A timeline of the scariest moments I’ve had while writing my first book

A viral blog post, an unexpected offer, becoming an ‘orphaned’ author and more

Now that writing is wrapped up and my manuscript is on my editor’s (virtual) desk, I’m going to try to not think about my book for the next month. I’ll attempt to focus only on the busyness and restfulness of the holiday season. (I don’t expect a successful attempt.)

Before I give myself that break, here’s a personal look into the experience of writing my first book — for other writers who are bracing for their own book projects (or anyone who’s the sort of person that can’t help but stare when they drive by a car crash…).

June 12, 2022:

Anne Helen Petersen

publishes my essay, “Budget Culture and the Dave Ramseyfication of Money,” at

Culture Study

. I’ve worked hard on it, even hired an editor friend to help me perfect it. I’m proud of it.

And I’m terrified to make these claims on the internet. Who am I to name a cultural phenomenon? Who am I to comment on the state of an industry? Who am I..?

Thankfully, the essay is a success. Anne’s community is absolutely lovely, and we have a great discussion in the comments section. It’s eventually featured in some prominent round-ups that give it a boost. (Some of the feedback even calls it “viral.”)

June 13, 2022: I get an email with the subject line “Literary Agent Reaching Out.”

This email comes in while I’m on vacation with family, so the agent gets my autoresponder, and I don’t read it or respond for two days. I’m delighted that I can race to the kitchen of our vacation rental and immediately squeal the news to my sister.

I don’t get my hopes up. (Well, I don’t mean to. How can I help it?) Of course I’ve always imagined I’d be able to write a book with a publisher at some point in my career, but that fantasy is just part of being a writer. It’s suddenly a task on my calendar.

June 21, 2022: I get an email that opens with the line, “I’m a book editor at Little, Brown Spark…”

Because I was on vacation, I booked the first call with my potential agent for the end of the month. This email comes in before we can meet, and now I know in my bones I’m going to write a book.

Am I ready to write a book about budget culture, though? I don’t have a massive audience, years of practice, archives full of research. Why do they want me, now? Surely they’ll all realize this is a fluke before I dupe them into offering me a book deal.

Oh my goodness — what if I get a book deal??