His take on the “dead white girls in the woods” market and the myth of men not reading? Spot bloody on. And calling out the gaslighting around publishing’s competitiveness? PREACH. “More competitive than investment banking”? Oof. Harsh, probably true, and exactly the kind of unvarnished truth-telling we need. No faux-inspirational fluff here – just the exhilarating, terrifying reality of making art in a brutal marketplace.
Massive congrats, Amran. Leverage sounds like the profane, nerve-shredding, capital-P Punch the system needs. Can’t wait to crack it open. And Leigh? Another ripper profile. You find the best bloody stories.
The best endorsement of my newsletter: "No faux-inspirational fluff here – just the exhilarating, terrifying reality of making art in a brutal marketplace."
Great piece. I appreciated his career trajectory, including his time as a stay at home dad (when I was a practicing trial lawyer my hubby was a Mr. Mom and it was awesome).
Leverage is now on my radar. Perfect. I left a full ride music scholarship at a prestigious conservatory because I couldn't stand the sound of the trumpet for another minute. Social worker, stay-at-home mom, nutritionist, now writing (like it's my job). Four pivots. You have me beat. Cheers to the shaker-uppers!
I love that Amran quit three years into his PhD. I hear so many stories of people just getting trapped there, or in post-doc. It's so important to know when to cut your losses and move on. I also love that he gives credit to his wife for financially providing him with the time and space to write.
This too struck me: "His first novel was 115,000 words and written in the third-person, with a female protagonist. In Leverage, Amran wrote a shorter book (72,000 words), and from a first-person POV whose backstory was closer to his own." I often tell my students whose novels aren't working, "Try this in first person." For most writers, especially first-time novelists, first person removes friction leads to a more natural writing style that just sounds better on the page.
That's so interesting! I've only ever written novels in first person... third feels so stiff and uncomfortable to me, but I also know novelists who prefer close third to first.
As a marketing girly who was once offered a job in pharmaceuticals but turned it down for ethical reasons, and usually works in finance but is on maternity leave while working on her first novel, I found this very inspiring. I will continue to shoot for the stars, but skip the moon for now as I don’t live in the US. Best of luck with your book launch Amran!
Big fan of Amran's here, as he and I have gotten to know each other through his Substack and now his novel-writing journey -- I'm rooting for Leverage in a big way, and can't wait to start reading it next week!
To the moon! What a timely article for me as I recently had a similar experience trying to get back in the work force after taking time to raise kids. Now it’s back to finishing my novel. Cannot wait to get me hands on Leverage this week!
Leigh: It's a true privilege and delight to be featured in Attention Economy!
Thank you so much for your support on this wild AF journey. And here's hoping LEVERAGE's unsafe brand of comedy unsettles as many readers as possible.
loved our conversation! looking forward to our next collab
Just commented on this post—and here you are! Best of luck with all you’re doing (book, kids, writing, etc. )
Thanks, Dan!
His take on the “dead white girls in the woods” market and the myth of men not reading? Spot bloody on. And calling out the gaslighting around publishing’s competitiveness? PREACH. “More competitive than investment banking”? Oof. Harsh, probably true, and exactly the kind of unvarnished truth-telling we need. No faux-inspirational fluff here – just the exhilarating, terrifying reality of making art in a brutal marketplace.
Massive congrats, Amran. Leverage sounds like the profane, nerve-shredding, capital-P Punch the system needs. Can’t wait to crack it open. And Leigh? Another ripper profile. You find the best bloody stories.
The best endorsement of my newsletter: "No faux-inspirational fluff here – just the exhilarating, terrifying reality of making art in a brutal marketplace."
Thank you Glen!
Thank you, Glen! This comment is nothing short of amazing. Enjoy LEVERAGE!
Great piece. I appreciated his career trajectory, including his time as a stay at home dad (when I was a practicing trial lawyer my hubby was a Mr. Mom and it was awesome).
To the moon!
Already put Leverage in my TBR pile!
Leverage is now on my radar. Perfect. I left a full ride music scholarship at a prestigious conservatory because I couldn't stand the sound of the trumpet for another minute. Social worker, stay-at-home mom, nutritionist, now writing (like it's my job). Four pivots. You have me beat. Cheers to the shaker-uppers!
I love that Amran quit three years into his PhD. I hear so many stories of people just getting trapped there, or in post-doc. It's so important to know when to cut your losses and move on. I also love that he gives credit to his wife for financially providing him with the time and space to write.
This too struck me: "His first novel was 115,000 words and written in the third-person, with a female protagonist. In Leverage, Amran wrote a shorter book (72,000 words), and from a first-person POV whose backstory was closer to his own." I often tell my students whose novels aren't working, "Try this in first person." For most writers, especially first-time novelists, first person removes friction leads to a more natural writing style that just sounds better on the page.
That's so interesting! I've only ever written novels in first person... third feels so stiff and uncomfortable to me, but I also know novelists who prefer close third to first.
I’m the opposite. I wrestle with first person but close third comes much more easily.
As a marketing girly who was once offered a job in pharmaceuticals but turned it down for ethical reasons, and usually works in finance but is on maternity leave while working on her first novel, I found this very inspiring. I will continue to shoot for the stars, but skip the moon for now as I don’t live in the US. Best of luck with your book launch Amran!
Big fan of Amran's here, as he and I have gotten to know each other through his Substack and now his novel-writing journey -- I'm rooting for Leverage in a big way, and can't wait to start reading it next week!
So excited to start this one!
Congratulations, Amran! Can definitely relate to “5th life” and much more… so thrilled for you and can’t wait to read this!
To paraphase Tom Petty, publishing “is a long, long road.” Looks like you’re off to a great start with your debut!
To the moon!
Loved this story so much!! Can’t wait to read his novel
To the moon! I’ve worked in graduate business education for 20 years and can’t wait to read this. Thank you!
Amran, your ethical hustle is an inspiration
^^ love that
Loved this interview! To the moon!
To the moon! What a timely article for me as I recently had a similar experience trying to get back in the work force after taking time to raise kids. Now it’s back to finishing my novel. Cannot wait to get me hands on Leverage this week!