You Should Write a Book With Camille Pagán

Whether you realize it or not, you’ve probably got some not-so-great stories about yourself—and they may be standing between you and success. In today’s episode, Camille shares:

• The reasons your brain skews negative (even though it makes you feel lousy).
• Why telling a better story doesn’t necessarily mean being positive. 
• The research-backed benefits of taking control of your career narrative.
• How to harness your own storytelling skills to reach your goals—and actually enjoy the process. 

To succeed as a writer, you have to be willing to get rejected—a lot. In this episode, Camille discusses: 

• Simple ways to normalize “no”
• Why we often mistake short-term data for long-term results
• Using small wins to boost your confidence and overcome negativity bias

If you’ve ever gotten stalled while working on your story, this episode’s for you. Camille shares: 

• Why it’s so easy to interpret uncertainty as a sign you need to stop writing.
• The surprising step that’s more important than “butt in chair” when you’re stuck.
• The reason reworking your outline is the worst thing to do when you’re overwhelmed—and what to do instead. 
  

Feeling disappointed? That’s not a problem. In fact, you can harness that emotion to succeed. In today’s episode, Camille shares: 

• Common misconceptions about disappointment (and how they can keep you from reaching your goals)
• The real reason criticism can live rent-free in your head
• Simple ways to reframe setbacks—without gaslighting yourself 

Boundaries aren’t just about safeguarding your writing time; they’re also essential for protecting your mental health and creativity. In this episode, Camille shares:

• The painful lesson she learned after sharing her manuscript without setting boundaries first

• How to set standards that serve your career

• The simple way to stop worrying about how your boundaries will impact others (and get back to writing) 

If you’re feeling frustrated that you haven’t reached your publishing goals yet or that your hard work hasn’t paid off, this episode is for you. In it, Camille shares: 

• Long-game strategies to steal from athletes and actors 
• The simple concept that takes luck out of the equation—so you can stop worrying and succeed
• Why your self-imposed deadlines may be a secret form of self-sabotage 
• A better way to compare yourself to other authors

Though they’re often used interchangeably, self-confidence isn’t the same thing as confidence—and it may just be the secret to reaching your writing goals. In this episode, Camille shares: 

• The surprising connection between self-confidence and energy
• Why you can be anxious—and still feel self-confident 
• How to stop comparing yourself to others, even if you’re not where you want to be in your publishing career
• Simple ways to build self-trust (hint: it begins with honoring your commitments to yourself)

Most writers will experience imposter syndrome—but feeling like you don’t deserve your success can sabotage your career. In this episode, Camille shares: 

• The simple framework that can help you stop feeling like a fraud 
• How to take credit for what you’ve done … without turning into an egomaniac 
• What’s changed for Camille since she got over her own imposter syndrome
• Why real talk with other writers may just be the secret to being secure in your own career 

If you’re feeling defeated by the publishing industry or thinking of giving up on your writing dreams, listen to this episode first. In it, Camille shares: 

• What she did after feeling burned out last year (hint: it wasn’t writing) 
• The most important thing to ask yourself when you’re discouraged 
• The surprising connection between slowing down and creativity 
• Why supporting other writers can be as beneficial as being lifted up by them—and how to find the right community to help you succeed

Ready to make 2024 the year you reach your big writing goals? You can—but doing so will probably involve some degree of change.

In this episode, Camille shares: 

• Why writers who are willing to change have a distinct competitive advantage 
• How to shift the way you identify yourself in order to change your habits  
• The paradox of embracing the old in order to create something new 
• What research reveals about the “fresh start effect” and how to use it now—or at any time—to succeed

In today’s episode, Camille shares eight things she’s learned from her clients this year, including:

• Why it’s never too late to go for your big publishing goals
• The true definition of a career author
• How to speed up your growth (hint: it has everything to do with community)
• The reason tactics tend to fail—and why mindset matters most

The next round of the Career Novelist Mastermind begins in February, and applications will open in January. To learn more, visit

One of the biggest reasons people don’t finish (or even begin) writing a book is because they believe they don’t have time. But even if you have a day job and family obligations, you can still reach your publishing goals. In today’s episode, Camille shares:

• Why a single hour actually is enough to finish a draft—fast 
• How to pick the best time to write 
• Simple ways to set better boundaries
• Routines that create success 

Too many authors avoid talking—or even thinking—about money. But being able to pay your bills ups the odds of reaching your publishing goals. In today’s episode, Camille discusses:

• Why she’s always had a second income source, even though she could be writing fiction full-time
• How to create a side hustle that benefits your writing career
• A simple but super-important step to take if you get a six- or seven-figure book deal
• The surprising reason setting up a LLC or S-corp can lead to more success

Working in a flow state doesn’t just feel good—it can increase productivity by a whopping 500%. In today’s episode, Camille talks about: 

• The most common misconception about flow 
• Why self-consciousness sabotages flow—and how to stop judging yourself 
• The surprising way to supercharge creativity  
• How to use a writing habit to get in a flow state more often

Yes, writing can be hard sometimes. But you can and should enjoy it more often. In this episode, Camille shares:

• Why feeling good while you write—instead of just afterwards—can lead to a better book
• The surprising benefit of viewing drafting as “me time” 
• How to use simple rituals to reinvigorate your daily writing practice 
• When to drop deadlines that may be keeping you stuck

Camille shares the keynote speech she gave at the Women’s Fiction Writers Association’s 10th Anniversary Conference in Chicago. She discusses:

• One key sign that you actually do believe you can reach your goals
• How viewing your industry as your enemy impacts your career—and how to change your mind (without gaslighting yourself)
• Why getting your hopes up actually ups your odds of success 
• A paradigm shift for any writer agonizing over the amount of marketing authors “have” to do 
  

Yes, belief is important—but what you do every day may be even more important. In today’s episode, Camille shares: 

• The fascinating relationship between belief and behavior
• How to get past imposter syndrome (without writing affirmations all day)
• What research reveals about optimism and not “jinxing yourself” by getting your hopes up
• Two simple questions that can motivate you to write more

Camille talks about deciding to make more space for her writing this summer. She discusses: 

• Why we overcommit (it’s not just about guilt)—and how to stop doing that
• The fundamental ingredients of focus and flow 
• The real benefit of setting an “impossible” goal
• The question that will help you make goal-oriented decisions that feel good

Camille speaks with Katie Rose Guest Pryal, an award-winning author and speaker on mental health and neurodiversity. Among other things, they discuss: 

• The truth about making money as a writer
• Writing about mental health and neurodiversity in a way that isn’t reductive or centered around “overcoming” a disability—and how to get help writing about perspectives you haven’t lived through 
• The joy of giving up your backup plans and going all in on writing (or anything else you really want to do)
• How to find your lane as an author … by pursuing what actually interests you (and why you don’t need to rush to define your brand)
  

According to a new report from The Bookseller, more than half of authors say publishing their debut negatively impacted their mental health—and just 22% reported an overall positive experience with their first publication. But your debut doesn’t have to derail your career or mental health. In this episode, Camille shares: 

• Why her own debut experience was the opposite of what she expected
• The three most powerful steps you can take to make your debut a better experience (and the launchpad for a long, successful career if you’ve already published)
• Details on a free event for debut authors taking place on May 25, 2023

Camille chats with Jodi Warshaw, who was until 2021 a founding editor of Lake Union Publishing (and Camille’s longtime editor), and is now an independent developmental editor and publishing consultant. They cover:

• Why publishing takes so long—and how to embrace that
• The foundation of a successful editor-author relationship
• What “relatable” really means when it comes to characters
• How to work with an editor to ensure your intention for your story comes through on the page

Camille coaches Kelly Farmer, a traditionally published novelist who’s trying to tell the difference between her intuition and old stories she has about indie publishing.

They cover: 

• Why gathering more information often sets the stage for intuition 
• The secret to successful visualization 
• How to mine your past in order to recognize a true aha moment 
• The Leslie Jones quote that changed everything for Kelly (hint: it’s about not making decisions from desperation)

Camille coaches R.J. Fox, an author and screenwriter who needs to cut his current draft in half.

They cover: 

• How to prove whether an idea is working (hint: it’s not about getting feedback from other people)
• The power of making advanced decisions about how you’ll work 
• Using a simple 3-act structure to streamline your story 
• Why watching TV and movies can make you a better writer

Camille interviews Kyunghee Kim, an author who just published her first children’s book.

They cover: 

• Why staying flexible can be the secret to getting published faster 
• How to tell if your new idea is a distraction … or your next project
• The trials—and rewards—of being multi-passionate
• The importance of letting other people celebrate your success

Whether you’re working on your first novel or your fiftieth, showing up a professional will help you reach your goals faster—and make your success last.

On this episode, Camille shares:

• The one question every writer should ask herself
• How to plan to succeed (hint: it doesn’t involve a traditional business plan)
• Using setbacks to supercharge your motivation 
• Why belief is more important than talent (really)

P.S. In this episode, Camille mentioned writing books by the following authors: 

Camille talks to Suzy England, an author who wants to feel more prepared when speaking to book clubs and other groups. They cover: 

• Four simple topics authors can talk about at any event
• Why book club questions can be as helpful for you as they are for readers
• How to transfer confidence from another area of life to your author career
• Focusing on connection instead of validation to feel at ease in front of a crowd

Camille coaches Lesa, a novelist who’s considering publishing with a hybrid publisher (that is, a company that combines aspects of traditional publishing and self-publishing, and charges the author to publish their book). They cover:

• What to consider when choosing a publisher
• Why being intentional can help you avoid overwhelm and simplify your publishing process
• How to pitch your book to book clubs and land other book-related speaking engagements
• Questions to ask a potential hybrid publisher, including:
  > What are my deadlines for each step of the process (such as editing, copyediting and proofreading, design, and marketing)?
  > How do you handle distribution and where will my novel be sold?
  > What do you expect of me in terms of marketing?
  > Beyond the publishing fee, will you ask me to make additional financial contributions (for example, for marketing endeavors)? If so, how much?
  > What do you consider a “success” for the titles you publish, and which of your titles fit the bill?

Camille’s note: For more information on hybrid publishing, check out these posts on Jane Friedman’s excellent site:

On the eve of the publication of her tenth book, Good for You, Camille shares ten things she's learned about making a living as an author. She shares:

• The one question that transformed her writing and career
• The difference between optimism and toxic positivity—and how to harness the former without repressing negative emotions
• The reason “thicker skin” is overrated (plus better ways to protect your mental health)
• Why choosing yourself ups the odds you’ll be chosen by readers … and yes, publishing gatekeepers