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You Are a Heroine: A Retelling of the Hero’s Journey
In every heroic tale, the heroine is called to fulfill a com¬pelling desire or seek a new adventure. Sometimes she is eager to accept the call. Other times, she refuses out of fear—but the call grows ever louder.
For modern-day women, the struggle for self-discovery and the courage to leap into the unknown is no different.
Mirroring the heroine’s journey, this empowering guide
the power of choice.
models for personal development.
strategies to combat critics (even yourself).
tips for dealing with emotional roadblocks.
methods to achieve self-acceptance.
You may not be Wonder Woman, but you are certainly a heroine. It’s time to unleash the power within!
For fans
Joseph Campbell's "The Hero with a Thousand Faces"
Will Craig's "Living the Hero's Journey"
Maureen Murdock's "The Heroine's Journey"
BlueInk Starred
You know you’re in for a ride when a book starts with a woman—in this case, the author’s then-21-year-old grandmother—tossing her suitcase from a moving train, then leaping herself. “She did what anyone following her dream would do,” life coach Susanna Liller explains in the preface to You Are a A Retelling of the Hero’s Journey.
Fortunately, Liller’s book doesn’t encourage readers to jump out of vehicles. Rather, it’s designed to “awaken the Heroine” in ordinary women and help them reach their potential in areas ranging from career and parenting to social activism. “The Heroine’s Journey,” she writes, “is ultimately all about the Heroine allowing herself to become herself.”
Building on the work of the late author Joseph Campbell, who linked classical myths to common psychological themes, Liller guides readers with chapter-by-chapter steps of the Journey, such as the “Call,” which represents the urge to do something different; learning to interact with major characters like naysayers and supporters, and coming to grips with figurative dragons that represent deep fears and challenges. Three real-life heroines—women who’ve seen their share of life-changing events, from divorce to chronic illness—share stories throughout, and their motivational quotes appear at the beginning of each chapter along with Campbell’s. Writing exercises are embedded in the prose.
With occasional references to Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, Liller also gives relatable examples of her personal Journey milestones, including how the shock of having a pet project put on the back-burner by the boss quickly led to a new self-employment venture.
The author’s straightforward, conversational writing is a pleasure, but it’s her ability to help women interpret their circumstances in a more adventurous, intuitive way that makes this book unique. While male heroes have been traditionally defined by their physical battles, “Heroineism,” she writes, “is about having the courage to expand from within.” The Heroine’s Journey gives us a fresh way of seeing just how far we can go.
Highly recommended for fans of Joseph Campbell.
For modern-day women, the struggle for self-discovery and the courage to leap into the unknown is no different.
Mirroring the heroine’s journey, this empowering guide
the power of choice.
models for personal development.
strategies to combat critics (even yourself).
tips for dealing with emotional roadblocks.
methods to achieve self-acceptance.
You may not be Wonder Woman, but you are certainly a heroine. It’s time to unleash the power within!
For fans
Joseph Campbell's "The Hero with a Thousand Faces"
Will Craig's "Living the Hero's Journey"
Maureen Murdock's "The Heroine's Journey"
BlueInk Starred
You know you’re in for a ride when a book starts with a woman—in this case, the author’s then-21-year-old grandmother—tossing her suitcase from a moving train, then leaping herself. “She did what anyone following her dream would do,” life coach Susanna Liller explains in the preface to You Are a A Retelling of the Hero’s Journey.
Fortunately, Liller’s book doesn’t encourage readers to jump out of vehicles. Rather, it’s designed to “awaken the Heroine” in ordinary women and help them reach their potential in areas ranging from career and parenting to social activism. “The Heroine’s Journey,” she writes, “is ultimately all about the Heroine allowing herself to become herself.”
Building on the work of the late author Joseph Campbell, who linked classical myths to common psychological themes, Liller guides readers with chapter-by-chapter steps of the Journey, such as the “Call,” which represents the urge to do something different; learning to interact with major characters like naysayers and supporters, and coming to grips with figurative dragons that represent deep fears and challenges. Three real-life heroines—women who’ve seen their share of life-changing events, from divorce to chronic illness—share stories throughout, and their motivational quotes appear at the beginning of each chapter along with Campbell’s. Writing exercises are embedded in the prose.
With occasional references to Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, Liller also gives relatable examples of her personal Journey milestones, including how the shock of having a pet project put on the back-burner by the boss quickly led to a new self-employment venture.
The author’s straightforward, conversational writing is a pleasure, but it’s her ability to help women interpret their circumstances in a more adventurous, intuitive way that makes this book unique. While male heroes have been traditionally defined by their physical battles, “Heroineism,” she writes, “is about having the courage to expand from within.” The Heroine’s Journey gives us a fresh way of seeing just how far we can go.
Highly recommended for fans of Joseph Campbell.
ebook
Published October 9, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 15, 2026
You Are a Heroine: A Retelling of the Hero’s Journey by Susanna Liller is an empowering self-development guide that reinterprets Joseph Campbell’s classic Hero’s Journey through a modern, female-centered lens. The book blends mythic structure with practical self-help tools to help readers better understand personal growth, identity, and transformation.
One of the book’s strongest qualities is its adaptation of the Hero’s Journey framework into a relatable personal development model. By breaking the journey into accessible stages—such as the “Call,” encounters with inner and outer challenges, and the process of self-realization—the author provides readers with a structured way to interpret their own life experiences through a more meaningful narrative lens.
The inclusion of real-life stories and reflective exercises adds depth and usability to the concept. These elements help bridge theory and practice, allowing readers to actively engage with the material rather than simply consuming it. The result is a book that encourages introspection while also offering practical pathways toward growth and self-awareness.
Another notable strength is its emphasis on emotional resilience and self-acceptance. The book addresses internal barriers such as fear, self-doubt, and external criticism, framing them as part of a broader transformational journey rather than fixed limitations. This perspective helps readers reframe challenges as necessary steps in personal evolution.
At its core, You Are a Heroine is a guide to self-discovery through narrative transformation. Thoughtful, structured, and empowering, it encourages readers to see themselves as active participants in their own life story. Susanna Liller successfully translates a classic mythological framework into a modern tool for empowerment, making the Heroine’s Journey accessible to contemporary readers seeking meaning and personal growth.
One of the book’s strongest qualities is its adaptation of the Hero’s Journey framework into a relatable personal development model. By breaking the journey into accessible stages—such as the “Call,” encounters with inner and outer challenges, and the process of self-realization—the author provides readers with a structured way to interpret their own life experiences through a more meaningful narrative lens.
The inclusion of real-life stories and reflective exercises adds depth and usability to the concept. These elements help bridge theory and practice, allowing readers to actively engage with the material rather than simply consuming it. The result is a book that encourages introspection while also offering practical pathways toward growth and self-awareness.
Another notable strength is its emphasis on emotional resilience and self-acceptance. The book addresses internal barriers such as fear, self-doubt, and external criticism, framing them as part of a broader transformational journey rather than fixed limitations. This perspective helps readers reframe challenges as necessary steps in personal evolution.
At its core, You Are a Heroine is a guide to self-discovery through narrative transformation. Thoughtful, structured, and empowering, it encourages readers to see themselves as active participants in their own life story. Susanna Liller successfully translates a classic mythological framework into a modern tool for empowerment, making the Heroine’s Journey accessible to contemporary readers seeking meaning and personal growth.
January 25, 2026
This book felt like someone finally put words to an inner journey I didn’t realize I was already on. You Are a Heroine isn’t just motivational it’s grounding, thoughtful, and deeply personal. I loved how Susanna Liller connects real-life struggles with the heroine’s journey in a way that feels practical, not abstract. The reflections made me pause and rethink my choices, fears, and self-doubt. I walked away feeling seen, encouraged, and more confident in embracing my own path.
January 27, 2020
The Heroine's Journey is a powerful metaphor for life. It truly is inspiration and insights that transform one's life. Here's to your Call to Adventure! Karen Briscoe, author and podcast host 5 Minute Success
December 31, 2018
Here's the review on my blog:
https://evaksullivan.com
https://evaksullivan.com
September 28, 2022
Rather superficial.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews