Just Do It from Nike’s Just Do It campaign

So many of the great stories—novels, movies, or real life—follow a classic pattern.

A hero starts out flawed.
They face a challenge, fail spectacularly, and are forced to grow in ways they never expected.
Only then do they change the direction of their story.

This structure, known as the hero’s journey, is the foundation of some of the most beloved stories of all time.

• Harry Potter was an ordinary boy living under the stairs—until he was thrust into a world where he had to grow into the wizard who would save it.

• Elizabeth Bennet was too proud; Mr. Darcy was too prejudiced—until they both learned to change.

• Luke Skywalker was a farm boy who had no idea what he was capable of—until he was forced to step into his destiny.

The hero never starts out strong, perfect, or even prepared. They begin their journey flawed, naive, and often afraid. They fail. They suffer. But it’s through that painful process of failing and learning that they transform into something greater.

Why do we love these stories so much? Because deep down, we recognize them. They are our stories, too.

It sounds almost too simple, but the numbers don’t lie—86% of entrepreneurs say their business grew after publishing a book. That stat stopped me in my tracks. Writing a book isn’t just about credibility; it can open doors, attract clients, and create opportunities most people never expect.
In a crowded market, standing out is everything. A book isn’t about chasing royalties—it’s about positioning yourself as the go-to expert in your field. Here’s how publishing a book can fuel real business growth:

When I moved to New York at twenty-one, I was fresh from a small town, wide-eyed, and completely out of my depth. Arriving in Manhattan felt like stepping onto another planet. I had no idea how much I didn’t know, and that ignorance led to more than a few moments of mortification.

Last year was an extraordinary year for many reasons, but one moment stands out above all: the birth of my granddaughter, Charlotte. Having her in the world inspires me in new ways to continue working for a future where young women feel empowered to embrace their potential without hesitation.
I want Charlotte to grow up in a culture where women aren’t taught to be people pleasers, where they’re unafraid to take risks, and where they don’t worry so much about being wrong.

We are reminded this month that writing is hard. It is mentally and physically taxing work, which makes self-care an essential skill for every author. In this newsletter we talk about self-care strategies to prevent creative burnout. No matter your age or health, it is always important to take time for nurturing yourself.

What do you hope 2023 will bring for you? What are your hopes and dreams for the next twelve months? Are you someone who sets resolutions for the New Year?

For more years than I can count, I have written down my New Year's resolutions. They have almost always been the same goals: lose weight, go to the gym, eat healthier, walk more, meditate, journal, etc. My goals were almost always self-care goals—and unfortunately, they were the things I often just didn't want to do. So, year after year I would come up short on my New Year’s resolutions.

Every year when December rolls around, I begin doing an analysis of the past year. Sometimes this process is a discouraging one as I tally wins and losses (too often focusing on the losses) and look at my goals not achieved…

Having trouble getting started writing? Join the club! Here are some tips from the experts on getting started.

Our interview with Jenny Guberman, author of Chattahoochee Cats.

What is your love language? In my home growing up, it was reading and sharing stories with each other. At Bold Story Press we help women share their stories with the world.

Though I have published some of the best-selling books ever published, I have never written and published my own book,. Unfortunately, when it comes to writing goals, I can resist like crazy. For years I have been telling myself, someday I’m going to write that book. If 2020 taught me anything, I realize I want to make the conscious decision to make brave choices and be bolder with my life.

Kamala Harris told us, “Dream with ambition, lead with conviction, and see yourself in a way that others might not see you, simply because they’ve never seen it before.”

Age 26. That’s how old I was when I first became an editor at McGraw-Hill. As an editor, I was expected to find, sign, develop, and market best-selling books.

At the beginning of the process, it helps to be clear about why you want to write a book.

Then the time comes for words to go on the page, and you realize something that brings you to a halt: how do you translate a single topic or concept into a full-length manuscript? Where do you start?

I had many successes in my 32-year publishing career, and my share of failures (from which I learned a ton). I worked with good authors, great authors, and a few awe-inspiring ones, and I learned from all of them.

Let’s face it, the publishing industry is not what it once was. So much has changed in the past several years.

Learn more about Bold Story Press in the news. Watch the television interview on “Good Day Orange County” with Lauren Solomon below. In it, she interviews Bold Story Press founder, Emily Barrosse.