Lights, Camera… Anxiety? The Challenges of Promoting My Book as an Introvert

 When I first set out to write Shades of Purple: A Boy’s Journey Between the Lines, I knew that sharing my story would require a level of vulnerability. What I didn’t realize was how much more vulnerability it would take to promote the book once it was published.

Writing is an introvert-friendly activity. It’s a solitary process, a place where I can express myself without the pressure of real-time feedback. But in today’s world, where social media plays a crucial role in book promotion, authors are expected to put themselves out there in a way that can feel daunting—especially through video content.

The Pressure of Being On Camera

Creating videos to promote my book sounds simple in theory. A short clip explaining the inspiration behind my story, a snippet of a reading, or a heartfelt thank-you to readers—these should be easy, right? But for someone who thrives in quiet reflection rather than the spotlight, hitting “record” often feels like stepping onto a stage without a script.

The moment the camera turns on, my mind races: How do I hold myself? Am I making enough eye contact? What if I ramble? It’s an internal tug-of-war between wanting to connect with my audience and feeling completely exposed.

The Perfectionist Trap

Another challenge? The pressure to get it just right. It’s easy to overanalyze every aspect of a video: the lighting, the tone of my voice, even the way I phrase a sentence. Unlike writing, where I can revise endlessly before anyone sees my words, video content is much more immediate. There’s less room for editing, and the rawness of it is both a strength and a struggle.

For an introvert, that kind of unfiltered visibility can be intimidating. The idea of people watching, judging, or misunderstanding my message can sometimes paralyze me before I even begin.

Finding a Balance

Despite the discomfort, I know how important it is to share my book with the world. So, I’ve been working on finding a balance—ways to create content that feel authentic to me while still reaching the people who need to hear my story.

Here’s what’s helped:

• Batch recording: Filming multiple videos at once so I don’t have to psych myself up for it every single time.
• Focusing on storytelling: Instead of worrying about presentation, I remind myself that my words matter more than a perfectly polished video.
• Allowing imperfection: Not every take needs to be flawless. Sometimes, the most genuine moments come from embracing the imperfections.
• Leaning into my strengths: If speaking on camera feels overwhelming, I balance it with other forms of promotion, like writing thoughtful captions or blog posts (like this one!).

Embracing the Challenge

Promoting Shades of Purple through video is still a work in progress, but I’m learning that visibility doesn’t have to mean performance. It’s about connection—about showing up as myself, even when it feels uncomfortable.

For any other introverted authors out there, I see you. Putting yourself out there isn’t easy, but your story deserves to be heard. One video at a time, one post at a time, we can share our words with the world—without losing ourselves in the process.