We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carolyn Wiley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Carolyn, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

The name Rose and Pearl Publishing is deeply personal and symbolic for me. Both roses and pearls carry significant meaning in my life and faith.

The rose represents beauty, resilience, and growth. It reminds me of how God brings beauty from the thorns in our lives—the struggles and challenges that shape us. Every rose blooms in its own time, just as each story deserves its moment to blossom and inspire others.

The pearl symbolizes transformation through perseverance. A pearl is formed when an oyster responds to an irritation, layer by layer, until something exquisite emerges. To me, this mirrors the process of storytelling and the way our personal struggles and triumphs can create something meaningful and enduring.

Together, Rose and Pearl reflects the heart of what I aim to do through publishing—helping authors transform their stories of resilience and faith into something beautiful that can impact the world. It’s about honoring the process of growth and creation while celebrating the unique beauty in every story.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For those who may not have heard about me before, my name is Carolyn Wiley, and I’m a writer, educator, and publisher with a deep passion for helping others share their stories. My journey into the world of publishing began long before I realized it would be my calling. Writing has been a constant in my life, from creating a collection of short stories about my grandparents at age 11 to editing my elementary school’s first-ever newspaper because I thought my brand-new school needed one. Even as I pursued other paths, my love for writing never left me.

For years, I followed a more traditional career in education, becoming a math teacher and eventually co-authoring a statistics textbook with two teaching colleagues in my late 20s. That book, now in its third edition, has become a global success, used in colleges worldwide. It taught me two important lessons: first, that I could create work that impacts lives on a large scale, and second, that courage—often mixed with a little naïveté—can lead to extraordinary opportunities.

But two years ago, everything changed. My husband faced a serious health crisis that made me reevaluate my priorities. I realized I could no longer allow fear or comfort to dictate my choices. I left my executive role in education to pursue my true passion: helping others tell their stories through writing and publishing.

Today, I run Rose and Pearl Publishing, where I specialize in guiding Christian authors through the process of crafting and publishing their books. I call myself a “Book Doula” because my role is to nurture authors as they bring their stories to life. My services include coaching aspiring writers, hybrid publishing for those ready to release their work, and offering traditional publishing opportunities for new voices who might not otherwise have access. My flagship program, Get It Written: 90-Day Book Creation Accelerator, equips authors with everything they need to write, plan, and prepare their book for publishing—all while building the confidence to share their unique voice with the world.

What sets me apart is my dual background in education and creativity. I combine the structure and clarity of a seasoned educator with the empathy and inspiration of a writer who has been in the trenches. I understand the doubts that plague aspiring authors—“Who am I to write this?” “What if no one cares?”—because I’ve been there myself. Through my coaching, I help clients break through those mental blocks, embrace their calling, and share their testimony with confidence.

I believe stories are transformative. They connect us, inspire us, and remind us of God’s power to redeem and restore. My goal is to help my clients make their mark on the world, whether that means growing their business, launching a ministry, or simply sharing a personal journey to encourage others.

What I’m most proud of is the impact my work has on both my clients and their readers. Helping someone tell their story—whether it’s a book, a devotional, or a memoir—is a sacred responsibility, and seeing their confidence grow as they share their message is the most rewarding part of what I do.

For potential clients and followers, I want you to know that your story matters. Whether you’ve always dreamed of writing a book or feel a nudge from God to share your testimony, you don’t have to do it alone. At Rose and Pearl Publishing, we are here to help you navigate the process with guidance, encouragement, and a system tailored to your needs.

If you’re ready to take that leap, let’s make it happen together. One beautiful story of transformation at a time.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

When most people think about a writer’s life, the image that often comes to mind is idyllic: a cozy cabin in the woods, hot tea in hand, hours of uninterrupted writing while wrapped in warm clothes or pajamas. And to be honest, some of that is true—it’s why I still love being a writer. But there’s another side to writing that many non-creatives might not realize. The difference between being an amateur writer and a professional isn’t just about talent or inspiration—it’s about marketing.

Without good marketing, even the next great literary masterpiece can get lost in the shuffle. With over 44 million books on Amazon alone, simply writing a great book isn’t enough. If we aren’t the biggest cheerleaders of our own work, no one else will be—because no one else will even know it exists.

I think about one client, a childhood friend I’d known for years. I had no idea they were even a writer! They downplayed their ability so much that it never came up. One day, I made what I thought was a silly comment: “If you ever want to write a book, let me know.” To my surprise, they confessed they’d always dreamed of it. Fast forward to today—they have stepped fully into their calling as a writer.

So here’s my advice: be brave. Take chances. Don’t let the fear of not being good enough stop you from discovering that you’re actually great. And don’t be afraid to invest in yourself as a creative, and don’t shy away from sharing your creativity with the world. Learn to market. Fall in love with it. It will make all the difference between having your creative pursuits as a side hustle or your main income.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing people come to life as they begin to share their stories. There’s a light that shines through them, warming everyone around them. Their joy is infectious, and being part of that process is an honor.

It’s not just about writing my own stories—though I love that, too—it’s about helping others bring their stories to life. Being able to give birth to their work is truly extraordinary. I could write a book a year, maybe even several if I pushed hard enough, but God has called me to multiply my talents.

As a book doula, I get to help others give birth to their books and learn how to repeat the process for their future works. It’s about more than one book; it’s about equipping people to share their voice with the world over and over again.

For me, their success is the biggest measure of my own. Watching my clients step into their calling as writers, seeing their confidence grow, and witnessing the impact their stories have on others—that’s what makes this work so fulfilling.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://roseandpearl.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roseandpearlpublishing/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolynwileybookdoula/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rose-and-pearl-publishing
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@carolynwiley-bookdoula

Image Credits

Sarah A Smith, SAS Film & Photography.