Most authors dream of finishing one book a year; John Van Stry wrote twenty in two. The bestselling sci-fi author joins Kristin to explain how he transitioned from defense engineering to indie publishing by systematizing his creativity and treating the craft with an analytical mindset.
John also explores the specific strategies that turned his backlist into a seven-figure business, including the “guerrilla marketing” tactics that work for new authors, as well as how to build magic systems using real-world physics. John also tackles the industry’s double standards, offering a candid defense of male-targeted “Harem” fiction against the universally accepted “Reverse Harem” romance market.
In This Episode
20 Books in 2 Years: How John utilized his engineering background to analyze successful authors, streamline his process, and produce massive output to launch his career.
Writing for Men: John discusses the “KDP Gold Rush” era and how he found massive success by writing authentic male protagonists when traditional publishers were only interested in female-led stories.
The “Rothfuss Effect”: Why writing trilogies can kill a new author’s career and why readers are terrified of unfinished series.
Harem vs. Reverse Harem: A candid look at the hypocrisy in the industry regarding men’s fantasy vs. women’s romance, and why he uses a pen name (John Stryvant) to separate his explicit work from his standard sci-fi.
Engineering Magic: How a background in defense and physics helps John create grounded, believable hard sci-fi and magic systems.
Guerrilla Marketing: Old school tactics that still work—from business cards at car dealerships to understanding why the adult industry always leads the way in marketing technology.
The $2.99 Strategy: Why volume is the name of the game and why raising your prices might actually be costing you money.
Guest Links
John Van Stry
READ THE WOLFHOUNDS SERIES BY JOHN VAN STRY https: //amzn.to/3XqIND3
http://vanstry.net/vanstry/
X: @JohnVanStry
Kristin’s Links
Services & Content
Editing Services: nonsensefreeeditor.com
Newsletter: https://www.fictionalinfluence.com
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@nonsensefreekristin
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction and Author’s Achievement
01:53 - Meet John Van Stry: The Prolific Author
02:03 - Journey to Full-Time Writing
03:25 - Early Publishing Challenges and Successes
08:45 - Rapid Release Strategy and Productivity
15:48 - World Building and Magic Systems
20:16 - Reviving Portal and Harem Fiction
26:23 - Marketing and Pen Names
29:07 - Amazon Ecosystem Insights
29:25 - The Myth of Overnight Success
29:54 - Embrace Your First Book’s Flaws
30:40 - The Importance of Writing the Next Book
31:02 - Learning from Romance Authors
31:35 - Taking Responsibility for Your Book’s Performance
31:56 - Navigating Reviews and Criticism
33:10 - Understanding Grammar and Writing Style
37:51 - Effective Book Marketing Strategies
45:26 - Advice for Aspiring Male Authors
47:04 - Building a Sustainable Writing Career
48:29 - Connecting with Readers and Fans
52:50 - The Value of Daily Affirmations
About This Podcast
Nonsense-Free Kristin is where independent authors and creators learn to build their platforms, master their craft, and create on their own terms—without begging for permission from gatekeepers who hate them.
New episodes weekly.
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