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Season 3, episode 2 is here!
In this conversation, poet and marketer Shelby Leigh shares her path from self-publishing to traditional publishing, the lessons she’s learned about building an audience of hundreds of thousands, and why protecting your mental health is just as important as consistency.
Shelby is honest about the lonely stretches, generous with her marketing strategies, and full of encouragement for writers figuring out how to turn words into a living.
What we covered:
How Shelby went from anonymously posting poetry on Tumblr to selling books that attracted a Big Five publisher
The role Instagram and TikTok played in her early growth and why she later narrowed her focus to fewer platforms
Why consistency and personal storytelling helped her audience grow past half a million followers
The visual and tonal elements that make a writer’s brand feel cohesive and recognisable
How to set boundaries and build breaks into your creative life without losing momentum
The biggest myth about marketing that holds writers back and a mindset shift to make it easier
Shelby’s best advice for building confidence, growing an email list, and sustaining your writing career long term
Don’t forget to subscribe to Shelby on YouTube.
What’s next?
I’m ready and waiting to support you in the next stages of your creator journey. Here’s a reminder of how I can help:
🚀 Digital Resources: Check out my range of straightforward products on Gumroad. You’ll find great tools to help you get started on Substack, grow your audience, and even launch your own podcast. Explore them here.
🔥 Catalyst Club: Get exclusive access to Catalyst Club, my VIP membership for creators who want real momentum. Includes monthly group sessions, 2 x 1-on-1 strategy calls, and a full Substack publication audit. Upgrade here.
🤝 Personal Coaching: Work with me 1-on-1 to break through creative blocks, refine your strategy, and build a sustainable creator business that actually fits your life. Email or DM me for more info.
📺 YouTube: Head to my YouTube channel for hundreds of unfiltered conversations on creativity, strategy, and building a life that doesn’t require permission. Watch and subscribe here.
