Dear René
Mary and Eleanor answer René's question
Our “Dear René” video:
Today’s question comes from René Volpi (Offbeat Chronicles)
Some writers are proposing writing their
unpublished book
through chapters on Substack.
If I were to do that,
how would I go about it,
and should we promote said chapters on Notes.
Dear René,
The quick and easy answer is, Yes. But let’s get into this q. a bit more, especially since I’m serializing a memoir (Re)Making Love and had to think about whether or not “to do” or not “to do”.
We know that Dickens, during the Victorian era serialized The Pickwick Papers with much success—and more recently Tom Wolfe did so in Rolling Stone with Bonfire of the Vanities. Michel Faber serialized his novel that became a TV mini-series The Crimson Petal and the White in The Guardian. More on the famed who’ve done this in the link above.
Luke Jennings is doing just that for free now with great success on Substack and he explains why in this piece in The Guardian.
Both of these last examples tell us that serial work has an audience.
What helps? A main character for the story and cliffhanger endings for each chapter—but before I get to your q. about promoting on Notes, here are some other things to think about:
Substack does mean first publication, doesn’t it? I’m not saying a publisher won’t pick it up if it gains fab popularity, but that’s still a factor to consider. Key to note: Luke Jennings originally self-published the first four Villanelle novels that became the wildly popular Killing Eve TV series.
Another thought: What draws folks who, in the beginning on Substack, were all mostly writers, to read you? Here’s links that reveal what is making the most money on Substack: the most popular news Substacks, and the biggest money makers.
Having read your Substack, René, I see that “Offbeat Chronicles” has a paid portion, an example: “The Devil Makes Yet Another Deal”—and, so, you want to be paid for your writing.
Seems fair.
The categories I mention in the “big money-maker” links (I’m not on either of those) only apply to me in that I’m trying my darndest to help new writers, and anyone who’s a bit stuck or stalled while also serializing my memoir—and soon to come a novel—perhaps my published novel or the one I’m in the midst of bringing to final form.
What I’ve noticed is that Substack is now attracting “readers”—and bunches of them—instead of only the famed and fortuned. That’s a wonder that I love. And I engage with everyone who comments or subscribes and writes back to me.
I’ve been posting mostly for free: This portion of my site that’s my collaboration with Eleanor via video, links and our written answers is totally FREE.
My memoir, up now, has over 40 chapters so far: all FREE.
A tip for discussion: Although Substack allows for a “next” click at the bottom of a post, it’s still not possible here to set up chronological chapters; thus, I provide links to every chapter at the top of every post and at the end to the next. Take a look at Chapter 37: Transom, e.g., and, readers, do tell me in comments what you think about all the links at the top of each chapter: helpful? Not?
Overall, my hope has been to get readers to “only connect…”, my mantra from the epigraph to E.M. Forster’s novel Howards End—not that I don’t wish folks would pay me. I do!
I’m relying on my generosity and that of others who see how hard I’m working and will choose to pay me. And some have …
The gift of Substack is, of course, “getting paid” but I add that the literary community I’ve found and, I hope, helped build has held me, heart and soul.
As to Notes: I suspect I should have done more to promote the memoir, but social networking isn’t my strong suit. I’m trying harder at this as I go, learning all the time.
I say to you, René, do it!
For me, a following has been built by engaging with others—not only hitting that “like” ❤️ but actually writing thoughtful comments. I think the latter helps the most.
Could you, or someone else reading, be saying to yourself: “Well, I’m not Dickens”? When I teach privately and in the classroom, I return to this essay by Allegra Goodman, from “Writers on Writing” that appeared in The York Times, a collection of columns by many famed authors that became a book:
Goodman in her essay says, “So why bother? Why even begin? It is, after all, abundantly clear that you are not Henry James. …”
And she adds: “All the great Romantic poets and Elizabethan playwrights and Victorian novelists that tower over me—they’re dead! Oh, they still cast their shadow, but I’m alive, and they are irrefutably dead.”
Go for it, René!
Also, expect a follow-up email from my personal email soon after you see this post: Look for me via my me.com email address and please reply. Our first questioner Willow didn’t reply to my extensive email—and I have to admit I found that discouraging.
Now, read Eleanor’s answer!
My p.s.: I have a full course that I introduce here—the link is for you to take a gander—it’s free…. https://marytabor.substack.com/p/write-it-how-to-get-started
If you missed our launch post, take a look at This Writing Life.
Ask us a question in Comments or on Notes (be sure to tag us both).
Love,
"I engage with everyone who comments or subscribes and writes back to me." You're a great example to us all, Mary, in how you engage with your readers. It's wonderful to be "seen" as a reader in that way.
If locally there's a lack of support, or even when there isn't, online communities and the almost immediate reactions received is the way to go. Substack and engaging with other writers and readers is where constructive criticism and real connection are going to happen. I've known you for years Mary, you connected, taught me the essence of writing and have encouraged me ever since. So again, a big thank-you. I recommend Mary's writing course and interaction here on Substack. It's worth it, and it will move your writing forward.