✍️ How Imposter Syndrome Keeps Writers Trapped
The secret to charging higher rates is 40% skill, 60% confidence.
This week in NYC I attended the Substack Bestsellers event here in NYC. What a treat to meet fellow writers whose publications I’ve been reading and loving!
The party also got a write-up in the NY Times, which is the #1 sign that you’re attending a Literary Illuminati™️ event. It felt a little bit like the parties I used to go to when I was a writer in Hollywood, but with way less alcohol and way more book recommendations. Perfection.
Long-time readers of this Substack might also notice a new look around here. Huge shout-out to Ashley Finley, owner/designer of Libra Collective, for her design makeover for my Substack!
Ashley picked out my new colors, fonts, and designed all of the snazzy graphics you now see on all of my posts and pages! If you need a designer or illustrator for any project, Ashley should be at the top of your list.
🫖 Sunday Tea: How Imposter Syndrome Keeps Writers Poor
I stumbled on
’s note earlier this week:This resonated with me. For the first 4 years of my career as a freelance writer, I was deeply undercharging. I still remember when my partner
took one look at my competitors and said “you need to double your rates.”I laughed, but then realized he was being serious. So, I got up the nerve and raised my rates. I lost some clients, but the jump in revenue basically canceled it out — and I won back more of my time, which allowed me to push forward my other projects and make improvements to my freelancing process.
These days, I charge $750/hour — a rate that isn’t fully top-of-market in the freelance ghostwriting niche!
While your skill level is an important part of your career as a writer — whether you’re writing books, pitching publications, or freelancing for clients — your confidence is often what gets you into the door and gets you the “yes” that unlocks the next level of your career.
has a great post about how to diagnose the root of your imposter syndrome, which is a good first step to understanding where it is manifesting for you.The work to beat imposter syndrome begins by taking action. That means submitting to opportunities you might not be 100% qualified for, or quoting a higher rate for new clients.
A great way to flex this muscle is by going hard in the paint with the jobs I share with you on my job board.
And if you ever have questions about how much you should be charging (especially when it comes to my personal clients I’m helping hire writers for on the Featured Jobs section of my jobs newsletter!) you can always ask me what makes sense for you if you’re unsure how to price your services.
In the author/blogger/Substacker space, this also looks like just putting yourself out there and writing what you love.
A good example of this is my travel writing. I have an entire series on my blog where I write travel guides for where in the world I’ve worked remotely from Kyoto to Paris, and I write them because I love them — not really with much financial gain in mind.
In the past week alone, I’ve had hotels and travel brands reach out to me and offer the equivalent of 3 months of free travel in 2025.
Why? Because I put myself out there. Instead of asking for permission to write about travel, I just do it because I love it. I attract cool opportunities by just writing and publishing stuff on a consistent, intentional basis. You can, too!
You miss all the shots you don’t take, so increase your surface area for luck by putting yourself out there more.
I’m curious how you handle imposter syndrome in your work as a writer? Feel free to drop your replies in the comments or in the subscriber chat.
✍️ New Writing Job Board Comes Out Tomorrow!
If you missed the last issue of my writing job board, check it out at the link below:
🗞️ Writing News of the Week: Substack Raised $10M to Win the Platform Wars
Substack, the platform you’re reading this newsletter on, has over 3 million paid subscribers and is quickly gaining traction as writing-based content platforms X, Threads, Bluesky, and Threads are all trying to win over readers.
Substack has quietly raised $10 million dollars — presumably to try and win the growth race.
As a Substack Bestseller and a long-time fan and reader of this platform, I’m thrilled. This corner of the Internet feels very writerly and wholesome, and now is a great time to start your own publication.
Here are some of my top articles with my Substack tips for you:
📚 Author Corner: NaNoWriMo & My 3-Month Book Launch
In case you missed it, I just opened my ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) sign-up list for my upcoming romantasy novel. If you want to be one of the first to read it before it launches, just fill out this form. I’ll be sending free copies out in January, and would love to have your honest review of the book on Goodreads or Amazon if you dig it.
I’m also participating in National Novel Writing Month for this same book — and the deadlines are really helping me. I’ve been noodling around with this concept and outline for the past 6 months, and I’ve found that nothing really makes me *actually* make progress on a book like a deadline.
I’m aiming to hit 100,000 words by December 1st so I can stay on track with the revision and marketing process.
I’ll be making a video soon on my YouTube about my 3 Month Fiction Book Launch and all the fun I’m planning to have along the way :)
Because that’s what the writing process should be — fun! Yes, it can be challenging at times, but we’re making stuff up for others to enjoy. Your readers can tell if you’re finding joy on the page or not.
I’m also working with Ashley Finley on my book cover for this book, and here are the vibes so far:
Can you tell I love line drawings and gold foil?
I worked with Ashley before on my cover for The Nomad Detective: Volume I, which I think came out beautifully:
Book covers are both exciting and challenging beasts. Because, yes, readers very much do judge your book by its cover — and you have to convince them to open your book in order for them to fall in love with your words!
✨ Wellness for Writers: My Favorite Weekly Workout Schedule
“For me, running is both exercise and a metaphor. Running day after day, piling up the races, bit by bit I raise the bar, and by clearing each level I elevate myself. At least that’s why I’ve put in the effort day after day: to raise my own level.”
-Haruki Murakami
This quote got me to the gym when I didn’t want to go this week. While I like (not love) Murakami’s writing, I do think he’s a prolific writer who has his routine on lock.
I found a sweet spot with my workout routine that also gives me the most energy to hit some crazy writing goals:
3 workouts/week of strength training (leg day, upper body day, and core day)
2-3 workouts/week of zone 2 cardio (45 minutes per session on the stair climber)
1 day/week of intense cardio (35-minute run)
daily stretching and meditation
I’ve noticed that on the weeks that I stick my routine, I’m way more productive and happy than the weeks I skip. And now that I don’t drink coffee, I need to get my energy boost from exercise.
With that said, any amount of movement helps. If you’re feeling stuck with a writing project, just a simple walk can help you reset.
📸 Photo of the Week: From Buenos Aires > NYC
I started my 2024 working remotely in Buenos Aires, Argentina — a city that captured my heart. It’s curious how far away the start of the year feels! We’ll be in 2025 before we know it.
👀 Follow me on Substack Notes and Instagram for more!
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Sending creativity and good writing vibes your way,
-Amy
Enjoyed the tips provided here! I also love the mood board and color palette for your upcoming book. I had never thought to include a mood board for my cover art, but this is a clever idea!
Loved this! 🥰 Great tips for writers, and a needed reminder (especially for us female freelancers) that we should charge what we are worth without hesitation! As with your story, I had a lot of trouble charging higher rates when I started out because I felt like I’d lose out on much needed income. But charging higher rates has made a world of a difference! And, of course, thanks for the shoutout of my post. 😊