How to Write for a Living

Season 3, episode 2 is here!In this conversation, poet and marketer Shelby Leigh shares her path from self-publishing to traditional publishing, the lessons she’s learned about building an audience of hundreds of thousands, and why protecting your mental health is just as important as consistency.Shelby is honest about the lonely stretches, generous with her marketing strategies, and full of encouragement for writers figuring out how to turn words into a living.What we covered:- How Shelby went from anonymously posting poetry on Tumblr to selling books that attracted a Big Five publisher- The role Instagram and TikTok played in her early growth and why she later narrowed her focus to fewer platforms- Why consistency and personal storytelling helped her audience grow past half a million followers- The visual and tonal elements that make a writer’s brand feel cohesive and recognisable- How to set boundaries and build breaks into your creative life without losing momentum- The biggest myth about marketing that holds writers back and a mindset shift to make it easier- Shelby’s best advice for building confidence, growing an email list, and sustaining your writing career long termDon’t forget to subscribe to Shelby on YouTube. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe

Season 3 is here!In this solo kickoff to season three, I dive into one of the topics I care about most right now: writer branding.I unpack why it matters more than ever in 2025, how to think about it in practical terms, and the first steps you can take today to start building a brand readers remember and trust.What I covered:- Why trust, not words alone, is the real currency readers buy into- How clarity of voice, values, and vision cuts through the endless noise online- Why your brand should outlast any platform, and how to future-proof your work- The “writer brand triangle” exercise to define your core voice, values, and vision- Why deciding what you’re not about is just as important as deciding what you are about- How to create clear entry points for readers so they instantly know who you are and who you serve- The role of community, practice, and feedback in turning your brand from a list of words into something that fuels real income➡️ Find out more about Writer Brand Lab here. ✍️ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe

The Season 2 finale is here!In this conversation, literary agent Kate McKean offers an inside look at how publishing really works, from the first query letter to the call where an author hears their book has sold.With more than 20 years of experience, Kate is refreshingly candid about the realities of writing, rejection, marketing, and building a sustainable career.If you’ve ever wondered what an agent looks for (or what you should actually focus on as a writer), this one’s packed with clarity.What we covered:- How Kate became a literary agent and what her role actually involves day-to-day- What makes a query stand out and the moment she knows she wants to represent a book- Why chasing publishing trends is a losing game and what authors should focus on instead- The difference between platform and brand, and why nonfiction writers can’t afford to ignore platform- Why sincerity and vulnerability matter more than hot takes or cleverness in today’s market- The biggest red flags authors should watch for when querying agents or publishers- How to reframe rejection and see it as part of the process, not a verdict on you as a writer👉 Make sure to subscribe to Kate McKean before you go! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe

Season 2, episode 23 is here!In this episode, George Kao shares his journey from Silicon Valley to Mexico, why he calls himself an “authentic business coach,” and the practices that have kept him going as a solopreneur for more than 16 years.We dive into what it means to create from the soul, how to stay productive without burning out, and why boundaries and longevity matter more than any quick tactic. George’s approach is thoughtful, practical, and refreshingly calm in a noisy online world.What we covered:- How moving to Mexico shifted George’s energy and perspective on work- Why he chose the label “authentic business coach” and what authenticity means in practice- The three levels of soul-aligned work, from chasing results to working with presence- His daily “idea machine” practice and how it fuels a steady stream of content across platforms- The role of experimentation and feedback in naturally shaping your brand- Key principles from his book Joyful Productivity, including working lightly and the “energy reboot”- Why boundaries, integrity, and a long-term mindset are the foundations of a sustainable solopreneur career👉 Make sure to subscribe to Authentic Business for Soulpreneurs before you go! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe

Season 2, episode 22 is here!In this episode, Kieran Drew tells me what it was like to leave dentistry to build a thriving online writing business.He shares how he went from zero audience to over 280,000+ readers and more than $1.3M in revenue, why storytelling became his most valuable skill, and how he balances depth, reach, and revenue in his work.We cover everything from selling in a human way to resisting the algorithm’s pull, and why curiosity is his ultimate compass for long-term success.What we covered:- The moment Kieran decided to quit dentistry and bet on himself as a writer- How one vulnerable story unlocked an audience and reshaped his approach to content- The trap of “incentive drag” and how to avoid losing your voice to trends and algorithms- A simple structure for selling without losing trust or turning people off- Why brand is a long-term moat in the age of AI and how to build it authentically- The three pillars of his business: reach, relationships, and revenue… and how Kieran balances them- His best advice for anyone who wants to quit their job and build a writing business from scratch👉 Make sure to subscribe to Kieran’s newsletter before you go! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe

Season 2, episode 21 is here!In this conversation, Russell Nohelty unpacks the realities of making a living as a writer, from the hidden math of capitalism to the promise you make readers in a series.He shares the lessons he’s learned over more than a decade of fiction and nonfiction publishing, why Kickstarter beats most retail launches, and how understanding your audience can open creative and financial doors.Sign up for the newsletter nowWhat we covered in today’s podcast:- Why most authors misunderstand capitalism and how that shapes their career decisions- The “promise” every book series must keep if you want readers to stay with you until the end- The case for Kickstarter as the most reliable launch platform for authors right now- How to identify your highest-value readers and build products they can’t resist- The difference between being in a “growth” season and a “monetisation” season, and why mixing the two rarely works- Practical strategies for writing fantasy that blends multiple mythologies while keeping structure and tone consistent- Why disentangling your self-worth from your success is essential for a sustainable, long-term writing career👉 Make sure to subscribe to The Author Stack before you go! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe

Season 2, episode 20 is here!In this conversation, Chenell Basilio shares how she went from a solo deep-dive experiment to building a newsletter followed by tens of thousands and her own successful community. We get into what drives real growth, how to stay visible without burning out, and why keeping things human is still the most underrated advantage online.What we covered:- How Growth in Reverse started with a 60-hour research obsession and four subscribers- The simple moment that got Jay Clouse to become one of Chenell’s first readers and how that early support changed everything- Why human connection and 1:1 outreach still outperform any automation or tactic- How Chenell approaches branding without overthinking it and the little design details that actually matter- What makes a sponsorship worth taking and how to grow trust without ever calling yourself an expert- The tool Chenell’s most excited about right now and why it exists- Why creators should worry less about followers and more about retention, relationships, and staying in the game long enough to get great👉 Make sure to subscribe to Growth in Reverse before you go. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe

In this insightful discussion, Jay Clouse, a creator and business strategist, shares his journey of transforming passions into viable businesses. He emphasizes the significance of trust in building audience relationships and offers four key attributes that shape this trust. Jay also dives into the balance of retention over growth and why thoughtful onboarding is critical for community success. He explores branding amidst AI saturation and reveals his aspirations for personal growth in the evolving creator landscape.

Season 2, episode 18 is here!In this episode, Erica Schneider shares what it really takes to go from full-time agency work to running your own solopreneur business as a writer. We chat about personal pivots, marketing strategies and emotional clarity in writing - this one’s a real deep dive into the mindset and mechanics of modern creative work.What we covered:- Why Erica left a stable agency job and what she learned from cycling through multiple business models before finding the right fit- The surprising pressure behind selling cohorts and one-on-one offers, and how to know if they’re right for you- How Substack Notes helped Erica gain traction and drive hundreds of subscribers from a single viral post- What it actually takes to thrive as a solopreneur, and why charisma, bias for action, and self-awareness matter more than a polished plan- A breakdown of how Erica writes emotionally resonant emails, builds confident offers, and uses AI as a creative partner, not a replacement- Her “MP3” framework for building a personal brand that connects- How to close the recognition gap and future-proof your writing business in the age of AI This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe

In this discussion, Rodney Daut, a talented course architect, shares his expertise in creating impactful online courses. He explains common pitfalls in course design and how to restructure content for engagement. Rodney highlights the effectiveness of storytelling and engaging facts, like the fascinating tale of Mongolian horsemen, to captivate learners. He also discusses using AI to enhance, not replace, course material and how to identify specific audience needs to ensure course success. A must-listen for aspiring course creators!