Just like some prefer fatty cuts while others opt for lean, my goal is to cater to the unique needs of every reader.
Reader Feedback is everything for book authors!
As a busy content creator myself, I know the demands of trying to keep up with reading, writing, and staying ahead in the game. That’s why I wanted to share a real-life solution I developed to help writers save time — and potentially hundreds of dollars — without sacrificing quality. Here’s how it all unfolded and what book authors can learn from my unique experience.
After publishing my long-awaited Substack book—published with a hybrid model to match my specific goals for better distribution—it quickly became a bestseller in multiple countries and categories despite once Amazon robots killed it accidentally and humans couldn’t fix it. But from its ashes, a phoenix started flying across the globe.
While the book’s success was thrilling, it also brought an overwhelming wave of emails and comments, especially from my beta readers, who reached out through the official site I created.
By hosting the original site of the book myself after hard-learned lessons from Amazon robots, I ensured full control over my content, choosing not to rely on traditional publishing companies like Amazon anymore despite my respect and love for them.
Although 99% of the feedback was glowing, I noticed a pattern hidden between the lines: people loved the content but wanted a way to consume it faster. This was apparent subliminally in the feedback. They were saying the book is great but too long for busy professionals who have little time.
As a fellow content entrepreneur, I get it. We are all juggling multiple projects, deadlines, and side hustles. Brevity, clarity, and impact are critical success factors for book authors or any content developer, including writers on this platform.
Many readers, particularly freelance writers, pointed out something I hadn’t initially considered: the book, at 50,000+ words, would take most professionals 6 hours to read as average reading time— time they simply didn’t have.
More precisely, some honest readers mentioned that while $10 for the e-book or $30 for the paperback is fair, the real issue for these busy professionals is the six hours it takes to read — time they can’t afford.
A few beta readers even did the math and said, “At our rate, that is like spending $600 just to read the whole thing.” That is when I humbly realized I had to rethink my approach and find a viable solution quickly to satisfy the needs of my loyal readers.
The Solution: Condensing the Book 5 Times for Busy Writers
So, wearing my inventor and innovator hats, I took action. Over the last three days, I summarized the entire book, reducing it from 50,000 words to a crisp 10,000 — keeping only the most essential points and transforming long sections into concise takeaways. It was like trimming fatty meat from the butcher.
I have called this version “Substack for Busy People: Condensed Edition.” This version hits all the right notes for experienced writers who already know the basics but still want to glean the advanced insights my book offers, all without committing hours they don’t have.
If you are a beginner or intermediate writer, you might still find value in the full version. I am also in the process of creating an extended edition that will include feedback from hundreds of beta readers — rolling out new chapters and deeper insights for those who want to dive in more thoroughly.
But for the pros who want the highlights and nothing more? The condensed version is here to save the day. Thanks to caring Amazon employees, no thanks to robots, the book was quickly published and made available to the public. I also appreciate the efforts of Goodreads employees, who made the condensed version instantly available for public review on this colossal site.
Interested readers can order via this link from Amazon marketing. In the next 48 hours, it will be available in multiple other bookstores through my publishing partners. I will offer it half-price so that as many freelance writers as possible benefit from my experience.
The cover will also change as the designer is not available this weekend. They are not workaholics like me 😂
Micro-Publishing: Pick Your Chapter, Save Time & Money
Not stopping there, I am rolling out another exciting option — chapter-by-chapter micro-publishing.
Imagine being able to purchase just the chapter you need for as little as 50 cents. Instead of buying the whole book, you can grab the most relevant content and leave the rest.
Each chapter has been redesigned for clarity, with specific notes explaining the purpose and key takeaways so you don’t miss out on anything. It will be available in the next few days from your preferred bookstores and websites. I will write a story about it soon.
One of my favorite author friends, Deni Sahaya, does micro-publishing in a smart way. She has a very successful writing and publishing business which I admire. I will feature her work soon as she is a source of inspiration to book authors.
Finally, the Audio Version, Upon Request
For those who prefer to listen instead of read, the audiobook version is on its way—professionally narrated by my favorite producing and publishing company. It will be ready to hit the digital shelves of your favorite audiobook platforms in just a few days. I will announce it in a few days and link it to the official page of Substack Mastery on the website, so you may bookmark it if you are interested.
Why Does This Matter Book Authors and Readers?
You may ask, why am I doing all of this?
Because I have been where you are, I know what it is like to have a million things to do and no time to read a long, detailed book. It is painful and not ideal in this economic climate where time is money.
This condensed version isn’t just a convenience; it is designed to save my readers time and money, helping them absorb the key lessons in just an hour instead of six.
As one beta reader put it, my three-day investment in this summarized edition saved them $600 worth of reading time. And that is precisely what I set out to do.
Because in this fast-paced, content-driven world, every hour matters — and if I can help save you time while delivering high-quality insights, we all win.
If you are pressed for time and still want to up your writing game, the condensed edition, micro-publishing chapters, and the audio version are perfect for you.
If you love to listen, the audiobook is just around the corner, and I will make this quality content affordable through my website and other partner sites.
About the Original Format of Substack Mastery Book
To support the writing community and help them to be competitive in the market and in this economic client I decided to author the Substack Mastery, which is now available in popular online bookstores. Readers can also review the book on Goodreads.
It was well received by freelance writers globally, who found it valuable and relevant to their needs. Here is the link to find the original format in different bookstores. The paperback of this book is also available through Amazon.
I will continue beta reading for the next version. So, if you enjoy reading and providing feedback, here are links to chapters for free:
Preface of “Substack Mastery” for Beta Readers, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17, Chapter 18, Chapter 19…
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life. I am here to help, so reach out when you need support. More stories like this are in this collection. If you wish, you may subscribe to my Health and Wellness newsletter to benefit from my decades of health, science, and technology experience.
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