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The Successful Author Mindset: A Handbook for Surviving the Writer's Journey (Creative Business Books for Writers and Authors) Kindle Edition

by Joanna Penn (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 597 ratings
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Being a writer is not just about typing. It’s also about surviving the roller-coaster of the creative journey.

Self-doubt, fear of failure, the need for validation, perfectionism, writer’s block, comparisonitis, overwhelm, and much more. When you’re going through these things, it can feel like you’re alone. But actually, they are part of the creative process, and every author goes through them too.

This book collects the mindset issues that writers experience, that I have been through myself over the last decade, and that perhaps you will experience at different times on the creative journey.

Each small chapter tackles a possible issue and then offers an antidote, so that you can dip in and out over time. It includes excerpts from my own personal journals as well as quotes from well-known writers. I hope it helps you on the road to becoming a successful author. The book includes:

Part 1: Mindset Aspects of Creativity and Writing

* Self-doubt and imposter syndrome

* Need for validation

* Fear of failure

* Fear of rejection and criticism

* Your inner critic

* Fear of judgment

* Perfectionism

* Writer’s block and procrastination

* “I’m not creative. I don’t have any ideas”

* “My writing isn’t original”

* “Why write? There are too many books in the world already”

* “I don’t have the time or self-discipline to write”

* “I’m not finding writing much fun. It’s hard work.”

* “I keep starting things and not finishing them”

* Dealing with friends, family and writer’s groups

* “How do I find my voice?”

* Comparisonitis or “Everyone is better than me”

Part 2: Mindset Aspects after Publishing

* Anti-climax and creative dissatisfaction

* What is your definition of success?

* What happens when you tell people that you’re an author?

* “I’m overwhelmed”

* Dealing with fans, authenticity and drawing the line

* Haters gonna hate

* Ambition, fame and fortune

* Giving up

Part 3: Tips for Success on the Author Journey

* Know thyself

* Understand and hone your creative process

* Develop professional habits

* Manage professional relationships

* Take control of your writing career

* Find your community

* Keep learning

* Schedule rest and take time off

* Think long term. Create a body of work

You're not alone on the author's journey. Download a sample or buy now.

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  1. Sticky notes
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  2. Publication date
    June 29, 2016
  3. Part of series
    Creative Business Books for Writers and Authors
  4. Language
    English
  5. File size
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From the Publisher

The Successful Author Mindset

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joanna Penn is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers under J.F.Penn. She also writes inspirational non-fiction for authors and is an award-winning creative entrepreneur and international professional speaker. Her site, TheCreativePenn.com is regularly voted one of the top 10 sites for writers and self-publishers.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01H0LBC2Q
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Curl Up Press (June 29, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 29, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1155 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 166 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 597 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Joanna Penn

Joanna Penn

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Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller, dark fantasy, crime, and horror author as J.F. Penn.

She’s also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. www.TheCreativePenn.com

Check out Jo's Podcast for Writers: The Creative Penn Podcast

You can get a free Author 2.0 Blueprint ebook and video series at www.TheCreativePenn.com/blueprint

Jo lives in Bath, England with her husband and two British Shorthair cats, Cashew and Noisette (often featured on Instagram @jfpennauthor ). She enjoys a nice G&T (Hendricks, or any local gin).

Jo is also a travel junkie, weaving her adventures into her fiction and travel memoir and podcasting at www.BooksAndTravel.page

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
597 global ratings
Inspiring book
5 Stars
Inspiring book
The author transformed her life from corporate to creative and this book inspires those of us who long to do the same. The take home message: you are not alone in your struggles and insecurities, but those who keep going will reap the rewards.
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Top reviews from the United States

Dawn Tolbert
5.0 out of 5 stars Comforting and generous
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2023
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This is a great book for authors at all stages as it embraces the important idea that I am not a purple unicorn, alone in the world with no one who can possibly understand me. My feelings and self-doubt are common and make me not just human, but a human designed to write. Joanna’s generosity with her experience helps those of us who follow in her footsteps find the path a little more easily.
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Deanna's World
5.0 out of 5 stars I gained great value from this book
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2023
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Practical knowledge, combined with psychology and inspiration throughout. My writing out and focused was much improved, even before finishing the book. It’s the perfect read and reflection for someone several years into their writing journey.
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Selina
4.0 out of 5 stars Good and encouraging
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2021
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Lots of interesting, thought-provoking, and insightful ideas in this fairly short book. Parts I'll definitely be revisiting to pause and ponder and actually do some of the recommended exercises. Knocking a star mostly for a personal thing of this book does lean toward a worldview of defining your worth and value by your production/work, which I find to be a shaky foundation for one sense of self worth, but otherwise, I definitely recommend this for writers at any stage from starting to a multiple books published if you want a book about mindset and the mental and emotional challenges of writing and publishing.
2 people found this helpful
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Stella Carrier
5.0 out of 5 stars Healing And Unconventional Writing Advice
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2016
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I preface this review by making it clear that I’m flattered to have been confused for a paid reviewer/paid writer before but I write these reviews as a passion and a way to expand my way of thinking as an author. The Successful Author Mindset; A Handbook For Surviving The Writer’s Journey by Joanna Penn (kindlebook version) caught my attention for multiple reasons. One of the reasons has to do with the admission that I write to help me therapeutically tap into the self-confident and carefree spirit that helped me to become valedictorian of my 8th grade graduating class (author Doreen Virtue inspired me from one of her books the Courage To Be Creative to allow myself to take up writing for creative writing therapy). Additionally, like millions of others who have writing dreams, I have reasons to continue my writing journey for life stemming from some reasons I prefer to keep secret. However, what I do feel comfortable sharing is that reading about the the author who penned the book for the Revenant movie and still works full-time made me realize that I harbor dreams of being a writer for life while still holding a full-time job (with awareness that I must hold little concern for whether my determination and intent to be a writer/author for life culminates in obscurity andor fame). Anyhow, one of the advice takeaways that was healing for me to glean from Joanna Penn’s book was the benefit of a writer making a creative date for themselves to where they would allow themselves to do activities andor go out places that would help creativity. I also like some of the online resources and books that Joanna Penn includes as mentorship and support for a writer whether they are just beginning their authorship journey or if they have been pursuing writing for quite a while. She also gives helpful advice on when to listen to a critic and when it is ok to leave the criticism alone. She also makes it clear in a healing way that criticism often comes to those who stand out in a positive way even when the persons being criticized for their writing may not realize it. Penn also makes it clear that a writer must try to recognize their own critical thoughts to their writing when it comes up and gives suggestions for how to compassionately tell your inner critic to relax while making a time to honor the critic later (plus more constructive advice). I also acknowledge that I’m blessed with an amazing husband who encourages and supports my goal to be a writer/author while also balancing a full-time job.
3 people found this helpful
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Kate M. Colby
5.0 out of 5 stars Everything authors need to hear in one short book
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2016
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I went into this book thinking that I wouldn't get much out of it. After all, I have been through my tormented "aspiring writer" phase and come out the other side a proud, independently published author. Sure, I'm still plagued by insecurity and doubt, but how much help could a glorified pep talk really be – even from someone I respect as much as Joanna Penn?

Oh, how wrong I was.

The Successful Author Mindset should be required reading material for all writers, no matter the stage in their journey. Unlike so many self-help books, it doesn't shove vague platitudes or useless statistics in your face. Instead, Penn offers excerpts from her actual journey (an incredibly gutsy move) and real-life antidotes from herself or other authors to contextualize the problems the book addresses. You will never once feel alone while reading this book.

And hey, the inspiration quotations are pretty inspiring, too.

Penn covers a wide range of doubts, concerns, and inhibitors that affect authors at every stage of writing and publishing. She explains each issue, then follows it with her "antidote" or best advice or steps to move past the problem and on with your creative life.

Best of all is Penn's generosity. Within the text, she freely offers up creative ideas and her own writing, creativity, and productivity "secrets." I finished the book feeling encouraged, energized, and confident, as if I had just spent a couple hours chatting with a friend or mentor.

Do yourself a favor and read this book. Start with the chapters that address your own issues, or read it straight through in one day like I did. You will get what you need out of it. You just have to read.
27 people found this helpful
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Leigh A
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book for Indie Authors to Keep Nearby
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2016
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This is one of those books that's a quick read but full of useful information because it gets directly to the point. There is no fluff here. Joanna has gone from being a 9-to-5 employee in the business industry to becoming a successful indie author. In this book she talks about the thought processes on her journey; the fears, the doubts and the excitement. Chapters are each set up to address a different issue or problem, and she has a useful antidote to try at the end of each chapter. It's easy to get through the book quickly, but the real value of this book will be for authors using it as they need to through the years. I especially enjoyed the excerpts from her journals. They addressed the raw emotions that she felt (that we all have felt) and it's wonderful to know that you're not alone and that you can do something about it. There are little tidbits throughout the book, like deconstructing novels to learn about those genres, that are goldmines. I will be going back to this book for many years.
16 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Issak Friesen
5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a book to help me understand the battles I face as an author!
Reviewed in Canada on February 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book helped me to finally understand the battles that authors face. I loved that Joanna covered every topic that had questions about.
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Reika
5.0 out of 5 stars Practical advice to keep you going!
Reviewed in Germany on October 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
The book is very well organised. You can either read it through for a general boost of positivity and encouragement or look up specific problems you have, like writer's block or self-doubt, and find practical solutions. One of Joanna Penn's best books!
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Ranjit Kulkarni
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
Reviewed in India on June 30, 2021
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A book that clearly and in detail spells out the real issues that authors go through at various stages of their journey. A book that also suggests anecdotes at a practical level for each of them. I found it to be a curious mix of inspiration and perspiration. Recommended to anyone anywhere on the writer journey.
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Peter Redwood
5.0 out of 5 stars We're not alone...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 26, 2020
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I'm not going to gush, but as a career author with several books and number ones behind me, I rested on my laurels and expected the momentum to continue. It doesn't. The market has changed, you need to advertise and you need to adopt good practices. This book resets you, makes you believe in yourself again and when you see quotes from Hemingway and Stephen King all describing how you feel as a writer, you realise that you're not the first to feel the way you do, and you sure as hell won't be the last. We are a strange breed, in a strange profession or art and we all need either a kick up the arse, or to grab our career by the balls at times, and Joanna Penn advises how with a great authority in a down-to-earth manner. Sometimes, it's so obvious what you need to do, but you need to hear that voice. A good read for the beginner, but a fantastic read for experienced authors who perhaps don't want to admit their career is on the down-turn. Nothing wrong in that, it's happened to every writer. It's what you do next that counts. This book is the perfect place to start.
12 people found this helpful
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Sara
4.0 out of 5 stars Soddisfatta
Reviewed in Italy on May 11, 2020
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Un libro simpatico che mi ha incoraggiata.
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