Every so often, something new appears in the writing world and quietly gathers momentum. People start mentioning it in passing. Someone says, “Oh, I’ve got a Substack now.” Another writer nods knowingly. You smile, make a mental note to look it up later… and then don’t.
If that sounds familiar, let’s gently open the door.
Substack isn’t about chasing trends or reinventing yourself as a “content creator”. It’s simply a space where writers can write regularly, send those words straight to readers, and build a connection over time. No social-media-style algorithms deciding whether your subscribers see your work. No frantic posting schedules. Just writing, delivered by email, to people who actually asked for it.
For authors - especially those who value depth, relationships, and sustainability - that’s quietly powerful.
What makes Substack feel different is that it encourages a slower, more human pace. You’re not performing. You’re corresponding. You’re showing up as yourself, not as a brand. And over time, those small moments of connection add up.
A Little Backstory: What Is Substack, Really?
It can sometimes help to know where a platform came from - especially if you’re about to trust it with your words, your readers, and possibly your sanity.
Substack was founded in 2017, long before newsletters became fashionable dinner-party conversation. It was started by three people - Chris Best, Jairaj Sethi, and Hamish McKenzie - who shared a fairly radical idea at the time: writers should be paid directly by readers, without advertising, algorithms, or corporate gatekeepers in the middle.
In other words, Substack wasn’t designed to keep you scrolling, shouting, or selling your soul to the internet gods. It was designed to let writers write - and let readers choose who they want to hear from.
At its core, Substack is still very simple. Writers publish newsletters. Readers subscribe. Emails land in inboxes. No fighting social media algorithms. No wondering who saw what. No mysterious “reach” graphs that ruin your afternoon.
Who Is Substack For?
Substack tends to work best for people who already value words - writers, journalists, essayists, poets, novelists, thinkers, and storytellers. It’s particularly helpful for authors who want to build long-term relationships with readers rather than chasing short bursts of attention.
Readers benefit too. Instead of doom-scrolling, they receive thoughtful writing from people they’ve chosen to listen to. It’s quieter. Calmer. More intentional. Rather like opening a good letter rather than shouting across a crowded room.
How Does Substack Make Its Money?
This is the bit many writers secretly worry about, so let’s demystify it.
Substack is free to use if you only offer free posts. You can write, publish, and grow an audience without paying them a penny. If you decide to offer paid subscriptions, Substack takes a small percentage (around 10%) of what your paying readers give you. Payment processing companies also take a small fee, but Substack is upfront about this.
Crucially, Substack doesn’t make money by selling ads, harvesting data, or nudging you to post constantly. They only earn when you earn. Which means their success is directly tied to writers being supported - not exploited.
Think of it less like a landlord and more like a helpful stage manager quietly keeping the lights on while you perform.
Why This Matters for Writers
Substack exists because many writers were exhausted by platforms that demanded endless output with very little return. It’s built around the idea that writing is valuable, readers are capable of choosing what they love, and small, consistent communities matter more than viral moments.
It won’t make you famous overnight. It won’t magically fix procrastination. And it definitely won’t write the newsletter for you (sadly). But it will give you a stable, friendly space to show up as a writer - and that’s no small thing.
And if nothing else, it’s reassuring to know that Substack’s entire business model is based on one quiet, hopeful assumption: that good writing is worth paying attention to.
Which, frankly, feels like a belief most writers can get behind - preferably with a cup of tea and a biscuit nearby.
How to Use Substack (Without Making It Harder Than It Needs to Be)
The most important thing to understand about Substack is this: it works best when you stop trying to “use” it and start treating it like a habit.
Substack isn’t a place for big launches or perfectly packaged ideas. It’s a place for continuity. Readers don’t come for fireworks - they come because they enjoy hearing from you. That might mean reflections on your writing life, thoughts sparked by a book you’re reading, updates on a work in progress, or stories that don’t quite fit anywhere else.
Many writers worry they don’t have “enough to say”. In practice, the opposite is usually true. Once you give yourself permission to write to readers rather than at them, the material appears.
A good rule of thumb is to imagine you’re writing to a small circle of friendly, interested people - not a crowd. Substack readers appreciate honesty, warmth, and consistency far more than polish. A short, thoughtful post written regularly will always outperform a long, dazzling one that appears once every six months.
It’s also worth remembering that Substack can support your books without turning into a sales machine. Talking about what you’re working on, sharing snippets of process, or reflecting on why a particular story matters creates natural interest. When a book does appear, it feels like part of an ongoing conversation rather than an interruption.
And yes, Substack allows you to charge for subscriptions - but that’s optional. Many writers stay entirely free. Others add a paid tier later, once they’ve found their rhythm. There’s no “right time”, only what feels aligned for you.
Gentle, Practical Suggestions That Actually Help
If you’re just beginning, keep things simple. Decide how often you can realistically write - weekly, fortnightly, even monthly - and stick to that. Consistency builds trust, and trust builds readership.
Write posts that feel natural to you. Some writers love short essays. Others prefer informal letters, reflections, or storytelling. Substack doesn’t reward a particular format - it rewards authenticity.
Invite conversation. Ending a post with a question, a reflection, or an invitation to reply reminds readers that this is a relationship, not a broadcast. Replies often become the most encouraging part of the process.
And perhaps most importantly: allow it to grow slowly. Substack is not about overnight success. It’s about creating a steady, welcoming place where your writing can live - and where readers can find you again and again.
One Last, Very Important Reassurance
You do not need to be confident, tech-savvy, prolific, or publicly visible to “do Substack right”. You only need to show up as a writer who cares about words and readers.
Substack works because it’s built on a simple, hopeful idea: that writing matters, readers are thoughtful, and meaningful connection doesn’t need to be loud to be powerful.
If you approach it with curiosity rather than pressure, it can become one of the calmest, most supportive parts of your writing life.
And honestly? In a world full of noise, that’s a gift worth exploring - preferably with a cup of tea, an open document, and no rush whatsoever.