The Career Novelist™ Podcast With Camille Pagán

The Career Novelist™ Podcast With Camille Pagán

By Even Better Co.

Want to create an even better career as a novelist? #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author and master certified coach Camille Pagán offers proven publishing strategies and research-based mindset advice for fiction writers. For more resources and to sign up for the Career Novelist newsletter, visit EvenBetter.co.
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72. How to set boundaries

The Career Novelist™ Podcast With Camille PagánFeb 13, 2024
00:00
16:16
115. How to take credit
May 20, 202518:16
114. How to use quick wins to motivate yourself (and reach your goals)
May 06, 202516:43
113. How to feel less guilty about writing.

113. How to feel less guilty about writing.

Does spending time (and maybe even money) on your fiction fill you with guilt? In today’s episode, Camille shares:

  • The surprising upside of guilt—and how to tell when it’s not serving you.
  • Simple questions that can keep guilt from lingering too long (so you can go back to writing).
  • Why you don’t need to have “something to show” for your writing in order to feel good about it.


Are you a debut author? Check out Camille’s free training to help you make the most of publishing your first novel: www.evenbetter.co/debut

Apr 22, 202520:51
112. How to find your publishing path
Apr 08, 202522:13
111. How to pause without losing momentum.
Mar 11, 202515:49
110. How to stop thinking you’re too late
Feb 25, 202522:11
109. How to avoid a next-book slump
Feb 11, 202519:35
108. How I sold my novel
Jan 28, 202525:35
107. How to follow through

107. How to follow through

You know what you need to do to succeed as a novelist—so why aren’t you doing it? In this episode, Camille shares:

  • A self-assessment to get to the bottom of why you’re not taking action.
  • Why we engage in self-sabotaging behaviors—and how to do so less often.
  • The surprising reason “cheat days” backfire.


Tune in in two weeks to get the scoop on how Camille sold her new novel—and to find out about an upcoming free webinar on how to sell your next book, too.


Jan 14, 202518:05
106. How to plan to succeed in 2025
Dec 31, 202421:12
105. How to finish faster

105. How to finish faster

Trying to finish a draft, edit, or another project before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve? In this episode, Camille shares: 

  • Why getting specific can lead to speed.
  • Three common—yet often overlooked—saboteurs that may be slowing you down.
  • Simple solutions for overcoming those saboteurs so you can finish the year strong.
Dec 10, 202417:43
104. How to go all in—without going broke or abandoning the rest of your life
Nov 26, 202420:31
103. How to quit
Nov 12, 202421:40
Bonus episode: How to choose comps
Nov 04, 202441:14
101. How to be a Career Novelist (and change your mind about marketing your novel)
Oct 29, 202416:31
100. How to write your future
Oct 15, 202413:05
99. How to choose your next project
Oct 08, 202415:45
98. How to find the right help for your writing career

98. How to find the right help for your writing career

Whether you need help with craft, marketing, or your mindset, support can be transformative for your author career. In this episode, Camille shares:  

  • How to find someone who’s the right fit for you.
  • Why it’s wise to “try before you buy” (plus easy ways to do just that). 
  • The importance of trusting your gut—and the difference between intuition and anxiety.
  • What to do if you have buyer’s remorse. 
Oct 01, 202419:41
97. How to use jealousy to your advantage

97. How to use jealousy to your advantage

Yes, envy can feel lousy—but it also contains crucial information that can help your author career. In this episode, Camille shares: 

  • The surprising upside of being jealous about another writer’s success. 
  • Common misconceptions about envy—and how to harness that feeling to reach your next level as an author.
  • Simple solutions for navigating another writer’s jealousy toward you.
Sep 24, 202415:24
96. How to deal with not-enoughness

96. How to deal with not-enoughness

Overwhelm can be caused by feeling like there’s too much to do—but it can also be the direct result of feeling like you’re not enough or haven’t done enough to succeed. In this episode, Camille talks about:  

  • The surprising reason you might be focused on what you believe you’re lacking.
  • Why it’s important to take credit for what you’ve already done—and a simple exercise to do just that.
  • How to trust yourself (without trusting negative internal voices saying you don’t have what it takes).
Sep 17, 202414:36
95. How to deal with overwhelm

95. How to deal with overwhelm

Feel like there’s too much to do and it’s making it hard to write? In this episode, Camille shares:

  • The cognitive cost of overwhelm—and what neurologists and psychologists say is often the unexpected cause of that fuzzy, can’t-seem-to-focus mental state. 
  • Why getting clear on what you want to say ‘yes’ to might just be your first step to feeling better. 
  • Seven things to consider clearing from your to-do list and/or life so you can reach your writing goals.

This episode is the first of a two-part series. Tune in next week to learn how not-enoughness contributes to overwhelm—and how to move past it and get back to writing. 

Sep 10, 202419:17
94. How to enjoy success (when you secretly feel lousy)

94. How to enjoy success (when you secretly feel lousy)

You did it—you accomplished your goal. So…why aren’t you happy? In today’s episode, Camille shares:

  • Why we often feel deflated instead of elated on publication day and after reaching other writing milestones.
  • The sneaky way guilt can hijack your happiness.
  • How to stop mistaking negative emotions for a lack of gratitude.
  • The importance of marking the occasion—even when you don’t feel like celebrating.
Sep 03, 202421:14
93. How to invest in your author career (when you're not making money yet)

93. How to invest in your author career (when you're not making money yet)

Money stops many writers from pursuing their dreams—but it doesn’t have to. In today’s episode, Camille shares:

  • The real investment required to become a career author (hint: it’s not cash)
  • How even minor investments can lead to major self-image shifts
  • Ideas for upleveling your career on a shoestring budget


Register for Plan to Publish: Strategies for becoming a career novelist. This free webinar is on Saturday, August 17th, from 10-11 a.m. ET; a limited-time replay will be provided to all writers who register. Sign up and learn more at evenbetter.co/plan.

Aug 06, 202414:59
92. How to know if your work’s any good
Jul 30, 202416:08
91. How to go pro (rerun)

91. How to go pro (rerun)

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

If you’re ready to go pro, apply for the Career Novelist Mastermind, which combines proven publishing strategies with research-backed career and mindset coaching. To learn more and apply, visit evenbetter.co/mastermind.

Jul 23, 202412:33
90. How to set better deadlines
Jul 16, 202410:17
89. How to get (and give) blurbs
Jul 09, 202420:29
88. How to reach your goals in the second half of 2024
Jul 02, 202416:32
87. How to stop stalling (and get back to writing)
Jun 25, 202419:07
86. How (and why!) to find a writing community

86. How (and why!) to find a writing community

Neil Gaiman said, “Everything good that happened in my writing career happened because someone, normally another writer, helped me.” In today’s episode, Camille shares:

  • The surprising connection between community and grit.
  • Why it’s crucial to find writers who cheer you on during good times as well as bad.
  • The network-limiting mistake many early-career authors make.
  • How to decide whether your current writing community is still right for you.

The Your First 50 Readers webinar is June 21st. If you want to learn how to get authentic reviews from readers who actually like what you write, visit www.evenbetter.co/reviews to register.

Jun 18, 202419:52
85. How to make your own luck
Jun 11, 202430:38
84. How to be uncomfortable
Jun 04, 202412:35
83. How to say no

83. How to say no

Reaching your writing goals is going to require you to say no—sometimes even to opportunities you might want to say yes to. 

  • Why saying no can feel so uncomfortable (and how to do it anyway).
  • When it’s actually worth it to say yes. 
  • The serendipity of making more space for yourself and your career. 

Quick note: In today’s episode, Camille mentions and recommends Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield. 

May 28, 202418:25
82. How to make writing (and your career) easier
May 21, 202413:25
81. How to create a second chance

81. How to create a second chance

If your last book didn’t sell well and you’re worried your publishing career is over, this episode’s for you. In it, Camille shares: 

  1. The myth of being “unpublishable”—and the reason you probably couldn’t quit if you tried. 
  2. The unexpected lesson she learned as a runner that made all the difference in her author career. 
  3. Why writing a book you care about is the most important step in creating another chance.
  4. How to make your own luck.
May 14, 202415:46
80. How to take a break

80. How to take a break

Rest is essential for your brain and body—and yes, for writing a good book. In this episode, Camille talks about:

  • The reason you probably feel restless when you’re away from your computer. 
  • The surprising way taking time off benefits your story. 
  • How to stop worrying about losing momentum and start trusting you’ll follow through.
  • Why rest may just be a bestseller’s best strategy. 
May 07, 202416:37
79. How to tell a better story (about yourself)
Apr 02, 202417:01
78. How to get rejected
Mar 26, 202417:04
77. How to get unstuck—and get back to writing
Mar 19, 202419:56
76. How to stop fearing success

76. How to stop fearing success

Who on earth would be afraid of success? The truth is, almost everyone. But that fear doesn’t have to stand between you and your writing goals. In today’s episode, Camille shares:

  • Four common reasons we fear success
  • What she learned about self-sabotage from The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks, Ph.D.
  • Signs you might be getting in your own way without even realizing it
  • A simple but incredibly effective exercise to move past worry and take more action 
Mar 12, 202420:15
75. How to move past the fear of failure

75. How to move past the fear of failure

You may always be a little afraid of failing—but there’s a lot you can do to prevent that fear from holding you back. In today’s episode, Camille shares:

  • A powerful new way to look at failure
  • What you’re really afraid of when you say you don’t want to get things wrong
  • The paralyzing effect of trying to make the “right” decision
  • Why getting clear on your mission as a writer can help you take more action (even when you’re afraid)
Mar 05, 202412:56
74. How to decide if and when to abandon your manuscript

74. How to decide if and when to abandon your manuscript

Not sure if your current story or draft is publishable? Camille shares a framework for deciding whether to do more work—or move on to the next project.

She covers: 

  • How her four “drawer drafts” helped her publish ten books she’s proud of 
  • The most important thing to ask yourself when evaluating your own work 
  • A simple trick for getting out of your own head and getting perspective on your story
  • Why breakthroughs often follow a much-needed break 
Feb 27, 202419:36
73. How to use disappointment to your advantage
Feb 20, 202417:34
72. How to set boundaries
Feb 13, 202416:16
71. How to play the long game
Feb 06, 202420:29
70. How to find time to write

70. How to find time to write

A busy schedule doesn’t have to stand between you and getting your book done. In this episode, Camille discusses: 

  • Why there will never be the “right time” to write—and the reason that’s a good thing
  • How to handle transitions between writing and other tasks
  • Using your calendar to overcome decision fatigue and waning willpower
  • The simple self-talk strategy that can help you overcome procrastination 

Want to go deeper on time management? Camille recommends Laura Vanderkam’s books, especially 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think.

Jan 30, 202418:52
69. How to feel self-confident
Jan 23, 202427:27
68. How to get over imposter syndrome
Jan 16, 202422:36
67. How to put the wind back in your sails
Jan 09, 202416:41
66. How to make a change
Jan 09, 202416:10