About Shelley Hitz

Christian Writing Coach and Self-Publishing Mentor for Kingdom Writers

Shelley Hitz, Christian Writing Coach and Self-Publishing Mentor

Shelley Hitz helps Christian writers finish and publish their books for God’s glory, from blank page to published, without overwhelm. She’s been called a ‘pastor for writers’ and a book doula, helping writers give birth to the books God has placed inside them.

The Quick Facts About Shelley Hitz

  • Author of 50+ books in print, ebook, and audiobook formats
  • Publisher of 70+ books since 2008 through Body and Soul Publishing LLC
  • Founder of Christian Book Academy (since 2015), helping 1,000+ Christian writers publish their books
  • Reached nearly 1 million readers through her books and ministry
  • Over 20 years of speaking experience, from intimate workshops to keynote presentations in front of thousands
  • Host of the Kingdom Writers Podcast
  • Keynote speaker at Writers on the Rock conference and featured at online events.

“Shelley Hitz is today’s Dan Poynter. Her books and advice are golden. She shares the details of self-publishing plus great marketing tips. She is the real deal.” — Scott Bilker

Who Shelley Hitz Helps

Shelley coaches Kingdom Writers, Christian authors who feel called to write but struggle with self-doubt, procrastination, and tech overwhelm. Her signature 15-minutes-at-a-time methodology helps writers finally finish the books they’ve been carrying for years.

She also hosts the Kingdom Writers Podcast, where she shares practical writing strategy and faith-filled encouragement for Christian writers.

She walks alongside writers in three ways:

  • Christian Book Academy: Her monthly membership and coaching community for Christian writers at every stage
  • Inner Circle: Group coaching program to help you finish your book in 90 day sprints.
  • 90-Day Book Accelerator: One-on-one coaching for writers ready to go all in on finishing their book in 90 days.
  • The Writing Wheel: Free training to help you build a 15-minute writing habit and finally finish your book.

Her Story

Shelley Hitz didn’t set out to be a writer. English was her worst subject in high school, and her first 12 years were spent as a Physical Therapist. She and her husband and business partner CJ Hitz, co-founder of Christian Book Academy, even served as missionaries in Belize before returning to the U.S. over $70,000 in debt.

Then came the dark years: her parents’ divorce, culture shock, financial pressure, and a crisis of faith that almost cost her marriage and ministry.

What pulled her through was a supernatural healing she can’t explain any other way. Out of that healing came a calling to share hope with others, first through speaking to teen girls, then through her first website, FindYourTrueBeauty.com, and finally through her first book in 2008.

By 2011, she and CJ were completely debt-free using Dave Ramsey’s method, and Shelley left her Physical Therapy career to write and coach full-time. Christian Book Academy was founded in 2015 and has grown into a thriving community of Kingdom Writers.

Read Shelley’s full story with all the twists and turns here →

Why Writers Trust Shelley

Shelley teaches from personal experience, not theory. She’s been writing, publishing, and marketing books since 2008, and every strategy she shares has been tested in her own publishing business and refined with the 1,000+ writers she’s coached. She combines practical, proven self-publishing strategy with deep faith and prophetic encouragement, helping you partner with God to finish the book He’s placed in your heart.

As a Christian writing coach who has authored 50+ books and published 70+ total, Shelley Hitz knows what it takes to go from blank page to published book, and she knows the unique challenges Kingdom Writers face along the way. Whether you struggle with self-doubt, procrastination, or tech overwhelm, she’s walked that road and helped hundreds of others walk it too.

She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado with her husband and business partner CJ, where she also enjoys running, sourdough baking, hydroponic gardening, watercolor painting, and her local church community.

The Calling Behind This Work

A personal note from Shelley:

I never set out to call myself a “book doula.” But the metaphor fits, because the calling came out of grief.

In 2005, I watched my niece Lauren be born. My sister let me into the delivery room, and I walked in just as the doctor said, “Here comes her head.” It was a miracle I never forgot.

I always thought I’d give birth to my own children one day. That didn’t happen the way I imagined.

In December 2013, I had a miscarriage. Because I was older, I knew it might be my last chance. All through 2014, I was numb, grieving that loss and the future I thought I’d have.

At the last service of 2014, I sensed God saying it was time to move on. Time for a new season.

A few weeks later, in 2015, I launched Christian Book Academy.

I didn’t see the connection at first. But over the years, it became unmistakable: God was using me to help give birth to other people’s dreams. Through CBA, books are coming into the world that will reach hundreds, sometimes thousands of readers, each one a message God placed inside a Kingdom Writer who didn’t know how to bring it forth alone.

That’s the work I get to do now. Not the work I expected. But the work I was made for.

If you have a book inside you that you’ve been carrying for years, I’d love to help you give birth to it.

Ready to finally finish your book?

Start with The Writing Wheel: a free training Shelley Hitz created that walks you through creating a 15-minute writing habit.

Or if you’re ready to join a community of Kingdom Writers, learn more about Christian Book Academy.

Last Updated: May 20, 2026