I love part 2 as much, or maybe even more, than part 1! Thanks! And yes, totally infectious. And I do agree with Jaime - it really is fun.
I especially agree with the bit about online to offline - that's exactly what I have intended to do, both with my serial and my short story collections (also sort of serialised in the sense of the same characters & setting). One of my little gimmicks, although it hasn't really taken off yet, is offering readers the chance to actually engage with the main character in the comments. Likewise she has a journal, which wouldn't be published offline. So yes, I love that flexibility with Substack, the fact that you can offer people all this extra and exclusive content built around the main story. Behind the scenes and suchlike. In the hope of building up a fanbase.
Now I just need another 9,915 subscribers and I'll hit that 10k mark...
Most of my main characters engage in the comments. I've been doing that fir tears…so I would encourage you to do that and make it a regular practice…People love it!!
Thanks! Unfortunately she hasn't had much engagement yet though - mind you, we've only got about 85 subscribers so maybe that'll change as things go on...
I've only serialized two short pieces on Substack, but I've enjoyed writing using this approach. It has taught me a lot about building small arcs inside a story.
I started serializing as soon as I got here. I came here with a story I was writing on another platform, and had to sort of work my way through the maze that the early days of Substack were for me. And then I put up a "true" serial, meaning it was something I was writing for NaNoWriMo and I began putting up once a week. It was great, exciting, and fast paced.
But now I've sort of figured out where I'm going and what I'm doing with my stuff. I've been working on my Historical/Fantasy and have it all mapped out as for its length (52 Chapters without even realizing it.) I do plan to send it out to publishers when I'm finished it, but I'm also thinking I'll send it out AFTER I finish serializing it...so next October...ish.
I do think that serials are the way to go for novel writing on Substack.
I came to Substack from a different place than anyone else, I imagine. I came here through an email someone sent me in late May, 2022. I remember this, because I was off work and going through therapy having undergone workplace trauma involving a fatality I was directly involved with. I was literally, quite fucked up. I hadn't written anything since January of that year. I decided I needed to get motivated and looked at what Substack had to offer me. I had endless files of stories I'd written over the years, and thought maybe I could put those up. I sorted through them all and worked out that I could put something up every week and not have to write anything for months if I didn't feel up to it.
But I worked at things in my head, and worked things Outland come November, opted to try the NaNoWriMo challenge. I wrote a book and decided to put it up as I wrote it. I wrote and edited and put a chapter up once a week. I also wrote a short story, my first in over a year, and serialized that as well.
That was the moment I told myself I could put my serial work up behind the Paywall, and give the "short stories" away for free. (There was nothing short about them; they averaged 12 - 20,000 words.) I started a Paywall, and took it down because no one was buying into it. Then I put it up again and took it down again. I didn't know how to approach it. Finally, I just decided to leave it up and if they wanted to read it, they would.
The Stories are FREE and always will be. But I'm always looking for ways to improve my 'Stack. I'm always seeking out different things to interest me...and that's what I always do, find out what interests me, and work from there. I'm looking at the video options and wondering if there's something in there for me. I started reading my stories on my 'Stack because the idea of reading scared the be-jesus out of me. Now, I feel very comfortable doing it. I look for things outside of my comfort zone and try to see what I can do with it -- not so much different genres -- but different formats. I even went as far to try BOOK TUBE and started a channel, but had a few issues with it and put it to the side. I'm ready to start it again.
I've only been here two and a half years, and consider every story and every reading a new experience, and a new beginning. I don't know if I can say I've got it figured out yet, I just know that I will not allow myself to give up on myself, and I think that's what makes it work for me. It's that old saying (or maybe it's new): You do what you want, and I'll do me. It works, and that's all that matters. In fact, I just got an email notice that I have a new subscriber. So it IS working, even though I still don't know what I'm doing.
I can relate to a chunk. Got here also from an email...a dear friend who convinced a famous author, someone I'd followed for more than a decade and purchased his books, to reprint one of his popular articles on her blog.
She asked him if he'd be willing to engage in the comments if anyone posted...he said "no".
Made me laugh, and I told her, "I'll get him to post a reply."
Then I taunted him with all the stuff I knew about him and asked questions that would make you a public ass if you didn't respond to your fans.
He answered.
I asked again.
He answered.
We got to talking and when I asked a question he'd need to write a small book to answer, he pointed me to his substack.
I had such a great reading experience, I did a little research and started writing my novels again in serial from.
Just write and post, Ben. You never know when or where the fans will come from...just make sure they have plenty of goodies when they do.
Just choose what feels most exciting and try it out. Then add or subtract from it until you feel like it 'flows' for you. The key I found was...what made it feel effortless and exciting?
Your idea of a memoir with your deceased husband sounds fascinating...
I just wrapped up my first n/f serialized story, and have absolutely loved the process, the community building and the chance to tell the story the way I wanted . Call Me A Bastard debuted in June and spilled out weekly over a five-month period. (https://loriolsonwhite.substack.com/p/call-me-a-bastard), gaining new readers at a steady pace.
I specifically chose Substack because it allows me to tell the main story, but also fill in the blanks with historical and social context separately, as @Evelyn pointed out above.
Fascinating. This has been my thoughts from the start. I was thinking publishing book "chapters" as self-contained, independently valuable posts will eventually give me enough material to eventually create a "book." At some point in time, I'll collect all of my substack posts, arrange them, and expand them into a cohesive, larger volume. I didn't know it had a name! Sweet. Thanks for sharing.
As someone who has been serializing a story on Kindle Vella (which will be defunct by February) for the past three years, this was super interesting and encouraging! I'm already stoked about having more direct interaction with my readers, and this just made it more exciting. Thank you for the interview!
I love part 2 as much, or maybe even more, than part 1! Thanks! And yes, totally infectious. And I do agree with Jaime - it really is fun.
I especially agree with the bit about online to offline - that's exactly what I have intended to do, both with my serial and my short story collections (also sort of serialised in the sense of the same characters & setting). One of my little gimmicks, although it hasn't really taken off yet, is offering readers the chance to actually engage with the main character in the comments. Likewise she has a journal, which wouldn't be published offline. So yes, I love that flexibility with Substack, the fact that you can offer people all this extra and exclusive content built around the main story. Behind the scenes and suchlike. In the hope of building up a fanbase.
Now I just need another 9,915 subscribers and I'll hit that 10k mark...
Most of my main characters engage in the comments. I've been doing that fir tears…so I would encourage you to do that and make it a regular practice…People love it!!
I love this idea... You're brilliant!
"...offering readers the chance to actually engage with the main character in the comments. Likewise she has a journal..."
Thanks! Unfortunately she hasn't had much engagement yet though - mind you, we've only got about 85 subscribers so maybe that'll change as things go on...
I've only serialized two short pieces on Substack, but I've enjoyed writing using this approach. It has taught me a lot about building small arcs inside a story.
I started serializing as soon as I got here. I came here with a story I was writing on another platform, and had to sort of work my way through the maze that the early days of Substack were for me. And then I put up a "true" serial, meaning it was something I was writing for NaNoWriMo and I began putting up once a week. It was great, exciting, and fast paced.
But now I've sort of figured out where I'm going and what I'm doing with my stuff. I've been working on my Historical/Fantasy and have it all mapped out as for its length (52 Chapters without even realizing it.) I do plan to send it out to publishers when I'm finished it, but I'm also thinking I'll send it out AFTER I finish serializing it...so next October...ish.
I do think that serials are the way to go for novel writing on Substack.
Ben, I'm VERY curious to know how long it took you to, as you said, "sort of figured out where I'm going and what I'm doing with my stuff"?
For me it took almost a year to find my pace and system here on Substack.
I'd love to know what you figured out and how it helped you?
Thanks in advance!
I came to Substack from a different place than anyone else, I imagine. I came here through an email someone sent me in late May, 2022. I remember this, because I was off work and going through therapy having undergone workplace trauma involving a fatality I was directly involved with. I was literally, quite fucked up. I hadn't written anything since January of that year. I decided I needed to get motivated and looked at what Substack had to offer me. I had endless files of stories I'd written over the years, and thought maybe I could put those up. I sorted through them all and worked out that I could put something up every week and not have to write anything for months if I didn't feel up to it.
But I worked at things in my head, and worked things Outland come November, opted to try the NaNoWriMo challenge. I wrote a book and decided to put it up as I wrote it. I wrote and edited and put a chapter up once a week. I also wrote a short story, my first in over a year, and serialized that as well.
That was the moment I told myself I could put my serial work up behind the Paywall, and give the "short stories" away for free. (There was nothing short about them; they averaged 12 - 20,000 words.) I started a Paywall, and took it down because no one was buying into it. Then I put it up again and took it down again. I didn't know how to approach it. Finally, I just decided to leave it up and if they wanted to read it, they would.
The Stories are FREE and always will be. But I'm always looking for ways to improve my 'Stack. I'm always seeking out different things to interest me...and that's what I always do, find out what interests me, and work from there. I'm looking at the video options and wondering if there's something in there for me. I started reading my stories on my 'Stack because the idea of reading scared the be-jesus out of me. Now, I feel very comfortable doing it. I look for things outside of my comfort zone and try to see what I can do with it -- not so much different genres -- but different formats. I even went as far to try BOOK TUBE and started a channel, but had a few issues with it and put it to the side. I'm ready to start it again.
I've only been here two and a half years, and consider every story and every reading a new experience, and a new beginning. I don't know if I can say I've got it figured out yet, I just know that I will not allow myself to give up on myself, and I think that's what makes it work for me. It's that old saying (or maybe it's new): You do what you want, and I'll do me. It works, and that's all that matters. In fact, I just got an email notice that I have a new subscriber. So it IS working, even though I still don't know what I'm doing.
Thanks for sharing...that's quite the journey.
I can relate to a chunk. Got here also from an email...a dear friend who convinced a famous author, someone I'd followed for more than a decade and purchased his books, to reprint one of his popular articles on her blog.
She asked him if he'd be willing to engage in the comments if anyone posted...he said "no".
Made me laugh, and I told her, "I'll get him to post a reply."
Then I taunted him with all the stuff I knew about him and asked questions that would make you a public ass if you didn't respond to your fans.
He answered.
I asked again.
He answered.
We got to talking and when I asked a question he'd need to write a small book to answer, he pointed me to his substack.
I had such a great reading experience, I did a little research and started writing my novels again in serial from.
Just write and post, Ben. You never know when or where the fans will come from...just make sure they have plenty of goodies when they do.
And now I'm wondering who this author is!
Love the article. i am serializing a memoir I am co-creating with my dead husband! The possibilities seem to be almost overwhelming.
Oh, don't get overwhelmed, Kara!
Just choose what feels most exciting and try it out. Then add or subtract from it until you feel like it 'flows' for you. The key I found was...what made it feel effortless and exciting?
Your idea of a memoir with your deceased husband sounds fascinating...
Effortless and exciting - I love that!
I just wrapped up my first n/f serialized story, and have absolutely loved the process, the community building and the chance to tell the story the way I wanted . Call Me A Bastard debuted in June and spilled out weekly over a five-month period. (https://loriolsonwhite.substack.com/p/call-me-a-bastard), gaining new readers at a steady pace.
I specifically chose Substack because it allows me to tell the main story, but also fill in the blanks with historical and social context separately, as @Evelyn pointed out above.
YES!!
...way to go, Lori.
I have been rewriting my novels both from the protagonists POV, but also filling in gaps from the previous novels.
It's been near heaven.
I'm so excited for you!!
Fascinating. This has been my thoughts from the start. I was thinking publishing book "chapters" as self-contained, independently valuable posts will eventually give me enough material to eventually create a "book." At some point in time, I'll collect all of my substack posts, arrange them, and expand them into a cohesive, larger volume. I didn't know it had a name! Sweet. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing my chat with Simon 😊
You’re welcome - I thoroughly enjoyed it!
As someone who has been serializing a story on Kindle Vella (which will be defunct by February) for the past three years, this was super interesting and encouraging! I'm already stoked about having more direct interaction with my readers, and this just made it more exciting. Thank you for the interview!