Dear Reader,

There comes a moment in a book project when you look up from writing, revising, and production tasks and think, “Am I nuts? Who’s going to want this thing?”

For me, that moment happens right before publication.

When I finally complete the work within the book, ready to publish and promote, the demons of doubt speak up.

Yes, even now, as I publish my ninth book next week. In this liminal time, I take comfort in those who have gone before and wrestled with the same issues. This month's book give-away has helped me, maybe it will help you.

The October Book Give-away: The Practice by Seth Godin

The subtitle of this book is Shipping Creative Work. It pokes at the fear that holds us back from putting our work into the world. Godin's antidote to fear? Focus on process, on the practice. Of course.

While we look for results, all we can really control is process. Here's a quote from a short chapter titled "Reassurance is Futile"

Do you need extra fortification or strength?

To enter the drawing, respond to this email by Sunday, October 20. If you feel comfortable doing so, let me know if there's anything you need the extra boost of courage to do with your writing. Or, just tell me you'd like the book!

Are you keeping your writing to yourself?

Unfinished writing, half-filled journals, and abandoned files clutter the lives of all writers. It's the mulch from which other work springs—writing that we share with the world.

But sometimes, we don't share. We don't ship. And that's a real problem, because until you share something, your process isn't completed. Seth Godin tells us, "We don't ship the work because we're creative, we're creative because we ship the work."

This post gives offers three ways to defeat the demons of doubt that prevent you from shipping. Read on if you need it.

The free Write Anyway summit

Don't forget to pick up your free ticket to the Write Anyway Summit, happening October 21-24.

If you need help getting motivated to write, or balancing writing with an otherwise demanding life, health issues, neurodivergence, or any other number of obstacles, this is the place for you. I was part of it last year, and it was quite inspiring!

The summit is free to attend. You can also get an All Access Pass that gives you access to the recordings after the fact — because life gets in the way! And, you'll get other perks from the speakers. I'm offering a PDF of The Writer's Voice for All Access attendees.

October 22 is publication day!

Next week is the launch day for The Curious Reader's Field Guide to Nonfiction. You can preorder it on Amazon now, and next week I'll give you a bunch of different retail links.

That's all for now. I hope you enjoy the post.

May your writing bring you joy,

Anne

ps: If you want to support this email, share it with another writing friend!

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PO Box 66285 Scotts Valley, CA 95067

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