How to Write for a Living

Season 2, episode 11 is here! In this episode, I chat to Derek Hughes about how he’s built a thriving online writing business on Substack and Medium. You’ll learn: - How Derek grew his audience and income with Notes, coaching cohorts, and digital products - Why autonomy and personal freedom matter more than just chasing big income - The most crucial advice for new writers: focus on starting and st...

Season 2, episode 8 is here! In this episode, I chat with Michael Lim, who’s currently living the sweet creator life in Bali and can’t believe he’s almost 30. Here’s some of what we touched on in this one: - The DOT framework for solopreneurs - How to fix your offer using the Three Ps - Why money and titles don’t equate to happiness - Which other writers have influenced Michael’s approach If you w...

Season 2, episode 7 is here! In this episode, I chat with Jari Roomer, who expertly walks us through the process of creating and lauching digital products actually wanted by our audience members (which is kind of a big deal!). Here’s some of what we covered: - When to let go as an entrepeneur - How to validate ideas with your audience - The differences between full and mini courses - The best ways...

Season 2, episode 6 is here! In this episode, I chat with Emma Nelson, who shares some fascinating insights on what it’s like to be a professional ghostwriter (while simultaneously writing a novel!). Here’s some of what we covered: What a ghostwriter actually is How to approach potential clients What the ghostwriting process looks like How ghostwriting and Substack combine to become a thriving bus...

Episode 5 is here! In this episode, I chat with Scott Perry, who’s on a mission to help seasoned solopreneurs build their ideal lifestyle. We covered a lot here, including: - What it’s like to change course after a decades-long career - Adapting your lifestyle to meet fresh needs - How to position yourself effectively as a solopreneur - How to ensure you reserve the right to change lanes If you’re...

Episode 4 is here! In this episode, I share what I’m doing more and less of in 2025, and why. I also answer a handful of questions from subscribers (listen out for yours!). If you have any questions after listening, just drop them in the comments. Paid members can watch every full video episode in our Member Resource Hub. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribe...

Episode 3 is here! Today, I chat to Ana Calin about the best ways to grow an online audience, particularly here on Substack (where she’s absolutely flying!). In this episode, we discuss: - How Ana grew a 40k Substack audience in a matter of months - How her background in marketing helped prepare her for life on Substack - What it means to “just start” your creator journey - Which kinds of Substack...

Episode 2 of Season 2 is here! Today, I chat to Claudia Faith about how she grew a sustainable writing-based business on Substack, where she helps other writers get paid for their words. In this episode, we discuss: - How Claudia went from working with investor startups to full-time writer - How she grew a 3,000+ audience on Substack in just 6 months - Our thoughts on the use of AI in writing - Ho...

Welcome to Season 2! In the very first episode of the second season, I chat to Jamie Northrup about what it means to have a “minimalist” approach to writing, content creation and business growth. Jamie’s built an audience of 7,000+ minimalist hustlers with a simple daily email strategy. He goes for quality over quantity in his mission to help writers and online business owners earn more by working...

The season one finale is here! In today’s episode, I chat to you about my main takeaways from my first full calendar year on Substack. It’s been a fascinating 12 months featuring plenty of ups and downs - hopefully you’ll find the 7 points I share in this episode useful. I also answer some questions from the How to Write for a Living community (keep ‘em coming!). Feel free to leave a question of y...

Episode 16 is here! In today’s episode, I chat to Derek Hughes, a self-proclaimed “old bloke with no writing experience” who’s now making five figures a year writing online. Derek and I discuss writing platforms like Substack and Medium, and Derek shares his process for crafting effective, engaging articles that generate revenue. If you’re keen to develop a sustainable writing-based business of yo...

Episode 15 is here! In today’s episode, I chat to Lizzie Mulherin about all things travel writing (because who wouldn’t want to do that for a living?!). ✈️ BUT we discuss much more than that - Lizzie shares some genuinely fascinating insights and perspectives about the actual business of writing, like how to price yourself as a freelancer, the right ways to use AI, and how to work minimal hours fo...

Episode 14 is here! In today’s episode, I chat to Chris Stanley about… well, you guessed it… mini books! What are mini books, I hear you say? Why should I use them? How can I build a writing-based business around them? All that and more in this week’s episode. Make sure to drop a question for Chris in the comments after listening. And as always, paid members can watch every full video episode in o...

Episode 13 is here! In today’s episode, I chat to John Bejakovic about how he effectively uses a daily email approach to nurture trust and loyalty among his online audience. I’ve been subscribed to John’s list for a while and I absolutely love how he weaves story into his email copy. I was so glad when he agreed to be a guest on the pod and I know you’ll enjoy our conversation. And as always, paid...

Episode 12 is here! In today’s episode, I chat to Lucy Werner about how to hype yourself as a writer without feeling the dreaded “ick” of self-promotion (something most writers seem to struggle with!). We also discuss Substack, social media and book-writing, among many other things! Comment below if you have any questions for Lucy after listening. And as always, paid members can watch every full v...

Episode 11 is here! In today’s episode, I chat to Simon K Jones about publishing serial fiction on Substack and why you should consider giving it a go as an author. This is the perfect episode for anyone who’s interested to trying a different approach to publishing. Comment below if you have any questions for Simon after listening. And as always, paid members can watch every full video episode in...

Episode 10 is here! In today’s episode, I chat to Renee Puvvada about book funnels, landing pages, reviews, and how to maximise your chances of avoiding failure as an author. And, simply because this is a mini milestone moment for the show (double-figures!), you can watch the whole episode for FREE ! 🥳 Comment below if you have any questions after listening. To book your free 15-minute book strat...

Episode 9 is here! In today’s episode, I chat to Michael Thompson about the power of gentle book promotion and effective storytelling in online writing. This is a great one for anyone who doesn’t necessarily enjoy plugging themselves and isn’t chasing perfection in their process. Michael speaks refreshingly from a wealth of experience here. Comment below if you have any questions for him after lis...

Episode 8 is here! In today’s episode, I chat to Sinem Günel about what’s working on Medium right now and how writers can go the extra mile, content-wise. We also discuss what scroll-stopping writing looks like, why Substack is such a great online community, and how to overcome the mindset holding writers back from making money (and, as a random bonus, what Sinem’s favourite Taylor Swift album is!...

Episode 7 is here! In today’s episode, I chat to Philip Hofmacher about all things entreprenurship - this is a great one for anyone hoping to build a writing-based business. We also discuss his meaningful approach to Substack, how he and Sinem Günel developed their business Write • Build • Scale , and why he believes online communities are the future. Comment below if you have any questions for Ph...

Episode 5 is here! In today’s episode, I chat to the Smarter Solopreneur herself, Maya Sayvanova! This was a really fun conversation about what it’s like to build your own solo business, what happens when you take down your paywall on Substack (!), and how mistakes are just part of the journey for every solopreneur. Comment below if you have any questions for Maya after listening! You can watch th...

Episode 5 is here! In today’s episode, I chat to the Smarter Solopreneur herself, Maya Sayvanova! This was a really fun conversation about what it’s like to build your own solo business, what happens when you take down your paywall on Substack (!), and how mistakes are just part of the journey for every solopreneur. Comment below if you have any questions for Maya after listening! You can watch th...

Episode 4 is here! In today’s episode, I chat to Substackian extraordinaire Claire Venus about her upcoming book co-authored with Russell Nohelty (you should definitely order a copy ), why Substack is such a great place for creators right now, what it’s like to run a Kickstarter campaign, and much more! Comment below if you have any questions for Claire after listening! You can watch the full vide...

Episode 3 is here! In this edition of the podcast, I chat to New York Times best-selling author Evelyn Skye about her approach to storytelling, why she decided to join Substack, and what it’s like when Netflix comes knocking at your door. This was a really fun conversation, and you’ll find it super enlightening if you’re writing fiction. You can watch the full video in our Member Resource Hub. 📣...

In this first EVER guest episode, I speak to Veronica Llorca-Smith of The Lemon Tree Mindset about solopreneurial life, what it’s like to be an introverted public speaker, how to get a book deal with a Big 5 publisher, and why community is at the heart of every successful Substack publication. You can watch the full video in our Member Resource Hub. 📣 Want to support this publication + get more e...