Reader,
What do you want from having your book in the world?
And I don't mean just book sales (because we all already want that to some extent), I mean ... what else do you want?
With my own upcoming book, Safekeeping (which is a very different book than any other I've written) I decided to say no to just ... coasting through my launch period. I really want to have fun with this new book, in fact I think that just may be part of my book's action ... to help bring back the fun of creation.
When I work with writers, I introduce the concept of “project pillars” early on, often while they’re still drafting or revising. These pillars are the foundation for everything: your why, your book’s action (what you want it to do in the world), and your non-negotiables.
We dive deep into these questions because they lead to more aligned decisions about your book—and, ultimately, your creative career.
This may sound straightforward, but it’s anything but simple. Once you’ve uncovered your pillars, the real work begins: making decisions that ripple through every stage of your book’s life—production, promotion, and beyond.
These decisions aren’t random; they’re rooted in what you know about yourself: your goals, fears, boundaries, strengths, your living situation, your energy, money, and values. It’s bold, deep work. And as you change, this work has to happen again and again. And after over a decade of sorting out how to guide writers through this process, I can tell you—it’s worth it, and it can also contribute to whether or not you write that next book, and the next one, and the next one ...
So, how does this foundation connect to your book’s life once it’s out in the world?
When every decision you’ve made stems from your why and your book’s action, you’ll feel grounded, clear, confident. You’ll know who you’re trying to reach and why. If your book isn’t selling as many copies as you’d hoped, you’ll know what to do next—whether that means ramping up promotion or uncovering new communities to connect with. You'll leave the scarcity mindset behind and you'll get creative! And even if that still does not get you to that finish line, what you won’t do is question your book’s purpose or wish you’d written it differently.
That’s the power of building a solid foundation. Your book becomes a reflection of your values and vision, and no matter what, you’ll stand behind it.
This requires deep honesty with yourself. Yet so many of us avoid this essential work. Why? Because we don’t know where to start, we don’t know how to connect all the pieces, or we only reflect on what didn’t work when it’s already too late.
So I ask you again: What is it that you want from having a book in the world?
And more importantly, what steps can you take to give yourself the best chance of getting there?
And if book sales are a big goal for you (and for some writers, this isn't their biggest goal), you can't just accept event invites, post a few Instagram posts, and think you're done.
And it's okay if each book has a different goal, it just means a you'll need a different approach.
In January, as we step into the new year, I’ll be diving headfirst into some strong opinions—and trust me, I’ve got plenty to share! I’ll be highlighting key examples of why this work is so crucial in publishing today, and what I predict might happen if we don't start valuing this work like, yesterday. I'll also be sharing some very hard decisions I've had to make in my business and what I learned from them. These will be incredibly personal and difficult shares, so I hope you'll stay with me.
With love,
Chelene
As always, if you know of a friend who could benefit from reading this weekly share, please forward share. I want these personal shares within the Say No With Love Newsletter to reach the right people : )
