Ep 37: Interview with Dr. Tanmeet Sethi (Joy is My Justice)

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!“It’s not about whether I believe this is good every day. It’s whether I can relate to this critical mind and understand that that’s just a part of my nervous system trying to protect me from the fear of ‘Will anyone read this?’…and understanding that the way I relate to that…is the journey.”Dr. Tanmeet Sethi is a Joy Activist with a mission to give people access to their innate human right to their own joy practice. In this episode, we talked about the writing and publishing of her debut memoir, Joy is My Justice (May 2023, Hachette Go). INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS What it felt like to sit down and start with a blank pageHow the theme of the book changed (quite dramatically) during the writing of itHow Tanmeet vacillated between “I’m going to be on Oprah” and “Who ever thought they would put this in a book?”The importance of self-compassion, which Tanmeet believes is the seed for EVERYTHINGHow writers can understand how to feel safe when putting their stories and perspectives out there, on display, for the entire worldHow Tanmeet ensures that writing doesn’t feel “lonely” while writing (even though she is doing it “alone” much of the time)The journey to choosing (and signing with) an agent, then getting her publishing deal (She has the BEST tip on how to pick which agent to go with, regardless of how many want to work with you!)How being naive to the publishing process was of great benefit to herThe most positive aspect so far in her experience being with a traditional house How going through the editing process kept her book the same (but also made it vastly different)Tanmeet's best advice on what to do RIGHT after first full set of edits comes back from editor (as an editor, I second this a thousand times over!) How Tanmeet intentionally wrote for more than one person (without diluting her message and staying centered in her voice)One of biggest lessons she learned about herself while writing the book ABOUT TANMEETTanmeet Sethi, MD is an Integrative and Psychedelic Medicine Physician, activist, author, and speaker who has dedicated her career to care for the most marginalized patients in Seattle’s refugee, uninsured and homeless populations as well as global communities traumatized by manmade and natural disasters. In her clinical practice, she weaves modern and ancient medicine to catalyze the most profound healing from within. Dr. Sethi spent the first 25 years of practice as Core Faculty in residency medical education focusing on inpatient and outpatient family medicine, integrative medicine, and anti-racism in medicine. She is a primary researcher on a University of Washington study on psilocybin for COVID burnout of frontline medical workers. She lives in Seattle, WA with her husband and three children.  CONNECT WITH TANMEETInstagram: instagram.com/tanmeetsethimdWebsite: www.tanmeetsethimd.comOrder your copy of Tanmeet's book: Joy is My Justice: Reclaim What Is Yours RESOURCES 🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINTGet back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers. 🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.*episode sponsor WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy. 👉  PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility ✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMPYou've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time). 👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebookSupport the show******Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.  Available wherever podcasts are available: Apple PodcastsSpotify YouTube Let's Connect! InstagramWebsite Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] comThe podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth