• The Successful Author Mindset

  • A Handbook for Surviving the Writer's Journey
  • By: Joanna Penn
  • Narrated by: Caroline Holroyd
  • Length: 2 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (257 ratings)

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The Successful Author Mindset  By  cover art

The Successful Author Mindset

By: Joanna Penn
Narrated by: Caroline Holroyd
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Publisher's summary

Being a writer is not just about typing. It's also about surviving the rollercoaster 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 nine years, 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.

©2016 Joanna Penn (P)2016 Joanna Penn

What listeners say about The Successful Author Mindset

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Any genre, any writing goal, be successful!

I've been writing for fun in some form or another since I was able to hold a writing implement. Having toyed with the idea of taking my dabblings to the next level—publishing—and having many published author friends whom I felt might enjoy it, I thought I'd give this a listen.

Not only is this a great book for aspiring authors, it's a fantastic resource for indies, mid-listers, and anyone who wants to take their writing career farther. One of the points Penn makes that I found particularly wonderful is that everyone defines their own success. She then gives you keys to how to reach farther and go bigger while providing anecdotal experiences from her own writing journey.

Whatever your genre, whatever your goals, whatever your location on the writer's journey, you are sure to find at least one useful suggestion for getting the right mindset. I chose to enjoy it as an audiobook and really found the narrator to be engaging and charming, she did a fantastic job of keeping Penn's writing lively. I would much recommend picking this up in digital or print for easier reference points but it is definitely a listen I would recommend too.

If I were still working as a publicist I would share this with every debut author I worked with, I think it's a resource worth every penny.

Notes: This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

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2 people found this helpful

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Refreshing and uplifting

This is my second time listening to this book. The first time I wasn’t published and now I’ve come back after my first few bad reviews.

Felt like I wanted to quit writing and throw away all of my hard work. (Even though I had good reviews too) So thank you Joanna for encouraging me to keep going! I’ll probably come back to this book a lot in the future.

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1 person found this helpful

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Very insightful!

Not only enjoyed this book but I’ve been enlightened and encouraged. It’s like we’ve sat down to coffee with Penn and she’s sharing all her advice from years of experience.

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Joanna Penn rocks!

In this title, as in every one her books that I've read, the author is so sensible, knowledgeable, and generous in the amount of relevant detail she provides as to set a new and higher standard for other writers in this field to aspire to. She is encouraging, empowering, and yet realistic--a gift for anyone considering an indie writing career. I offer her both kudos and thanks!

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Great, short, upbeat

I really enjoyed this short, upbeat book on how to keep going on your author journey even when the going gets tough. Great audiobook, loved the reader.

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A Review of a Writer's Struggles

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Just write! To get over self-doubt or trepidations about success, the solution is simply to write!

Any additional comments?

This audiobook explores the complexities about being an author and the writing process. The author breaks down the emotional rollercoaster when writing and how to deal with it. Particularly, the audiobook focuses on the potential issues when writing and how to improve in order to have a long term successful career as a writer.

I really enjoyed the author’s candid review of her experience about fear, self-doubt, and the overall writing process. This is an audiobook that can be listened to more than once especially when tackling a particular issue in the writing process.

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Gentle, straightforward advice

No earth shattering, brand new ideas for this new writer, but I can use every piece of advice she gave to build my career as an author. Spoiler: write more and be a good person. Good book, worth reading. Narrator sounded like a big sister giving advice.

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Excellent

Excellent read. She gives a lot of good information on overcoming writers block. Plenty of practical information on writing and publishing.

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I liked this

This isn't long, and I had no real expectations about content. It is exactly what the title says;the author needs certain mindsets to be successful.

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Must read tips and wisdom for new authors

Probably Joanna Penn's best book... very practical advice on how to think and grow as an author... Loved it!

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