Nice. Some of our members graduated in Scandinavia. Well, look at our intro and posts (which are short and few), then get back to me. We also noticed that someone on Medium is very good at the topics we discuss, though not a member. Please let us know if thes topics in literature are your cup of tea. https://medium.com/@emerencia.nwapa
In a nutshell, African literature has been put in a tight box, which stunts its growth. Our aim is to liberate it and encourage authors from the continent to freely and fully use English in the deepest sense without shame.
Same goes for poetry. So many Lit mags won't allow previously published work - which includes a Substack with <100 subscribers. Why? because they want exclusivity. Why? Uh... why. Hmmm. It's an important question to consider. How does it help the writer? How does it help the reader? I vote for accessibility over exclusivity. Let all the people judge rather than just a few.
I just started experimenting with fiction since high school after years of writing scientific papers and nonfiction. I love the call out here to Substack native fiction. It makes me feel like I have a place and a home to just write freely with nothing more than a goal of quick entertainment that might expand one’s attention beyond 3 seconds:) Thank you for this post. 🙏
Being a newbie to Substack, I guess I've been unaware of the richness its contributors have to offer. I will definitely follow up on your suggestions. What a wonderful tribute to their talent. Thanks!
Thanks for drawing attention to Substack native fiction, Naomi. It needs a solid boost, I think.
Publishing a book is rare. Publishing here is routine. That’s the difference. (And I prefer the latter.)
You sound like our forum material. Check out our posts. We joined substack less than a week ago.
Intriguing. Please tell me more. Especially curious as I am Swedish.
Nice. Some of our members graduated in Scandinavia. Well, look at our intro and posts (which are short and few), then get back to me. We also noticed that someone on Medium is very good at the topics we discuss, though not a member. Please let us know if thes topics in literature are your cup of tea. https://medium.com/@emerencia.nwapa
In a nutshell, African literature has been put in a tight box, which stunts its growth. Our aim is to liberate it and encourage authors from the continent to freely and fully use English in the deepest sense without shame.
Still longing for that discovery myself. I find Substack to be a mixed martial arts training facility for fiction.
Most of my few followers are there for my commentary. But I'll be honest, I want them to read and share my fiction.
Regardless, Substack was the first place I felt comfortable putting my words out there.
So, if the New Yorker comes reading, cool. But if not, I will keep writing for me.
Cool article.
I love it.
I love experimenting on Substack, and I hope more people start feeling safe enough to do the same.
Instead of letting things sit forever in my Google Docs, I get them out there.
Maybe no one reads it. Maybe no one even sees it. But it gives me the boost I need to keep going.
At the very least, I know I’ve got something to show for the time I put into my writing—and that counts a lot.
Publishing fiction on Substack feels like a breath of fresh air. No gatekeepers, and plenty of enthusiastic readers. A writer's paradise.
Gatekeepers? Some of those agents and editors look at our posts very closely, so take it easy if you do leave us a comment.
seeking more "enthusiastic readers"!!! yes please! My Substack Briefly is free btw. :)
https://ashleykaiser.substack.com/
I feel seen.
As a fiction writer here, I know I'm on the right track now.
This was generous and appreciated. Finding a place for your voice is increasingly doable thanks to places like Substack.
Thanks for sharing… I write fiction but most writers I know write non-fiction. I’ve been wondering how to broaden my horizons.
I'll say it again: If agents, editors, and publishers are not looking for big time novels on Substack, they are clueless.
Fiction on Substack has developed a life of its own.
Same goes for poetry. So many Lit mags won't allow previously published work - which includes a Substack with <100 subscribers. Why? because they want exclusivity. Why? Uh... why. Hmmm. It's an important question to consider. How does it help the writer? How does it help the reader? I vote for accessibility over exclusivity. Let all the people judge rather than just a few.
They are looking.
I just started experimenting with fiction since high school after years of writing scientific papers and nonfiction. I love the call out here to Substack native fiction. It makes me feel like I have a place and a home to just write freely with nothing more than a goal of quick entertainment that might expand one’s attention beyond 3 seconds:) Thank you for this post. 🙏
Publishing in the age of social media is a different beast.
Being a newbie to Substack, I guess I've been unaware of the richness its contributors have to offer. I will definitely follow up on your suggestions. What a wonderful tribute to their talent. Thanks!
Gerry J. ABQ NM USA
Thanks for this. Daily I am encountering genuine, honest, intelligent support for my first author efforts on Substack.
anngoethals.com
When I bake, I’m a baker;
When I write, I’m a writer.
Substack is my mixing bowl and oven.
Love this. As the way people consume content keeps changing, we’ve got to stay nimble and rethink how we get our work out there