Redefining Success In Showbiz: Why (and How) I Wrote This Book
In the summer of 2018, I was living my dream, performing as a lead vocalist in a Disney show. Midway through my contract, a new performer joined my cast. She was talented, hardworking, and excited about this incredible opportunity. Yet, when she shared her news with a so-called “friend” in New York, their response wasn’t excitement—it was embarrassment. How rude is that?
Starring alongside Mickey Mouse
This performer had been working consistently since graduating college. And yet, because her job wasn’t in New York, someone had made her feel like it wasn’t good enough. I strongly disagree with that mindset, but I understand where it comes from.
New York is the “Super Bowl” of musical theater. It’s the place young performers dream of living and working. Many universities and conservatories celebrate alumni who’ve "made it" there, reinforcing the idea that Broadway is the pinnacle of success. For a long time, I believed it too—until I spent two summers in New York and realized it wasn’t for me. Opportunities for performing artists exist everywhere and there are many ways to build a fulfilling career in show business. New York is a dream for many, but it is far from the only definition of success. It's time to redefine what it means to “make it” in the arts.
Okay, back to 2018. When my friend shared her story, I was angry. I couldn’t shake the frustration, so I did what I always do when something gets under my skin—I wrote. As I poured my thoughts onto the page, my mind started wandering. I found myself making a mental list of artists I admired—people I’d worked with, looked up to, or gone to school with. They were all thriving in the entertainment industry, carving out fulfilling careers on their own terms. In 2023, I finally decided to call them.
The Writing Process
Editing, editing, and more editing
I interviewed 12 artists working across the industry—on Broadway and beyond, on cruise ships and in theme parks, in education, and even in fields where they’ve applied their creative skills in unexpected ways. I asked them questions like:
“What did you want to be when you grew up?
“How do you define success?”
“Are you happy with your career and the lifestyle that goes with it?”
“What advice would you give to someone wanting to do what you do?”
My goal was simple: to create a book that showcases the many career paths available to performers, backed by real stories from real people.
The interviews were the fun part. Writing came easily. But then… came the editing. I didn’t hire a professional editor. Instead, I turned to a trusted group of readers—friends and colleagues who either loved the performing arts, worked in the industry, or simply had a passion for reading and writing. Their feedback was invaluable.
I reworked entire sections, swapped chapter orders, and, in one case, scrapped everything and started from scratch. After seven drafts, I finally had my eighth—and what would become my final product. But the journey was far from over.
My Self-Publishing Journey
I chose to self-publish my book because it’s become an increasingly popular and accessible option. With endless resources available online, it seemed like a straightforward path to take. I spent hours reading, listening to podcasts, and watching YouTube videos on how to self-publish. There is so much to consider when you’re doing it all by yourself:
Who will design the book cover?
Do I pay someone to format the book or do I learn how to do it myself?
Should I publish through Amazon or explore one of the other platforms?
How do I go about marketing my book?
Cover Design by Coin Creative
I went down many rabbit-holes trying to figure out the best decisions for my book, but ultimately, my decisions were shaped by my budget. I chose to invest the most in my book cover design. Graphic design isn’t one of my talents, and I knew I needed something eye-catching that truly captured the essence of my book. It was an investment that paid off—when I saw the cover for the first time, it made the book feel real and gave me a surge of momentum and energy to keep going.
I decided to save some money by formatting the book myself. I purchased a course from a Youtuber I’d been following and downloaded Adobe InDesign. There was a learning curve but I felt a huge sense of accomplishment once the job was finally done.
Uploading my manuscript to Kindle Direct Publishing, Amazon’s self-publishing platform, was surprisingly straightforward. The moment I hit “publish,” my heart skipped a beat. I had done it—I had written and published my very first book.
The ebook went live almost immediately and was error-free. But before releasing the paperback, I ordered a proof copy—and I’m glad I did. The print quality of the cover and interior images wasn’t quite right, so I made adjustments and ordered a second proof. It took three rounds of proofs to get everything just right. That’s the reality of doing it yourself—trial and error. But each mistake was a lesson, and with every fix, I felt more confident.
Why You Should Read It
This is the part where I tell you to read my book—lol. But in all seriousness, one job is finished (writing and publishing), and another has just begun: getting the book into the hands of the people who need it.
So, here’s my pitch:
Do you dream of performing on stage? Is Broadway calling? Or are you wondering what other opportunities exist—and how to build a career without falling into the "starving artist" trap?
Do you have a theater kid in your life? Are you eager to understand their career options and how to support them on the path to success?
Are you an entertainment professional at a crossroads, looking for inspiration, guidance, and real stories from artists who have built fulfilling careers?
If any of this resonates with you, this book was written for you. It’s the resource I wish I’d had when I was starting out—a book that shows just how many paths exist in the wonderful world of entertainment.
Do you want a sneak peek? I’m offering an exclusive free chapter for early readers. Scroll down to the bottom of this page to take a look inside my book. Happy reading!