I'm just starting out and trying to find the best route for me as a writer. I've thought about serializing a book through my Substack. I am here to observe and learn!
One thing I'm positive you are right about though--we should write for the love of writing. Hopefully, the followers will come
Thanks Tom. You're my first comment! I appreciate your apprehension to reveal your real self to your readers. As a sex and relationship coach, I had to make that leap a few years back on my blog, then in my book last Fall, and now on social media. Each leap of revealing still feels scary but more familiar each time. Real name, real face, real writing. Keepin' it real so others can do the same. All the best on the long game.
Congratulations on taking the leap to write your memoir, Tom. I know you will find it rewarding. In case you weren't aware, I learned recently that many traditional publishers won't publish a book if it's been serialized on a platform like Substack. Not sure if you're considering that route, but just in case. It has caused me to rethink my strategy about serializing my novel. I have shared a couple of chapters, but now am going to share thoughts about the process and where the stories parallel my own experience rather than sharing actual draft chapters. Whatever you do, I applaud reading and writing for fun. Making connections with other writers is what I enjoy most about Substack.
Hey Laurie! I heard that as well. I don’t care if this disqualifies me somehow. I think I just want to self-publish anyway and keep full creative control. But for other people who dream of getting a book deal, definitely don’t do what I’m currently doing.
Fabulous, Tom, Fabulous. Thanks for sharing! I think you may have inspired me to do something about my stalled paid subscriber numbers. You're right that people will rally around you when they sense a creative burst happening (and when you ask for the do, re, me)
Don you will become a bestseller overnight whenever you decide to do more for your paid subscribers. I know that’s not the goal for you, but I just wanted to let you know that I think many people will really rally around whatever you offer them and opt to go paid because of how much people love your free work now.
Tom, thank you for saying that, I really appreciate it.
I do have the paid option turned on, and have over 50 paid subscribers, but I don’t offer anything separate for paid subscribers. I think of them more like benefactors, patrons.
Are you saying that you believe offering separate paid subscriber benefits is more beneficial, or more better in some way lol?
Haha yes Don. I think if you published like a monthly paid newsletter or a bi-weekly one that people would rally behind that. Or even just like a monthly hangout with you or something, or perhaps a live guided meditation if that’s even something you’re interested in. There’s so many cool offerings you could give people. I think once you offer something, even more people will pay. I think you would hit 100 relatively easily.
We're living parallel lives right now because I also just published chapter one of my serial on Substack. It's also a memoir based on my travels and how it changed my entire life trajectory.
I'm sure you'll have way more support simply because you're Tom. Kristi's don't have that advantage!
But I think it's funny how we started this pretty much at the same time 😊 Enjoy the journey!
Making the commitment is scary, but deadlines can be motivating. I'm considering doing a novel that way... The industry is in flux and I'd like to find the best path to potential readers.
I'm just starting out and trying to find the best route for me as a writer. I've thought about serializing a book through my Substack. I am here to observe and learn!
One thing I'm positive you are right about though--we should write for the love of writing. Hopefully, the followers will come
Joyce I’ll keep publishing free updates for you as I continue on this journey! :)
Yep, this 👏
Thanks Tom. You're my first comment! I appreciate your apprehension to reveal your real self to your readers. As a sex and relationship coach, I had to make that leap a few years back on my blog, then in my book last Fall, and now on social media. Each leap of revealing still feels scary but more familiar each time. Real name, real face, real writing. Keepin' it real so others can do the same. All the best on the long game.
Thanks so much Corinne!! :)
"Lower Your Expectations To The Dirt-Crusted Floor" - love this framing.
Also, thank you for avoiding giving me 10 tips on how to grow my Substack followers by 100 in 3 days. Appreciate all the actual wisdom in there.
Haha thanks Mike. I’ll keep publishing some actually decent, grounded Substack advice moving forward (I hope).
Right!
Congratulations on taking the leap to write your memoir, Tom. I know you will find it rewarding. In case you weren't aware, I learned recently that many traditional publishers won't publish a book if it's been serialized on a platform like Substack. Not sure if you're considering that route, but just in case. It has caused me to rethink my strategy about serializing my novel. I have shared a couple of chapters, but now am going to share thoughts about the process and where the stories parallel my own experience rather than sharing actual draft chapters. Whatever you do, I applaud reading and writing for fun. Making connections with other writers is what I enjoy most about Substack.
Hey Laurie! I heard that as well. I don’t care if this disqualifies me somehow. I think I just want to self-publish anyway and keep full creative control. But for other people who dream of getting a book deal, definitely don’t do what I’m currently doing.
I think self publishing is the way to go when you already have a large following. It gives you total creative control and 100% of the profits.
Proud to be one of those 24 paid subscribers to your novel, Tom! 🙂 And I’m grateful to have you as a friend, too! 🙂
Fabulous, Tom, Fabulous. Thanks for sharing! I think you may have inspired me to do something about my stalled paid subscriber numbers. You're right that people will rally around you when they sense a creative burst happening (and when you ask for the do, re, me)
Don you will become a bestseller overnight whenever you decide to do more for your paid subscribers. I know that’s not the goal for you, but I just wanted to let you know that I think many people will really rally around whatever you offer them and opt to go paid because of how much people love your free work now.
Tom, thank you for saying that, I really appreciate it.
I do have the paid option turned on, and have over 50 paid subscribers, but I don’t offer anything separate for paid subscribers. I think of them more like benefactors, patrons.
Are you saying that you believe offering separate paid subscriber benefits is more beneficial, or more better in some way lol?
Haha yes Don. I think if you published like a monthly paid newsletter or a bi-weekly one that people would rally behind that. Or even just like a monthly hangout with you or something, or perhaps a live guided meditation if that’s even something you’re interested in. There’s so many cool offerings you could give people. I think once you offer something, even more people will pay. I think you would hit 100 relatively easily.
Thank you, Tom, I’ll sure give that some thought. 🙏💚
This is fantastic, Tom and I love how honest you are.
Good luck with your book and your strategy is spot on: focus on connection and building relationships. Together we run further.
🫡
Thanks Veronica! I’ll keep talking about my experience as I go to all my free subscribers! :)
About how long are the chapters for each weekly post? And will you bind it to sell as a paper back afterwards?
About 2,000 words - 2,500 words each. I am thinking of making a book out of it at the end or possibly even a few books! :)
We're living parallel lives right now because I also just published chapter one of my serial on Substack. It's also a memoir based on my travels and how it changed my entire life trajectory.
I'm sure you'll have way more support simply because you're Tom. Kristi's don't have that advantage!
But I think it's funny how we started this pretty much at the same time 😊 Enjoy the journey!
Annnnddd I’m going running to read chapter 1 right now.
Good luck on your memoir! I can’t wait to read more updates.
Thank you so much!
Making the commitment is scary, but deadlines can be motivating. I'm considering doing a novel that way... The industry is in flux and I'd like to find the best path to potential readers.
Great tips, Tom. Thanks for the shoutout. I’m excited for your creative writing journey!
Looking forward immensely to read a first chapter,Tom🤩🎊
Congratulations Tom. I really do think this is the future of writing.
This is incredible Tom! Cannot wait to read :)
Very inspirational, Tom! Can’t wait to start reading it!