Brilliant, Alison. When I got a rash of invitations to chat with Substack writers, I recalled the same feeling when growing up and noticing grocery stores went from about 3,000 items and choices to more than 40,000. At the same time, we were experiencing less time for shopping, less time for everything else. Do you see the squeeze? Today, we see more content, more freelancers, more platforms, all asking for our highest value items -- time and expertise, which drive our earnings and income.
I joined in an AOL chat room (remember those?) back in the 90s. It quickly devolved into miscommunication, hurt feelings, trolling, and downright cruelty from people hiding behind keyboards. Even young people who have known nothing else are exhausted by this crap. Enough.
I haven’t had a rash of chat room invites, thankfully. I tend to reach out when I want a or need to interact. The monthlies are perfect for me. Sometimes I have the time or the inclination to read them the day they arrive and other times I know I will get back to them when time or need permits. I enjoy our little picture book group. It’s interesting, provides helpful feedback but isn’t a time suck. I enjoy discussing writing on occasion, but mostly, I’d rather read, or write or enjoy the company of the young people in my life.. Maybe it’s an age thing. Still enjoying the Unschool so I’ll definitely be sticking around.
I like magazine racks and spinners and bookstores and record stores and comic book shops. I don’t love this new chat feature. I don't care for the Substack app, either. I loathe podcasts. But ... what are ya gonna do? It'll help some folks, so I guess that's good. I'm trying to put out actual zines and books, but this format is faster and works well for organization. We use what we can, I guess.
Being a terrible interviewer and marketer really resonated with me, as I'm also awful at these things (along with drafting application letters where I need to brag on myself in narrative form). This is my biggest struggle with writing. Finding an audience, pitching my work, promoting my Substack...these are all things I don't do well and are actually my least favorite activities related to my writing. I've found that just commenting on posts and reaching out to other writers to say "hey...I really like reading your work" has been the best marketing tool for me.
I noticed (as did everybody else) that the Substack Chat feature was available for all newsletters just as Musk loudly began his reconstruction of Twitter. Not a coincidence. The Chat is being touted by some as an alternative to Twitter. But I quit Twitter six years ago (to paraphrase Barbra Mandrell, I quit Twitter before quitting Twitter was cool). I think your Substack as Magazine Rack analogy is great. I feel that way about Substack, as well. It reminds me of the days when I'd head to Bulldog News here in Seattle and buy 12 magazines. I miss those days.
Nov 6, 2022·edited Nov 6, 2022Liked by Alison Acheson
I have no plans to unsubscribe but maybe people were expecting more technical advice? I'd be interested to see more that essentially explains what kind of stuff you'd learn in a MFA, as I'm mostly interested in where the gaps are in my knowledge (the stuff we don't know that we don't know). Also, and I mean this in the most friendly and constructuve way possible, there are a lot of entries that feel like personal reflection more in the vein of blogging. I'd also recommend not making so much content open for the first 30 days (at least that's what I think you do). Don't give people the milk for free.
Nov 6, 2022·edited Nov 6, 2022Liked by Alison Acheson
A timely article for me, Alison, as I've been wondering about this chat function for my Substack. Although I'd like more engagement (wouldn't we all? until suddenly too little becomes too much …) and this is another way my readers *might* like to engage, all the evidence to date suggests that they simply want to read one episode a week, maybe two if they're extra keen, and otherwise be left in peace. I sometimes allow myself to feel despondent at the level of feedback I get, but I know from various sources that people actually read my stuff – and from the fact that they persist, month after month, I can only infer that they enjoy it.
I also know from my own experience that too much of a good thing – practically any good thing – becomes overwhelming, and once I start to feel guilty about not keeping up with it, that's the beginning of the end. So I don't want to make anyone feel guilty about not participating more actively in a storytelling project which is a big part of my life, but, realistically, a teeny, tiny, miniscule part of theirs.
'Unsubscribes' are always a little disheartening (particularly as they usually come directly after a new episode) but most of them seem to be folk who've signed up for something potentially interesting, haven't found time for it, then, when reminded of its existence, finally get around to cancelling it. That's exactly what I'd do too.
So I tell myself all this, but still there's the lure of a bright, shiny new thing 😊
Nov 7, 2022·edited Nov 7, 2022Liked by Alison Acheson
Yesterday, I was at an independent bookstore and scanned the turning mass-market paperback rack, looking for old sci-fi authors. Today, I scoured one designed for 2023 calendars and found Charlie Harper. Revisiting classics rekindles the imagination.
I upgraded to a paid subscription fairly quickly because it was apparent that you engage well with your subscribers and offer genuinely useful advice. Also because I believe in supporting fellow creatives in these ‘interesting’ times. I appreciate the mix of personal reflections, advice and workshop opportunities exactly as it is. Writing prompts are not my thing as I have a head overflowing with my own, but never say never. particularly appreciate the workshopping as it’s not an easy thing to run on this platform.
I am not fond of chat!!! I love the mix we have now, and the workshops have inspired me to give more time to my writing after a ‘finishing dry spell’ of almost a year. Also: too many prompts? How can there be too many prompts? Being that they are optional - ? I am very thankful for the Unschool, just as it is. Also: Substack, how is chat going to work when your email thread notifications are dreadfully flawed? Or is chat your smokescreen to avoid fixing notifications? Just wondering...
Alison: I kind of wander in and out of your unschool. Life intrudes. I sometimes think I might be the only person who doesn’t want to be a writer when I retire, and likely that’s because I have been a writer-- a journeyman writer-- most of my adult life. I write without ambition or the desire to share. But what I really enjoy about the unschool is your voice and the way you shine through in your vignettes (and your personal reflections.)
Thank you for your nostalgic yearning for the magazine rack-- I miss it, too.
As for prompts -- you’re not giving exams and we’re not being graded. We do them, or not. They’re fine.
I don’t mind that they added the chat function to the app but feel that it’s essentially for people who read only on the iphone or iPad and are already Substack writers. As the majority of my subscribers read in their email or on a desktop and don’t have their own newsletters it’s a non-starter.
The Twitter connection I do get from a business/“we’ve got to take advantage of the moment” angle, but ultimately I don’t see it replacing Twitter in the slightest.
Thanks Alison. Here's to writing. I can't participate in the Chat yet as I'm on Android. It will be interesting to see how it is used, or not!
Brilliant, Alison. When I got a rash of invitations to chat with Substack writers, I recalled the same feeling when growing up and noticing grocery stores went from about 3,000 items and choices to more than 40,000. At the same time, we were experiencing less time for shopping, less time for everything else. Do you see the squeeze? Today, we see more content, more freelancers, more platforms, all asking for our highest value items -- time and expertise, which drive our earnings and income.
I joined in an AOL chat room (remember those?) back in the 90s. It quickly devolved into miscommunication, hurt feelings, trolling, and downright cruelty from people hiding behind keyboards. Even young people who have known nothing else are exhausted by this crap. Enough.
I haven’t had a rash of chat room invites, thankfully. I tend to reach out when I want a or need to interact. The monthlies are perfect for me. Sometimes I have the time or the inclination to read them the day they arrive and other times I know I will get back to them when time or need permits. I enjoy our little picture book group. It’s interesting, provides helpful feedback but isn’t a time suck. I enjoy discussing writing on occasion, but mostly, I’d rather read, or write or enjoy the company of the young people in my life.. Maybe it’s an age thing. Still enjoying the Unschool so I’ll definitely be sticking around.
Cheers,
Sheryl
I like magazine racks and spinners and bookstores and record stores and comic book shops. I don’t love this new chat feature. I don't care for the Substack app, either. I loathe podcasts. But ... what are ya gonna do? It'll help some folks, so I guess that's good. I'm trying to put out actual zines and books, but this format is faster and works well for organization. We use what we can, I guess.
Being a terrible interviewer and marketer really resonated with me, as I'm also awful at these things (along with drafting application letters where I need to brag on myself in narrative form). This is my biggest struggle with writing. Finding an audience, pitching my work, promoting my Substack...these are all things I don't do well and are actually my least favorite activities related to my writing. I've found that just commenting on posts and reaching out to other writers to say "hey...I really like reading your work" has been the best marketing tool for me.
In English speech, "all y'all" can fill the second person plural gap. In writing, "you all" works.
I was just speaking with Jolene Handy of Time Travel Kitchen about the loss of stores with robust news stands and magazine racks.
I noticed (as did everybody else) that the Substack Chat feature was available for all newsletters just as Musk loudly began his reconstruction of Twitter. Not a coincidence. The Chat is being touted by some as an alternative to Twitter. But I quit Twitter six years ago (to paraphrase Barbra Mandrell, I quit Twitter before quitting Twitter was cool). I think your Substack as Magazine Rack analogy is great. I feel that way about Substack, as well. It reminds me of the days when I'd head to Bulldog News here in Seattle and buy 12 magazines. I miss those days.
I have no plans to unsubscribe but maybe people were expecting more technical advice? I'd be interested to see more that essentially explains what kind of stuff you'd learn in a MFA, as I'm mostly interested in where the gaps are in my knowledge (the stuff we don't know that we don't know). Also, and I mean this in the most friendly and constructuve way possible, there are a lot of entries that feel like personal reflection more in the vein of blogging. I'd also recommend not making so much content open for the first 30 days (at least that's what I think you do). Don't give people the milk for free.
A timely article for me, Alison, as I've been wondering about this chat function for my Substack. Although I'd like more engagement (wouldn't we all? until suddenly too little becomes too much …) and this is another way my readers *might* like to engage, all the evidence to date suggests that they simply want to read one episode a week, maybe two if they're extra keen, and otherwise be left in peace. I sometimes allow myself to feel despondent at the level of feedback I get, but I know from various sources that people actually read my stuff – and from the fact that they persist, month after month, I can only infer that they enjoy it.
I also know from my own experience that too much of a good thing – practically any good thing – becomes overwhelming, and once I start to feel guilty about not keeping up with it, that's the beginning of the end. So I don't want to make anyone feel guilty about not participating more actively in a storytelling project which is a big part of my life, but, realistically, a teeny, tiny, miniscule part of theirs.
'Unsubscribes' are always a little disheartening (particularly as they usually come directly after a new episode) but most of them seem to be folk who've signed up for something potentially interesting, haven't found time for it, then, when reminded of its existence, finally get around to cancelling it. That's exactly what I'd do too.
So I tell myself all this, but still there's the lure of a bright, shiny new thing 😊
Yesterday, I was at an independent bookstore and scanned the turning mass-market paperback rack, looking for old sci-fi authors. Today, I scoured one designed for 2023 calendars and found Charlie Harper. Revisiting classics rekindles the imagination.
I upgraded to a paid subscription fairly quickly because it was apparent that you engage well with your subscribers and offer genuinely useful advice. Also because I believe in supporting fellow creatives in these ‘interesting’ times. I appreciate the mix of personal reflections, advice and workshop opportunities exactly as it is. Writing prompts are not my thing as I have a head overflowing with my own, but never say never. particularly appreciate the workshopping as it’s not an easy thing to run on this platform.
I am not fond of chat!!! I love the mix we have now, and the workshops have inspired me to give more time to my writing after a ‘finishing dry spell’ of almost a year. Also: too many prompts? How can there be too many prompts? Being that they are optional - ? I am very thankful for the Unschool, just as it is. Also: Substack, how is chat going to work when your email thread notifications are dreadfully flawed? Or is chat your smokescreen to avoid fixing notifications? Just wondering...
Alison: I kind of wander in and out of your unschool. Life intrudes. I sometimes think I might be the only person who doesn’t want to be a writer when I retire, and likely that’s because I have been a writer-- a journeyman writer-- most of my adult life. I write without ambition or the desire to share. But what I really enjoy about the unschool is your voice and the way you shine through in your vignettes (and your personal reflections.)
Thank you for your nostalgic yearning for the magazine rack-- I miss it, too.
As for prompts -- you’re not giving exams and we’re not being graded. We do them, or not. They’re fine.
I don’t mind that they added the chat function to the app but feel that it’s essentially for people who read only on the iphone or iPad and are already Substack writers. As the majority of my subscribers read in their email or on a desktop and don’t have their own newsletters it’s a non-starter.
The Twitter connection I do get from a business/“we’ve got to take advantage of the moment” angle, but ultimately I don’t see it replacing Twitter in the slightest.