Reading time: ~2 min

Happy Tuesday, and welcome to the Weekly Book Business Brief — your weekly shot of strategy, tools, and real talk for authors building a book-based business.

Now, let's get into it.

📚 BOOK SPOTLIGHT

I've been writing books for more than two decades and I've seen an invisible force standing between aspiring authors and their books. It's the belief that "writer’s block" is a real thing. But I don't believe it is.

After writing almost 70 books, there's a hill I'd die on: there is no such thing as writer's block. At least, not in the way we think it does.

What we call "writer’s block" is, almost always, one of three things: a belief block (you don’t think you can), a behavior block (you haven’t built your writing muscles or the habits those muscles need), or a time block (you haven’t made space).

I've got great news: All three are fixable. And, you guessed it, all three are covered in my book of the same title.

Consider this: What would you do if your UPS driver announced they have “driver's block” so you won't get your package today (or this week)?

You're not different and while your readers are, indeed, awaiting your package (book), Reader, and it's time for you to deliver ... your words.

In There Is No Such Thing as Writer’s Block, I went open kimono and talked about a time I thought I was "out of words" (or, being honest, had writer's block). I did not, however, and once my grief lifted, I realized a few things you'll find helpful (especially if you think you're suffering from writer's block yourself).

I included my full framework for writing through (or working through) any of life's challenges—illness (yours or someone else's), exhaustion, grief, a packed schedule, imposter syndrome, and every other thing that might be keeping you stuck. You know, above all else, I'm practical, always want the fastest most effective path, and to share what I know so you can write as easily as you breathe (and for less than a cup of coffee).

If you’ve ever said “I just can’t seem to write right now,” this is the book you need.

👉 Grab your copy here.​

🔍 YOU DON'T NEED AI TO WRITE. YOU NEED HI (HUMAN INTELLIGENCE)

THE HACK: READING YOUR COMPETITION (IT’S NOT CHEATING)

One of the most underrated things a writer can do before (and honestly, during) writing their book is to read every best earning book that's like their book (ICYMI, I talk about best earning books in here).

I don't use AI to do my writing so I can do more admin, I'm using it to do my admin so I can do more writing. And reading!

Not that I need to make the case for more reading, but in case you're wondering why, it isn't to copy others' ideas. You want to be well-read on your subject so you can understand others' perspectives, positions, and insights. Also to figure out where you agree, disagree, and identify what they've left out.

You can also quote your fellow authors, which is a fun way to develop relationships with colleagues and fellow authors.

Taking the time to read comparable titles helps you train your HI, craft your ideas, and own your own space. You'll also be able to analyze titles and subtitles to see what's resonating, as well as what readers love (and be sure to check out the reviews to see what they don't like).

There is a gold mine of ideas that will come from reading others' titles, and this strategy is often overlooked. Books like your book that you read basically become the equivalent of you creating your own mini focus group. (Plus, you "have" to do more reading. Oh darn!)

Readers who write reviews are sharing exactly what worked, what they loved, as well as what's missing, what frustrated them, what they wished the author had included. That can help you write the book they hoped they'd found, but hadn't quite yet.

This week’s action item: Identify the top 5–10 books like your book on Amazon, head to your local B&N or even an indie bookstore like Spineless Reads in Williamsburg, Virginia. Read them all like a tall glass of ice water on a hot Vegas day. Check out the reviews, make note of what you see that works (and what doesn't). Then ask yourself: What can I put in my book to help readers that other books haven't yet tackled?

Note your answers, make sure you've got a title, subtitle, and description are crystal clear. Write until you know it's solid, then get that kid out into the world.

🛠️ TOOL I USE: LET'S TALK ABOUT KIT ONE MORE TIME

Kit's been my email provider of choice for about three years. It has come to my attention that a popular service is raising prices right now, and other services don't have the functionality smart content creators, authors, and empire builders enjoy here at Kit.

To that end, Kit is, without question, an incredibly effective platform for authors building any type of business--especially when there's a book at the center. It's got the automations that make the world go 'round, subscriber-based pricing (you pay for the subscriber numbers you have), and you can send unlimited numbers of emails. There's also a cool commerce feature if you want to sell directly through your list (I haven't tried it yet, but it's on my list).

Right now, Kit is making it especially easy to try, use, and love. Through April 30, new customers get 25% off annual plan--and Kit’s team will handle your migration for you. Subscribers, tags, segments, automations, forms--they move everything over so you’re not starting from scratch. (This is huge--my assistant did this for me when I moved from a different service. It took hours and hours over a couple of months. It was painful and pricey.)

If you’ve been meaning to get an email service provider, switch from the one you have for one reason or another, and just haven’t gotten around to it, give Kit a try! I think you'll love it!

👉 Switch to Kit and save 25% before April 30.​

Cheers to rockin' through your blocks, dominating your market with lots of reading and writing, and choosing an email platform that is easy and fun to use! I'll see you next week.

To your success!

Honorée Corder. Author. Executive Book Producer. ​​​​​​

​

P.S. Already past the writer’s block stage and deep into marketing? Forward this email to an author friend who’s still staring at a blank page. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do for your author community is put the right book or resource in front of the right person at the right time.