Why Substack is the Future of Writing/Publishing
Writing holds power in ALL mediums, not just physical books
“Writing is not a numbers game. You should focus more on reaching the hearts of readers and building fans more than publishing a plethora of books that no one may care about.“ — Selena Haskins
We all know an ageing writer who says: “Back in the day, we used to scribble with chalk by candle light. All these phones and apps are ruining Literature.”
The unfortunate truth is these kinds of people refuse to move with the times. They are their own worst enemy, forever concocting these skewed views of social media and the internet in their heads until they really believe it.
They are certain that because something isn’t bound by a publisher, it is not as valuable. What they don’t realise is that a lot of things will be on the internet forever, and it is foolish to never explore other platforms out of some self-aggrandising need to do things the old-fashioned way.
I love a paperback book—visiting a bookshop is one of my favourite activities. However, publishing sucks right now. If it’s not editors forcing you to change your story because they think they know better, it’s being told that your book isn’t marketable enough.
Faced with that reality, why wouldn’t you explore other options? The internet is a digital version of the life we lead. It has its good and bad parts. Yet it would seem some people only want to focus on the negative. Writing doesn’t lose its reality when published on the internet. If you believe this, you are essentially saying that nobody (including minorities) has anything worthy to say, simply because it has no been bound by paper and hot glue.
Is this the hill you want to die on? What we are doing here on Substack is taking ownership of our work and publishing it ourselves. We are building audiences who wouldn’t otherwise know us. Some are even getting paid for it, and you want to turn your nose up at it? More fool you.
We are not in the dark ages anymore, and if you want your own career to thrive, you must move with the times. Be open to trying new platforms, and do away with your egregious judgements. If you don’t, we will be enjoying the words of others while you attempt minor scribbles from your Dickensian chamber.
It does not suit you to be a self-obsessed clown. Open your eyes and witness the lauded writers who once published books now trying their hand at publishing via (shock horror) the internet. If they can do it, why can’t you?
Follow me on Twitter: @courtenaywrites