I’ve Restructured My Writing Business Four Times (and I wear a lot of hats)

‘Write what you know’ is good advice… until the market changes.

Then you have to learn something new. You must ensure your words are still valuable so you avoid writing to an audience of none.

I’ve revamped my writing business at least four times. Sometimes through necessity and other times because of my vision. One thing is for sure: the writing business is not a linear path to success, and sometimes, you have to pivot. And you have to wear a lot of hats.

Drastic Changes to My Writing Business

1. From Literary Magazines to Books

I published my first story in Flash Fiction Magazine in 2016. The publications came thick and fast after that. Write, edit, submit, revise, submit and go again. I was prolific — around 30 short stories accepted in under two years. But my goal was not to earn big bucks or become the next Neil Gaiman. I just wanted to share my creativity with readers.

I won a competition, placed in more, and even received payment here and there. But literary magazines are read almost exclusively by writers. The audience is niche.

If you want the wider world to know you are a writer, give them a book. Of course, I quickly realised that few agents or publishers were willing to take a gamble on short fiction, so I collated my already available works and self-published.

The difference was palpable. Friends, acquaintances, and people I’d never even met read my stories and saw me as a writer — a real one.

As long as you publish your best work, books give you a massive injection of confidence. Soon, I was teaching workshops and believed that I could offer much much more.

2. From English Teacher to Writing Coach

If you think the pay for writers sucks, try being an English teacher! I’d been working for predatory academies in a dead-end industry for 8+ years and decided enough was enough.

After helping hundreds of students with writing tasks (and being an author myself), I launched my online business — English Writing Coach.

There are millions of teachers and writers out there, but I noticed that no one was specifically helping multilingual writers to improve the quality of their text and succeed in business. No, I wasn’t a seven-figure copywriter saying ‘Follow my strategy for success’. In fact, I hadn’t done much freelance writing, but I backed myself to guide clients towards their goals.

Running your own business involves a lot of failure and readjustment. A lot. The lows can be crushing. But I love that I control who I work with and what I do. And I get to talk about writing all day!

After several years (and a lot of missteps along the way), I now run a paid community with over 70 members.

3. From Professional Coach to Totally Human Ghostwriter

In 2023, AI crashed the party. The effects of rate cuts, shrinking marketing budgets and layoffs are still being felt today.

I do most of my marketing on LinkedIn, and there, I turned the dial from 50 to 100. The dial wasn’t quantity, effort, or the number of topics I wrote about. It was my personality.

After reading so many tired ‘tips and tricks’ (as well as ChatGPT copypastas), I decided to amp up my own writing voice.

• I wrote stories about my wins and failures.
• I made fun of crumby 4 am writing routines and yawn-worthy buzzwords.
• I wrote slideshows about saving kittens going on a quest with a badger.
• I raged at industry discrimination.

Focusing on my writing persona positioned me as a unique voice, not a follower (or as I once put it, ‘buttocks, not white noise’).

Now I help my community members build their own personal buttocks... err... brand. And I’m writing more for businesses I believe in. Writing with a strong voice is a key skill in 2024, especially in a very technical field. With this skill in my tool belt, I've pivoted to ghostwriting for bitcoin leaders and companies — but of course, in a totally human way.

4. From Traditional Author to Self-Publishing a Kids’ Book

Alongside my coaching and other projects, I continued writing fiction, publishing two novellas with indie presses in the UK and US. Those experiences were positive but didn’t bring me thousands of sales or many readers outside of my circle.

You might have guessed what comes next, as I’m not someone who stands still. Like the resplendent Optimus Prime, I transformed.

I’ve had a children’s book in the works for a little while, and without an agent or best mate who works for Scholastic, I’m returning to self-publishing. The A-Z of Rotten Uncles will be the third book I’ve self-published (and will perhaps be the most personal, as I am, indeed, a very rotten uncle myself). Release is scheduled for December 2024.

I’m so determined to get this book into the hands of nieces and nephews around the world, that I’m teaming up with an illustrator friend of mine (and hopefully some translators in my network too).

Recently, I rebranded my Substack to document my journey to get self-publishing right at the third time of asking.

You’re probably as confused about my writing career trajectory as I am.

There is no clear path, career ladder, silver bullet, well-placed stepping stone, or any other metaphor you care to imagine. Writers make their own way, and they have to adapt.

However, one thing has NOT changed — an unwavering belief that my creativity and writing voice are valuable because they get results.

What I offer may change over time, but I will continue to deliver the words which keep my creative spirit and my business running.

Book News: Free copies of Two New Releases

The uncles are coming - December 5th. If you want an advanced copy for free, all I ask is that you leave an Amazon review. Comment or DM and I'll send you an eCopy.

This book is aimed at uncles who are too lazy to think of a better Christmas present for their 7-11-year-old niece or nephew (also highly recommended for anyone with the sense of humour of a 7-11-year-old).

The A-Z of Rotten Uncles:

Did you know, one in every 89 uncles in the world is rotten?

In this book, you’ll discover just how nasty they can be.

Your own rotten uncle probably bought you this book because he is too lazy to think of a better present. Or maybe he just wants to look great in comparison to these 26 AWFUL uncles.

They’re BAD! (and their names all start with a different letter)

Could these 26 men be the worst uncles in the world?

You decide.

Fifteen Shades of Time is out now with Konsensus Network. This book is a re-release of my first novella.

BLURB:

What exactly is time?

This question even troubles world-renowned scientists.

This book presents fifteen possibilities all bound into one compelling narrative.

Troubled philosopher Luca Cangemi wrestles with the fabric of time in a lecture that will transform the lives of every person in attendance: a grieving mother desperate to finish her degree, an immortal delivery driver, a psychonaut hell-bent on documenting her trips, a boy who dreams of living on Mars, and many others.

They all discover something incredible about the nature of time.

Will you discover it too?

This novella will interest future seekers, metaphysical deep-thinkers, sci-fi philosophers, and time-travel aficionados.

The eBook is FREE on Amazon from 31st October to 4th November.

I hope you have a good time reading it.

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