It took me years, but I eventually made a plan and am working toward it. My pain when writing was mostly - why is this prose so bad? Like everyone, I hated (still hate) first drafts. My plan involved "right-sizing" my dreams and deciding what would be "success" for me. I'll let you know in a year how it went!
Here's what I need: Money to fund the cost of publishing my workbook, a big offering I'm writing to guide women out of the condition of silence they world has pushed them in. Of course, I can't make the world stop silencing women, but I can help them write about how it feels to spend a lifetime being ignored, dismissed, talked over, humiliated, demonized---all forms of silencing. The book has gotten so big, I'm not sure I'll be able to find a publisher who wants it, and I need the money to pay a hybrid group to do a lovely job with it. This is what keeps me awake at night. Oh, and since I've struggled with the same pressures, I also struggle with the belief that what I have to say about this will make a difference.
Such a great point. I think maybe because it’s difficult to take ourselves seriously as writers until we reach that endgame but of course how can we expect to reach that place without a plan.
Right? I think too many of us are too afraid to take it seriously. Just in case. Because it's a little scary. But the outcome without taking it serious aren't good.
I'm going to have to self-publish with KDP. But I don't have the money to buy advertising. I don't have a mailing list. Close to 80 subscribers on SS. If I could put my finished novel on KDP....
I'm 86 and still working -- have a part-time psychotherapy practice. Write, but also have trouble feeling motivated to write much of anything at this point, much less develop a "plan." I'm not in a position to start a business when I don't buy bananas that are too green. I will be satisfied with having made the friends on Medium whose work I respect and admire, some of whom have followed me to Substack, but having to put in the work to write, promote, publish . . . I just don't have it in me.
Patricia, thank you for letting me know you're having the same challenges I am. I've never built an email list. And I'm still convinced I can sell novels again through a traditional publisher so I can keep writing.
I enjoy being the "favorite sub" at the High School. I dish out respect, smiles, and answers when the questions come. "What do you think about trade schools? I can't afford college."
My responses:
"Trade schools aren't easy. They're geared toward specifics. A degree there means you're an expert!"
"Would you be interested in being an 18-wheeler mechanic?" "What about AI or coding?" "If you were an RN, you'd always have a high-paying job, no matter where you want to live."
I can still walk long halls. I can teach while subbing, and encourage students instead of threatening them with detention, as so many do. I never yell. I don't get angry. I share my experiences. I have one rule: "When I'm speaking to you, please listen."
Hmmm. Planning. Start with one rule. Imagine SS readers as a class. Teach, with respect, and share my enthusiasm. Encourage questions. Be positive, always.
I do have a strategy. I need to build a platform that appeals to an agent and then a publisher. This is a multi-step process which includes several big pub credits (done) and then gaining followers on varous platforms including Substack. That's in progress. My book proposal is done, but I need to tweak and edit a bit more. I've compiled a list of agents who seem a good fit for my memoir, which I've evolved into memoir plus to straddle genre a bit and appeal to a wider audience. My barrier? I'm paralyzed by fear. Despite accolades from beta readers and critique partners, I'm afraid to send my baby out into the world.
Fear is killer, Dawn. That's the truth. Don't know anyone who doesn't feel it. I try to think of it as my companion on the ride. It can ride along, but it doesn't get to drive. lol
I've scheduled the first five pages of my memoir to go out tomorrow morning to my subscribers. This will be give me a larger beta-test on its readability and help rip the bandage off. Hopefully it will receive a glowing response. Otherwise, I might just go hide under a rock for most of 2025.
Can you imagine that nobody will like it? Can you imagine being judged? Can you imagine being ridiculed? And then what? If someone judges it says much more about them than about you. If anyone ridicules, it says a lot about who they are, not who you are. As Joseph Chilton Pearce said: "To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong." So courage. Take the risk. Written on Keats' headstone is: "Here lies One Whose name was writ in Water." Even the greatest writers had self doubt. I look forward to reading your memoir!
This is a GREAT and vastly neglected topic for writers: how to strategize about the readers you want to reach . . . and even figure out who they are. I have the first of two books in a middle-grade fantasy series under contract with a (exciting! not yet to be announced but soon I hope!) publisher -- to be released in late spring 2026 and I know darn well it's high time to be reaching middle grade readers, parents of middle grade kids, librarians, SCHOOL librarians, and fantasy fans — and I'm still trying to figure out how to do that now so I have some cred with those readers well before my book launches. The bewildering and conflicting advice on just how to do that is legion, and I'm working on coming up with an approach that won't amount to another full-time job of content creation. I have books to write, after all!
Omg, Jan, I'm so proud of you. Congrats and how exciting. Reach out to other writers who reach that audience. Make a list of as many as you can find. Few will reply, but all you need is one or two who remember being where you are and are willing to offer you some tips on how they made those contacts. What great news!
I know I can write and I’m comfortable sharing a lot about myself. I just hate how platforms jerk you around. I had a good thing going on Medium until I didn’t! Now investing myself here … until they change things, too.
You're not wrong, Michelle. On Medium I'm switched focus several times. First history was doing really well for me. Then personal essays. Now tech is doing better than essays. That's one thing about Substack, at least the list you're building is yours and even if they change, you still have your list to reach however you want.
I'm so glad I took the time to read your post. You are spot on, and I appreciate your message. Not long ago, I realized I didn't have a plan for what I was going to do with my writing. I was working off the "build it, and they will come" plan.
I'm not sure why we're conditioned to write w/o a plan, but I can say that the most pushback I ever get is when I start talking about things like planning, strategy, and treating all of this like a business.
Ive been writing professionally for forty years and there was always planning. But I got skewered by what's been happening at Medium and ignored it for too long. Now I'm working on a piece about New Year's resolutions and the focus is on making them detailed and specific rather than broad and vague. It's a reminder to myself. But as a former software marketer, I'm a stats guy and that helps here on Substack. For example, how many writers know what percentage of their readers are paid? I see people out there publishing numbers and it's one per cent and they are happy about that. Mine is at 6.5%. why is this important? It helps me track what works.
Yup, you're so right Martin. Being a stats person really helps. 6.5% is really strong. Any tips to share on that? Because I see all the 1% and 2% as well. I'm turning on paid for the new year and man, I'd love to have your numbers.
Linda, I'm not sure but there are few factors. I write about politics, which draws some passionate readers. I publish almost every day because the topic is time sensitive. And everyone, free and paid get the same content so an upgrade to paid is really pure support. I also use a Buy Me A Coffee Link that allows small donations which usually happen when I strike a chord with that reader. My challenge is raising my suscriber count for both my publications. Slow and steady has been the story
My area is Child Development and Education. One day I went to my physician and he asked, what I do for a living. I told him, but I said I was retired. Too bad, he said. Too bad? I asked. Yes, because who will benefit now from all your training and experience. I left his office. I have no desire to go back to work, but I decided to write on Substack. I don't care about making money from it. I have enough savings to live off. But I do enjoy the writing. I wonder if I'm not quite up to date enough and wonder if anyone finds my writing useful. But I like doing it regardless. I've written two articles over the holidays, yet to be published on substack.
You do not need a plan or a strategy to write, but you do need one to publish (and be read). Social media appear to have erased the barrier that exists between writing and publishing and that is what leads us astray, I believe.
Finding one’s own way of disconnecting writing and publishing will clarify our thinking
It took me years, but I eventually made a plan and am working toward it. My pain when writing was mostly - why is this prose so bad? Like everyone, I hated (still hate) first drafts. My plan involved "right-sizing" my dreams and deciding what would be "success" for me. I'll let you know in a year how it went!
That's awesome Terri. I love seeing writers make a plan.
You just rang my bell. Bless you!
lol Dave, you're very welcome.
Here's what I need: Money to fund the cost of publishing my workbook, a big offering I'm writing to guide women out of the condition of silence they world has pushed them in. Of course, I can't make the world stop silencing women, but I can help them write about how it feels to spend a lifetime being ignored, dismissed, talked over, humiliated, demonized---all forms of silencing. The book has gotten so big, I'm not sure I'll be able to find a publisher who wants it, and I need the money to pay a hybrid group to do a lovely job with it. This is what keeps me awake at night. Oh, and since I've struggled with the same pressures, I also struggle with the belief that what I have to say about this will make a difference.
I'm curious if you've considered a kickstarter, that might be one path to the funding you need, plus you'd have buyers waiting in the process.
You know, that's a great idea! Thanks for the suggestion.
Such a great point. I think maybe because it’s difficult to take ourselves seriously as writers until we reach that endgame but of course how can we expect to reach that place without a plan.
Right? I think too many of us are too afraid to take it seriously. Just in case. Because it's a little scary. But the outcome without taking it serious aren't good.
Major interruptions. As in 20 years of in-home caretaking, when exhaustion erased writing novels.
Returning to work after our annuity was gone. I'm 75 and still working.
I want to read!
Oh man, Linda. Caretaking is exhausting. I've been there. I will probably be working at 75, too. Just hope writing is the work. lol
I'm going to have to self-publish with KDP. But I don't have the money to buy advertising. I don't have a mailing list. Close to 80 subscribers on SS. If I could put my finished novel on KDP....
Hard to feel motivated to write anything.
Hugs
Linda
I'm 86 and still working -- have a part-time psychotherapy practice. Write, but also have trouble feeling motivated to write much of anything at this point, much less develop a "plan." I'm not in a position to start a business when I don't buy bananas that are too green. I will be satisfied with having made the friends on Medium whose work I respect and admire, some of whom have followed me to Substack, but having to put in the work to write, promote, publish . . . I just don't have it in me.
Patricia, thank you for letting me know you're having the same challenges I am. I've never built an email list. And I'm still convinced I can sell novels again through a traditional publisher so I can keep writing.
Let's stay in touch!
Let's!
I enjoy being the "favorite sub" at the High School. I dish out respect, smiles, and answers when the questions come. "What do you think about trade schools? I can't afford college."
My responses:
"Trade schools aren't easy. They're geared toward specifics. A degree there means you're an expert!"
"Would you be interested in being an 18-wheeler mechanic?" "What about AI or coding?" "If you were an RN, you'd always have a high-paying job, no matter where you want to live."
I can still walk long halls. I can teach while subbing, and encourage students instead of threatening them with detention, as so many do. I never yell. I don't get angry. I share my experiences. I have one rule: "When I'm speaking to you, please listen."
Hmmm. Planning. Start with one rule. Imagine SS readers as a class. Teach, with respect, and share my enthusiasm. Encourage questions. Be positive, always.
It's a good start.
Thanks, Linda
Hugs
I love your one rule ❤️
I do have a strategy. I need to build a platform that appeals to an agent and then a publisher. This is a multi-step process which includes several big pub credits (done) and then gaining followers on varous platforms including Substack. That's in progress. My book proposal is done, but I need to tweak and edit a bit more. I've compiled a list of agents who seem a good fit for my memoir, which I've evolved into memoir plus to straddle genre a bit and appeal to a wider audience. My barrier? I'm paralyzed by fear. Despite accolades from beta readers and critique partners, I'm afraid to send my baby out into the world.
Fear is killer, Dawn. That's the truth. Don't know anyone who doesn't feel it. I try to think of it as my companion on the ride. It can ride along, but it doesn't get to drive. lol
Fear is the mind killer.
I've scheduled the first five pages of my memoir to go out tomorrow morning to my subscribers. This will be give me a larger beta-test on its readability and help rip the bandage off. Hopefully it will receive a glowing response. Otherwise, I might just go hide under a rock for most of 2025.
What is the fear?
Multiple fears. Fear that nobody will like it, but that's a constant with everything I write. No matter how good it is, it's never good enough.
There's a lot of personal stuff, since it is a memoir, so fear people will judge me, hate me, ridicule me. The general trauma brain fears.
Can you imagine that nobody will like it? Can you imagine being judged? Can you imagine being ridiculed? And then what? If someone judges it says much more about them than about you. If anyone ridicules, it says a lot about who they are, not who you are. As Joseph Chilton Pearce said: "To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong." So courage. Take the risk. Written on Keats' headstone is: "Here lies One Whose name was writ in Water." Even the greatest writers had self doubt. I look forward to reading your memoir!
This is a GREAT and vastly neglected topic for writers: how to strategize about the readers you want to reach . . . and even figure out who they are. I have the first of two books in a middle-grade fantasy series under contract with a (exciting! not yet to be announced but soon I hope!) publisher -- to be released in late spring 2026 and I know darn well it's high time to be reaching middle grade readers, parents of middle grade kids, librarians, SCHOOL librarians, and fantasy fans — and I'm still trying to figure out how to do that now so I have some cred with those readers well before my book launches. The bewildering and conflicting advice on just how to do that is legion, and I'm working on coming up with an approach that won't amount to another full-time job of content creation. I have books to write, after all!
Omg, Jan, I'm so proud of you. Congrats and how exciting. Reach out to other writers who reach that audience. Make a list of as many as you can find. Few will reply, but all you need is one or two who remember being where you are and are willing to offer you some tips on how they made those contacts. What great news!
GREAT advice!!!! Will do (the very moment I can disclose who my publisher is, which will help a lot). Thank you!
You are so welcome. I can hardly wait for the announcement!
Me either ;-)
Very cool news, Jan! Congrats! And we have a grandniece who will be in 6th grade when your books come out… 😉
Perfect!!!!
Wonderful! I'm doing my happy dance for you! Woo Hoo!
Thank you so much, Linda! Yes, it's like a dream coming true -- verrrrrry slowly at this point, but I feel like I won the lottery.
That's how I felt when I sold my novel to Harlequin Historicals! Bliss!
That's HUGE!!! Bliss is entirely called for.
I know I can write and I’m comfortable sharing a lot about myself. I just hate how platforms jerk you around. I had a good thing going on Medium until I didn’t! Now investing myself here … until they change things, too.
You're not wrong, Michelle. On Medium I'm switched focus several times. First history was doing really well for me. Then personal essays. Now tech is doing better than essays. That's one thing about Substack, at least the list you're building is yours and even if they change, you still have your list to reach however you want.
I'm so glad I took the time to read your post. You are spot on, and I appreciate your message. Not long ago, I realized I didn't have a plan for what I was going to do with my writing. I was working off the "build it, and they will come" plan.
Your words were exactly what I needed to hear.
Thank you.
You're very welcome Sean. :)
I'm not sure why we're conditioned to write w/o a plan, but I can say that the most pushback I ever get is when I start talking about things like planning, strategy, and treating all of this like a business.
Right? It's such a strange thing, but I've seen the same thing.
Ive been writing professionally for forty years and there was always planning. But I got skewered by what's been happening at Medium and ignored it for too long. Now I'm working on a piece about New Year's resolutions and the focus is on making them detailed and specific rather than broad and vague. It's a reminder to myself. But as a former software marketer, I'm a stats guy and that helps here on Substack. For example, how many writers know what percentage of their readers are paid? I see people out there publishing numbers and it's one per cent and they are happy about that. Mine is at 6.5%. why is this important? It helps me track what works.
Yup, you're so right Martin. Being a stats person really helps. 6.5% is really strong. Any tips to share on that? Because I see all the 1% and 2% as well. I'm turning on paid for the new year and man, I'd love to have your numbers.
Linda, I'm not sure but there are few factors. I write about politics, which draws some passionate readers. I publish almost every day because the topic is time sensitive. And everyone, free and paid get the same content so an upgrade to paid is really pure support. I also use a Buy Me A Coffee Link that allows small donations which usually happen when I strike a chord with that reader. My challenge is raising my suscriber count for both my publications. Slow and steady has been the story
I've been waiting for you to be paid for your amazing writing! Hugs!
My strategy is first to write for me.
Where can we find the leaderboards?
Hey Robin -- here you go!
https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/5999320475412-What-are-Substack-leaderboards
Thanks, Linda. I’m there. Looking around. Finding it’s so wide I can’t swim to the other shore. Interesting folks out there.
Rabbit hole...if my family comes looking for me...
But, thanks! I've been wanting to find these to see what energy and levels others write with and compare to mine. It will help.
My area is Child Development and Education. One day I went to my physician and he asked, what I do for a living. I told him, but I said I was retired. Too bad, he said. Too bad? I asked. Yes, because who will benefit now from all your training and experience. I left his office. I have no desire to go back to work, but I decided to write on Substack. I don't care about making money from it. I have enough savings to live off. But I do enjoy the writing. I wonder if I'm not quite up to date enough and wonder if anyone finds my writing useful. But I like doing it regardless. I've written two articles over the holidays, yet to be published on substack.
I’ll subscribe. I’d like to read your stories 😊
You do not need a plan or a strategy to write, but you do need one to publish (and be read). Social media appear to have erased the barrier that exists between writing and publishing and that is what leads us astray, I believe.
Finding one’s own way of disconnecting writing and publishing will clarify our thinking
This is so true and eye-opening! Thanks.