The Author Burnout Cure (Isabel Sterling)

Whether you call it writer's block, lack of inspiration, or feeling stuck, the result is the same: you, staring at the blank page, unable to write.

In order to solve writer's block, you need to know what's causing it. This episode walks you through the 5 main causes, how to diagnose them, and how to get writing again.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

The lure of the shiny new idea is strong, but should you actually abandon your current project? Today's podcast helps you decide when quitting is a good idea.

Click here for the IG post with the "Should I Quit?" flowchart.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Do you ever feel like you're wasting your time trying to write a novel? Do you get upset when you have to throw away an entire draft that doesn't work? In today's episode, Isabel sheds light on her belief that no writing is ever wasted. 

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

How do I trust myself to finish my book if I let myself rest whenever I want? How will I hit deadlines if I set a low Minimum Enoughness Measure? 

These are common questions, and in today's podcast, Isabel addresses them head on. She talks about the importance of cultivating self-trust  and provides a process to help you flex that muscle more often. 

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Our culture celebrates being busy, but the devaluation of rest is driving so many in publishing right to burnout. Isabel explains why being busy is bad for your creativity and introduces the MEM (Minimum Enoughness Measure) as a way to combat our tendency to overwork. 

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Do you find yourself constantly refreshing your inbox while querying (or while waiting for notes from your editor/agent)? In today's episode, Isabel breaks down why we do this, why it feels terrible, and how to break the habit so we can get focused on what we love: writing something new.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

This isn't a first person vs third person debate. Today, we take a look at the POV you're choosing for your own personal writing life and whether it's helping or hurting you.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

As writers, we're a pretty creative bunch. Unfortunately, that means we also get pretty creative about the lies we concoct about the future. In today's episode, Isabel breaks down the lies we tell ourselves about getting a book deal and why that can lead to burnout.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Wondering what exactly burnout is and where it comes from? This is the perfect place to start. Why? Well, burnout doesn't come from WHAT you're doing. It comes from WHY you're doing those things. 

Don't worry, I explain it all in today's episode. 

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Curious about coaching but not sure what it's like? In this episode, I talk to writer buddy and occasional client, Erica Davis, about her experience coaching with me. She shares how coaching helped her love revision (after decades of hating it), how coaching is different than therapy, and at the end we get dorky and talk about her tarot reading business, Dork Witch!

Links from the episode:

• Erica's website 
• The origins of the Worry Bucket (podcast episode)
• Patriarchy Stress Disorder by Valerie Rein, PhD
• Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
• Serena Hicks (another coach I follow and adore)

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Curious about the "acronym thing" last week's guest mentioned? Today, I give an overview of the self-coaching model (developed by Brooke Castillo of The Life Coach School) that I use with my clients and how it applies to publishing. 

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

We know better than to shit on ourselves, but did you know that "should-ing" on yourself puts a damper on your creativity, too? In today's episode, I talk about the ways we use "should" against ourselves and how to take your power back.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Nearly all writers deal with Imposter Syndrome at some point, but where does it come from? (Hint: the patriarchy plays a role.) And once we know WHY we have it, how do we get better at believing in our own talents and skills? Friends, for part of our solution, I invite you to Celebration Station.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

You can guarantee your writing success. Yes, even in traditional publishing, where so much is outside of our direct control. We make success inevitable when we commit to Massive Action. This episode will tell you how.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Victoria Schwab once told me at a writing retreat that if you stay in publishing long enough, you'll experience every kind of up and down there is, from cancelled series to best selling books.

I love that advice, and I think the same is true for our emotions during the pursuit of (and the having of) our dreams. We have to be willing to feel all those emotions if we want to create sustainable publishing careers.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Sometimes choosing your next writing project is easy. You have something under contract or one idea that's been calling your name for months. Other times though ... it can be a lot trickier. If you're torn between two different projects, today's podcast will help you choose which one to write next. (And as a bonus, you can use this technique for all sorts of life decisions, too!)

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Burnout in publishing is A Thing, but whose responsibility is it to reduce burnout and create a more sustainable publishing ecosystem? The publishing industry? Or individual writers (and editors, agents, etc.)? As far as I'm concerned, the answer is both, and today's episode explains why.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

We all do it. We have something we want, but we're afraid to just go for it and take the plunge. So instead, we ask everyone we know (and sometimes strangers on the internet, too) what we should do. Except ... we don't want their actual advice. We just want proof that someone approves of what we want to do. This is super common, but it robs us of our agency and authority.

This episode shows you how to recognize when it's happening and take your power back.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Shame is one of the most common--yet least effective--ways we try to convince ourselves to get to work. In today's episode, I explain why shame is such a shitty motivator and what to try instead.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

One of the fastest way to kill your creative drive is to tell yourself, "I'm not a real writer." Today I examine where those thoughts come from, why they crush creativity, and what to do about it.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Mara Fitzgerald and Christine Lynn Herman are back for part 2 of our conversation. In this episode, we talk about how we fit writing into our lives and how being queer affects our relationship with publishing (and burnout).

Buy Christine's Books:

• The Devouring Gray
• The Deck of Omens
• All of Us Villains (co-written with Amanda Foody)
• The Drowning Summer

Buy Mara's Books:

• Beyond the Ruby Veil 
• Into the Midnight Void 

Buy Isabel's Books:

• These Witches Don't Burn
• This Coven Won't Break
• The Coldest Touch

And if you love the podcast, leave us a review to help other writers find us!

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

I'm joined today by two fabulous authors Christine Lynn Herman and Mara Fitzgerald to talk all things author burnout - especially post debut! 

**INFOSTACK BUNDLE** For one absurdly low price, you get lifetime access to my masterclass (Create Better Characters with Coaching) along with 30+ other writerly tools - including courses on marketing, building an author platform, and so much more. CLICK HERE to see all the tools included in this bundle! 

Christine's Books:

• The Devouring Gray
• The Deck of Omens
• All of Us Villains (co-written with Amanda Foody)
• The Drowning Summer

Mara's Books:

• Beyond the Ruby Veil 
• Into the Midnight Void 

Isabel's Books:

• These Witches Don't Burn
• This Coven Won't Break
• The Coldest Touch

And don't forget the Write Publish Profit 5.0 bundle! Sale ends June 14, 2022!

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Today I'm joined by NYT best selling author, Aiden Thomas, who launched his debut YA novel, Cemetery Boys, during the first year of the pandemic. His second book, Lost in the Never Woods, came out in 2021, and because this pandemic is apparently never ending, his third book, The Sunbearer Trials, will be his 3rd release, out on September 6th! Aiden is one of the most delightful humans, and I'm so excited for you to hear from them directly in today's interview.

Books recommended by Aiden in this episode: 

• Never Say You Can't Survive: How to Get Through Hard Times by Making Up Stories by Charlie Jane Anders
• Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody

[Click the book titles to order your copy from Aiden's favorite indie: Powell's Books!]

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

To wrap up our Pride Month series, today I'm sharing an interview with Shelly Page, an agented YA writer who is in a not-often-talked-about stage of her career. She has secret news she can't talk about yet and is waiting to hear back from an editor on a revise and resubmit! We talk about burnout when you feel *this close* to achieving your dream and how Shelly carves out specific time each day for self-care.

You can keep in touch with Shelly at her website and on twitter!

Update! Shelly's 2024 debut novel, Brewed with Love , is available for preorder here!

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Writing a novel requires you to make a nearly infinite amount of decisions. From big picture decisions like your protagonist's driving desire to micro decisions like word choice and where to break each paragraph, every decision pulls from your daily decision-making reserve. But leaving decisions unmade isn't an option. Eventually, you have to choose your path.

In today's episode, I teach you a 4-step process for closing decision loops and getting your story moving again.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Writing a novel is a genuinely challenging thing to do. It brings up all of our self-doubts, plus, it's a process that takes months to YEARS to complete. So why do we put ourselves through all that? In this episode, I share some of the reasons writing is worth the effort.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Burnout doesn't just affect writers - it's infiltrated all levels of traditional publishing. This week, I chatted with literary agent and certified life coach, Jessica Killingley, about the industry's burnout and what we can do about it.

Learn more about Jessica's coaching practice at: www.jessicakillingley.com

This Jessica might be the agent for you? Learn more about her agency here: www.thebksagency.com

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Writing a novel is hard. But so is feeling disappointed year after year that you don't achieve your dream of writing one. In today's episode, I talk about how to choose which version of hard will bring you closer to your dream life.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

There are two main camps of writers: those who love revision and those who hate it. I fall firmly in the former, and it's part of my mission to help other writers love revision, too. Today, I talk about some of the mindset tweaks you can make to bring more fun into your revising process. 

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Do you believe in your writing goals? Or are they just a pretty fantasy you escape to from time to time? Knowing the difference is vital if you actually want to achieve your dreams. And today, I'm teaching you how to diagnose whether you believe AND how to fix it if you don't.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Traditional publishing is full of all sorts of inequities and strange business practices that leave authors scratching their heads thinking, "WTF is happening? Do they not like making money???" 

And while we can't wave a magic wand and fix this archaic industry that we still love (or at least choose to participate in), we CAN reclaim our power and authority over our own careers. 

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

One of the biggest fears I hear from new writers is that their writing sucks. Here's the thing, friends. It probably does. But that's not actually a problem. In this episode, I tell you why it's actually totally fine to suck and what to do about it when you do.

Content note: in the first part of the episode, I get a little emotional talking about my spouse's accident and updates with our foster kiddo. If that stuff might trigger you, you can skip to around the 13:30 min mark to get to the teaching portion of the episode. Take care of yourselves. <3 

Also, you can pre-order the paperback of The Coldest Touch via Bookshop.org!

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

We tell stories because we love it ... or, at least, that's how it started. Yet many writers find themselves miserable and burnt out on the road to achieving that dreams. Unfortunately, getting a book deal often just exacerbates the shitty feelings you're already experiencing. So in this episode, I share the most effective way to put the fun back in fiction. 

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Friends, you are in for a TREAT! Karen Strong, author of Just South of Home  and Eden's Everdark  (which is out today!), joins us today to share her advice for taking a long-term view to your writing career. Karen is also the editor of the forthcoming YA anthology Cool. Awkward. Black. and was a contributor to two Star Wars anthologies (Stories of Jedi & Sith and From a Certain Point of View ) and also had a short story in A Phoenix First Must Burn, which was edited by Patrice Caldwell. 

Get signed copies of Eden's Everdark (available at Brave + Kind Bookshop) by clicking here.

Visit Karen at her website, on twitter, or on Instagram. 

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Ya girl has COVID so this week I'm bringing you a quick episode that's unscripted and unedited (though I did cut out the coughing - y'all don't need to hear that) about why arguing with reality is a waste of time and why you should decide on purpose the future reality you'd like to create.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

A lot of us mistakenly wait to feel motivated before we write, but it's pretty damn hard to feel motivated without a little momentum. The good news? There are lots of easier-to-access emotions (like curiosity and willingness) that can create the momentum you need to feel motivated. 

Also... THE COLDEST TOUCH is out in paperback today! Get your copy here!

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

How often do you show up for the writing sessions than you plan for yourself? If it's less than 90% (or if you don't get as much done during those sessions as you want), then this podcast is for you. I teach my 3-step process to creating a writing schedule that you can follow.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

If you're looking to increase your word count (or the number of books you read in a year), telling yourself that you're wrong for not doing it the way everyone else says you should is one of the fastest ways to slow your progress. 

You are not wrong. The way you prefer to create (or parent or learn or whatever) is not wrong. Embracing what works best for you--though challenging, thanks to societal influences--is the fastest and most fun way to reach your goals. 

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Writing is a little bit (okay, perhaps a LOT bit) magical. Even if you're more of a realist, this episode makes the case for why thinking about storytelling this way can help you step into your power as a writer. 

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Last week I presented my How to BE a Writer workshop, and today I'm sharing it with all of you, too! Learn how to let go of the advice that feels like shit in your body and connect to the version of you who has achieved all your goals without any of those "have to" items you hate so much. 

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Deadlines don't cause burnout...our THOUGHTS about deadlines do. The good news? You can manage your thoughts and meet a tight deadline without losing sleep or sanity. Listen for my 3 step process to meeting deadlines without burning yourself into the ground.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Happy National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo)! 10 years ago TODAY, I started writing a novel for the very first time. A decade later, I share some of my favorite NaNo take aways and share tips for writing this November, whether or not you plan to participate in the 50k in 30 days challenge. 

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Having trouble staying committed to your novel long enough to reach the end? Get distracted by shiny new ideas? This episode offers strategies for knowing which book to commit to and how to stay excited about the idea, even when the writing gets hard.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

How's your book doing? How many copies have you sold? Are you a millionaire yet? - When you're a writer, the questions you get at family gatherings can be uncomfortable. In today's episode, I walk you through WHY those questions can bring up so much frustration or insecurity and how to respond without pulling your hair out.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Let's talk boundaries. We can't control other humans and what they do and/or say (about your books sales and whether you should get a "real job"), but we can control how WE react. And that, friends, is the purpose of setting a boundary. Listen in to learn more about how to set boundaries and why it can feel so hard to actually follow through on them.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

It's that time of year again - time for reviewing the year that's past and look ahead to what we "should" accomplish in the next year. I'd like to offer a new way of setting goals, one that emphasizes WHO you want to BE instead of what you want to accomplish. 

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Dear 2023 Debuts: You're about to make the shift from writer to published author. This is incredible...but it can be stressful af if your thoughts about debuting are a mess. This is my love letter to you - my best advice for how to enjoy releasing your book into the world without ending up exhausted and over- (or under-) whelmed. 

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

You would never talk shit about your readers intentionally...but there's a subtle way a lot of authors diminish and downplay the readers they have. Once you know how it happens, you'll notice it every time it comes up (and overtime, you'll stop doing it all together). 

In this episode, I mention my coach, Serena Hicks. You can find her on Instagram (click here) and be sure to check out her podcast episode about her "only vs already" concept (click here) which is episode 4 of her Big Happy Money podcast.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Every author has a superpower. Yours may be revision, dialogue, or your marketing savvy. It can be tricky to spot, though. So in today's episode, I show you how to find your superpower and leverage it in your favor.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

I’m on deadline this month, so I’m bringing you a few lessons from my Love Writing Again self-paced course. Today, we’re talking about how your beliefs about writing and publishing affect your ability to enjoy writing.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

I’m on deadline this month, so I’m bringing you a few lessons from my Love Writing Again self-paced course. Today, we’re talking about how to process your emotions. 

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

I’m on deadline this month, so I’m bringing you a few lessons from my Love Writing Again self-paced course. Today, we’re talking about how to create new emotions on purpose, so you can enjoy your writing sessions. 

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

There's no one right way to carve a path in publishing, and today's guest--authors Jennifer Dugan and Dahlia Adler--are fabulous examples of that. Plus, we all basically share the same birthday, which is just fun. We're also all parents, so we talk about how we balance publishing and parenting.

Be sure to check our Instagram feeds on 1/26/23 for info on our 3rd annual sapphic book giveaway!

Learn more about Dahlia and her books:

• Dahlia's website
• Dahlia's Instagram 
• Buy Dahlia's books at The Ripped Bodice (or your favorite bookstore)

Learn more about Jenn and her books:

• Jenn's website
• Jenn's Instagram
• Buy Jenn's books at Northshire (signed copies available at Saratoga location!)

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

I’m on deadline this month, so I’m bringing you a few lessons from my Love Writing Again self-paced course. Today, we’re talking about celebrating your wins. 

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

I’m on deadline this month, so I’m bringing you a few lessons from my Love Writing Again self-paced course. Today, we’re talking about the different types of goals--outcome vs process goals (aka winning vs bonus results). 

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Do you have a sustainable writing schedule? If you’re experiencing burnout, the answer is probably no.  But don’t despair! Today, I’m teaching you how to create a Sustainable Author Schedule (aka your SAS) and how it will change your career. 

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

If you want to take control of your author career, you need to know how to say no. And not just the right words to say. An empowered no comes from understanding the reasons you want to reflexively say yes, unwinding those habitual thoughts, and owning your decision to say no. When you harness the power of the empowered no, you get to say YES to the career you actually want.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

If you want to take control of your author career, and create without burnout, you need to know your writing data. But! You want to make sure you focus your data collection on celebration rather than unhelpful comparison. In today's episode, I show you how to do exactly that.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Writing is typically a solitary pursuit, which makes the collaborative nature of writing retreats especially powerful. Today I’m teaching you how to get the most out of your writing retreat with specific tips for before you get there, during your stay, and after you get home again. Spoiler alert: celebration is a key component.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

When you get a hefty edit letter–or realize your book isn’t working–sometimes the best choice is toss out the current draft and start over. It’s not always easy, though. So today, I’m teaching you how to make that big decision and how to delete your book without falling into a pit of despair.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

If you’re not writing as much as you want, it’s normal to google productivity hacks to try to get your word count up. But if burnout is th reason you’re not writing? Those hacks will not work. Today, I’m teaching you why those hacks don’t work and what to do instead.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

You’re a grown ass adult. You don’t “have to” do anything. But … sometimes it really feels like we do, especially when it comes to deadlines. Even in publishing, though, telling yourself that you “have to” do anything is a lie. And it feels like shit. Today, I’m debunking that toxic lie and helping you tell a better story about your career decisions.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Writers with ADHD (and other neurospicy brains) gather 'round. Today we're talking to Kiri Callaghan, author of Alys and Changeling. Kiri has a unique perspective on using detailed plotting (and other techniques) as a way to accommodate for her ADHD brain, so I knew I had to have her on the podcast.

Follow Kiri online:

Website https://www.kiricallaghan.com/

Twitter https://twitter.com/kiricallaghan

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

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@kiricallaghan

Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/kiriosity

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

You've probably heard it before: "Don't read reviews!" And while that's good advice, most authors don't follow it . . . for at least one of their books. So today, I'm breaking down the reasons why you feel compelled to check reviews, even when you know it's going to feel like a throat punch to your soul.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Imposter Syndrome often comes hand-in-hand with burnout. Owning your accomplishments, owning the role you played in getting where you are today, is essential to letting go of imposter syndrome. But how do you do that while still acknowledging the role of privilege? Today’s podcast explore this balance.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

It’s easy in publishing to feel like we should just say yes to whatever book deals come our way. But that “be quiet and be grateful” feeling is rooted in scarcity. In believing that this is our one and only shot. Not so. In today’s episode, money mindset mentor and fabulous coach, Serena Hicks, shares her journey with money and how choosing an abundance mindset changes everything.

Follow Serena on Instagram, check out her website, and subscribe to her podcast.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

One of the great lies of hustle culture is that we’ll be happier once we achieve a certain external milestone. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to hustle your way to happiness. Because how you GET to your success is how you will BE in your success. If you hustle and stress and worry on your way to being a best seller, you will be a best seller who feels the need to hustle and stress to STAY successful. It’s not a pretty cycle, but there is a solution. And today’s episodes outlines the path to a success that actually feels good.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

When you're genuinely excited to write, but you're still skipping writing sessions .... vague goals may be to blame. To help you get to the page, I'm covering the top 3 planning mistakes that can keep you from writing and how being more specific will help.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Chasing after publishing milestones - while neglecting how you feel as you get there - is a fast path to burnout. Career highlights, like selling your debut or winning an award, are exciting. But! They're only a teeny tiny fraction of your life as a writer. To create a career you love, you need to protect the journey.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

As an author, you have two primary roles: writing new books and marketing the ones you already have. Balancing those very different jobs causes a lot of authors immense stress. But it doesn’t have to. There are three steps to finding the balance that works for you - listen to learn more.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Working with authors, I've found 5 major categories of writing and authoring that contribute most to author burnout. Today, I'm giving you a backstage look at how to assess these five areas of your writing life and decide your best first step to ending burnout for good.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

If you're on the verge of quitting, drop everything and listen to this episode. While there is no shame in moving on from a dream that no longer serves you, if you still genuinely want to publish but feel too burnt out to keep going, this episode is for you.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

A common mistake authors make when trying to solve burnout is simply stepping away from their work and hoping that break will fix things for them. Except time away from writing doesn't change the hustle-based habits that got you into burnout in the first place. If you really want to fix burnout, you have to tell yourself better stories.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

A sure-fire way to kill the joy of writing is to convince yourself that it'll be better ... later. After you sell another book. After you finish this draft. After you sell 50,000 copies. The grass is not greener after the next writing milestone. In today's podcast, I teach you how to deal with the Greener Effect and prioritize your writing joy NOW.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Congrats! You’ve finished the latest draft of your book. Now, you’re in that weird interstitial place of being between deadlines. Should you rest and refill the well? Should you get started on something new? Indecision leaves most writers doing nothing … but feeling guilty about it. This episode gives you the tools you need to navigate the space between.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Writing can feel magical at times … but what happens when that magic seems to dry up? It’s a common fear, but an irrational one, too. You can’t actually LOSE the magic of writing. Listen in to find out why. Plus, I have solutions for those times you’re pretty sure you have indeed lost your spark.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Writing more consistently isn’t about better willpower or stricter schedules. My 4 Cs process allows you to write more while also having more fun. Stick around to the end of the episode, because I’m issuing a 30-day challenge that will change your writing life.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Authors are masterful story tellers … but sometimes that works against us. When we take the facts of our career and twist them to tell shitty stories, we’re using our superpower for evil. Instead, I want you to use your creative brain for good. Listen in to find out how.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

What do you do when the publishing industry throws you a not-so-pleasant curve ball? What do you do when your agent leaves the industry, your publisher closes unexpectedly, or your option material doesn’t sell? I have the answer on today’s podcast.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Your author career is full of decisions: should you shelve that project or try another rewrite? Which offer should you accept for your debut? How will you solve that huge plot hole in the second act? Trying to find the “right” decision is an impossible task. Instead, I want you to make a decision you feel good about and implement it quickly. Listen in to learn how.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

For traditionally published authors, having an agent is standard practice. Unfortunately, most authors approach that relationship in a way that actually contributes to burnout. Today, I’m breaking down my thoughts about agents, author/agent relationship red flags, and what to do if you’re just not a good fit.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Who you think you are … is who you become. Like I promised last week, we’re talking self-concept: where it comes from, how it impacts your author career, and how to shift it to something that actually supports your goals. Don’t let internalized patriarchal messaging determine who you think you are. You get to decide.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Your nervous system has a profound impact on your life - including your ability to access creativity and enjoy writing. I spoke with Dr. Andrea Moore, a former physical therapist and chronic pain specialist, to learn more about the nervous system, how to handle the impact of rejections and publishing set-backs, and how to bring celebration into your body.

Follow Dr. Andrea Moore on Instagram, check out her website, and subscribe to her podcast, Unweaving Chronic Pain!

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

No matter where you are in your author career--a brand new writer drafting your very first novel or ten-books into your publishing career--working with a coach will make writing more fun and more productive. This week, I spoke with fellow author & coach, Caitlin Fisher, who specializes in helping writers (especially the queer, chronically ill, neurodivergent writers) complete their first drafts. 

Follow Caitlin on Instagram. 

Learn more about the Working Title Incubator. 

Check out their free Finish Your First Draft Masterclass and get a copy of their book: The Gaslighting of the Millennial Generation. 

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Whether you've released a book into the world or tucked it away in a drawer, saying goodbye to your book is a powerful way to create closure and open yourself up to writing the next story. Listen in for the when, why, and how of saying goodbye to a story.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Life rarely unfolds according to plan. When your schedule gets tossed into the air – or there’s some kind of emergency – how do you keep writing? Listen in to find out how identifying as a consistent writer is an important first step.

The 100th episode listener Q&A is coming up! Submit your questions here: https://forms.gle/eBwUdM2vVx5cew3RA

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

How do you set writing goals when one or more projects have timelines that are outside of your control? Enter Contingency Goals, where you decide the priority of your projects so no matter what is or isn’t on your plate, you know what to do.

The 100th episode listener Q&A is coming up! Submit your questions here: https://forms.gle/eBwUdM2vVx5cew3RA

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Award-winning, NYT bestselling author, Susan Dennard, joins the podcast this week to discuss the ever-shifting landscape of traditional publishing, why "just be grateful" is bullshit advice, and how to redefine success when things don't go as planned.

**Bonus Goodies**

When you pre-order Susan's next release, The Hunting Moon, before November 6, 2023, you can submit your receipt to get access to her Beginner's Guide to Revising a Novel. Order a copy from your favorite retailer and submit your receipt here. (Full details also at that link.)

Subscribe to Susan's substack here!

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Once you sell your first book, it’s just a matter of time before you’re juggling deadlines for multiple books. There is no perfect schedule out there on the internet for you to find. Instead, I’m sharing my four-step process for managing multiple deadlines without sacrificing the quality of your work …. Or your personal life.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Compare and despair–that flash of jealousy and disappointment when you see someone else’s good news–is a common phenomenon. Thankfully, your options aren’t to feel terrible or avoid social media forever. I have a simple 5-step process to turn compare and despair into an opportunity to reconnect with your own goals and get back to writing.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

What you believe about yourself, your writing abilities, and your place in publishing affects the way you experience your career. Today, I’m sharing some of the foundational beliefs that help me stay in love with my writing process and navigate the traditional publishing industry.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

No one throws you a parade when your book comes out. If you want to celebrate your release and make the day feel special (and I definitely recommend that you do!) you need to intentionally plan how you’ll spend your release day. AND how you want to think and feel that day, too.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Whether you call it the Sophomore Slump or the Book 2 Blues, no one wants to hear that their second novel didn’t live up to their first. Especially if the writing process was particularly hellish. The good news: there are only 5 steps to banishing the Book 2 Blues, and I’m walking you through all of them today.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

What can change with just six months of coaching? Everything. But don’t take my word for it. I interviewed my client, Roz Ray, about her experience with coaching and what changed for her over the past six months. She also shares the coaching techniques she comes back to again and again. 

To stay in touch with Roz, you can visit her website, follow her on IG, and read some of her short fiction on Medium. 

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

It’s that time of year again: “Best Books of the Year” lists are popping up all over the internet. While these lists are great for TBR piles and the books that get included, they can also be a landmine of emotional turmoil for most of authors. In this episode, I break down WHY this time of year feels so challenging, and how you can navigate the season without getting swallowed up with disappointment.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Social media is a source of stress and overwhelm for many authors. Does it actually sell books? Do you have to be on TikTok to succeed in publishing? What if you just really hate being online? Listen in for my 4-step process for deciding how to use social media and making the most of the time you spend there.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

It can feel awful when your book doesn’t perform as expected. On top of the disappointment and grief, you’re also struggling to write the next book. Why should you bother, afterall, if that one is going to flop, too? Take heart. This experience is normal, and it doesn’t last forever. Today’s episode will help you get back to writing–and dreaming about your future.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

It’s the time of year where everyone starts talking about goal setting. Before you look ahead to 2024, it’s important to evaluate the year you just had. No matter how amazing (or disappointing) the past 12 months were, there are lessons to glean that you don’t want to miss.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Last week we evaluated 2023, so now it’s time to look ahead into the future and decide what kind of author year you want to create. This process gives you a functional schedule so you know where to put your focus each quarter while having plenty of flexibility to handle publishings weird timelines.

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

It’s finally here: the highly anticipated 100th episode, with answers to all of YOUR questions! In this episode, I tackle questions about trad vs indie, whether you really need personal connections with agents or editors to land a book deal, and how to know when it’s time to give up on publishing and move on. You’re in for a treat this week!

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The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month, private coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mental & emotional skills you need to thrive as an author. To learn more, schedule a free consult with me by clicking here. 

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!