Summer is almost here — and with it comes one of my all-time favorite traditions: summer reading.

Do you remember what it felt like to lose yourself completely in a book? Long afternoons, no agenda, just you and a story that pulled you in from the first page?

If you've been so deep in your own writing that reading for joy has quietly slipped away — or if you've been feeling a little lost as an author lately and your creative well is running dry — this episode is your invitation to come back.

This week on The Confident Fiction Author, I'm bringing back one of my favorites: How to Become a Reader Again.

In this encore episode, you'll discover:

•  How to choose the reading format that actually fits your life right now — audiobooks, eBooks, paperbacks — it all counts

•  A simple way to add reading back into your schedule (because what gets scheduled gets done)

•  Why tracking the books you read is surprisingly motivating

•  How to plan a reading retreat — whether that's a weekend getaway or a cozy corner at home

The goal isn't to add another thing to your to-do list. It's to bring back the joy of being a reader first, writer second — and let that joy pour right back into your fiction.

Your best writing starts with inspired reading. And there's no better time to start than right now, with summer just around the corner.

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Free resources for you:

The Confident Fiction Author Toolkit: fictioncourses.com/toolkit

Dictation + Scrivener Power Combo Mini Course: fictioncourses.com/dictation

Dictation for Authors: Tools and Tips of the Trade: fictioncourses.com/dictationguide

5 Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing about Native Americans: fictioncourses.com/stereotypes