15 Comments

great video thanks!

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So glad, E.T., you found the time to watch and then generously added your comment. ~ Mary

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It's becoming a nice Saturday morning treat for me watching your videos with Eleanor, Mary, while I nurse my first cup of coffee!

When I asked on my Facebook what my friends thought of Substack, most said they didn't know much about it except that Luke Jennings was serialising his work here! So it's interesting to think of this platform from the readers perspective and how some people out there may be keen to interact with it in the hopes of finding serialisations as opposed to stand-alone newsletters.

I do wonder if Substack will eventually challenge traditional publishing more directly, creating tools here for self-publishing books and/or serialising, including better placement of chapter links, book covers, etc. In the meantime, I think placing the links at the top like you have been doing Mary is really helpful!

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Mary sets a great example of formatting for the ease of the reader. And to the topic of challenging trad publishing, I'm yet to be certain if that stream considers this self-pub or not. But certainly, if Substack does create, as you suggest, tools for improving the formatting and visual, it increases the chances that they will. I see a time that editors will pick up books published here, the question is whether they'll insist they are taken down before appearing in print form.

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Oh, Ollie, what a wonder of a comment. I'm so glad you've joined here, reading and writing your own work. I have pondered exactly what you say here about the publishing world.

I also hope that you'll mention my Substack along with yours to your friends.

Thank you so for reading, for answering my question about the links in my memoir and for adding your thoughts here. Comments mean so much to all of us on Substack. The connection becomes intimate and real: friendships are built.

Substack is a marvel and a gift in my life, as you are. I hope we get to meet in person soon.

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It's a great pleasure to tell everyone to come discover your work, and it will be a pleasure to one day finally meet you in person! Wishing you a lovely, inspiring weekend Mary.

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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.

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Isabelle, you were a delight to work with. I watched your work evolve and grow and deepen I thank you for this endorsement that says so much about our interaction. I think you know that I learn from those I work with, the dialogue--and that is gift in itself.

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"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.

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Jeffrey, How lovely of you to say. And what a wonder you are to read.

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Thank you, Mary. You're an inspiration to read!

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Ah, this one, you meant! Phew...! Crazy morning today. I so appreciate all your great advice. Let me break it down on the next comment, coming soon. xox

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Yes, exactly love, as we share the video, but each have separate posts! Thank you, love! xo Mary

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Good advice based on a lot of experience. And most important, encouragement. As a musician I always hesitated to perform for the same reasons you and Allegra Goodman articulate. I will never be Horowitz, but he is dead and I am here. We who struggle with this question need your encouragement so, so much. Thanks, Mary.

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Such a great comment--as creativity crosses boundaries. You make that so clear and I thank you.

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