Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Lindsay Johnstone's avatar

Oh, this is so of this moment. I arrived in Substack at the start of this year and had no more ambition than to build a body of work (albeit one that might be useful to my agent as my book is on submission here in the UK). However, I've since found the goalposts shifting, as you describe so well, with the arrival of Notes. I'm hustling again. The pace has picked up again. The sense of competition (as well as inspiration and support) has made itself felt more keenly.

This has been positive, though, as I have clarified where I stand now between those two terms 'audience' and 'community'. We are here building our community of writer-peers with the hope that our community of readers grows with that. Not just within and among ourselves with content to push on Substack but with readers coming here just for the pleasure of reading.

I hope, like you do, I think to find balance. An ability to block out the noise of Notes (which, of course, offers instant gratification and distraction in equal measure!) in favour of the deep thinking and writing I came here for - as a writer AND as a reader.

Expand full comment
Sarah Styf's avatar

Right now, I'm loving the connections I'm making with other writers. It isn't just about growing my audience (although that has happened some), but I haven't really been immersed in a community of writers since I was in graduate school. While I wish it were in person, the online community is better than nothing and it was also made me brave enough to reach out and work on finding actually community here in Indy. This is is a really good and important conversation for many of us to have, and I'm glad that you're starting it.

Expand full comment
20 more comments...

No posts