A Liberation Manifesto for Writers Who Actually Want to Enjoy Writing
I discovered this book through Johnny B. Truant's Substack and then backed his Kickstarter campaigns; it couldn't have come at a better time. As someone who is just completing the first draft of my first novel during Novel November 2025, I was staring down the daunting question: "Now what?"
Traditional publishing never appealed to me, but the dominant indie publishing model—Rapid Release, Kindle Unlimited exclusivity, and writing to market—felt equally soul-crushing. Then Truant offered a third option I didn't know existed: the Artisan Author approach.
What This Book Gets Right:
The core philosophy is brilliantly simple yet revolutionary: create high-quality books, find readers who appreciate them, and sell to them at fair prices. No algorithms to game, no publishing treadmill, no racing to the bottom on pricing. Just an authentic connection between the creator and the reader.
Truant's writing style perfectly embodies his message—conversational, honest, occasionally profane, and refreshingly free of guru-speak. He doesn't promise millions or overnight success. Instead, he offers something more valuable: a sustainable path that prioritizes art first, profit second.
The concept of 1,000 True Fans as your business model is both aspirational and achievable. Rather than chasing tens of thousands of bargain hunters, you cultivate genuine relationships with readers who value your unique voice. As someone nearing retirement who wants writing to be meaningful rather than just lucrative, this approach resonates deeply.
Particularly Valuable Sections:
• The six pillars of Artisandom provide an excellent framework without being prescriptive
• The breakdown of reader acquisition into three "buckets" (Discovery, Advertising, Creating Fans Out of Nowhere) offers clarity without oversimplification
• The emphasis on human connection—answering emails, learning names, being yourself—reminds us why we became writers in the first place
The Challenge:
As a 65-year-old introvert with an INFJ personality, some suggestions gave me pause. Live selling at farmers' markets and conventions? In-person networking? My initial reaction was "absolutely not." However, Truant's point about learning "comfortable extroversion" resonated. I do enjoy meaningful conversations with people—I just need to reframe selling as a connection rather than a transaction.
A Necessary Caveat:
This isn't a one-size-fits-all blueprint, and Truant is admirably upfront about that. Some tactics won't translate to my situation—his farmers' markets’ success relies on geographic proximity that doesn't exist for me. But that's precisely his point: use a compass, not a map. Take the principles, adapt them to your unique circumstances.
For my speculative fiction/science fiction/thriller hybrid (still figuring that out!), I suspect I'll focus more on online relationship-building aspects—such as Substack, email engagement, and possibly podcast appearances—rather than physical events. The beauty of the Artisan approach is its flexibility.
Bottom Line:
This book inspired and energized me when I needed it most. It validated my instinct that there had to be a better way than either traditional gatekeeping or indie hamster-wheel publishing. More importantly, it gave me permission to build a writing career on my own terms, at my own pace, serving readers who want what I create.
At 65, I don't have unlimited time, which makes Truant's message even more crucial: don't waste your remaining creative years doing something that makes you miserable. The Artisan Author approach offers a path to writing that's both fulfilling and potentially profitable—in that order.
Highly recommended for any writer who's ever thought, "There has to be a better way." There is, and this book shows you how.
Who should read this:
• New authors overwhelmed by conventional publishing advice
• Burned-out Rapid Release authors seeking sustainability
• Anyone who became a writer to create art, not feed algorithms
• Writers nearing retirement who want meaningful work without crushing stress
• Anyone who's ever felt their soul dying while trying to "write to market"
Who might skip it:
• Authors genuinely thriving with Rapid Release
• Those seeking get-rich-quick formulas
• Writers who are uncomfortable with any form of reader interaction
• Anyone who needs detailed tactical blueprints rather than philosophical frameworks