I've stopped worrying about the open rates - I don't actually understand what it means anyway. And I'm not entirely sure if the data is correct, as I think different programs do or don't send the data, and I don't know how the app works, and, and... So if it makes you feel a bit better my open rate hovers around the 25-30% mark, and I get around 10% of that in terms of likes/comments.
Whilst to begin with you sort of get disheartened, once you start thinking 'I'm going to write for myself first', then you sort of trust that a filter comes into play, where people who like it will stay and those who don't will leave, until you eventually get a loyal base of subscribers who do read your stuff (even if it doesn't register on the open rate thing) and that's the point when you start feeling good about the whole thing. So I now have 95 subscribers, which might not seem like a lot to most people, but to me, that's something. It's the fact that half of them have remained subscribers for around six months now that makes me happy and positive.
And I do love the way people support each other on Substack. That's real friendship, that is, and it means the world...
Thanks Evelyn, I agree, the numbers don't tell the whole story, and it's important to stay true to the vision. It's hard not to think about them at all, but I think over time it becomes easier. I really appreciate you reading and commenting on the articles I post, and especially how encouraging you were when I first started publishing the novel. It's true you meet all sorts on Substack but the vast majority are supportive and positive. xx
Thanks for the shoutout, Shoni. First and foremost, I feel that writing is a personal affair. Write because you have to, no matter if anyone else wants to read it or not, no matter the numbers. You want to write. You need to write. The rest is noise. Tune out the noise. ;)
For sure, but then why put it out there at all? I kept itl to myself for years and now that I'm being brave and publishing, I wanted to look back and gather some data. Reflect on what I've done and the reception. And share what I've been reading while I'm at it 😁 - should've mentioned storyverse maybe!!
Naw, congratulations on your first Substack year, Shoni, and for getting to a 100+ subscribers! Amazing work. Glad you are still enjoying my newsletters, reminds me that I should get back to actually writing them...
Thank you! It has been a little while yeah, but I still remember the Frankenstein review so fondly. Maybe you should do Don Quixote, or is that too off-beat to work with your style?
This was a lovely, honest, and thoughtful post, Shoni.
I hear you on all those ups and down and the rollercoaster and of the process of publishing online and sweating over engagement and numbers, etc. I have (mostly) learned to let that go, now. It's been just over two years for me and I'd say the last year was just letting go and feeling free about the process, being excited to send things out and trying to write for me rather than worrying about a potential audience. Consistency is what I need in my own writing, though it's been hard the last few months. I've struggled with weekly goals and berated myself for letting things slip through being distracted by other things etc etc.
Anyway, I also want to say sorry I'm not a subscriber at the moment. One of the things I've increasingly struggled with is my Substack Inbox. I want to support as many writers as possible (you included), but in the last year it's just become too overwhelming, to the point that it has a negative impact on my writing. I put more time, focus and effort (things I *want* to be doing, certainly) in reading the work of others than I do focusing on my own writing. I feel guilty if I don't get to posts in a reasonable amount of time. Which is why I enacted a moratorium on signing up to new subs about six months or more ago, which makes me feel really bad. Anyway, I hope that makes sense. I'd love to be dropping by and reading things of yours and I of course deeply value your readership and your very kind words here. Fiction is a nice area on Substack, and it's far to easy to get bogged down in comparing to others and their growth (something that gets emphasised by Substack HQ so much that it's hard to ignore).
Apologies for my long ramble. I really loved this expression of honesty here. I wholly agree.
"The journey is volatile, scary, and rewarding. I love writing but sometimes berate myself for not feeling like it, not being inspired, thinking too much about the audience, not providing enough value to an audience, being too self-involved, not having a well-defined niche, etc, etc, etc."
Thanks Nathan, I have a similar policy on signing up to new Stacks at the moment. My inbox is constantly overwhelmed and I need to be selective on what I read, for practical reasons. You've certainly been engaged with my content anyway, whether Notes or full posts, so I don't think a subscription is necessary. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment, I really appreciate it. LMK if you ever want to organise that meet-up!
I'm not sure, but I reckon there are a few of us. Dates are 3-10 March I believe or thereabouts. I'll check in and see if she's planning anything, maybe on the weekend of the 8/9. Will DM you :)
Wow Shoni, the amount of writing you have done is awe inspiring. Really well done. This will happen for you, I believe that. Keep going. I really enjoyed the AI story. xxx
Thank you Cathy! It's still probably my favorite too, even with all the stories that came after it. It just felt inspired for some reason. Thanks for reading it for me before publishing. When will we see your books out in the world?
Thanks for the shoutout! Doing what I can.
Thanks for the shoutout!
I've stopped worrying about the open rates - I don't actually understand what it means anyway. And I'm not entirely sure if the data is correct, as I think different programs do or don't send the data, and I don't know how the app works, and, and... So if it makes you feel a bit better my open rate hovers around the 25-30% mark, and I get around 10% of that in terms of likes/comments.
Whilst to begin with you sort of get disheartened, once you start thinking 'I'm going to write for myself first', then you sort of trust that a filter comes into play, where people who like it will stay and those who don't will leave, until you eventually get a loyal base of subscribers who do read your stuff (even if it doesn't register on the open rate thing) and that's the point when you start feeling good about the whole thing. So I now have 95 subscribers, which might not seem like a lot to most people, but to me, that's something. It's the fact that half of them have remained subscribers for around six months now that makes me happy and positive.
And I do love the way people support each other on Substack. That's real friendship, that is, and it means the world...
Thanks Evelyn, I agree, the numbers don't tell the whole story, and it's important to stay true to the vision. It's hard not to think about them at all, but I think over time it becomes easier. I really appreciate you reading and commenting on the articles I post, and especially how encouraging you were when I first started publishing the novel. It's true you meet all sorts on Substack but the vast majority are supportive and positive. xx
Back at ya, Shoni <3
🩷
It’s not an easy platform for fiction but somehow you made it work so congrats for that! Looking forward to year two.
Well, 'work' is maybe an overstatement, but I'm doing what I can. Thanks for everything!
Glad to have been along for the ride! Can’t believe it’s been a year; congrats on the milestone.
And yep, I didn’t get past the title of this one without the song in my head…
Hahaha love it! Thanks for all your support.
Thanks for the shoutout, Shoni. First and foremost, I feel that writing is a personal affair. Write because you have to, no matter if anyone else wants to read it or not, no matter the numbers. You want to write. You need to write. The rest is noise. Tune out the noise. ;)
For sure, but then why put it out there at all? I kept itl to myself for years and now that I'm being brave and publishing, I wanted to look back and gather some data. Reflect on what I've done and the reception. And share what I've been reading while I'm at it 😁 - should've mentioned storyverse maybe!!
Naw, congratulations on your first Substack year, Shoni, and for getting to a 100+ subscribers! Amazing work. Glad you are still enjoying my newsletters, reminds me that I should get back to actually writing them...
Thank you! It has been a little while yeah, but I still remember the Frankenstein review so fondly. Maybe you should do Don Quixote, or is that too off-beat to work with your style?
Ooh thanks for the suggestion - I've never read Don Quixote, but will add to the list of possible recaps.
It's pretty whacky, so I'd be interested to know what you make of it. I think I just really like strange humour!
This was a lovely, honest, and thoughtful post, Shoni.
I hear you on all those ups and down and the rollercoaster and of the process of publishing online and sweating over engagement and numbers, etc. I have (mostly) learned to let that go, now. It's been just over two years for me and I'd say the last year was just letting go and feeling free about the process, being excited to send things out and trying to write for me rather than worrying about a potential audience. Consistency is what I need in my own writing, though it's been hard the last few months. I've struggled with weekly goals and berated myself for letting things slip through being distracted by other things etc etc.
Anyway, I also want to say sorry I'm not a subscriber at the moment. One of the things I've increasingly struggled with is my Substack Inbox. I want to support as many writers as possible (you included), but in the last year it's just become too overwhelming, to the point that it has a negative impact on my writing. I put more time, focus and effort (things I *want* to be doing, certainly) in reading the work of others than I do focusing on my own writing. I feel guilty if I don't get to posts in a reasonable amount of time. Which is why I enacted a moratorium on signing up to new subs about six months or more ago, which makes me feel really bad. Anyway, I hope that makes sense. I'd love to be dropping by and reading things of yours and I of course deeply value your readership and your very kind words here. Fiction is a nice area on Substack, and it's far to easy to get bogged down in comparing to others and their growth (something that gets emphasised by Substack HQ so much that it's hard to ignore).
Apologies for my long ramble. I really loved this expression of honesty here. I wholly agree.
"The journey is volatile, scary, and rewarding. I love writing but sometimes berate myself for not feeling like it, not being inspired, thinking too much about the audience, not providing enough value to an audience, being too self-involved, not having a well-defined niche, etc, etc, etc."
Thanks Nathan, I have a similar policy on signing up to new Stacks at the moment. My inbox is constantly overwhelmed and I need to be selective on what I read, for practical reasons. You've certainly been engaged with my content anyway, whether Notes or full posts, so I don't think a subscription is necessary. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment, I really appreciate it. LMK if you ever want to organise that meet-up!
For sure. That'd be lovely.
Elle G is actually coming to Melbourne next month so that might be a good opportunity to get a few Substack people (fiction and otherwise) together...
Ah wow, great. What dates? Would she been keen, do you think?
Any idea how big the Melbourne side of Substack is?
I'm not sure, but I reckon there are a few of us. Dates are 3-10 March I believe or thereabouts. I'll check in and see if she's planning anything, maybe on the weekend of the 8/9. Will DM you :)
Thanks for sharing this
Wow Shoni, the amount of writing you have done is awe inspiring. Really well done. This will happen for you, I believe that. Keep going. I really enjoyed the AI story. xxx
Thank you Cathy! It's still probably my favorite too, even with all the stories that came after it. It just felt inspired for some reason. Thanks for reading it for me before publishing. When will we see your books out in the world?