like job loss, violence, or personal tragedy. She acknowledged that pain is universal and that comparing hardships doesn’t serve anyone. Instead, she emphasized that while we can’t always control what happens in our lives, we can control how we respond. We can regain a sense of peace and stability by shifting our focus inward and addressing fear-based thinking.
We then discussed the role of writing as a tool for processing emotions, documenting experiences, and helping others. Deb shared how her challenges shaped her writing and spiritual journey. She discussed her books, including Be the Light That You Are and Let Your Spirit Guide Speak, which explore spirituality, resilience, and self-discovery themes. Writing, she explained, isn’t just a way to communicate—it’s also a powerful way to heal.
Deb introduced Story Summit, a writing community founded by David Kirkpatrick, the former president of Paramount Studios. Story Summit provides education, mentorship, and networking opportunities for writers through online workshops and in-person retreats. The organization brings in industry professionals—including bestselling authors and screenwriters—to help emerging writers develop their craft and navigate the publishing world.
We also discussed the connection between Story Summit and the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat. Both organizations aim to support writers by providing the tools, mentorship, and encouragement they need. I emphasized that these initiatives aren’t about competition but abundance. There’s plenty of room for platforms that support writers, and our programs are designed to complement each other rather than compete.
At this point, the conversation naturally transitioned into announcing our upcoming Substack class. Deb and I see Substack as a powerful way for writers to take control of their publishing and audience-building, and we’re excited to share what we’ve learned. Learn more about the class:
The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative
I’m delighted to be a founding Iowa Writers’ Collaborative member. Check out the content-rich posts by our members last week:
**"A big thank you to Keith Moyer, one of our newest paid subscribers! Because of our paid subscribers, we can keep this column free and ad-free for everyone.
When we asked Keith why he decided to become a paid subscriber, he shared:"**
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