Kristy Woodson Harvey on Writing, Readers and the Power of Showing Up

A weekly newsletter by a publishing professional with a decade of experience. This is for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.I sat down with Kristy Woodson Harvey, a New York Times bestselling author I’ve pointed to for years when people ask me what it takes to build a career as an author. Not only is she versatile in her skills, but she is also a great collaborator with her publisher. This means that she is not solely dependent on what the publisher can do for her, but rather alongisde her. Kristy didn’t come from a single viral moment or a lucky break. She built her readership the long way, through relationships, consistency and a genuine understanding of the people on the other side of her books.She treats every book like its own ecosystem that isn’t just something to write and release, but something to nurture, connect and grow over time. And after 13 books, what becomes clear is this: there is no secret formula just a willingness to keep showing up.In this conversation, we dive into…* why chasing trends will always leave you behind* how to build a readership through community, not virality* what authors get wrong about bookstores, libraries, and local supportIf you enjoyed this, listen to theseWays You Can Support My Work* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.* Subscribe to my newsletter.* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.* If you can’t afford to become a paid monthly/yearly subscriber, but would like to leave a one-time tip, please click the below button!You can find me here, too:Instagram | FacebookThe Write Spxt is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Current associate director of marketing at Pantheon and Doubleday Books, imprints at Penguin Random House. Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe