The Career Novelist™ Podcast With Camille Pagán

Feel like you should’ve started earlier or should be farther along in your fiction career? In today’s episode, Camille shares: Why success won’t cure the misbelief that you’re out of time.The real thought that’s often lurking behind “I missed the boat”—and how it holds you back.Simple strategies to change your mind about what’s still possible for you. For more inspiration and information you can use to uplevel your fiction career, sign up for the Career Novelist newsletter: https://thecareernovelist.substack.com/

Fiction requires flow—which is why it’s so important to shield yourself from unsolicited criticism and other creativity-crushers. In this episode, Camille discusses: How and when to share your work The move that’s even more detrimental than inviting too many cooks into your creative kitchenWhere sustained creativity actually comes from (hint: it’s not your muse)Ready to sell your next novel? Pitch Pro begins October 25th. Join before October 21st and you’ll receive two rounds of personalized edits on your query. Learn more and register at www.evenbetter.co/pitch

Yes, you can find more time for fiction this fall. In this episode, Camille shares three ways to prioritize your publishing career (even if your life's incredibly busy). Want to expand your network of novelists and get coached by Camille? Join the Q4 Career Novelists Membership. www.evenbetter.co/membership  

Don’t want to be a starving artist? You’re in luck. In today’s episode, Camille shares how novelists actually become profitable—and how you can, too. She shares: Surprising sources of fiction income Why a low advance isn’t inherently badThe truth about negative emotions (hint: they won’t block  money. In fact, they might be the secret to making more of it)Registration for the Career Novelists Membership is now open! To learn more and join a small community of novelists dedicated to creating even better fiction careers, visit evenbetter.co/membership

Worried you’re writing the “wrong” kind of novel—or that you’ll have to market in a way you don’t want to in order to succeed? In this episode, Camille shares: Why we think being different is detrimental … and why the opposite is actually trueWhat agents and editors really mean when they say “I don’t have a vision for this”A simple formula for making your work marketable—without selling out  To sign up for Plan to Publish, a free webinar on September 22nd, visit:www.evenbetter.co/webinarWant to uplevel your novel’s pitch and positioning? Pitch Pro kicks off October 18th. To learn more and sign up to be notified when doors open, visit: www.evenbetter.co/pitch

If your last book didn’t sell well—or at all!—and you’re worried your publishing career is over, this episode’s for you. In it, Camille shares: The myth of being “unpublishable”The unexpected lesson Camille learned as a runner that made all the difference in her fiction careerThe most important thing you can do to create another chanceIn the next episode, Camille will share details on an upcoming webinar you won’t want to miss. If you’re not already, make sure you’re subscribed to the Career Novelist newsletter to be the first to get details: www.evenbetter.co/how-to

Putting distance between yourself and success is ridiculous—right? Think again. In this episode, Camille shares:The real reason you may push your goals away (hint: it’s not because you don’t really want them)The scathing review that Camille interpreted as a sign her fiction career was overFive sneaky but common signs of self-sabotage—and how to move past each oneWant to work one-on-one with Camille? Learn more and fill out an application for coaching at evenbetter.co/coaching.

Struggling to find time and mental space to write and market your work? You’re hardly alone. In this episode, Camille shares: Why relying on willpower is the worst possible idea when you’re overwhelmed (and what works far better)The unexpected benefit of calendaring your writing timeThe 80% rule that can help you deal with life’s little (and not-so-little) plot twistsWant to uplevel your pitch and sell your novel? Sign up for Pitch Pro, a six-week course that will teach you to sell your story—and your potential as an author. Register before August 1st and you’ll receive two personalized rounds of query edits. Learn more and join at www.evenbetter.co/pitch

Not getting the support you seek from your nearest and dearest—or your agent or professional network? This episode’s for you. Camille shares: Why talking yourself out of feeling bad backfiresHow to show up like a pro while making your needs clearThe surprising (research-backed!) upside of expecting support from othersIf you’re a debut author, or are preparing to sell your first novel, check out this free resource on getting better support: www.evenbetter.co/debutFor more info on writing a breakout book, check out Bestseller Bootcamp, a self-paced course: www.evenbetter.co/bestseller

You still have time to make 2025 your best writing and publishing year yet. In this episode, Camille shares: Her hits and misses from the first half of 2025The critical thing to keep in mind before committing to a new course of actionSix simple but essential questions to set yourself up for success in the second half of the yearSign up for the Career Novelist Newsletter: www.evenbetter.co/how-toConnect with Camille on Instagram: www.instagram.com/camillepagan

Research shows that focusing on the long-term ups your odds of success now and later. In this episode, Camille shares: Why writers often resist thinking too far into the future (and why that’s a mistake).The simple question that clarifies what you really want for your fiction career.How to write a bio that helps you turn your vision into your reality. Want to get coached by Camille? Join Bestseller Bootcamp before June 18th and you’ll have access to two live coaching calls where you can get personalized input on your fiction career. For more information and to join, visit www.evenbetter.co/bestseller.

Reaching your writing goals doesn’t require rushing. In fact, slowing down is often the best way to achieve success. In today’s episode, Camille shares: The surprising reasons writers rush (even with work that’s really important to us).Signs you might be hurrying … without realizing it.How to use smarter deadlines to slow your roll without losing momentum.Sign up for Bestseller Bootcamp now through the end of June to attend up to four live group coaching sessions with Camille. The first live session is this Friday, June 6th; additional sessions take place throughout the month. For details and to sign up, visit www.evenbetter.co/bestseller.

Yes, publishing is a long game—but staying in it and succeeding requires short-term wins. In today’s episode, Camille shares: A common misconception about quick wins that keeps writers from taking full advantage of them. What research reveals about the importance of sweating—and tracking—the “small stuff.” Key questions that will help you choose your short-term goals wisely.Want to learn more about how to create a sustainable author brand and career? Check out Bestseller Bootcamp. Visit https://www.evenbetter.co/bestseller to learn more.

Does spending time (and maybe even money) on your fiction fill you with guilt? In today’s episode, Camille shares: The surprising upside of guilt—and how to tell when it’s not serving you. Simple questions that can keep guilt from lingering too long (so you can go back to writing).Why you don’t need to have “something to show” for your writing in order to feel good about it. Are you a debut author? Check out Camille’s free training to help you make the most of publishing your first novel: www.evenbetter.co/debut

When it comes to your fiction career, the willingness to pivot as needed is a competitive advantage. In today’s episode, Camille shares: Why we’re attracted to “proven” formulas (and why they usually fail). The importance of a long-term vision—and short-term flexibility. The reason 1-star reviews are a sign you’re doing something right in your writing. How to tell if it’s time to consider a new approach or publishing model. Want to learn more about how to create a sustainable author brand and career? Check out Bestseller Bootcamp. Visit https://www.evenbetter.co/bestseller to learn more.

You can’t spell breakthrough without “break”—yet so many writers push through when they should be doing the opposite. In this episode, Camille shares: Why taking longer on your novel may actually up the odds it’s perceived as valuable.A different (and arguably healthier) way to think about momentum. The questions that will help you determine whether you’re procrastinating or taking a productive pause.Note: The Career Novelist Podcast is off for the next month; tune in April 8th for episode 112, which kicks off Season 5. For more resources on creating an even better fiction career, visit EvenBetter.co.

Feel like you should’ve started earlier or should be farther along in your fiction career? In today’s episode, Camille shares: Why success won’t cure the misbelief that you’re out of time. The real thought that’s often lurking behind “I missed the boat”—and how it holds you back. Simple strategies to change your mind about what’s still possible for you. Want free author coaching? Sign up for the Career Novelist Newsletter at www.evenbetter.co/how-to to sign up for Camille’s open coaching call on February 28th. Learn more about the Career Novelist Mastermind, which begins March 7: www.evenbetter.co/mastermind

If you’re worried about whether your next novel will flop, this episode is for you. In it, Camille shares:The real reason writers tend to fixate on the dreaded sophomore slump.Why expecting the best doesn’t set you up for failure (and why the opposite is actually true).How to cultivate“walkaway power.”To sign up for the free Your Next Novel webinar on February 15th, visit: www.evenbetter.co/webinar To apply for the 2025 Career Novelist Mastermind, which kicks off on March 7th, visit: www.evenbetter.co/mastermind

In today’s episode, Camille shares what she learned in the process of selling her eleventh novel at the end of 2024. She shares:  Why timing really is everything. The importance of listening to your intuition (and how that’s not the same thing as predicting the future). The best belief to cultivate at every stage of the publishing process. Please note: In this episode, Camille briefly mentions grief related to losing a loved one to suicide. For resources on this topic, visit: https://sprc.org/tools/resources-survivors-suicide-loss/ To sign up for YOUR NEXT NOVEL, a free webinar on February 15th at 11 a.m. ET, visit: www.evenbetter.co/webinar To get on the waitlist for the Career Novelist Mastermind, which begins in March, visit: www.evenbetter.co/mastermind Connect with Camille on instagram at www.instagram.com/camillepagan We are aware of and apologize for the sound quality issues in this episode.

You know what you need to do to succeed as a novelist—so why aren’t you doing it? In this episode, Camille shares: A self-assessment to get to the bottom of why you’re not taking action. Why we engage in self-sabotaging behaviors—and how to do so less often. The surprising reason “cheat days” backfire. Tune in in two weeks to get the scoop on how Camille sold her new novel—and to find out about an upcoming free webinar on how to sell your next book, too.