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How to Write for a Living

David McIlroy
Substack
Writing
Substack Growth Sessions
Personal Branding
Youtube
Monetization
Write Build Scale
Sendowl
Audience Growth
Live Video
Solopreneur
Public Speaking
Income Generation
Personal Brand Development
Mini Courses
Book Publishing
New York City, United States
LONDON, United Kingdom
Catalyst Club
Newsletter Recommendations

Writers should get paid for doing what they love. Let's talk about how to make that happen. thedavidmcilroy.substack.com

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes73Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationHow ToEntrepreneurshipBusiness

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Artwork for How to Write for a Living

Latest Episodes

Season 4, episode 9 is here!

Karen Salmansohn has sold two million books, been blessed by Madonna, and built a career entirely on the principle of doing something a little extra every single time. This one was a lot of fun!

What we covered:

- Why ... more

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... more

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, a... more

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 ghostwritin... more

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Recent Guests

Kern Carter
Author and creator of Writers Are Superstars on Substack
Author / Publisher (Canada)
Episode: 407: He wanted to be an author at eight - now he writes for Penguin (with Kern Carter)
Nathan Baugh
Writer, World Builders newsletter author
World Builders / Substack writer
Episode: 406: Becoming a world builder (with Nathan Baugh)
Seth Werkheiser
Founder of Social Media Escape Club
Social Media Escape Club / Substack
Episode: 405: He deleted every social media account and built a thriving community anyway (with Seth Werkheiser)
Ana (Not Exactly Ana)
Writer on Substack focused on mental health and personal stories
Substack/magazine project Not Exactly a Magazine
Episode: 404: Telling stories about the things no-one wants to talk about (with Not Exactly Ana)
Olivia Wickstrom
Substack-focused coach and creator
Substack
Episode: 403: How to access your main character energy (with Olivia Wickstrom)
Pete Murphy
Participant mentioned as having joined the session
Catalyst Club / Substack Growth Sessions
Episode: 402: Things that passed me by (and why you shouldn't let my next event pass YOU by)
Amelia O'Loughlin
Writer and actor focused on screenwriting and live events
Independent writer/creator
Episode: 325: The one story every writer needs to stop avoiding (with Amelia O'Loughlin)
Angela Hollowell
Filmmaker, writer, podcaster, photographer
Episode: 324: Why your early work will suck... and why that's actually perfect (with Angela Hollowell)
Philip Hofmacher
Founder of Write Build Scale
Write Build Scale
Episode: 323: Why waiting to monetise your Substack is actually costing you money (with Philip Hofmacher)

Host

David McIlroy
Host and interviewer; operates Substack and related publishing ventures.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 9 ratings
  • I Love David’s Work

    I discovered David is on Substack and started listening to his podcast. He offers tons of practical ideas and inspiration for writers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wakingupwell
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great Start David!

    I follow David on Substack and am very excited to see he’s started a podcast so I can listen while I take my morning bike ride.

    David provides actionable information on how to “write for a living” particularly on Substack where I have just started my new fiction series.

    I enjoy hearing what David has to say and will learn from him each week, here in his podcast and on Substack.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tucsonpots
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Host delivers actionable guidance; great for writers starting Substack newsletters.
Practical ideas and inspiration for writers, especially around Substack growth.
Candid discussions on building communities beyond social media make the content feel usable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#32
South Korea/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#123
Argentina/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#186
Russia/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#199
Finland/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#245
Hong Kong/Education/How To

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

304: The future of the creator economy and how to stand out in it (with Write Build Scale)
Q: What advice would you give about platform strategy and avoiding overwhelm?
Pick a platform that aligns with your strengths, master it, and avoid overextending across multiple platforms until you have a solid following. The focus should be on depth over breadth.
304: The future of the creator economy and how to stand out in it (with Write Build Scale)
Q: How important is trust, and how do you build it without becoming overly personal?
Trust grows through authenticity, showing your real journey, sharing results, and enabling others to see themselves in your experiences. It's about balancing personal storytelling with tangible value and keeping a consistent, honest narrative.
304: The future of the creator economy and how to stand out in it (with Write Build Scale)
Q: What do you think the creator economy will look like in five years for the average creator?
There will be more people joining, more tools available, and greater competition. Yet the opportunity remains real for those who can leverage platforms like Substack and use AI to handle the tech side, allowing creators to focus on delivering value.
317: How to build a successful solo business as an introvert (with Stuart Thompson)
Q: What simple fitness tips would you give writers who sit at a desk all day?
Stuart emphasizes mobility and regular movement outside of workouts, including five to ten minute daily stretches, walking or hiking, and focusing on joints and mobility to prevent injury while maintaining overall activity.
317: How to build a successful solo business as an introvert (with Stuart Thompson)
Q: Do you ask for reviews, or do you rely on clients to leave feedback themselves?
He shares that initially he was hesitant about asking for reviews, but now he proactively asks quarterly and provides simple prompts to guide clients, making it easy for them to leave reviews and to address any issues directly to strengthen relationships.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About How to Write for a Living

What is How to Write for a Living about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on turning writing into a sustainable, paid career, with deep dives into Substack, newsletters, publishing, and creator-driven monetization. Episodes frequently cover building audiences, authentic storytelling, and practical systems for long-term growth—often through collaborations, live formats, or community-building. A standout theme is treating writing as a profession with repeatable workflows, from craft to marketing, while exploring monetization strategies beyond traditional publishing. The format leans entrepreneurial and hands-on, making it helpful for writers seeking actionable steps and for brands or sponsors looking to reach creator-minded audiences.

Where can I find podcast stats for How to Write for a Living?

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How many listeners does How to Write for a Living get?

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How many subscribers and views does How to Write for a Living have?

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Which podcasts are similar to How to Write for a Living?

These podcasts share a similar audience with How to Write for a Living:

1. Love Trapped

How many episodes of How to Write for a Living are there?

How to Write for a Living launched 2 years ago and published 73 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact How to Write for a Living?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on How to Write for a Living?

Recent guests on How to Write for a Living include:

1. Kern Carter
2. Nathan Baugh
3. Seth Werkheiser
4. Ana (Not Exactly Ana)
5. Olivia Wickstrom
6. Pete Murphy
7. Amelia O'Loughlin
8. Angela Hollowell

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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