You, Erica, have been the lighthouse that has steered so many of us away from the rocks as waves of doubt and inexperience have threatened to dash us against them. You have been so generous with your time, advice and inspiration. Very touched that you included us in your list - very. Thank you. And super excited to read your unfolding long form fiction. We’ll be watching and learning.
I have to say, Joseph, I am honored that you would show such confidence in me and my fiction work. I appreciate it! Any help I can continue to be I will try to do within reason.
Erica, your words and advice have not gone unheeded, and I believe many of us, including me, have much to thank you for. My lamentable organization has improved over time, with each new tweak, and each time I visit your, or other writers', "welcome" and "about" pages, and menus. Less of the default remains, and more of me comes forward, thanks in part to you. Your own stories are what we hope to see more of, indeed.
My heart is warm as I read your words and the words of others. Thank you for both understanding me now and finding help in my previous posts. I have noticed a distinct difference in your Substack from when I first encountered it to now. What a difference it seems a few short weeks/months can make if you simply act with intention, as you, and so many others, have.
My goal is to have the most esoteric Substack that ever existed. It will be an impenetrable fortress with endless pitfalls and 404 pages. I'm thinking Goblet of Fire maze, with subscribe buttons masquerading as portkeys to other stories and random pages. Will it be frustrating to the reader? Yes. Will it result in more subscriptions? Probably not. Will it be an adventure into the reader's perseverance to solve puzzles and read mediocre fiction? Most certainly.
Lest you think you're shouting into the void, your post reminded me I'm overdue for updating my welcome/about pages now that I'm serializing a story as well as writing random opinion posts! Thank you!
A few days ago I spent several hours to check and update all the navigation links. Every chapter starts with back to the previous and a start here. End of the chapter has a link to the following. To be very clear, here one can find my first chapter:
You have two options (possibly more?) that I can quickly think of as I am on the spot:
1. Create either a Page or a Post (you don't have to share a post via email, you can just write one to publish) and make it for PAID SUBSCRIBERS only. This way your PAID folks can easily navigate to that page/post. Just link to it in your About and Welcome (for Paid) areas.
2. Send a one time email to your PAID subscribers.
In both instances you can include a "download" button for your ebook. I think a simple drag and drop works.
I think after everything you’ve done for so many of us Erica, you deserve to spend some of that valuable time on your own projects, réalise your own dreams. You’ve been a guiding force of kind and practical advice for me from the start and I don’t ever forget kindnesses!! 🙏🏽
Much appreciated. I have seen and doubly enjoyed your commitment to community as well as to your own Substack. Bravo! Into the fray of fiction I go and I am strengthened all the more by you and so many others like you.
I am excited for you fiction, and appreciate the advice you have provided. (Your about page advice being a piece that helped a lot in my initial writing of it, and again when I've reworked it since - it's not perfect and I'll continue to improve, but I felt more confident about doing it after your post!)
It is hard to accept when it's time to take a step back on something, but it's important to know when to do so in order to let the next thing flourish. I hope in this you have find a weight release from your shoulders and a fire burn brighter for your next projects. It all sounds very exciting!
I have both a sense of relief and dread if that is possible. Relief that I don't have to craft a perfect "how to" post weekly and dread because I now have to outdo myself in the fiction department. There is some stiff competition out there for serial attention! And while I know we are not directly competing with each other, I am jumping in at a most lucrative time for serial fiction writers. I just hope I don't blow it!
If you ever need a pair of eyes to be of assistance in any way, I am but a comment or email away and more than happy to give the help I wish I had when I was starting out!
Love this and I appreciate your transparency and vulnerability. The greatest thing about writing is that it allows you to be nimble to follow YOUR path. Focus on the passion is priority one. I appreciate your stuff and look forward to reading more.
Thank you for understanding. I was honestly biting my nails to the quick about this one going out and not being as graciously accepted as it has been. Phew! Now to not disappoint on the fiction front!
Good for you. There will always be someone around to mentor other/junior writers but there will only be one YOU. I’m glad to hear you’re finally focusing on your work.
I am glad to be focusing my work on fiction for a change as well. I love writing the 100 word stories but I'd like to think I'm more than just them. I once danced with the devil and wrote novel-length fiction. It's high time I got back to it. No more hiding behind 100 words every day!
Nothing wrong with a challenge here and there as long as it doesn't distract from your goal. If I hadn't taken up the challenge to write 100 word stories I don't think I would ever be on the path I am with them today. And while I admit I have been using the stories as a safety net from longer work, I realize I can't do that forever. I have to make room for both and I know that I can.
I hope you take up writing challenges every once in a while, if only to prove to yourself that you're not a one trick pony and you can be versatile with your storytelling if you wanted to be.
Good for you for getting back to your passion. I understand the desire to share knowledge and expertise, but time is so precious! Best of luck in your 2024 endeavors. Looking forward to hearing from you 😁
Been following you for a while and I’m so grateful for your efforts. I haven’t started a Substack YET because of the exact reasons you’ve listed. I have to get all my ducks in a row before I can start writing about them!
You, Erica, have been the lighthouse that has steered so many of us away from the rocks as waves of doubt and inexperience have threatened to dash us against them. You have been so generous with your time, advice and inspiration. Very touched that you included us in your list - very. Thank you. And super excited to read your unfolding long form fiction. We’ll be watching and learning.
I can understand your frustration and am glad you were here to help.
Acting under your guidance, I fixed my About page and updated my email headers with each piece I released.
Thank you for taking the time to compile that list.
When you release your next fiction book, I'll buy it.
I have to say, Joseph, I am honored that you would show such confidence in me and my fiction work. I appreciate it! Any help I can continue to be I will try to do within reason.
Good luck with your fiction endeavours!
Erica, your words and advice have not gone unheeded, and I believe many of us, including me, have much to thank you for. My lamentable organization has improved over time, with each new tweak, and each time I visit your, or other writers', "welcome" and "about" pages, and menus. Less of the default remains, and more of me comes forward, thanks in part to you. Your own stories are what we hope to see more of, indeed.
My heart is warm as I read your words and the words of others. Thank you for both understanding me now and finding help in my previous posts. I have noticed a distinct difference in your Substack from when I first encountered it to now. What a difference it seems a few short weeks/months can make if you simply act with intention, as you, and so many others, have.
My goal is to have the most esoteric Substack that ever existed. It will be an impenetrable fortress with endless pitfalls and 404 pages. I'm thinking Goblet of Fire maze, with subscribe buttons masquerading as portkeys to other stories and random pages. Will it be frustrating to the reader? Yes. Will it result in more subscriptions? Probably not. Will it be an adventure into the reader's perseverance to solve puzzles and read mediocre fiction? Most certainly.
Lest you think you're shouting into the void, your post reminded me I'm overdue for updating my welcome/about pages now that I'm serializing a story as well as writing random opinion posts! Thank you!
May the odds (and my eyes) be ever in your favor, sir. I will be watching! 👀
A few days ago I spent several hours to check and update all the navigation links. Every chapter starts with back to the previous and a start here. End of the chapter has a link to the following. To be very clear, here one can find my first chapter:
https://open.substack.com/pub/bertus/p/tcotnk-chapter-1?r=fcm5o&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Does anyone know if there is a good way to offer an e-book download for paid subscribers within Substack?
You have two options (possibly more?) that I can quickly think of as I am on the spot:
1. Create either a Page or a Post (you don't have to share a post via email, you can just write one to publish) and make it for PAID SUBSCRIBERS only. This way your PAID folks can easily navigate to that page/post. Just link to it in your About and Welcome (for Paid) areas.
2. Send a one time email to your PAID subscribers.
In both instances you can include a "download" button for your ebook. I think a simple drag and drop works.
I think after everything you’ve done for so many of us Erica, you deserve to spend some of that valuable time on your own projects, réalise your own dreams. You’ve been a guiding force of kind and practical advice for me from the start and I don’t ever forget kindnesses!! 🙏🏽
Much appreciated. I have seen and doubly enjoyed your commitment to community as well as to your own Substack. Bravo! Into the fray of fiction I go and I am strengthened all the more by you and so many others like you.
Thanks, Erica. Challenges yes, but carefully selected challenges. After 38 years it’s time for me to focus, dang it!!! 😄
I am excited for you fiction, and appreciate the advice you have provided. (Your about page advice being a piece that helped a lot in my initial writing of it, and again when I've reworked it since - it's not perfect and I'll continue to improve, but I felt more confident about doing it after your post!)
It is hard to accept when it's time to take a step back on something, but it's important to know when to do so in order to let the next thing flourish. I hope in this you have find a weight release from your shoulders and a fire burn brighter for your next projects. It all sounds very exciting!
I have both a sense of relief and dread if that is possible. Relief that I don't have to craft a perfect "how to" post weekly and dread because I now have to outdo myself in the fiction department. There is some stiff competition out there for serial attention! And while I know we are not directly competing with each other, I am jumping in at a most lucrative time for serial fiction writers. I just hope I don't blow it!
We're all here cheering you on at this exciting time!
Not starting my Substack before I’d figure out everything. And yes, your posts are fckng helpful. Thank you!
If you ever need a pair of eyes to be of assistance in any way, I am but a comment or email away and more than happy to give the help I wish I had when I was starting out!
That’s very generous! 👍
Love this and I appreciate your transparency and vulnerability. The greatest thing about writing is that it allows you to be nimble to follow YOUR path. Focus on the passion is priority one. I appreciate your stuff and look forward to reading more.
Thank you for understanding. I was honestly biting my nails to the quick about this one going out and not being as graciously accepted as it has been. Phew! Now to not disappoint on the fiction front!
yeah, now that fiction better be good!!! ;-P
😜
Sheesh! No pressure, Vince!
Good for you. There will always be someone around to mentor other/junior writers but there will only be one YOU. I’m glad to hear you’re finally focusing on your work.
I am glad to be focusing my work on fiction for a change as well. I love writing the 100 word stories but I'd like to think I'm more than just them. I once danced with the devil and wrote novel-length fiction. It's high time I got back to it. No more hiding behind 100 words every day!
Same. That’s why I no longer join in writing prompt challenges or writing activities that are not in line with my strengths and goals.
Nothing wrong with a challenge here and there as long as it doesn't distract from your goal. If I hadn't taken up the challenge to write 100 word stories I don't think I would ever be on the path I am with them today. And while I admit I have been using the stories as a safety net from longer work, I realize I can't do that forever. I have to make room for both and I know that I can.
I hope you take up writing challenges every once in a while, if only to prove to yourself that you're not a one trick pony and you can be versatile with your storytelling if you wanted to be.
Good for you for getting back to your passion. I understand the desire to share knowledge and expertise, but time is so precious! Best of luck in your 2024 endeavors. Looking forward to hearing from you 😁
Thank you for your words. I hope what little expertise I can share next year will continue to be helpful to others.
Been following you for a while and I’m so grateful for your efforts. I haven’t started a Substack YET because of the exact reasons you’ve listed. I have to get all my ducks in a row before I can start writing about them!
I can't wait to see your ducks! And if you ever need help wrangling those suckers, let me know.