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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Better

Much better than the previous book I listened to. Some useful information, and no unnaturally long pauses between every sentence.

Excellent book! Read it now if…

You are committed to finding your way as a productive, successful writer. Joanna’s journey is both inspiring and relatable.

Insightful and Inspiring

Absolutely loved it! A very insightful and inspiring book for a new author like me.

Lots to take in

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

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.

A great pep talk

Clear, practical, and systematic guidence. Exactly what I needed to hear at this time!

Really Interesting

I think this is the pep talk I needed. I listened to this on audio and found it a really comforting and reassuring soundtrack to my writing - knowing we are not alone and struggling through each of the self-publishing processes. I'd recommend it for new or struggling writers who need some advice about having the right mindset.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Having read and listened to 100s of self help
Books
This is in my top 10


👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

useful

this book has a great narrator and the book is very useful for authors who are starting out and even if you've been doing this for a little while this book is useful as you recall your own experiences throughput this book.

Very helpful for aspiring authors

I loved the practical and honest advice in this book. Made me want to get on with the job of writing and get more focused, thankyou.

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