Writers in the Storm

By Rachel Warmath

You are not annoying for telling the world about the book you wrote.

And yet many authors (especially first-time authors) feel a lot of resistance when it comes to launching and promoting their work. Stepping into the spotlight can feel icky and vulnerable, and you may find yourself thinking, I’d just like to go back to my writing cave now, please! 

But what if this fear and discomfort you feel is not actually so different from the fear and discomfort you overcame to get your manuscript done?

And what if your book launch could be simpler?

Let’s get into some practical tips for a successful book launch, plus the mindset shifts that can transform your experience and make it less scary.

Remember what it took to write your book.

You faced a lot of ups and downs in getting your manuscript done. This phase of your author journey is no different.

What helped you feel confident while you worked on your first draft? What kept you going? What do you know about yourself now that you didn’t know before you started writing?

You have many strengths already. Use them.

Think of your marketing plan as happening in three waves, each naturally building on the last.

1. Who do you already know?
2. Who do those people know?
3. Who’s out there online already talking about what’s in your book?

Start by reaching out to people you know: friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, former coworkers, people from your yoga class or book club. These people already believe in you and would love to see you succeed! Be specific in how they can help with your book launch: “It would mean the world if you buy a copy, leave a review, and pass the book along to one person you think would love it.”

Think outside the box and remember that your readers could be anywhere: a spiritual or volunteer community, grief support group, running club, local open mic night. Stay open to the possibilities! Who would you like to meet? Are there local events or places you’ve wanted to go where you could share your book? Where can you encourage this ripple effect to happen around you?

Finally, do your research online and start connecting with potential readers in groups, forums, events, podcasts, and comment sections where people are talking about the themes or topics your book explores. Start joining those conversations. Offer insight 90% of the time, and if there’s an opportunity to plug your book, do it only 10% of the time. Share first. Give first. Think of yourself as being in service to your readers, and let your marketing ideas come from the heart.

Marketing is a way to connect.

Someone out there is craving a book like yours. Start thinking about book marketing as a chance to connect with that person. Simple as that. 

Instead of “pushing” for sales or trying to convince people to buy your book, focus on showing up in communities that you care about. You are building a network. Trust that your readers are out there and that they want to hear from you.

Also, remember that not everyone is your ideal reader, and that is okay!

Who might feel less alone by reading your book? What is that person missing? What do they need to hear? What are they scrolling for late at night? Provide value in your messaging and you’ll connect with readers easily.

Practice talking about your book often.

The more you talk about your book, the more natural it will feel to talk about your book. When anyone asks, “How are you?” or “What have you been up to lately?” use it as an opportunity to talk about your book. Share why your book matters and what it took to write it. 

Notice moments when others become curious or ask follow-up questions. The things that stand out to others could be great hooks for emails, social captions, or podcast pitches.

Practice giving short sound bites about your book. Here are some prompts to get you started:

• “My book is about…”
• “I wrote this book because…”
• “The conversation I hope this book starts is…”
• “My biggest surprise during the writing process was…”
• “After reading this book, you won't be the same because…”

Work toward being able to answer these in a few succinct sentences without hesitating. You can use these as preparation for filming videos of yourself for social media posts and being interviewed on podcasts.

Set specific goals and hone in on them.

Get clear on what success looks like for you with this specific book launch. 

Are you dead-set on hitting a certain sales goal? Do you want to feel calm and relaxed the day your book comes out? Maybe you’re wanting this book to open certain doors and lead to a new career opportunity?

Write those things down. Be specific. Write down how it’s going to feel when you have those things. Read the list before you go to bed at night, and first thing when you wake up in the morning.

Once you have clarity about what you really want, you can create it for yourself. So reflect on what truly motivates you and leaves you feeling satisfied and energized. That clarity will keep you from chasing other peoples’ dreams or overthinking your way into analysis paralysis.

Marketing = a masterclass in self-trust.

What if promoting your book is actually a pathway to being more courageous in your life? It’s time to shift any self-limiting beliefs that have been holding you back. 

Consider:

• Do you trust yourself? Why or why not?
• What are you so scared of?
• Does being seen feel energizing? Paralyzing? A little of both? Why is that?
• When was the first time you really felt seen or like people understood who you are? Was it a positive or negative experience? What did you learn?
• What feels more vulnerable: having people who know you (like friends and family) see you up close and know about your book? Or being vulnerable with complete strangers?
• What aspects of marketing are fulfilling to you, and what things drain you?

Publishing a book is a rare opportunity to know yourself in a new way. To embrace a new identity and to heal old patterns and beliefs. Identity shifts take time, so give yourself grace and understanding on your own journey.  

Check Your Inner Monologue

Many authors don’t realize how much their inner monologue is affecting their launch results.

Do these sound familiar?

• “I'm so behind. I need to do more.”
• “There's so much pressure. This is hard.”
• “It's all on me.”
• “I suck at this.”
• “I have to get it perfect.”

Shift your internal voice to sound more accepting and growth-oriented:

• “I know my book will help people, so I’m willing to share about it.”
• “Marketing is a skill and I’m learning more as I go.”
• “I can ask for help when I need it.”
• “My launch is working out for me. It gets to be easy and fun.”
• “I’m allowed to show up and just be myself.”

If you can create a safe inner space in your mind, you’ll feel more calm and confident in every bit of marketing you do.

Expand your “zone of tolerance” as you put yourself out there.

Promoting your book is bound to get you out of your comfort zone. Embrace it! You’re moving into the “stretch zone,” a space of courage and risk where you’re doing difficult and new things. You’re traversing unexplored territory. 

You’re also training your nervous system to be more resilient. 

Take the pressure off by seeing the first 100 to 1000 book sales as a training ground. At first, new tasks might feel like too much—you may feel your body go into fight-or-flight, or you might feel emotionally flooded. But over time, that can shift. You are expanding your “zone of tolerance” to now include book marketing tasks. It’s that sweet spot where you can think clearly, manage stress, and stay present without getting too dysregulated.

For example, the first time you see a 1-star review, it might send you into a spiral. Instead of bottling your frustration, talk about how that experience made you feel. Journal on it. Remember why you’re proud of your book.

Does that situation bring up a time from your past when you were rejected or criticized? Are you also taking time to read and really take in your 4-star and 5-star reviews, or do you have tunnel vision that’s only looking at the criticism? 

Set some boundaries around checking reviews and comments. Is it helpful to you (and your mental health) to read them? When do you feel most grounded and centered? When do you need to take a break from your phone?

Ultimately, it’s up to you to maintain perspective on how amazing your book is. Resilience means loving yourself even when haters pop up—and that will get easier the more you practice it.

Every step you take in letting yourself be seen will stretch your capacity. The things that feel terrifying today might end up feeling completely normal six months from now. Keep moving forward and know that by the time you reach 100 (or 1000) sales, you’ll be a more resilient person. And that resilience will serve you long after your book is published.

Regulate before you post.

Nervous system regulation is one of the most overlooked parts of launching a book. You can have an excellent marketing strategy, but if you’re constantly burned out, overwhelmed, anxious, and exhausted, how fun is promoting your book going to be?

Focus on supporting yourself first. Book sales come second to that.

Take deep breaths. Go for walks. Build down time into your schedule. Take breaks from your phone and get outside. Create moments of stillness, especially during the busiest weeks, so you know you’ll have some reprieve. How can you make this book launch an opportunity for even more self-care than you’d normally prioritize? 

Pick one channel and use it consistently.

You don’t need to be on every social media platform to build an online presence, and posting everywhere is likely to burn you out. Pick a space that feels authentic to you and go all in on it rather than spreading yourself thin.

• If you’re writing YA, fantasy, romance, or horror, try TikTok (#BookTok).
• If you’re writing a memoir, lifestyle nonfiction, or a book on spirituality or wellness, try Instagram.
• If your book is on business, leadership, personal development, career topics, or is more academic or research-based, go for LinkedIn.
• If your book is a cookbook or is about crafting, home, DIY, or travel, try Pinterest.
• Substack is also a great platform for authors who want to build a relationship with readers over time.

Reframe negative beliefs.

Here are some common negative beliefs authors have, and ways to reframe them:

"I don’t feel like a ‘real’ or successful author, so who am I to promote this book?"

You wrote a book. That makes you an author. It’s time to start owning it! Back yourself.

“Marketing feels like bragging, and I don't want to seem full of myself.”

Sharing your work is an act of courage and service, not arrogance. It’s a gift to share your words with those who need them. All you’re doing is inviting others to connect with you. You don’t need to perform. You can be yourself.

“I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m not cut out for marketing.”

No one starts out knowing what to do or how it will turn out. You're allowed to experiment, learn, and grow into your own marketing style. This is just another area where you’re exploring your voice and how you want to use it.

“If my book was really good, it would sell itself.”

Even the best books need champions. You get to be your own best advocate. (You’d be amazed how many authors I’ve worked with over the years say they wish their work could be discovered posthumously, just to avoid the discomfort of being in the spotlight. I say, you’re meant to connect with your readers while you’re alive! And who knows, your new best friend could be waiting at the next launch event you host.)

“No one cares what I have to say.”

This is a big one to work through. If you don’t believe in your book, why will anyone else? We all have insecurities as authors, but it’s working through them that makes us stronger.

Do any of these ideas stand out to you? What struggles have you faced with your own book marketing? I’d love to hear in the comments below.

About Rachel

Rachel Warmath is a writing coach and developmental editor based in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is also a trauma-informed yoga teacher and energy healer. Rachel believes every story holds medicine. Visit ConfidentAuthors.com to learn more.

Header image by shiromani-kant on unsplash

By PJ Hultstrand

I have a few best kept writing and publishing secrets. However, the one I can share now is, at the age of 63, I'm writing more than I've ever written before in my life! And my first published short story was in print at the age of 15.

Since the beginning of 2026, I have been actively writing four new books and writing new material for my non-fiction book. One of these book titles was done and printed for the Tucson Festival of Books in March. This was the book that had been holding me back for over 22 years.

Yes! 22 years!

I'm sure many of you have experienced this same problem at some point in your writing adventure. I had denied this problem even existed for years, saying that I didn’t believe in “writer’s block.” I thought you just needed to keep writing. But, I had kept writing, just in a different book series with new worlds.

Before now, I have basically been writing one book at a time and NEVER in my original time-travel romance series that I wrote in 2004. That 5th book was blocked to my creative process. UNTIL 2026!

So, here’s the history of this Time series?

I had published all four of the first books in print and eBook in 2009-2012. However, book five went nowhere for too many years. This would have been the end of this series and no resolution for the story– if I had not heard from my suddenly growing fan base for “Time Conquers All” and all the characters created for this epic love story set in India region in the late 1500s.

Back in 2016, I had combined books 1 and 2, then 3 and 4, into what I call my “69” collector’s editions of these books. In that “when you’re done reading book one, you just flip the book over and start reading book two.” I only sell these books right now, at events since there is no barcode on this edition. Some readers even buy them for their unusually intriguing print collection edition for these four books.

However, this is just half the story. If it had not been for the fans who came up to my tables at these live events specifically looking for “book 5” in this series, I would never have understood a fundamental business acumen that forced me to break that writer’s block.

Customer market awareness.

I had already made new customers for a brand I had not actively updated with new products.

So, when the fans continued to badger (or in a nicer term, consistently suggest) at these live events, I had to push through that writer’s block and “get it done!” This is easier said than done.

The question I had to consider was WHY had I been blocking the first book series I had started 22 years ago?

In other articles on this subject, the main issues that halt the author’s progress in their writing endeavors are the following:

Toxic Perfectionism:

• A trigger of self-doubt comes from attempting to write the perfect first draft. This becomes a cycle of constantly rewriting the story.

This had transpired in the first draft writing process. However, the rewrite became the entire meaning of this series. I do know many writers out there who tell me they are still writing their first book, even years after we first talked about the book.

As I always say, “You must eventually stick a fork in it." The story may never be perfect, but if you really want constructive feedback, then hire an editor and work on that book. “Get it done!”

Fear of Failure & Judgement:

• This is fear of how others will receive your writing.

Well, this problem of “fear” can become crippling and could lead to an avoidance of doing any writing at all. Believe someone who has been writing for decades, there will always be critics and those who just don’t want to see you succeed in this writing project. It is really the strong-willed and stubborn who push “fear” aside and finish that book, in spite of others!

Story Cornering:

• When the plot logic becomes broken and needs rewriting.

Honestly, this is the first time I read this term “story cornering” for problems with the plot in the story.

My writer’s block is not due to lack of knowing where the story was going. The vision haunting the protagonist at the beginning of this series, is the one we still must resolve. And when I say “we,” I mean me, as the author, and the characters who live in my mind. It’s perfectly clear to me what the story needs to fix or resolve in order for the characters and readers to get their well tied-up story.

Mental and Emotional Burnout:

• This could be from stress, physical issues, or external life issues that drains your creative endeavors.

My fundamental problem has always been, I psychologically did not want to do to the main characters what I had to do. (Spoiler alert) I had to send King Parker, the love of Princess Tamea’s life, back into the future, where I knew there would be a problem due to that pesky vision issue I wrote, beginning on page one!

This is quite a dilemma for someone who had already spent this many years on building a fanbase who was demanding the “rest of the story - what happens to Tamea and Parker?”

So, when the fans kept demanding the next installment of Tamea and Parker’s story, I finally forced myself to figure out that I was in denial of this full-blown crippling writer’s block and I had to do something about it!

This book 5 - “Spirited Away from Time” was published in print just in time for Tucson Festival of Books. Thank goodness, I had finally finished this book! The very first customer at my table this year was one of the customers who had asked me “where is book 5” last year at the Festival. And I was able to point at the book and say, “Here you go, and I wrote a dedication to all of you who have stayed on me to get this one done! You don’t know how much I appreciate your dedication to this series!”

I hope this information and my own story on how I had come to an important understanding to deal with my crippling writer’s block helps you in your creative endeavors.

Remember though, if you are vacillating on finishing your book due to any of the above reasons or others not mentioned here, that Time Conquers All always!

Do you believe writer's block is real, or do you think it often masks another issue?

About the Author

PJ Hultstrand is the author of 18 books so far. She has also been a book publisher, managing editor for two newspapers, media personality, senior graphics designer and a publishing specialist.

PJ is an author of Time-Travel Romance, Paranormal Urban Fantasy, and an upcoming extreme sports suspense/thriller series. She also has an award-winning non-fiction, “The Jungle Survival Guide to Media Kits for Authors,” and a little duck book series for children.

Find “Time Conquers All” book 1:

On Shopify: the-wod-media-group.myshopify.com/collections/pj-hultstrand-books

Or Amazon Kindle version.

Facebook fan page: Facebook.com/timeconquersall/

Instagram: Instagram.com/author_pj_hultstrand/

Twitter: Chance2publish

By Edie Melson

Getting blog posts found has always been a struggle and has evolved through black-hat keywording, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and now we have to content with Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) also sometimes called Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). Both of these last two—GEO and AEO—deal specifically with how to get our sites found through an  Artificial Intelligence (AI) search. For years I’ve been known as an SEO expert. Now, the majority of queries for information come through an AI program. So—in a lot of ways—it feels like we’re back to square one. Optimizing for AI may feel like stepping into an entirely new country, but it’s not.

We’re going to go through the process comparing SEO to AI, but the biggest takeaway from this chapter needs to be how to optimize your site for AI.

SEO Optimization

I used to explain SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and how to use keywords effectively by using an imaginary businessman. His name is Joe, and he’s a plumber.

He’s a smart business owner and began his company back in the early 1990s. He named his business, ABC Plumbing. He chose carefully because with that name, he had a good chance of being the first listing in the phone directory under plumbers. That was thirty years ago and that ad in the telephone directory kept him supplied with customers, in addition to making him visible around the community. But as time went by, fewer people looked in the telephone directory when they needed a plumber. Instead they looked online.

Well, Joe is a with-it sort of guy, and he had a website built in the early 2000s. It wasn’t fancy, but it did the job, just like the old ad in the directory. Actually the two looked a lot alike. But even with that, Joe’s traffic and customer base diminished. This decline was because when someone searched on the Internet for a plumber in his area, his website didn’t come up first. In fact, it didn’t come up until page three of the search.

Information on the Internet isn’t categorized alphabetically.

After some research, Joe found he needed to add some information to his site to come up higher in the search engine. That was when Joe came face-to-face with the new acronym SEO. Search Engine Optimization became his key to getting the name out about his business. So he started a blog and began tweaking the information on his site. But all this digital work began to eat into the time he spent running the plumbing side of the business.

At this point, the light bulb came on. Joe realized he was a plumber, not a writer. And this is where we come in. We can provide valuable services to businesses small and large. We can do what we do best—write—while allowing them to get on with business.

All good stuff, but does any of this have anything to do with AI optimization?

AI Optimization

Absolutely, to discover how to use AEO, let’s go back and look at Joe the plumber. Joe did everything right. He learned SEO. He added keywords. He started a blog. His website finally began showing up in search results. But then something changed. Instead of typing, “plumber near me,” people started asking questions like:

• “Why is my sink backing up?”
• “What causes low water pressure?”
• “How do I fix a leaking pipe under my sink?”

And instead of clicking through ten different websites, they began reading a single answer—right at the top of the page. Sometimes they didn’t even click a link at all.

That’s because AI stepped in. Search engines are no longer just finding information.
They’re interpreting it, summarizing it, and presenting it directly to the reader. And that means we, as writers, need to adjust how we present and organize the information we’re sharing.

So, in a nutshell, optimizing for AI is the process of writing content that is easy for artificial intelligence tools to:

• Understand
• Summarize
• Quote
• Recommend

Think of it this way: SEO helps your content get found. AI optimization helps your content get chosen. That’s a critically important distinction. Now, instead of competing for a click, we’re competing to be the source of the answer.

How AI “Reads” Your Content

Unlike early search engines that relied heavily on keywords, AI tools read more like people do.

They look for:

• Clear meaning
• Context
• Structure
• Authority
• Relevance

They’re asking:

• Does this answer the question clearly?
• Is this trustworthy?
• Is this easy to understand?

And here’s the good news, as writers, this plays directly into our strengths.

The Foundation of AI-Friendly Writing

We don’t need to be a tech expert to write for AI visibility. We simply write more intentionally.

Here are the core principles:

1. Write to Answer Real Questions. Remember Joe’s customers? Their main search isn’t to find a plumber, it’s to find an answer to specific plumbing questions. Then, if the answer is too technical they will search for the plumber. Your readers are doing the same thing. Instead of writing broad topics like Blogging Tips. We write to answer the question, “How do I start a blog that people actually read?” Further more, the more your title and content match the way people naturally ask questions, the more likely AI will use your content as an answer.
2. Be Clear More Than Clever. Just like with SEO, clever titles can hurt discoverability in an AI search. AI tools don’t interpret humor, puns, or vague language well. For example:
3. When Words Won’t Come (clever—but unclear)
4. How to Overcome Writer’s Block and Start Writing Again (clear and searchable)

You can still be creative—but clarity must come first.

• Structure Your Content for Easy Understanding. AI favors content that is easy to scan and organize. So we follow these tips:
• Use headings and subheadings
• Break content into short paragraphs
• Use bullet points and numbered lists
• Keep sentences focused and readable

If a human reader can quickly find the answer, AI can too.

• Lead with the Answer. This is one of the biggest shifts.Don’t make readers (or AI) dig for your point.Instead of building slowly to your answer, give it early. For example:
• Question: How do I stay focused when writing?
  Answer: The most effective way to stay focused when writing is to practice single-tasking—eliminating distractions and giving your full attention to one project at a time.

Then expand from there. This increases the likelihood your content will be quoted or summarized.

• Write with Authority and Authenticity. AI doesn’t just look for information—it looks for credible information. That means:
• Speak from experience
• Be specific
• Avoid fluff
• Provide meaningful insight

You don’t have to sound academic—but you do need to sound trustworthy.

I’ve been blogging on The Write Conversation since December of 2008. I've watched blogging evolve in every way I thought possible—and then AI (Artificial Intelligence) came on the scene. At first I was hesitant—using AI felt like cheating. However, I've come to realize I can use it just like I would a virtual assistant. It can help with the repetitive drudgery and with brain storming. Like any new tool, AI can be used to help us or hurt us. Learning about Artificial Intelligence is the best way to evaluate where it will help your blogging efforts. 

Are you changing the way you write your blog posts to make them more AI-friendly? Why or why not?

Edie’s updated bio:

Edie uses the truths God has taught her as an author, photographer, and blogger to encourage others. As a sought-after speaker, she’s empowered and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her blog, The Write Conversation, reaches thousands and has been on the Writer’s Digest Top 101 Sites for Writers since 2017.

As a blogging expert, she’s worked with clients who range from authors and speakers to business and ministry leaders. Her award-winning book for writers has been re-released as Blogging for Today’s Writers 2^nd Edition. She’s also the executive director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.

Connect with her on her website, www.EdieMelson.com and through social media.

Header image from deposit photo