Hi there!
We’re wrapping up June at Substack Writers at Work:
We’ve focused on producing quality posts that draw subscribers and paid subscribers.
For 99 percent of us, that will involve writing and becoming better writers.
Below, I give you the best writing and serialization guidance you can find on Substack Writers at Work.
What it means to write on Substack
I teach creative writing and journalism at Northwestern University and elsewhere but what I love most is helping people write in the real world, i.e., on Substack.
Substack is the best training ground for a writer. Bar none. MFA programs may soon become a thing of the past. As nice as they may be, they’re outrageously expensive, teach a rarified type of writing, and don’t prepare aspiring writers to earn an income writing.
Likewise, for those of you who aren’t interested in becoming “a writer” or rely on writing as part of another profession, Substack will make you a better writer.
What does it mean to become a “better” writer? Confidence, which comes from skill.
I’ve created core writing workshops specifically geared toward making you a more skilled writer on Substack.
You can find all of our writing workshops here.
⋆ Top Substack Writing Workshops
Serialization on Substack
To serialize is to release a novel or memoir one installment at a time to readers. It dates back to at least the seventeenth century with authors as varied as Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie, William Faulkner, Stephen King, and Richard Wright having parceled out their books bit by bit in magazines and newspapers instead of as single-volume texts.
As many of you know, my love of serialization runs deep. My doctoral dissertation was on nineteenth-century serial novels. I serialized my second memoir Cured right here on Substack. And in my 1:1s, I’ve helped many, many people embark on the hard work of serializing on Substack.
Many have serialized on Substack, Salman Rushdie and Chuck Palahniuk among them.
I’ve created a fount of guidance for those who are or are interested in serializing.
You can find the full archive of posts on serializing on Substack, go here.
⋆ Top serialization posts and workshops
Thank you for being part of Substack Writers at Work and for making my life spectacular.
Sarah
P.S. Free subscribers! I’d love for you to join us. Uplevel the quality of your Substack while receiving expert guidance and the support you deserve to grow. Upgrade to become a member of the best community on Substack. You’re worth it.
Thank you so much, Sarah! This post is so helpful and exciting! I absolutely love how you serialized "Cured"! What an awesome project!!!
I have been watching your excellent videos about serialization and highly enjoyed it.
My question to you: Do you have a video in which you describe how to serialize a memoir/book step by step?
I don't know the Substack tools so well yet and feel a bit overwhelmed with getting started to serialize my book...
Thank you so much, Sarah!
Love & Blessings 💖
Malaika
Thank you so much for this post. I just recently became a paid subscriber and this helps me organize everything I want to learn SO MUCH EASIER!!!