Debunking Publishing Myths & How To Beat Procrastination ft. Rachael Herron (Classic Replay EP#563)

2026-07-29

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This episode was originally recorded in 2021. We’re replaying it because the advice hasn’t aged a day. Most writers don’t have a talent problem. They have a fear problem.In this Classic Replay, internationally bestselling author Rachael Herron joins Trudi, Shar, Cheryl and Wendy to talk about why fear is the real engine behind procrastination, what to actually do about it, and three publishing myths that need to die. Rachael has written more than two dozen books across thriller, mainst...

This episode was originally recorded in 2021. We’re replaying it because the advice hasn’t aged a day.

Most writers don’t have a talent problem. They have a fear problem.
In this Classic Replay, internationally bestselling author Rachael Herron joins Trudi, Shar, Cheryl and Wendy to talk about why fear is the real engine behind procrastination, what to actually do about it, and three publishing myths that need to die.

Rachael has written more than two dozen books across thriller, mainstream fiction, feminist romance, memoir and nonfiction for writers. She publishes both traditionally and independently, which makes her one of the most useful people to ask about how those two paths really compare — money included.

What we cover:

How seven years of not writing ended with a 50,000-word NaNoWriMo draft — and a three-book deal at auction
What a six-figure, three-book New York deal actually paid her per year after taxes and agent commission
Why she’s never earned out a US advance, and what “earning out” really means
How keeping ANZ rights separate accidentally launched her self-publishing career
Why she now makes more from self-publishing than from traditional
Three publishing myths worth killing: that you need a degree, that a big advance means you can quit your job, and that publishers market better than you do
Ira Glass’s “gap” theory, and why your good taste is the thing making you miserable
Building a “trash mountain” first draft on purpose
Her revision toolbox: the sentence outline, 100 Post-its, and writing forward as if you’ve already fixed it
Practical anti-procrastination tactics — the café with no Wi-Fi, the check-in buddy, the 45-minute burst
Swapping your to-do list for a “ta-da list”
Writing across multiple genres, and what it costs you

Rachael’s one piece of advice: write “Don’t wait” on a Post-it and stick it on your computer.

About Rachael Herron
Rachael Herron (also writing as R.H. Herron) is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author of more than two dozen books. She received her MFA in writing from Mills College, Oakland, and has taught writing extension workshops at UC Berkeley and Stanford. Her most recent novel is The Seven Miracles of Beatrix Holland. She lives in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand.

Find Rachael: rachaelherron.com | How Do You Write podcast | Resources for writers

Note since recording: NaNoWriMo closed as an organisation in March 2025. For a structured drafting challenge, try Sarra Cannon’s Rough Draft Challenge at roughdraftchallenge.com

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