London Writers' Salon #144: Eleanor Anstruther – The Book Industry Rejected Me. So I Built My Own Audience on Substack; Serialising Online, Writing Literary Fiction; Being an Independent Artist, Creating Your Artist DNA
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May 10, 2025 Eleanor Anstruther, an acclaimed novelist and creator of The Literary Obsessive on Substack, dives into her journey of shifting from traditional publishing to indie success. She shares her experiences with rejection, the excitement of serializing fiction, and the art of building a devoted audience. Eleanor discusses her unique strategies for engaging readers on Substack, the importance of maintaining creative control, and offers practical tips for aspiring writers. Her journey emphasizes resilience, community, and the transformative power of embracing one’s artist DNA.
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Badge Sparks Unexpected Engagement
- Eleanor wore a badge saying "buy my fucking book," which humorously divided her audience by gender.
- At a gas station, men laughed and asked for her book's title, showing unexpected engagement.
Writing Brings Peace and Identity
- Eleanor's first real novel was written during a difficult summer in an unhappy relationship.
- Writing gave her peace and a focused joy that solidified her identity as a novelist.
The Cult of the Debut Novel
- Debut novels have a marketing hook because they are fresh and have no reader history.
- This makes them easier to sell compared to follow-ups which must fit existing expectations.
