The Successful Author Mindset

By: Joanna Penn

Narrated by: Caroline Holroyd

Length: 2 hrs and 55 mins

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

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Informative and interesting.

Great narration, interesting material. I've heard some of this in other books, but it was good to hear it in a new way.

A great can-do resource

If you’re at a place in your career where you need a virtual cheerleader to help you take that leap to the next level, pick up Joanna Penn’s The Successful Author’s Mindset. Highly recommended!

Inside the boots of a successful author

Detailed outline of what common fears, worries , and issues plaguing authors. Comes with a solution guide and quotes from famous authors on their own issues with writing. A must read for new authors.

An essential book on writing

Ms. Penn delivers a well thought-out book that not only identifies problem areas for writers but also gives excellent examples of how to overcome them. She graciously shares her struggles and let's you know you are not alone in them. She also shows how she and others overcame those struggles. I highly recommend listening to this book as it is expertly narrated.

I wish I had found this book a very long time ago.

The narration feels slightly rushed, but the content is absolutely rock solid. I don't take notes on books often, I had 6 pages of notes in my journal by the time this was done. If you struggle with writing, or if you just want to be encouraged and have new possibilities opened up to you, this is a fantastic place to adapt your thinking. This was my first Joanna Penn purchase, it will absolutely not be my last

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.

Great for new writers

Loved it! Really clear how to develop your mindset to become a better writer. It’s bite size information so you can leave it playing and pick up on a new bit every time. I’ve listened to it twice while driving and I’ll listen to it again. It’s like a podcast only well structured with interesting quotes in the middle. Very enjoyable !

Very much needed

This book bolstered me and gave me confidence that all I am going through is normal. What a wonderful find!

very inspiring and realistic at the same time.

the author helps you to understand that becoming a successful author is a marathon and not a Sprint. in a cogent essay on what it actually takes to be successful from a myriad of sources the author guide you through what it requires of a person technically as well as spiritually and emotionally to achieve a long-term goal.

Lots to take in

This book covers a lot of information very quickly. Will probably be one I will listen to a few times.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Issues?

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This self help book gives advice on issues ranging from mental states while writing to writers block and how to work through it to insecurity and inferiority complexes. It helps on almost every issue conceivable to an author, new or old, and really gives you a confidence boost.

The narrator was also pretty good with a smooth voice and an easy narrating style.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Recommend for both experienced and wannabe authors

I loved The Successful Author Mindset and would recommend it for both experienced and aspiring authors.

Joanna Penn reminded me of how powerful the act of writing is and that authors get better over time. We all get better over time. So create a habit of writing every day and schedule writing time in your diary months in advance.

As authors we should create our assets, i.e. books, e-books, audibles and then scale them through translation, film rights and gaming. Books and related products can now be sold in 190 marketplaces. Huge opportunity. These assets can support you for your entire life and seventy years after. What a great legacy to leave behind.

Joanna shared with us notes from her personal journal – showing us that she too started at the beginning and had highs and lows where she was swamped by self-doubt. She has learnt so much as a writer and we are fortunate that she has taken the time to share these lessons with us. As writers we all feel a bit vulnerable so it is great when someone takes the time to share their negative experiences and review and how it made them feel. This is important as all authors receive them.

Joanna has an underlying value of abundance and is generous in providing tips, referencing services and mentioning other inspiring authors.

I love the way she defines success for herself. This is such an important thing for writers.

Final takeaways for me.

DREAM BIG and do whatever excites you.
Don’t wait to be picked. I didn’t wait to be picked – I picked myself.
Choose the life that fits your definition of success and recognise that it will be a journey. All great artists started this way.

Reviewed by Tracy Stanley