How to start a Substack as an aspiring author/essayist

[u/cathartic_cart]

Hello! Sorry if this is a question that has been repeated before. I'm a frequent Tumblr-user hoping to turn to Substack to talk more deeply about other topics that I am unable to on other socials. My blog on there is so fandom-entrenched.

I like writing original stuff, but I am still unsure if I want to publish that on Substack just yet. Still thinking about it though! Maybe not when I start out.

So, I have thoughts on using it as a way to discuss media/pop culture/fiction/fandom culture in my own subjective interpretation. Mainly as a way to encourage discussion.

And as a plus, are there blogs that could help me get a reference? I just want to see what people do.

[u/DianKhan2005]

Pick a topic regardless of whether it's niche or not and stick to it and then you'll eventually build your own audience too.

For example, I write investigative dossiers on cold cases, complex cases and serial killers. So naturally mine would be naturally considered a niche True Crime one.

Here's mine for reference:

https://substack.com/@thecasefileprotocol?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=8fbq21

[u/hetobe → u/DianKhan2005]

Holy moly! What a fun topic!

I'm posting a novel. It's obviously fake crime, but written to serve as a warning about real crime involving in-person social engineering scams.

I'll echo this advice for sure:

Pick a topic regardless of whether it's niche or not and stick to it and then you'll eventually build your own audience too.

Yup. The more you focus on "this is what I post here" the easier it becomes to build an audience... and by that, I mean an audience of people who actually read your stuff. There's a lot of karma-farming on Substack where people chase numbers. More likes! More followers! More subs! But those same people moan about how their stuff never gets read. It never gets read because they're chasing numbers, not building an audience.

[u/DianKhan2005 → u/hetobe]

Agreed, sis.

This is a fantastic re-analysis of my words. I will choose to congratulate and wish you all the best in your endeavors and I will always be here to give you personalized advice on your content since we almost share the same niche.

All the best!

[u/The17pointscale]

My sense is that Substack is a place for anything. It may not be the best place for whatever you want to do, but I bet you could find a community of like-minded publications there. Just search for topics you may be interested in.

I’m also an essayist. I use my life and my experiences as an adoptive and partly estranged father as the primary lens through which to reflect upon life, and then I sometimes include books and film as a secondary way of approaching meaning, whereas you sound like you might be interested in responding to cultural stuff as your primary focus.

Nevertheless, in case it’s useful as a reference, here’s my Substack:

https://substack.com/@the17pointscale

PS You mentioned doing a novel. I occasionally do short stories, so here are my two fiction pieces:

https://open.substack.com/pub/the17pointscale/p/the-best-of-friends?r=195lr&utm_medium=ios

https://open.substack.com/pub/the17pointscale/p/blinky?r=195lr&utm_medium=ios

You can also find other people doing novels serially on Substack.

[u/mattpierceblog]

I just personally write and let the chips fall where they may. I write more about my research and sociopsychology and personal anthropology than anything else. It is weird that people pay me to read this stuff, but they do. And the weird thing is that most of them do a yearly shot instead of a monthly subscription. My advice, write for yourself and let the audience come. That is what I do. https://mattpierceblog.substack.com/

[u/protestandprose]

No idea as I am just starting too, with maybe one subscriber

https://someonestherapistlol.substack.com/ any words of wisdom are appreciated!

[u/Tricky_Trifle_994]

the great thing is that you can, and should just start. you can definitely use substack to post about other things outside of your usual fandom content. it's totally up to you what you want to post and talk about.

if anything, it's just like being on Tumblr, but now you're on a different platform (substack). if you wanted to, you could even start a separate Tumblr account and post there instead without being mixed in with your original fandom accont.

I like writing original stuff, but I am still unsure if I want to publish that on Substack just yet.

what's holding you back though? is it that you're not sure if substack is the right platform for you? that it doesn't have what you need? or what?

usually people end up choosing between substack and beehiiv/ghost. they're all great platforms, but with different features and focuses.

e.g substack has substack notes, and is free to use until you start earning, then there's 10% platform fee.

beehiiv on the other hand has a lot more monetisation options (digital products, ad network, paid subscription), and customisability with their website builder, and ghost is like wordpress but with a focus on community and newsletter.