Publishing Workbooks and How This Helped Me Get Over “Imposter Syndrome”
It’s now been over 12 years since I started writing regularly, and I have posted regularly on my blog, published four versions of workbooks, and finally became a published author through Claritax.
Within those years of creation, I have learned a great deal about imposter syndrome, feeling small and humble, and I also sometimes felt like giving it all up and asking the question: Is it all worth it? And recently, with the advent of AI and AI summaries on Google, I have noticed: it is, and it was.
Every single written word that I published over the years has contributed to the brand I have built and has hopefully helped a lot of you out there. And it will continue to do that.
On Sunday, 19 July, I sent out the last newsletter from my provider, Mailchimp, titled “The Global People Club Sandwich”. You might have been here for a while, but if you haven’t: I started this newsletter 12 years ago in August 2014, and it was first called “The Friday Happy Hour Bell”, then shortly “The Monday Wake-Up Call”.
You might have heard me tell this story in my workshop “Having a Voice in a Sea of Noise,” and I often say that my original team, guided by Nabeha Latif and Usama Hafeez, forced ourselves into consistency by committing to sending out one newsletter per week on a Sunday around 10 AM. It was tough. Sometimes, I did not feel like writing. Sometimes it was pure fun.
I attended several courses on writing with Jeff Goins and Ash Ambirge. I worked with Libby O’Laughlin, Jill Prewett, and Susann Platt from the Zurich writerverse, and I started to come out of my shell by publishing workbooks. See below:
My author page: https://www.angieweinberger.ch/
My company blog: https://globalpeopletransitions.com/the-global-people-club-sandwich/
My secret evil twin sister: https://viviennemsharma.com
And now, I want to take a strategic hiatus, a break to decide about my creative work. And I want to invite you to join us on our RockMeApp platform, because I will continue to publish content, obviously on my blog but also deliver it regularly to our clients. You can join us for free because you have been engaged in my work. The data doesn’t lie.
Through the RockMeApp, you will also have access to me via the RockMeApp chat. I don’t want to sell my program to you today, because you might not think it’s worth it. You might not understand how I can help you, and that’s totally okay. I just want to keep the connection with you. Request your account now: https://rockme.app/!
Here are my learnings from “developing content” online and offline since 2010. With every publication so far, I wanted to quit at some stage. Every book project is a massive team effort. I often can only finish with a deadline or launch date in the calendar.
I call it the “people approach to managing projects.” Often when I am confronted with my inner corrupters, and I find a way to get over myself, I feel like sharing this with you. Here are my learnings from my fifth book launch.
1 – Tell the World Before You Are Ready
“The “People Approach to Managing Projects” has several steps. First, you visualize the result and paint a detailed picture of it. Second, you add post-it notes of people you see connected to this end vision. Third, you consider which role they will play in your end vision. Fourth, you reach out to them and let them know that you need their help. Then, you engage them for a job in your project, and finally, you find two commitment buddies who will check in with you on your success and report to them every week. It is also vital to tell the world about your project.”
It would help to hire a team of professionals and also tell as many people as possible about my upcoming book launch. Book launches generally happen before the Leipzig and Frankfurt Book Fairs, and we want our current Academic Intern, Md Huzefa Khan, to be with us for the launch party. Hence, we fixed a date in mid-September.
2 – Set a Hard Deadline
The book was written mainly during a family vacation at Lake Orta in 2024, where I usually write in the mornings when my mum and my aunt are still in bed. Over the next two years, I made several revisions and amendments. I often wrote the book with my students in mind, trying to help them understand the complexities of Global Mobility while also teaching them a step-by-step approach. A book publication is a process. It’s humbling but also rewarding when you finally see your written words on virtual paper.
New publication out now: Connolly, J., Weinberger, A. (2026) “Global Mobility: The Taxation and Management of Internationally Mobile Employees.”
3 – Let the Band Play (even when the Singer leaves the Stage)
Each team member brings in a new perspective. One team member is responsible for English-language edits, another helps with captivating titles, and one member handles promotions on social media platforms. I want to thank all my team members for working so diligently. They helped turn the project into a work of art.
I do not enjoy the nitty-gritty part of the process as much as the creative part, so I tried to give as much responsibility as possible to the “band.” I let them play and wanted to be involved in crucial content or marketing decisions. This book launch is different because the main part of the editing process, marketing, and administration sits with the publisher. We can just celebrate, and at the same time we have a podcast to launch and a graduation party to celebrate.
4 – Follow a Proven Template
It is also essential to work in a structured manner and trust that every team member will do their best. Once the edits were done, I did not look at the content anymore, only verifying that logic and structure matched. I use the templates and steps from the last book launches and continue to refine them. I document every step of the process so it’s easier next time. I even work with the invitee lists from the last launch.
I care about details such as words, spelling, grammar, structure, typos, logistics, and my guests! I am also involved in significant production, digital marketing, and launch decisions. And while I have enjoyed every part of it, I also have clients, family, and friends to care for.
5 – Lovingly Accept Your Inner Derailers
This is my fifth launch, and by now, I know how my inner derailers feel. I understand that many artists fear showing their work to the world. When I entered the classroom in June with my newly published book hanging there as a flyer on the wall, I still felt like an imposter. And that’s the thing: The voice that tells you to stop, to NOT do something, will never fully go away.
However, you can always move forward with one baby step. And today my baby step is to write and finish this article.
See you at the launch party. If you are not on our VIP Guest List yet, you can email me at angela@globalpeopletransitions.com. I can let you know in early September if you can join us.
https://globalpeopletransitions.com/events
