Writer's Update 2025
- Elaine R Kelly
- Dec 29, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
It's the end of another year, and time for a writer's update, looking at what I achieved and where I need to focus next. My motivation for writing historical fiction set in New Testament times has always been to dramatically show how Jesus and the Bible empower women and endorse gender equality.
Mandate to use Fiction to Empower Women
I've learned a few things about defining the genre of my fiction since my first novel was released in 2022:
Christian fiction readers and writers are primarily evangelical and complementarian
Christian fiction sometimes does not resonate with our lives, since the stories can offer pat answers, as if God's redemption fixes everything
Some secular fiction readers have often left Christianity, sometimes because of its opposition to equality for women and its marginalization of people of colour and the LGBTQ+ community. They've soured on reading stories based on the Bible.
Some fiction readers see the problems with traditional Christianity but want to hold onto Christ and God's radical love for all, and the way Jesus uplifts the marginalized.
I have narrowed my marketing to target this fourth group, and I've placed my fiction in different Amazon categories. I refer to my novels as feminist and gay-affirming ancient historical fiction.
Broadened Mandate: to use Fiction, Non-Fiction, Articles, and Videos to show that God empowers women and affirms equality for all
I've expanded from writing books. Now I also focus on writing articles and creating social media to spread the message that God empowers women and endorses gender equality.
I write both historical fiction and non-fiction books on gender & religion topics.
I also write articles on my website, sharing my research about Christian equality and women leaders in the Bible and in the church. I hope to also write more guest articles for other sites.
In marketing my writing, I have expanded my work as a creator of social media posts, reels and videos. I hope to be a guest on more podcasts and YouTube interviews.
Writing Achievements in 2025:
Created a new free handout for e-news subscribers
published a short story as a 99c introduction to my fiction and a prequel to my 2nd novel
published my 3rd novel, a conclusion to my trilogy about women disciples, prophets, and apostles
Books published:
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
Forgotten Followers, from Broken to Bold (Novel 1) | The Sword: A Fun Way to Engage in Healthy Debate on What the Bible says About a Woman's Role (non-fiction flashcards studying biblical views) | 2 books: Because She Was Called (Novel 2); Walk with Mara on Her Healing Journey (self-help) | The Centurion at the Tomb (short story); Finding Her Voice (Novel 3) |
Writing Goals for 2026:
Create a new method for attracting e-news subscribers
Complete and publish my egalitarian and affirming interactive study of the Gospels: What to Do When You Feel Forgotten
Begin a new historical fiction novella or novel series
A few other possible priorities:
Re-edit my novels (edits must be minimal or a new ISBN would be required, invalidating reviews, confusing the marketplace, and increasing my costs).
Add an audio format for the trilogy (with new ISBNs and distribution)
Publish a boxed set trilogy of my first three novels (with new ISBN for the trilogy)
Write a non-fiction book, Face Off: A Fun Way to Engage in Healthy Debate on What the Bible says about LGBTQ+.
Publishing and Distribution
Currently, only Forgotten Followers is available for "wide distribution" to all retailers through Ingram Spark, while the others are available at Amazon and at my website's shop. Since these were published via Amazon, they are eligible for Kindle Unlimited or KDP price specials, and I am permitted to make minor adjustments at no additional charge. I could consider "going wide" (for a price) for my other books through Amazon's "expanded distribution," through Ingram Spark, or through an additional, independent platform.
Since Forgotten Followers was published through FriesenPress and not through Amazon, it is not eligible for Kindle specials, and any adjustments to the blurb or manuscript are costly. I have paid FriesenPress for "wide distribution" of Forgotten Followers until September 8, 2029. After that time, I can decide if I want to renew wide distribution via FriesenPress or publish Forgotten Followers (for which I own the manuscript and ISBN) independently via Amazon, Ingram, or an independent.
Wix Website Report
2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
Site sessions in the 30 days ended Dec 19 | 246 | 502 | 830 |
# of unique visitors | 98 | 384 | 714 |
% new to my website | 92% | 98% | 97% |
Website Domain Authority Check
As of December 2025, my website URL has a domain authority of 9, with 140 linking root domains and 232 ranking keywords. I have been working behind the scenes to improve my Search Engine Optimization (SEO). In September 2024, my domain authority was 9, with 31 root domains and 54 ranking keywords.
2024 | 2025 | |
New articles | 38, including 3 studies on books of the Bible | 38, including 1 study on a book of the Bible (Philippians); now a total of 239 articles on my site. |
Guest posts where my article is published elsewhere | 4 in 2024, 3 in 2023, and 1 in 2022. | 0 |
Google Search Performance | 264 clicks in November and 26.4 K impressions | 419 clicks in November and 64.6k impressions |
Bing Performance | untracked | 26 clicks and 3.6 K impressions |
Guest on Podcasts | 2 in 2024, 3 in 2023, 2 in 2022 | 1 in 2025 (Inside Scoop by ReaderViews) |
In-person guest speaker | 1 (Stayner pulpit supply) | 2: St John's Presbyterian Chair Chat and Trinity Beamsville Book Club |
In 2025, I added 38 articles, one of which was a guest post by another author. I now have 239 articles published on my website. My goal is not more articles, but to write articles as I come upon new and interesting research, or find people asking questions. I will also continue to edit or remove articles to keep them current.
When I find people who are beginning to deconstruct patriarchal thinking, I refer them to my egalitarian and affirming studies of Galatians, Ephesians, Philemon, Colossians, 1 Corinthians, 1 Peter, 1 & 2 Timothy, and Titus. In 2025, I added a Bible study of Philippians and articles on the cities named in Revelation.
From January to December 2025, there were 9,038 post views (up 129%) and 6,472 visitors (up 165%). Enter any of these words into the search bar here.
The most popular articles read this year were:
Mary of Clopas and Mary of Nazareth
Neither Male Nor Female?
Did Mary Magdalene Preach and Do a Miracle?
When did Churches begin to Ordain Women as Preachers?
Biblical Models for Family and Community
6 Powerful Features of Parables
Marketing in 2025:
I have converted all my books to ePUB and made them available for sale directly from my website shop so that now my books are all available at both Amazon and at https://www.elainekelly.ca/shop
My first two novels were added to the Grimsby Public Library collection
The Nook, an independent retailer in downtown Grimsby, continues to offer my books
Participated in Book Funnel group sales promos, Goodreads Giveaway, Amazon Ads, KDP discount days, and other promotions.
Took online programs from KindlePreneur, CIPA-podia, and Best Page Forward
Upgraded software from Wix, Canva Pro, BookFunnel, Publisher Rocket, and PDF Guru
Created my own online shop so readers can buy directly from me and save money and avoid supporting large American corporations.
I have advertised on Amazon; I could advertise on Facebook
I have created my own book trailers; I could pay for a professional book trailer video.
CBE International posted a positive review of Forgotten Followers for their readers
Finding Her Voice had a successful launch, achieving the Amazon stickers for #1 New Release in several categories and # 1 Best Seller in Ancient Historical fiction, Gender & Sexuality in Religious Studies, Feminist Literary, Women's Studies, and Women Writers.
Finding Her Voice earned 5* Reviews from ReaderViews and The Book Commentary
Walk wth Mara on her Healing Journey received a 5* Review from ReadersFavorite
Because She Was Called is a finalist in three categories of the 2024 Literary Global Independent Author Awards: historical fiction, LGBTQIA fiction, and Women's fiction, is the 2024 Finalist in Female Empowerment with Book Excellence, and is also a finalist in two categories of the 2025 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
Forgotten Followers is a CIPA-EVVY Silver Award Winner (2023).
Goals for 2026:
Approach the public library with my third novel
Continue to send one e-news per month
Be cross-published with guest articles to 4 other places in 2026.
Consider publishing articles on Substack and LinkedIn.
Secure a spot on 4 podcasts in 2026.
Create a more enticing giveaway for e-news subscription; run newsletter promo.
Continue to edit my existing articles for clarity, subtitles, and SEO.
Write new articles as I make research discoveries, or review books or media.
Continue adding Book and Movie Reviews, as these seem to be popular articles
Add Bible Study Articles for 2 Corinthians, 2 Peter, Romans, or Revelation.
Social Media
December 2024 | December 2025 | |
Facebook page | 211 followers | 249 followers |
367 followers | 396 followers | |
YouTube Analytics | 17 subscribers; 2.5 K views (up 191% from 2023); now posted a total of 75 videos. | 38 subscribers; 21.8K views (up 790% from 2024); posted 84 videos for a total of 159 videos |
X (twitter) | 748 followers | ceased use |
TikTok analytics | not applicable | 33 followers; 15K video views; new in 2025 |
Goodreads | not tracked | 99 followers; 87 Reviews |
I also maintain profiles on Goodreads and Amazon, and I update linktr.ee/elainerkelly
In 2026, I hope to become more creative with reels and videos to encourage community engagement. I hope to post 100 reels or videos in 2026. I may also look at joining classes or groups for further discussion on gender and religion, and women in the Bible and the early church.
Conclusion:
My first goal is writing fiction that amplifies egalitarian and affirming Christian scholarship, dramatizing these concepts in the hope that it will help Christians imagine a world as Jesus described, where those with abusive power are pulled down, and those who have been sidelined or silenced are given a voice. I hope more people will read and review my novels.
It is difficult to balance writing books with my other goals, which include:
writing and editing articles for my website, and improving SEO and website visits
Writing guest articles for other sites
Regularly produce more creative reels and videos for my social media
Being a guest on various podcasts.
In the meantime, I will continue to pursue marketing and promotional opportunities and build my community. I am finding and sharing new historical evidence that God has always called women to freedom and ministry. Feminism is a Christian concept, eliminating gender preference and authorizing all people to work together. I continue to discover new ways that Christians support patriarchy, and opposing these ideas keeps me motivated.
Elaine Ricker Kelly Author is empowering women with historical fiction about women in the Bible and early church and Christian blogs about women in leadership, church history and doctrine. Her books include:
Forgotten Followers from Broken to Bold, Book 1, A Novel (2022)
The Sword: A Fun Way to Engage in Healthy Debate on What the Bible Says About a Woman's Role (2023)
Because She Was Called from Broken to Bold, Book 2, A Novel of the Early Church (2024)
Walk with Mara on Her Healing Journey: 21 Steps to Emotional Resilience (2024)
Finding Her Voice from Broken to Bold, Book 3, Acts of Early Female Apostles: A Novel (2025)
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