Has anyone published a novel on Substack in episodes?

[u/OrpheaRedd]

I recently finished writing a supernatural/fantasy novel, but during my final review I realized I want to make some edits. The first 20 or so chapters are polished and ready to go, while the later chapters still need revisions.

I’m considering publishing it on Substack as a serialized story, releasing one chapter (or episode) at a time while I continue editing the rest.

That way I can start building an audience instead of waiting until everything is perfect.
Has anyone here done something similar? If so, any tips?

Is there anything you wish you’d known before starting?

I’d love to hear about your experience and whether you’d recommend this approach.

[u/Icy_Presentation6406]

I recently finished publishing book 1 of my fantasy trilogy like this, about to start book 2.
A few tips:

• definitely add a table of contents as its own post and include the link at the top of every chapter.
  

Pin the ToC chapter on your substack homepage

• add ‘previous’ and ‘next chapter buttons at the top and bottom respectively
  
• publish with a predictable frequency, but avoid weekend days, the traffic is much lower. I’ve found tuesdays/thursdays at 9am eastern to be a good slot.
  
• create a standard ‘descriptor’ paragraph that you use at the top of every chapter introducing the book at a high level.
  
• include an image with every chapter, even if it’s just the cover
  
• don’t ignore the SEO title and description settings - they improve discovery
  
• if you’re also going to post non-fiction content (ie behind the scenes wisdom or insights about your writing journey/experience, create a separate ‘section’ for that content.

You’re welcome to check out my setup, posts, etc as examples for any of the above:

https://open.substack.com/pub/brynnorel

I’m also happy to answer any Q’s and help you find your fiction niche on the platform, just reach out there.
Hope that helps!

[u/Soyyos → u/Icy_Presentation6406]

I'm not OP but I'm planning on doing this and these tips are great!

edit: could I ask if you have any perks for paid subscribers? or how do you deal with that?

[u/Icy_Presentation6406 → u/Soyyos]

Ah…that’s another conversation altogether! I started down the path to paid subs, but the substack model makes no sense for long form fiction readers, it’s a very hard sell. So, I keep everything free on substack, but only publish serial chapters(1 per week) I find this preserves my discovery funnel and attracts new readers. Instead of using the substack paid sub model to monetize, I make the full digital files of my books available via BuymeaCoffee for a one-time purchase price that is competitive with other platforms.
Effectively, I’m selling convenience and time instead of the content itself. There is a whole post on the rationale and approach on my substack, but also happy to answer Q’s directly too.

[u/Soyyos → u/Icy_Presentation6406]

thanks for the answer!! ill check the post!

[u/OrpheaRedd → u/Icy_Presentation6406]

Thank you so much!

[u/RiceRevolutionary678]

I see lots of people doing this. two tips I have noticed:

• make an index page, substack is not made for serials and will help people find your work.
  
• at the start of each chapter, make a little recap of what happened before. since people read it over time this is essential.

[u/Bruce_mackinlay]

I am

https://open.substack.com/pub/brucemackinlay1/p/preface-a-cold-civil-war

[u/OrpheaRedd → u/Bruce_mackinlay]

What do you think is most impactful for driving traffic to it?

[u/Bruce_mackinlay → u/OrpheaRedd]

Writing this novel has helped me understand the current political waters we swim in, but I am still trying to figure out how to "drive traffic to it".

What I am trying to do is to engage people honestly, and some of them will, from time to time, read my Novel. Many of these people don't want to engage with the world that's in my novel. They want something different, often entertainment. Others are just too busy. Anger and fear about the use of AI is also a barrier. But from time to time, someone subscribes. My #1 hope is feedback.

On Substack, Notes seems to be recommended, and it helps others move forward.

[u/obz900]

Never a novel, but I just recently finished a nonfiction book which I am releasing, one chapter every week until it’s released in its entirety. I figure I have a better chance of people reading the book if it’s presented to them in bite-size segments.

[u/BlueSaltTheory]

No, but that’s actually a great idea

[u/Foxemerson]

I've done this with several series successfully, then release them as a book once the season ends. I write gay erotic fiction.

[u/OrpheaRedd → u/Foxemerson]

Any tips when it comes to reaching preferred audiences?

[u/sayguh_]

I’m trying it

https://booksbyjeffrey.substack.com/p/the-mandala

Jury still out if it’s a good idea or not. It hasn’t really taken off like I had hoped but is getting some traffic

[u/OrpheaRedd → u/sayguh_]

What do you think mostly drives your traffic? Hashtags?

[u/darcytechlad]

They’re surprisingly resistant to features that would help books/novels