Devon Eriksen didn’t wait for permission from traditional publishing. He wrote Theft of Fire, a hard sci-fi thriller that male readers were starving for, and sold tens of thousands of copies on his own terms. In this conversation, we talk about why men stopped reading, how indie authors can fill that gap, and why getting canceled was actually the best thing that happened to his career.
If you’ve been told the market for male-focused fiction doesn’t exist, Devon’s success proves otherwise.
In This Episode
Why traditional publishing abandoned male readers
How Devon built an audience before launching his book
The difference between writing to market vs. writing what you want
Why “books don’t rot” - your work can take off at any time
The real reason Devon chose not to use Audible
How to market yourself as an author without being a “content creator”
What actually matters more than your first week sales numbers
Guest Links
Devon Eriksen
Website: devoneriksen.com
Twitter/X: @Devon_Eriksen_
Theft of Fire (Orbital Space #1)
Ebook/Paperback: Amazon
Audiobook: Devon’s Website
Kristin’s Links
Services & Content
Editing Services: nonsensefreeeditor.com
Newsletter: Fictional Influence on Substack
YouTube: Nonsense-Free Kristin
Sponsors
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About This Podcast
Nonsense-Free Kristin is for independent authors and creators who are building their platforms, mastering their craft, and creating their own signal. New episodes weekly.
Timestamps
[00:00] - Getting canceled was the best thing for my career
[03:15] - Why men stopped reading (and it’s not what you think)
[07:30] - The publishing industry’s “diversity” problem actually hurts diversity
[12:45] - How I built an audience before my book even launched
[18:20] - Why “books don’t rot” - your timeline is longer than you think
[22:10] - The Audible scam: Why I refused to use it
[28:40] - Marketing is about relationships, not advertising
[35:15] - Stop trying to appeal to people who hate you
[42:00] - Why most indie authors fail (and how to avoid it)
[48:30] - The real competition isn’t other authors
[52:45] - Advice for men who want to write but feel shut out
