How Consistency Turned an Idea Into a #1 Bestseller
Case Study: Eric Brenneman’s Self-Publishing Journey
Today on the Confident Authors blog, I want to give a huge shout-out to Eric Brenneman and celebrate the success of his first book, EVERYDAY STOICISM FOR PUBLIC SAFETY! 😊📙🔥
Eric is a leader with Yoga For First Responders, where he’s been helping first responders, law enforcement officers, and emergency personnel access tools for resilience and mental clarity. I first trained with YFFR back in 2019, and Eric was my squad leader during instructor school. His leadership, encouragement, and deep knowledge of yoga and how to make yoga accessible to those in public safety left a lasting impression on me.
Fast forward to the fall of 2023: I hosted a small, informal writing group. Eric joined, bringing with him a clear vision and strong sense of commitment. What impressed me most was his consistency. Week after week, he showed up. He wrote. He refined his book. He talked openly about his book, asked smart questions about the publishing process, and kept momentum even when life was demanding.
And then when he went to launch, he was all in on the process. He posted every day leading up to his release date. He wasn’t scared to put the message out to his audience and talk about his book. I LOVE seeing this with an author who launches! It can be uncomfortable at first, but books do better when we stand behind them rather than letting fear get in the way.
That steady commitment made all the difference. Writing a book isn’t about waiting for inspiration to strike—it’s about showing up, putting words on the page, and pushing through the tough days. Eric modeled this beautifully. Within months, he had completed his first draft, and together we researched the right Amazon categories and publishing strategies to set him up for success. As the host of the writing group, I was able to help him clarify his goals, navigate decisions about self-publishing, and approach marketing with confidence. He took those tools, self-published strategically, and quickly hit #1 bestseller status on Amazon. 🚀
But Eric didn’t stop there. What makes his story even more exciting is how he’s been strategic about growing his book into a larger platform. Since launch, he’s booked speaking engagements and begun building companion tools and courses to expand his reach. He’s also exploring ways to create workbooks and additional resources that flow directly from the foundation of his book.
This is exactly what I love helping my clients do: take a book from idea to draft to launch, and then grow it into something bigger. A book can be the cornerstone of a brand, a business, or a movement if you treat self-publishing not just as a one-time project but as the start of something ongoing.
Lessons for Aspiring Authors
If you’re dreaming of writing and publishing your book, here are two powerful takeaways from Eric’s journey:
Consistency is everything. Inspiration will come and go, but what actually gets your book finished is showing up, week after week. Eric’s steady presence in our writing group was a key to him crossing the finish line. Outside of the writing group sessions, he was committed to posting frequently on social media to get the word out.
Think beyond the book. Successful self-published authors know their book is the beginning, not the end. By planning ahead for marketing, companion resources, and opportunities like speaking or teaching, you can turn your book into a platform that grows with you.
Congrats, Eric!
Eric, it’s been inspiring to watch your journey unfold—from showing up to write that very first draft, to celebrating your launch, to now seeing you expand into new areas of impact. I’m so proud of what you’ve accomplished, and I can’t wait to see where your work continues to grow.
You can follow Eric on Instagram @yogafordudes and grab your copy of Everyday Stoicism for Public Safety on Amazon.
If you’re an aspiring writer and want support in self-publishing, book coaching, or marketing your book, I’d love to help. At Confident Authors, I offer ghostwriting, developmental and copy editing, and coaching for writers who are ready to stop dreaming and get to work publishing a book. Whether you need accountability like Eric did, help structuring your draft, or guidance through the publishing and marketing process, I can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.