How to Write for a Living

Season 3, episode 12 is here! This solo episode is a relaxed, open conversation about reviewing your 2025 creative work and getting intentional about 2026. It’s part reflection, part behind-the-scenes, part gentle push to simplify your process and double down on what genuinely works. What I’ve covered: - How to honestly review your 2025 wins, losses and “busywork” so you don’t drag dead weight int...

Season 3, episode 11 is here! In this episode, Jari Roomer and I explore how to meaningfully grow a creator business by developing and selling digital courses (with particular focus on mini-courses). If you’re interested in growing your income in 2026 through semi-passive means, this is a great one for you! Also make sure to claim your spot on Tuesday’s FREE live training session before you go! Th...

Season 3, episode 10 is here! In this extra-special chat with my wife, Christine McIlroy, we peel back how our life together has intertwined with our creative work, the shifts we’ve navigated in solopreneurship, and how partnership can both challenge and fuel your writing career in surprising ways. What we covered: - Why going the extra mile for clients is a total game-changer as a solopreneur - W...

Season 3, episode 9 is here! In this episode, Taylin John Simmonds and I talk about what it really takes to build a creative business from scratch without losing your sense of purpose or burning out. Teaching music, ghostwriting at 3am, building an online brand that supports a life of freedom… we cover it all. This is an honest, practical conversation packed with insights for anyone trying to make...

Season 3, episode 8 is here! In this episode, Walter Rhein and I dive deep into the world of fantasy writing - where stories begin, how they evolve, and why imagination still matters in an increasingly practical world. Worldbuilding, villains, the power of silliness - this conversation explores what makes great fantasy resonate and how writers can keep the spark of creativity alive as they grow ol...

Season 3, episode 7 is here! In this solo episode, I talk about one of the biggest mistakes writers make on Substack - losing readers before they’ve even hit publish. I break down the small, overlooked details that make all the difference when someone lands on your publication for the first time, and how a few simple changes can quietly convert visitors into loyal subscribers. If you’ve been writi...

Season 3, episode 6 is here! In this conversation, Veronica Llorca-Smith and I caught up one year after our very first podcast together to talk about what’s changed, what’s grown, and what’s next. This episode is packed with insight for anyone who wants to build a creative career that feels human, purposeful, and sustainable. What we covered: - How a single podcast interview led to the launch of a...

Season 3, episode 5 is here! In this conversation, Peter William Murphy shares his winding path from growing up in Kerry to teaching abroad, then diving headfirst into writing without a safety net. We talk about his love for Substack, why humor and vulnerability matter online, and how he’s channelling his earnings into building a school with his wife. Peter also opens up about writing his first no...

Season 3, episode 4 is here! In this episode, I sat down with my friends in the Write • Build • Scale team - Jari, Sinem, and Philip - for a big-picture chat about the future of the creator economy. We explored how technology is changing the game, why trust is the most valuable currency, and what it really takes to build a creator business that lasts. Along the way, we also talked about the highs...

Season 3, episode 3 is here! In this conversation, Anfernee shares his journey from corporate work into solopreneurship, why he started The Solopreneur Code , and how he helps one-person businesses find more freedom without getting stuck in constant hustle. We talk about growth on Substack, the realities of building digital products, and why mindset is often the difference between staying stuck an...

Season 3, episode 2 is here! In this conversation, poet and marketer Shelby Leigh shares her path from self-publishing to traditional publishing, the lessons she’s learned about building an audience of hundreds of thousands, and why protecting your mental health is just as important as consistency. Shelby is honest about the lonely stretches, generous with her marketing strategies, and full of enc...

Season 3 is here! In this solo kickoff to season three, I dive into one of the topics I care about most right now: writer branding. I unpack why it matters more than ever in 2025, how to think about it in practical terms, and the first steps you can take today to start building a brand readers remember and trust. What I covered: - Why trust, not words alone, is the real currency readers buy into -...

The Season 2 finale is here! In this conversation, literary agent Kate McKean offers an inside look at how publishing really works, from the first query letter to the call where an author hears their book has sold. With more than 20 years of experience, Kate is refreshingly candid about the realities of writing, rejection, marketing, and building a sustainable career. If you’ve ever wondered what...

Season 2, episode 23 is here! In this episode, George Kao shares his journey from Silicon Valley to Mexico, why he calls himself an “authentic business coach,” and the practices that have kept him going as a solopreneur for more than 16 years. We dive into what it means to create from the soul, how to stay productive without burning out, and why boundaries and longevity matter more than any quick...

Season 2, episode 22 is here! In this episode, Kieran Drew tells me what it was like to leave dentistry to build a thriving online writing business. He shares how he went from zero audience to over 280,000+ readers and more than $1.3M in revenue, why storytelling became his most valuable skill, and how he balances depth, reach, and revenue in his work. We cover everything from selling in a human w...

Season 2, episode 21 is here! In this conversation, Russell Nohelty unpacks the realities of making a living as a writer, from the hidden math of capitalism to the promise you make readers in a series. He shares the lessons he’s learned over more than a decade of fiction and nonfiction publishing, why Kickstarter beats most retail launches, and how understanding your audience can open creative and...

Season 2, episode 20 is here! In this conversation, Chenell Basilio shares how she went from a solo deep-dive experiment to building a newsletter followed by tens of thousands and her own successful community. We get into what drives real growth, how to stay visible without burning out, and why keeping things human is still the most underrated advantage online. What we covered: - How Growth in Rev...

Season 2, episode 19 is here! In this conversation, Jay Clouse opens up about the business behind his creative work, the systems that keep his community running, and his growing obsession with one powerful idea: trust. Beginning with his early product background to running a 450-member creator community, Jay shares practical advice and personal insights on building a sustainable creator career fro...

Season 2, episode 18 is here! In this episode, Erica Schneider shares what it really takes to go from full-time agency work to running your own solopreneur business as a writer. We chat about personal pivots, marketing strategies and emotional clarity in writing - this one’s a real deep dive into the mindset and mechanics of modern creative work. What we covered: - Why Erica left a stable agency j...

Season 2, episode 17 is here! In this episode, Rodney Daut breaks down what creators often get wrong about building and selling courses, and how to rethink content from the ground up. He shares practical insights, surprising analogies, and sharp strategies for creators who want their work to actually teach (and sell). What we covered: - Why traditional social media failed Rodney, and why Substack...

Season 2, episode 16 is here! In this episode, I chat to Dina Marais, a coach and publisher who helps aspiring authors turn their stories into bestsellers. Our conversation is packed with insights for any writer dreaming of seeing their name on a book cover and building a thriving business behind it. What we covered: - How Dina pivoted from IT to coaching and publishing, helping over 100 authors r...

Season 2, episode 15 is here! In this episode, I chat to Ciler from Newsletter Circle about the realities of building a sustainable newsletter business from scratch. Here’s a taste of what we covered: - The surprising career pivot from corporate marketing to running a thriving newsletter business. - How Newsletter Circle carved out a unique niche in the crowded newsletter space. - Behind-the-scene...

Season 2, episode 14 is here! In this episode, I chat to Alex Mathers about how writers can use clear positioning, consistent messaging, and audience trust to generate real, sustainable income online. You’ll learn: - Why most online writers struggle with visibility despite being highly skilled. - The concept of the “Recognition Gap” and how it affects client acquisition. - The importance of having...

Season 2, episode 13 is here! In this episode, I chat to Yana G.Y. about how and why to treat Substack like a business and generate real, sustainable income on the platform. You’ll learn: - Why treating your Substack like a real business changes everything - How Yana hit a 6% conversion rate (and keeps it steady) - The overlooked channel on Substack that converts better than email - What a smart 2...

Season 2, episode 12 is here! In this episode, I chat to… myself… about why Substack is the best place to be right now as a writer, and what I’d do if I was just starting out on the platform. You’ll learn: - Why Substack is the #1 platform for writers starting today - How I grew from ~50 to 23,000+ subscribers using simple, consistent strategies - The three biggest advantages of using Substack ove...