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
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.
01:00:32
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Quick takeaways
- Eleanor Anstruther highlights the transformative freedom of indie publishing on Substack after facing rejections from traditional publishers.
- Consistency and clarity in communication are vital for building an engaged readership and fostering connections with the audience online.
Deep dives
The Leap to Indie Publishing
The host discusses the transformative experience of transitioning from traditional publishing to independent publication. Eleanor Anstruther shares her initial fears and doubts when starting on Substack, feeling overwhelmed by past rejections. However, she gradually realizes the freedom of publishing her work directly for readers, which drastically improved her confidence. This shift not only allowed her to embrace her voice but ultimately helped her grow a substantial following.
