Truth.

What would your writing life look like if you had no fear?

It’s a question worth pondering.

Perhaps you would shamelessly promote your book.

Or you would share a dark secret in hopes of helping other readers.

Or you would finally turn in your manuscript to the copyeditor.

Or you would jump into your historical fiction novel after spending 27 years focusing solely on nonfiction. (My current writing fear.)

Let’s be honest: as writers, we all wrestle with an assortment of fears. It can involve vulnerability to irrelevance to imposter syndrome.

So many fears!

But what if you could channel those writing fears into an unstoppable force that propels you into new levels of writing significance?

As we barrel toward 2025 (less than six weeks away!), many of us have already begun goal-setting. That’s true for me.

But not as many people have tried fear-setting.

Our fears motivate us as much as our goals. 

READ. THAT. AGAIN!

Let’s go!

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Let's Face Your Fears

In his book, The 4-Hour Workweek, Tim Ferriss advocates fear-setting. It’s a decision-making tool designed to confront and overcome our fears by breaking them into achievable, winnable tasks. 

Fear-setting involves three steps: 

Step 1. Define your fears—identify what could go wrong and the worst-case scenarios.

Step 2. Minimize risks—plan ways to prevent or mitigate the worst-case scenario.

Step 3. Weigh inaction—evaluate the emotional, financial, or professional costs of not taking action. 

By clarifying fears, reframing risks, and highlighting the price of staying stagnant, fear-setting helps reduce anxiety and empowers confident, informed decision-making AND ACTION. 

It shifts our focus from fear of failure to practical solutions and the opportunities that come with stepping out of your comfort zone.

What does this look like?

1. Eric, the Reluctant Memoir Writer

Eric is a therapist. He dreamed of writing a memoir about overcoming his porn addiction but feared judgment from family and friends—with whom he hadn’t divulged his former struggle. 

Fear-setting clarified his anxiety: worst-case scenario? Criticism or strained relationships. 

He mitigated risks by sharing his previous struggle with family and friends, and how he overcame his addiction. 

Then he weighed his inaction. If he didn’t write and publish his book, people whom he could help might continue in their porn addiction. His book could change lives.

What once seemed an insurmountable fear transformed into a meaningful achievement, proving that courage and hard work could turn vulnerability into a powerful force for good.

2. Emma, the Aspiring Novelist

Emma, a young writer, spent years perfecting the first three chapters of her book—but she was paralyzed by fear of failure. 

Through fear-setting, she faced the worst-case scenario: negative reviews or poor sales. 

She minimized risks by employing the services of a reputable publisher like Illumify, hiring one of their experienced book coaches, and then using one of their professional copyeditors.

The cost of inaction was clear—if she never finished, she would always wonder "what if." 

With this perspective shift, she committed to finishing the novel, which opened doors to new writing opportunities.

Fear became the catalyst for growth and a fulfilled dream.

3. Jill, the Hesitant Parenting Author

Jill's friends urged her to write a book about her innovative parenting methods. But she feared readers would judge her because her children were still quite young. 

Using fear-setting, she identified her worst-case scenario: rejection or criticism. 

Then she minimized the risks by including personal stories backed by research and seeking endorsements from parenting experts. 

Weighing inaction, she realized her insights could help other parents struggling with similar issues. 

Jill decided to go the hybrid publishing route, and the book resonated deeply with her audience, proving that authenticity and innovative ideas were assets, not liabilities. 

The process proved to her that sharing her story mattered far more than the fear of imperfection, inspiring connection and support for others.

What’s your fear?

The best way to disempower fear is to bring it into the open.

That’s what our free no-obligation strategy sessions are all about.

If fear has prevented you from finishing your book, let’s talk. I’d be happy to help shift your perspective from what you could lose by writing your book to what you could gain. 

Partnering with Illumify to bring your book to life will resolve some of your fears because your Illumify-published book will give you a platform of authority and credibility. 

Part two is up to you. By scheduling a meeting with me, we'll tackle the other fears together. Click below to tackle those fears.

Here are two releases by authors who pushed beyond their fears to publish a truly transcendent book.

Read the amazing story about Manuel Gonzales III and his relationship with his father—who lost an arm and a leg in Vietnam. Manuel Gonzales Sr. became one of Colorado's best and most recognized pool players.

A truly inspiring story of resilience and courage.

Read Control the Rock: Lessons My Dad Taught Me About Pool, Courage, and Life,  by Manuel Gonzales III.

Congratulations, Manuel, on your captivating release!

Follow Matt Savino on a meandering road trip from Los Angeles to Panama. Along the way, he discovers a world of ancient wonders and awe-inspiring natural scenery, time and again has his preconceptions shattered, and finds himself trapped on the wrong side of Nicaragua during the 2018 uprising. 

Matt's adventures and foibles blend with a deep dive into the history, habitat, and exceedingly tasty food of this underestimated, misunderstood corner of the world.

A must-read if you've ever considered heading south of the border!

Congratulations, Matt!

Let’s bring your book to life!