Sabotage: How to Get Out of Your Own Way is a pocket-sized investigation into self-sabotage: what it is, why we do it, and how we can break our toxic patterns. We spoke with author Emma Gannon about the inspiration for the book, recording audiobooks in lockdown, and more!
Please tell us a little bit about what inspired you to write this book and how this story took shape for you.
I was inspired to write Sabotage because I was curious as to why I personally would try and ‘sabotage’ my own success. When things were going well, I was tempted to try and mess them up a bit, or pull myself down to a level I felt more comfortable at. When talking to others I realized I wasn’t alone—and when I spoke to psychologists and therapists I began realizing that there are reasons why we do it, and simple ways to avoid doing it. Writing the book helped me, so I am hoping it does the same for others.
In two sentences or less, what’s something that might surprise Libro.fm listeners about your audiobook?
Sabotage is shorter than most audiobooks. Like an elongated, digestible podcast—so you could get through it on a couple of walks (which I like.)
Have you listened to your own audiobook? If so, what struck you about the narration?
I have. Both Sabotage and The Multi-Hyphen Life. I’m used to the sound of my own voice because of my podcast Ctrl Alt Delete. For The Multi-Hyphen Life, I actually had to record some of it in lockdown, so that will always been a strange memory. For Sabotage, my boyfriend listened and said it’s ‘relaxing’ to listen to. So that’s nice, as it’s what I was aiming for.
Are you an audiobook listener? If so, what are some of your favorite audiobooks?
Oh yes—I love audiobooks. Most recently I’ve been loving audiobooks by Elizabeth Gilbert and Martha Beck about creativity and overcoming self doubt.
What have independent bookstores and/or booksellers meant to you personally and professionally?
You can’t beat the magic of independent bookstores. From a very young age I gravitated towards them, and often felt more at home in a bookstore than literally anyway else. Professionally, I’ve become very grateful for the discoverability of independent bookstores and the creative curation. You always find a hidden gem.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I hope you like listening to Sabotage!