The Pathless Path with Paul Millerd Becoming A Writer - Nat Eliason on his upcoming fiction release, traditional publishing vs. self-publishing, AI tools, tinkering, readers, launch plans
Nat Eliason, author of fast-paced techno thrillers like Crypto Confidential, discusses his transition from nonfiction to fiction. He shares insights on the challenges of self-publishing versus traditional methods and the importance of engaging with readers. The conversation touches on how AI is reshaping writing and narrative, and he reveals innovative strategies for launching his new novel, Husk. Nat emphasizes the delicate balance of maintaining creativity amidst changing industry dynamics while envisioning a vibrant future for writers in the digital age.
01:16:19
Audience Building in Fiction vs Nonfiction
- Fiction authors usually build their audience after publishing books, unlike nonfiction where you build beforehand.
- Readers rarely follow fiction authors without first reading and enjoying their books.
Use Quality Beta Readers
- Focus on fewer, high-quality beta readers to get more insightful feedback.
- Trust your own intuition when deciding which feedback to incorporate in your writing.
Direct-to-Reader Sales Strategy
- Sell books directly via your own website to build relationships and retain more revenue.
- Offer bundles and signed editions as incentives to engage super-fans and expand your mailing list.
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Intro
00:00 • 4min
Navigating Writing's Dual Paths
04:28 • 28min
Navigating the Modern Book Market
32:29 • 26min
Pitching 'Husk' and Engaging Readers
58:47 • 4min
Exploring Innovative Book Launch Strategies and the Art of Release
01:02:48 • 2min
The Future of Writing in the Digital Age
01:04:44 • 8min
Embracing Tools and Connections
01:12:47 • 4min
Husk
Husk
Frederic L'Homme
Arnaud Boudoiron
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee
Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a classic novel that explores themes of racial injustice, childhood innocence, and moral courage in the American South.
The story is narrated by Scout Finch, a young girl who witnesses the trial of Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of a crime.
Lee's powerful storytelling captures the complexities of race relations in the Jim Crow South, highlighting the prejudice and injustice faced by Black people.
The novel's enduring appeal lies in its exploration of universal themes of empathy, compassion, and the importance of standing up for what is right.
It remains a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality in America.
The Pathless Path
Imagining a New Story for Work and Life
Paul Millerd
The Pathless Path by Paul Millerd chronicles his journey from being a high-achieving consultant to embarking on a path of self-discovery and creating a life based on personal values and freedom.
The book explores the history of work, the concept of the 'default path' versus the 'pathless path,' and offers practical advice on how to navigate uncertainty, redefine success, and find meaning in one's life.
Millerd shares his experiences of living in different countries, facing existential crises, and developing principles that guide him towards a more fulfilling life.
The book is an invitation to readers to question their current path and consider a more unconventional, yet meaningful, way of living.
Crypto Confidential
Winning and Losing Millions in the New Frontier of Finance
Nathaniel Eliason
Crypto Confidential is Nathaniel Eliason's unfiltered account of his experiences in the hyperactive and highly speculative world of cryptocurrency.
The book chronicles his journey from learning to code to becoming a key developer in a token valued at billions of dollars.
It exposes the behind-the-scenes workings of the crypto market, including bull runs, breakdowns, scams, and the intense emotions and high stakes involved.
Eliason's anecdotes are both entertaining and instructive, providing valuable insights into the warning signs of disaster in the crypto market and how to be a more educated participant.
Mistborn
The Final Empire
Brandon Sanderson
In this epic fantasy, Brandon Sanderson introduces a world called Scadrial, where ash constantly falls from the sky, plants are brown, and supernatural mists cloak the landscape every night.
The story follows Vin, a young half-Skaa orphan with the rare ability to become a Mistborn, and Kelsier, a charismatic thief who recruits Vin to join a group of Allomancers in a high-stakes plan to overthrow the divine despot, the Lord Ruler.
The novel explores themes of rebellion, trust, and the complexities of a well-crafted magical system based on metals.
The world-building is rich and detailed, with a focus on the political intrigue and the harsh realities of a dystopian society.
Deep Work
Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
Cal Newport
In 'Deep Work', Cal Newport argues that the ability to perform deep work—professional activities in a state of distraction-free concentration—is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy.
The book is divided into two parts: the first part explains why deep work is valuable, rare, and meaningful, while the second part presents four rules to transform your mind and habits to support this skill.
These rules include 'Work Deeply', 'Embrace Boredom', 'Quit Social Media', and 'Drain the Shallows'.
Newport provides actionable advice and examples from various successful individuals to help readers master the skill of deep work and achieve groundbreaking results.
Good Work
Reclaiming Your Inner Ambition
Paul Millerd
In 'Good Work,' Paul Millerd shares his personal journey through candid storytelling, exploring what constitutes 'good work' beyond traditional job definitions.
The book delves into questions about embracing uncertainty, finding motivation beyond 'losing your edge,' prioritizing family without sacrificing opportunity, and defining the most ambitious life path.
It challenges readers to rethink their relationship with work and seek a life where work is a portal to feeling fully alive, rather than just a necessity.
Wool
Hugh Howey
In 'Wool', the first book of the Silo series, Hugh Howey depicts a dystopian future where humanity lives in a self-sustaining underground silo.
The story follows Sheriff Holston and later Juliette, a mechanic turned sheriff, as they uncover the sinister truths and conspiracies within the silo.
The novel delves into the lives of the silo's residents, who are kept in the dark about the true state of the outside world, and the harsh punishments for those who express a desire to leave.
The book is known for its suspenseful and engaging narrative, exploring themes of survival, hope, and the quest for truth in a confined and controlled environment.
The 4 Hour Workweek
Timothy Ferriss
In 'The 4-Hour Workweek', Timothy Ferriss presents a step-by-step guide to 'lifestyle design', encouraging readers to question the traditional notion of retirement and instead create a lifestyle that prioritizes freedom, adventure, and personal growth.
The book teaches how to outsource life tasks, automate income, and eliminate unnecessary work using principles like the 80/20 rule and Parkinson’s Law. Ferriss shares his personal journey from a corporate workaholic to a location-independent entrepreneur and provides practical tips and case studies to help readers achieve similar results.
The book emphasizes the importance of focusing on high-value activities, taking 'mini-retirements', and living life to the fullest in the present rather than deferring enjoyment until retirement.
Dark Matter
A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora
Sheree Renée Thomas
This anthology, edited by Sheree Renée Thomas, features a collection of 29 fictional short stories and novel excerpts, along with five non-fiction essays.
It showcases the work of various African-American writers in the science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction genres, highlighting their contributions and the diversity within these genres.
The book includes works by notable authors such as W.E. B.
DuBois, Octavia Butler, and Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, among others, and addresses themes of race, inequality, and societal issues through speculative fiction.
Atomic Habits
James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones.
The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying.
It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results.
Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation.
The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth.
Permutation City
Greg Egan
Greg Egan's "Permutation City" delves into the complex implications of digital consciousness and immortality.
The novel follows Paul Durham, who uploads his consciousness into a computer simulation, blurring the lines between reality and virtuality.
Egan explores philosophical questions about identity, consciousness, and the nature of reality through intricate simulations and thought experiments.
The narrative challenges readers to confront the potential consequences of advanced technology and its impact on human existence.
The book's exploration of complex scientific concepts, such as the simulation of consciousness and the nature of time, makes it a challenging but rewarding read for science fiction enthusiasts.
Ultimately, "Permutation City" leaves the reader pondering the very definition of self and the possibilities of existence beyond our current understanding.
I will teach you to be rich
Ramit Sethi
This book, updated for a new era, provides a simple and powerful 6-week program to manage finances.
Ramit Sethi focuses on behavioral psychology to help readers save more, earn more, and automate their finances.
Key lessons include focusing on big wins rather than small savings, automating financial tasks, and spending guilt-free on things you love while cutting back on unnecessary expenses.
The book also covers topics like crushing debt, setting up high-interest bank accounts, and long-term investing in index funds.
The 48 laws of power
Robert Greene
In 'The 48 Laws of Power', Robert Greene and Joost Elffers synthesize three thousand years of the history of power into 48 laws.
These laws are derived from the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz, as well as the lives of influential figures such as Henry Kissinger and P.T.
Barnum.
The book provides tactics, concepts, and lessons on how to achieve and maintain power, emphasizing prudence, confidence, and self-preservation.
Each law is illustrated with historical examples and is designed to help readers understand and navigate the dynamics of power in various aspects of life, including work, social hierarchies, and politics.
The obstacle is the way
Ryan Holiday
In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes.
Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will.
He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs.
The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges.
Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.
Incredible Dungeon Crawler Carl
Incredible Dungeon Crawler Carl
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Dakota Krout
Hello! I'm back! Expect a slow ramp, but there are new episodes coming!
I talked with Nat Eliason about his journey as a writer, from early experiments with ideas to fully embracing writing as a career. We discussed the challenges and rewards of moving from nonfiction to fiction, the trade-offs between traditional and self-publishing, and the importance of audience engagement. We also explored how AI is impacting writing, strategies for gathering feedback, and fiction’s role in addressing societal issues. Nat closed by sharing his vision for the future of his writing and the opportunities ahead.
Links & book info!
- Husk Special Direct Sale: Buy here or https://shop.nateliason.com/products/husk
- Husk on Amazon: Buy here or here
- More of Nat's stuff: His Website and newsletter
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