Meet Andy Lee | Author, Blogger, Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andy Lee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andy, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m from a farming community in Oklahoma where the air smells sweet during the grain harvest and cattle sprinkle the rolling fields all year long. I knew almost everybody, and most everybody knew me. It was an iconic childhood with 4th of July parades, homemade ice cream contests, and snapping turtle races. My dad would catch a turtle for the annual race, and I would mark his shell with pink fingernail polish initials. I don’t think I ever won, but that’s the great thing about turtle races–nobody really cares.

My mom played the piano for our tiny Methodist church, and my dad led the choir. Attending church every week was part of my DNA, and at an early age I learned about a God who loved me. My parents weren’t perfect, and time proved faith would wane, but this solid truth of God’s love never left me even when I searched for the bigger picture in other religions. At twenty-two I came back to my faith even more convinced of a Creator, a Savior, and the life-giving power of God’s Word.

I know other kids sat in those pews every Sunday too and cheered their turtles on. I know we all have different gifts and passions deep within. Yet, I believe my childhood laid the foundation for my faith and my ministry. I will always be grateful for those preachers whose sermons I can’t remember, those Sunday school teachers who brought cookies every week, and the music I grew up hearing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always loved words. Don’t ask me to count or add numbers. I made my only C in Algebra II. But give me an assignment that includes written or spoken words and my heart sings. If you, however, would’ve asked me in college during one of my literature classes if I would write a book, I would’ve told you, “I don’t think so.” It wasn’t really on my radar. Perhaps it was a dream I wouldn’t let myself dream. It seemed too big.

The day I got the idea for my book, A Mary Like Me, I knew I would write it, but I had no clue about the publishing world. You asked if it was easy, and it was. It was easy to write. It was the publishing that took a long time. Seven years after I attended my first writers conference, my dream too big to dream sat perched on a shelf in Barnes and Noble. Seven years. Actually, another book was published before that one. My Bible study, The Book of Ruth Key Word Bible Study: A 31 Day Journey to Hope and Promise launched two months before my first book baby.

When you step into the world of traditional publishing, you learn it’s a networking industry. Not only do you need to meet other authors who may one day endorse your book, it’s helpful to meet with acquisition editors and literary agents. Over time, you develop relationships while you’re honing your craft and growing a platform. I know I would not have been traditionally published if I hadn’t continued to attend conferences and pitch other book ideas.

As an author you need a platform. This takes time and consistency. Faithfulness. I now have over one thousand articles on my website and over five hundred videos on my YouTube channel. I must warn you, the YouTube channel is a testament to the many hairdos of Andy Lee. I wish I could put a laughing emoji here. What has texting done to us? But I digress. Growing your readership is paramount. It’s how you sell books.

Which brings me to a hard part of being an author, selling books. Getting the book published is challenging, but selling it is even harder especially if you’re not a salesman. Publishers want authors who sell a lot of books. Honestly, I’m not a “best selling author.” I’m an author whose books have helped a few thousand readers, not millions. So, this can be discouraging. Comparison can clip your wings. As a writer you experience rejection by publishers and readers.

But here’s the deal, it’s in me. Writing books and Bible studies, articles and blog posts, making YouTube videos and sharing my Faith Friday messages on Instagram give me joy. It’s in me. I can’t stop. With every hiccup or disappointment along the way, I take a nap, go for a walk, and put worship music in my ears. I pause and then start back again. I’m not done until my last breath.

People have asked me which of my books is my favorite. This is a difficult answer because they are so different–just like children. I love my Ruth and Esther studies, and I love helping women learn how to dig deep into the Bible, but if I had to choose, A Mary Like Me will probably always be my choice. She started it all. This book is about the human hearts of biblical women. They were wonderful. They were godly and chosen, but they were just like us. They grieved, doubted, feared, and sometimes rebelled. They needed a Savior too.

My writing is authentic and raw. I sometimes challenge the status quo of Bible teaching. If it seems easy, I think we’re missing something. The Bible was written in languages and cultures very different from ours. We miss so much when we don’t take this into account. We live in a day and time when information is at our fingertips. I want to challenge, empower, and encourage women (and men if they’re listening) to dig deep into this ancient, life-giving book called the Bible that was once only read by priests and rabbis.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Whenever friends and family come to visit, Carolina beach is always a must and if open, Britts donuts. But on days we don’t feel like the beach we head downtown to experience all that the historic district has to offer. I love the beautiful old homes. It’s always fun to peruse the books in the Old Book Store on Front Street. We can spend hours in there. I always take friends to The Cotton Exchange too.

We’re creatures of habit, so usually after shopping we end up at Elijah’s seated outside on the water. We love the sunsets on that Cape Fear River. And you can’t leave downtown without a scoop of ice cream at Kilwins. We also love to take the ferry to Southport for a day of antiquing and eating. I love the slower pace of Southport. My latest food find was Edgewater 122. Oh. My. Gosh. The best French fries ever.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It’s been over fifteen years since my first book wafted through my soul. I hold many mentors and cheerleaders in my heart. My first dedication must go to my sweet man of thirty-three years who we jokingly say, “supports my habit.” He’s always believed in me and that means everything.

Attending Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference year after year filled my life with mentors and colleagues and opened the doors into the publishing world. Thank you to Edie Melson, Bob Hostetler, Eva Marie Everson, and Diana Flegal for their endorsements, teaching, and mentorship.

But writing is only half of my ministry, the other half is speaking and teaching. I’m thankful for my ministry partners, Venus Schrader and Debbie Hufham. Ten years ago I partnered with Venus to hold a women’s weekend retreat called Beauty For Ashes. We wanted to provide a longer event for women to refresh and renew their faith. Ten years and thirteen events later we minister to women from all over the country. I did not have this vision, but Venus did.

Finally, the author that jump started the Bible teacher in me was Beth Moore. Her studies introduced me to the ancient language under today’s translations. I will be forever grateful for her work and sacrifice. It is incredibly challenging to be a woman called into ministry to preach and teach. No man will ever know that struggle. Shoutout to Beth and all the women who have followed the call to preach the Word.

Website: https://wordsbyandylee.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wordsbyandylee/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyLeeAuthor

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/andyleebible