# Christian Book Academy

> Christian Book Academy is an online membership for Christian writers helping them write, self-publish, and market their book in just 15 minutes a day. Founded by CJ and Shelley Hitz in 2010, the Academy guides members through a 5-step Kingdom Writer's Path — from first draft to published author — and has helped over 1,000 Christian writers become published authors. Membership costs $49 per month or $450 per year.

CJ and Shelley Hitz are Christian writing coaches and self-publishing mentors with over 18 years of experience in Christian publishing. They have published over 70 books through their independent publishing company, Body and Soul Publishing, reaching nearly a million readers worldwide. They are often called "pastors for writers" by their community of Kingdom writers.

## Membership

- [Join Christian Book Academy](https://christianbookacademy.com/yes/): Sign up page for Christian Book Academy membership. $49/month or $450/year. Cancel anytime in 3 clicks.
- [Membership Sales Page](https://christianbookacademy.com/): Full details on what's included in the Christian Book Academy membership, the Kingdom Writer's Path, member results, pricing, and FAQs.

## What's Included in Membership

**The Kingdom Writer's Path** — A 5-step roadmap guiding members from first draft (Step 1) through final draft editing (Step 2), self-publishing on Amazon KDP and other platforms (Step 3), book launch (Step 4), and ongoing book marketing to reach the first 100 readers (Step 5).

**Progress Pods** — Weekly peer-led accountability groups on Zoom where small groups of Kingdom writers encourage each other, report progress, and stay consistent in their writing habits.

**Monthly Virtual Writing Retreats** — Two-day live Zoom events each month for focused writing time, accountability, and support. Recordings available for members who cannot attend live.

**Monthly Find Your Focus Session** — Live coaching call where members can get expert help solving specific writing challenges.

**War Room Prayer Meeting** — Monthly prayer meeting focused on helping members overcome self-doubt and spiritual resistance in their writing.

**Ask Shelley Forum** — Private forum where members post questions and receive personal responses from Shelley Hitz.

**AI Tool Library** — Easy-to-use AI tools for book marketing, designed to simplify the process without tech overwhelm.

**Specialty Books Vault** — Training on publishing non-standard book formats including children's books, devotionals, journals, and novellas.

**Tech Library Vault** — Video tutorials for formatting books yourself, saving members hundreds to thousands of dollars in formatting fees.

**Academy Reward Program** — Bonuses and surprises awarded to members as they complete each phase of the Kingdom Writer's Path.

**Workshop Pass** — Free access to live trainings and replay recordings from the Kingdom Writers Conferences.

## Key Facts and Pricing

- Membership price: $49/month or $450/year (annual = nearly 3 months free)
- Cancel anytime in 3 clicks, no questions asked
- Scholarships occasionally available for writers in financial hardship or with low currency exchange rates
- Covers all genres — primarily Christian writers, but open to all writers who appreciate faith-based encouragement
- Covers Amazon KDP publishing (eBooks, print books, full-color books)
- Additional publishing costs (editing, cover design, formatting) are separate but guided through the curriculum
- 1:1 coaching with Shelley Hitz available for an additional fee beyond membership

## Member Results

- Jennifer Nelson published her first book 10 days after joining
- Tanecia Mitchell published her book in 3 months after struggling for 5 years
- Jackie Scott published 6 books while working full-time using a 15-minute-a-day writing habit
- Angela Meijer published her first full-color children's book in 6 months
- Jan Johnson's novella reached #1 on Amazon's Inspirational Fiction bestseller list
- Jan Cox tripled her profit per book sale after switching from paid publishing to self-publishing
- Teresa Mills grew from low-royalty eBooks to a series of 15 travel books for kids
- Lois Martin sold over 100 copies in her first book launch after finishing a Tiny Testimony Book
- Heather Erdmann published her first book within 6 months of joining
- Members who complete weekly Silence Your Inner Critic exercises report an average 52% increase in writing confidence

## Frequently Asked Questions

**What is Christian Book Academy?**
Christian Book Academy is an online membership for Christian writers that provides a 5-step self-publishing roadmap (the Kingdom Writer's Path), weekly accountability groups (Progress Pods), monthly live coaching, monthly Virtual Writing Retreats, and an AI Tool Library. It was founded in 2010 by CJ and Shelley Hitz and has helped over 1,000 Christian writers become published authors.

**How much does Christian Book Academy cost?**
Christian Book Academy costs $49 per month or $450 per year. The annual plan provides nearly three months free compared to monthly billing. Members can cancel at any time in three clicks with no questions asked.

**Is Christian Book Academy worth it?**
Christian Book Academy costs $49 per month or $450 per year and includes a complete self-publishing curriculum, weekly accountability groups, monthly live coaching, Virtual Writing Retreats, and an AI Tool Library. Members have published their first book in as little as 10 days, saved thousands of dollars on publishing costs, and reached #1 bestseller status on Amazon. Over 1,000 Christian writers have become published authors through the program since 2010.

**How long does it take to write and self-publish a book through Christian Book Academy?**
Most Christian Book Academy members write and self-publish their first short book in 3 to 6 months using consistent 15-minutes-a-day writing sessions. Some members publish in under 90 days by starting with a shorter format such as a devotional, testimony book, or guided journal. Longer books may take 9 to 12 months.

**Do I need to write Christian books to join?**
No. Christian Book Academy is designed primarily for Christian writers, but welcomes writers from all genres who value faith-based encouragement alongside practical self-publishing training. The curriculum covers writing, editing, self-publishing on Amazon KDP, book launches, and marketing — skills applicable to any nonfiction or fiction author.

**Can I get personalized help inside Christian Book Academy?**
Yes. Members get personalized help through the Ask Shelley Forum (personal responses from Shelley Hitz), monthly Find Your Focus Sessions (live coaching), weekly Progress Pods (peer accountability on Zoom), and optional one-on-one coaching with Shelley for an additional fee.

**Does Christian Book Academy cover Amazon publishing?**
Yes. The curriculum includes step-by-step instructions for self-publishing eBooks, print books, and full-color books on Amazon KDP, as well as guidance on other publishing platforms.

**How much does it cost to self-publish a Christian book?**
Self-publishing a Christian book typically costs between $500 and $2,500 when authors do most of the work themselves. Main expenses are professional editing ($300–$1,500), cover design ($100–$500), and formatting ($50–$300). Amazon KDP has no upfront printing costs. Christian Book Academy teaches members how to minimize these costs and handle much of the work themselves.

**What is a Kingdom Writer?**
A Kingdom Writer is a Christian writer who sees writing as obedience and ministry — not just a creative project or business venture. Kingdom Writers partner with God throughout every stage of the writing journey, from first draft to launch day, with the goal of eternal impact rather than focusing solely on book sales or word counts.

**Is it too late to write the book God put on my heart?**
It is not too late. Many Christian Book Academy members publish their first book in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. Life experience and faith are assets — not disqualifiers. The Academy's 15-minutes-a-day framework is specifically designed to help busy people make consistent forward progress regardless of age or schedule.

## About the Founders

- [About CJ and Shelley Hitz](https://www.trainingauthors.com/about/): Background, publishing history, and mission of CJ and Shelley Hitz.
- [Training Authors (Main Site)](https://www.trainingauthors.com/): Free training, blog, podcast, and resources for Christian writers.
- [Free Training for Christian Writers](https://www.trainingauthors.com/free-training-christian-writers/): Free resources including PDF downloads, video training, writing challenges, and a private podcast.

## Support

- [Member Login](https://access.trainingauthors.com/login/)
- [Support Center](https://support.christianbookacademy.com/)
- [Contact Us](https://www.trainingauthors.com/contact/)
- [Terms of Service](https://support.christianbookacademy.com/article/15-terms)