Business idea · Education
Narrative Nonfiction Writing Workshops
Narrative Nonfiction Writing Workshops: Workshops that teach aspiring writers the art of narrative nonfiction through hands-on exercises, feedback sessions, and mentorship from established authors. It was pitched on My First Million, hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri, in the episode "We talk to the guy who knows Silicon Valley’s darkest secrets" (aired February 26, 2025).
At a glance
| Podcast | My First Million |
|---|---|
| Hosted by | Sam Parr and Shaan Puri |
| Episode | We talk to the guy who knows Silicon Valley’s darkest secrets |
| Aired | February 26, 2025 |
| Category | Education |
| Real companies on the episode | Silk Road |
The problem it solves
This initiative helps aspiring writers develop their storytelling skills, enabling them to create engaging nonfiction work that resonates with readers. Many existing writing programs focus solely on fiction or technical writing, neglecting the unique nuances of narrative nonfiction.
How it makes money
Paid workshops with options for online courses and one-on-one coaching.
Skills you need
Proficiency in narrative writing and editing Experience in teaching or facilitating workshops Strong understanding of nonfiction storytelling techniques Marketing skills to promote workshops effectively
The market, and why this works now
The rise of online education platforms like Teachable enables writers to access flexible course structures and reach a wider audience. A practical first-revenue move is to promote workshops on writing-focused subreddits such as r/writing or r/narrative, where aspiring writers actively seek guidance. A key risk involves the initial capital needed to cover marketing and platform fees, which may delay profitability until a consistent student base is established.
Our analysis, written after the episode. Not a quote from the show.
Real companies discussed on this episode
- Silk Road
Silk Road was an online black market platform founded by Ross Ulbricht, where users could anonymously buy and sell illegal drugs and other illicit goods using Bitcoin. The platform leveraged the anonymity of the dark web, revolutionizing the way people engaged in underground commerce.
Where this idea came from
Podcast: My First Million, hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri
Episode: We talk to the guy who knows Silicon Valley’s darkest secrets
Aired:
Summarized from the episode transcript. The show does not say which speaker raised each idea, so we credit the show, not a person.