The 5 Beliefs in the Hungry Authors Mindset

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This week, an author reached out to me asking if I’d be willing to meet with her about her book. She said she’s already in talks with another publisher but she didn’t want to miss on a possible opportunity to work with us because she admires the company so much. 

I put her off at first, asking her to send me her proposal so I could let her know if it’s a good fit. From my perspective: I can often tell with just a quick glance if something’s an obvious no or worth considering further, so seeing a proposal is much faster for both of us than a conversation!

She sent me what she had but asked again in the same email if we could meet because she really wanted to explore working with us. She listed the reasons she thought she’d be a great fit for our list, and reinforced her desire for a long-term relationship and her commitment to being a good partner.

And even though I saw some pink flags in her proposal, I said yes to a meeting. Her energy and enthusiasm made me want to at least hear her out. She cast a clear vision, and even if it’s not necessarily the best fit for my list, I wanted to see how I could help her.

That, my friends, is a Hungry Author.

In Chapter 1 of our book, Hungry Authors, we talk about the mindset we’ve seen that so often leads authors to success. There are five core beliefs we’ve identified that all Hungry Authors seem to have in common, so I wanted to share them with you today so you can integrate these beliefs into your pursuit of authorship.

Belief #1: “I’m going there, and you can come with me.”

This is the most foundational, most compelling aspect of the Hungry Authors mindset. It’s the impression Hungry Authors give that they’re going to do it anyway. They’re GOING to write and publish a great book, regardless of what anyone else says. And as a publisher, I can come along or I can choose not to—but it’s going to happen anyway. The only question for publishers is, do I want to be on that train and see where it takes me? 

That kind of confidence and charisma is so attractive. It shows that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to meet your goal, and that makes me believe that you will indeed reach it! 

But here’s the thing. You can’t just say you believe this. You have to actually, truly, be so committed to your vision that you will indeed self-publish or take matters into your own hands if you do receive “no”s from editors and agents. Because ultimately, this belief is about knowing that your work needs to be out in the world, and being committed to seeing that through. 

It’s just a bonus that doing so makes you more attractive to publishers.

Belief #2: “Traditional publishing is not the only way.”

See previous! If you will not accept anything other than traditional publishing as the method for getting your book into the world, you are not a Hungry Author. Because that shows that you’re in it for the perceived status (your status/worthiness/credibility doesn’t change just because you have a traditionally published book, but that’s another topic for another day) rather than the worth and value of how you are trying to serve readers.

If you really want to serve readers, you will do so regardless of the status/acclaim you think you will receive if you traditionally publish.

Belief #3: “I have a plan for success.”

Hungry Authors don’t sit around waiting for a genie to grant their wishes. They make it happen. They strategize. They do their research. They ask questions and get feedback. Other people aren’t pulling them along; they’re utilizing their agency to know their options and make decisions. 

Here’s what I’ve noticed about Hungry Authors: Even if they make mistakes in the process or don’t understand how something in the publishing industry works, their relentlessness in pushing forward means it’s really not a big deal. Either someone will help them, or they will figure it out and fix it themselves. Either way: success!

Belief #4: “I’m open to feedback and willing to change my plans.”

Again, the publishing industry is full of nuance and people making very subjective decisions. The industry itself is constantly battered about by sales, data, trends, TikTok. Everyone is figuring it out as they go! There’s no one “right” way to do things, and that can introduce a lot of hesitance and fear in the process for authors who are looking for straightforward answers. 

But you’re not going to get anywhere in publishing if you wait for someone to give you absolutes. This is a dance. You’re going to trip. You’re going to step on someone’s toes without meaning to. Other people will step on your toes. 

You have to be nimble. You have to stay present and aware and KEEP MOVING to figure it out. You will learn new information all the time, and you just have to integrate that new experience and new information into your mental scaffold and adjust.

Belief #5: “This is just my first/second/third book. I will write more books.”

This belief is KEY. Hungry Authors view each book as practice for the next book. They fall in love with the process and the journey itself, not with the destination. They don’t make their first book bear all of the weight of their hopes and dreams. They dream not about having a published book but about having the life of an author—a life of constant writing, working, getting up in the morning and devoting yourself to your craft, regardless of the outcomes. 

The first four beliefs are about how you operate within the publishing world around you; this last belief is about how you regulate your own emotions and expectations throughout the experience. This is about your commitment to yourself and your readers. 

And this belief, in turn, propels you back to belief #1: You’re going there no matter what.

All of these beliefs work together; they bleed into each other. One belief fuels the next belief, giving rise to this ultimate mindset of agency.

Like I said earlier this week, when you are an author, you’re the captain of the ship. You’re the master of your fate. 

That, my friends, is a Hungry Author.

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If you want to learn more about the Hungry Author’s mindset, you can find more information in our book, Hungry Authors: The Indispensable Guide to Planning, Writing, and Publishing a Nonfiction Book - available wherever books are sold!

And if you missed yesterday’s amazing webinar with Robin Finn, it’s not too late! You can still catch the recording and sign up for our next three sessions by signing up right here.

Next week, we’ll be chatting with legendary literary agent, Lucinda Halpern!