Stop Whispering. You’re an Author, Not a Ghost.
It was a Thursday afternoon. My inbox was quiet, engagement was flat, and for the third week in a row, I stared at the cursor blinking on a blank screen, wondering why it all felt so… off.
I had published a book. Built a business. Delivered real value.
But somehow, I had disappeared.
Not because I wasn’t working. But because I wasn’t showing up. Not really. Not in a way that anyone could feel.
I was whispering. Hoping people would “get it” without me having to say it out loud.
That was the day I realized I had ghosted my own message.
What Hiding Really Looks Like
You publish your book. You share it once. Maybe twice.
Then you stop. You call it humility. You tell yourself you don’t want to be salesy. You don’t want to annoy people. You don’t want to sound like everyone else.
So you pull back. You wait. For traction. For interest. For validation.
And in that waiting—you vanish.
Your work doesn’t get less meaningful. It just gets buried under your silence.
No visibility. No momentum. No growth.
And the worst part? You start to believe the silence is proof that your book wasn’t good enough. When in reality, you stopped talking before people ever had a chance to listen.
Ghosting Your Message Costs More Than You Think
This isn’t about being loud. It’s about being real.
When you don’t back your own work, the world doesn’t reject you—they just move on. And that’s what hurts the most.
Because deep down, you know your book means something. You just stopped believing it was your job to carry the message after launch.
But it is. And always will be.
The Lie We Tell Ourselves
You’re not scared of self-promotion. You’re scared of putting your heart out there and being met with silence.
So you hedge. You write cautiously. You say just enough to feel productive. But not enough to risk being ignored.
That’s not protection. That’s paralysis.
And no book gets read when the author disappears.
The Myth of the “Right Way”
Authors do this all the time.
They copy marketing plans that don’t fit their values. They mimic content styles that don’t match their voice. They let someone else’s highlight reel become their blueprint.
And when it doesn’t work, they assume they’re the problem.
But maybe the only mistake was not trusting yourself.
I’ve broken all the “rules”:
I simplified my offer when I was told to add more.
I raised my prices when everyone was going low-ticket.
I stuck with simple, consistent content and focused on two platforms.
Every time, I got results. Not because I’m clever—because I followed what felt right for me.
What You Can Do Right Now
Start small. One move. One post. One message. Just don’t go another week as a ghost.
Try this:
Pick a quote or story from your book and post it with context.
Share a recent moment where your book’s message showed up in real life.
Update your bio so people know exactly what your book is and who it’s for.
Reach out to one podcast or publication with your message and ask to contribute.
Not because it’s perfect. But because it’s honest.
Your story isn’t done when the book is printed. It’s just getting started.
A Real Example of What Happens When You Show Up
When I finally stopped waiting and started promoting my book on my terms, things didn’t blow up overnight. But they did build.
Podcast invites started rolling in. Readers started quoting my work back to me. Opportunities began opening up—not because of luck, but because I was present enough to be seen.
That’s the power of staying visible.
New Rising Authors Experience Podcast Episode
Last week, I sat down with Melissa Vela-Williamson, M.A., APR, Fellow PRSA, CDP —PR strategist and two-time author—who knows what it’s like to wrestle with visibility, identity, and pressure.
We talked about what it means to be seen without selling out. About what it means to promote without apology.
If you’ve ever felt boxed in, underestimated, or hesitant to share your voice—this episode will meet you right where you are.
Coming Soon: Roy Scott in the Rae Van
I also traveled up to Phoenix and recorded a new episode inside the Rae Van with Roy Scott . We got into how to pitch your ideas, your story, your voice—in a way that actually gets people to say yes.
Real tactics. Real storytelling. Real clarity.
If you’re looking to go from invisible to undeniable, this one’s for you.
Whenever You're Ready, Here Are 3 Ways I Can Help You:
Offer clarity – Get clear on your message so people know exactly what you do.
An author website that attracts leads – A site that turns visitors into opportunities.
A content strategy that builds your brand – Show up consistently and grow your authority.
If you’re ready to elevate your author brand and presence, message me.
Practice Patience & Gratitude
Hussein
