Taking the Leap: Author J Edwards Holt On How To Learn To Believe In Yourself
An Interview With Savio P. Clemente
Start Before You Feel Ready. When I wrote Little Men, Big Treasures, I didn’t feel like a “real” author. I had no publishing experience, no literary accolades. I just had a story I believed in. I could’ve waited until I felt more qualified, but instead, I took the leap. That decision led to my first published book and the beginning of my career. Belief often grows after action, not before.
Starting something new is scary. Learning to believe in yourself can be a critical precursor to starting a new initiative. Why is it so important to learn to believe in yourself? How can someone work on gaining these skills? In this interview series, we are talking to business leaders, authors, writers, coaches, medical professionals, teachers, to share empowering insights about “How To Learn To Believe In Yourself.” As a part of this series we had the pleasure of interviewing J. Edwards Holt.
J. Edwards Holt is a bestselling and award winning author from the United States. He is most commonly known for his works of fiction, which are often described as timeless tales of wonder and magic with messages relevant to the modern world. He published his first book in 2017 and since has gone on to produce a total of 12 works of fiction in a connected universe.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
Absolutely. Thank you for having me!
I was born and raised in North Carolina, and from a young age, I was always drawn to storytelling. Whether it was scribbling down short stories in notebooks or dreaming up imaginary worlds during recess, I knew early on that writing was more than just a hobby; it was part of who I was. My childhood was steeped in creativity and faith. I grew up in church, where I was actively involved in ministry alongside my mother. We ran a mobile puppet ministry during my teen years, which not only nurtured my love for performance and storytelling but also deepened my connection to community and service.
Books and comics were my constant companions. I was fascinated by epic tales, mythologies, and the kind of worldbuilding you find in Tolkien’s works or the Marvel Universe. That fascination eventually evolved into a desire to create my own universe, one where I could shape the rules, the history, and even the mythology behind the stories.
Though I initially pursued a degree in education and spent time teaching, I realized that my true calling was in writing. That realization led me to take a leap of faith and begin my journey as an author. Looking back, every part of my childhood, from the church pews to the comic book shelves, played a role in shaping the writer I am today.
What or who inspired you to pursue your career? We’d love to hear the story.
Thank you! This is one of my favorite questions to answer.
My journey into writing was inspired by a blend of faith, imagination, and a lifelong love of storytelling. Growing up in North Carolina, I was surrounded by comic books, fantasy novels, and superhero movies. I was captivated by the idea of worlds beyond our own, places where good and evil clashed in epic battles, and where even the most unlikely hero could change the course of history. That fascination planted the seed for what would eventually become my own fictional universe, The Seven Branches.
But the real turning point came when I was working on my first book, Little Men, Big Treasures. At first, it was just a fun fantasy project. Then I learned my publisher only accepted religious manuscripts. That challenge pushed me to reimagine the story through a spiritual lens, and something clicked. Suddenly, I wasn’t just writing for entertainment, I was writing with purpose. I realized I could use fantasy as a vessel to share Christian values and messages of hope, courage, and redemption.
In many ways, my inspiration came from wanting to minister through storytelling. I’ve always felt called to serve, and writing became my way of doing that. If my books can help someone feel seen, uplifted, or inspired to reflect on their own journey, then I know I’m doing what I was meant to do.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Absolutely! I’ve made my fair share of rookie mistakes, and some of them were downright hilarious in hindsight.
One that stands out happened when I was preparing my first manuscript for submission. I was so excited to share Little Men, Big Treasures with the world that I rushed through the formatting without double-checking everything. I ended up submitting a version where the chapter titles were in three different fonts, the margins were all over the place, and I had accidentally left in a note to myself that said, “Fix this later, it’s too boring.” Right there in the middle of a dramatic scene!
Needless to say, I got a very polite rejection with some helpful feedback. At first, I was embarrassed, but then I realized how valuable that moment was. It taught me that writing isn’t just about creativity; it’s also about discipline, attention to detail, and respecting the reader’s experience. I learned to slow down, take the time to polish my work, and treat every draft like it’s the final one.
And hey, if nothing else, it gave me a great story to tell. Mistakes like that remind me to laugh at myself and stay humble. Every misstep is just another step toward growth.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?
I wish I could share all the details, but for now, I’ll just say that I’m working on a few projects that stay true to the heart of everything I’ve written so far: stories filled with adventure, spiritual depth, and characters who wrestle with courage, redemption, and purpose.
One of these projects explores a new corner of the universe I’ve been building, with fresh heroes and challenges that reflect the inner battles we all face. Another leans into allegory, using fantasy to mirror real-world struggles like fear, forgiveness, and identity. Both are designed not just to entertain, but to offer hope and remind readers that even in the darkest chapters, light is never far away.
I believe stories have the power to heal, especially when they speak to the soul. Whether someone’s walking through doubt, grief, or just trying to find their place in the world, I hope these upcoming works will be a source of encouragement. My goal is always to create worlds that feel mythic yet personal, where readers can see themselves in the journey and walk away feeling a little braver.
So while I can’t say much yet, I can promise this: the adventure continues, and the message remains the same. Keep the faith. Keep turning the page.
OK, thank you for all of that. Let’s now shift to the core focus of our interview. This will be intuitive to you but it will be helpful to spell this out directly. Can you help explain a few reasons why it is so important to believe in yourself? Can you share a story or give some examples?
Of course! Believing in yourself is the foundation of any meaningful journey, especially in creative work.
When I first started writing, I had no formal training in publishing, no connections in the industry, and no guarantee that anyone would read my stories. I remember submitting my first manuscript and feeling overwhelmed by self-doubt. Was it good enough? Would anyone care? But I kept going, not because I was certain of success, but because I believed in the message behind my work. That belief gave me the courage to take risks, to learn from setbacks, and to keep writing even when the path wasn’t clear.
One of the most vivid examples came when I was working on Legend of the Rainbow Treaders. The story centers around a young hero who doesn’t feel worthy of the role he’s been given. He’s unsure, afraid, and constantly questioning himself. But as the story unfolds, he learns that courage isn’t the absence of fear — it’s the decision to move forward in spite of it. That character’s arc mirrors my own journey as a writer. I poured a lot of my personal experience into that book, and in doing so, I realized how powerful self-belief can be, not just for the characters we create, but for ourselves.
Believing in yourself doesn’t mean you’ll never fail. It means you trust that your voice matters, that your story is worth telling, and that even when the world says “no,” you keep showing up. That mindset has carried me through publishing challenges, creative blocks, and moments of doubt. And it’s what I hope to pass on to my readers: that they, too, have something valuable to offer, and the strength to see it through.
What exactly does it mean to believe in yourself? Can I believe that I can be a great artist even though I’m not very talented? Can I believe I can be a gold medal Olympic even if I’m not athletic? Can you please explain what you mean?
That’s a powerful question, and one I think about often, especially when talking to aspiring creatives or young readers.
To me, believing in yourself doesn’t mean convincing yourself you’re already the best. It means trusting that you’re capable of growth, that your effort matters, and that your journey is worth pursuing even if the odds seem stacked against you.
Let’s take your examples. Can you believe you’ll be a great artist even if you don’t feel talented? Absolutely. Because talent is only one part of the equation. Passion, discipline, and persistence often carry more weight. When I first started writing, I didn’t have formal training or a literary background. I just had stories in my heart and a desire to share them. Over time, through trial, error, and a lot of editing, I became the author I am today. That transformation didn’t happen because I was born with perfect skill, but because I believed the message I wanted to share was worth the work.
Now, can someone believe they’ll be an Olympic gold medalist without being athletic? That’s trickier…but belief still plays a role. It might not guarantee a gold medal, but it can fuel the kind of commitment that leads to surprising breakthroughs. Believing in yourself means you’re willing to show up, train, fail, and try again. It’s not about blind optimism, but about faithful action.
So when I say “believe in yourself,” I’m not saying ignore reality. I’m saying don’t let it define you. Let your belief be the spark that drives you to learn, grow, and become. Whether you’re painting your first canvas or writing your tenth book, that belief is what keeps you moving forward, even when the finish line feels far away.
Was there a time when you did not believe in yourself? How did this impact your choices?
Definitely! I think most writers, if they’re honest, have faced that moment of doubt.
For me, it happened right after I finished my first manuscript. I had poured my heart into Little Men, Big Treasures, but when it came time to share it with others, I froze. I kept thinking, “Who am I to write a book? What if people don’t get it? What if it’s not good enough?” That fear almost kept me from submitting it at all. I sat on the finished draft for weeks, second-guessing every word.
Eventually, I did send it out, but even then, I braced myself for rejection. And sure enough, the first publisher turned it down. That hit hard. I started wondering if I should just stick to teaching and leave writing as a private passion. But something inside me wouldn’t let go of the story. I believed in the message, even if I didn’t fully believe in myself yet.
That moment taught me that self-doubt can be paralyzing, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. I realized that if I waited until I felt “ready,” I might never take the leap. So I chose to move forward anyway. I found a publisher who believed in the spiritual heart of the story, and that opened the door to everything that followed.
Looking back, I’m grateful for that season of doubt. It forced me to confront my fears and make a conscious decision to trust the calling I felt. And now, whenever I hear from a reader who’s been touched by one of my books, I’m reminded that believing in yourself isn’t just about confidence; it’s about perseverance.
At what point did you realize that in order to get to the next level, it would be necessary to build up your belief in yourself? Can you share the story with us?
Of course, and I can tell you the exact season when that realization hit me.
It was right after I had published my first book, Little Men, Big Treasures. You’d think that getting a book out into the world would make me feel confident, like I had “arrived.” But instead, I found myself hesitating to promote it, second-guessing interviews, and wondering if I really belonged in the world of authorship. I was proud of the work, but I still felt like an imposter or like I had just gotten lucky.
Then one day, I received a message from a reader who said the story had helped them through a difficult time. They saw themselves in the characters, and the spiritual themes gave them hope. That moment changed everything. I realized that the impact of my work wasn’t about how polished or perfect it was — it was about the heart behind it. And if I wanted to keep reaching people, I had to stop shrinking back and start believing that my voice mattered.
That’s when I made a conscious decision: if I was going to grow as a writer and a messenger, I had to build up my belief in myself as someone called to serve through creativity. I started showing up more boldly, leaning into interviews, sharing my journey, and trusting that the stories I was writing were doing more than entertaining, like planting seeds.
That shift didn’t happen overnight, but it was the turning point. I stopped waiting for confidence to arrive and started cultivating it through action, prayer, and purpose. And every step since then has been built on that foundation.
What are your top 5 strategies that will help someone learn to believe in themselves? Please share a story or example for each.
Sure! Here are five strategies that have helped me learn to believe in myself, each rooted in personal experience:
1. Start Before You Feel Ready
When I wrote Little Men, Big Treasures, I didn’t feel like a “real” author. I had no publishing experience, no literary accolades. I just had a story I believed in. I could’ve waited until I felt more qualified, but instead, I took the leap. That decision led to my first published book and the beginning of my career. Belief often grows after action, not before.
2. Turn Rejection into Refinement
Early on, I submitted a manuscript that got rejected with a note saying it didn’t meet the publisher’s spiritual criteria. Instead of giving up, I reworked the story to reflect my faith more deeply. That revision became a turning point…and not just in my writing, but in how I saw myself. Rejection isn’t a verdict; it’s an invitation to grow.
3. Surround Yourself with Encouragers
During my transition from teaching to writing, I leaned heavily on a few close friends and mentors who reminded me of my calling. Their belief in me helped me believe in myself. Whether it’s family, church, or fellow creatives, having people who speak life into your journey makes all the difference.
4. Create with Purpose, Not Perfection
When I wrote Legend of the Rainbow Treaders, I was tempted to obsess over every detail. But I realized that chasing perfection was draining the joy out of the process. Instead, I focused on the heart of the story, which is its message of redemption and courage. That shift helped me trust my voice and let go of the fear of “not being good enough.”
5. Reflect on Past Victories
Whenever I hit a wall creatively or emotionally, I revisit the milestones: the first book launch, the reader who said my story helped them through a hard time, the moment I saw my name in print. These memories remind me that I’ve overcome doubt before, and I can do it again. Confidence is cumulative; build it by remembering where you’ve already triumphed.
Believing in yourself isn’t a one-time decision, but a daily practice. And every time you choose faith over fear, you strengthen that belief a little more.
Conversely, how can one stop the negative stream of self-criticism that often accompanies us as we try to grow?
That’s such an important question, and one I’ve wrestled with personally many times.
Self-criticism can feel like a constant background noise, especially when you’re trying to grow creatively or spiritually. For me, the turning point came when I realized that voice in my head wasn’t always telling the truth, but was echoing fear instead of fact.
One strategy I use is reframing the inner dialogue. Instead of saying, “This isn’t good enough,” I ask, “What can I learn from this?” That shift turns criticism into curiosity. For example, when I was editing The Battle of Danamor, I kept nitpicking every scene, convinced it wasn’t strong enough. But once I started viewing those doubts as signals instead of stop signs, I was able to improve the story without tearing myself down.
Another powerful tool is gratitude for progress. I keep a journal where I jot down small wins: finishing a chapter, receiving a kind message from a reader, even just showing up to write on a hard day. Those reminders help drown out the negative stream and replace it with evidence of growth.
Also, I’ve learned to embrace imperfection as part of the process. Every author I admire has faced rejection, rewrites, and moments of doubt. Knowing that helps me give myself grace. I remind myself that I’m not aiming for flawlessness, but for faithfulness to the calling I’ve been given.
Lastly, I lean into prayer and reflection. When the inner critic gets loud, I take a step back and reconnect with the deeper “why” behind my work. That spiritual grounding helps me remember that my worth isn’t tied to performance. Instead, it’s rooted in purpose.
Stopping the stream of self-criticism isn’t about silencing every doubt. It’s about learning to listen to the voice of truth louder than the voice of fear. And that’s a practice I’m still learning every day.
Are there any misconceptions about self-confidence and believing in oneself that you would like to dispel?
Yeah, and I think this is a conversation we need to have more often.
One of the biggest misconceptions about self-confidence is that it’s loud, flashy, or ego-driven. People often assume that believing in yourself means you have to be the most outspoken person in the room or that you never struggle with doubt. But in my experience, true self-confidence is quiet, steady, and deeply rooted in purpose. It’s not about thinking you’re better than others, but about knowing you have something meaningful to offer.
Another myth is that you have to feel confident before you act. That’s simply not true. When I first started writing, I didn’t feel confident at all. I questioned my talent, my voice, and whether anyone would care about my stories. But I kept writing anyway. I kept going because I believed the message behind my work mattered. Confidence often comes after you take the leap, not before.
There’s also this idea that self-belief means you’ll never fail. But failure is part of the process. Believing in yourself doesn’t shield you from setbacks. It gives you the resilience to learn from them. I’ve made mistakes, received tough feedback, and had moments where I wanted to quit. But each time, I chose to see those moments as stepping stones rather than roadblocks.
Also, let me say that self-confidence isn’t a solo journey. It’s okay to lean on others or ask for help, to seek encouragement, and to be vulnerable. Some of my greatest breakthroughs came when I let others speak truth into my life, especially during seasons when I couldn’t see it for myself.
So if I could dispel one misconception, it’s that self-confidence isn’t about perfection or bravado. It’s about showing up and trusting that your voice matters, even when it shakes.
What advice would you give to someone who is struggling with imposter syndrome?
That’s a question close to my heart, because imposter syndrome is something I’ve faced more than once, especially early in my writing journey.
My first piece of advice would be: remember why you started. When I was writing Little Men, Big Treasures, I constantly battled thoughts like, “I’m not a real author,” or “Who am I to write something meaningful?” But I kept coming back to the reason I started writing in the first place, which is to share stories that inspire people and reflect my faith. That purpose became my anchor when doubt tried to pull me under.
Second, don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. It’s easy to look at bestselling authors or seasoned creatives and feel like you don’t measure up. But every master was once a beginner. I had to learn that my journey was mine alone, and that growth takes time. The fact that you’re showing up and doing the work is what makes you legitimate.
Third, talk back to the voice of doubt. I’ve found it helpful to literally write down the negative thoughts and then respond to them with truth. For example, if I think, “I’m not talented enough,” I’ll counter with, “I’ve written and published multiple books that have touched readers’ lives.” That kind of intentional reframing helps retrain your mindset.
Fourth, surround yourself with people who believe in you. Whether it’s a friend or a reader who sends a kind message, it’s those voices of encouragement that can be powerful antidotes to imposter syndrome. I’ve leaned on my faith community and creative peers more times than I can count.
And finally, give yourself grace. You don’t have to be perfect to be worthy. You don’t need a trophy or a title to be valid. If you’re creating with heart, showing up with integrity, and growing through the process, then you are the real deal.
Imposter syndrome may whisper lies, but your purpose speaks louder. Keep listening to that voice, and keep going.
Ok, we are nearly done. You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
Thank you! That’s a humbling question, and one I’ve given a lot of thought to.
If I could inspire a movement, I like the idea of something that would be a global initiative to encourage people to rediscover the power of storytelling as a tool for healing and transformation. Not just writing books or making films, but sharing personal testimonies, family histories, cultural myths, and spiritual journeys in ways that uplift and unite.
Why storytelling? Because stories are how we make sense of the world. They’re how we pass down wisdom, preserve identity, and spark empathy. In my own life, I’ve seen how a simple tale can open hearts…and even lead someone to faith. I believe that if more people were empowered to tell their stories with courage and authenticity, we’d see a ripple effect of healing across communities.
This movement would involve workshops in underserved areas, mentorship for aspiring writers, and platforms where unheard voices can be amplified. It would partner with schools, churches, libraries, and even prisons. And it wouldn’t be limited to one medium. Whether through puppetry, poetry, comics, or spoken word, the goal would be the same: to help people believe their story matters.
Because when someone finds the courage to tell their truth, they not only reclaim their voice, but they give others permission to do the same. And that, I believe, is how we change the world: one story at a time.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we both tag them :-)
I’m not sure of anyone specific, but I’m always happy to connect with new readers!
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Readers can always find me by doing a Google search for J. Edwards Holt or visiting my website: www.jedwardsholt.com. In addition I can be found on all the social media outlets @jedwardsholt.
Thank you for these really excellent insights, and we greatly appreciate the time you spent with this. We wish you continued success.
Thanks for having me!
