My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Margaret Philbrick, author of the book House of Honor. Margaret is an award-winning novelist and an award-winning poet. She lives into her calling as a writer and life-long gardener to plant seeds in hearts. John Ruskin’s view that the “greatest thing a human soul ever does in this world is to see something and tell what it saw in a plain way,” is a core motivation of her work in photography, poetry, painting, writing and music.

Margaret writes across all genre and has essays in Christianity Today, Relevant, The Redbud Hyphen, and Patheos. Margaret is a founding member of the Redbud Writers Guild NFP and is the contributing editor of the Guild’s collection of essays and poetry for women, Everbloom. Margaret is a member of the Redbud Writers Guild, ACFW, Wedgewood Circle and the Door County Published Author Collective. You can find Margaret digging in the dirt or wandering in a forest and connect with her via her website.

In my book review, I stated House of Honor is a historical thriller set in Italy. Margaret touts the book as a Godfather meets The Da Vinci Code but with a redemptive twist. I tout it as a book I couldn't put down!

Orazio Bordoni is a son of a construction magnate - but he wants nothing more than to be an artist. So, he leaves home and follows on a similar path as Caravaggio - a 16th century artist very much admired by Orazio. Before long, Orazio is caught up in slimy Vatican politics, the Sicilian mafia, and a lover with a powerful political father.

What starts out as a "job" turns into a test - one where he must prove his loyalty to the mafia. Will Orazio lose his family? His lover? His friends? His art? His life? The tale twists and turns, often leaving the reader breathless.

Margaret does an amazing job helping the reader experience the underbelly of Italy while exposing us to the world of art - all while keeping us guessing as to what will happen next. If you like a good thriller, then you'll love House of Honor.

Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1

Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290

You can follow Author Margaret Philbrick

Website: https://margaretphilbrick.com/

IG: @margaretannphilbrick/

IG (poetry): @seasonedpoetess

FB: @margaret.philbrick.9

TikTok: @seasonedpoetess

Purchase House of Honor on Amazon:

Paperback: https://amzn.to/4kdj8Hh

Ebook: https://amzn.to/43pelwO

Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com

FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor

IG: @terimbrown_author

X: @terimbrown1

Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors

#margaretphilbrick #houseofhonor #historicalfiction #thriller #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Katie Chambers, owner of Beacon Point Services, helping Indie authors write with power. With a passion for words, a gift for teaching, and a flair for dynamic speaking, Katie brings clarity and energy to every conversation. She’s the owner of Beacon Point, where she and her team help indie authors polish both fiction and nonfiction. Katie is equally passionate about helping authors strengthen their writing and guiding freelance editors to streamline and grow their businesses through practical tools, webinars, and resources.

Here is what Katie says in her own words: I’m Katie Chambers, an organizational expert, former English teacher, and editing agency owner who helps editors run their businesses with ease and authors write with power. As the founder of Beacon Point, I lead a team of editors polishing both fiction and nonfiction, and I teach the craft of writing with the same clarity and energy that once earned me the title “best English teacher” a principal had ever seen.

After becoming a mom, I had to reimagine my career, and editing became my second act. Within three months of working with Self-Publishing School authors, I was named their top preferred editor. Since then, I’ve helped hundreds of authors sharpen their writing and bring their message to life. Whether it’s writing structure, revision strategies, character development, or crafting compelling nonfiction, I love making the writing process feel less mysterious and more empowering.

But I don’t just edit—I teach. I’ve been called the "admin queen" by editors I mentor and a "favorite conference speaker" for making business systems actually fun. I help freelance editors and creative solopreneurs streamline their workflow, manage clients with confidence, and finally stop drowning in email.

I’m also a full-time mom and full-time business owner, so I speak honestly about the messy balance of running a business while raising a family, and how to build systems that support your life, not the other way around.

I don’t believe in gatekeeping. I believe in lighting the way. I help authors shine like a beacon.

Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1

Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290

You can follow Katie Chambers

Website: https://beaconpointservices.org

LinkedIn: @Katie Chambers

YouTube: @beaconpoint8734

Suggested books for indie authors on editing:

Understanding Show, Don't Tell: And Really Getting It by Janice Hardy: Paperback: https://amzn.to/3SkmLzl Kindle: https://amzn.to/4krbN74

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print by Renni Browne and Dave King: Paperback: https://amzn.to/3FnUogM Kindle: https://amzn.to/43pRRus

Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com

FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor

IG: @terimbrown_author

X: @terimbrown1

Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors

#katiechambers #beaconpoint #editing #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.