A handbook for surviving the writer’s journey.
Self-doubt, fear of failure, perfectionism, comparisonitis and overwhelm, with an antidote for each. Written by Joanna Penn, narrated by Caroline Holroyd.
Do you ever feel alone on the roller-coaster of the creative journey?
Being a writer is not just about typing. It’s also about surviving self-doubt, fear of failure, the need for validation, perfectionism, writer’s block, comparisonitis, overwhelm, and much more.
When you’re going through these things, it can feel like you’re the only one. But they are part of the creative process, and every author goes through them too.
This book collects the mindset issues that writers experience, that I have been through myself over more than a decade, and that perhaps you will experience at different times on the creative journey.
Each small chapter tackles a possible issue and then offers an antidote, so you can dip in and out over time. It includes excerpts from my own journals as well as quotes from well-known writers.
Who this book is for
This book is for writers at any stage: new authors wrestling with self-doubt and the fear of judgment, published authors facing anti-climax, overwhelm or criticism, and anyone who keeps starting things and not finishing them.
It’s a book to keep nearby and open when you need it, rather than a how-to guide. If you want to understand what is going on in your head and get back to the page, this is for you.
What you’ll learn
The book has three parts: mindset aspects of creativity and writing, mindset aspects after publishing, and tips for success on the author journey. Here are the questions it answers.
- How do I deal with self-doubt and imposter syndrome?
- Why do I need validation, and how do I handle fear of failure, rejection and criticism?
- How do I quieten my inner critic and the fear of judgment?
- What do I do about perfectionism, writer’s block and procrastination?
- What if I’m not creative, my writing isn’t original, or there are too many books already?
- What if I don’t have the time or self-discipline, or writing feels like hard work?
- How do I deal with friends, family and writers’ groups, and how do I find my voice?
- How do I handle comparisonitis, or “everyone is better than me”?
- What about anti-climax after publishing, and what is my definition of success?
- How do I cope with overwhelm, fans, haters, ambition and the urge to give up?
- How do I know myself, hone my creative process and develop professional habits?
- How do I find my community, keep learning, schedule rest and build a body of work over the long term?
Listen to a sample of the audiobook
Listen to a sample of the audiobook, narrated by Caroline Holroyd.
Listen to the full audiobook on YouTube
The whole audiobook is on my YouTube channel, with chapter markers, so you can try it before you buy. If it helps, you can support my work by buying a copy in whichever format suits you.
Where to buy
Available in ebook, paperback, large print, audiobook (narrated by Caroline Holroyd), and a companion workbook with the full text plus questions and space to write your answers. Buying direct from my store gives you the best price on bundles and supports me directly. Thank you.
What readers say
★★★★★
The Successful Author Mindset should be required reading material for every writer. I went into this book thinking that I wouldn't get much out of it. Oh, how wrong I was.
Kate M. Colby
★★★★★
This book is like that comforting friend who knows the struggles you face and can relate to them, while also offering multiple options for how to handle them. Recommend for authors at any stage of their journey!
Desserae Shepston
★★★★★
You can either read it through for a general boost of positivity and encouragement or look up specific problems you have, like writer's block or self-doubt, and find practical solutions. One of Joanna Penn's best books!
Reika
About Joanna Penn
I’m an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. I write non-fiction for authors as Joanna Penn, and thrillers, dark fantasy, horror and travel memoir as J.F. Penn.
I’ve hosted The Creative Penn Podcast since 2009, with interviews on writing, publishing, book marketing and making a living with your writing.
I have a Master’s degree in Death, Religion and Culture from the University of Winchester (2026) and a Master’s in Theology from the University of Oxford. I have a Graduate Diploma in Psychology from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. I live in Bath, England.
Articles on author mindset
Start with You’re not alone: author mindset issues on the creative journey, then dip into these.
- How writers can deal with self-doubt and imposter syndrome
- Writing and the fear of judgment
- The writer’s inner critic
- Comparisonitis, or everyone else is better than me
- Help! My writing isn’t original
- What to do when writing feels like hard work
- Dealing with friends, family and writers’ groups
- The rollercoaster of being a writer
- What is your definition of success?
- The confident author
- Writing doesn’t have to be lonely: how to find a community
- How do I find my writing voice?
Podcast episodes about author mindset
Mindset comes up in almost every interview on The Creative Penn Podcast. These episodes go deeper into topics from the book.
- Writing the Shadow: the creative wound, publishing, and money (Joanna Penn interviewed)
- A writer’s guide to the end of self-doubt with William Kenower
- Dealing with self-doubt and writer’s block with Dharma Kelleher
- Author mindset: strengths for writers with Becca Syme
- Warrior of the blank page: writing, marketing and mindset with Steven Pressfield
- Stop worrying, start selling: change your author mindset with Sarah Painter
- Making art from life: mental health for writers with Toby Neal
- The intuitive author with Tiffany Yates Martin
- Overcoming procrastination with Colleen M. Story
- Audacious artistry: reclaiming your creative identity with Lara Bianca Pilcher
- Creative satisfaction and author mindset with Mark Leslie Lefebvre
Questions about author mindset
Is self-doubt normal for writers?
Yes. Every writer I have interviewed feels it, however many books they have published, and I still feel it with every new book. Self-doubt is part of the creative process. The trick is to notice it, name it, and keep writing anyway, rather than waiting for it to go away.
What is comparisonitis?
The feeling that everyone else is better than you, sells more, writes faster, or has it all figured out. It usually strikes when you look at other authors' highlights and compare them with your own messy middle. The antidote is to focus on your own definition of success and your own body of work.
How do I deal with writer's block?
Most of the time it is fear or perfectionism in disguise. Lower the bar for the first draft, write something, anything, for a set time, change where or how you write, or dictate instead of typing. The book has a chapter on block and procrastination with practical ways through.
What if I never finish anything?
Starting is exciting and finishing is hard, so decide which project matters, give it a deadline, and refuse to start the next shiny idea until it is done. Finishing is a skill that gets easier with practice, and a finished imperfect book beats a perfect idea every time.
How do I handle bad reviews and criticism?
Separate yourself from your work, because a review is one reader's opinion of one book, not a judgment of you. Don't respond, don't read them on a bad day, and remember that a mix of reviews is a sign of a book that reached beyond your circle. Haters gonna hate.
What is the difference between the book and the workbook?
The workbook contains the full text of the book plus extra questions and space to write your answers, so you can work through each issue on the page. The ebook, paperback and audiobook contain the text alone. Many readers use both.
Next steps
Get the free Author Blueprint
Join my email list and I will send you my Author Blueprint, with the steps on the author journey from idea to published book and beyond, plus my newsletter with tips on writing, publishing and marketing.
Listen to The Creative Penn Podcast
New episodes every Wednesday, wherever you listen to podcasts: interviews and solo shows on writing, publishing, book marketing and making a living with your writing. Browse the podcast.
Watch on YouTube
Tutorials, interviews and full audiobooks of my non-fiction on The Creative Penn channel.