On Writing
Gumroad vs. Amazon KDP - Which is Better for Authors?
writerontheside.com
ian ross added 5mo
Well written and pretty comprehensive comparison - Gumroad (and i’d argue -
most similar analogs) vs Amazon KDP for authors, artists and entrepreneurs publishing and selling digital - (and physical) content.
ian ross added 6mo
Someone deserves a raise :). (image via Ros Barber/Substack)
Making a living by writing is as rare as being a billionaire
open.substack.com
ian ross added 6mo
Useful and true - and yet, incomplete with respect to how many non fiction authors actually make a living. A book is a bridge. It should invite -
or inspire an experience with the actual work we do in the world. People are inspired by words -
but transformed through experiences. Begin with the end experience in mind (what you offer a super small subset of readers who want to immerse themselves more deeply in your expertise - and the book “profits” themselves - became largely a secondary concern)
ian ross added 6mo
27 Reasons Real Writers Don't Write Listicles on Substack
Writing on Substack isn’t about clout. Unlike all of those other places we no longer hang out online, Substack authors (and artists)
don’t writefor likes, follows, fans, subscribers and sales. Like the Buddha taught us long ago, there is no ego in art, nor an I in team. (there is of course,
ian ross added 6mo
We have a core feature offering that is very strong. A small feature idea comes up that serves a subset of the market, but it isn’t too hard to do and it isn’t a bad thing, so we indulge. Repeat that thought process a hundred times and you have a cluttered UI, a large team, a slow product, and no obvious path forward.
Andrew Bosworth • Focus
ian ross added 6mo
Fredrik Backman on Creative Anxiety and Procrastination
youtube.comian ross added 6mo
ian ross added 6mo
a tiny book introduces an idea, that inspires (and invites) an experience.
START, EVERY TIME, WITH THIS INVIOLABLE RULE: THE SCENE MUST BE DRAMATIC. it must start because the hero HAS A PROBLEM, AND IT MUST CULMINATE WITH THE HERO FINDING HIM OR HERSELF EITHER THWARTED OR EDUCATED THAT ANOTHER WAY EXISTS
David Mamet • David Mamet Memo to "The Unit" Writing Staff
ian ross added 6mo