Dear Reader,

Today's podcast episode really surprised me. I spoke with a friend of a friend who published a book on a topic I find fascinating: How do we find the courage to be an effective change leader even when our nervous systems are... shall we say... wary?

Kris Jennings has enjoyed an accomplished career as a change maker at high levels, despite unidentified anxiety, and wrote a book about that. We planned to talk about the book. But as with all my episodes, the conversation wasn't scripted. And when this one went off track (in a good way) that's when it got good. My podcast production partner, Brooke, agrees. I suspect you will too.

Kris talked about the courage it took her to become a very specific kind of change leader: a published author.

Because writing the book was one thing. Sharing it with the wider world was a whole extra thing. And so with this episode, I am celebrating not only Kris Jennings's book, but also Kris for publishing despite her anxiety, and for talking openly about that.

What really strikes me is how Kris took each simple step and didn't leap ahead. And while this book is valuable in its own right, Kris is also saying with this first book that she has more books yet to come. I have no doubt those books will be valuable too.

This unexpected topic is PERSONAL to me. And it's personal to my clients.

I will never forget the time a would-be book-writing coach I vaguely knew reached out to tell me, very pointedly and in no uncertain terms, that I had published German Awakening WRONG. As evidence, look at my Amazon ratings. And my publisher (reputable in the Twin Cities) was the WRONG publisher. And on and on. She was so OUT OF HER BOUNDS and clearly did not understand the courage it took me to publish that book AT ALL after a very public end to my very public career as a community leader one county over. Thanks to her trespassing, though, I got really real about who I want to serve and how I serve them.

And as for that "book coach," I blocked the hell out of her.

Until recently, I haven't spoken openly about my first book launch, and how terrified I was, and how my mom bought the food but refused to be in the room when I read, and how it required a lot of loving souls to help me plan what to say and deliver me to that room. They drove me and brought buckets of water bottles for my guests to drink, and so on. If you look at the photos, knowing what I'm telling you now, you might see it. My genuine relief after an anxious week. And before now, I wouldn't have told you.

Listen. There is no one right way to right a book. There are options, and among those, there's your way.

So hats off to Kris for being honest about something that MANY people experience.

You can find Episode 112 here.

And here's the invitation...

Talking with Kris got me thinking... I already offer the kinds of support that gave me traction ONCE I WAS ALREADY WRITING AND ALLOWING MYSELF PERMISSION TO DO SO. But what if you want my guidance—the kind only I can offer as a former language teacher who made all the moving parts clear—when you aren't yet ready to invest in 1:1 guidance or write among others.

What could I offer you that would make it even safer to get started? Coming in January, I'll have a new offer.

It's called Language Lessons for Writers, and it comes in the form of a monthly paid newsletter. It will have writing prompts and explanations to go with each lesson and conversations with Brooke (yes, my podcasting production partner) and other writers... and you can do these lessons yourself, or convene your own small writing group and write among friends. I'll give you the language and just enough structure for you to do that, but also, if you're like me, go off script as it feels good.

Next week, Sunday through Friday, I am offering you a FREE sample of a video writing prompt sequence.

And all you have to do is sign up here to let me know you want to receive it.

Enjoy the episode, and travel safely.

Love, Amy

PS—Seriously, people write me asking for this kind of tools.