The Best Books For Writers, Black Friday Deals, And One Very Sleepy Fox
Plus: Save up to 50% on my planning-day workshop and bring a friend for FREE!
Happy Friday, friends. And for my American readers: Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m not sure about you, but for me, Black Friday sales are all about books, books, and more books. And when it comes to work, I’m a strong believer that in order to write well, you have to read well.
That means opening myself up to reading a wide variety of books, articles, and publications. It also means embracing books that showcase the craft and business of writing. Writing is an art, a personal journey, and a hell of a slog and what resonates with me might not resonate with you but I think these books will strike a chord with all writers, bloggers, creators, and many small business owners.
If you’re keen to stock up on some writer-worthy titles to read this winter and holiday season, here are my very favourite ones to recommend. These links lead to Bookshop.org, which operates a bit like a books-only Amazon except it’s all for independent bookstores. So it’s both convenient AND supportive! If you go to their homepage, you’ll find a lot of different Black Friday discount codes today which will help you save.
(Note that these are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission from the bookstore if you make a purchase.)
Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab. The first step to being a better writer or creative entrepreneur is respecting your time, your space, your intellect, your imagination, and your peace of mind. This book is a practical and insightful guide to doing all of the above.
Range: Why Generalists Triumph In A Specialized World by David Epstein. Guess what? You do NOT have to have a super specialized (and lucrative!) niche to make it as a writer. I’m a generalist and tons of other writers are too. But it took this book for me to see just how powerful that is.
The Byline Bible: Get Published in Five Weeks by Susan Shapiro. Your story matters, it does not have to be sensationalist to resonate with readers, and personal essays are a great way to build up your bylines.
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport. You’re a writer. So why aren’t you writing all the time? A compelling look at ditching as much ‘shallow’ work as possible to focus on your deep work, your zone of genius.
Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz. As a writer, you deserve to be paid for your work. And as a small business owner, you deserve to be compensated for the risk you undertake as an investor in your own enterprise. I’m now a profit-first focused business owner, and I think everyone else should be too.
The War Of Art by Steven Pressfield: This easy-to-read book is the kick in the butt we all need to take things from amateur hour to real professionalism. Key takeaway: Only posers say things like: “I wait for inspiration to strike before I write.” Actual writers know better.
A Writer’s Space by Eric Maisel: Another easy-to-read little book, the author breaks down the physical and mental space you need to succeed. I suspect many of you will adore another title from the same writer. A Writer’s Paris is sure to inspire whether you’re in the French capital or not.
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott: A classic in the genre, this is an emotional look at tackling projects, art, life, and ourselves one step (or bird!) at a time.
Still Writing by Dani Shapiro: For everyone who knows the perils and pleasures of a creative life and whose drunken uncle asks, “So are ya still doing that writing thing” at Thanksgiving dinner. Also: We all need gorgeous chairs, settees, and divans in our writing space.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. A look at the power, fear, and joy of creativity from the author of Eat, Pray, Love (as well as many other books that aren’t landmark blockbusters, which is kinda the point of the book).
Things I’m Loving Right Now
This delightful post on Twitter
This wonderful article I read at least once a year on the beautiful thrifty comfort of “bodega beans”.
This fancy-pants version of said beans, which are nothing short of miraculous when topped with slow-roasted tomatoes.
And THIS photo. Sigh.
🚀 Elevate Your Writing Career 📈 Join The 2024 Planning Workshop and SAVE
Calling all writers and wordsmiths! Join me on December 8th for a day-long workshop that will change the way you approach your writing business. Let's conquer 2024 together as we write more and worry less. 📚
(Because I think we can ALL agree that we want a little less of this crummy rates nonsense in the coming year, right? Right.)
I’ve got THREE amazing ways to save on this incredible event.
Between now and Saturday, you can save 25% on registration with Promo Code BlackFriday25. Click here to sign up.
And if you’re a paid subscriber to this newsletter: You get 50% off registration. Your super-special Promo Code is hidden below.
You can also bring a friend FOR FREE! Yep, that’s in addition to the 25% or 50% off. You and a colleague can opt to split the Two-For-One cost among yourselves for an even more frugal deal. If you’re bringing a friend, please send me a note after you register so I can add them to the list. You can reach me at VanessaChiasson@gmail.com
(A little math to show you just how great a deal this is… Registration is normally $329 Canadian. But for paid-subscribers with a 50% off code, that’s just $164.50. Oh, and if you split that with a friend, it’s a measly $82.25, which in today’s economy is basically the cost of two lattes with some biscotti on the side.)
It's time to take control of your writing journey. Join me for a day of business planning, goal-setting, and strategy formulation. I can’t wait to work with you. Grab your ticket here.
Come To The First Pitching Power Hour for FREEEEE.
In case you missed it, paid subscribers will now enjoy a special perk. Each month, I’ll host a pitching power hour. We’ll meet on Zoom and work together (mostly in silence, like we’re in a library) on the tough pitches that we both love and fear. Think of it as a homework accountability group for writers. I’m going to make the first session in December open to everyone who wants to give it a try and, starting in January, the Zoom link will go to pro-subscribers only.
Here’s the Zoom link for the first session on December 5th, 9:00 AM EST.
Until next week, keep writing.
Vanessa
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