How to Write for a Living
Writers should get paid for doing what they love. Let's talk about how to make that happen. thedavidmcilroy.substack.com
408: She drew cartoons through medical school - now she has over 90,000 Substack subscribers (with Laurie Marbas)
Season 4, episode 8 is here!
Laurie Marbas, MD, MBA started her Substack on January 6th, 2025. She had three kids in medical school, served in the Air Force, built and sold a telemedicine company, and spent 25 years as a physician before any of that.
This conversation went everywhere, and it was brilliant.
What we covered:
- How Laurie got through medical school with three small children by drawing cartoons, and why she still remembers everything she drew 25 years later.
- What lifestyle medicine actually means in practice, and why Laurie thinks...
407: He wanted to be an author at eight - now he writes for Penguin (with Kern Carter)
Season 4, episode 7 is here!
Kern Carter knew he wanted to be an author at eight years old. What followed was about as non-linear as it gets: self-published novellas, indie publishers, Penguin, Scholastic, ghostwriting, a short film, school tours, and more books out before the year is done. This one covered a lot of ground.
What we discussed:
- How Kern deliberately treated becoming an author like a trade profession, and what that mindset meant for the steps he actually took.
- Why he self-published his first two books before ever approaching...
406: Becoming a world builder (with Nathan Baugh)
Season 4, episode 6 is here!
Nathan Baugh has wanted to write fantasy his whole life. He just needed a bank account crisis in Spain to finally make him do something about it. These days he has over 100k Substack subscribers, a successful ghostwriting agency, and a novel coming out in a couple of months. We talked about all of it.
What we covered:
- The moment in Spain when the bank account started going in the wrong direction and writing went from something Nathan loved to something he urgently needed to figure out.
<...405: He deleted every social media account and built a thriving community anyway (with Seth Werkheiser)
Season 4, episode 5 is here!
Seth Werkheiser has been on the internet for 25 years. He’s watched the whole thing evolve, from blogging about local bands in Pennsylvania to running email campaigns for record labels to eventually walking away from every major social platform completely. He’s not bitter about it - he’s just found a better way.
What we covered:
- How Seth went from third generation musician to spending 25 years helping other creative people get their work out into the world.
- Why the early Zoom calls he hosted for hi...
404: Telling stories about the things no-one wants to talk about (with Not Exactly Ana)
Season 4, episode 4 is here!
Not Exactly Ana didn’t know what Substack was when she joined. She wasn’t a seasoned writer or a marketing expert. She was a 26-year-old Bulgarian woman who had just walked away from her cleaning job in Austria to chase something she’d always wanted.
Eight months later, the results speak for themselves.
What we covered
- How Anna built close to 3,000 subscribers without a strategy, a niche playbook, or any prior knowledge of the platform.
- Why she chose to write about mental health...
403: How to access your main character energy (with Olivia Wickstrom)
Season 4, episode 3 is here!
Olivia Wickstrom didn’t set out to build a Substack. She set out to make affiliate income from a cottagecore blog. What happened instead was a slow, sometimes frustrating, eventually life-changing discovery of what the platform could actually do for a writer willing to experiment. We covered a lot of ground in this one.
What we discussed:
- How Olivia’s Substack started as something completely different and gradually found its identity across three very distinct content pillars.
- The nine months where almost nothing happened, and the...
402: Things that passed me by (and why you shouldn't let my next event pass YOU by)
Season 4, episode 2 is here!
This one’s a bit different. No big interview, no deep dive into strategy, just a Saturday morning coffee chat, a new recurring segment, and some thoughts on who the Substack Growth Sessions are actually for.
What I covered
- The brand new “Things That Passed Me By at the Time” segment makes its debut, starting with a TV show I somehow ignored for decades.
- Why ER feels nothing like a typical hospital drama, and what it shares with a certain political series beloved for its fast-t...
401: Welcome to Season Four (let's build it together)!
Welcome to Season Four!
This is the first episode of season four, recorded live on Substack for the first time. I explained why I’m experimenting with live podcast episodes, asked for your feedback on what you want to see this season, and broke down the two big things happening in April: the Substack Growth Sessions masterclass and the Catalyst Club accelerator cohort.
In this episode:
- Why I’m asking for your feedback on podcast segments and guest ideas instead of just deciding everything myself
- The three reasons I’m runn...
325: The one story every writer needs to stop avoiding (with Amelia O'Loughlin)
Season 3, episode 25 is here!
Amelia O’Loughlin joined me to talk about her journey from dance to screenwriting, how a chance encounter on South Bank led to representation, and why she’s building Table, a live event and podcast that surfaces exceptional scripts stuck in the graveyard.
She shared her approach to character-led writing, why AI concerns her but the offline renaissance gives her hope, and the one story every writer needs to stop avoiding.
We covered:
- How Amelia chased her literary hero down South Bank with Bill Nighy, convinced him...
324: Why your early work will suck... and why that's actually perfect (with Angela Hollowell)
Season 3, episode 24 is here!
Angela Hollowell joined me to talk about her journey from photographer to filmmaker, why she publishes three times a week on her newsletter Please Hustle Responsibly, and what she learned running a documentary through the festival circuit.
She shared why Substack is perfect for publishing but lacks the data tools serious businesses need, her approach to in-person podcasting that creates superfans, and the mindset adjustment that removes all the pressure from creating.
What we cover:
- The coffee mug gift strategy she uses for in-person podcast interviews...
323: Why waiting to monetise your Substack is actually costing you money (with Philip Hofmacher)
➡️ Learn the exact system used by Write • Build • Scale to build, launch, and automate your first mini-course so you can build your own passive income stream. Get it here.
Season 3, episode 23 is here!
My pal Philip Hofmacher from Write • Build • Scale joined me for a conversation about monetising on Substack without needing thousands of subscribers first.
We talked about why mini courses outperform massive flagship programs, the exact price points that convert best, and how to promote your products without feeling spammy.
What we covered:
- Why some Substack creators mak...
322: Your big writing questions answered
Season 3, episode 22 is here!
I threw together this episode to answer questions from my Substack chat thread, where writers shared what’s actually slowing them down right now.
As it turns out, the struggles are universal: too many platforms, not enough time, and the back-of-the-mind realisation that writing often isn’t enough - you have to market yourself too.
What I covered:
- When it’s okay to ruthlessly cut platforms that aren’t working)
- The 80/20 rule for your first few months on Substack that nobody talks about
- H...
321: Why doing things the hard way matters more than ever (with Dani Zacarias)
Season 3, episode 21 is here!
Dani Zacarias joined me to talk about her journey from criminology student to creator economy veteran, working at Wattpad, Skillshare, and now Sendowl.
She shared a harrowing story about crossing a closed border with boulders exploding around her, why the pressure from VCs often misses what actually matters in content creation, and how writers can build sustainable businesses around their work.
What we covered:
- How Dani’s path from wanting to be a lawyer led her through international nonprofits and into the creator economy, including the mo...
320: Write that damn book! (with Neera Mahajan)
Season 3, episode 20 is here!
Neera Mahajan joined me to talk about writing books fast, building authority, and turning a single book into a scalable business.
She shared why most writers never finish their books, the difference between vanity projects and strategic assets, and how she helps creators write their books in 30 days through implementation over information.
This one’s a must-listen for anyone struggling to finish their book!
In this episode:
- Why Neera started writing not because she was good at it but because she was bad, and ho...
319: The $5 Million Question: How writers actually get paid by brands without a massive following (with Justin Moore)
Season 3, episode 19 is here!
I was super excited to have Justin Moore join me to talk about something most writers think is out of reach: getting paid by brands to create content.
Justin shared the sponsorship strategies that built his multi-million dollar business, why your follower count matters less than you think, and the pitching method that stops brands from hitting delete on your emails.
This is the perfect episode for anyone interested in finding game-changing sponsorships for their content!
What we covered:
- Why writers with small audiences...
318: Why collaboration beats algorithm gaming every time (with Jari Roomer)
Season 3, episode 18 is here!
My friend Jari Roomer from Write Build Scale joined me for a conversation about the most powerful growth lever on Substack.
We talked about why collaboration matters more than ever, how to approach other creators without feeling awkward, and the specific strategies that brought us thousands of subscribers without spending a dime on ads.
What we covered:
- Why collaborations are the antidote to publishing in the void, and how they make the entire Substack journey more enjoyable while getting your work in front of audiences that...
317: How to build a successful solo business as an introvert (with Stuart Thompson)
Season 3, episode 17 is here!
In this episode, I sit down with my old school friend Stuart Thompson, who now runs a long-standing gym here in Northern Ireland.
We talk about what it really takes to build a business over nearly a decade - not just systems and social media, but relationships, energy, and knowing your limits. We also cover fitness, creativity, confidence, and turning up consistently even when no one’s watching.
This is an honest, practical, and surprisingly relevant chat, whether you run a gym, write online, or are just trying to bu...
316: The art of storytelling in content creation (with Parker Worth)
Season 3, episode 16 is here!
In this week’s episode, Parker Worth and I chat about his journey from being a high school dropout to becoming a successful creator living in Brazil.
Parker discusses the importance of storytelling in building a personal brand and the challenges of navigating the ever-changing landscape of online content creation, and emphasises the need for creators to build relationships and trust with their audience, write real-life stories that convert, and understand their audience’s pain points.
What we cover:
- Parker Worth’s journey from electrician to creato...
315: Why going Live can be rocket fuel for your creator career
Season 3, episode 15 is here!
In this solo episode, I share my thoughts on the critical importance of incorporating video and audio content into a creator’s strategy for 2026 and beyond.
I walk you through how online platforms favour video, the engagement benefits of live video, and the monetisation opportunities it presents, as well as the community-building aspect of going live, the authenticity it fosters, and the compounding effects of creating video content in general.
In this episode, I break down why:
- Incorporating video and audio is becoming essential for audience gr...
314: How to build your online creator presence from absolute scratch
Season 3, episode 14 is here!
In this solo episode, I walk through exactly how to build a creator presence from absolute scratch with no fancy equipment, no complex strategy, just clarity and consistency.
This is for anyone who feels like the smallest voice in the room but wants to create something real online.
In this episode:
- Why your personal brand is actually about how people feel when they encounter you, and how that feeling is what makes readers stick around long after they discover your work
- The five...
313: The ghostwriter who ate lemons for dinner (with Taylin Simmonds)
Season 3, episode 13 is here!
I recently went live with Taylin John Simmonds to talk about the honest reality of making money as a writer, and afterwards I thought to myself, “Hey, this would make a great podcast episode!”, et voilà !
Taylin’s currently testing ghostwriting on Substack in public, shared his coldest cold email stats, and explained why books might be the worst way to make a living (but still worth doing).
What we covered:
- Why Taylin sent 10,000 cold emails for Substack ghostwriting clients and what happened next (he’s running t...
312: Looking back, planning forward (3 Substack levers to pull in 2026)
Season 3, episode 12 is here!
This solo episode is a relaxed, open conversation about reviewing your 2025 creative work and getting intentional about 2026.
It’s part reflection, part behind-the-scenes, part gentle push to simplify your process and double down on what genuinely works.
What I’ve covered:
- How to honestly review your 2025 wins, losses and “busywork” so you don’t drag dead weight into the new year.
- Why I’m cutting weekly roundups after nearly 100 editions and what that kind of ruthless pruning makes space for.
- The three pi...
311: How to research, build and sell digital courses in 2026 (with Jari Roomer)
Season 3, episode 11 is here!
In this episode, Jari Roomer and I explore how to meaningfully grow a creator business by developing and selling digital courses (with particular focus on mini-courses).
If you’re interested in growing your income in 2026 through semi-passive means, this is a great one for you!
Also make sure to claim your spot on Tuesday’s FREE live training session 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/subs...
310: How going the extra mile for clients can build a life-changing solo business (with Christine McIlroy)
Season 3, episode 10 is here!
In this extra-special chat with my wife, Christine McIlroy, we peel back how our life together has intertwined with our creative work, the shifts we’ve navigated in solopreneurship, and how partnership can both challenge and fuel your writing career in surprising ways.
What we covered:
- Why going the extra mile for clients is a total game-changer as a solopreneur
- What it’s like when you partner in life and in creative purpose, and how sharing a “why” deepens what you publish.
- Our jour...
309: How to turn content into clients without changing who you are (with Taylin Simmonds)
Season 3, episode 9 is here!
In this episode, Taylin John Simmonds and I talk about what it really takes to build a creative business from scratch without losing your sense of purpose or burning out.
Teaching music, ghostwriting at 3am, building an online brand that supports a life of freedom… we cover it all. This is an honest, practical conversation packed with insights for anyone trying to make writing work long term.
What we covered:
- The unlikely path from musician and teacher to full-time online creator
- Why success is...
308: How to keep the magic alive in your writing (with Walter Rhein)
Season 3, episode 8 is here!
In this episode, Walter Rhein and I dive deep into the world of fantasy writing - where stories begin, how they evolve, and why imagination still matters in an increasingly practical world.
Worldbuilding, villains, the power of silliness - this conversation explores what makes great fantasy resonate and how writers can keep the spark of creativity alive as they grow older.
What we covered:
- The real connection between nature, folklore, and the fantasy worlds we create
- How mythology from different cultures shapes modern...
307: Why most Substack writers lose readers before they’ve even hit publish
Season 3, episode 7 is here!
In this solo episode, I talk about one of the biggest mistakes writers make on Substack - losing readers before they’ve even hit publish.
I break down the small, overlooked details that make all the difference when someone lands on your publication for the first time, and how a few simple changes can quietly convert visitors into loyal subscribers.
If you’ve been writing great posts but not seeing much growth, this one’s for you.
What I covered:
Why most readers never discover your a...
306: Why learning to speak in public might be the smartest move you make this year (with Veronica Llorca-Smith)
Season 3, episode 6 is here!
In this conversation, Veronica Llorca-Smith and I caught up one year after our very first podcast together to talk about what’s changed, what’s grown, and what’s next.
This episode is packed with insight for anyone who wants to build a creative career that feels human, purposeful, and sustainable.
What we covered:
- How a single podcast interview led to the launch of a second Substack in Spanish
- The surprising differences between English- and Spanish-speaking creator audiences
- How Veronica attrac...
305: How writing can build a life you actually want (with Peter Murphy)
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 co...
304: The future of the creator economy and how to stand out in it (with Write Build Scale)
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 cove...
303: How to build a solopreneur business that offers real freedom (with Anfernee)
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...
302: The honest truth about publishing, branding, and maintaining momentum (with Shelby Leigh)
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 Bi...
301: Why every writer needs a brand in 2025 (and how to start building yours)
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<...
224: What literary agents really look for (with Kate McKean)
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...
223: Building an authentic business that lasts (with George Kao)
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 shifte...
222: How to build a million-dollar writing business without selling your soul (with Kieran Drew)
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:
- Th...
221: Kickstarter, loyal readers, and the business of telling great stories (with Russell Nohelty)
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 thei...
220: How to grow a newsletter, build a paid community, and stay human online (with Chenell Basilio)
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 an...
219: How to build a high-trust creator business (with Jay Clouse)
Season 2, episode 19 is here!
In this conversation, Jay Clouse opens up about the business behind his creative work, the systems that keep his community running, and his growing obsession with one powerful idea: trust.
Beginning with his early product background to running a 450-member creator community, Jay shares practical advice and personal insights on building a sustainable creator career from the inside out.
What we covered:
- Why Jay started over on Substack and what it taught him about empathy, experimentation, and trust
- The four key attributes of...
218: What no one tells you about going solo as a writer (with Erica Schneider)
Season 2, episode 18 is here!
In this episode, Erica Schneider shares what it really takes to go from full-time agency work to running your own solopreneur business as a writer.
We chat about personal pivots, marketing strategies and emotional clarity in writing - this one’s a real deep dive into the mindset and mechanics of modern creative work.
What we covered:
- Why Erica left a stable agency job and what she learned from cycling through multiple business models before finding the right fit
- The surprising pressure behind se...
