Book It, Babe: Your Guide to Self-Publishing Success on Substack with Cara Alwill—Feb. 9

Book It, Babe: Your Guide to Self-Publishing Success on Substack is here to take you from draft to done, with real-world strategies to launch, market, and monetize your book on Substack like a pro. This isn’t just any workshop—get ready to leave fired up and fully equipped to hit publish with confidence.

Dying to get your book out into the world? Tired of querying agents, stalking editors, and waiting to be chosen by a publisher (any publisher?) This high-energy workshop cuts through the fluff to give you the exact blueprint for self-publishing success. Led by a bestselling author who’s been there, done it, and makes money doing it, this workshop covers the steps, mindset, and marketing tricks that’ll get your work noticed (and bring in those dollars).

Here’s what we’re covering in this intensive 3 hour workshop:

• Setting Your Goals & Finding Your Ride-or-Die Readers: Forget traditional, cookie-cutter success—this is about defining what your success looks like on your terms (and timeline). We’ll help you attract readers who’ll be hanging on your every word, excitedly awaiting every new drop.

• Launch & Market Like You Mean It: With weekly chapter drops and buzz-worthy teasers, you’ll master the art of getting readers curious, hooked, and becoming paid subscribers before they even know what hit them.

• Unleash Your Story, Unapologetically: We’re leaving imposter syndrome at the door. This is about embracing your unique voice, ditching the self-doubt, and showing up with the unapologetic confidence to write and share like you were born to do it.

This workshop isn’t just about learning the steps; it’s about walking out ready to claim your space as an author on Substack. Come ready to learn, ask questions, and leave with the tools (and the vibes!) to self-publish like you mean it.

What you will learn

• Define Your Publishing Goals: Create a clear vision of what success looks like for you—on your own terms, without waiting for anyone’s approval.

• Identify & Attract Your Audience: Learn to target and captivate readers who’ll be eagerly awaiting each new chapter.

• Develop a Killer Content Strategy: Craft a release schedule that builds anticipation and keeps readers coming back for more.

• Master the Art of Hype: Create teasers, chapter previews, and social media strategies that spark curiosity and get readers talking.

• Turn Subscribers into Supporters: Understand the keys to building paid subscriptions that make your writing both engaging and profitable.

• Monetize with Confidence: Learn how to balance free and paid content, maximize subscriptions, and make strategic choices that drive revenue.

• Own Your Voice & Story: Gain tools to break past imposter syndrome, own your unique perspective, and share unapologetically.

• Hit Publish with Confidence: Walk away ready to share your work with a powerful mindset and practical steps to back it up.

Workshop takeaways

• Students will leave with a clear, step-by-step plan to self-publish their book on Substack, from concept to launch. They’ll know exactly who they’re writing for, with techniques to build and sustain reader excitement.

• Equipped with actionable marketing strategies, students will know how to create anticipation, attract readers, and boost reader engagement. They will receive practical insights on balancing free and paid content, turning readers into paid subscribers, and learn how to confidently make money while writing.

• They’ll leave ready to write like no one’s watching, fully owning their voice and showing up with bold, fearless authenticity. With a clear plan and all the tools in hand, students will walk away feeling fired up and fully equipped to launch their work into the world and claim their space as a self-published author on Substack!

Additional info

This workshop will be recorded for the convenience of those unable to attend live. The recorded session will be emailed to participants the following day.

About the Instructor

Cara Alwill, born and raised in Brooklyn and now at home in Manhattan’s East Village, is an author with a passion for stories that live beyond the page. A self-proclaimed “nostalgia whore” who believes in the magic of a well-curated mixtape, Cara writes for those who are unafraid to chase life’s messy, meaningful moments (and know that learning from mistakes is optional!). With books that have sold over 300,000 copies and been translated into ten languages, including French, Ukrainian, and Chinese, Cara has mastered both self-publishing and traditional publishing with Penguin Random House. She’s also the creator of The Tortured Bloggers Department, an NYC-based nonfiction reading series that celebrates real, unfiltered voices.
As a coach, Cara mentors writers who are ready to amplify their voices and claim their space. Whether it’s launching on Substack, self-publishing a book, or stepping up to the mic at a literary salon, she’s here to guide storytellers with practical strategies, a dose of sass, and the confidence to share their truth—loudly and unapologetically.