Helping writers & creators make more work that sells and sell more work they make
Hello, I’m August Birch
AKA the Book Mechanic. I’m a ‘Top 1,000’ Medium writer (and a regular writer), artist, designer, pro-marketer, fourth-generation woodworker, tattooer, reader of things, Eagle Scout, one-time marathon runner, holder of two black belts, husband, father, brother, son, friend, tinkerer, thinker-er, scatterbrain, and creator.
My business card should come on a roll.
I’ve been a Medium writer since 2018 (1,045-plus stories) and I’m proud to be a part of such a vibrant community of creative people.
Like my many hats, I wear these coveralls to promote the life of a blue-collar creator. Where the ritual of the daily work— the ‘infinite…
Hey,
If you struggle with the quality of your writing, it may be more an environmental issue than your skill level. In this story, I share how a simple change to your writing routine can help you uncover your best material yet, with less time spent naval-gazing behind your desk.
In your service,
August Birch (AKA the Book Mechanic)
Here’s where the great stories are written
I used to think if I just tried harder I would write better — that volume equaled quality. I spent so much time with my ‘butt in the seat.’
But sometimes I’d sit there and nothing good would come out. Like trying to squeeze a dove from a toothpaste tube and being surprised when nothing but minty pastes comes out.
The actual writing doesn’t happen at the desk.
Sure, this is the blue-collar work. We’ve got to dig the hole if we want the hole, right? But typing isn’t writing.
Typing is the order-taking — the process of getting the…
Hey,
If you are dissatisfied with your Medium traffic, this story gives you the same three-step process I use to ensure almost every story I write gets enough traffic.
I know how frustrating Medium traffic can be, especially if you’re a new writer. This is a fix that works every time.
In your service,
August Birch (AKA the Book Mechanic)
With no magic or fancy stuff, just a few core principles
I fall into the trap a lot. I get this idea for a story I really want to write, spend a bunch of time on it, and once I publish, the story falls-flat.
There are roughly 20,000 stories published on Medium per day.
That’s a lot of content to wade-through. Luckily, we can sort what we want to see, based on our interests, but that’s still a lot of content. There might be a few thousand new pieces in your niche-alone.
This means we need traffic.
Otherwise, we’re working for a couple pennies a story. While the partner program isn’t…
Hey,
If you struggle with organizing your ideas, Anne Lamott’s Clothesline Method may be the perfect idea for you. This analog way of organizing all those scattered writing notes, will help you design your next writing project faster, without the need for a full outline.
In your service,
August Birch (AKA the Book Mechanic)
It works and it’s free
Most Writers appreciate the beloved Anne Lamott. She brought us Bird by Bird. And if you haven’t read it you should. Anne is not a plotter. I am not a plotter.
Like me, Lamott prefers organizing her thoughts around a loose idea, allowing the writing process to help discover the story as she works.
I like to use broad frameworks. But every outline I’ve written has ended in disaster.
Whether you prefer outlining or pantsing, we all take notes. We all get snippets of ideas and we all need help organizing those ideas.
Whether you have a novel, a nonfiction…
Hey,
If you’re a writer or creator and you really despise the idea of self-promotion, this story is for you. While you do have to promote you work, or you’ll never sell anything, there are some quick and simple ways you can promote without spending a bunch of time, or feeling all gross inside.
In you service,
August Birch (AKA the Book Mechanic)
Even if all you want to do is make stuff and can’t stand selling
Believe me. I understand. I used to feel the same way. All I wanted to do was make stuff. I hated the idea of ‘selling,’ The whole process made me feel all oogie inside. Like I was doing something wrong. As if I was a sell-out to my craft.
I got seven different emails this week. From seven different creators, all over the world. And each of the seven emails said the same thing.
“How can I sell my stuff without spending all my time promoting it?”
First, we must get something square:
If you don’t tell the others no…
Hey,
If you consumer a lot of content like me (and you’re a writer) this simple, analog secret will help you preserve more of those great tidbits you learn throughout the day.
This method will also help you never run out of ideas for your books, stories, and articles.
There are only two supplies required. Plus, it’s likely you already have them at home. There’s nothing worse than spending your writing time wondering what to say. This analog fix will help!
In your service,
August Birch (AKA the Book Mechanic)
P.S. Here’s a link to that writing productivity secret once more.
August Birch
Indie Creator | Top 1,000 Medium Writer | Marketing Strategies | Tap for My Free, Tribe 1K Email Masterclass: bookmechanicmedia.com/your-first-1000-subscribers/
