Imagine this: You get an email from a well-known influencer, inviting you to speak on their platform. It’s an opportunity most writers dream of—exposure, credibility, and a chance to promote your book. But instead of feeling excitement, you’re paralyzed by self-doubt.

“What if I’m not ready?” you think.

“What if I say something wrong?”

“What if no one cares about what I have to say?”

These thoughts, and many more, often keep people from writing their book to begin with but they can be just as debilitating when it comes to promoting your book. Many authors struggle with these fears, and in some cases, they let them stop them from taking life-changing opportunities. But what if the simple act of saying “yes” could transform your writing career?

That’s exactly what happened to me some years ago when I was invited to give a talk on stage at a rugby stadium in New Zealand. I was terrified at the prospect! And I did it anyway, which completely transformed how I saw myself and my career as an author, author coach, speaker, and editor. It was a powerful lesson in the value of stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing every chance that comes your way.

Why Writers Hold Themselves Back

It’s natural to feel hesitant about stepping into new experiences, but for authors, this hesitation can mean missed chances to grow, network, and promote your work. Here are what I consider to be the three biggest fears that hold writers back:

Fear of Rejection

The publishing world is full of rejection stories. Even many famous authors were rejected multiple times before achieving success. But the truth is, rejection is part of the process, not the end of it. Pro writers recognize that not everybody is going to love their book – but your book WILL resonate with the people you are here to serve with it. Instead of fearing rejection, ask yourself: What can I learn from this? Often, a “no” is just a stepping stone to a better opportunity.

Fear of Exposure

For many authors, writing is a deeply personal act. Sharing your words with the world—whether in a book, a blog post, or a public speaking event—can feel terrifying. The thought of criticism or negative feedback might make you want to stay hidden.
But visibility is crucial. If people don’t know who you are, they can’t read your book. Every successful author has had to overcome the fear of being seen.

Fear of Failure

What if you say yes to an opportunity and it doesn’t go well? This fear keeps many writers from taking risks, but failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s a part of success. Every failed attempt is a learning experience that brings you closer to where you want to be. When I took my NeuroLinguistic Programming (NLP) training many years ago I was deeply affected by the NLP tenet that “there is no failure, only feedback.” That has helped me in countless situations ever since.

Barb Stuhlemmer, a dear friend and colleague, is an exit strategist and author who says that when she first became a published author, she had no idea how her book would fit into her business. But she said yes to opportunities: speaking engagements, networking events, and collaborations. One opportunity led to another, and before she knew it, she was gaining far more visibility than she had ever thought possible.
Would that have happened if she had let self-doubt stop her from saying yes? No.

How to Start Saying Yes to Your Writing Career

Say yes to collaborations – Attend workshops and engage with fellow authors and speakers. Connections lead to opportunities.
Say yes to visibility – Share excerpts of your book on social media, LinkedIn, or Medium.
Say yes to learning – Take courses, attend conferences, and invest in mentorship.
Say yes to self-promotion – If you don’t talk about your book, who will?

Challenge: The next time an opportunity arises, even if it feels scary, say yes first and figure it out later.

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