How to Write for a Living

Season 3, episode 5 is here!In this conversation, Peter William Murphy shares his winding path from growing up in Kerry to teaching abroad, then diving headfirst into writing without a safety net.We talk about his love for Substack, why humor and vulnerability matter online, and how he’s channelling his earnings into building a school with his wife.Peter also opens up about writing his first novel, the pull of Ireland as a setting, and why being open to unexpected opportunities is at the heart of his writing life.What we covered:Peter’s journey from teaching English in Turkey to becoming a writer and creator on SubstackWhy he values having a small but engaged community more than chasing huge subscriber numbersThe role of humor, performance, and honesty in connecting with readers onlineHow his personal experiences with mental health shaped his writing and outlookThe vision he and his wife have for building a school and why he wants his writing to help fund itThe long road of writing his first novel, why it will become a trilogy, and what it’s really aboutHis advice for aspiring writers: be open to every form of writing and stop worrying about what others thinkMake sure to subscribe to Peter’s publication 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 3, episode 4 is here!In this episode, I sat down with my friends in the Write • Build • Scale team - Jari, Sinem, and Philip - for a big-picture chat about the future of the creator economy.We explored how technology is changing the game, why trust is the most valuable currency, and what it really takes to build a creator business that lasts.Along the way, we also talked about the highs and lows of running a business together and what excites them most about where things are heading.What we covered:- Why the creator economy will only get bigger in the next five years and what that means for new and established creators- How AI and no-code tools are making it easier than ever to launch digital products and communities- Why trust and personal connection will matter more than content volume as AI makes publishing effortless- The difference between being a “guru” and a “guide” and why one builds stronger long-term businesses- The incomplete advice around “just be consistent” and what actually makes consistency work- Why picking one platform and mastering it beats spreading yourself too thin across multiple channels- How working as a team has changed their approach to business, what they love about collaborating, and what’s next for Write Build Scale🚨 Don’t forget to sign up for their FREE masterclass 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

Season 3, episode 3 is here!In this conversation, Anfernee shares his journey from corporate work into solopreneurship, why he started The Solopreneur Code, and how he helps one-person businesses find more freedom without getting stuck in constant hustle.We talk about growth on Substack, the realities of building digital products, and why mindset is often the difference between staying stuck and moving forward.What we covered:- How Anfernee transitioned from corporate life to running his own business- The early days of The Solopreneur Code and why he chose Substack as his main platform- What steady, sustainable growth looks like and how he thinks about audience building- The role of digital products in creating income streams for solopreneurs- How he uses AI as a tool to save time without losing a personal touch- The most common mistakes solopreneurs make when trying to scale too fast- Why clarity, focus, and systems matter more than chasing trendsDon’t forget to subscribe to The Solopreneur Code 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 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