#How to Use Substack for book sales

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

Why Print Books Are Not Dead and How to Be a Successful Author

For Book Authors, Substack Is Vital, & Medium Can Accelerate Your Growth I explain why print books are not dead and they are livelier than before. You can also read this story in my Substack newsletter for free or if you an account you read it on Medium to engage with your writing and reading community there. Inspiration for Book Authors As a seasoned book author who tried both traditional…

[mitigatedchaos]

"Writing? In 2024?"

Monday, April 29, 2024

(~2,400 words, 12 minutes)

@northshorewave Re: this publishing post:

I've read through the post that was linked, and an earlier related post by the same author that preceded it.

Her position is that the traditional publishing industry is essentially buying books as lottery tickets, paying for most of them using the few big winners they can't predict.

NorthShoreWave - The personal qualities of NSW specifically.

LLMs - Is AI a threat right now? Mostly as spam.

How Many Readers? - One famous book had 3,000 readers on an email list before its Amazon e-book debut, and went on to traditional publishing.

Funding Options - Many authors and artists are currently using subscription services. Some reasoning and numbers are provided.

Illustrations - Should you use illustrations? This lengthy section does a bit of fundamentals analysis of posting to suggest that maybe, you should.

Interaction - Reader replies are one method by which a post will spread.

Search - The people who want to read your story can't read it if they don't know about it. Writing a good book is essential, but only half the battle.

Some thoughts for you:

1 - NorthShoreWave

You implicitly asked if we had discussed your story in detail before, but the answer is that we hadn't. I have a sense of what you're trying to accomplish based on what I've observed of your character. While you think of yourself as seething, I think you're actually wise, compassionate, self-aware, and able to view things from multiple perspectives. A significant number of people are much worse at practicing at least one of these virtues. On its own, that's not enough to write a best-seller, but I think it does provide you with an advantage.

2 - LLMs

Based on my experiments (see @mitigatedai for some logs), I wouldn't worry about competition from AI. For you, the chief issue caused by AI will be spam. AI moves sideways (different text) and downwards (less meaning). I may tell LLMs to "combine Inspector Gadget and Death Note," but...

Do I actually use the information provided? No.

3 - How many readers do you need?

From one of those publishing posts, to get a sense of the number of readers you need...

Andy Weir first published The Martian as a serial for his own blog, then as a self-published novel on Amazon, then as a traditionally published novel with Random House. “I had an email list with about 3,000 people on it, so, initially, the audience was roughly that much,” he tells me. “When I first posted it to Amazon, I didn’t do anything to market or publicize it. All I did was tell my readers it was available there.” The book was on Amazon for five months, at a price point of 99 cents, and he sold 35,000 copies before Random House bought the rights in February of 2014.

Note that being a provocative firebrand doesn't necessarily mean you'll sell copies. Some politicians with tremendous name recognition failed to move copies of their books.

4 - Funding Options

I don't recommend using a Kickstarter to publish your book at this time or in the near future. You just don't have the name recognition, but also, Slashdotter Caimlas (who I don't know, so I don't know how trustworthy he is) wrote:

I'm personal friends with a number of authors who publish books in one of several subgenres. Mostly, they rely on Amazon's Kindle Unlimited: some of them are prolific enough that their book sales account for most of their income, simply based on peoples' reading of their works. Mostly, unless people want a piece of history or something they can reference, folks seem to hate having clutter. Fiction that sells isn't usually, primarily sold as a hardcopy book anymore, I don't believe - short of the kinds of books that end up at the end of the grocery store isle or in an airport novelty store.

A lot of publishing is done online these days, often through subscription services such as Substack (for essays) or Patreon. (Kindle Unlimited is also a subscription service, costing $12/mo.) As an example, the webcomic Spinnerette has a Patreon (bringing down $3.3k/mo), and then runs Kickstarter campaigns for print runs (volume 8 raised $27k).

To give you an estimate, Spinnerette's Patreon has only 536 subscribers, and pulls down $3.3k/mo, but you probably haven't heard of it. El Goonish Shive, which I'm confident you have heard of, brings in $3.6k/mo on 2.4k subscribers. The famous Kill Six Billion Demons has ~5.4k subscribers, bringing down ~$8.4k.

In Patreon terms, a good foothold to try for might be 100 subscribers at $3/mo each, with an initial focus on getting to 50.

5 - Illustrations

You've posted some drawings. They have some character, showing that you have the basic aptitude to develop the skill if you applied yourself to regular practice. However, the proportions are too far off to attract much attention (except as a stylistic choice, which, I can tell, it is not).

This blog tends to break things down into their abstract fundamentals for analysis. I promised myself I wasn't going to do that here, but eh, we'll do just a bit.

To quote one of the publishing articles...

“People tend to buy the books that are already really popular,” Deahl says. “They look at the bestseller list to see what they want to buy and that reinforces this tiny amount of books at the top. It’s a very top-heavy system. The tricky thing in publishing is success begets success. But it’s really hard to create that spark.”

Let's stop to think about this.

a. Banter - Fame

There is one layer to this that you can't do much of anything about, which is that people will watch the same shows their friends watch in order to have something to talk about with their friends.

b. Investment - Background

However, there is another layer over which you have more influence. It's very easy to make a quick judgment of a movie based on its visuals, or a short trailer. It's also relatively easy to judge short songs, since they're only a few minutes long (but I don't find myself doing this often).

In order to judge a book, you have to read the text and process it. You can't make a snap judgment off a single picture, because you have to read the text first to produce the mental picture.

This website does have viral text posts, but they're like...

You seem to have fundamentally misunderstood me, Anon.  Go read all 5,640 posts again.

Some of these posts can get a bit long, but it's usually a back-and-forth where each individual post is short. Often, they'll mix in images, or memes.

People supposedly read at 200 words per minute. Based on that estimate, this blog's most viral post of all time can be read in 5 seconds. That's about the same amount of time someone would spend looking at a jpeg.

That doesn't mean people don't enjoy effortposts. They will follow a blog upon encountering a good effortpost! They just don't like or reblog them.

I think you already know this part, but for "acceptable" length for reblogging, it's usually best to keep it under one "Tumblr page," meaning around one screen length on desktop, or around 200-300 words. I've talked about this part before, but if the reader can see the end of the post, it feels like less of an investment to read the post, and reblogging it won't fill up a friend's Tumblr dash.

Obviously that's tough for long-form fiction, because it has to load more context about the characters in order to establish the stakes. (Unless it's fan fiction, where the audience already knows the characters.)

c. Investment - Strategy

As you know, this blog will sometimes post political cartoons and other illustrations as part of its general stream of content.

The obvious strategy is just to have some nice-looking character images or images of scenes from the story. It can be "read" faster, so it's more shareable.

I think that strategy suffers from a weakness in that it's easy to just look at the image and disregard the text. This would reduce your fiction blog to an art blog - and it is not an art blog.

Therefore, I would like to gently suggest - and keep in mind, I do not have any published novels - a different potential approach. This proposal is speculative, and this technique is not widely used.

Do you know that famous Rockwell painting, Breaking Home Ties? Rockwell is a master of telling a story with just a single still-frame painting.

Rockwell has to tell the whole story in one picture, because that's the medium he's got to work with. This limits how much story he can tell. As an author, you don't have to limit yourself to what can be told in just one image, because you have the text.

This strategy would involve a two-step maneuver.

First, the image at the top of the post communicates the essentials that the reader needs to know about the characters through the composition of the scene (so that they don't need to read background material), as well as various subtle details, while raising questions, also through the use of details/etc, to increase the viewer's curiosity.

Fortunately for the viewer, second, the questions raised by the image are answered in the text right below it.

The post would form an entry point into a network of related posts; tags for particular characters could be linked at the bottom, or links to other posts in the sequence.

Secondary characters would be ideal for this, because you can manipulate their scenarios/context/character to fit the short format, while your overall project will focus on the main characters and thus have a greater, long-term narrative investment for appropriately larger payoff.

As I wrote in my post on 'text wall memes,' people will read text in an image, and they'll even reblog it, but it's contextual. So again, this is speculative, but it should be feasible. It's a matter of creating the appropriate context.

d. Investment - AI Art

I don't think you should use AI-generated art. Yes, people will be able to tell, but the even bigger problem...

Compare this AI knockoff to Norman Rockwell's original Girl with Black Eye.

The expression is wrong. The pose is different. This is a completely different story from the one Rockwell was telling! The prompteur 'borrows' the right 25% of the image from Norman's original because he can't reproduce it. And what is that random white cloth on the left side of the image?

There is a significant reduction in the amount of intention in the image. Putting it back in involves working over the image, repeatedly, usually with inpainting, and often working against what's in the AI's training data, forcing it to pull from more and more improbable parts of the distribution (until eventually, there's no matching data in the training at all; you have to get out and draw it yourself).

I'm going to borrow a post of my own here from 2019.

This isn't oriented towards the strategy I've described, and it only got 21 notes, but note the teacup with steam and tea bag tag, the obscured flag in the background, and the Youtube-style video tracker on the bottom. The combination of the special effect, text that looks like a subtitle, and video tracker imply that the image is a screenshot from a streaming anime.

The character is casually (as indicated by the cup of tea) sitting at a computer desk (as indicated by the faintly sketched keyboard and hand position for a mouse). What's that flag in the background? It certainly doesn't belong to any extant country. (In fact, as the artist, I'll tell you - it's based on an O'Neill Cylinder.)

Obviously this art is very much just a sketch in quality terms. An AI rendering usually looks much fancier. However, an AI would not put that detail in.

e. Investment - Technical Skills

However, I will suggest the use of software if you go this route. (Or the hiring of an artist, but that could get expensive.)

Your issue is with proportions. Lots of people have trouble with proportions. (You also have trouble with hands. Lots of people have trouble with hands.)

One way to deal with this is to just train. You'd be surprised at how fast you improve if you draw from realistic sources such as photographs an hour a day for a year, even if it's just a quick sketch. You probably aren't willing to do so. You have other things to worry about, including writing.

However, you could use posing software. You could save the proportions of several characters and position them throughout the scene, as well as having a grid for the ground and potentially other props to help with positioning of items like lamp posts or the edges of buildings. (I've experimented with posing software a bit myself.)

Dan Shive (of El Goonish Shive) does not use posing software as far as I know, but he has used 3D software. Although his style is cartoonish, one thing people like about him is that he does put effort in at improvement, and the quality of his work has improved substantially. (That was actually the inspiration for the second part of the "in 2028, Hollywood runs out of ideas and adapts El Goonish Shive" post.)

6 - Interaction

Though shorter posts tend to go more viral, I find that posts which someone can reblog and share their opinion tend to show up a lot in my top posts (as long as they're only about one tumblr page long). The MOON PRISON poll is a good example of something that's approachable and neutral, but fits heavily with the themes of my blog, but other posts may take a political position that invites disagreement, resulting in discourse, and get reblogged that way. (You may also remember the silly Swift Pill poll.)

I don't recommend courting disagreement on purpose. Not only is this bad for the social environment, but it tends to make people go crazy.

7 - Search

I think you've probably noticed some of this already and are working with it (posting short excerpts, initial art). Most of this is, again, speculative. This is all just information for your consideration.

Writing a good book is the first problem. Getting the readers who would enjoy the book to find it in such a noisy environment is the second problem. I think you can do it, but if your trajectory isn't currently looking as good as you want (e.g. # followers on your story's sideblog), I would recommend expanding your strategy so that you're in a good position when the book itself is ready to launch.

[kuiperblog]

Where do you find Jason Pargin's stuff these days? I haven't thought to look since Cracked went down the drain

For starters, Jason Pargin has a Substack, where he occasionally posts essays in a style that's reminiscent of his work at Cracked.

A lot of Jason Pargin's rants about pop culture are on podcasts hosted by the Cracked alumni, where he'll make a guest appearance whenever he has a new book to promote (which is all the time). From time to time, he'll do "roundup" posts on his Substack where he says "hey, if you want to hear all the podcasts I've been on recently, here are links to all/most of them," here's the most recent round-up post.

I particularly enjoy his guest appearances on the Gamefully Unemployed podcast, which is where you're most likely to find him talking about movies and TV. He also had a good appearance on the Flightless Bird podcast, where Jason Pargin and David Farrier got to participate in a bit of mutual admiration, with David being an enjoyer of Jason's latest book, I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom, and Jason being a fan of David's documentaries, like Tickled (2016).

Jason also has his own podcast (cohosted with Cracked alum Brockway and Seanbaby, also Cracked alum) called BigFeets, where they discuss the TV show Mountain Monsters, which is not a good TV show, but a fascinating one. It usually takes them 1-2 hours to recap a 45 minute episode of television. (Also worth listening to: all of Jason's guest appearances on Seanbaby and Brockway's other podcast, the Dogg Zzone 9000.)

HOWEVER! The thing that Jason is now famous for is his TikTok, where he has accumulated 58.5 million likes, which I'm led to believe makes him quite successful and by most definitions a "TikTok star." (Jason has often reflected on how weird it is that he, as a visually unremarkable 50-year-man, has gained so much popularity on the platform where "the cool kids" hang out.)

Jason originally got onto TikTok because he was told that "that's where the book people hang out," and it seems to have worked out for him: he credits his TikTok popularity with his latest book (I'm Starting To Worry About This Black Box of Doom) tripling the sales of his previous book.

Several times a week he will post short-form videos to TikTok. Some are nuggets of insight, some are shitposts, all are enjoyable. At this point I basically use the TikTok app exclusively for watching his videos. (Some of his TikTok videos are often duplicated across his accounts on YouTube/Twitter/Instagram/Threads, but I believe those other sites have duration limits that prevent him from posting his videos there; TikTok is probably the best place if you're trying to find "all his videos," even if a small number of his videos get taken down from TikTok for completely ineffable reasons.) His handle everywhere is jasonkpargin

[breesays]

Just to watch the fire

This post is for future me, when I want to know WHAT WAS MY LIFE LIKE in October of 2024?

For starters, I caught COVID at the top of the month. For the first time! I thought I was SPECIAL. I don't even know how I got it, because my germy 5-year-old tested negative and was promptly whisked away by his Dad to keep him healthy. It felt just like a cold, but losing my sense of taste was a trip. It wasn't completely gone, just... dulled. I ate a lot of protein bars (low effort) and mandarin oranges. I've been negative for a week but I STILL have a scratchy throat.

I've been toying with TikTok but I HATE EDITING VIDEOS so if I don't nail it within the first few tries, I just trash it.

Music League gets a lot of my time and attention.

Listening to

Phantogram just put out a new album and the second track, "It Wasn't Meant To Be" reminds me of an MTV interstitial that used to air in the wee hours back in the '00s. Does anyone know the one I'm talking about?

The Allo and Ace podcast

Reading

Amanda Montei's Mad Woman on Substack, she wrote the book Touched Out.

Tracy Clark Flory's newsletter on Substack

Men Yell at Me by Lyz Lenz, who wrote This American Ex Wife

The Honest Broker by Ted Gioia

I've read 70ish books (a few DNFs in there) and I think The Wedding People is a contender for my favorite of the year.

Consuming

I tried Dua Lipa's Diet Coke+pickle juice+jalapeno juice drink and I LOVE IT.

I also tried Dirty Soda (Diet Coke + coffee creamer) and it was OK.

Desmond's favorite song is Hot To Go and he's made me listen to it for 45 minutes straight on a car ride.

Shows

I went to NFG's Catalyst Anniversary tour and it was wonderful. I kinda wish it was crowd-surfable, but it was awesome being in the pit at The Wiltern. I don't think I could've done anything but the pit for NFG.

I am not at WWWY this year because EXPENSIVE.

But I am going to buy a Warped Pass for LB when it goes on sale.

Last year the first concert ticket I bought was for K.Flay - this year, the first concert ticket I bought for next year is K.Flay.

It's Ace Awareness Week so I'll probably write or attempt a TikTok about that.

[heysonjanatasha]

Bad Draft2Digital Experience

Draft2Digital permanently suspended my account for missing a single email, even though I wasn't selling anything on their platform, and it is really screwing me over.

Without Draft2Digital (or a similar company), I would need to upload my ebook individually onto each retailer. Whereas using a company like Draft2Digital means I can just upload my book once and Draft2Digital would do the rest.

Unfortunately, every article I've read for 2025 lists Draft2Digital as number one or number two, with Amazon KDP as number two or number one.

I said a while ago I'd not use Amazon. What are the most likely options I have?

BookBaby and PublishDrive are too expensive. Smashwords is another site that used to make the top of lists, but they were acquired recently by another company (the name of that company is, surprise surprise, Draft2Digital).

Blurb doesn't seem to distribute to as many retailers, and I’m assuming libraries are included in that.

Ingram Spark is also around (and some of the companies listed here use Ingram Spark if their clients want physical books). However, I’ve heard horror stories about Ingram Spark, and I’m not anxious to test the waters and see what happens.

Then there’s Lulu. I would need to format the e-book myself because they would charge me extra to do that. Overall, they will probably prove adequate, but they have an anti-pornography clause in their terms of service that I don’t care for. I don’t write erotica, but with how lawmakers are trying to expand the definition of pornography (including existing in public as a queer person), I hope you can see why such a clause would make me hesitant to put my stuff on there, even if I’m not writing erotica.

Where does this leave me?

I don’t really know.

I don’t want to use Amazon because it’s Amazon. I have a weird, complicated relationship with Amazon because I still tend to rely on them for things I need on a quick turnaround. Normally, I try to purchase from third party small business owners who use Amazon in the same way I would be using Amazon if I chose to self publish with them.

I am aware that this makes me a hypocrite. I can’t really explain my reluctance to also be a small business owner using Amazon to sell my fictions.

My other options would be to forgo the third party distribution company, format my documents into ebooks, and then upload them individually to the various retailers: Kobo, Nook, GooglePlay, Apple, libraries — there are tons more out there. For example, one of the companies I looked at could funnel my e-book into 50 different retailers. If I did that myself, that’d be 50 different log ins, 50 different user interfaces to learn, and 50 different resources from which I would have to consolidate my reporting.

I could also take my chances offline. I could use Ingram Spark or Lulu to create physical books, try to get them into independent bookstores, and then sell the e-books on my own site with an app like Shopify. I’ve actually seen writers recommend this approach—but never on its own. It has always been presented as an option to do in addition to uploading with a third party distribution company. Curating an offline audience might be possible (might), but I’m not sure I’m up for that particular challenge. Immediately coming to mind—if I sold the books on my digital space—would I need to get a sales tax number?

I could also just do what I originally intended, and release the works here on Substack as serial novels or whatever. Or perhaps shift it over to Patreon.

But those are probably the three options:

Release on my own site while cultivating an offline audience

Patreon/Substack - same problem trying to cultivate an audience when everyone is trying to do that too.

Amazon/Ingram Spark/Lulu

I’m not going to lie. I’m feeling very discouraged.

(this was cross posted on my substack x)

[usedbookdepot]

Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Used Books

Are you thinking about selling your used books? Before you do, make sure you’re not falling into the most common traps that can cost you money or slow down your sales.

In our latest guide, we cover the top 5 mistakes people make when trying to sell used books — and how to avoid them. From pricing errors to platform mismatches, this is the checklist every book seller needs.

📖 Read the full post on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/usedbookdepot/p/top-5-mistakes-to-avoid-when-selling

🔗 Learn more about how to sell your used books the right way with Used Book Depot.

[trendsnova]

How to Crush Side Hustles & Build Passive Income in 2025

Having a single income source in 2025 is playing financial roulette. As the cost of living continues to increase and job markets are changing rapidly, millions are opting for side hustles and passive income, not as a need but as a necessity.

Whether you're looking to break free from paycheck-to-paycheck living, save up for that dream vacation, or amass long-term riches, the great news is: there's never been a better time to begin.

What's the Difference?

Let's set things straight:

Side Hustle: Work you do outside of your main job to make additional money. Typically time-for-money.

Passive Income: Money that flows in with minimal everyday effort once the system is in place.

Top Trending Side Hustles in 2025

AI-Powered Freelancing

Use the likes of ChatGPT, Midjourney, or Notion AI to provide writing, design, or strategy services quicker and smarter.

Platforms: Upwork, Fiverr, Contra.

Digital Products

Sell Notion templates, eBooks, online courses, or Canva designs.

Platform: Gumroad, Etsy, Payhip, Teachable.

Print-on-Demand Stores

Create T-shirts, mugs, posters. No inventory required.

Tools: Printful + Shopify or Etsy.

Affiliate Marketing (With a Niche)

Create a blog, TikTok, or Instagram around one niche and suggest products.

Get paid for every referral sale.

Social Media Ghostwriting

Create posts for busy influencers or CEOs with AI and trend monitoring.

Paid by thread, post, or monthly package.

Passive Income Sources That Are Effective in 2025

YouTube Automation

Faceless videos using AI voiceovers, stock visuals, and scripts.

Monetize through ads, sponsors, and affiliate links.

Dividend Stocks & REITs

Invest in regular-dividend-paying companies or real estate trusts.

Passive but needs initial capital.

Niche Blogging (SEO + AI Content)

Create blogs with long-tail keywords.

Monetize through ads and affiliate links.

E-book Series on Kindle

Self-publish short guides, fiction, or specialty nonfiction.

Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) remains a goldmine for creators.

Substack Newsletters

Grow an audience around a particular niche and sell paid subscriptions.

Tips Before You Dive In

Choose your niche: Don't attempt to do it all. Focus triumphs.

Begin with a time-abundant hustle (side hustle) → then create passive systems.

Don't neglect marketing: Even the best products perish without promotion.

Automate: Employ AI tools, schedulers, and platforms that minimize manual labor.

What Not to Do

"Get rich quick" crypto/Ponzi schemes.

Shelling out money for access to rudimentary platforms—most legitimate ones are free or cheap.

Relying on overnight success. Even passive income requires initial hustle.

Thoughts in Conclusion

The concept of making money in your sleep once seemed like a scam. But in 2025, with the right strategy, mindset, and tools, it's a pragmatic way to financial independence.

Start small. Stay consistent. And remember: every millionaire started with one hustle.

[ameliasoulturner]

8 Smart Ways Writers Are Actually Making Real Money in 2025 (And You Can Too)

Let’s be honest — writing is one of the most underrated skills out there. Everyone’s glued to their phones, constantly scrolling, clicking, and consuming words — whether it’s on websites, emails, social media captions, or blogs. And yet, so many talented writers are barely scraping by. That’s the part that frustrates me the most. You’ve got the skill. You’ve got the passion. So why aren’t you making the kind of money you deserve?

After over a decade of writing blogs, articles, books, and now diving deep into the world of AI-driven content, I’ve seen the entire landscape shift. And I can tell you one thing with full confidence: 2025 is hands down the best time to be a writer — if you play it smart.

So if you’re tired of being underpaid, overlooked, or unsure where to start, this article is your roadmap. Let’s break down eight powerful ways writers are actually making real money in 2025, and how you can jump on board.

1. Productize Your Writing Skills

One of the biggest mistakes I see writers make is charging only for their time. Think about this — you're crafting words that could bring in thousands of dollars for a business, yet you're billing by the hour or word. Flip that.

Start creating writing products instead of just offering services. For example, instead of saying “I write blog posts,” say “I offer a content package that ranks your site on Google in 60 days.” Or instead of “I write emails,” offer a “5-part email funnel designed to double your client’s sales.”

Once you wrap your writing into a solution rather than a service, you can charge more — and clients are more than willing to pay.

2. Sell Niche Ebooks or Guides on Autopilot

This one's been a quiet goldmine for years, and it’s only gotten bigger thanks to platforms like Gumroad, Payhip, Etsy (yes, really), and Amazon KDP. The key is niching down.

Instead of writing a generic “How to Write Better” ebook, go for “A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Spicy Romance Scenes” or “Email Templates for Boutique Hotel Owners.” Micro-niches are where the money is.

Use AI tools like ChatGPT to outline and edit faster. Combine that with your experience and unique tone, and you’ve got a digital product that can sell 24/7. I personally know writers pulling in $2K to $10K a month just from digital downloads.

3. Start a Substack (But Be Strategic About It)

Everyone seems to be starting newsletters these days, but few are actually profitable. The trick isn’t to just write a newsletter — it’s to build a niche community and give people a reason to pay.

If you’re good at storytelling, humor, business, or analyzing trends (especially around AI, self-improvement, or money), there’s a paying audience out there for you.

Start free, build up your readers, and then slowly move to a freemium model. Offer bonus content, exclusive interviews, templates, or even writing prompts to your paid subscribers.

Pro tip: Name your Substack something memorable and brandable. People are more likely to subscribe to “The Content Whisperer” than “John’s Weekly Thoughts.”

4. Become a Content Partner, Not Just a Freelancer

This is a mindset shift — and a game-changer. Stop thinking like “I’m a writer for hire.” Start thinking like a partner in success.

Pitch yourself to businesses or startups as a content strategist, not just a writer. Offer to handle their blog, email, and content funnel. Bundle it. Charge monthly retainers. Share performance reports. Become essential.

Even better? Negotiate partial payment as equity or performance bonuses. I’ve worked with a few writers who wrote for SaaS companies and took a small equity stake — and ended up making six figures when the company exited.

5. Write for High-Ticket Niches

All writing gigs are not created equal. Want to know the secret to charging $300 instead of $30 for a blog post? It’s all about the niche.

Here are a few high-paying industries where quality writing is in constant demand:

Fintech and investing

AI and machine learning

Cybersecurity

Health tech and telemedicine

B2B SaaS (especially CRM, HR, and analytics tools)

Legal and compliance

If you can write clearly about these topics — or are willing to learn — companies will pay premium rates because your content helps them convert leads into paying clients.

6. Create AI-Enhanced Content Services

Look, AI isn’t going away — but it’s not replacing good writers either. Instead of fighting it, use it to level up.

Offer AI-enhanced writing packages, where you combine tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, or Notion AI with your human editing and strategic insight. Clients love the speed, and you stay in control of the voice, nuance, and narrative.

You could even offer “AI Content Cleanup” services where you take raw AI-generated drafts and polish them for SEO, engagement, and clarity.

This also opens up the door to charging consulting fees for helping businesses build out internal content systems using AI — a skill most still don’t understand.

7. Monetize Your Social Media as a Writer

Your writing isn’t just limited to articles or books anymore. Platforms like Twitter (now X), LinkedIn, Threads, and Instagram are huge opportunities for writers to get noticed — and paid.

Start by posting short-form writing consistently — tips, micro-stories, threads, or writing prompts. Once you gain traction, you can monetize through:

Affiliate links

Sponsored posts

Paid shoutouts

Selling your digital products directly

Creating paid communities or workshops

One writer I know grew her Instagram to 50K followers by posting short daily poems — and now sells out digital poetry books every month. It’s all about showing up and sharing your style consistently.

8. Ghostwrite for Creators and Entrepreneurs

Ghostwriting is one of the most lucrative (and under-the-radar) writing gigs out there. Entrepreneurs, influencers, and executives are always looking for someone to help them sound smart online — without doing the actual writing.

You can ghostwrite:

LinkedIn thought leadership posts

Twitter threads

Blog articles

Medium pieces

Even entire ebooks or memoirs

And since it’s high-trust and usually long-term, you can easily charge $2K–$10K per month for ghostwriting packages. Bonus? Most of your clients will refer others — because good ghostwriters are hard to find.

The key is positioning yourself as a trusted voice behind the scenes, not just someone who writes pretty words.

Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Be Paid Like a Pro

Writing isn’t some hobby or side hustle that should be paid in peanuts. It’s a critical skill that drives sales, builds trust, and shapes how people understand the world.

If you’ve been stuck thinking, “Maybe I’m just not good enough to charge more,” I want to tell you that’s total nonsense. You’re more than good enough. You just need the right strategy, audience, and mindset.

So here’s what I want you to do: Pick one or two of these ideas and actually act on them this week. Don’t overthink. Don’t wait until your website is perfect or your logo looks cool.

Just start.

And remember — writing may be an art, but getting paid well for it? That’s a business.

Treat it like one.

[ozma914]

Who's your Favorite Hoosier, or: Sequel Season in Indiana

  Okay, so, let's say--hypothetically--that I was getting ready to work on a sequel to Hoosier Hysterical: How the West Became the Midwest, Without Moving at All.

If you've read Hoosier Hysterical ("and why not?" he said sternly), you know it's a humor book about Indiana history and trivia. People seem to like it, but my first though on a sequel was, "What do I do next?" I covered history. I covered a lot of trivia, too, although not all by any means.

So eventually the idea I came up with was a book about two things: The people who came here and/or started here and made their fame elsewhere, and the special little places that make the Hoosier State so ... weird.

You can bet Emily and I are going to visit the Uranus Fudge Factory in Richmond, for instance. I predict the puns will hit the fan.

So here's what I need from you. I mean, other than book reviews, word of mouth, and sales. I need you to tell me what little, out of the way attraction and/or person of note you'd like us to cover in our book, which I called Hoosier Hysterical-er until Emily told me no.

I can't guarantee we'll fit them all in, and I can't guarantee we'll be able to visit all of them, but we'll surely try. (If we end up with enough material, it might be divided into two books.) We'll also try not to repeat ourselves, so if we already covered something in detail in the first book, it's not likely to show up in the second.

So what do you want to hear about? The world's largest ball of paint? Orville Redenbacher? Orville Wright, and/or his brother? Elvis' hair? There's more than corn in Indiana.

Although there's corn, too. Just ask Orville Redenbacher.

Almost all of our books are related to Indiana, and you can find them here:

·        Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0058CL6OO ·        Barnes & Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/"Mark R Hunter" ·        Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4898846.Mark_R_Hunter ·        Blog: https://markrhunter.blogspot.com/ ·        Website: http://www.markrhunter.com/ ·        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ozma914/ ·        Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkRHunter914 ·        Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markrhunter/ ·        Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkRHunter ·        Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarkRHunter ·        Substack:  https://substack.com/@markrhunter ·        Tumblr:  https://www.tumblr.com/ozma914 ·        Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ozma914 ·        Audible:  https://www.audible.com/search?searchAuthor=Mark+R.+Hunter&ref_pageloadid=4C1TS2KZGoOjloaJ&pf

Remember: Books about Indiana are as sweet as sugar cream pie, but without the calories. Unless you eat them. Don't eat them.

[how-to-make-money-in-2025]

How to Make Money in 2025: Smart Strategies for Financial Growth

Making money in 2025 is all about adapting to the latest trends, leveraging technology, and building multiple streams of income. Whether you're looking for a side hustle, a full-time business, or passive income, there are endless opportunities to capitalize on. Here are some of the smartest ways to make money in 2025.

1. Build a Personal Brand and Monetize It

In today’s digital world, personal branding is a powerful tool for making money. Whether you’re an expert in a field, a content creator, or a niche influencer, you can turn your reputation into income.

Ways to Monetize a Personal Brand:

Sell digital products like courses, e-books, or templates.

Offer coaching or consulting services.

Launch a membership community or subscription service.

Partner with brands for sponsorships and collaborations.

2. Master AI-Powered Side Hustles

AI is changing the way we work, and those who use it wisely can create new revenue streams. Many businesses are searching for AI-powered solutions to streamline their processes, and you can provide them.

Profitable AI Side Hustles:

AI-powered content creation (writing, graphics, and video editing).

AI automation services for businesses.

Selling AI-generated assets (logos, stock images, voiceovers).

Creating and selling chatbots for customer service.

3. High-Ticket Service-Based Business

Instead of chasing small sales, focus on offering high-value services that generate large payouts. In 2025, many professionals are turning to service-based businesses that cater to high-paying clients.

Examples of High-Ticket Services:

Business consulting and coaching.

Premium web design and branding services.

AI integration consulting.

Luxury travel planning or concierge services.

If you have expertise in a field, positioning yourself as a premium service provider can lead to big earnings.

4. Monetize Your Knowledge with Online Courses

E-learning is bigger than ever, and people are willing to pay for high-quality educational content. If you have expertise in any subject, you can create and sell an online course.

How to Get Started:

Identify a topic people want to learn about.

Create a course using platforms like Teachable, Udemy, or Kajabi.

Use social media marketing to attract students.

Offer upsells like coaching or exclusive group memberships.

5. Become a Paid Community Builder

More people are moving away from traditional social media and looking for niche communities. If you can create a valuable online space, people will pay to be part of it.

How to Monetize a Community:

Start a paid Discord or Telegram group.

Launch a Patreon or Substack with premium content.

Build a private membership site with exclusive benefits.

Organize mastermind groups or virtual events.

6. Invest in Digital Real Estate

While traditional real estate remains lucrative, digital real estate is becoming a major player in wealth-building. This includes domains, websites, and virtual assets.

Best Digital Real Estate Investments:

Buy and flip domain names.

Invest in revenue-generating websites.

Purchase virtual real estate in the metaverse.

Build and sell authority blogs or niche websites.

7. Create a Subscription-Based Business

Subscription models create predictable income by charging customers on a recurring basis. This can be applied to both digital and physical products.

Subscription Business Ideas:

Exclusive content memberships (newsletters, premium blogs).

Subscription boxes (beauty, fitness, lifestyle).

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions.

Private community memberships.

8. Leverage the Power of Micro-SaaS

Micro-SaaS is a small, highly specialized software solution that caters to niche audiences. Unlike massive software companies, Micro-SaaS businesses can be launched by a single person or a small team.

How to Start a Micro-SaaS Business:

Identify a niche problem that software can solve.

Use AI tools or hire developers to create a simple software solution.

Offer a monthly subscription for access.

Scale by adding features based on customer feedback.

9. Invest in Alternative Assets

Wealth-building in 2025 isn’t just about stocks and crypto. Alternative assets offer new ways to diversify and grow your money.

Top Alternative Investments:

Fractional real estate investing.

High-value collectibles (watches, rare sneakers, digital art).

Peer-to-peer lending.

Farmland investing.

[wirecto]

Understanding the Basics of Content Marketing and Social Media

What is Content Marketing?

Content marketing creates valuable, engaging, and relevant content to attract and retain a target audience. The goal is to drive profitable customer action by building trust and authority through content.

How Social Media Amplifies Content

Social media acts as the primary distribution channel for content marketing, giving brands and individuals a powerful way to reach a broad audience, interact with them, and ultimately drive revenue. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn allow creators to distribute content quickly, build a following, and monetize that audience.

2. Building Your Brand: The Foundation of Making Money

Before diving into monetization, you need a solid brand identity. A strong brand is crucial for standing out in a crowded social media landscape. Consider these elements when building your brand:

Niche: Focus on a specific niche that interests you, whether it’s fashion, tech, fitness, or travel.

Voice and Style: Create a unique voice and visual style that appeals to your target audience.

Consistency: Stay consistent in content, posting schedule, and messaging to build trust and recognition.

3. Monetization Strategies for Social Media and Content Marketing

Sponsored Content and Brand Partnerships

Once you’ve built a loyal following, you can start collaborating with brands for sponsored content. Here’s how to get started:

Reach Out to Brands in Your Niche: If you have a solid engagement rate and niche audience, many brands are willing to pay for exposure to your followers.

Use Influencer Marketplaces: Platforms like Upfluence, AspireIQ, and Influence.co can connect you with brands looking to partner with influencers.

Create Authentic Partnerships: Audiences can sense authenticity, so only partner with brands that align with your values.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to earn money from social media. By promoting products through affiliate links, you can earn a commission on every sale made through your link.

Choose Relevant Products: Promote products that are relevant to your niche and that you genuinely recommend.

Utilize Different Formats: Use reviews, tutorials, and unboxings to showcase the products naturally.

Leverage Multiple Channels: Spread your affiliate links across your blog, YouTube channel, Instagram stories, and Pinterest.

Sell Your Own Products or Services

Many influencers and content creators expand their income streams by selling their own products. Here’s how:

Create Digital Products: E-books, online courses, and downloadable resources can be lucrative because they’re low-cost to produce.

Offer Services: Offer coaching, consulting, or design services to followers who want direct access to your expertise.

Open an Online Store: Selling branded merchandise or products related to your niche can be a sustainable income stream.

Launch a Subscription Model

With platforms like Patreon and Substack, creators can offer exclusive content for paying subscribers. Subscription models are becoming popular because they provide recurring income.

Offer Exclusive Perks: Provide value by offering exclusive content, Q&As, and behind-the-scenes insights.

Build a Community: Cultivate a tight-knit community where subscribers feel part of an exclusive group.

Be Transparent About Value: Clearly communicate the benefits of subscribing and why it’s worth the investment.

4. Monetizing Content Through Video

With the explosive popularity of short-form video on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, video content is a powerful monetization tool:

YouTube Partner Program: YouTube allows creators to earn from ads played on their videos once they meet certain criteria.

Platform-Specific Incentives: TikTok and Instagram offer Creator Funds and bonuses based on engagement.

Live Streaming: Use live streaming features to connect with your audience in real time, driving engagement and encouraging donations or virtual gifts.

5. Best Practices for Success in Social Media and Content Marketing

Consistency is Key

Post regularly and engage with your audience daily. Platforms reward consistency, and so does your audience.

Engage with Your Audience

Reply to comments, answer questions, and engage with your followers’ content. Building strong relationships can turn followers into loyal fans who support your monetization efforts.

Stay Up-to-Date with Trends

Social media algorithms and trends change frequently. Keep up with the latest changes, from platform updates to emerging content formats.

6. Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Dealing with Algorithm Changes

Algorithm changes can affect your reach, especially on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Stay adaptable, experiment with new strategies, and diversify your content across multiple platforms.

Maintaining Authenticity

Monetization opportunities are plentiful but don’t lose sight of authenticity. Followers can detect insincerity, so only partner with brands and promote products you genuinely support.

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

Inspiration: 61 New Paid Subscribers on Substack in 10 Days & Sold A$8K Value of Books with ZERO Ads

I explained how freelance writers can become book authors on Substack and book authors can sell their books with great success. This article aims to inspire aspiring writers to benefit from Substack’s serendipitous sales engine and book authors to use it deliberately.  Self-publishing experts advocate for paid advertising through platforms like Google or Facebook. They can be costly, producing…

[digiblogmantra]

How can we do Monitization of Page?

Monetization of a page refers to the process of generating revenue or income from a web page, social media page, blog, or any other online platform. There are various methods and strategies for monetizing a page, and the choice of method often depends on the type of content, the audience, and the goals of the page owner. Here are some common ways to monetize a page more...

Advertising: Displaying ads on your page is one of the most common ways to monetize. This can include pay-per-click (PPC) ads like Google AdSense, direct advertising deals with businesses, or ad networks.

Affiliate Marketing: Promoting products or services related to your page's content and earning a commission for every sale or action generated through your affiliate links.

Sponsored Content: Collaborating with brands to create sponsored posts or articles that promote their products or services. You are paid for featuring their content.

Subscription Models: Offering premium or exclusive content to subscribers who pay a recurring fee. This is common on platforms like Patreon or Substack.

E-commerce: Selling products or merchandise related to your page's theme or content. This can include physical products, digital downloads, or services.

Donations: Asking your audience for voluntary contributions or donations to support your page. This is often seen on platforms like PayPal or Buy Me a Coffee.

Freemium Models: Offering a basic level of content for free and a premium version with additional features for a fee.

Selling Your Expertise: If you have specialized knowledge or skills related to your page's content, you can offer consulting, coaching, or online courses.

Selling Ad Space: If your page has a large and engaged audience, you can sell ad space directly to businesses or use ad networks to manage the process.

Selling Leads: If your page generates leads or valuable data, you can sell this information to businesses in related industries.

Selling eBooks or Books: If you're an author or have valuable knowledge to share, you can monetize your page by selling books or eBooks.

Crowdfunding: Platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo allow you to raise funds from your audience to support your projects.

[fixyourwritinghabits]

Interview with Jessica Mahler Part 2

Today's interview is with Jessica Mahler, writer of serialized queer SFF fiction! You can find their work at the following:

Substack: https://jessmahler.substack.com/

Webserial catalog: https://jessmahler.com/webserial-catalog/

Author page: https://books2read.com/ap/nAEEOn/Jess-Mahler

A pre-sale for upcoming release: https://www.smashwords.com/books/presale/1154035/DJNG3G

Part 2 can be found below the cut!

 If someone wanted to get into serial fiction, what advice would you give them? 

Well, definitely stay off of Vella. Amazon is evil, but beyond that – if you go through Vella you give Amazon control of your writing and audience. Don't give evil people control of you or your career.

You need to know yourself as a writer – how fast do you write, how often, and how quickly do you edit? It does no good to commit to writing three episodes a week if you can't reliably write more than one.

Think about what audience you are writing for. I know, I know, trite advice. But here, we're coming from a different direction. Remember what I said before about how I know folks who don't have time to read, so I stuck with short episodes? I went with a newsletter format for the same reason. Quick and easy reads in your inbox. I went with multiple stories running concurrently so new readers would always have a story they could jump into without a huge backlog.

What are the reading habits of your audience? Do they want to curl up with a long chapter each week? Do you think they care how consistently you update? (Long-term fanfic readers won't care about consistency, mainstream readers probably will.) Will they prefer to read on a website? Email? App? "Fast, Good, and Cheap, pick two" is the business maxim. I think the serial equivalent is "Frequent, Good, and Word Count."

You can post good stories frequently. You can post high word counts frequently. You can write good stories with a high word count per episode. But posting good, high-word-count episodes frequently? Not so much. Put your writing habits and audience together, and pick two.

I picked frequent (twice a week) and good. I know of folks doing serials that only post once a month, but when they post, it's a lot at once. You can do whatever works for you – but unless you are a full-time writer, you can't do all three. 

Can you tell us more about some of your favorite stories you've written, and why you decided to write them? 

Oh geez, I have to pick? Tell you what, let's talk about the 2023 schedule instead of making me pick between my babies. I've got 4 stories I'll be posting in 2023. The Bargain and Planting Life in a Dying City are two of my older stories. I started them both as novels and actually published the Bargain. (Please don't buy the ebook, it wasn't properly edited, and I'm embarrassed. The publisher is supposed to pull it soon.)

The Bargain – so, I'm aro-ace, though I didn't even know the words when I started writing this one. I'm also kinky. The Bargain began as me writing the kind of kink story I wanted to read. It's got heavy queer platonic/chosen family vibes and focuses on the bond between people in a power exchange relationship. With fae, magic, a bit of court intrigue, self-discovery, and a few other things.

Planting Life is a world-building project that spawned a story. Hopefully several stories. The original idea was 'how would tech and society have developed if magic existed as a kind of natural force.' So, of course, I had to define my magic, build my world, etc. Planting Life is set in a Bronze age society before anyone has learned to control magic. In fact, magic barely exists in the story. Instead, the story is about a group of traumatized individuals creating a new family and a new start in a stagnating society. But there will be spin-offs and sequels.

The next story will focus on an Archimedes-like character who is one of the first to begin understanding and harnessing magic. Last Lady of Lună is my newest story and grew out of my finally understanding and accepting that I am aromantic.

I just don't understand WTF romance is and that comes out in my writing. See, I write a lot of love stories, but while they meet the technical criteria for romance stories (stories about love and relationships with an HFN or HEA ending), they don't register as romance with a lot of people. So… I challenged myself. I love romance stories, especially paranormal romance stories.

Last Lady of Luna is me making a conscious effort to write a why choose romance story. It's about a vampire and the humans who agree to be her companions, food, protectors, and (eventually) lovers. Slow burn, but I'm told that so far I'm nailing the burn.

Mighty Hero Force Epsilon started as a dream. Literally. There's this one scene, about halfway through the first season, where the Big Bad's lieutenant– anyway, yeah. So I dreamed that scene. And when you read the scene, you'll understand why I had to figure out what happened after. Which meant I had to figure out what came before. Which is how we got here. Folks familiar with the genre will recognize it as a sentai story (think Power Rangers if you aren't familiar with anime). 

When it comes to writing serial fiction, finding a place to host it can be a challenge. Why did you decide on using Substack, and what advice can you give others who want to check out that platform for themselves? 

I went with Substack because it's a good newsletter platform. It doesn't make me pay to have a subscription set up when I have less than 50 subscribers and allows 'adult content'. I'm looking at alternatives because the navigation is a pain. (New readers should start on the website to get caught up.) And I'm hearing things about the folks running it being transphobic.

Turns out my web host, Dreamhost, has built-in newsletter functionality now. So that's a thing I'm looking at. But yeah, finding hosting can be a challenge, which is why I'm still here. Just… try not to stress the stats. I've had days where Substack told me I had 0 views, 1 like, and 1 comment. I've had it tell me that I had a like from a subscriber who supposedly has never opened a single email.

You should never take numbers (other than number of subscribers) too seriously if you can help it – you never know how they're calculated. But extra don't take Substack numbers seriously. 

Any last thoughts to share?

I should do a 'call to action,' shouldn't I? The truth is I suck at all that marketing shit. I took courses and read books about it. I just make a fool of myself when I try. So I mostly have fun with my writing and don't worry about it.

But there's a reason I reached out when you posted about doing interviews: I need a service dog, and I can't afford one without bumping my writing income.

So, 'for folks watching at home,' as they used to say, here's the pitch. If you like original world sff with queer characters, queer love stories, and queer takes on family (and you want to help out a disabled author): grab a subscription and tell all your friends how awesome it is.

And please check out their preorder sale for their next book here!

[davidmariottecomics]

Comics Job Security

Hello! 

This week, Amazon gutted Comixology. Roughly 75% of staff was laid off in one fell swoop, with the remaining staff kept on with the knowledge that they are there to "mop up" and then will be let go. I've said it before, and we all live in the world and should be aware of this anyway, but Amazon sucks. And this is the latest in a series of bad practices that they've had. 

Also this week, the HarperCollins Union hit their 50th day on strike. One of those "post your cancellable comics take" tweets did the rounds over on Twitter. I questioned what, if anything, ever happened with all the creators who took money from Substack and said they'd be following up with the company in light of the amount of transphobia, nationalism, fearmongering, and misinformation spread through their distribution system. In publishing at large, there's also a lot going on in terms of the relationship of the author/editor and the reviewer, particularly on Tiktok and conversations around the general disconnect between decorum and actual professional behavior in the industry. And across the larger landscape, there's a lot of job instability happening in entertainment/tech--from massive layoffs at big tech companies to continued layoffs and restructuring (often merger based) at some of the media conglomerates to the lingering concerns about increased use of AI. 

This week, I want to talk about what that all means on a creator level and how you might be able to help cushion yourself from some of those blows. 

State of the Industry Just using publicly available information, we can say 2022 saw a weaker year across the entertainment industry as a whole. Bloomberg reported it as the worst year in like 3 decades for some of the major media companies as the split between the idea of theaters, traditional TV, and streaming become more complicated with things being reopened and, generally, some amount of fatigue over streaming's big swing changes and increased segmentation. And this will always matter to comics because Warner Bros owns DC, Disney owns Marvel, and various other comics companies are owned by other big media corps. 

In the book industry, overall book sales are understood to have fallen by about 6% last year. However, some categories still saw growth, one of which being adult graphic novels (which includes a lot of manga). That's an especially important number given that the previous year, 2021, may have been the greatest year of comic sales on record. Which is also very interesting given that comics sales records are getting increasingly hard to track. 

So overall, it's kind of a weird landscape. While a lot of comics and book publishers themselves might in okay shape after last year, their parent companies might not be doing so hot. And when the parent company isn't doing so good and is looking to tighten purse strings, publishing is an easy target. But also, maybe publishing is in a good place because while book sales were softer in 2022, books remain one of the last bastions of physical media (go to your local Target, chances are GOOD that you now have a book section in what used to be the Movies and Music section--not that they're all gone, but that the ration has inverted). 

Overall, I can't predict where publishing itself is going, but I think these factors are important to keep in mind, particularly when we're seeing things like the Comixology layoffs. 

On Cancellation In terms of staying afloat and secure in this industry, a lot of that for a creator comes down on the personal level. To that end, I wanted to talk briefly about being "cancelled". Projects get cancelled, people don't. Everyone knows that J.K. Rowling is a transphobe who has decided to double-down on her public persona being an advocate for anti-transness. Folks have extensively gone over her works and pointed out when they are transphobic, racist, and otherwise inherently engaging in the language of oppression against different groups. By all means, were "being cancelled" a thing, she would and should be. And yet, the upcoming game based on her works (and based specifically on one of the most antisemitic aspects of her work) is apparently the top selling game on Steam of the year so far even though it won't release for a few more weeks. 

There are also sooooooo many other celebrities we can look at, some of whom have not just been convicted in the court of public opinion, but LITERALLY CONVICED OF THEIR CRIMES who, uhh, lemme check my notes, continue to receive regular work, tour, and otherwise be hyped up and make money. The good news for dirt bags, I guess, is you can be a dirt bag and suffer relatively little punishment for it as long as there are people who enjoy your work, even if the work itself is also compromised by your dirt bag views. 

Relatedly, I think when we're having the conversation of "cancellable opinions" and using that language instead of, lightly controversial opinions or hot takes or whatever, it normalizes the idea that both "cancelling" is a thing and that it doesn't/shouldn't actually have any effect. And as a result, it makes accountability that much harder. 

So, no, you aren't going to get cancelled in comics. But there are a number of people who are in hiring positions who are paying attention to creators' behavior and who may want to hold those who are acting poorly accountable for their behavior. And I think that standard, largely, is like "hey, is this person fearmongering against a group of people" or "acting in a criminal manner" or "being a bully" or "closely associating with a person who does one of those things". So you should probably try to be a cool person to avoid losing work for being a dirt bag. 

Positive Considerations to Make

With that all understood, not being a dirt bag does seem like a pretty good way to ensure future work. But with the changing landscape, that's not enough. What else can you do to keep yourself in a good place? 

1. Be informed about this stuff. A big part of my personally following up about Substack is I still see a lot of people gravitating toward it and signing up and issuing their newsletters there. I understand that some of those people are being paid by Substack to be there--some are even receiving health benefits. I also know a lot of folks are defaulting to Substack because they've seen other people--including those who got paychecks from them--be successful there. It's similar to Patreon, right, where at least in the US comics community, it kind of blew up to be the standard quickly, and while there are definitely people using alternatives like pixiv fanbox or Subscribestar, there's some safety in name recognition of the platform, regardless of it's problems... This is not to say that I won't work with people who have a Substack, just that to be informed, it's worth pursuing and seeing if there was follow-up from people who theoretically were being courted and had some amount of power in that dynamic to make a change and whether or not anything came of it. I'll also say, Trung Le Nguyen shared a public Patreon post about declining Substack's offer that I think is worth reading. 

2. Be considerate about who you work for. I feel for the people who've lost their jobs at Comixology. I am in solidarity with the folks on strike at Harper. I inherently dislike their parent companies (Amazon and News Corp) and unfortunately find those companies disrespect for their employees unsurprising. Which is not to blame the folks at Comixology or at at Harper--there are many lovely people working there and fighting the good fight within the larger corporate megastructure. But between, say, not crossing the picket line and signing a deal with Harper while the workers are on strike to, say, using the Creator Resource publisher page to check in on the latest about various comics publishers as organized and vetted by your peers, knowing who you're dealing with can go a long way for you. 

3. Be considerate for those you work with. This is one of those things that gets repeated again and again, but comics is a collaborative medium. You can point at all the ways and times that isn't true, but, generally speaking, comics are often not made on an individual level. And a lot of us have very different takes on what behavior is acceptable--some folks are very comfortable producing NSFW work and some aren't, some are open with their political views and some only speak up occasionally, some people are very private and some are very open. It does you good to know the comfort levels of your peers and collaborators because sometimes a misstep might come off as a larger slight than it's meant to be, which is always unfortunate. 

4. Last and not least, don't buy into NFTs or AI or whatever the latest criminal "art" fad is. Y'know, that one seems pretty easy, but boy howdy. Just avoid that stuff. 

5. If you write a blog about the actions of various companies, know you may be putting yourself in a precarious position in the future, but feel secure in standing by your morals and the facts. 

And, again, a lot of that all folds in to if you act nicely and respectfully and professionally, other people in the profession will meet you at that level, which can be helpful when things are uncertain. You certainly can find success in comics outside of the industry, and different people have different standards of what they're looking for, but not being a jerk is a good thing. 

I think that wraps up this week. Next week: The brandification of nerd culture, or how Funko became the new Band-Aid. 

What I enjoyed this week: Abbott Elementary (TV show), Blank Check (Podcast), Honkai Impact (Video game), House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski (Book), Kaguya-Sama: Love is War (Manga), Drip Drip by Paru Itagaki (Manga, I actually read this a few weeks ago and think I just forgot to mention quite enjoying it), Coraline (Movie), 17-21 by Tatsuki Fujimoto (Manga, I've only read the first story so far, but quite looking forward to the rest), Dungeons & Daddies (Podcast)  New Releases this week (1/18/2022): Sonic the Hedgehog: Scrapnik Island #4 (Editor)

New releases next week (1/25/2022): Godzilla Rivals: Round One TPB (Didn't work on this, but plugging Zilla)

Final Order Cutoff (1/23/2023): Sonic the Hedgehog #58 (Editor) 

Announcements: Arizona Comic Book Arts Festival - 2/25! It's a one day comic-focused event in Phoenix, AZ. Tickets are only $10. Attending artists include me, Becca (who once again is dropping some new stuff on their Patreon, see below), Mitch Gerads, Steve Rude, John Layman, Henry Barajas, Jay Fotos, Jeff Mariotte, Marcy Rockwell, John Yurcaba, Andrew MacLean, Alexis Zirrit, Meredith McClaren, James Owen, Ryan Cody, and many more! Come and see us! Becca'll have some very cool new merch, too!

Becca contributed to Aradia Beat, a Magical Girl Anthology Magazine! It's now on Kickstarter! It's both a tribute to 90s magical girl stories and part of a larger project about the overall preservation of magical girl stories! 

We're also waiting to hear back on if Becca got in to another con on their own, but may have another update soon. 

And finally, happy Lunar New Year! 

Pic of the Week: This is just our little banner pulled from the AZCAF site! It came out really well! See ya there in just over a month! 

[tlbodine]

Things That Do (And Don’t) Sell Books (in my experience)

I’ve just finished reading this book:

I am both amused and a bit disheartened to have read the whole thing and discovered that I knew pretty much everything in it. Amused, because I guess I’ve picked up a lot of knowledge over the years. Disheartened, because it clearly has not led to me becoming the break-away success I always dreamed of. Ah well. Live and learn. 

I’m all about transparency in this business, so I wanted to talk honestly for a while about book marketing and what I’ve experienced in terms of what does and does not seem to work. I’d love to hear your thoughts, so chime in with your own experiences! 

Branding and Audience 

The first third of Burke’s book is dedicated to this aspect, and it’s an important marketing step that’s easy to overlook. The idea is basically that you can’t market a product unless it has a brand identity. To create your brand, you need to do the following: 

Identify the audience who you are trying to reach with your work, or who would be most receptive to what you’re writing

Identify your dreams and goals so you have a clear picture in mind of what you want to accomplish 

Figure out how to position yourself in such a way that you a.) stand out from the competition but b.) people can still relate to and understand at a glance

Find a way to communicate your brand consistently in terms of the language used, your aesthetic, the way you act online, and so forth. 

When it comes to brand-building as an author, I think I’ve got a bit of a corner nailed down. I at least hope to be perceived as someone level-headed, thoughtful, generally positive/empathetic and humanist, but also critical and looking deeper into the meanings of things -- all of which are traits I personally possess and which are baked in to the work I do. In support of that branding, I curate my activity online as best I can: I post things that are of a certain horror aesthetic that I feel overlaps with my own interests/style; I give writing advice and boost people in the community where I can; I wade into discourse selectively and thoughtfully; I give media reviews and analysis that I think would be interesting to like-minded people. 

The “identify the audience” part is much harder for me. I’m still honestly not sure who my ideal reader is, or where exactly to go to find my audience. At this point I’m kind of scattering crumbs of myself out into the wind and hoping it will attract people who will, in turn, be interested in the work that I do (and both willing and able to support it financially). 

Things I’ve Done With Varying Degrees of Success: 

Aforementioned blogging activities. I have slowly but steadily grown my following her on tumblr and other social media sites as well as my author newsletter on substack, but it’s not clear to what extent that following translates into book sales. My writing advice posts vastly out-perform all of my other content, but I haven’t seen compelling evidence that the people interested in my writing advice are especially interested in my fiction -- it seems to be two separate groups, with maybe a sliver of overlap. 

Content marketing with more short fiction. This seems like it should be the safest, surest way to find more readers, but it’s time-consuming and discouraging because of the discoverability cycle. My horror flash fiction posts don’t get nearly as many notes as my advice posts. My attempts to get into the big anthologies that pop up have so far amounted to little, although I do need to write more. It’s just that coming up with new ideas and writing them all the time is a lot of work, and if it’s not paying off maybe I’m still better off dedicating that work to my novels. 

Sending ARCs to book bloggers/reviewers/booktube etc. I sent out dozens, if not hundreds, of these and got next to no response. I do think part of the problem is that, at the time, I had no Twitter presence, and -- like it or not -- there seems to be a bit of cliqueishness to this aspect of the book world. Now that I’ve spent more time on Twitter ingratiating myself with the horror community, I suspect I’ll have a somewhat easier job securing blurbs and reviews at least from the people in my extended social circle. But I won’t know until I try it again. *I also know I would have greater success with this if I’d been sending paperback ARCs instead of digital. I didn’t, because the cost of buying more author copies + shipping was prohibitive. 

Author Newsletter. I maintain mine in conjunction with my Patreon account. I send a monthly news round-up, making a point of shouting out both industry news and the milestones/achievements of others in the community as well as providing what I hope to be value-added or interesting content (in the form of blog posts my patrons vote on). It does OK. I average a couple of new sign-ups per month this way and tend to hover around a 25% open rate, which isn’t terrible. But it’s not great, either, and I won’t know for sure whether any of those opens will actually yield sales at any point. 

Interpersonal relationships/community building. Hands down the most successful “marketing” thing I’ve ever done is make friends with people. My writing discord group is small but very close-knit and interacting with them is one of the genuine highlights of my day. I didn’t really make it with mercenary intentions of selling books, but it has directly resulted in sales. Similarly, there are a handful of authors from Twitter and Wattpad that I’ve developed genuine friendships with, and we buy each other’s books and support one another. This whole community aspect is extremely rewarding and I’d do it whether or not it sold books, but it’s also not exactly easy to scale. I can only maintain genuine friendships with so many people. 

Posting in reading groups. The books that allow self-promo are so saturated with it that nobody pays any attention. The good groups do not allow self-promo, unless it’s in the form of getting down in the comments and recommending a book on a per-person basis to people looking for a specific thing, and only then if you’re not being spammy. Again, this is time-consuming. You could spend your entire life in these groups, hand-selling books to these people, and maybe picking up a few sales. They do seem like a good place to identify trends, though, so they’re good for market research if not direct selling. 

Things I Have Not Done, But Which I Suspect Would Sell Books 

Paid promotions. The golden ticket for book sales still seems to be landing a BookBub promo. If you’re unfamiliar, this is where you price your book at 99 cents or free and then pay bookbub to include it in their deals newsletter. Bookbub is very popular and moves a lot of copies. Ideally, you want to set it up so that your cheap book is the first in a series, and people snap that up and then come back to read the rest. This requires you to have written a series. Also bookbub is expensive because these are premium ads. We’re talking hundreds of dollars for one ad. There are other book promos that are cheaper but don’t have the same buy-through rate. 

Ads on facebook/amazon. I’m only dimly familiar with the ins and outs of these ads. They can be relatively cheap, but the amount of visibility they have is tied to your budget -- so the more you can spend on a campaign, the better your performance will be. 

Calling bookstores/libraries and asking them to order. I should do this. I have not done this purely because I am a coward. 

I am not certain what more I can do to promote my books without spending money. 

I understand the “spend money to make money” concept, but I also understand the “I have a limited budget and cannot spend it willy nilly on things that still might not actually pay off, especially considering how expensive self-publishing is when you want to do it right.” 

...This post ended up in a much more bitter place than I meant for it to. Sorry. I’ll check in if I remember additional points that could be successful strategies.