Hey there WordPress readers, I’ve been MIA but I haven’t disappeared completely. I’ve been trying out a new format for posting my stories but it doesn’t mean I’ve abandoned WordPress. There’s a new site on the block called Substack (new to me) and it specializes in newsletter serialization of content which is delivered directly into your subscribers’ email inboxes. Now, I think WordPress has some form of this with the Weekly Digest emails, but Substack is designed specifically for it.
The newsletter format is great for a lot of reasons. I’ve been seeing very prominent influencers start using it to get their message out there, as well as journalists, politicians, and artists. I even saw that Substack is teaming up with a ton of comic artists for some exclusive content. But the most exciting for me is the emergence of fiction writers on the platform. Serialization of fiction has a long history in the publishing world, to include some of the most famous writers of the past. Unfortunately it has tapered off in the last half century or so…. until now!
There is a prominent Substack writer named Elle Griffin that introduced me to the idea of Substack during one of her podcast interviews on the current state of the publishing industry (found here). I was immediately enamored by the idea of sharing stories directly with the people who showed interest with my writing. Instead of trying to appeal to a mass audience who barely feels connected with me or the work that I’m doing, why not simply have a more connected reader/writer relationship with a small audience that cares? Obviously there are still the major benefits of having a publisher blast out your book to as many people as possible, but there are also the Cons that come with it (but I won’t get into that). She also started a prominent Discord that is open to other writers who would like to network on Substack called Substack Writers Unite (I don’t know how to share invite link, sorry!)
So I’m doing just that, I’m posting my stories on Substack directly to the people who want to read it. So far I’ve built up an audience of 30 wonderful readers in less than 30 days. I mainly post short fiction, like flash fiction and poetry, but I’m getting more into short stories which will be released in serial installments over time. I’m still learning the best method of releasing said stories, like at what intervals and length of posts. Since it’s serialized and people might not have a ton of time, I try to keep each post pretty short and sweet. I’ll adjust as feedback starts to come in.
Here’s my front page below:
I just finished posting the first complete short story from my collection Tales of Havek called Savior of Aemysa Isle. It has been published elsewhere prior, and will be coming to my WordPress page soon (when I get the time to port it over), but if you’d like to read it now head over to my Substack! I’ll be posting more exclusive content to Substack soon, so now is the best time to sign up for free and get fiction right in your inbox.
Have you started using Substack? What are your thoughts on the platform and will it be disrupting any industries any time soon? Will serialization of stories make a comeback?!
Come on over and join me on Substack if you’d like to give it a try, or just want to chat. Thanks! Hope your day, your week, your month, your year goes well!
Until next time! ~ WM
Storyletter XPress Publishing 
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