Welcome to the latest edition of Creator Collab House. I’m your host, Simon Owens. For those who don’t know me, I write a media industry newsletter you should definitely check out. Today’s featured creator is Jane Friedman, who writes a popular book industry newsletter called
Hi Jane. How do you convert readers from your free content to your paid newsletter? Have you noticed what makes someone willing to pay? And is that possible on more generalist content that isn't directly connected to people's careers or chargeable to their expense report?
Hello Jane: I am a writer, researcher, essayist, what kind of newsletter do you advise me? My first language is Spanish. What do you think of the podcast? Thanks.
Jane: I'm 2+ years in to the journey of writing my first book, a narrative, nonfiction. As a rookie author (but veteran documentarian, visual storyteller) I assumed I'd be going the self-publishing route for the reasons you know obviously know. Your fantastic blog content has been a Godsend. How different is your marketing proposal advice for narrative nonfiction (vs self-help, DIY, etc.) as it relates to platforms and subject matter authority?
Jane! (I'm a proud Hot Sheet subscriber since day 1.) Here is a provocative, hypothetical question, based on conversations I had with so many people over the last few years. Consider your work to be in the tradition of Raymond Carver, or Anais Nin (or any of those 20th century individualist writers that fall under the term "literary fiction") - if these greats were writing today, trying to publish subtle, ambitious work that does not fall into a commercial category - do you think they would be self publishing? (I hope this makes sense.) If Salinger was born in 1970 and trying publish now, how likely would he have found an agent and an imprint? Would he be serializing his work? Would he be on Wattpad? Medium?
Thank you Simon of this opportunity. I am a big fan and long time follower of Jane and one time she mention a minimalist neat WordPress theme I love it so much that I did save it on my bookmarks but I could not find it now. I search for more than hour in her blog but find it. I Saw it on her newsletter.could not find the archive though. if Jane is able to answer me I would be very grateful to you both.
What's your prediction for how Spotify will approach audiobooks? Do you think book publishers would agree to a payment system based on the amount of time a book is streamed?
Hi Jane! Does anyone else look over your newsletter before you send it? Wondering if you have an editor or friend who proofreads.
Hi Jane. How do you convert readers from your free content to your paid newsletter? Have you noticed what makes someone willing to pay? And is that possible on more generalist content that isn't directly connected to people's careers or chargeable to their expense report?
Hello Jane: I am a writer, researcher, essayist, what kind of newsletter do you advise me? My first language is Spanish. What do you think of the podcast? Thanks.
Jane: I'm 2+ years in to the journey of writing my first book, a narrative, nonfiction. As a rookie author (but veteran documentarian, visual storyteller) I assumed I'd be going the self-publishing route for the reasons you know obviously know. Your fantastic blog content has been a Godsend. How different is your marketing proposal advice for narrative nonfiction (vs self-help, DIY, etc.) as it relates to platforms and subject matter authority?
Jane! (I'm a proud Hot Sheet subscriber since day 1.) Here is a provocative, hypothetical question, based on conversations I had with so many people over the last few years. Consider your work to be in the tradition of Raymond Carver, or Anais Nin (or any of those 20th century individualist writers that fall under the term "literary fiction") - if these greats were writing today, trying to publish subtle, ambitious work that does not fall into a commercial category - do you think they would be self publishing? (I hope this makes sense.) If Salinger was born in 1970 and trying publish now, how likely would he have found an agent and an imprint? Would he be serializing his work? Would he be on Wattpad? Medium?
Thank you Simon of this opportunity. I am a big fan and long time follower of Jane and one time she mention a minimalist neat WordPress theme I love it so much that I did save it on my bookmarks but I could not find it now. I search for more than hour in her blog but find it. I Saw it on her newsletter.could not find the archive though. if Jane is able to answer me I would be very grateful to you both.
What's your prediction for how Spotify will approach audiobooks? Do you think book publishers would agree to a payment system based on the amount of time a book is streamed?