We debated squeezing in an episode, but “life gets lifey sometimes”. So in July, we decided to put our focus where it was most urgently needed.
So often on the podcast, we talk about how we have the power to choose where to spend our precious energy (both in book marketing and in general). This was a good opportunity for us to prove that to ourselves!
For Lainey, it was finally finishing her second novel, Erasing Grace and sending it to beta readers. A five full years later— and she did it! She’s also been working on a new cover and indie publishing her first novel, The Exit Strategy, after getting her rights back (coming soon in August!).
For Paulette, July was a focus on finishing her anthology short story contribution, rewriting her debut novel, plus juggling the enormous demands of leading a writing team at a software company at the forefront of AI.
Whenever Lainey mentions stepping back for a month or two on social media, other writers often say that it empowered them to take a break too.
And that response tells us something important: sometimes we need permission to rest, even when we know it's the right thing to do.
In case you still need convincing, here's why taking breaks isn't just okay—it's essential for us as writers:
Your Brain Needs Time to Process
Writing and creativity aren't only the time we spend actively putting words on the page. Your subconscious mind is constantly working on problems, making connections, and processing experiences.
That’s why so breakthrough moments come in the shower, or during walks. When you step away from active creation, you're giving your subconscious brain space to do the problem solving.
Creative Burnout Is Real and Counterproductive
The publishing industry's expectation set that authors “must” constantly be on social media, creating new content, and preparing for what’s next. All of this can push us writers into a state of creative burnout.
And guess what? When you're exhausted, it stops being fun. And when it stops being enjoyable, we’re more likely to give up.
In Episode Episode 106: Marketing Mindset - How to Build a Sustainable Author Career, Tiffany Yates Martin talks how to maintain your resiliency over time in what can be a tough industry. We know she’d agree that strategic breaks are an essential part of that!
Rest Gets Us Around Creative Blocks
When we’re constantly pushing, our minds can default to the patterns we are most familiar with (whether its wording, sentence structure, plot, or marketing our work).
Taking a break allows us to return to our work (and life) with fresh eyes.
Life Needs Living!
As Camille Pagán said in episode 110 - Navigating Author Career Change, “I believe that we need to create a life that allows us to create art.”
As writers we draw from our well of experiences, emotions, and observations. If we’re always writing and never living, our well can run dry.
Taking breaks may be the single best thing for our creativity. Those experiences could become the raw material for your best future work!
Rest Helps You Reconnect to Your Why
Do you know why you’re still doing this writing thing?
Another great reason to listen to Camille’s episode - or Episode 109: Setting Writer Goals - How to Focus on What Matters.
When we’re caught in the hamster wheel of writing and promotion, it's easy to lose sight of why we started writing in the first place—and why we’re still at it.
Breaks give us space to reconnect with our why.
Permission to Be Human!
The myth of the always-productive creative is just that—a myth. Real creativity comes from humans with complex lives, competing priorities, and finite energy.
Family commitments, health issues, kids, grief, or other human priorities all drain our energy stores. That’s real. Never feel ashamed for feeling like life is too much. Often times, it is!
As we like to say —Life gets lifey sometimes — and you can now get the merch here! (which helps support our costs of running this podcast!)
Many writers struggle with guilt when taking breaks, especially in a culture (especially strong in self-publishing world) that glorifies the "hustle."
But taking strategic breaks isn't lazy—it's professional. Athletes don't train every single day without rest days. Musicians don't perform every night without breaks between tours.
Give yourself permission because why should writers be any different?
While we took a break in July, we have many great episodes planned for the rest of the year. In August, we're diving deep into Amazon Ads for authors with expert Janet Margot of Book Geeks Media.
September is all about book covers, and Lainey will be sharing her experience redoing the cover for her debut, The Exit Strategy with the talented book cover design agency, Damonza. This will be a special Sunday night episode, so more details to come.
We'll also be tackling "How to Market a Thriller" and exploring so many other topics that will help you build your author platform and connect with readers.
Thanks for letting us join you on your author journey!
Tell us in the comments — what would help you most in future episodes?
Learn more about the San Miguel de Allende Writer’s Retreat - January 17-24, 2026
There are only two spots left in this writing retreat in Mexico.
Immerse yourself in the magic of San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO World Heritage city recently named Best City in the World by Travel & Leisure!
From January 17-24, 2026, join acclaimed writers Lynne Golodner and Christopher Locke for an unforgettable retreat where creativity thrives.
Lainey Cameron and Paulette Stout host The Best of Book Marketing Podcast, where they have real conversations about what actually works in book marketing—no fluff, just honest advice from authors who've been there.
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