"People crave good stories": A true definition of magic.
How to tell stories that matter.
It’s storytelling in real-time, and if you ask me, that’s one of the most exciting ways to write and read. If you haven’t tried serializing your work, you’re missing out on one of the most dynamic ways to tell a story. You’re building a world, step by step, and your readers are right there, walking beside you. That is a true definition of magic.
We’re a few articles into this short series on serialisation now (you can find all previous articles HERE, with contributions by the one who wrote the book on serialisation,
, PLUS Substack bestseller and multiple serial writer ).Today I’m delighted to share with you part one of an interview with
, serial writer (sharing daily instalments on Substack) and indie published author extraordinaire with a career spanning decades. He introduces himself in the first part of the interview, so given that this is a long piece (but pacey and worth every word - trust me, you’ll want to read all of this!) we’ll dive right in.
Thanks so much for agreeing to share your experience with us! Could you share a little on your background in writing, and any serials you’ve written / enjoyed reading (either on or off Substack)?
You want to hear my story? Well, this ride’s not your average "I-went-to-college-and-became-a-writer" kind of tale. Born in Oakland, California, on May 27th, 1969, things pretty much exploded from there. No, seriously—my life’s been one of those “figure it out as you go” journeys, but it’s been a blast.
See, I had scholarships to go to college when I was 15, but I turned them down to stay and work with my dad. I’m sure some folks would think that was a crazy choice, but I don’t regret it one bit. Working with Dad taught me more than a classroom ever could. It was real-world stuff—lessons about work ethic, integrity, how to deal with people—and it became the foundation for who I am today.
It also shaped how I approach storytelling, which is why I think people connect with my work. It’s grounded in real, messy, heartfelt life experiences.
This ride’s not your average “I-went-to-college-and-became-a-writer” kind of tale … My life’s been one of those “figure it out as you go” journeys, but it’s been a blast … A guy who didn’t take the traditional path, but made a life out of telling stories.”
Wanted Hero is where things really took off.
Back in 2004, I had this wild idea to create an online eComic. I had no idea what would happen, but I figured, “Hey, let’s give it a shot.” And boy, did it blow up.
More than 750,000 visitors in the first year—just from word of mouth!
I still scratch my head over how that happened, but it taught me one big lesson: people crave good stories. Not just polished, pretty tales—but ones that make them feel something. Stories that make them laugh, cry, and remind them they matter.
That’s the core of Wanted Hero—and pretty much everything I write.
Speaking of which, if you haven’t checked out Chronicles of a Hero (linked HERE), you should. It starts with CHOICES, and let me just say—you’ll never look at heroes the same way again. I love flipping the script on who gets to be the hero.
Spoiler alert: it’s usually the most unexpected person in the room.
I read Terry Pratchett, and he is hands down one of my biggest inspirations. I mean—Discworld? The man was a genius. His mix of wit, humor, and those sharp little life lessons tucked into the weirdest situations? That’s the kind of storytelling I aspire to. He was never afraid to tackle big issues with a smile, and that’s how I try to write too.
These days, you can find me on Substack with
, where I get to connect with readers in real-time.I share a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff, life lessons, and yes, some tough love when it comes to writing and navigating life as a creator. I believe in lifting others up—especially indie authors like myself. The indie scene is where the magic happens. There’s so much raw talent out there, and I love supporting it.
Whether I’m writing books, sharing on Substack, or reading the work of others, my goal is always the same: tell stories that matter. Make people laugh, make them think, and remind them that they are more than they think they are. Because that’s the truth, and I’m living proof of it.
Writing isn't about being perfect—it’s about showing up, telling your story, and not being afraid to get a little messy along the way.
So yeah, that’s me. A guy who didn’t take the traditional path, but made a life out of telling stories.
You’ve had a long career in writing so far; why do you think that so many writers are enjoying serialising their writing at the moment?
Simple: it’s pure magic.
First off, we live in a world that’s all about instant connection and constant engagement. People want stories, and they want them now—but not just a quick hit. They want something they can come back to, something that grows, evolves, and becomes part of their weekly routine.
That’s where serialization comes in.
It’s the Netflix effect but for the written word. Instead of binge-watching, readers get to binge reading—and they can’t get enough.
Now, for us writers, serializing is a game-changer. It allows you to build momentum with your audience in real-time.
You’re no longer stuck in a dark room, hammering out a novel for a year, hoping someone will care when you finally release it. With serialization, you get immediate feedback. You put out a chapter or a section, and boom—your readers are right there with you, reacting, commenting, and letting you know what’s resonating (or what’s not).
It’s this crazy, awesome feedback loop that pushes you to keep going.
Serialization makes storytelling an event again.
Think about it—every week or month, your readers are waiting for that next chapter. They’re invested, and they’ve got skin in the game. It’s like when I was a kid, waiting for the next comic book to drop. You get hooked on the anticipation. Writers love that too because it creates this connection. You’re not just telling a story, you’re sharing it, piece by piece. There’s this relationship that forms between you and the audience, and it’s addictive—for both sides!
Another thing to consider? For indie authors like myself, serialization is a killer way to get your work out there without the huge upfront cost or time investment of dropping a full-blown novel.
It’s low risk, high reward.
You can gauge interest, build an audience, and then—once they’re hooked—you can roll everything up into a full novel or even a series later on. Heck, that’s how Wanted Hero grew. I started small, got people interested, and then built it into something bigger over time.
Serialization gives you that flexibility.
Platforms like Substack, Patreon, or even Amazon’s Kindle Vella are making it possible for writers to actually earn while serializing their work.
Readers are willing to support creators directly—especially if they feel connected to the story and the person behind it. So instead of waiting for that one big payday when your book is finished, you can have ongoing support as you’re writing. It’s like getting paid to build a world, one chapter at a time.
How cool is that?
Whether you’re a writer or a reader, serialization makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger.
At the heart of it, I think many writers are drawn to serializing because it taps into why we started writing in the first place. It’s about telling stories—real, living stories that unfold and take on a life of their own.
Serialization makes writing an interactive experience. You’re not just shouting into the void anymore. You’ve got readers right there with you, step by step, cheering you on, questioning your choices, and eagerly waiting to see what comes next.
I believe writers are loving serialization right now because it’s dynamic, it’s engaging, and it turns storytelling into a shared adventure. And honestly, isn’t that what we’re all here for? To connect through stories?
That’s the magic.
And if you’re sitting on the fence about trying it, let me tell you this: Jump. You’ve got nothing to lose and a whole lot of creative freedom to gain.
You’ve started to cover this already, but could you go a little deeper into what you think serial writing has to offer over other fiction types (e.g., short stories, publishing traditionally, etc.)?
I think serial writing brings something to the table that other forms of fiction just can’t touch. Not that traditional publishing or short stories are bad—hey, they’ve got their strengths—but serial writing?
It’s got a different kind of power.
First off, serial writing gives you time. Not just in terms of deadlines, but time to develop characters, worlds, and plot threads in a way that’s slow, steady, and layered. You don’t have to cram everything into 20 pages or wait until you’ve polished a 100,000-word novel to release it.
You get to build your story piece by piece, chapter by chapter, and watch it grow organically.
It’s like the difference between binging a TV series versus a blockbuster movie. With a serial, you’re getting more time to invest in the journey, and so are your readers.
Now, compared to traditional publishing, serial writing gives you freedom. Traditional publishing can feel like a straightjacket. You’ve got to follow someone else’s rules, hit word counts, fit into a specific genre box, and then wait—sometimes years—before your book hits shelves. With serial writing, you’re in the driver’s seat.
You can play around with the structure, experiment with pacing, and take risks you wouldn’t otherwise. Want to change the direction of your story halfway through because your readers are vibing with a side character?
Go for it.
You have the freedom to adjust on the fly and make the story the best version of itself as it unfolds.
Another massive plus? Connection.
Serial writing, and I know I say this a lot, but it lets you build a relationship with your readers in real-time.
It’s not like dropping a novel into the world and waiting for the reviews to trickle in.
When you’re writing a serial, your readers are there with you, week after week, reacting to what you’re putting out. You get instant feedback, and that can fuel you creatively. It makes the writing process more collaborative—and let’s be honest, when your readers are biting their nails waiting for the next installment, that’s a special kind of motivation. Plus, they get invested in your world because they’re growing with it. That’s a bond you can’t create the same way with traditional one-and-done publishing.
Now, let’s compare it to short stories. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good short story—heck, writing short form can be a masterclass in precision. But the beauty of serial writing is that it gives you space. You’re not constrained by needing to wrap things up in 5,000 words. You can breathe life into side characters, explore backstories, and let subplots develop at their own pace. You don’t have to rush to a resolution—you can tease it out, build anticipation, and make the payoff that much sweeter.
What’s more, serial writing isn’t locked into one specific format or length. You can start small and see where it takes you. If your story blows up and readers love it? Great! Keep going! If it wraps itself up sooner than expected? That’s fine too. It’s adaptable in a way other fiction types just aren’t.
But there’s one thing I think serial writing offers that stands head and shoulders above the rest: momentum.
Traditional publishing can be a slog. You pour years into writing and revising a novel, only to spend more years trying to sell it. With serials, you don’t have to wait to get your story out there. You can build an audience as you write, and that momentum can carry you forward, push you through the tough spots, and keep the creative fire burning.
Also—and this is a biggie—serials build habits. For both you and your readers.
You’re training yourself to write consistently, and your readers are getting used to showing up for your work regularly. That kind of consistency is gold. It helps you finish projects, and it builds a loyal audience who knows they can rely on you to keep delivering the goods.
So, what does serial writing offer that other forms don’t? Creative freedom, instant connection, room to grow, and a constant stream of momentum.
It’s storytelling in real-time, and if you ask me, that’s one of the most exciting ways to write and read.
If you haven’t tried serializing your work, you’re missing out on one of the most dynamic ways to tell a story. You’re building a world, step by step, and your readers are right there, walking beside you.
That is a true definition of magic.
Have you written serial fiction online? What’s been your experience? Has it been magical - or a slog?
Jaime and I would love to hear from you in the comments, along with any questions you have about the nuts and bolts of serial writing.
Mark your calendars!
Part 2 of Jaime’s interview will go live TOMORROW, Sunday 8th December 2024, covering his top 6 tips for serial writing as well as his opinion on whether serialised non-fiction can work. You don’t want to miss this!
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I can resonate with every word of this. And clearly Jaime's excitement about the whole thing just leaps out at you.
Great interview!
Good insight, thanks 👍. Can I translate part of this article into Spanish with links to you and a description of your newsletter?