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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Why Consider Substack for Your Literary Adventures?

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:

1. No Barriers: Direct Communication with Your Readers

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.

2. Your Rules, Your Revenue: Monetization on Your Terms

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.

3. Write Without Walls: The Flexibility and Freedom Formula

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.

4. Built-In Audience: A Goldmine of Potential Readers

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.

5. Metrics that Matter: Guiding Your Growth with Analytics

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.

❖

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!

❖

Three Winning Ways to Make Your Substack Shine from Day One

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:

First Step to Fame: Carving Out Your Unique Niche

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.

Actionable Steps:

• Inventory Your Interests: Sit down and map out what you love to write about. BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF! What themes or subjects can you talk about for hours without losing steam?
• Spot the Gaps: Take a peek at what’s already out there on Substack. Where are the conversations thin? Where can your voice fill a much-needed void?
• Craft Your Unique Pitch: Once you know your niche, boil it down to a sentence or two that makes your readers think, "Ah, this is something different."

Explosive Beginnings: Making Your First Post Pop

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.

Actionable Steps:

• Craft a Killer First Post: This could be an insightful essay, a gripping story introduction, or a personal anecdote that ties into your broader theme. Whatever it is, make it resonate.
• Offer a Tempting Tidbit: People love freebies. Include a downloadable PDF, a sneak peek at your novel, or a mini-guide. It’s like giving a free sample at the bakery—you’re enticing them to buy the whole cake.
• Spread the Word: Leverage your existing social platforms. Share the launch of your Substack to all your followers. Make it a celebration, an event they can’t miss. I had ZERO followers when I started, but dropped my posts onto the platforms anyway, and guess what? It STILL got traction!

From Dialogue to Development: Engaging Your Way to Growth on Substack

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.

Actionable Steps:

• Be Consistent: Whether it’s weekly, biweekly, or monthly, pick a schedule and stick to it. Consistency builds trust, and trust builds followers.
• Utilize Social Media Wisely: Each post you write should be promoted across your channels—not just with a link, but with a conversation starter. Ask questions, seek opinions, and dive into discussions.
• Incentivize Referrals: Substack gives you a POWERFUL tool to gather referrals. Encourage your readers to spread the word. Maybe it’s access to exclusive content, a discount on your books, or a shoutout in your newsletter. Make them feel part of something special.

❖

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?

by Lisa Norman

Interactive storytelling is transforming the way readers engage with narratives. It's no longer just about following a story—it's about shaping it.

This emerging trend allows authors to connect more deeply with their audience. Every choice the reader makes—provided and limited by the author—can alter the course of the story, making their experience personal and immersive.

Interactive storytelling isn’t just about crafting a story; it’s about creating an experience where readers feel their decisions matter. This type of storytelling engages readers on a deeper level. They become co-creators of the story, exploring different paths and outcomes. This method of engagement is particularly powerful in our digital age, where readers are not just passive consumers but active participants in the stories they love.

I’m going to give you an example of interactive storytelling in this article. Click your answer to the question below:

How much do you know about Interactive Storytelling?

1. Nothing—what is this you are talking about?
2. I’ve heard of it, but I have no idea how to do it.
3. I’m a pro. I could give you examples!

The Appeal of Interactive Fiction

Interactive fiction stories, or branching narratives, invite readers to influence the plot's direction. More than just offering a personalized experience, you are creating a bond between the reader and the story.

When readers have a say in the outcome, they are more likely to revisit the story. They want to explore different possibilities, making the experience feel richer and more engaging. Imagine the excitement of a reader who uncovers a hidden path, leading to a completely unexpected ending. This kind of engagement doesn't just entertain; it encourages readers to think critically about the story and their role in it.

My daughter told me a story about how this happened in a game she was playing and how it sparked a fan following that overwhelmed the game developer. For a while, it was the highest-rated game on the market. Almost 10 years after its release, it still ranks among the top 50, with the writing being credited for that success.

For authors, this opens up endless creative opportunities. Non-linear storytelling allows you to explore multiple scenarios within a single framework, offering a new level of depth to your writing. You can develop complex characters and intricate plots that reveal themselves in layers, depending on the reader’s choices. This flexibility can be incredibly rewarding, both for the writer and the reader. If you come to a point in a story where two possibilities both intrigue you, imagine the possibility of writing both outcomes! If you are a pantser, maybe you have even done that to help decide which way you want to go. In interactive storytelling, you write both endings. The reader chooses for themself which option they want.

A Visual Example

I’ve been following the author of a visual novel on Patreon and World Anvil known as The Sea Hears Our Cries. Each character has a rich back story, but the true magic of the story comes when you begin to play and influence their decisions. While the novel is still under development, you’ll see a lot of beauty there from writer SailingOcelot. Readers can engage with the world and story in a way that feels participatory, as they follow the progress of this ongoing project.

Tools for Creating Interactive Fiction

Several platforms can help you craft interactive stories, but World Anvil stands out for those who love world-building. Everyone knows I love World Anvil*!

In my own project, The Spaceport, I used World Anvil to create a brief narrative adventure where readers’ choices drive the story forward. They can discover different endings, all while exploring the world I've built.

World Anvil’s strength lies in its ability to combine detailed world-building with interactive storytelling. It is an ideal choice for authors who want to create complex, layered experiences. The platform offers tools that allow you to map out your world in detail, from character biographies to the intricacies of your story's timeline. This level of detail helps to create a truly immersive experience for your readers, who can explore the world you've created as if they were living in it.

If you want to get caught up in a world, check out The Comprilith from Stormbril and venture within.

World Anvil is not specifically designed for interactive fiction, but it creates an environment that supports it extremely well. They even have a tutorial on the topic that helps writers learn to plot interactive fiction..

Other tools you might consider—ones more limited to interactive narratives:

• Twine: A user-friendly platform for crafting text-based branching stories. It's perfect for writers who want a straightforward way to explore interactive narratives.
• Inklewriter: This tool is great for creating and sharing interactive stories online, allowing you to reach a wide audience with your branching narratives.

Incorporating Interactive Elements in Traditional Writing

You don't need to fully dive into interactive fiction to benefit from its principles. Small, interactive elements can bring new life to traditional formats.

Consider offering your readers a choice between two different endings in your novel. Or, run a poll on your blog where readers can vote on what happens next in your serialized story.

These small steps can make your audience feel more involved in the storytelling process.

Something as simple as inviting fans to help choose cover art can help them feel connected to your writing.

Interactivity deepens readers' connection to your work, making them more invested in the outcome. Imagine the thrill your readers will feel when they realize they’ve had a hand in shaping the story, even in small ways. This kind of engagement fosters a loyal readership, as they return not just for the story, but for the experience of being part of something larger.

The Future of Interactive Storytelling

The future of interactive fiction is bright, with new technologies like AI and virtual reality on the horizon. Imagine a story that adapts to the reader's emotions or unfolds in a fully immersive VR environment.

As these technologies develop, authors who experiment with interactive storytelling now will be well-positioned to take advantage of new opportunities. The integration of AI could allow for stories that evolve in real-time, adapting to the reader's choices and even their emotional responses. Virtual reality offers the potential for readers to physically immerse themselves in the narrative, exploring the story world in ways we’re only beginning to imagine.

Whether you're curious about these possibilities or just looking to try something new, interactive fiction offers endless ways to innovate in your writing.

Have you tried writing or reading interactive storytelling? Are you interested in exploring this art form?

About Lisa

Lisa Norman's passion has been writing since she could hold a pencil. While that is a cliché, she is unique in that her first novel was written on gum wrappers. As a young woman, she learned to program and discovered she has a talent for helping people and computers learn to work together and play nice. When she's not playing with her daughter, writing, or designing for the web, she can be found wandering the local beaches.

Lisa writes as Deleyna Marr and is the owner of Deleyna's Dynamic Designs, a web development company focused on helping writers, and Heart Ally Books, LLC, an indie publishing firm.

Interested in learning more from Lisa? Sign up for her newsletter or check out her school, No Stress Writing Academy, where she teaches social media, organization, technical skills, and marketing for authors!

Top image by Deleyna via Midjourney.

*This is an affiliate link.

by Janet Forbes

What is a fantasy race - and how is it different from a fantasy species?

A lot of worldbuilders get confused between these terms. Because even in our world, people are really complicated. And a lot of the language traditionally used to describe fantasy people is old, and steeped in problematic historical baggage. So, I’m going to attempt to give you the best advice I can for tackling this tricky subject!

And by the way, a massive thank you to the THREE different specialists (anthropologist, social psychologist and archaeologist) who made sure I got all the details and definitions here correct. You know who you are - and you’re MY kinda fantasy people! <3

What are people?

Let’s start with the basics. When we’re talking about people in the context of science fiction and fantasy worldbuilding, we’re talking about Sapient Species (also sometimes called sophonts). That’s your elves, dwarves, klingons, gnomes and other creatures with human-like intelligence, more or less.

Our world currently only has one sapient species - modern humans - but other early hominids certainly seem to have been sapient too. But fantasy and space opera settings with many sapient species living alongside each other are very common. And like in the real world, worldbuilders - and in-world characters - may divide and understand people in a whole host of different ways:

• Species
• Ethnicities
• Cultures
• National or citizen-based identities
• Ideologies or religions
• Settled vs. nomadic

You’ll have noticed that some items on that list are biological truths - like species (we’ll talk more about that in a moment). Some are about personal beliefs, like religions. And some are socially constructed, like national identities, for example, which in our world only really cemented themselves in the 19th century.

What is a Species?

Put simply, a species is a group of organisms (that is to say, people, animals, plants, bacteria, space whales etc.) that are similar to one another, BUT there’s an important caveat: only organisms of the same species can reproduce to create offspring… that are also able to reproduce. We’ll call this the “Viable Offspring” test, and it’ll come back later.

So what does that mean in real terms? Well, two horses can have foals. And when those foals grow up, they’ll also be able to have more foals. Horses everywhere!

Compare that to a horse and a donkey. They’re certainly similar-looking. And they can even have offspring. But their offspring, called either a mule or a jenny, will be sterile: they won’t be able to have children of their own. That means they DON’T produce viable offspring and AREN’T the same species. No horses everywhere.

This “Viable Offspring” test (i.e. offspring that can reproduce) does seem to have some exceptions in nature (you can share your favorite ones in the comments!) But in general, it’s how biologists define species.

So what is a fantasy race (and is it a real thing)?

But Elves, Dwarves, Dragonborn, etc… They’re “fantasy races”, right? Do a quick search on google and that’s what it’ll tell you.

At least, that’s what they’re called in The Lord of the Rings, and they continue to be called that in worlds that took their cue from Tolkein. While definitely not the first fantasy novels, Tolkein’s Hobbit and Lord of the Rings had a hugely formative influence on fantasy. The world’s most-played tabletop RPG, Dungeons and Dragons, copies Tolkein’s elves and dwarves etc. pretty much verbatim. And in D&D, until literally two months ago, they were still called fantasy races. (They’ve finally renamed them to species in the latest edition).

What is a “Race” in People?

So that’s what a fantasy race is. All well and good. But how do we define a “race”?

Let’s start with what we know from science. All modern humans are the same species - Homo sapiens - as defined by the Viable offspring test. Every day, humans from different countries around the world fall in love and prove this, by having children! But even though we’re the same species, we clearly have different heritages, because people have moved all over the world for millennia and their biology became specialized to survive the conditions they found themselves in.

And then…. they moved about some more. There’s viking heritage in Crete, middle-eastern heritage in Spain and Sicily, and people of British heritage absolutely freaking everywhere. For historical reasons we won’t go into here. They’re all still humans, the same species, but they look a bit different.

The Difference Between "Race" and "Species"

But… unlike species, which is a biological term, “race” is a social construct - that’s to say, it’s defined by how people see, define, and group themselves, and more usually, others. And because heritage and identity is complex (even today, there is much metaphorical beard-pulling between anthropologists trying to sort this all out), racial descriptors were historically used as a simple tool, to carve a multicolored world into clear categories that don’t have any biological meaning. This is evidenced by the fact that the specifics of “race” identities and classifications have varied wildly in different eras and places.

The savvy amongst you will already know that these imaginary racial lines drawn between people have traditionally been more about dividing and controlling people than understanding them. And that’s why for so many (including myself), the use of the term “Fantasy Races” feels not just imprecise, but downright icky. It’s a term that’s loaded with historical oppression. And fortunately, it’s already on the out in much of the fantasy writing world. Plenty of Role Playing Games are moving away from “fantasy race” as a naming system for their peoples, and we’ll talk more about good fantasy alternatives (that don’t sound sciency) later.

So was Tolkein writing “races” or species?

So let’s go back to Tolkein. After all, he was the one that coined the “fantasy race” terminology.

We know that Tolkien actually thought about his peoples in terms of biological species, even if he didn’t call them that, as you can see from this excerpt of one of his letters:

“I suppose that actually the chief difficulties I have involved myself in are scientific and biological — which worry me just as much as the theological and metaphysical. Elves and Men are evidently in biological terms one race, or they could not breed and produce fertile offspring – even as a rare event: there are 2 cases only in my legends of such unions" (taken from Letter 153)”

It’s slightly hairy to speculate about what authors meant, especially when they’re not around to explain. But although Tolkein’s characters use the term “race” to describe these different peoples in-world, and Tolkein used the word race in his letters, it’s clear he’s referring to the “Viable Offspring” test, which can only mean species. The “scientific and biological” worries were clearly something he dwelled on: and even though he’s getting the actual biological term wrong - “dammit man, I’m a Philologist, not a Dr.” - he’s certainly thinking of his peoples as biological species.

OK, so why is this important? Can’t I just write whatever I want?

I mean, I’m not your mother, I don’t live in your computer and I’m not the worldbuilding police. But Fantasy and Scifi fiction has always been a grand metaphor for our world. Lord of the Rings is about war, and its harrowing impact on the world. Frank Herbert’s Dune, about the awful things people do to each other for resources, is intentionally about oil. I mean, Arrakis even sounds like Iraq, right? And Star Trek is absolutely packed full of metaphors for current affairs through the ages.

That’s what speculative fiction does. Sure it’s fun, and a mile-a-minute adventure is a great time. But fantasy and sci-fi has always held a mirror up to the world to help us understand and explore difficult topics. And at its heart, there’s often an opinion or message built into each aspect of a world and its stories. That’s why it’s so meaningful and important as a genre.

And that means it’s critical to consider what you’re saying with your world, even if it’s only to your friends around the RPG table. And especially if you’re publishing, and your work will reach even more people, it’s good to be mindful of what you’re putting out into the world.

What term can I use instead of “Fantasy Races”?

Species is a sciency word. There’s no getting around that.

For science fiction writers, that’s no problem at all. In fact, they might dress it up further as xenobiology, meta-species, or sophonts. The game Masters of Umdaar uses “bioforms”. Other ideas for science fiction or science-fantasy could be Genesis, Genespring, etc.

But for fantasy worldbuilders, especially those writing medieval-inspired fantasy, there’s a disconnect between the word “species” and your olde worlde-feeling worldbuilding.

Some awesome RPGs have already been pioneering away from the prevalence of “fantasy race” as a term. Here are some recent examples of equivalent words:

• Lineage (Pathfinder 2e)
• Kindred (Tunnels & Trolls)
• Stock (Torchbearer)
• Ancestry (Shadow of the Demon Lord)

Other good fantasy-sounding names for your peoples are:

• Kin
• Folk
• Heritages
• Kinds
• Origins
• Backgrounds
• Peoples

The “Viable Offspring” test in Fantasy - is it useful?

If you’re being less scientific about your peoples, do you even need the viable offspring species test? As always, it depends on what you’re worldbuilding! But there’s always an RPG player or beta reader who asks about half-elves, so regardless of your choice, you might need to be ready with an answer.

If it’s relevant for your kind of setting, you should choose which of your peoples (or folk, kin, etc) can have children, and if those children pass the “viable offspring” test. That’s especially important if your peoples live alongside each other in daily life. Even if scientists or wizards haven’t gotten involved, there’ll be anecdotal knowledge about couples who were or weren’t able to have children.

Of course, you might choose that all your different peoples can have children (that’s what I did in my recent world) which creates beautiful mixed peoples with interesting heritages. Or that none of them can. That’s totally fine too, just make sure you think of the ramifications this will have on your societies.

World Building Origins

If you are selective about who can have children with whom, this can speak volumes to the origins of your peoples. In many fantasy worlds, some peoples are more similar in origin than others. For instance, traditional D&D logic has gnomes and elves as closer in origin than, for example, dwarves. That might mean you can have an elf-gnome but not an elf-dwarf.

For some reason, humans seem to be able to procreate with anyone in D&D, especially if they’re bards. Maybe it’s just the Captain Kirk phenomena at play, but I’ve always assumed that’s because they’re made of the factory floor scraps of all the other species… that’s just my personal head-canon.

How do you handle this in your own fantasy worlds? Who makes babies with whom, and how do you refer to your different peoples? Or have you seen other AWESOME examples of people tackling this in the wild?

Let me know in the comments, and I hope you enjoyed this read!

About Janet

Janet Forbes (she/her) is not just a multi-lingual, multi-cultural mongrel, but a published fantasy author, professional worldbuilding consultant, and game developer. In 2017 she co-founded World Anvil (https://www.worldanvil.com), the award-winning worldbuilding, writing and tabletop RPG platform which boasts a community of over 2 million users. 

Top image by Deleyna via Midjourney.