The Author Burnout Cure

Releasing a book is a big deal, but without a plan for how you’ll celebrate the moment, it’s easy to end up feeling disappointed by the experience.So today, in honor of With All My Haunted Heart being out now (you can grab your copy here!), I’m sharing 4 categories of release week rituals–along with plenty of examples for each–so you can fully enjoy releasing your book.As an added bonus, I got permission to share the first chapter of With All My Haunted Heart’s audiobook, so you can get a sneak peek of the book! You can get the audiobook here.Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from WITH ALL MY HAUNTED HEART by Isabel Sterling, read by Jeremy Carlisle Parker. Isabel Sterling ℗ 2026 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved.***If you’re ready to enjoy writing again, meet deadlines without burnout, and build the confidence to handle every plot twist publishing throws your way, I can help.Click here to learn more about private coaching for authors and schedule a free consultation.Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here.

For the final installment of this craft chat series, I spoke with award-winning author Sonido Reyes, who writes YA and adult novels that celebrate queer Mexican stories.His next YA release, To Our Untamed Core, is available for preorder now and releases September 22nd!You can learn more about Sonido and all of his books on his website or follow them on IG @sonidoreyesPS - With All My Haunted Heart comes out next week! You can preorder here.***If you’re ready to enjoy writing again, meet deadlines without burnout, and build the confidence to handle every plot twist publishing throws your way, I can help.Click here to learn more about private coaching for authors and schedule a free consultation.Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here.

Our craft chats series continues with the wonderful and fabulous Julian Winters!Julian is an award-winning, bestselling author of books for teens and adults, including his latest YA novel: Find My Way Down to You! Julian and I talked about writing grief into books, got nerdy about planning/organizing stories, and dreamed about the future of queer romcoms.You can learn more about Julian’s books on his website or follow him on IG @wintersjulianPS - With All My Haunted Heart comes out in 2 weeks! You can preorder here.***If you’re ready to enjoy writing again, meet deadlines without burnout, and build the confidence to handle every plot twist publishing throws your way, I can help.Click here to learn more about private coaching for authors and schedule a free consultation.Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here.

For this week’s craft chat, I spoke with agent sibling, friend, and an all-around incredible author, Taylor Hartley.Taylor is the author of Song of the Hell Witch, which has one of my favorite audiobooks of all time. The sequel, Dance of the Dark Mother, is due out October 16th.Learn more about Taylor and all their upcoming projects on their website or follow them on IG @tmhartleywrites PS - With All My Haunted Heart comes out in 3 weeks! You can preorder here.***If you’re ready to enjoy writing again, meet deadlines without burnout, and build the confidence to handle every plot twist publishing throws your way, I can help.Click here to learn more about private coaching for authors and schedule a free consultation.Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here.

For this week’s craft chat discussion, I had the great pleasure to speak with Alex London.Alex is the author of more than 30 books (yes, 30!) for children, teens, and adults – including the award-winning middle grade series, Battle Dragons.You can learn more about Alex and his work on his website, or you can follow him on Instagram @alexander_londonPS - With All My Haunted Heart comes out in 4 weeks! You can preorder here.***If you’re ready to enjoy writing again, meet deadlines without burnout, and build the confidence to handle every plot twist publishing throws your way, I can help.Click here to learn more about private coaching for authors and schedule a free consultation.Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here.

With just five weeks until my adult debut comes out, we’re taking a brief detour from my usual advice to share conversations about the craft of writing with some truly fabulous authors.This week, I’m chatting with Katherine Locke, a Philadelphia-based author who writes award-winning books that will make you cry, including This Rebel Heart and The Girl with the Red Balloon. You can learn more about Katherine’s books on their website or follow them on IG @bibliogatoPS - With All My Haunted Heart comes out in 5 weeks! Preorder here.***If you’re ready to enjoy writing again, meet deadlines without burnout, and build the confidence to handle every plot twist publishing throws your way, I can help.Click here to learn more about private coaching for authors and schedule a free consultation.Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here.

Balance as an author can be hard to find.Between writing new books, marketing the ones you’ve already published, and juggling all the other parts of being a human in modern society, it can feel like you’re constantly being pulled in a million directions.So whether you’ve got multiple books on your calendar right now, a day job that takes up a lot of your time, or life has been especially hectic lately, today’s episode will help you find moments of balance in your day so you can access your creativity and make progress on book(s).My adult debut, With All My Haunted Heart, comes out in 6 weeks! Preorder here!***If you’re ready to enjoy writing again, meet deadlines without burnout, and build the confidence to handle every plot twist publishing throws your way, I can help.Click here to learn more about private coaching for authors and schedule a free consultation.Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here.

If your confidence as an author is at an all-time low, you’re not alone.So many authors I’ve talked to this year have shared a similar story.They’ve weathered countless rejections.Page one rewrites.And yearly sales numbers lower than their weekly grocery bill.They’ve lost confidence in their ability to write a compelling story… or at least one that a publisher will actually buy.No matter what’s happened in your career that’s crushed your confidence, this replay of a recent workshop will help.You can also download a free 30-Day Confidence Building Workbook by clicking here.***If you’re ready to enjoy writing again, meet deadlines without burnout, and build the confidence to handle every plot twist publishing throws your way, I can help.Click here to learn more about private coaching for authors and schedule a free consultation.Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here.

When you sell a book on proposal–or you have an unspecified Book 2 on your contract–it’s possible to end up contracted to write a book that just isn’t working.Maybe the story isn’t coming together like you hoped, or once you dug into it, you found there wasn’t enough story there to sustain an entire novel.And sometimes, you might find yourself low-key hating the book you’re writing. Especially if figuring out the story, and writing the first draft (or two, or three, or four) has been a slog.But it’s already contracted, so what are you supposed to do??Deep breath. In today’s episode, I’m walking you through your options, including how to transform a draft you currently hate into something you’re proud to have your name on.***If you’re ready to enjoy writing again, meet deadlines without burnout, and build the confidence to handle every plot twist publishing throws your way, I can help.Click here to learn more about private coaching for authors and schedule a free consultation.Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here.

There are moments in every author’s career where they reach a crossroads. Where they hit a publishing roadblock and have to make a tough decision: Do I quit writing and publishing? Or do I double down and go all-in on my career?Today on the podcast, I’m walking you through a few of my crossroads moments, why I chose to keep going, how I did that without burning out, and what I’ve created as a result.So if you’re at your own crossroads moment, be sure to listen in.PS - I’m hosting a FREE workshop tomorrow, July 9th at 7pm eastern. Register here: http://www.isabelsterling.com/confidence ***If you’re ready to enjoy writing again, meet deadlines without burnout, and build the confidence to handle every plot twist publishing throws your way, I can help.Click here to learn more about private coaching for authors and schedule a free consultation.Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here.

Happy July! We’ve reached the mid-point of 2026, which means it’s time for a mid-year writing reset. It’s the perfect time to revisit the goals you set in January and make any necessary course corrections so you can get to the end of December feeling amazing about your career.For this episode, I also created a worksheet to help you navigate this process: Click here to access the Mid-Year Writing Reset Worksheet!***If you’re ready to enjoy writing again, meet deadlines without burnout, and build the confidence to handle every plot twist publishing throws your way, I can help.Click here to learn more about private coaching for authors and schedule a free consultation.***Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here.DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

When your author career looks amazing from the outside, it can be even harder to find support when you’re struggling with burnout.Your non-publishing friends (and even your therapist) don’t get the realities of your career.And your publishing friends? It’s hard to share your emotional challenges when you have the type of career that everyone else wants.You need a process to help you lower the pressure you’re putting on your career and stay grounded in your love of storytelling.***If you’re ready to enjoy writing again, meet deadlines without burnout, and build the confidence to handle every plot twist publishing throws your way, I can help.Click here to learn more about private coaching for authors and schedule a free consultation.***Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here.DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

Still on the fence about joining the July class of The Confident Author Academy?In this final bonus episode, I’m breaking down all the things you get when you join the July cohort, including the different tiers of results you can expect.Have a question I didn’t cover? Book a call to discuss your unique situation.Ready to join the July cohort? Click here to learn more and submit your application! Applications close TODAY, June 20th.

Believing your publisher doesn’t care about your books is one of the more emotionally challenging parts of being an author.You start to question whether it’s worth investing any time or energy into your books when they aren’t getting institutional support to help them succeed.If you’re in this place, this is a pivotal moment in your career. How you handle this experience can make or break your desire to keep writing.Listen in for advice on how to navigate this situation with your creative joy intact.***The July cohort of The Confident Author Academy is enrolling NOW through June 20th. Join a small group of authors (max 20) doing the work to have fun writing, meet deadlines without burnout, and feel confident in every aspect of your career (yes, including marketing!).Click here to learn more and submit your application.

On the fence about joining the July class of The Confident Author Academy?I’m addressing the most common questions on today’s bonus episode.Have a question I didn’t cover? Book a call to discuss your unique situation.Ready to join the July cohort? Click here to learn more and submit your application! Applications close June 20th.

When you’re on deadline for your book, it can be tempting to do “deadline math” to figure out how many words you need to write each day. Unfortunately…this process often leaves authors feeling stressed, disempowered, and creatively blocked. It can also create an environment where it’s easy to slip into a hustle/burnout cycle. If you want to create a healthier relationship with deadlines, it’s time to embrace the power of the “MEM.” *** The July cohort of The Confident Author Academy is enrolling NOW through June 20th. Join a small group of authors (max 20) doing the work to have fun writing, meet deadlines without burnout, and feel confident in every aspect of your career (yes, including marketing!). Click here to learn more and submit your application.

Curious how the coaching and support inside The Confident Author Academy is different from listening to the podcast each week? I’m breaking down the key difference in this bonus episode. Ready to join the July cohort? Click here to learn more and submit your application! Applications close June 20th.

  If your author career isn’t progressing the way you want, it’s time to investigate where writing falls on your list of priorities.And not what you say you prioritize, but what your calendar shows you actually prioritize.Listen in to learn: How to evaluate where writing currently falls on your priority list Why putting your career first matters How to prioritize writing without being a jerk to everyone else Your first step to moving writing to the top of your list The July cohort of The Confident Author Academy is enrolling NOW through June 20th. Join a small group of authors (max 20) doing the work to have fun writing, meet deadlines without burnout, and feel confident in every aspect of your career (yes, including marketing!).Click here to learn more and submit your application.    

The July class of The Confident Author Academy is enrolling now!Click here to learn more and submit your application. Applications close June 20th - the group is capped at 20 authors.Curious what you’ll learn? Listen in for an overview of what you’ll learn–and the author you’ll become–when you spend the next six months inside The Confident Author Academy.

On May 9th, I participated in a panel discussion with fellow queer authors Sam Gellar, Erica Rose Eberhart, and M. Stevenson and they graciously agreed to let me share the audio with the podcast!We talked about how we both use different forms of writing (journal and writing novels) to process personal challenges and the tools we use to navigate hard times so that we can still access our creativity and write new books.All the authors on the panel have books currently available for sale, and you can support Sam’s indie bookstore, Protagonist Books & Coffee, by ordering signed copies through the store!***Want custom support to lower publishing stress, increase creative joy, and build a more sustainable fiction career? Come work with me.Schedule a free consultation to learn how private coaching can transform your writing life.Prefer to do this work in community with other authors? Learn more about the next group coaching cohort that begins in July. (Applications open June 1)***Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here.DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

If you’re afraid your book is going to flop, stop everything and listen to this episode.It’s normal to be disappointed if your book doesn’t reach as many readers as you hoped, but the deep level of fear and panic around flopping comes from something so much more insidious: the false belief that this book is your only chance to succeed.This episode will help you clean up your fear of flopping and embrace the long game of publishing.***Want custom support to lower publishing stress, increase creative joy, and build a more sustainable fiction career? Come work with me.Schedule a free consultation to learn how private coaching can transform your writing life.Prefer to do this work in community with other authors? Learn more about the next group coaching cohort that begins in July. (Applications open June 1)***Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here.DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

Book publishing requires all sorts of mental flexibility, and that includes taking your writing goals seriously…while also being able to pivot in an instant.Whether it’s because your book suddenly sold after months on submission, your editor sent over notes and needs a quick turnaround, or you realize the book you’ve been drafting needs to go in a whole new direction, being able to adjust your writing goals without feeling like a failure is essential for building and maintaining momentum in your career.***Want custom support to lower publishing stress, increase creative joy, and build a more sustainable fiction career? Come work with me!Schedule a free consultation to learn how private coaching can transform your writing life.Prefer to do this work in community with other authors? Learn more about the next group coaching cohort that begins in July. (Applications open June 1)***Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here.DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

Writing a novel is hard. It takes a ton of time, effort, energy, and a big dollop of emotional resilience to go from the spark of an idea all the way to The End.There’s no getting around that effort, but there are also lots of ways we unintentionally make that process harder than it needs to be.On today’s podcast, I’m breaking down the parts of writing that will always be hard and the places where we can make some small shifts to avoid making it harder.***Want custom support to lower publishing stress, increase creative joy, and build a more sustainable fiction career? Come work with me!Schedule a free consultation to learn how private coaching can transform your writing life.Prefer to do this work in community with other authors? Learn more about the next group coaching cohort that begins in July. (Applications open June 1)***Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here.DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

As you progress in your author career, you will (ideally!) find yourself feeling more and more like an expert. While this is an important evolution in your identity, there will still be times where adopting a beginner mindset can keep you out of shame, frustration, and even burnout. This week, I’m teasing apart when each of these identities can both help and hurt your confidence so you can use each to your best advantage. *** Want custom support to lower publishing stress, increase creative joy, and build a more sustainable fiction career? Come work with me! Schedule a free consultation to learn how private coaching can transform your writing life. Prefer to do this work in community with other authors? Learn more about the next group coaching cohort that begins in July. (Applications open June 1) *** Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

If you want to write in a new-to-you genre but feel intimidated about making the leap, identifying your peers in that genre is an important first step to increasing your confidence. Listen in to learn how identifying your genre peers will help grow your own author identity and build a sense of community rather than competition as you write in a new space. *** Want custom support to lower publishing stress, increase creative joy, and build a more sustainable fiction career? Come work with me! Schedule a free consultation to learn how private coaching can transform your writing life. Prefer to do this work in community with other authors? Learn more about the next group coaching cohort that begins in July. (Applications open June 1) *** Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

If you feel less-than-amazing after releasing your book into the world, you’re not alone.Many authors find themselves feeling exhausted, disappointed, and even deeply unmotivated to write following the release of a new novel.You’re not doomed to feel this way forever–or with each new novel you put out. Listen in to today’s episode to learn why this happens and how to get back to your normal baseline after your book launch.***Want custom support to lower publishing stress, increase creative joy, and build a more sustainable fiction career? Come work with me!Schedule a free consultation to learn how private coaching can transform your writing life.Prefer to do this work in community with other authors? Learn more about the next group coaching cohort that begins in July. (Applications open June 1)***Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here.DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

If your book’s impending release has you feeling more stressed than excited, you’re not alone. It’s incredibly normal to have lots of conflicting feelings as you get closer to release day. There’s worry your book will flop. Fear that you’ll disappoint your publisher and never sell to them again. Anxiety that you just spent years working on this book and it might all be for “nothing.” Publishing a book is a big deal, and you deserve to enjoy that process. Today on the podcast, I’m sharing both big picture reframes and tangible tools to help you soothe that “my book is coming out soon!!” anxiety. *** Want custom support to lower publishing stress, increase creative joy, and build a more sustainable fiction career? Come work with me! Schedule a free consultation to learn how private coaching can transform your writing life. *** Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

You’re probably familiar with picking comp titles for your books, but have you ever identified a comp career? Instead of falling into the trap of “compare and despair” (that moment when you look at someone else’s success and feel bad about your own career), you can identify “comp authors” or “comp careers” to help guide your next steps. Listen in to learn how to identify your career comps, plus what to do if you can’t find anyone with the career you want. *** Ready to let go of burnout, build confidence, and put fun back into your fiction career? I have availability for new private clients - come work with me! Schedule a free call to discuss your goals and decide if coaching is right for you. *** Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

As an author, your backlist is one of your most valuable assets. Unfortunately, many novelists find themselves feeling embarrassed by their earlier work. They cringe when they think about promoting older novels and attend events hoping that readers won’t bring up those books. If this is you, it’s time for a reset. Today’s podcast provides a variety of techniques for making peace with your previous work and staying connected with the readers who love those stories. *** Ready to let go of burnout, build confidence, and put fun back into your fiction career? I have availability for new private clients - come work with me! Schedule a free call to discuss your goals and decide if coaching is right for you. *** Follow me behind-the-scenes as I revise my novel under deadline. Learn more here. Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

If you find yourself frequently afraid of “doing it wrong” in your publishing career, this episode is for you! There are so many places where you get to decide how you’ll work–and how you’ll collaborate with your publishing team!–instead of falling into the trap of trying to get an A+ from your editor. When you set rules that support your unique process, you can create more confidence in your work and more freedom for your creativity to flourish. *** Ready to let go of burnout, build confidence, and put fun back into your fiction career? I have availability for new private clients - come work with me! Schedule a free call to discuss your goals and decide if coaching is right for you. *** Follow me behind-the-scenes as I revise my novel under deadline. Learn more here. Looking for even more author advice? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

I’m joined on the podcast today by Jessi Cole Jackson, author of the newly released Ruinous Creatures, a spicy, feminist romantasy set in a world where people wear the bones of mythical creatures in order to wield their magic. Jessi shares her journey toward publication, including persisting through four different projects failing on submission before ultimately selling her debut. You can learn more about Jessi on her website, follow her on Instagram, and purchase your copy of Ruinous Creatures here. *** Revise a Book with Me: I’m offering an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look into how I navigate the emotional highs and lows of revising a book under deadline. Experience the unedited, unvarnished truth of working as a full-time author – the good, the bad, and the weird. Learn more and join the experience here. *** You deserve to love your author career. I can help with that. Learn more about private coaching opportunities here: http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

I've been noodling on a bunch of different topics lately, none of which quite make sense to be a whole episode by themselves, so I decided to give you a bonus episode with a few of them together! I talk about why writing a novel doesn't get "easier," the importance of taking care of your brain, and how the tools that help you write more also have positive impacts on the rest of your life. If you're ready to create a joyful writing life and confident author career, it's time to schedule a free call to discuss how coaching can support your goals. Click here to choose a time on my calendar that works for you.

After you’ve sold your debut novel, you unlock a new process in publishing: selling a novel on proposal. This most commonly happens as part of the option clause on your contract, and it’s a time in your career that can come with a host of questions, fears, and anxieties. So today on the podcast, I’m breaking down what goes into a fiction proposal and how to navigate the different layers of uncertainty as you try to sell a book you haven’t fully written. *** Ready to let go of burnout, build confidence, and put fun back into your fiction career? I have availability for new private clients - come work with me! Schedule a free call to discuss your goals and decide if coaching is right for you. *** Follow me behind-the-scenes as I revise my novel under deadline. Learn more here. Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

Lasting, authentic confidence is not possible when your inner dialogue is full of threats, name calling, and a constantly downplaying of your accomplishments. Even if the way you talk to yourself isn't overtly mean, if you’re not giving yourself credit for the amazing work you do–and, spoiler, it genuinely amazing to be able to write entire books–you’re blocking yourself from the confidence you deserve. In the final episode in our confidence series, I’m breaking down how to shift the way you talk to yourself to build lasting confidence. *** Ready to let go of burnout, build confidence, and put fun back into your fiction career? Come work with me. Schedule a free call to discuss your goals and decide if coaching is right for you. *** Follow me behind-the-scenes as I revise my novel under deadline. Learn more here. Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

Confidence as an author is less about WHAT you do and more about WHY you do it. Which means to have a truly confident career, you need a process for making intentional decisions–about your writing schedule, what deals to take, when to pivot, and more. Even more important, you need a way to ensure you have reasons for your decisions that feel empowering (rather than resentful or defeatist). Listen in to learn how. *** There are a limited number of private coaching spots available for the first half of 2026. Schedule a free call to discuss your goals and decide if coaching is right for you. *** Follow me behind-the-scenes as I revise my novel under deadline. Learn more here. Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

In a world where many of us were socialized to be modest, avoid shining “too brightly,” and stay humble, it can be really uncomfortable when other people think you’re impressive. If you regularly shy away from praise, counter people’s compliments with “proof” that you’re ordinary, or find yourself struggling with confidence as a writer, this episode is for you. *** There are a limited number of private coaching spots available for the first half of 2026. Applications are open now and close on February 20th. Learn more about coaching OR access the application directly here. *** Follow me behind-the-scenes as I revise my novel under deadline. Learn more here. Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

When talking to authors about their goals for 2026, a theme emerged. So many of them said some version of: “I want to feel more confident.” For some, they wanted to believe they were good at writing (despite having books published by major publishers!) For others, it was confidence in their ability to sell their next book and build a career as a novelist. Since those conversations, I’ve been thinking a lot about confidence, and I’ve found three distinct types of confidence – each with different benefits and methods for improving them. Today, I’m sharing that framework with you. *** There are a limited number of private coaching spots available for the first half of 2026. Applications are open now and close on February 20th. Learn more about coaching OR access the application directly here. *** Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

Every novel has its challenges–and it’s normal to feel intimidated at the start of a new project–but sometimes we find ourselves with a novel idea that feels impossible. Though you’re captivated by the idea, you have this feeling in your gut that you’re not “good enough” yet to write it. But are you really not good enough? Or are you just scared of the work required to nail it? This week on podcast, I offer guidance on how to tease apart whether your novel idea is the kind of challenge you can take on today… Or if you genuinely need to level up as a storyteller before you commit to the idea. *** Applications are open for limited 1:1 coaching spots for the first half of 2026. Learn more and apply here. *** You deserve to love your author career. I can help with that. Learn more about private coaching opportunities here: http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

If writing has felt Not Great for you lately, the solution isn’t necessarily to push yourself to feel amazing. There’s a middle step in the process – going from bad to neutral – that is often overlooked but incredibly powerful. Today, I’m breaking down why neutral thoughts can be so helpful and how you can implement them into your writing life. *** To celebrate hitting 200+ episodes, I have some exciting things in store for you! Revise a Book with Me: I’m offering an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look into how I navigate the emotional highs and lows of revising a book under deadline. Experience the unedited, unvarnished truth of working as a full-time author – the good, the bad, and the weird. Learn more and join the experience here. Free Coaching Giveaway: Simply leave a review of this podcast wherever you listen to it, email a screenshot to [email protected], and you’ll be entered to win a free 30-minute coaching call with me! I’m choosing one winner per 10 entries, so your odds are great! Deadline for entries is January 25, 2026. *** You deserve to love your author career. I can help with that. Learn more about private coaching opportunities here: http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

If you find yourself always waiting for the other shoe to drop in publishing, or you follow up every “I really want to sell this next book” with some version of “but it probably won’t,” today’s episode is for you! Letting yourself expect good news in your publishing career isn’t about being foolish, naive, or delusional. It can be an intentional choice that helps you have a happier, healthier writing life. *** To celebrate hitting 200+ episodes, I have some exciting things in store for you! Revise a Book with Me: I’m offering an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look into how I navigate the emotional highs and lows of revising a book under deadline. Experience the unedited, unvarnished truth of working as a full-time author – the good, the bad, and the weird. Learn more and join the experience here. Free Coaching Giveaway: Simply leave a review of this podcast wherever you listen to it, email a screenshot to [email protected], and you’ll be entered to win a free 30-minute coaching call with me! I’m choosing one winner per 10 entries, so your odds are great! Deadline for entries is January 25, 2026. *** You deserve to love your author career. I can help with that. Learn more about private coaching opportunities here: http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

I’ve started revising my next book and… the first draft is in Not Great Shape. So this week I’m sharing a few of my initial takeaways as I manage my brain so it doesn’t freak out about the work ahead of me. To celebrate the 200th episode of this podcast, I have some exciting things in store for you! Free Coaching Giveaway: Simply leave a review of this podcast wherever you listen to it, email a screenshot to [email protected], and you’ll be entered to win a free 30-minute coaching call with me! I’m choosing one winner per 10 entries, so your odds are great! Deadline for entries is January 25, 2026. Revise a Book with Me: I’m offering an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look into how I navigate the emotional highs and lows of revising a book under deadline. Experience the unedited, unvarnished truth of working as a full-time author – the good, the bad, and the weird. Learn more and join the experience here. *** You deserve to love your author career. I can help with that. Learn more about private coaching opportunities here: http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

For this final episode of 2025, I decided to lean into my witchier side and do a group tarot reading! If you’re curious what advice the cards had for the new year, listen in to this short episode (and check out my Instagram to see the beautiful art on these cards!). Spoiler alert: overall, there are good things ahead! *** You deserve to love your author career. I can help with that. Learn more about private coaching opportunities here: http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

With the final few days of the year upon us, now is a great time to pause and reflect on how things went in 2025. You deserve to celebrate all the wins you had–big and small–before you set your sights on a new year of goals. This week, I’m sharing some of the highlights of my year along with a framework for looking at 2025 in a judgement-free way so you can extract the wisdom you gained this year without being mean to yourself if you fell behind the goals you set last January. *** You deserve to love your author career. I can help with that. Learn more about private coaching opportunities here: http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

The first time you draft a book under contract can be an exceptionally challenging experience. There are craft-level challenges (“how do I make the stakes even bigger for this sequel?”), timeline challenges (“I need to write a book in how many months?”), and emotional challenges (“what if I’m actually a fraud and my last book was my only good idea?”). You are not alone in these struggles, and today, I’m breaking down my advice for the major worries most authors face after having written three Book 2s so far in my career. *** You deserve to love your author career. I can help with that. Learn more about private coaching opportunities here: http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

With the holidays upon us, you may find your calendar full with extra family stuff. Shopping. Cooking. Cleaning. Travel to visit family or hosting at your place. On top of all of that… you still have writing goals you want to accomplish. And some much-needed rest you want to fit in, too. In this episode, I walk you through a simple addition to your goal setting process that will make setting goals you can actually achieve this holiday season so much easier. *** You deserve to love your author career. I can help with that. Learn more about private coaching opportunities here: http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

If you have a book coming out in 2026 and you find yourself spending a lot of time worried your book will “fail,” this episode is for you. I’m breaking down all my thoughts about success and failure in publishing and why feeling disappointment is not a sign that you’ve failed. *** You deserve to love your author career. I can help with that. Learn more about private coaching opportunities here: http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

In order to write a novel, you need to be able to both make millions of decisions and effectively problem solve when those initial decisions turn out to be not quite right. Whether you’ve got a complicated plot problem, a character issue, or your career has taken an unexpected detour, strong problem solving skills will get you to a solution faster–and with less panic.  Listen in for a simple 4-step process to make problem solving more effective. *** You deserve to love your author career. I can help with that. Learn more about private coaching opportunities here: http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

When you care about the books you write, it’s easy to slip into a negative headspace when those stories aren’t received the way you hoped. You worry that you’re an unoriginal hack who has tricked everyone into thinking you write decent books. You fear that the books you’ve released were just a fluke and you’ll never publish anything else ever again. While these fears are normal, I promise they are not true. So if you’re in need of a pep talk, this episode is for you. *** The January 2026 cohort of The Confident Author Academy is enrolling now! Submit your application here: http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy-cohort Applications close on November 22nd. Prefer one-one one support? Limited private coaching spots are available now: http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

If you’ve ever felt frustrated about your writing speed, this episode is for you.  Writing faster isn’t about fancy hacks or overhauling your entire process. Instead, it’s about pinpointing the parts of your process that slow you down, frustrate you, and leave you avoiding your book. Once you find those creative roadblocks, you can come up with targeted solutions that work with your unique creative brain and get you unstuck as quickly as possible.  *** The January 2026 cohort of The Confident Author Academy is enrolling now! Submit your application here: http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy-cohort Applications are open November 11th - 22nd.  Prefer one-one one support? Limited private coaching spots are available now: http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy  Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here.  DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode! 

This past year, my personal life has been rough. Lots of grief. Lots of once-in-a-lifetime stressful events. Yet despite all the hardships, I’ve still made a ton of progress in my author career. I revised my 2026 novel. Wrote and revised a YA proposal. And am about 30k into the first draft of my 2027 book. And through it all, I’ve had fun in my writing life. I’ve thought a lot about how I’ve been able to do this and settled on the top five lessons I learned this year from going through some Really Hard Shit. Today, I’m sharing all five lessons with advice on how you can apply them to your author career. *** The waitlist is now open for the January 2026 cohort of The Confident Author Academy. Join here: http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy-cohort Applications are open November 11th - 22nd. Prefer one-one one support? Limited private coaching spots are available now: http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!