Today we welcome a very special guest and one of my favorite authors for a long time, Steven Pressfield, author of more than twenty books spanning fiction and nonfiction, including The War of Art, which has sold more than a million copies worldwide and has become a foundational book for writers, entrepreneurs, artists, and creators. He is also the acclaimed author of Gates of Fire, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Turning Pro, Do the Work, The Warrior Ethos, Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t, and many others. Widely regarded as a master of historical fiction, his work has earned a place on the required reading list at West Point and the recommended reading list of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His work has also reached audiences well beyond the literary world, earning him a featured appearance on Oprah and a readership that cuts across industries, disciplines, and generations. His latest novel, The Arcadian, continues a body of work shaped by decades of storytelling and creative practice.
In this episode, Steven reflects on the thirty-year journey that preceded his first published book and the lessons that emerged from decades of rejection, uncertainty, and persistence. We explore the concept of Resistance from The War of Art, the emotional realities of creative work, the difference between amateurs and professionals, the challenge of self-validation, and why he still faces the same internal battle every time he sits down to write. Along the way, he shares what finally changed when The Legend of Bagger Vance broke through, why perseverance matters more than talent, the inspiration behind The Arcadian, and the philosophy that continues to guide his work decades into his career.
If you’ve ever felt the pull to do almost anything other than the one thing you know you should be doing, tune in because this conversation with Steven Pressfield is one of the more grounded and clear-eyed looks at the creative life you’re likely to find.
Subscribe to Steven’s weekly writing newsletter at stevenpressfield.com
Make sure to follow @steven_pressfield on Instagram.
Check out his new book, The Arcadian here: https://a.co/d/03YobKj0
Explore all of Steven’s books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000AQ8R8Q?ingress=0&visitId=d84a9904-f7ce-400a-8292-17d9d655e6c2&ref_=aufs_ap_ahdr_dsk_ab
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If you’re interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com