Host: Jaime Buckley 💎
Guest: Eric Falden
Topic: Building your foundation for the long game
Music: “Feel Good” by raspberrymusic
Most writers want to know the secret formula.
Post at this time.
Use these hashtags.
Write this genre.
Follow this strategy.
But what if the real secret is simpler—and harder—than that?
What if success isn’t about cracking a code, but about showing up for years without knowing when (or if) the breakthrough comes?
Eric Falden and I talk about the uncomfortable truth behind every writing career that lasts: you can’t predict when success hits, but you can keep showing up anyway.
Episode Overview
In this episode, I sit down with Eric Falden—fantasy writer, serialist, and co-creator of collaborative fiction—to talk about the reality of building a writing career that takes longer than you planned.
We dig into:
Why you can’t predict what will take off or when it will happen
The story of the YouTuber who randomly discovered Jaime’s work and bought him an entire audio studio
Why serialization works for some writers and fails for others (and how to know which camp you’re in)
The power of collaboration and having creative partners who push you
How Eric and Ian Kirkpatrick co-write 50/50 fiction and make it work
Why consistency beats virality every single time
The mindset shift required to build for years without guaranteed results
Eric shares his journey of writing short stories, building a serial, and planning to convert his Substack work into traditional books—all while navigating the uncertainty every indie author faces.
This episode is for every writer who’s tired of chasing quick wins and ready to build something that lasts.
This Episode Answers
How do I stay motivated when I don’t know if my writing will ever “take off”?
What’s the difference between serialization and traditional publishing, and which one fits my goals?
How can I collaborate with another writer without losing my voice?
Why does it feel like some writers get discovered overnight while I’m grinding for years?
What does a sustainable writing career actually look like day-to-day?
How do I keep showing up when there’s no immediate payoff?
Highlights
The YouTuber story: how a random viewer with 111 subscribers found Jaime’s work and bought him an entire audio studio
Why you’ll never know where your breakthrough reader comes from—so you have to be everywhere
Eric and Ian’s 50/50 collaboration: co-writing a magic series where they literally split paragraphs down the middle
The truth about serialization: it’s a tool, not a magic bullet—your goals determine whether it works
Why consistency compounds: showing up weekly builds trust that virality never will
The uncomfortable reality: most writing careers take a decade longer than you planned
How to collaborate without losing your voice or creative control
Key Quote
“You never know where it’s going to come from.” — Jaime Buckley
Episode Goal
To replace the myth of overnight success with the reality of long-term persistence—and help writers build the foundation required to keep going when results aren’t immediate.
Listeners should walk away understanding that success isn’t predictable, but showing up is—and that’s the only part you can control.
From Jaime
Most writers quit right before the breakthrough.
Not because they weren’t talented. Not because they didn’t work hard. But because they expected results on a timeline that had nothing to do with reality.
Eric and I both know what it’s like to build for years without knowing if anyone’s paying attention. I’ve had 111 subscribers on YouTube channels. Eric’s writing short stories and serials with no guarantee they’ll turn into book sales.
But here’s what we’ve both learned:
You can’t predict when success hits. But you can predict what happens if you quit.
The YouTuber who bought me an entire audio studio? He found me through a random video. I had no idea he existed. I didn’t “optimize” for him. I just put work out there and hoped.
That’s the game.
You build. You show up. You keep going. And one day—maybe six months from now, maybe six years—someone finds you and everything shifts.
But only if you’re still there when they arrive.
Quick Favor
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Join Us
If this episode reminded you why you started writing in the first place, don’t stop here:
→ Free Article: How Can Fiction Authors Build a Career When Success Timing Is Unpredictable?
→ Paid Deep Dive: The Long Game Framework: How to Keep Showing Up When Results Don’t Come Fast
Find Eric Falden
Content: Fantasy short stories and serial fiction
Current Project: Converting his Substack serial into a published book with bonus stories
Collaboration: Co-writes with Ian Dunmore (50/50 magic series)
ABOUT THIS PODCAST
Nothing About This Is Safe is a weekly writing-truth podcast hosted by Jaime Buckley, featuring candid conversations with working authors.
We talk about craft, mindset, platforms, money, and the realities writers face once the writing itself is done.
No hype. No formulas. Just real conversations about what it takes to keep going.
“Real writers. Real conversations. No masks. No ego. Subscribe.”
