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 now

What 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