Thanks for confirming that once a month or every 6 weeks is ok. We only have so much time as writers, and readers only have so much time too. Do what works, I concur.
I have been wrestling with this precise question myself. I work 3 days a week in a busy law firm so basically can’t do any writing on those days because I’m spent. On the other days I’m busy editing book no. 2 and sending out pitches to agents and publishers, as well as writing children’s books. I love writing on my Substack and feel guilty if I don’t post every week. Perhaps that’s about to change! Thanks so much Kelly for highlighting this issue and for making me realise that we’re not machines (or robots….) and that it’s better to post something interesting, rather than just spewing nonsense out for the sake of posting.
I agree that pick a schedule that works for you. For me I just need to have a schedule and try to stick with that. Otherwise it gets way too easy to skip a week and then the second week and then... But I'm new so I'm just building a habit of writing so posting every week feels more important now than probably later on. But as you wrote, no one is forcing you to post weekly, you can decide a schedule that fits to your life.
I needed this bit of advice. I was struggling, this past week, to finish the next installment of my serial. i hadn't told anyone that it was due out on Friday, but in my head there was a ticking clock that said "Keep the schedule. Stick to the commitment."
It wasn't until I had a blinding headache and 470 words that I wasn't at all happy with that I decided to give myself some grace and miss my "deadline".
I sat down yesterday tinkered with the first 470 words, deleted half of them, and finished the evening with 1200 words. The dialogue flows naturally and the ending teaser/cliffhanger is great.
I tend to binge substack articles. It's why I hate the trend of removing subscribers who haven't opened the last few posts. Just because I haven't read them yet, doesn't mean I won't! I have a life too, you know? And way too many subscriptions lol. So I really don't care when or how often you post. I also live in Australia so the time also means nothing.
Yes, I’ve never understood that trend. I might delete 80% of someone’s posts coming into my inbox but then I’ll go to their page and binge read a lot all in one go.
I agree. I can't always consume every article that comes to my inbox. I often spend my weekend mornings curled up with my tablet reading all the things I've saved over the week.
Substack is great as it gives you a possibility to earn some money and terrible as it turns your writing fun into business. Your writing style depends on this division. But I don’t believe in 100% business approach, it can only work short term unless you sell something physical (art, design objects etc). Actually, you are the “brand”, “product”, “magazine” - so you can pick your own rules. Anyway, it’s much easier to find your readers here and today than it was in the old blogging times
Definitely. We’re in a boom time at the moment on Substack too. It will change (for better or worse) but right now it’s a great time to find an audience.
The ideal schedule is the one that works for you and the one that you can keep doing, the one that doesn't make you quit just thinking about it. If that's irregular then that's fine. I've never unsubscribed to anyone because they missed a week.
I’m new here—just a month in—& somehow already writing three essays a week. Not out of pressure, but because I have the time, & for now, the words. I know that won’t always be the case.
What’s surprised me most isn’t the pace, but the people. Some of the most thoughtful, generous readers have somehow found their way to my corner of the page. A few have even pledged—which still bemuses me, & leaves me quietly humbled.
And oddly enough, my open rate is well over 50% for each essay. I say that not to boast, but to offer a small counterpoint to your otherwise spot-on essay. Perhaps readers are hungrier for presence than we realise—even the occasional, unpolished kind.
Thank you for this reminder to do it in a way that feels good in the body. The cows would agree, I think.
Thanks for confirming that once a month or every 6 weeks is ok. We only have so much time as writers, and readers only have so much time too. Do what works, I concur.
Thanks, Cynthia. Everyone is so busy. We probably do that to ourselves, but we don't want burnout writers!
I have been wrestling with this precise question myself. I work 3 days a week in a busy law firm so basically can’t do any writing on those days because I’m spent. On the other days I’m busy editing book no. 2 and sending out pitches to agents and publishers, as well as writing children’s books. I love writing on my Substack and feel guilty if I don’t post every week. Perhaps that’s about to change! Thanks so much Kelly for highlighting this issue and for making me realise that we’re not machines (or robots….) and that it’s better to post something interesting, rather than just spewing nonsense out for the sake of posting.
Sounds like you’re doing plenty of valuable writing! Best of luck with pitching agents and publishers. I’d love to hear how it turns out.
Thanks, Kelly. I’ll keep you updated.
I needed to read this today. ❤️
I agree that pick a schedule that works for you. For me I just need to have a schedule and try to stick with that. Otherwise it gets way too easy to skip a week and then the second week and then... But I'm new so I'm just building a habit of writing so posting every week feels more important now than probably later on. But as you wrote, no one is forcing you to post weekly, you can decide a schedule that fits to your life.
Such a comforting post, thank you 🙏
Thank you. Thoughtful advice for me as a newbie. 👍
Thanks for this....helpful.
Whatever doesn't tax you, is ideal.
Thanks for this. I'm new to writing on substack but not new to the platform. I was wondering how often was too much.
I needed this bit of advice. I was struggling, this past week, to finish the next installment of my serial. i hadn't told anyone that it was due out on Friday, but in my head there was a ticking clock that said "Keep the schedule. Stick to the commitment."
It wasn't until I had a blinding headache and 470 words that I wasn't at all happy with that I decided to give myself some grace and miss my "deadline".
I sat down yesterday tinkered with the first 470 words, deleted half of them, and finished the evening with 1200 words. The dialogue flows naturally and the ending teaser/cliffhanger is great.
I tend to binge substack articles. It's why I hate the trend of removing subscribers who haven't opened the last few posts. Just because I haven't read them yet, doesn't mean I won't! I have a life too, you know? And way too many subscriptions lol. So I really don't care when or how often you post. I also live in Australia so the time also means nothing.
Yes, I’ve never understood that trend. I might delete 80% of someone’s posts coming into my inbox but then I’ll go to their page and binge read a lot all in one go.
I agree. I can't always consume every article that comes to my inbox. I often spend my weekend mornings curled up with my tablet reading all the things I've saved over the week.
Really helpful, thank you.
Thanks for this. I was just planning to write when I have something to say, and you’ve reassured me that’s ok! Grateful.
Substack is great as it gives you a possibility to earn some money and terrible as it turns your writing fun into business. Your writing style depends on this division. But I don’t believe in 100% business approach, it can only work short term unless you sell something physical (art, design objects etc). Actually, you are the “brand”, “product”, “magazine” - so you can pick your own rules. Anyway, it’s much easier to find your readers here and today than it was in the old blogging times
Definitely. We’re in a boom time at the moment on Substack too. It will change (for better or worse) but right now it’s a great time to find an audience.
The ideal schedule is the one that works for you and the one that you can keep doing, the one that doesn't make you quit just thinking about it. If that's irregular then that's fine. I've never unsubscribed to anyone because they missed a week.
Neither have I. Probably the opposite actually—I’d unsubscribe if they post too much!
Yes same!!
Kelly,
I’m new here—just a month in—& somehow already writing three essays a week. Not out of pressure, but because I have the time, & for now, the words. I know that won’t always be the case.
What’s surprised me most isn’t the pace, but the people. Some of the most thoughtful, generous readers have somehow found their way to my corner of the page. A few have even pledged—which still bemuses me, & leaves me quietly humbled.
And oddly enough, my open rate is well over 50% for each essay. I say that not to boast, but to offer a small counterpoint to your otherwise spot-on essay. Perhaps readers are hungrier for presence than we realise—even the occasional, unpolished kind.
Thank you for this reminder to do it in a way that feels good in the body. The cows would agree, I think.