Hi Reader,

All of my edits start with a pre-project survey. I ask about the client’s writing history, their goals, and the things that they are most concerned about in their draft.

A recent client started the edit telling me they wanted to create the next Sarah J Maas-level bestseller.

There’s just one problem. Their genre and themes are too niche. But that’s not a bad thing.

Is this writer likely to become a household name? Nope. (Sorry, I’m not in the business of selling false promises).

But only the top 0.00001% of writers will actually hit that level.

Does that mean that every other book is doomed?

Of course not!

There are so many levels of success out there (including versions of success that have nothing to do with sales).

There are authors making a full-time living on books you’ve never heard of. There is an ocean of possibilities between selling zero copies and becoming so recognizable that people track your flights.

I’m not trying to rain on your parade or suggest that you stop dreaming big. In fact, I’m arguing that you design your book to be perfect for one, super-specific group of readers.

When people try to aim for mass appeal at the beginning of their revision process, they often water down the ideas that make their book special.

Instead, I want you to lean into your weird, your special, your unique vibe as a writer.

The thing that you worry might make you unpublishable may just be the thing that makes readers fall in love with your book.

Revision isn’t about making your book good in an objective sense. It’s about making your book the best it can be in a completely subjective sense.

If you didn’t make it to day one of the Revision Kickstart Challenge, day two is all about figuring out exactly what you’re trying to create so that you can craft the best version of your book possible, not some generic book that nobody is interested in reading.

You can register for the rest of the challenge here.

And don’t worry about missing day one because you’ll get instant access to today’s replay when you register.

Starting tomorrow, you can also catch the replay on my podcast for a limited time, but you will need to register to get the workbook referenced throughout the session.

Better Living

Looking for an emotional boost this week?

The latest episode of the Better Writer Podcast is my pep talk for anyone who has looked at their first draft and felt nothing but shame and disappointment.

You can listen or watch here.

Better Reading

I finally finished Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife* by Deston J. Munden, which was great, and then binged The Traitor Queen* by Danielle L. Jensen on my flight from Albuquerque to Boston (did I mention I visited my grandma after last week’s wedding - it was a packed week).

Once I got home, I jumped straight into The Inevitable Undoing of Zahara Douglass by Leslye Penelope. I’m only a couple of pages in and I’m already hooked.

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Thank you for reading, have a wonderful week, and don't forget to register for my free Revision Kickstart Challenge!

With love,

Olivia

Your story matters. Let's make it great.

Curious to know how I can help? Check out my services here. I can't wait to work with you, so you can write the book your future readers are waiting for!

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*Just FYI - I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org. If you happen to make a purchase through one of these links, I'll get a small comission and you'll be supporting this small business. Thank you!