Hybrid Publishing, Eternal Friendships, and Overcoming the Fear of Self-Promotion

<p>On this episode of Make It. Share It. we sit down with author <a href="https://brookeledbetter.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"><strong>Brooke Ledbetter</strong></a> to discuss her new book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Closer-Than-Brother-Invitation-Friendships/dp/B0DVF4T9NM/ref=asc_df_B0DVF4T9NM?tag=bingshoppinga-20&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=79989662335374&amp;hvnetw=o&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvbmt=be&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=89973&amp;hvtargid=pla-4583589133425941&amp;psc=1&amp;msclkid=59a67211a602172de94d1acf5d6033fd" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"><em>Closer Than a Brother</em></a>—an invitation to move from isolation into authentic, life-giving community.</p><p>Brooke opens up about the unexpected journey that led her to write about friendship, from a last-minute pitch pivot to discovering that friendships aren’t just for this life – they’re eternal. She shares candidly about:</p><p>* <strong>The turning point</strong>: A 2019 moment when obedience to God brought healing from severe depression</p><p>* <strong>Finding your creative calling</strong>: How writing became her path after acting dreams faded</p><p>* <strong>The hybrid publishing experience</strong>: Why <a href="https://hopebooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Hope Books</a> offered the perfect middle ground between traditional and self-publishing</p><p>* <strong>Overcoming the insecurity of self-promotion</strong>: Reframing how we share what we create</p><p>* <strong>Jesus as an actual friend</strong>: Using sanctified imagination to develop real friendship with Christ</p><p>* <strong>Why friendship matters eternally</strong>: Investing in relationships that transcend this life</p><p>Plus: Cooper goes off on platform culture, we discuss Pearl Jam’s “Yellow Ledbetter,” and somehow Sinbad’s McDonald’s bit makes an appearance.</p><p>If you’re a creative struggling with the courage to share your work, or someone longing for deeper community – this conversation is for you.</p><p>Resources</p><p>* <strong>Book</strong>: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Closer-Than-Brother-Invitation-Friendships/dp/B0DVF4T9NM/ref=asc_df_B0DVF4T9NM?tag=bingshoppinga-20&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=79989662335374&amp;hvnetw=o&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvbmt=be&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=89973&amp;hvtargid=pla-4583589133425941&amp;psc=1&amp;msclkid=59a67211a602172de94d1acf5d6033fd" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"><em>Closer Than a Brother</em></a> by Brooke Ledbetter (foreword by Lauren Chandler)</p><p>* <strong>Connect with Brooke</strong>: Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brooke.e.ledbetter/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">@brooke.e.ledbetter</a></p><p>* <strong>Brooke’s Substack</strong>: <a href="https://brookeledbetter.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Fox &amp; Swallow</a></p><p>Chapters</p><p><strong>03:33</strong> The Pearl Jam “Yellow Ledbetter” connection </p><p><strong>05:04</strong> Brooke’s turning point: giving up something she loved and experiencing healing</p><p><strong>08:19</strong> The night-before-the-pitch moment when the book idea crystallized</p><p><strong>16:38</strong> Why having an editor is like having a music producer</p><p><strong>22:20</strong> The struggle with feeling like hybrid publishing was “cheating”</p><p><strong>28:28 </strong>Dreams and Community Support</p><p><strong>31:34 </strong>Overcoming Self-Doubt in Sharing Ideas</p><p><strong>32:37 </strong>Taking the Leap: From Idea to Pitch</p><p><strong>35:26 </strong>Discovering a Passion for Writing</p><p><strong>38:35 </strong>The Importance of Trying New Things</p><p><strong>45:07 </strong>Navigating Self-Promotion and Sharing Work</p><p><strong>46:22</strong> The main insight: friendship with Jesus as practice, not just theology</p> <br /><br />Get full access to Story Script at <a href="https://kentstudio.substack.com