Fellow writers, check this out! John Rinaldo is a guy on Substack endeavouring to turn it into a real community of writers in which each is for each other and actively engaged in the process of helping to make good books become more visible.
He is even in the process if creating a Substack Writer's Library, and is going to feature my Bob Dylan book (my epic poem) "The Perfect Voice" in it this May. Thank you so much, John.
Appreciate you sharing this… it means a lot. The goal is simple: real writers, supporting each other, building something that lasts. Honored to include The Perfect Voice excited for people to discover it. 🙏🤗✌️
Sara, I get it and this is exactly why I’m building this on Substack. This platform is already designed for writers. We’re not starting from zero we each have readers who chose to be here because they connect with our voice. That matters more than any paid promotion.
When we collaborate through shared book funnels, restacks, mentions, and features we’re not just promoting one book, we’re expanding reach across multiple audiences at once. One reader becomes ten. Ten becomes a network.
Publishers rely on scale and budgets. We rely on trust and connection. And trust converts better.
Substack actually "rewards" this behavior. The more we engage, comment, restack, and support each other, the more visibility we all get through Notes and recommendations. It’s built for discovery through community, not gatekeeping.
So instead of competing for attention, we multiply it.
That’s how we shift things for indie writers:
- We keep control of our work
- We build direct relationships with readers
- We increase traffic to our books consistently
- And we create a system where everyone benefits, not just a few
If we truly lean into this "together," we don’t just reduce reliance on publishers… we replace the need for them. I want us to all win and beat the publishers' monopoly.
That used to be true but not anymore. Print-on-demand changed everything. Platforms like Amazon, through Kindle Direct Publishing, let you publish paperbacks without a traditional publisher.
The real challenge now isn’t printing it’s visibility.
That’s where Substack comes in. If we combine Amazon’s distribution with Substack’s community and direct reader relationships, that’s the game changer for indie authors.
You have to start thinking in terms of volume, not individual sales.
If 100,000 Substack supporters click through to your book, even if only a small percentage buy or leave a review that activity sends a powerful signal to Amazon. It tells the algorithm: this book is getting attention.
- Clicks lead to visibility.
- Visibility leads to conversions.
- Conversions lead to ranking.
And once a book starts ranking, Amazon does what it does best… it shows it to more people.
That’s the shift.
It’s not about one sale. It’s about momentum.
If you sell 200 books and make $1 per book, the question isn’t “is $1 enough?”… it’s “what happens when that becomes 2,000… or 20,000?”
Volume compounds. Reviews stack. Rankings rise.
And when you combine that with Substack—where you already have an engaged audience—you’re not guessing. You’re directing traffic with intention.
Appreciate that, Megan. That’s exactly the point… momentum doesn’t happen alone. When indie authors move together, support each other, and stay consistent, that’s when things really start to shift.
Thank you for today, great food for thought. I thought I’d mention another memoir I’ve read from a Substack author, @Christopher Carazas called “Now That I’m Still Here”
That’s a great recommendation, thank you Susan… I appreciate you sharing it. Now That I’m Still Here sounds like one worth adding to the list. Always great discovering more Substack authors doing meaningful work.
What a great post-ideas I never considered. Helping others to be seen via community. Asking others to promote your books. This is the clearest guide to publishing I have ever read-well done and I’m saving it for the future.
Although Im not what most would call a writer .. yet, working two jobs. I just wanted to say I appreciate so many of the writers here on Substack. And thank you John for your longterm vision and leadership. The way you highlight and lift other writers shows your unselfish nature and a true care heart for others.
Amy, that “yet” matters… you’re already a writer the moment you show up and say something real. Two jobs and still making space for this says a lot. And thank you… I’m just trying to build something where people feel seen and supported along the way. 🙏🤗✌️
John, sorry for interrupting your Podcast with that 4-letter word. I did take your advice and updated my Amazon account.
(The reason that word/meaning resonates with me is simple. I hate asking anyone for help. On the flipside, I will help anyone or take help from anyone)
No worries at all, Karl! honestly, it added to the conversation. And good on you for updating your Amazon account that’s taking action. Awesome!
I get what you mean, too. It’s not always easy asking for help, but being open to it while still giving freely…. that’s a powerful balance. And you’re right… that’ll make a great post.
Fellow writers, check this out! John Rinaldo is a guy on Substack endeavouring to turn it into a real community of writers in which each is for each other and actively engaged in the process of helping to make good books become more visible.
He is even in the process if creating a Substack Writer's Library, and is going to feature my Bob Dylan book (my epic poem) "The Perfect Voice" in it this May. Thank you so much, John.
Appreciate you sharing this… it means a lot. The goal is simple: real writers, supporting each other, building something that lasts. Honored to include The Perfect Voice excited for people to discover it. 🙏🤗✌️
I have 8 books in English on Amazon. Looking for another publisher as their royalties are a misery….
Sara, I get it and this is exactly why I’m building this on Substack. This platform is already designed for writers. We’re not starting from zero we each have readers who chose to be here because they connect with our voice. That matters more than any paid promotion.
When we collaborate through shared book funnels, restacks, mentions, and features we’re not just promoting one book, we’re expanding reach across multiple audiences at once. One reader becomes ten. Ten becomes a network.
Publishers rely on scale and budgets. We rely on trust and connection. And trust converts better.
Substack actually "rewards" this behavior. The more we engage, comment, restack, and support each other, the more visibility we all get through Notes and recommendations. It’s built for discovery through community, not gatekeeping.
So instead of competing for attention, we multiply it.
That’s how we shift things for indie writers:
- We keep control of our work
- We build direct relationships with readers
- We increase traffic to our books consistently
- And we create a system where everyone benefits, not just a few
If we truly lean into this "together," we don’t just reduce reliance on publishers… we replace the need for them. I want us to all win and beat the publishers' monopoly.
In fact, but we still can’t have books published (at least not paperback) if we don’t rely on them…
That used to be true but not anymore. Print-on-demand changed everything. Platforms like Amazon, through Kindle Direct Publishing, let you publish paperbacks without a traditional publisher.
The real challenge now isn’t printing it’s visibility.
That’s where Substack comes in. If we combine Amazon’s distribution with Substack’s community and direct reader relationships, that’s the game changer for indie authors.
yes but for each book we put at for example 18.99 we only receive 2 euros of royalties. All the rest they keep.
You have to start thinking in terms of volume, not individual sales.
If 100,000 Substack supporters click through to your book, even if only a small percentage buy or leave a review that activity sends a powerful signal to Amazon. It tells the algorithm: this book is getting attention.
- Clicks lead to visibility.
- Visibility leads to conversions.
- Conversions lead to ranking.
And once a book starts ranking, Amazon does what it does best… it shows it to more people.
That’s the shift.
It’s not about one sale. It’s about momentum.
If you sell 200 books and make $1 per book, the question isn’t “is $1 enough?”… it’s “what happens when that becomes 2,000… or 20,000?”
Volume compounds. Reviews stack. Rankings rise.
And when you combine that with Substack—where you already have an engaged audience—you’re not guessing. You’re directing traffic with intention.
That’s how indie authors win:
Not one reader at a time…
but by activating many, all at once.
solid and practical breakdown of how to gain momentum to get indie publishers read... TOGETHER
Appreciate that, Megan. That’s exactly the point… momentum doesn’t happen alone. When indie authors move together, support each other, and stay consistent, that’s when things really start to shift.
Totally. just added that for the Note :) Gets more traction ;) and yes. consistency. thats my growth area.
So, how can we address this from your perspective?
Thank you for today, great food for thought. I thought I’d mention another memoir I’ve read from a Substack author, @Christopher Carazas called “Now That I’m Still Here”
That’s a great recommendation, thank you Susan… I appreciate you sharing it. Now That I’m Still Here sounds like one worth adding to the list. Always great discovering more Substack authors doing meaningful work.
What a great post-ideas I never considered. Helping others to be seen via community. Asking others to promote your books. This is the clearest guide to publishing I have ever read-well done and I’m saving it for the future.
Debi, that means a lot really. That’s exactly the shift: we don’t do this alone anymore. When we support each other, visibility grows for everyone.
Thank you John. What an excellent episode full of very helpful information.
Thanks so much, Jake… I really appreciate that. Glad you found it helpful. More to come!
Although Im not what most would call a writer .. yet, working two jobs. I just wanted to say I appreciate so many of the writers here on Substack. And thank you John for your longterm vision and leadership. The way you highlight and lift other writers shows your unselfish nature and a true care heart for others.
Amy, that “yet” matters… you’re already a writer the moment you show up and say something real. Two jobs and still making space for this says a lot. And thank you… I’m just trying to build something where people feel seen and supported along the way. 🙏🤗✌️
John, sorry for interrupting your Podcast with that 4-letter word. I did take your advice and updated my Amazon account.
(The reason that word/meaning resonates with me is simple. I hate asking anyone for help. On the flipside, I will help anyone or take help from anyone)
It will make for an interesting post!
https://books.bookfunnel.com/june-2026-substack-authors
No worries at all, Karl! honestly, it added to the conversation. And good on you for updating your Amazon account that’s taking action. Awesome!
I get what you mean, too. It’s not always easy asking for help, but being open to it while still giving freely…. that’s a powerful balance. And you’re right… that’ll make a great post.