About

Kathy Carlton Willis writes and speaks with a balance of funny and faith—whimsy and wisdom. Not many funny girls also have Bible degrees! She graduated with honors from Bible College, holding degrees in Bible and Church Education, and served for thirty years in fulltime church ministry with her husband, Russ. She’s active as a book industry pro, while also staying involved in her local church and national speaking ministry.

Kathy’s website: kathycarltonwillis.com

Kathy’s tagline: God’s Grin Gal

Kathy works with women’s groups, civic groups and writers’ groups, inside and outside the church. She’s passionate about helping believers have “aha moments” with the daily application of Scripture. She coaches others to learn how to remove the training wheels and not just risk, but also take pleasure in the joy ride of a life trusting in God. Even with all the circumstances she’s faced, she gives a clear message that she possesses an expectant hope and contentment in the Lord. Something we can all experience.

Kathy addresses the issues that hold people back and shines the light on their path to freedom. She is a popular speaker for women’s events, civic groups, writers’ events and more. Kathy shines, whether she’s shining the light on God’s writers and speakers, or reflecting God’s light during her speaking opportunities.

She coaches/mentors other women locally as well as nationally. They seek out her wisdom and encouragement for dealing with the stresses of life. Kathy helps them find a balance of WellBeing in body, soul, and spirit. She uses the same principles in her books and speaking programs.

Kathy Carlton Willis owns KCW Communications, spinning many plates as platform and publishing coach, writer, editor, and speaker. She is most known for her Bible study, Grin with Grace. She also writes trade books such as The Ultimate Speaker’s Guide: Practical Tips, Tools & Takeaways, and My Book’s Ready, Now What? Finding Your Way Through the Marketing Maze.

Her projects have appeared online and in print publications, such as: The Christian Communicator, Byline, Victorian Homes, The Paris News, The Sunday Challenger, Novel Journey, Advanced Christian Writer, Christian Fiction Online Magazine, The Dabbling Mum, and more.

Kathy has a background in newspaper journalism, working as copyeditor and feature writer for several newspapers. She served as grammar and style guru for three publications—red ink is her friend! She ghostwrites a variety of books and e-books for clients.

CBN.com features Kathy’s popular blog. Their website consistently ranks among the top 10 most popular sites in the Lifestyle—Religion category. Grin & Grow with Kathy offers a twice-monthly devo-study utilizing her story, study, and steps format.

She is a contributing writer for The Christian Communicator, Upgrade Your Life, The Christian Pulse, My Purpose Now, and The Pastor’s Wife Speaks, along with others. Kathy also writes inspirational, motivational and transparent posts on social media.

Kathy founded WordGirls, a community of Christian female writers who receive professional coaching from Kathy.

Kathy is a contributing author for several books including:

  • The Psalms of Asaph: Struggling with Unanswered Prayer, Unfulfilled Promises, and Unpunished Evil Paperback, by James N. Watkins (2017)
  • Writer to Writer: Lessons from a Lifetime of Learning by Cecil Murphey (2013)
  • Coaching the Coach: Stories and Practical Tips for Transforming Lives, by Georgia Shaffer (2013)
  • Dear God, He’s Home by Janet Thompson, (2013)
  • Each One Teach One, Classeminars, (2012)
  • Transformed, Classeminars, (2011)
  • The Reason We Speak, by Marybeth Whalen (2009)
  • It Happened By Design: A Series of God-Incidence Stories by Kathie M. Thomas (2008)
  • Groovy Chicks’ Road Trip to Peace by Dena Dyer and Laurie Barker Copeland (2005)

Kathy’s Story:

Kathy grew up in the heartland of America and married young. She attended Bible College and received the Key Award as outstanding female student.

Kathy was born with a congenital reproductive anomaly, causing her to be unable to have children. She has embraced this diagnosis as God custom-designing her for a specific purpose, not an accident! In her twenties, Kathy developed an autoimmune connective tissue disease and has endured endless additional tests, treatments and diagnoses along the way. She’s recovered from over 20 surgeries and is a  thyroid cancer survivor.

She means it (and lives it) when she tells others, “Trials give us the opportunity to grin, knowing God will somehow make it all better than okay. Life can be incredible despite these bumps in the road. If you hit a big bump, what will spill out of your cup? See the rough road as just another part of the joy ride!”

What Others Say About Kathy:

  • Shows me a better way without shaming me
  • Inspires me to aspire
  • Teaches me specific growth steps so I don’t get stuck
  • Motivates me when fear or doubt stalls me out
  • Educates me on details I need to get to the next step
  • Provides a life example through her own trials and joy
  • Reveals the problems, supplies the solutions, and sticks with me as I figure out how this impacts me
  • Makes me grin, despite the circumstances
  • Makes me feel alive—not dumb, less-than, or …

Kathy’s Life Play List

  • Call it Grace (Unspoken)
  • I Smile? (Kirk Franklin?)
  • Old Church Choir (Zach Williams)
  • Joy of the Lord (Rend Collective)
  • Joy (For King and Country)
  • Great Are You Lord (All Sons & Daughters)
  • Defender (Francesca Battistelli)