I love how real you are. No plastic editing, no forced jokes. Your videos are cozy and informative and you seem like a really nice person I'd love to be friends with irl.

Subscribed. The algorithm must love the 40 books in 4 years video, because that's the first one that popped up on my feed. Since then, I've watched all your videos and found them really inspiring for a person who's always daydreamed about becoming an author. Keep up the great work!

"Just make bad videos" is the best advice. Comparing ourselves to people 7+ years into theor channel is so unfair to our own creativity and sense of fun!

The best thing about your videos is your direct, genuine manner. You bring yourself. I believe you. I trust that you feel what you are saying and sharing. This is a rare thing. Keep going!

I like how grounded your channel is. I tend to avoid a lot of authortube because it’s mostly authors with one finished book trying to give advice, many of them not yet having realized that writing advice isn’t universal to all writers.

The algorithm blessed me with your "40 books" video and I'm so happy that it did! I watch a lot of Authortube/Booktube content (like Kate Cavanaugh) and frugal content (like According to Nicole), so your channel is great for me. ☺️ I also like that there is no distracting music, and your voice is calm, and there are cats(!) so your content is very soothing to me. I'm glad you're having fun!

Your personality and relaxing tone are what people love. Very few people on KZfaq are true to themselves these days. And I have no doubt you will reach your 4000-hour goal.

Any of the historical dressmaking channels: Bernadette Banner, Nicole Rudolf, Morgan Donner are usually relaxing and very educational for fantasy writers. (You don't need to want to make stuff, it's just incredibly interesting, and soothing. Plus they're all friends and also friends with Rachel Maksy.) Abby Cox has morphed from cosplay/historical to clothing history in general, and Kaz Rowe is just interesting historical with a strong emphasis on queer history. For pure science/math fact: Veritasium cannot be beaten. (He just did one on the manufacture of Japanese swords.)

On other author youtubers, I’d highly recommend Michelle Schusterman. She doesn’t do the writing tips stuff but talks more about the writing industry. For me, she’s one of the few authentic author KZfaqrs. The others are mainly interested in creating their ‘own personal brand’ 😅

Ladyofthelibrary

This was such an encouraging video. As someone who has been writing my entire life (with very little to show for it in terms of finished products) and who is just now at 36 wanting to step out into the world of indie publishing, it's so easy to feel like I missed the boat. Then I start regretting not pursuing it more seriously earlier...but I know I wouldn't have been ready to do it five, ten, fifteen years ago. Now is the better time for me, and it just so happens to coincide with my mid-thirties, as I'm growing so much more comfortable with who I am as I reconnect with who I've always been. Now just feels right, and it's nice not feeling pressured to hurry or hustle, and to just do what I love as I am able to do it. Sarra Cannon (specifically her Heart Breathings channel) is a popular indie author on KZfaq, though her channel may not entirely be the vibe you're looking for. I just mention her because she's very supportive to writers of all different speeds, styles, and career goals. She has productivity videos, but they're not really "hustle culture," if that makes sense. She's big on working within the reality of the time you actually have. Another smaller KZfaqr I've enjoyed watching is April Kay. Her videos feel very authentic and real. She doesn't write in the genre I write or read in, but that's what I really love about the indie author community online. I'm sure there's a dark side somewhere, but personally I've found a lot of support and encouragement regardless of your genre or style or experience...which is a nice change of pace when it comes to social media! Anyway, thanks for sharing this and for just being yourself! (And don't feel obligated to respond - I know it can be time-consuming! 😉)

I can't think of any authors doing inspo content. You are truly unique!

12:35 This is such good advice. It's become a mantra for me at this point when the risk of being paralyzed by an effort is high. "Just aim to do a shit job". Works almost every time!

Dragons of Autumn Twilight! Those Dragonlance books were my LIFE in 7th and 8th grade.

Jenn's Bookshelf is really great and she inspired me to get into bullet journal scrapbooking too for my reading and writing AND she loves dragons. Lynn D Jung is very cozy and also kris KM Fajardo. Also, ive been considering starting a writing channel as i get into writing more just to have that record of my progress

I came across your channel about a week ago and it's been such a comfort watch for me. I published an indie romance book last year and it was a surprisingly positive experience, but I've been experiencing a lull. I've also really enjoyed the self-help/mindfulness/anti-capitalist/anti-hustle-culture/booktube/worldbuilding/cottagecore intersection of the algorithm hehe, so your videos have really encouraged me to pour myself back into my writing and to potentially finally start that youtube channel. I really appreciate your energy that you bring to your videos and am looking forward to your future videos

Writing For Screens is excellent writing advice. He focuses on screenplays but the mechanical topics he covers are gold.

Commenting for the algorithm. Keep it up, cozy videos about writing are very few on the tube. 👍

I found your channel randomly, and I love your down to earth advice. I actually just learned from your other video that you wrote Magic Under Glass-which I’ve actually read and loved. Haven’t randomly stumbled across KZfaqrs I’ve actually read before. Speaking of which, I haven’t read Brandon Sanderson yet either haha. You do you and congrats!

Your channel is sooo awesome I love it, I would like youtube to be more like it :) I follow like four or five people on youtube on a weekly basis and I am so glad that I found someone new to learn from :) !

Just subscibed! And, as you said and has been pointed out, the 40 books in 4 years is what I saw first. The algorithm loves it. Great to hear that you intend to be more prolific with your videos. Let's crush those watch hours and get you monetized! As you said, there aren't a lot of author youtubers talking about their experience in the indie market, and I'm interested in hearing it.

I most love the channels that are very genuine and less produced. More about the person and their content than the methods of doing it. I found you on my feed with the 40 books video, and quickly watched all the videos you had on your channel after that. I love your way of talking. I think that’s the big draw for me. Even good content right up my alley will get turned off in seconds if I can’t stand how the youtuber talks 😅 It’s very soothing, and very personable. I really enjoy your videos and will probably have them on for rewatches just because they’re relaxing and engaging in that warm way I love. I’ve also been working on my own worlds for years, and have helped other people with their books as an early developmental editor, but never completed my own. In your worldbuilding video where you listed all the types of worldbuilders you could think of, I hit all the categories. And I don’t even think there’s much of a hierarchy lol. I do them all. It occupies my time, my thoughts, no matter what work I’m doing or what point in life I’m currently in. But I have big goals to start youtube and share my way of doing it while managing adhd and other challenges. I also want to start my writing as an online series, probably a webnovel. Something I can write for years in that world, apply most of worldbuilding I’ve completed over the years. But that’s still in the works. ANYWAY lol. Thought I’d let you know how much I appreciate you starting in this space. I’ve been wanting an easygoing, gentle writing channel that’s not full of all the clickbaity titles and hardcore editing. I enjoy sitting with you and listening to you talk like we’re old friend already. Thank you for taking the time and the risk to jump on youtube. I’m very happy you’e here! 🥰

Congratulations! I'm new to your channel, and I am inspired and encouraged to start my own channel. There are many things that you said that resonated with me about social media. Out of all the options, KZfaq is something I frequently turn to. It was also refreshing to hear how you started and how you considered how the pace your KZfaq channel growth would look like. As someone who puts unrealistic expectations on herself, it was very grounding to hear. Wishing you the best!🎉😊

Okay. This is exactly why I have been peeking about youtube. I feel just a bit lost in my creative life too. After a full week off of social media, I feel the need to seek another way to connect with other writers. And this whole calm thing you have going on is really helpful. I do watch Brandon Sanderson too, but your videos are helping in another way. :)

Your 40 books in 4 years video is what was recommended to me earlier this week and gone and watched every single video on your channel since then. I enjoyed your manga videos that you used to do. I am enjoying the videos that you are doing now. So glad the algorithm recommended me your channel.

I have never, ever commented on a youtube video. Until now. Easy subscribe and thumbs up. I'll echo a lot of the comments here. Really enjoyable to watch, no artifice. Just real. By the way, loved the indie author budget video. Wondering if you could also do a video on how much you make in a month (like, breaking it down book by book, how many copies, etc.)

Your channel is one of my favorite writing/writing adjacent channels I've watched. I'm 30, and I'm just now attempting to move my fantasy universe I'm making from my head to the page. Your advice on your channel has already been very insightful! Thank you

I just started watching recently, but I'm really enjoying your videos. I appreciate how casually you discuss everything, it makes for a relaxing watch. You asked about other youtubers, I've been enjoying Linda Barsi's recent videos, she's been discussing this notion of writing as daydreaming, and having an easeful process. There's a similar chill vibe to what you are doing. I like Ellen Brock and Abbie Emmons as well, though they're more focused on craft tips. Anyway hi/bye.

Subscribed. I need a little cozy book talk and encouragement to keep going. Having to leave behind my weekly writng group to start a new job today and feeling sad to lose that infrastructure…just putting that out there in case other channel watchers are in need of some writing partners.

I enjoy your content a lot I'm glad the algorithm gave you some love

Commenting for engagement. Good video.

Hi, my name is Caroline, I am 46 a years old french canadian. I would like to know everything about how you self publish. What is your process, what kind of publicity you do, how you find the trends. If you do a course I will enroll. I know there is plenty of courses and videos about that but I don't really trust them, I trust you, your authenticity, I just love your style and I wish to learn from you. I will look your Patreon for sure. love to write, but everything else around it is alien for me. Thank you so much for being there. I love youtube to for the true content like yours.

I love how genuine and accessible you come across. I’ve been thinking of starting a channel but I know I don’t have that stereotypical KZfaqr personality so have been wondering if anyone would even watch. You give me hope! I love what you said about KZfaq reminding you of the halcyon days of the internet, with Livejournal and personal blogging. Obviously some parts of KZfaq are very algorithm-driven, but these cozy corners like your channel remind me of that friendly community-base era too.

I am not a writer, but I enjoy the content! You don't need to always comment, but try to like as many comments as you can. That shows that you are looking at them. When you get real big, with hundreds of comments, you won't be able too respond! Cheers

Hey Jacki! Happy to follow you, and happy good things are happening for you!

I love that you came to love youtube through the channels that you did! Rachel Macksey in particular is so wonderful! A cosier writer channel that I've found recently is Emily McCosh. She has such fun chatty undates and vlogs.

I just find you so interesting. I’ll be sure to rewatch some videos to help get you monetized sooner ❤❤

I think authortube things appeal more from folks who are low-level or mid-listers, to me. I know I started KZfaq to find a community, because I was a military wife that had been moved across the country from everyone and everything I'd ever known. Back then, my focus was on yarn crafting things, but now I'm shifting back to my original intent (life and author stuff). I like your vibe and authenticity, and I'm glad your community is growing. Here's to many more!

I still pine for the internet of the early 2000s...one might say far more than is necessarily helpful 🤣. I'm so glad the algorithm gods smiled upon you -- very deserving, you're a breath of fresh air. I love watching authortube channels as they motivate me when my will to keep writing starts flagging -- which is fairly regularly so needless to say I watch fairly regularly. 🙂. I often ponder starting a channel...I'd love to see more writers-over-40, the young folk are lovely but some representation is always a bonus. Great advice on the time-effort relationship...it would be very easy for me to think of a youtube channel as a noble distraction and sacrifice writing time. *sigh*.

I really like you. You're awesome. Please never stop making videos!

You've done SO WELL so fast. I am in awe. I've been here almost a year and have yet to crack 100 subs lol that said, I am just making bad videos, and doing it because I enjoy it. KZfaq has so much more of a community feel than other platforms, and I must prefer that. Like you say, it's way more satisfying. I hate marketing, I just want to be a person doing cool things and hopefully sharing those cool things with other people.

I’m a fantasy comics artist who’s really struggling through their senior thesis in college right now. I’ve had a difficult life and it makes it hard for me to do things a lot of the time, even things that I’m so passionate about. My loved ones don’t want to see me struggle and have questioned if I really like what I do. I’ve been wondering this too. I’ve only watched a couple of your videos but they reminded me of the person that I want to be when I’m older and why I’m pursuing the career that I am. I really love fantasy. It’s always been a place that I can retreat to. I guess I just need to keep trying, and give myself some more credit. Your advice and perspective are very comforting to me. I think it’s great that you started a youtube channel. You’re the kind of person that I really wish I could hear from more.

Your 40 books video came up in my feed, I enjoyed it and subscribed after watching another video by you (I usually watch dozens from a channel before subscribing). So you're definitely doing something right!

I really like your channel because it feels genuine, and your unique experiences speak to something I would like to do for myself one day. I'm glad that you have found a corner of the internet that you enjoy! Relish in the success and connection and the joy. Tomorrow isn't promised, so have fun indulging in the moment 😊

Christy Anne Jones makes lovely Authortube content. It is so cozy and immersive and she is just lovely herself. Highly recommend her channel!

We do a ton of writing sprints on Authortube! I feel these and livestreams in general are fun. Plus, we have the free Authortube Writing Conference coming up, which is essentially a huge collaboration of KZfaq channels, from small to large channels, who come together for a three-day period to talk all things writing and publishing. If you just search the name of the conference, you'll find the website.

I've just been on a rabbit hole of your videos and I just wanted to say as someone who wants to do KZfaq to go back into living "the creative life", and someone who's always dreamt of being an author but never got past finishing a second book 'cause I'm in editing hell, your videos are really comforting ♥️

Another great video! If I could offer an unsolicited suggestion (feel free to ignore me), I have seen a couple authors upload their full-length audiobooks to youtube. Since you have such a large backlist, that might be a way to continue monetizing those books while also increasing your watch hours. Anyway, I loved your comments about how the format of youtube videos does seem to encourage creators to go a little deeper and let their audience get to know them.

You’re cute and smart. Cool collection of books you have. No six-pack abs on the cover! And I can just hear your cat’s purring.

By George lol congrats!!

I *do* remember Dragonlance! That was the first fandom I ever wrote for back when I was a baby teenie lmao

I feel like I could have a 10 hour conversation with you!! Your videos are lovely and calming. Wishing you the very best on your journey! I had a booktube channel years ago and deleted it because I got overwhelmed feeling that I wasn't doing "good enough." I really hope you stick with it and it continues to add to your life! ❤️

I got here through the algorithm. And im happy being here. Just started writing an month ago. :)

Congratulations on your success!!

I just started thinking about starting a YT channel last month and am finding this video so inspiring and useful, ideally timed to galvanize me!

Looking forward to future videos!

I'm so happy I found your channel! I'm a fellow indie author (rom com) who turned to YT as a creative outlet to recover from author burnout and now make videos that have nothing to do with writing. I actually recognize you from your YA debut book. I love finally seeing you in video form and love how soothing and down to earth you are. You are also very stylish too! ❤

I saw first from the 40 books video! I really liked it ❤

U are my favorite new channel i love it! Congratulations on 1,000 subs 🎉

Despite being of the younger generation, I agree with the a lot of the sentiments you’ve shared about social media. I used to be actively involved with a book fandom for a few years on Instagram and loved it, but with short form videos now being prioritized (and a host of other downgrades on the app), the community aspect has been sorely pushed to the side. It doesn’t help that-kinda like you mentioned-people are almost always directly or indirectly selling themselves to you. While the boom of online small businesses is great, it does make me feel like I’m watching a host of ads while looking on the explore page sometimes. Which is ironic because I’m partly building up my account to sell myself as an artist lol. Still don’t like it though! Anyway, haven’t seen any other author channels in this style before, but I’m loving putting on some of your videos while working on college assignments. Congrats on hitting your goal so early!

Can I be cheeky and recommend my own channel? 😁 I am writer of fantasy and folklore with a folklore book out currently. My videos are focused on slow living, cosy rural life and finding the whimsy and magic in everyday. I plan to make more videos about my writing and books from now on too. I love your channel and your vibe! Everything you’ve posted so far is super interesting to me.

I actually love your aesthetic! Sure you're not a model, but very few people are really! You are real, I love your humour, your chillness and your take on things :D I hope you continue to grow, I would love to follow your journey

Love these takeaways and congratulations on your unexpected growth. Thanks for sharing your journey! Very inspired to me as a new youtuber! Subscribing to help you reach your next goal and to follow along with your content🤗💖

I found you last week and am already so excited for all your future videos. I write prose poetry and am finishing a novel in prose poetry. So ive bounced around alot of author/writing channels bc i fit nowhere. ;) but your life experience, personality, talking tone & cadence checks all my boxes. So many tubers talk way too fast and feign too much excitement for me too listen to too much of their content.

My top writer channel reccomendations would be HeartBreathings, Kate Cavanaugh and Lindsay Puckett

This is inspiring :)

Okay, channel recommendations: 1. *Be Writing* - a tiny channel with vlog-style videos about the writer's lifestyle. Super chill vibes The next two are pretty different than this channel, but I would say the vibe is similar. 2. *Sparrows End Business Diaries* - work from home/making money online lifestyle vlogs as well as more "instructional" type videos about her various online businesses. I know this is pretty different subject-wise, but writers do typically work from home. I think the channel has an authenticity and realness that is really similar to this channel. The creator, Mel, is super genuine. There is no fakeness, no clickbait. She doesn't embrace "hustle culture" but instead gives a very realistic view of a very real person trying to balance productivity with taking time for mental & physical health, family, etc. She has a lovely, warm personality and sense of humor. 3. *Ellen Brock* - a professional editor who gives writing craft advice. While there are tons of these types of channels, Ellen is relevant here because of her super chill vibes. She actually knows what she's talking about and her advice is practical, nuts and bolts stuff. P.S. Side note: I've watched a ton of writing craft content and there are very few channels that I would actually recommend. Ellen Brock & Brandon Sanderson's entire catalogues are good. iWriterly's "Query and First Page Critiques" playlist is pretty amazing. The rest of the iWriterly videos are well and good but that particular playlist is the juice.

After hearing about how Glitter Rock/Bowie really hit you I thought - have you checked out any Kpop? Disclaimer on Black Pink...(I would go with the older videos something like "DDu-Du-DDu-Du", "How Do You Like That" era, as the newest ones are going through a strange no dancing phase.) Also Red Velvet (Psycho) , aespa, (Next Level) (G)i-dle, (Lion) Itzy, TR.IBE, Kingdom (Ascension) & others...I would watch first without subtitles as foreign languages have a certain something that defies translation and they sometimes mix their lyrics with English anyway.

Chaniel 😂

noice

I'll say something that'll disagree with many but your channel is a dozen times superior to Sanderson's - full stop.