Rejection is an inescapable part of life when you’re an author, and with it, often comes a painful question: “Am I fooling myself?”

“Are my goals unrealistic?”

“Who am I kidding, thinking I can achieve that?”

While those thoughts are normal, they’re also painful and can lead to burnout, avoidance, and even quitting the industry entirely. Today, I’m sharing two different methods to wiggle out of that negative spiral and find your way back to having fun writing fiction.

PS - I’m pressing pause on monthly workshops this quarter. You can access past workshop replays at http://www.isabelsterling.com/resources

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mindset & emotional resilience you need to thrive as an author. To learn more and get on the waitlist for when spots open again, go to http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy

Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here.

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

When you have a big project or deadline—such as drafting a new novel under contract—setting tiered writing goals can make the difference between enjoying that process and stumbling into burnout. As a bonus, those tiers also make it more likely you’ll actually achieve your goal! 

This week on the podcast, I share my personal strategy for tackling a new book—even while my emotional world is turbulent. 

PS - I’m pressing pause on monthly workshops this quarter. You can access past workshop replays at http://www.isabelsterling.com/resources 

*** 

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mindset & emotional resilience you need to thrive as an author. To learn more and get on the waitlist for when spots open again, go to http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy 

Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here. 

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

“I’m afraid to ask for an extension. I don’t want my editor to hate me.”

I hear some version of this at least once a week in author communities, and it makes sense that it’s a common fear! We care so much about our books (and the future of our careers) that we can become hyper-vigilant to anything that might get in the way of potential success. But! Your editor does not hate you. I promise.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing 3 useful reframes that will help you let go of that fear the next time it pops up.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mindset & emotional resilience you need to thrive as an author. To learn more and schedule your free enrollment call, go to http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy

Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here.

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

Doubt is a common part of the creative process… but it doesn’t need to derail forward momentum or feel miserable. Whether doubt shows up for you in the brainstorming, outlining, drafting, or revision process (or all of them!), today’s episode will help you extract useful information from that doubt and get back into the flow of your novel.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mindset & emotional resilience you need to thrive as an author. To learn more and schedule your free enrollment call, go to http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy

Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here.

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

You care about the quality of your books, but where's the line between a commitment to excellence and the kind of perfectionism that holds you back? And how do you keep perfectionism from stealing your creative joy?

On today’s episode, I dive into the nuances of perfectionism – including the sneaky ways it can show up in your writing process.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mindset & emotional resilience you need to thrive as an author. To learn more and schedule your free enrollment call, go to http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy

Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here.

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

As authors, we spend a lot of time waiting in publishing. Waiting on submission to see if our book will sell. Waiting to hear back from our agent on whether our book is ready for sub. Waiting for your next edit letter, for cover design options, for responses from the authors who might blurb your book.

All. The. Waiting.

Today, I’m sharing a simple 5-step tool to help you make waiting suck just a little bit less.

PS - There’s still time to catch the final three days of the Consistent Writing Challenge! Sign up here: http://www.isabelsterling.com/challenge

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mindset & emotional resilience you need to thrive as an author. To learn more and schedule your free enrollment call, go to http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy

Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter. You’ll also get updates about free monthly trainings and coaching availability. Sign up by clicking here.

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

Writing a novel is hard work. There’s no getting around that. But! The way you fuel your writing sessions has a major impact on whether that work feels sustainable or burns you out.

Listen in to learn how to intentionally choose how you’re fueling your writing sessions to ensure the longevity of your author career.

PS - The Consistent Writing Challenge is happening now! Sign up here: http://www.isabelsterling.com/challenge

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mindset & emotional resilience you need to thrive as an author. To learn more and schedule your free enrollment call, go to http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy

Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter. You’ll also get updates about free monthly trainings and coaching availability. Sign up by clicking here.

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

Mark your calendars! I'm hosting a 2-week Consistent Writing Challenge (June 16 - 27) and I want YOU to join us! 

This free challenge is a deep-dive into all of the nuances of my consistent writing process. Each day will include a blend of teaching, coaching, and at least 30-mins dedicated to actually writing our books. 

Do not miss this! It's going to be a such a fun, transformational experience. Each session will be recorded, so register even if you can't attend all (or any) of the sessions live. 

Register here: http://www.isabelsterling.com/challenge 

***

Here are the challenge dates (all times are in eastern time): 

Week 1

Monday, June 16th: 6pm

Tuesday, June 17th: 1pm 

Wednesday, June 18th: 6pm

Thursday, June 19th: 1pm 

Friday, June 20th: 6pm

Week 2

Monday, June 23rd: 1pm 

Tuesday, June 24th: 6pm

Wednesday, June 25th: 6pm 

Thursday, June 26th: 6pm

Friday, June 27th: 1pm 

Being able to write consistently is the cornerstone of a successful fiction career - but consistent writing doesn’t mean writing every day or even the same amount every week or month.

But what do you do when life is really hard? How do you know whether to take a break or still find a way to show up and write? I went live on IG last week to share my thoughts on this, and I’m sharing the replay here with you.

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Reminder: Applications are open for the June 2025 cohort of The Confident Author Academy!

This 6-month group coaching program will help you break up with burnout, write consistently, access creative flow, and put the fun back in your fiction career.

Submit your application before June 12th: http://www.isabelsterling.com/application

Need to talk through your decision? Get on my calendar here.

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mindset & emotional resilience you need to thrive as an author. To learn more and join the June 2025 cohort go to http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy-cohort

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here.

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

Buckle up folks, you’re in for a ranty episode.

On today’s episode, I’m breaking down my personal marketing pet peeves with a firm reminder that you don’t have to market in a way that makes you miserable! Once the ranting is out of my system, I provide simple, actionable tips from my Bare Minimum Book Marketing strategy.

Reminder: Applications are open for the June 2025 cohort of The Confident Author Academy!

This 6-month group coaching program will help you break up with burnout, write consistently, access creative flow, and put the fun back in your fiction career.

Submit your application before June 12th: http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy-cohort

***

The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mindset & emotional resilience you need to thrive as an author. To learn more and join the June 2025 cohort go to http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy-cohort

Want access to my free monthly trainings? Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here.

DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!