Most writers are taught to “just focus on the writing” but that advice keeps them small. In this email, I share the six truth bombs every writer needs to hear if they want to stop hiding behind the draft and start building something that actually lasts. No fluff, no filler. Just the real talk every aspiring author needs.

Writing isn’t linear. It’s a tapestry. Here’s why seeing the big picture can change everything about how you write and publish.

If you want to finish the book, publish the book, and maybe even sell the book, you have to stop thinking like an employee and start thinking like a creative CEO.

I’ve had more than one client say versions of it in our sessions lately:
“Am I still a real writer if I use AI?”
“Will anyone even care if I wrote the story?”
“What’s the point if a bot can do it faster?”
I hear you. And I get it. Because behind that question is something bigger:

What does success look like for you as an author? It’s not just about bestseller lists or big sales. Success can mean creative wins, personal growth, or connecting with readers. In this post, we explore five ways to redefine success on your terms and share tips for dreaming big while staying realistic. Ready to own your journey? Start here!

Here’s the deal: Author Nation is not 20BooksTo50K. That chapter is closed. What’s emerged instead is a conference that’s less about “write more books” and more about “build a sustainable business that lasts.

Here’s the deal: Author Nation is not 20BooksTo50K. That chapter is closed. What’s emerged instead is a conference that’s less about “write more books” and more about “build a sustainable business that lasts.”

When I started out, publishing a book felt as impossible as winning the lottery. Everybody had the dream, but there was zero roadmap—no step-by-step, no clear path to follow. Back then, publishing was a pipe dream, almost as far-fetched as flying to the moon. But today? Things have changed. If you’re ready to take control and make self-publishing work for you, keep reading.

Every word you put out there? It’s a shot to capture what’s real, what’s raw—stuff the world needs to remember. No one else is gonna do it for you. And if you’re sitting there thinking, “Who am I to write this?” Wrong question.

Writing isn’t just about mastering the mechanics.

I was at a writer’s event last month and I was stunned by how many writers couldn’t name the genre of their book. Not only that, they were thousands of words—some even had full drafts!—into their manuscripts and still didn’t know.

STOP telling yourself you’re "not ready" to finish your book. NO ONE feels ready. One of my clients wasn’t “ready” either. This is what happened to her…

It’s easy to think that hiring someone—a coach, an editor, a whatever—will be the magic bullet that finally gets you where you want to be. The truth?

Listen, everyone’s obsessed with cracking the latest algorithm or finding some SEO hack, but here’s the deal…

You’ve had this idea for a while. It’s magical. It’s perfect. In your mind, it’s the book that will change everything—captivate readers, shift perspectives, maybe even change lives. And then you start writing.

Ever feel like everyone else is miles ahead of you in the race to get published?​

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I hear it all the time—writers feeling like they have to sprint to some imaginary finish line. They’re looking around, seeing other people “make it” by 20, 30, or 40, and thinking they’re somehow behind. Like if they haven’t hit certain milestones by a certain age, then it’s game over. Well, here’s a little secret…

Writing a book isn’t about having all the answers from the get-go. It’s about believing in yourself. I believe in all the writers I work with – otherwise, I wouldn't work with them. I believe they are capable of writing a book. ​But my belief is not enough.

Do you know when it's time to move on? Recently, I made the difficult decision to leave John Truby’s Writers Room. I've been studying with him these last two years.

I want to share a few marketing podcasts with you that I've found incredibly helpful. Personally, I love shorter podcasts that get to the point—get in, get out, and leave me with some valuable insights, practical tips, and a healthy dose of inspiration. I also don't solely listen to book-centric podcasts. Sometimes, studying other industries offers fresh perspectives and new ideas.