Ep 160: My Story 2 of 3: Ignoring red flags to chase a dream

<p dir="ltr">In 2011 I started a business as a stylist. I’d moved to New York City for my career in theater after a Broadway tour, Radio City Rockettes, and all that jazz.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">[The below timeline is not covered in the episode and included here for backstory.]</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">In 2014 a friend who worked at a top publisher told me that my style course, “had to be a book.” She’d told everyone in her office my principles and they were using them daily–women needed this. I told her that sounded like a lot of work for very little money. We were both right.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">In 2016 I began writing the book in fits and starts, always “let’s just get through one more launch, just a little more income so we aren’t burned out and *then* I’ll write the book.”</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">By 2020 I decided *then* was never going to come. I had to take the leap. I hired a book coach and in 2021 they introduced me to a top agent. My book went to auction and my dream was coming true.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">For a year I absolutely adored the writing process (which most authors bemoan) yet was traumatized by the publishing process (which I had never heard anyone mention–as explained in the episode now I know why.)</p> <p dir="ltr"><br /> One year later, and it was all for nothing.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Worse, it almost cost me everything.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">This is part 2 of 3 in sharing that story. <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-159-my-story-1-of-3-silent-vs-silenced/id1461008135?i=1000611613522"> Please begin with last week’s Part 1: Silent vs Silenced</a>. </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">This is a story of creative and financial heartbreak, shared to protect others from it. </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">It’s the episodes I have wish I had heard from just one person, to have any idea what I was risking when I decide