by Jaime Buckley
If you’re like me—constantly scribbling ideas on napkins, talking to imaginary friends (also known as your characters), and dreaming about big audiences hanging on your every word—I have a treat for you!
It’s called Substack.
…and it might just be the game changer you need.
Now, there’s a great deal of information (mostly opinions, mind you) about Substack floating around on the internet. Unless you’re hardcore into politics, these skewed-spewed opinions don’t actually matter…but you deserve full transparency. I want you to know what kind of filter I am personally looking through, so you can make better decisions for yourself.
Fair?
That was rhetorical.
My view of Substack is simple: I want tools to help me bring uplifting and inspiring stories to readers, wherever they might live. I also want myself and my stories protected from the irrational and butt-hurt opinions of stupid folk who can’t stand anything being published outside their own narrow scope of understanding or acceptance.
In other words, "Go punt, cupcake. Write your own stories and leave me the hell alone."
I get that with Substack.
This platform creates battlefields for those obsessed with conflict, criticism, and encroaching opinions…while allowing others like me to sit quietly in a corner, talking to fictional characters in peace.
You see, in this whirlwind world of writing and publishing, getting noticed is often as tough as a two-dollar steak. But I've got hot tips & strategies for you.
Substack will help you get noticed AND drive some serious traffic to your author site.
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Substack has become my new best friend, and a very powerful ally in my writing journey. So powerful, in fact, that I was asked to create a course and share my data with the ‘No Stress Writing Academy’.
Trust me, navigating the wilds of the digital writing landscape can feel a bit like trying to map Middle Earth blindfolded, but here’s how Substack makes it a lot easier:
Imagine you’ve got a magical conch shell. Whenever you speak into it, your voice carries directly to the ears of those who’ve chosen to listen. That’s Substack for you.
It cuts through the noise and the chaos of social media feeds and algorithmic mazes, delivering your words straight into the sanctuary of a subscriber's inbox. Here, you’re not just another shout into the void. You’re the friendly voice that shows up with a steaming cup of wisdom, or a thrilling new tale, right when your readers need it most.
This direct line is gold, pure gold. It allows for a kind of intimacy and connection with your audience that's rare in the digital age. Every newsletter you send is a little like sitting down for coffee with a group of friends who are genuinely interested in what you have to say. They've invited you in, so you better bring your best stories—and maybe some cookies, too.
Here’s where things get spicy. Substack doesn’t just hand you the microphone; it offers you the chance to pass around the hat too. Whether you’re starting out and sharing your musings for the joy of it, or you’re ready to turn your pen into a more profitable sword, Substack has your back. You decide if and when to charge, and how much those golden nuggets are worth.
The beauty here is the simplicity and the power it gives back to you, the creator. Want to offer a free subscription option to build up your loyal legion? Go right ahead. Feeling confident that your exclusive content deserves some coin? Slap on that price tag. This platform respects that the creator knows best, allowing you to experiment with different models—subscriptions, donations, pay-per-piece—and find what sings for your audience and your bank account.
Now, for those of you who despise being put in a box (and I know you’re out there because I’m one of you), Substack is like a breath of fresh air on a spring day. It’s the wild meadow where you can plant any variety of flowers you like.
Write daily, weekly, monthly; share poems, serialized fiction, deep dives into the mechanics of magic systems in fantasy novels, or even the occasional rant about why coffee is the true elixir of the gods.
The platform is your playground. No editor over your shoulder, no publisher breathing down your neck, just you, your words, and the audience you’ve gathered. This freedom allows for experimentation not just in what you write, but how you write and share it. It’s your lab, your studio, your stage. Test, tweak, and toss as you see fit.
Here’s a little secret: people love discovering cool new stuff. It makes them feel like Indiana Jones in the archives. Substack isn’t just a platform; it’s a community brimming with curious minds and voracious readers. This means that while you’re busy crafting your latest masterpiece, there’s a built-in mechanism for discovery. People might stumble upon your work while browsing for something new to sink their teeth into.
It’s akin to having a little bookshop where every so often, someone new walks in, picks up a volume of your work, and decides to stay awhile. That’s the kind of organic growth that can really amplify your reach and introduce your words to readers who are eager for just the kind of tales you tell.
Finally, let’s talk about the map and compass that Substack hands you. Navigating the preferences and tastes of an audience can be as tricky as sailing stormy seas. Substack provides robust analytics that act as your star chart. See who’s tuning in, which posts stir the most hearts, and how often your readers come back for more.
This data isn’t just numbers; it’s a narrative of its own, telling you how your work is weaving into the lives of your readers. Use it to steer your ship, refine your course, and ensure that the content you create is not just good, but great—and perfectly pitched to the audience that loves what you do.
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Substack could be the secret sauce to your writing career. It’s a community, a tool, and a treasure chest all rolled into one. Whether you’re looking to grow your audience, monetize your passion, or simply share your stories with the world on your own terms, Substack offers you the flexibility, freedom, and direct line to do it all.
"Okay Jaime, you have my interest…now what?"
Let me show you!
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If you’re primed to dive into the deep end with Substack, you don’t need my unique course to get started. I’ve got the perfect lifeline to toss your way. These aren’t just flimsy strategies; they're your starting blocks...
The kind Olympic sprinters would envy.
Here’s how you launch into the Substack stratosphere:
This is the big one, the cornerstone of your whole Substack castle.
I know you’ve heard this time and again in virtually EVERY book marketing course, class and book, but… What makes you different? What secret sauce do you bring to the picnic that nobody else does?
This isn’t about choosing a genre—it’s about finding your flavor within that genre. Are you the master of spooky middle-grade adventures? Or do you bring science to life with wit and wisdom? Knowing this is key because, in the vast ocean of content, your unique voice is your beacon.
Your first post is like the opening number of a Broadway show—it needs to dazzle and capture the imagination.
Think of it as your handshake with the world. Make it strong, confident, and memorable.
It’s not actually about grabbing attention; it’s about setting the stage for everything that follows. Give readers a taste of your best—something that makes them hungry for your next post.
No kingdom was ever built in a day, and neither will your subscriber list.
Well, unless you import them,…but I didn’t have that luxury. Engagement is the key to growth. Substack helps you broadcast your thoughts and interact with readers in REAL TIME. This means dialogue, exchange, and maybe even a little debate. The more you engage, the more your readers will invest—not just their time, but their loyalty too.
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Start your Substack with a roar rather than a whisper.
This platform is a potent tool in your arsenal, but like any tool, its effectiveness is dictated by the hands that wield it. So wield wisely, write passionately, and make some noise in the world of words!
Every epic starts with a single line; every journey begins with a step. Yours starts with that first post. Make it count, make it shine, and then, my dear friend, show the world ‘You are MORE than you THINK you are!’
Have you tried Substack? Are you thinking about it?
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Jaime Buckley is an award-winning cartoonist and best-selling author.
More importantly, he’s a loving husband and father of 13 children. Since 1986 he’s worked for famous authors and TV personalities, and illustrated for hundreds of new authors across the genre spectrum. If you can think of a creative project or marketing strategy, Jaime's likely done it… but always finds his greatest success by being himself. You can find Jaime entertaining readers five days a week on LifeOfFiction.com and expanding his fictional lore on WantedHero.com. He also teaches his successful methods exclusively online at No Stress Writing Academy!
Check out Jaime's current books:
Copyright © 2025 Writers In The Storm - All Rights Reserved
Hi Jaime,
I'm excited about Substack! Life is too hectic to start using it now, but I definitely need to see about taking a course in it, maybe Spring of next year.
I love the idea of connecting directly with my readers. It's a writer's dream.
Fantastic post. Thanks!
This is great, Jaime! I hope to see more writers switching to Substack for a primary platform.
This is perfect timing! I'm planning to post on substack soon, one stack with my government name (attached to my degree) to publish non-fiction (environmental science) and one with my pen name that I'd like to publish urban fantasy under--I've been battling imposter syndrome and fear, but my current job is sunsetting, and I'd love to try to make a living on my writing. For the fiction side of it, I'm thinking of serializing my urban fantasy murder mystery on the platform for paid subscribers to do a sort of crowdfunding for developmental editing. I'm a social media lurker and have no community to import over to substack, like you mentioned, so it gives me hope that you found an audience without a single follower. Thank you for the actionable steps!
Hi Jaime,
This is excellent! I've started using Substack and I'm slowly setting things up. I'm still trying to figure out what content to post since I've been writing a blog and a separate newsletter up until now. Substack has a bit of a different feel to me since it's meant to be primarily a newsletter platform but at the same time the posts are public. I took the step to import my blog posts but am now wondering whether the content fits the platform.
You've given me some things to think about. Thanks!
I'm on substack and have a few followers. Not currently monetizing.
I've been eyeing Substack for a while. And I absolutely love the idea of having a guide when I jump on in. 🙂
Wonderful, valuable information. I've heard of Substack but never got as complete an explanation as this. I'm seriously considering it for my new release in a few months. I might try to put my back list on it to try it out first. Thanks so much for this timely information, and I'm going to look up your course info.
Hi Jaime,
Right now I have a Patreon, which brings in a little extra income, and an author newsletter, which has a larger reach. Based on your article, Substack sounds like a combination of both. How do you think it compares to those?
Went there, found it quite confusing. Searched your name and did not find you. Could not get to any connection to a genre or clear path for a reader to find a story let alone a path find books. No way to browse titles.
Not very reader friendly at first glance.
Perhaps you could explain a little better how to navigate this site.