Debunking Publishing Myths & How To Beat Procrastination ft. Rachael Herron (Classic Replay EP#563)

This episode was originally recorded in 2021. We’re replaying it because the advice hasn’t aged a day.

Most writers don’t have a talent problem. They have a fear problem.

In this Classic Replay, internationally bestselling author Rachael Herron joins Trudi, Shar, Cheryl and Wendy to talk about why fear is the real engine behind procrastination, what to actually do about it, and three publishing myths that need to die.

Rachael has written more than two dozen books across thriller, mainstream fiction, feminist romance, memoir and nonfiction for writers. She publishes both traditionally and independently, which makes her one of the most useful people to ask about how those two paths really compare — money included.

What we cover:

How seven years of not writing ended with a 50,000-word NaNoWriMo draft — and a three-book deal at auction

What a six-figure, three-book New York deal actually paid her per year after taxes and agent commission

Why she’s never earned out a US advance, and what “earning out” really means

How keeping ANZ rights separate accidentally launched her self-publishing career

Why she now makes more from self-publishing than from traditional

Three publishing myths worth killing: that you need a degree, that a big advance means you can quit your job, and that publishers market better than you do

Ira Glass’s “gap” theory, and why your good taste is the thing making you miserable