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Hey Reader,

The gremlins in my head are absolutely diabolical. Dome-estic terrorists. (Geddit? My brain is my dome, they are causing terror in it?)

Every time I think about writing an article, or just before I go onstage to do stand-up comedy, or whenever I talk about my books, up they ooze to whisper to me about how nobody is interested, how I don’t have anything useful or interesting to say, and how everybody hates my dirty stinking guts anyway and thinks my hair is stupid.

It doesn’t go away.

I’ve been doing this for a long time — 14 years — and it doesn’t go away. I have, however, gotten used to it and learned that those gremlins are DIRTY ROTTEN LIARS.

Which is why I feel perfectly comfortable encouraging, nudging, and shoving my clients to stand up and use their voices.

Not necessarily to write the book (although of course that, too) but to talk about the book. Early and often and continually.

People are reluctant to do it for a wide range of reasons that all come down to the same thing: fear.

One client said recently: “I’m very comfortable writing posts about any of the subjects that will be in the book, so don’t know why I’ve got such a huge block about telling people that I’m doing it (feels a bit arsey and big headed I guess).”

What will people think?

Will they think I’m “full of myself”? Arrogant?

Will they think “who TF are they to be writing about this?”

Will they be bored out of their fine cotton socks?

Maybe one or two people will, not gonna lie. We’re not for everyone all the time and that’s okay.

But generally, people who see your posts and emails and messages will be excited for you and your book. They’ll be supportive and interested and impressed.

You will be surprised.

Like my client Sarah who has just done a Book Breakthrough: Unlocked session with me to nail down her big idea and book outline.

One of the tasks I gave her at the end was: tell people you’re doing this.

She wasn’t thrilled with this instruction but I insisted because I’m annoying like that. She sent me the post, I suggested a couple of tweaks, and a day or so later she had 254 reactions and 97 comments on LinkedIn, and it “went nuts” on Facebook.

She’s been inundated with messages of support and excitement about her book, and offers to do interviews with her to help her write it.

By the time her book is published, she’ll have a list of people waving cash and shouting “take my money and gimme your book!”

And, if she decides to go the route of traditional publishing, this will be a big plus — because trad publishers always want to know about your platform, following, and marketing plans.

The gremlins in your head are there to protect you from harm, but they don’t speak the truth and they will hold you back if you let them.

If you’re writing a book, start talking about it now. Right now. Build interest, build some buzz, and let your community support you.

If you’re thinking of writing a book and you don’t know where or how to start, book a Book Breakthrough: Unlocked session with me right now.

I have 3 spots available in May (and 1 VIP spot if you want a whole day with me).

TTFN,

Vicky 🫡

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