Behind the scenes of writing my second book

August 1, 2023

Ayurveda

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I'm here to help you integrate the timeless principles of Ayurveda, lunar wisdom, and menstrual cycle alignment effortlessly into your daily routine.

I'm Andrea - your Seasonal living guide

Why a second book?

If you would have told me I was going to write a book I would have thought you were joking, let alone two books. I'm honestly shocked I did it! I personally love to read and have often read 52 books a year but to actually write a book is an entirely different process.

This second book should have been my first book in setting up the foundations of the menstrual cycle according to Ayurveda. It gives a much more in-depth background into the doshas, Ayurveda, and the rich history of where it all came from.

I wrote this book because I couldn’t find a book like this in the real world. I could only find a few snippets about the menstrual cycle in older texts. I compiled my research to make this book an easy guide for you!

It doesn’t matter if you know anything about Ayurveda the first two chapters really deep dive into the rich history, how to find your dosha, and understanding how to find your unique balance.

If you want to look at your menstrual cycle health from a new lens this might be exactly what you’re looking for. You can use this with my first book to pair up practices that align with the seasons to really start to optimize your health.

In Ayurveda the goal is to get to the root cause of all wellness issues. It is said what is occurring outside is also occurring within. If the season outside is cold and dry we need to watch our own bodies to make sure they do not get to cold and dry. One of the key elements in Ayurveda is like increases like, and opposites heal. That is why seasonal practices are so key in Ayurveda.

The Writing Process

I was dumped

I don't think I would have considered writing a second book this close to my first book but if you follow me on IG or listen to my podcast you might have heard me share that I signed a book deal last Fall. That book was with a company that I now have found out is being sued in a class action lawsuit and after looking into it, saw many Reddit threads of similar author fates. We sign the contract, start writing the book only to have them pull the book out from underneath us. 

Instead of wallowing too hard, I decided that was the jumpstart I needed to creating my second book. Diving even deeper into Ayurveda and the menstrual cycle. Which was not the focus of the book I was under contract to write. I was already in the writing mode and was ready to write the second book before my little guy arrived in February.

Writing a book (1)

No Book Coach this time

When I wrote Divine Body Wisdom I hired a book coach who was amazing. I signed up for her program about writing a book with the seasons and had no idea if I was ever going to write one but the idea emerged and it was a natural fit to keep working with her after the program ended.

Eleanor Cheetham was my coach and really without her would have never been able to write both books. I learned the process from her and knew what to expect the second time around.

I personally am good at self-motivating which helped me this time around

I knew I could stick with a deadline if I gave myself one. If you're not a self-motivator you might want to look into hiring a coach for accountability. I was working with a deadline- before my son was born. I set up what chapters I needed to write and the due date.

I also outlined what sections I wanted to add into the book and researched from my teachers books and the ancient Ayurvedic texts to see what they wrote about the menstrual cycle.

This book is much more Ayurvedic focused and more research went into this one since it was pulling primarily from Ayurveda and not just holistic seasonal practices like my first book.

Writing a book (2)

How did I find my editor?

Last time Eleanor was my editor, she formated my book, designed my cover and everything in between. This time around I knew I wouldn't be able to rely on her as she was busy with other projects.

I knew one of my clients had edited non-fiction books in the past and just started her own business. I asked if she would be able to edit my book.  She gladly said yes and I paid her of course for her work and thought she did such a wonderful job.

Shoutout to Michelle Sharp of Meet the Minnesota Makers.  

I wish I would have had her edit my first book as I hired someone that I found randomly searching on the internet and Michelle was much easier to work with and did a much more through job.

Book Cover/Formatting Work

I used Fivver for this one. I wasn't sure where to go and knew I could download the software and learn it to design and format the book myself but also knew that would take me hours to do. I looked through reviews and found a gem! I sent her a copy of my first book cover and said I want something different but a cohesive feel between the two covers. She nailed it! She also did a wonderful job formatting the book. If I being honest I would have loved my first book format a little differently. I might reissue it and have Ayesha do that work as well.

Sales

Now this is a piece I haven't put as much time in as I did with Divine Body Wisdom. I must say having a 5 month old and trying to do a ton of work is just not happening right now. I am really winging my strategy here daily. I try and share on Instagram, obviously telling you about the book on the podcast now, and that's about it. I need to do better in this department.

I am running a free shipping offer now through August 18th if you enter the code cycle at checkout you can get the new book or the bundle option both Divine Body Wisdom & Ayurvedic Approach to the Menstrual Cycle with free shipping.

Along with that if you order before Aug. 18th you will get to join my free 5 Day Seasonal Ayurvedic Challenge in September for free instead of $99.

That's all that I have lined up right now to really drive sales. Room for improvement for me.

Lessons Learned

As an entrepreneur you often fear your friends talking about you behind your back. Well that's happened to me twice that I'm aware of and both times came from the same person. Once was about five years ago when she accidentally sent me a DM making fun of my moon circles and wondering what ritual we were doing- ironically our theme was friendship that night.

Well the same friend which I will use that word loosely as I haven't seen friend A or B we will call them in 8-10 years. Well she sent me another DM by accident but this time included the friends name she was talking to in it about me. Making fun of the fact that I wrote a book. I instantly just blocked both of them. I already had the discussion with her a few years ago when she made the negative comment so lesson learned that's just who she is and I don't need that energy in my life.

I have had many friends old and new purchase the book supporting me both with Divine Body Wisdom and this book. That means the world to me!

Be You!

My lesson is just be you no matter what! Life is too short to worry about what others say or think about you behind your back. Having had this happen twice now I will say I got over it much faster round two and feel even more called to just be me, and not sugarcoat myself or downplay who I am. I think as a woman in this world we are constantly trying to fit a mold. If you saw the Barbie movie America Ferrera character nailed the monologue so many of us are thinking and navigating. If anything this just showed me to keep it moving and let out the "not normal" sides of me talking about the menstrual cycle, running moon circles and just doing life differently than others. It's okay to be me.

Finally Thank You!!!

Thank you if you've ordered either of my books or both of them. I truly mean that from the bottom of my heart. I don't do this to earn millions of dollars heck the second book I'm still at a loss in terms of monetary value but I will keep showing up for the book as I know it's powerful and it can change people's lives. You are the reason I keep going and keep sharing the Ayurvedic wisdom.

Writing a book (3)
Divine-Body-Wisdom (3D)
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    explore the blog

    Ayurvedic Pregnancy 

    How to do a Castor Oil Pack

    You'll also love

    search the post index

    MORE ABOUT ME

    I'm here to help you integrate the timeless principles of Ayurveda, lunar wisdom, and menstrual cycle alignment effortlessly into your daily routine.

    I'm Andrea - your Seasonal living guide

    LEarn My Story

    I specialize in pre/postpartum wellness through an Ayurvedic lens. Pre/postpartum fitness has been something I've focused on for 17 years now and is my passion & calling in life. 

    I host a weekly podcast, Peaceful Power Podcast and have written two cyclical living books- Divine Body Wisdom and Ayurvedic Approach to Healing Your Menstrual Cycle. 

    I graduated from Shakti School in 2019 as an Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor. I'm a 500 HR Yoga Teacher and Ayurvedic postpartum doula graduate from Inner Sun & Moon AyurDoula Program. 

    My other interests are playing tennis, watching the Hallmark Channel, and enjoying my morning cup of coffee. I also love exploring my favorite nature trail with my two boys and hubby. 

    I'm an Ayurvedic Wellness counselor, Ayurvedic postpartum doula & 500 HR Yoga Teacher and Personal trainer since 2007.

    I'm Andrea — your Ayurveda & Yoga  Guide to Postpartum Healing.

    Learn what practices are best to live in alignment with the current season. You will also receive a yoga asana practice, seasonal tips, two Ayurvedic seasonal recipes and dosha pacifying practices. 

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