You Should Write a Book With Camille Pagán

Whether you’re working on your first novel or your fiftieth, showing up a professional will help you reach your goals faster—and make your success last. On this episode, Camille shares: The one question every writer should ask herself How to plan to succeed (hint: it doesn’t involve a traditional business plan) Using setbacks to supercharge your motivation  Why belief is more important than talent (really) P.S. In this episode, Camille mentioned writing books by the following authors:  David Gaughran: https://davidgaughran.com Chris Fox: https://www.chrisfoxwrites.com/for-writers/

Camille talks to Suzy England, an author who wants to feel more prepared when speaking to book clubs and other groups. They cover:  Four simple topics authors can talk about at any event Why book club questions can be as helpful for you as they are for readers How to transfer confidence from another area of life to your author career Focusing on connection instead of validation to feel at ease in front of a crowd You can learn more about Suzy and her books at SuzyEngland.com

Camille talks to Kelly, an author who is reassessing the way she writes after receiving helpful feedback from her literary agent. We cover: Using comparisonitis—a.k.a. imposter syndrome—to your advantage (yes, it’s possible!) Why it’s so important to write for yourself first How to turn an aha moment into a sustainable habit The perks of scheduling a weekly coaching session with yourself—and the one question to consider reflecting on when you do

Camille coaches Lesa, a novelist who’s considering publishing with a hybrid publisher (that is, a company that combines aspects of traditional publishing and self-publishing, and charges the author to publish their book). They cover: What to consider when choosing a publisher Why being intentional can help you avoid overwhelm and simplify your publishing process How to pitch your book to book clubs and land other book-related speaking engagements Questions to ask a potential hybrid publisher, including: > What are my deadlines for each step of the process (such as editing, copyediting and proofreading, design, and marketing)? > How do you handle distribution and where will my novel be sold? > What do you expect of me in terms of marketing? > Beyond the publishing fee, will you ask me to make additional financial contributions (for example, for marketing endeavors)? If so, how much? > What do you consider a “success” for the titles you publish, and which of your titles fit the bill? Camille’s note: For more information on hybrid publishing, check out these posts on Jane Friedman’s excellent site: https://www.janefriedman.com/what-is-a-hybrid-publisher/ https://www.janefriedman.com/everything-youve-always-wanted-to-know-hybrid-publishing/

On the eve of the publication of her tenth book, Good for You, Camille shares ten things she's learned about making a living as an author. She shares: The one question that transformed her writing and career The difference between optimism and toxic positivity—and how to harness the former without repressing negative emotions The reason “thicker skin” is overrated (plus better ways to protect your mental health) Why choosing yourself ups the odds you’ll be chosen by readers … and yes, publishing gatekeepers If you're ready to take your career as an author to the next level, apply to the Career Author Mastermind today. Applications are on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit evenbetter.co/careerauthors to apply. To learn more about Good for You, visit https://camillepagan.com/books/good-for-you/

Camille coaches Jessica, a writer who’s trying to stop editing as she drafts so she can finish her novel faster. We cover: The importance of identifying with the habit you’re trying to create The real reason we self-sabotage—and how to stop Creating flow by separating editing and writing time Using your “why” to follow through when you feel stuck

Camille coaches Maggie, a journalist who’s considering writing a book about a topic she recently explored in a set of essays that went viral. They cover: A simple reframe that allows you to speak with expertise when you don’t identify as an expert Why writing a non-fiction book proposal is crucial (even if you plan to self-publish) Simple ideas for building the kind of platform that makes publishers more likely to buy your book How to feel comfortable sharing your successes with decision-makers

Camille chats with her friend and former coaching client Annie Cathryn (anniecathryn.com), whose debut novel, The Friendship Breakup, is out today. They cover: How to know when you’ve found “the one” (that is, your ideal literary agent) Effective strategies for preparing for your first book launch How to invest in your career—without blowing your budget Authentic ways to connect with readers and authors and create a supportive network

Camille talks to Wendy, a novelist who wants to capitalize on her recent viral success. We cover: The simple way to take the stress out of social media and other marketing initiatives Why “reasonable” goals actually lower your odds of success How to choose yourself (and why that’s especially easy in fiction) The importance of getting specific about what you want

Camille chats with certified book coach Nicole Meier about how working with a book coach can help you write a better book. (Quick note: On February 16th, Camille and Nicole are offering a free webinar on overcoming common fiction roadblocks so you can write faster. To register, visit evenbetter.co/events) We cover: The best time to start working with a book coach The difference between mindset coaching and book coaching How to pick the right book coach for you Why book coaching can make drafting and editing more enjoyable—and help you create a replicable writing process

Camille coaches Leslie, a novelist who isn’t sure what to write next. We cover: A simple trick for easing the pressure of feeling like you have to write Why the dreaded “sophomore slump” can hit at any time (and how to move past it) The importance of filling your creative well with non-writing activities The beauty of writing your first book—and how that process can help you craft a better story at any stage of your career

Camille coaches C., a novelist who’s debating whether to self-publish her third book. We cover: Why our expectation often becomes our experience Routes to having your book turned into a film project When it’s best to drop a deadline (without giving up your project or goal) The number one thing that makes you a career author

Camille coaches Marta, a writer who wants to sell her novel and ultimately become a career author, but worries about how much she’ll have to spend on marketing. We cover: Why it’s entirely possible to spend little to no money at the beginning of your career—and still be successful Ways to connect with potential readers when you haven’t published a book yet How to stop explaining yourself (and why a simple “yes” or “no” can boost your confidence) The benefit of being laser-focused on your goal, yet open to multiple paths for achieving it

Camille coaches Erica, an author who’s deciding whether to accept an offer from her current publisher or keep querying agents and find a different publisher. We cover: How having good options sometimes makes it harder to pick one. Identifying through lines in your work to make your author brand more appealing to potential agents. Why your agent—not your publisher—can be the best partner for creating a long, successful career as an author. The power of asking “why” before making a decision.

Camille coaches Lauren, an author who’s just launched a new series under a new name. We cover: When to use a pen name (and whether to be open about having a new author identity) How to create an early review team Why emulating Oreos and Starbucks can keep your readers happy The power of collaborating with other writers (and how to do it even if you’re an introvert)

Camille coaches Barbara, an author who’s working on her second novel and feeling stuck. We cover: How to stop relying on “flow” and show up consistently for your draft The importance of taking a day off (and why your brain will take a break if it doesn’t think it’s going to get one) Using your calendar to supercharge your career Why fiction is basically is a mood—and how to create that mood for readers (and yourself)

Camille coaches Elizabeth, a writer who feels self-doubt creeping up as she queries her novel with agents. We cover: Why being weird is a writer’s superpower The secret reason our brains tell us we’re inadequate How to deal with a "vulnerability hangover" Learning to tell a better story—about yourself A note about this episode: there were some audio quality issues during recording. We apologize and hope you will tune in, or come back to catch our next episode next week.

Camille coaches Katie, a writer who’s struggling to revise her first novel. We cover: The real reason affirmations don’t work Why “I don’t know” is a dream-killer—and how to figure out what you do know Testing and trying new things in order to bring enjoyment back to the writing process Editing more efficiently by ignoring one-off critiques and identifying patterns in feedback

Camille coaches Kelli, a writer who worries that publishing her story will disappoint her friends and family. We cover: The surprising benefits of going to your worst-case scenario Breaking through writer’s block by identifying the one person you’re writing for The power of not trying to change other people’s feelings about your story How to decide how much of your “true self” to reveal in your work

Camille coaches Sarah, who’s writing a novel loosely based on part of her life. We cover: When to steal from your own life—and the distinction that separates fact and fiction Deepening a character’s wound to create a stronger story How to stop mistaking your first draft for your final draft Why keeping your story simple keeps writing fun—and makes your draft more readable

Camille coaches Claire, a novelist who’d like to shift from writing romance to women’s fiction. We cover: The paradigm-shifting power of a single sentence The importance of being open to multiple revenue streams (and making sure you’re not missing income that’s already available to you) The sneaky way your brain mistakes thoughts for facts How taking a “testing” approach can help you make better decisions

Camille coaches Jane Stinson, an author and certified coach who wants to make the most of new changes in her schedule as she writes her next novel. We cover: How to use your best-case scenario to follow through The benefits of getting comfortable with discomfort A simple framework for figuring out if your “yes” should actually be “no” Why taking time for our big goals benefits everyone around us You can learn more about Jane at musecoaching.net

Camille coaches Kim, an author who writes haunted historical fiction and wants to learn to love book marketing.  We cover: How to use a single sentence to attract your ideal readers Why marketing starts with your cover and copy The marketing endeavor every author should focus on The power of consistency and calendaring

Camille coaches Darci, who’s considering self-publishing a novel that’s on submission with traditional publishers. We cover: The most important question you can ask when you’re faced with disappointment Why any one book doesn’t make or break your career How to deal with emotions like embarrassment in order move past them faster so you can get back to writing Taking back control after setbacks (hint: it starts with trusting your gut)

Camille coaches Liz, an author who’s trying to write one novel while promoting another. We cover: Why there’s no “wrong” choice when it comes to fiction What’s actually happening when you’re procrastinating How to succeed faster by conquering your calendar Simple ways to get past the trap of “I don’t know”

Camille coaches RaShonne, who’s struggling to finish her memoir. We cover: How to speak your truth when you’re afraid it may hurt others The real reason you feel stuck Why being creative in one area fuels creativity in other areas Using boredom to write something you’re truly proud of

Camille coaches Christina, a coach and entrepreneur who wants to be an author. We cover: How identifying as a writer right now can help you become an author The power of getting clear on why you want to write a book Ways to write your first book in well under a year Why writing doesn’t have to be hard—even if you’ve never written more than 20 pages before

Camille coaches Judi, a journalist and non-fiction author who wants to sell her first novel. We cover: The only true prerequisite for becoming a novelist How being good at your job makes it harder to go for what you really want—and how to keep that from stopping you Supercharging your motivation by extending your timeline Why starting writing in your 40s (or beyond) can lead to a better book

Camille coaches B., a novelist who wants her kids to do more housework so she can finish her next book. We cover: Why we people-please and “fill in the gaps” when others are perfectly capable of doing it themselves How to turn conflict into opportunity The real reason asking for what you want feels like an energy-drainer Why spending more time writing is good for your whole family

Camille coaches Tracey, an author who’s grappling with multiple points of view and timeline issues in her draft. We cover: Diagnosing plot problems by thinking like a reader What to worry about when you’re drafting (and what to leave to editors) The one fiction technique that can’t be taught Why focusing on what you’re already good at can elevate your story

Camille coaches Holly, a writer and aspiring novelist who’d like to make enough money writing to care for her family and quit her day job. We cover: Ways to bet on yourself—without going broke Revving your cash flow by ditching a “guru” mindset How to figure out when you can actually leave your full-time job Why casting a wide net can lead to more income Heads up: we experienced some persistent audio issues in this episode. We apologize, and hope you’ll still tune in—the information is really helpful for writers who want to make more money from their writing—but also understand if you’d prefer to skip ahead to the next episode.

Camille coaches Katherine, an author who’s getting ready to write her third novel. We cover: The importance of feeling good about your last book’s performance, no matter what the sales numbers Why having “thick skin” is overrated—and how sensitivity can be a novelist’s superpower Harnessing the power of intention in order to write a better book How to stop listening to writing advice that doesn’t resonate

Camille coaches Maggie, a self-published author who’s struggling to learn how to advertise her novels. We cover: When to get help (hint: as soon as possible) Deciding how to spend your time and money Learning to get comfortable with discomfort How your emotions can help you learn to love marketing

Camille coaches Rebecca, an author who wants to start a podcast. We cover: Turning a novel into a serialized podcast Why it’s wise to consider the best-case scenario instead of the worst How ditching the idea of a “wrong” choice can help you find your true path The power of making decisions in advance

Camille coaches Debra, a novelist who’s considering self-publishing. We cover: How to tell a better story (about your career) When it makes sense to self-publish A simple but ultra-effective way to brand yourself as an author Why making long-term plans can lead to quick short-term wins

Camille coaches Taylor, a coach and entrepreneur who wants to write her first book. We cover: How to get a book deal with a traditional publisher The #1 question that will help you ID your bestselling idea The staying (and selling) power of useful books The pros and cons of self-publishing a non-fiction book

Camille coaches Camille G., who works full time and feels like she doesn’t have enough time for her side hustle. We cover: Why rushing actually slows you down The game-changing power of focusing on what you’re already doing well How to embrace showing up at 80 percent The importance of defining your best right now

In this episode, Camille coaches Tamara, a woman who’s worried about letting down her father by not visiting him during the holidays. We cover: Why it’s crucial to stop trying to control how other people feel Figuring out where your guilt is coming from The paradigm-shifting power of telling the truth How to set boundaries that actually feel good

In this episode, Camille coaches Maureen, a coach who We cover: Showing up on social media when you’d rather not Ways to combat marketing fatigue and overwhelm How to stop thinking you don’t know how to connect with potential clients The simple reframe that allows you to embrace imperfection

In this episode, Camille coaches Lisa, a coach who’s eager to double her business. We cover: The importance of figuring out what you really think about making money Why beliefs don’t work if you don’t do the work How to stop thinking success requires doing more The secret ingredient for growing your income (spoiler alert: it’s having fun in your business)

In this episode, Camille coaches Lea Ann, an artist who wants to make the most of a last-minute opportunity. We cover: What to do when your schedule gets re-shuffled How to identify the real reason you’re overwhelmed (and how to turn it around) Why it’s important to realize you do have control Harnessing your emotions to create your best work