#167: My book mental health at work
I’ve written my book and it’s off to the printers.
I’ve been avoiding writing about the book and I’ve been avoiding talking about it.
I’ve been avoiding marketing it.
Truth is I’m nervous about that, nervous about putting myself out there.
For the first time possibly ever, this feels like I’m selling myself, and I’m promoting something I’ve done.
I’ve had no problem marketing Sanctus over the years, no problem sharing my story and wearing the t-shirt, yet it always felt a bit different because I was marketing a business that was/is more than just me.
Whereas with the book, it’s very personal and very intimate. It is just me. It is my words, all my words, with some helpful editing and proofreading but it’s very personal. It’s got my name on it, in print.
I feel vulnerable, quite exposed and the whole thing about a book is that it’s set up to be judged. It’s purpose is to impart some wisdom, or create entertainment or be supportive.
I’m nervous about being judged and criticised but I’m possibly more nervous of silence. Of just a bit of a meek response. Of nothing. That terrifies me.
It definitely feels safer to just let the book be published and sneak out the back door.
To just let it come out and then not push it too hard, not try too hard.
Then I’ll have an excuse if it doesn’t sell well, or nobody reads it. I could say “well I didn’t try that hard, I had other stuff on”
I could pretend I don’t care, I could hide behind an excuse.
Yet to put as much into the marketing and communication around the book as I did into the writing, and then to be unsuccessful in some way or to get a bit of a nothing response. That frightens me.
There’s a small part of me that kind of doesn’t want to share it either, which sounds abnormal. Yet I kind of want it all to myself, to hold onto it, to cherish it. Like Gollum with the Ring, my precious.
I am very proud of what I’ve written and I want to hold onto it, I loved the process of writing so much, the solitude, the creativity, the angst, the joy, the discipline - I loved it all and I don’t want to let go of that. It’s like I’m not done with it yet.
Even though it is time to say more, to sell it, to share it, because it’s out in October, so it is time.
I find myself worried about how I’ll share my book in a distracted world where everyone wants 5 takeaways in 5 seconds. Everyone wants practical tips that give them the answers, NOW.
I don’t want to pander to the low-attention economy and I don’t want to start sharing low quality messages to attract clicks, likes, sign ups and purchases.
I can’t market a book about mental health in ways that aren’t in line with my values, I can’t tell people they absolutely must read this book to change their life and their work. I don’t want to prey on people and scare them into purchase.
One of the first things I wrote in my intro was that I didn’t want the book to be another thing people feel like they need to do. I don’t want it to be another book that makes people feel like they aren’t enough, or they aren’t doing enough. It’s written to be a supportive book that gives energy, not takes it away.
As I write this I feel more energy coming back towards talking about it, and I feel less nervous about sharing more of it.
One of my guiding principles in writing was every day to “Just Start” so every day I did just that I just started, I wrote something, every day.
It’s the same with the marketing.
Just Start.
Thanks for listening
James x
P.s I’ve put a link below for you to sign up to a newsletter that is dedicated to the book. It’s going to be the best place for early access, pre-orders, signed copies, events and more.
My book
You can get early access and updates on my book; 'Mental Health at Work' published by Penguin by signing up here.
What I'm writing
Thanks:
If my writing, or my work has impacted you and you'd like to say thank you or send me a tip to keep me writing, you can send me some ETH, BTC or good old fashioned GBP. Thank you.
GBP (on paypal)
ETH - (0x28554Bc197416bA913C32faf2b278B9f5f651119)
BTC (34e3P9bcjfVWtvWSba1ijAHxAHpRnjbrzs)
Personal Website with writing and other bits -
Sanctus OnlIne Gym with daily journaling classes - https://sanctus.community/welcome
Sanctus website with more about Coaching in the workplace -
Who am I?
I'm the Founder of a Mental Health mission called Sanctus and I'm the Author of a Book; "Mental Health at Work" that's published by Penguin and out in October.
I write this newsletter about mental health, startups and my life, my journey and 8,000 people like it enough to still be here. I try to respond to everyone who emails me, it just takes me a while.