Haley Jakobson, a writer and playwright, discusses her relationship with rejection and the journey to publishing her debut novel, 'Old Enough'. She shares her fear of rejection and the mantra of choosing herself, which worked until she had to face the vulnerability of publishing a book. Haley talks about the 40+ rejections she received and the tools she developed to navigate rejection, including zooming out and realizing that her career is not defined by one project, leaning on her community for support, and finding joy in other aspects of her life. She also discusses the changes in her life since the book launch and the responsibility she feels to educate and advocate for her audience.  Haley explores the concept of vulnerable storytelling and the challenges of being unpolished and messy in her writing. She shares that while her book 'Old Enough' is inspired by her own experiences, the protagonist is a separate character with her own journey. In this conversation, Haley Jakobson discusses her journey of healing and reclaiming her innocence after experiencing assault as a teenager. She shares how she grew into innocence and embraced her silliness and vulnerability. Haley also talks about her writing process and the importance of staying true to her values in navigating the capitalist nature of the publishing industry. She offers insights into manifestation and the power of community in achieving her goals. For anyone listening, you can order a copy of Old Enough: A Novel on Amazon. I will also be giving away a copy to a listener who subscribes and reviews the podcast. You just need to email screenshots to [email protected]. To find out more about Haley Jakobson and her writing, visit: https://www.haleyjakobson.com/  Follow Hayley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haleyjakobson/  A special thanks to our partners, who I highly recommend getting in touch with. If you are looking for a book writing coach to get your manuscript out there, I recommend working with: Lindy Pfeil, Author and Memoir Coach, website: lindypfeil.com Emily Tamayo Maher, Author & bestselling author in women’s spirituality, website: meaningmethod.com.   Tracy Stewart, book mentor and developmental editor, author, and ghostwriter, website: freshlypress.com   Javacia Harris Bowser, host of a community for female writers, bloggers, and entrepreneurs, website: seejanewritebham.com   Freelance writers, you are going to want to get your hands on Amber Perry’s guide, 250+ nonfiction publications that pay, so people can start pitching right away. Here’s the link:⁠https://amber-petty.newzenler.com/f/250-places-that-pay-for-your-writing-forever35   If you are interested in exploring hybrid publishing, I highly recommend getting in touch with Nick Courtright, CEO of atmospherepress.com If you’re looking for a brain / neuro trainer, check out Paula Echeverri, website: neuromomceo.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Hayley Jakobson 00:43 Hayley's Relationship with Rejection 03:03 Navigating Rejection and Choosing Herself 05:22 Developing a Relationship with Rejection 10:17 Life Changes After Publishing a Book 15:28 The Challenges of Being Unfiltered in the Public Spotlight 22:33 Understanding Vulnerable Storytelling 29:38 The Inspiration Behind 'Old Enough' 31:02 Growing into Innocence 36:00 Writing as a Tool for Healing 37:39 Navigating Capitalism and Staying True to Values 51:07 Manifestation and Building a Supportive Community 56:36 Balancing Creativity and Marketing in the Publishing Industry