S10 E9 – I Wrote the Book. Now I’m Too Scared to Talk About It

In this episode, I’m digging into a big, real fear: what happens after you write the nonfiction book you’ve dreamed about—and suddenly realize you’re too shy (or just plain scared) to talk about it?

I totally get it. If you’re like me, you don’t feel at home on social media and the idea of pitching your book makes you want to run for the hills.

You’re not alone, and honestly, it’s not really “shyness”—it’s the fear of actually being seen, of stepping into the spotlight, and asking yourself, “Can I really talk about this thing I created?”

I share how I’ve dealt with my own inner critic (“Neville,” my very own Negative Nelly) and the onslaught of doubts that came with writing my first book.

The what-ifs can be overwhelming: What if nobody reads it? What if someone leaves a bad review? I’ve been there, and I want to help reframe this thinking.

Here are my best two mindset shifts:

• Done is better than perfect—you can’t know if your book connects until it’s out in the world, gathering real data and feedback. 02:57

• Focus on helping others—at the end of the day, I write (and I bet you do too) to genuinely help someone else. Shifting the spotlight off me and onto the reader made the fear start to melt away. 03:45

A book is one of the most accessible assets you can offer. It’s affordable, tangible, and can reach people who really need what you have to share—no social media circus required.

When I lean into this, promoting my work becomes less terrifying.

If you’re stuck on figuring out what to write or how to get your first draft off the ground, check out bookfinder.hustleandgroove.com—I promise it’ll help you unearth the book that’s hiding in your existing content. You might even have half your first draft ready to go!

For those ready to put pen to paper (figuratively or literally), come join us inside First Draft Formula—we’ll write your first draft together in only 6 weeks. Details are in the show notes below!

Remember, it’s perfectly okay to feel nervous. You’ve got something important to share, and your people are waiting for you.