Most writers want to know the secret formula.

Post at this time. Use these hashtags. Write this genre. Follow this strategy.

But what if the real secret is simpler—and harder—than that?

What if success isn’t about cracking a code, but about showing up for years without knowing when (or if) the breakthrough comes?

Eric Falden and I talk about the uncomfortable truth behind every writing career that lasts: you can’t predict when success hits, but you can keep showing up anyway.

Episode Overview

In this episode, I sit down with Eric Falden—fantasy writer, serialist, and co-creator of collaborative fiction—to talk about the reality of building a writing career that takes longer than you planned.

We dig into:

Why you can’t predict what will take off or when it will happen

The story of the YouTuber who randomly discovered Jaime’s work and bought him an entire audio studio

Why serialization works for some writers and fails for others (and how to know which camp you’re in)

The power of collaboration and having creative partners who push you

How Eric and Ian Kirkpatrick co-write 50/50 fiction and make it work

Why consistency beats virality every single time

The mindset shift required to build for years without guaranteed results

Eric shares his journey of writing short stories, building a serial, and planning to convert his Substack work into traditional books—all while navigating the uncertainty every indie author faces.

This episode is for every writer who’s tired of chasing quick wins and ready to build something that lasts.

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