#15: The Art of Writing and Publishing with Eric Carasella
Have you ever thought about how you’ve met someone that you instantly hit it off with? Maybe you played on the same kickball team, or sat next to each other at work or school. Or maybe you took advantage of the wide world of technology and left a comment on someone’s Medium article – sparking a new connection over a shared love of writing.
At least, that’s how Eric Carasella and I met. He left a comment on a Medium post I wrote, sharing some nice words about the tongue-in-cheek article. With decades of writing experience and three books under his belt, Eric knows a thing or two about putting pen to paper (or keystroke to computer, whatever you prefer). Flash forward and we’re recording a podcast to talk about writing, building a social media following, and how to publish a book. And now you can get all that insightful knowledge, too.
Highlights of our conversation include:
How Eric and I met via writing on Medium, a platform for all kinds of writers. (1:58)
Eric and I share our first stories that we ever wrote. (3:18)
The project that got Eric back into the creative scene and made him realize his passion for writing. (5:48)
How Eric got involved writing for Medium and how he’s found success building a writing tribe. (9:23)
Eric’s biggest tip for how to start writing on Medium. (12:40)
The ways you can turn Medium into a nifty side hustle via building a writing center for yourself, focusing on things like technical writing or freelance writing jobs. (14:38)
How Eric made the “quit your job” leap from his corporate career to full-time writer. (15:28)
The surprising challenge that freelance writing presented Eric. (16:23)
Some promotional tips to build your social presence, including a “while you’re in line” tip from August Birch, the Book Mechanic. (17:49)
Eric walks through his process for self publishing a book – listen up if you’ve ever wondered how to publish a book! (20:12)
The key thing any author needs if they’re planning to self publish a book, whether you do it via Kindle Unlimited or another service. (26:06)
Eric’s top three things you need to write a good post on Medium. (28:55)
What’s next for Eric Carasella?
Eric Carasella is a freelance writer living in Florida. He spent the better part of 17 years behind bars (not jail) in the hospitality industry studying the human condition. His passion for reading and writing started at a very young age. Influenced by the cinema of the '70s, books, and a love for the human race, he began his freelance career in September of 2019 after leaving the corporate world behind. Check out Eric’s website here and follow his work over on Medium and Vocal.
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