Becoming A Writer - Nat Eliason on his upcoming fiction release, traditional publishing vs. self-publishing, AI tools, tinkering, readers, launch plans

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May 14, 2025

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.

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INSIGHT

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.

ADVICE

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.

ADVICE

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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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[1][2][5].

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[1][2][4].

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[2][4][5].

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

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Dakota Krout