884 Comments

Hello to the new writers 👋

We'd love to learn more about what you are writing about. Reply to this comment and tell us!

Be sure to include what you're reading on Substack too. If you aren't reading here yet, you've come to the right place to find great reads. Tell us what you like to read and we will try to point you in the right direction.

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Hi Katie and all!

I’m a sober writer that covers the tangled web of narcotic addiction through personal stories. You can read more here:

https://idiotspit.substack.com?r=1epxph&utm_medium=ios

Two substacks I couldn’t recommend enough for writers are Chuck P’s Plot Spoiler and Tim L’s Writing Bootcamp:

https://chuckpalahniuk.substack.com?r=1epxph&utm_medium=ios

https://timlott.substack.com?r=1epxph&utm_medium=ios

Great communities, come join!

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Hey Matt. I will be subscribing to your newsletter. I don't write about addiction, per se. But my third child is a fentanyl addict - currently 164 days clean (who's counting - that would be me). With his permission I've written about some of those stories and will be writing more. If things continue as is hopefully he'll add something directly as well.

For your edification, should there be an interest, here is a piece of the story.

https://matthewmoran.substack.com/p/buying-fentanyl-a-beginners-guide

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Thanks, Matthew. I have six years, but I’m sure my parents are still counting. There’s a lot to be said about the family dynamic when it comes to addiction that is perhaps not talked about enough. So that’s brilliant that you’re writing some of those stories. I look forward to reading them.

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Its the same thing with food (that can also be an addiction) that she also...doesnt help hahahaha

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I really resonate with this comment .....I just read my article about withdraw to my mom and then she gave me money for weed - this is full disclosure, a lot like my blog (which you should check out) but I literally feel like I might never quit smoking because she's an enabler....I need harsh truth and cold turkey sometimes.

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I put my mother through Hell with my using. I can't imagine and wouldn't even try to imagine what that must be like for a parent. "Buying Fentanyl, a Beginners Guide" is a cracking title - I'll give it a go. My mum scored for and with me on more than a few occasions. Best wishes with it all.

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wow....ahhhh the relatability is crushing my soul hahahahahah

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You might like mine. I've spent two thirds of my life addicted to Heroin - maybe start with "Whatever Happened to Hunting?" and/or "Lizard Jane" I'll check out yours when I'm finished with my latest short.

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Sorry, not a shout-out exactly, but anyone in the addictions community here has material for a post on their own ideas about the province of BC (Canada) that leads the way in ENABLING addiction under the guise of 'harm reduction'. (Enough time has passed that evidence definitively shows it failed its stated goals – to reduce harm – on every front. And I live in the heart of it and see its effects daily.)

On Jan 31/23 province of BC will decriminalize personal possession of opioids/coke/meth/MDMA. (Heroin has already been available to anyone at 'safe injection sites' for 10 years. Some pop up beside preschools. I could go and get the works for free at this moment if I wanted.)

Canada's govs are puppets for UN/WHO goals, so it's clear that global objectives are at play. This is a testing ground for what UN/WHO plans for everywhere. Be plugged in or zoned out. Global compliance is the goal.

I don't write on this at all. Just saw your convo and thought it might interest someone here. Cheers, all!

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I'll happily write a piece about my thoughts on this. Is that what you're asking? If so - hit me up.

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Not asking or telling. Just offering info that people outside my crazy region won't necessarily know about.

I saw that thread, and I'm constantly amazed at how we've been lied to, indoctrinated, and gaslit about everything on the topic of substances/pharma/drugs.

And it's especially evident in a region where controlled substances are flipped BY GOV when it serves specific interests. Meanwhile, "safe, effective, gov-approved medications" injure and kill millions. I just interjected there in case anyone doesn't know the extent of legalization of 'controlled substances' and is interested to read or write about it. :-)

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I support the full legalisation of all drugs. I don't have time to explain why here, but I'll certainly consider articulating my position on my Substack at some point.

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Just subscribed Matt! Your newsletter sounds super interesting. I can't wait to dive in.

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This sounds ☄️ have subscribed & am looking forward to reading.

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Can't wait to sign up, Matt! And if you're looking to stay sober and laugh your ass off doing it, check out my LOL sober newsletter: https://nelsonh.substack.com

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Thanks! Look forward to reading yours.

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Writing bootcamp? Sign me up!

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Hi all -- I'm writing First Excited State (https://firstexcitedstate.substack.com/), a personal take on topics in physics and astronomy that I think are crazy interesting. There are equations! But I think even if you don't vibe with the math, I'm writing in a way (hopefully) that you can take away the gist.

Relatedly, I just found https://drerinmac.substack.com/ (another scientist writing about science and culture matters) and https://www.volts.wtf/ for energy policy. And I'm really enjoying Kereem's take on most anything (https://kareem.substack.com/)

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I'm a subscriber to First Excited State and loving it. Firmly recommended for the turning-difficult-ideas-into-digestible-explainers superpower being wielded by Tad here.

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Mike Sowden approved ✔️

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Very kind, Mike! And I'll tell my wife about the umprompted use of "superpower". Her eyeroll will be legendary.

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Apologies for misspelling your last name in my Shout Out! I think my brain turned it into “Snowden” who I think opened *Catch-22* by “spilling his guts” as he lay dying, exposing the “secret” that we are not immortal.

You were perhaps the only person that I checked out, some months ago, and found your article on M.C Escher well-written and fascinating. Too fascinating to subscribe to at that time, then came Putin’s War and the heating up of America’s own battle with autocracy and a host of “micro-issues,” that were “macro” in my own life...

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Thank you! And you're not alone - I often get turned into a Snowden, since that's the more familiar name thanks to the British Royal photographer and the whistle-blower bloke from the States. And thank you for reading! That Escher newsletter is one of my favourites for the experience of writing it and doing all the research for it...

I think this is my way of saying "you read the best newsletter, and the rest is all rubbish so you're not missing much." :)

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Subscribed! I love cool shit about science and the Universe!

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I hope my shit is sufficiently cool! :)

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Lol! me too... ;)

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Subscribing now! I’m actually working on a potential book pitch that brings together Philosophy of Love and modern physics to develop new and richer metaphors for understanding love. I’ll definitely be fleshing out some of my ideas in my Substack https://loveand.substack.com

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Well, it sounds like you're tackling a much tougher subject than I! I'll look forward to it!

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I wouldn’t say tougher. I’m not a physicist so the physics side of things sure seems WAY harder to me (despite my attraction to it).

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So cool! I'm working on a dialectical about existential philosophy and science!

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Sweet!! I’d love to read more on what you have!!

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I have a proposal and actually a fully written daily dialectic.. haven't gotten a lot of traction on the proposal but I've only pitched to 20 agents. To get a response from two seems pretty decent but still no " yes"

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Your newsletter is impressive. Kudos.

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Jun 2, 2022·edited Jun 2, 2022

just subscribed!

I write about all things love, psychology, life, web3 and TikTok at https://zoningout.substack.com/ I am from Sweden, living in London working with content policy at TikTok and am also a wedding photographer. Hope to see you all soon :) https://zoningout.substack.com/p/love-that-hurts?s=w

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Subscribed! Can't wait to read your work!

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omg rika! I am working on an article about web3, but just did two podcasts on tiktok and DAOs! Subscribed!

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I just subscribed - very interesting topics. I started my substack https://purescience.substack.com/ in October, please check it out - all feedback appreciated !

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October! You're a grizzled veteran now... :)

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Tad--just subscribed:) looking forward to reading!!!

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Thanks! I'll enjoy checking yours out also -- I so enjoy good writing on all topics.

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Ah Tad! Both sound awesome! and kareem? Interesting!

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I’m quite interested in reading these stories of and about addiction . Since I had smoked weed for 50 years ,and finally at my doctors urging , quit smoking on 12/1/21 . The minor stroke I had on 11/29/21 also played a huge part in my decision . That it actually took a stroke ,too make me quit ,haunts me too this day . I may gather my courage too write .

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I’ve been loving Astro Poets! Bizarrely accurate. They inspired me to start a tarot reading newsletter! I really love content where it feels like readers can interact with the writing even if they’re not commenting.

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I love Astro Poets too—and tarot! Just checked yours out :) subscribed!

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Thanks so much! I subscribed to yours as well. Loved the thesis! Can't wait to read about the great beyond.

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My pleasure! Ty for the support. I’m so excited to get started!

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I need to go back home and get my tarot cards, I can literally hear them calling my name like they need to tel me something!!! I've posted a podcast and a couple of tarot related articles myself!!!

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Astrologist unite!

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Have you heard of Pam Gregory? She is fabulous! Best astrologer IMO. I've never been drawn to tarot but I LOVE PAM. Her mantra for this period we are going through is "Look what love built." Her idea is to start a movement of people creating the New Earth (not the NWO) built on love and activate the attention focused on being warriors for LOVE.

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Love is what we need to heal the wounds of history and create stable foundations for the future ....we’ve all lost a sense of love in the universe, that’s why there’s so many bad things that go on. Novody has love in their hearts anymore !!!!!!!! Substack full of hopeless romantics so we can be the start of the movement 😂

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....I just thought about this , this morning !!!!! How there’s gonna be an earthly war and it’ll be the people who believe in the universe vs the people who believe in the devil and bullshit like that -- this won’t make any sense but it does to me ,,,, but I feel like I’d be a leader for the good side

Def gonna check out Pam Gregory

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Thank everything good and holy for Substack I'll say it again and again and again...and again!

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something so synchronic just happened: I opened up the drawer to hide my weed, and I saw expo markers - it reminded me of my partner's white board he uses....I explain all types of lovely happenings like this on my blog -- maybe I should start one solely for 'happenings'

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I’ll have to look into Astro Poets! I’ve been doing oracle readings for myself and quick ones on IG in the past, but am keeping my new love of tarot as a personal practice because it’s been just SO spot on! I may talk about how I use it as a Christian in the near future though! I have SO many articles I wanna write but keep it to one a week to maintain quality haha!

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Cierra! Have you ever read Blessed Vigil? Catholic meditations on the tarot--so fascinating! Her Instagram is great, too, but here's the newsletter: https://brittanymuller.substack.com/

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Oooh I haven't! I'll check her out; thank you for linking her for me!

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Are familiar with the church in southern France dedicated to the two Marys? If you are feeling especially heretical, look up Claire Heartsong.

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I am two months in and crossed 100 free subscribers this week. I write about fatherhood and life after academe, though I'm still learning from my readers where the most audience demand is. This post recently drew a lot of traffic, perhaps because I just published an essay in The Chronicle of Higher Education this week: https://joshuadolezal.substack.com/p/colleges-have-a-boy-problem?r=16vgt&s=w&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web. This one, which combines reflections on parenting and academic life, has been my most popular: https://joshuadolezal.substack.com/p/do-you-really-lose-a-book-for-every?s=w. I try to write about things I feel a personal stake in, and while my growth has been steady, it's been pretty slow. I'm still hoping to start drawing readers without directly promoting myself to them.

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Congrats on 100! What are you reading these days?

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Ah I see it now, The Daminger Dispatch

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Thanks for publishing your numbers. I've been on for about 2 months and have half your subscribers. I haven't directly emailed or asked people to join yet. I feel a similar hesitation about self-promotion. Much of the advice I've read is to get over this! What department were you in as an academic? I'll go look at your page... I'm a PhD student in med anthro and have not lately seen academia as a viable career. Not so sure writer is either, ha!

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Self-promotion is the ONLY way to get the numbers up. And I fully appreciate your hesitancy. I've cold-emailed everyone in my email contacts, my FB messenger, Instagram, etc. It was - seriously - a matter of just gritting my teeth, going against my nature and doing it. And it's worked. I'm almost to 150 in just a couple of months - and people share it when they like it. Don't be embarrassed about self-promotion - as a couple of people replied when I cold-contacted them, 'it's the way things are done today'!

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Its not even doing that its just being vulnerable....I'll definitely need to restart so I can like....maybe hide some more things from everyone - a more professional Substack/newsletter...this has me thinking !! thank you

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Rethinking how you portray yourself on social media, etc is a good idea. I have a 16 y/o who is very social media aware - she’s helped me take better control of my online persona. It’s not easy - especially as I’m from that ancient time before there was an internet - but it can be done!

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....... 👀 my Instagram just got hacked ! Maybe it’s time to start fresh

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I appreciate this, Bryan! Summoning courage...

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Say it again for those in the back!

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Hi Caroline, I was an English professor for sixteen years (twenty if you count graduate school, when I also taught quite a bit). Yeah, I hear you about not wanting to self-promote. There are some pretty crass ways of doing it (I wrote about that here https://joshuadolezal.substack.com/p/against-numbers?s=w). But I did not start a Substack with the explicit goal of monetizing it. I started my newsletter because I was grieving what I'd left while writing into what felt like a void with literary magazines. I needed to feel that I was producing something regularly as part of my new writing life and that it was being read. So I emailed many colleagues and friends directly, pointing out that the subscription was free. Someone typically comments or emails me privately about my weekly post, which gives me a sense of community and lets me know that I'm doing something useful. Even now that it's summer, and I expect people are spending less time at their computers, I get at least a 60% open rate, which Substack tells me is pretty good. My goal if I hit 1,000 is to add some paid content, maybe a podcast or some of my literary work, maybe making the free essay biweekly and offering the weekly option to paid subscribers. But even if I don't hit 1,000, the newsletter brings discipline to my writing practice and helps me know that I'm not alone at a time when I need that. Hope this helps you in some way!

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Oh man. The link you posted was a sobering read. And quite useful! So we are in the same boat of trying to publish non-fiction manuscripts? Btw, I was an English major... my first love, even as I try to take on the role of social scientist. Good luck on your journey!

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Thank you so much for this !!!! noted

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I hear you on academia. Thinking of starting a second podcast on this topic.

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Check out the FB group The Professor Is Out. 21K+ members. There is an audience for post-academe material. There was a Recovering Academic podcast for some years, but I don’t think they are still releasing episodes.

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Awesome. Will do. I have a little bit different perspective. I'm pretty sure the academic institutions are being turned inside out and a lot of people are spilling out. Education inside the system is no longer where it's at.

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As an academic myself, and a mom of two toddler boys I have profound appreciation for that article. I love what you wrote and I congratulate you on your reach to 100 subscribers in such a short time.

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Recovering academic here too.

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Congradulations on the milestone!

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I think after two months I'm still newish :-) I'm proud of myself for writing and podcasting regularly and keeping my Monday posting schedule. Those posts are purely about travel and I'm excited to talk about our summer vacation out east once my podcast episodes about our travel to Arches National Park are done by the end of August. If you want to follow those travels, please subscribe! ☺️ When it comes to travel Substacks, I'm enjoying https://npadventures.substack.com/ as they write about what is my husband and my dream once we are retired. For writing Substacks I'm enjoying https://katemckean.substack.com/ and https://writereverlasting.substack.com/.

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I'm looking to start podcasting too, good for you on your schedule!

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schedule is key for a pod

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I'm in a similar situation--about two months in and working hard to keep to a Wednesday posting schedule. I just started sharing my Substack with others; I wanted to make sure I could be disciplined about regular posting first. I just subscribed to your Substack, Sarah--love reading about others' travel adventures. How are you sharing your Substack?

My family is taking the next year to travel and worldschool, so my Beagle Voyage Substack (https://janeliaw.substack.com) is to chronicle that trip as well as write about parenting and life in general. Please check it out if you think it sounds interesting!

And one of my favorite Substack authors is someone I've followed for over a decade on various platforms, Jodi Ettenberg. She used to write about travel, but after a disability in 2018 she writes about living with disability, grief, and various techniques she uses to continue living a rich life even though she cannot travel anymore. She's wonderful. She's got a big following so I guess doesn't really need a shoutout, but perhaps her words will help you as they've helped me. https://jodiettenberg.substack.com/

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Sharing on social but trying to decide if I'm going to more directly ask people to subscribe. I'm an introverted 1w9 so that is pretty hard for me 😂 I'll definitely check yours out!

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I've been sharing directly and not on social yet. I'm also introverted and hate self-promotion, so I totally hear you. But I had a look at your newsletter and it's quality, so don't feel bad about sharing your good work!!

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Thank you so much! That is the process of two different blogs and then podcasting with a friend and then finally moving to Substack where I could cultivate and create in a way that both made sense and was attentive to niche and audience. This is the culmination of ten years of work ☺️

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Sticking to the schedule takes discipline, congrats on keeping to it!

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It does, but hopefully it will pay off by the end of summer!

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Welcome to new writers. I'm now at 5 months so no longer considering myself new.

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Thanks for being here Ryan!

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Congrats on sticking with it!

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which is literally the hardest part

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I'm just getting started out on Substack! I've posted one article thus far, focusing on the most recent Pentagon UFO disclosure and what it means for our society/culture. Check it out if you're interested in strange happenings like this! https://mospeaks.substack.com/p/uf-oh-st-pentagon-report-contains?s=w

I'm aiming to cover relevant political, cultural, economical, and even conspiratorial subjects, along with relatively unknown historical topics that have a strong impact on major issues today!

Love reading posts from authors like Matt Tiabi, Bari Weiss, and Bret Weinstein. Check my substack (link above) out and send me yours if you think I'd like it!

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Oh I'm brand new too! Just arrived a few days ago! I'm a resilience coach, helping others take control of stress & anxieties and build mental and emotional resilience. I just published an article on heart coherence here : https://virginieferguson.substack.com/p/the-life-changing-benefits-of-heart?s=w

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Oooh I have a coaching friend who’s done a focus on heart coherence! Love it. I’m a manifestation nerd and love focusing on more grounding concepts and subconscious and/or body work. Subscribed!

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hey Cierra hey girl hey

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Such important work. Psychological flexibility, resilience... big job, friend.

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love this so much!

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Sounds interesting. I will be checking it out

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Great stuff! I’ve subscribed now.

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Thank you Agnes! I have much more coming soon!

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I'm also new - about 2 months. I will definitely be reading your article as I also have a strong interest in UFO's (have witnessed two). Also a strong follower of Zechariah Sitchin. Do you read him too? I write mostly about politics, metaphysics, symbolism, feminism, astrology (a bit. but I am an astrologer).

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Sounds interesting as heck! Subscribing now!

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I'm going to subscribe! Looks like we have some overlap and it sounds very interesting :)

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LOVE IT!

Subscribed!

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Thank you!! Stay tuned for some HEAT coming soon!

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Looking forward to reading what you have to say about this!

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love a good happening!!

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Hello fellow Substackers. I’m Leland, and I’m a photographer, writer and audio recordist. My newsletter is called Neutral Density: Lost in America with Leland Buck. It’s principal ingredients are photography/audio, travel, personal essay and writing. It’s probably a little different in its use of analog photography and sound than other things you’ll find on Substack.

I have to recommend Chris LaTray’s An Irritable Métis. As I know Chris, this was one of the first Substack newsletters I read. Reading it has become a weekly habit. https://chrislatray.substack.com

The most recent newsletter I’ve discovered is Chuck Palahniuk’s Plot Spoiler. I’m not a huge fan of writing about writing, but this is much more of a seasoned storyteller writing about story. It’s good. https://chuckpalahniuk.substack.com/

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Beautiful photos! Thanks for being here Leland.

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Thank you, Katie!

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Hello! I'm Andrew and I write AMBUSH TACTICS, my trove of ideas and inspiration for the Pathfinder RPG, a tabletop fantasy game in the D&D tradition 🎲🐲

I launched my Substack in January after nearly 20 years spent in the trenches as a magazine journalist.

Today's post is about a recent session that some fellow dads and I played during our kids' school hours ... gathering in a parking lot and rolling dice in the trunk of my Subaru!

The dad musings were inspired, of course, by Kevin Maguire's excellent Substack THE NEW FATHERHOOD.

Thanks to all the fellow new writers in this thread who keep this awesome platform growing!!! 👋👋👋

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Nice. I'll Sub.

I'm also writing the narratives from the game I made if you might be interested in historical fiction.

https://bombrun.substack.com/

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I love how niche and specific these substacks can get. So fun!

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https://www.smirk-book.com this is the most niche-y niche ive read in YEARSSSS HONEY . that sucka was dragged for filth!!! but - he was good in the end :') ...kind of;)

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DICE! SQUIRREL MAN

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Perhaps my favorite Substack newsletter is The Daminger Dispatch. Really interesting and accessible essays on gender and parenting from a Harvard sociologist. https://allisondaminger.substack.com/

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I want to shout out Amber Katz, whose Substack is https://amber.substack.com/ - Amber has years of history as a beauty and lifestyles writer, and this Substack is about the product she herself loves, buys, and uses. I've learned so much from it. Also, Amber has a really fun, witty, writing style, which make all her posts extra engaging.

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I love hearing how readers describe their favorite writer's voice. Thanks for sharing Aly!

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Hello Katie! I'm in the process of launching my new Substack, "Catalectic." The theme is generally "thoughts inspired by what I'm reading" -- mostly literary fiction. I have my first post inspired by David Foster Wallace scheduled for tomorrow.

I've subscribed to a TON of Substacks recently. A few that really stand out for me:

1. Lauren Hough's "Badreads" -- adored her recent memoir, great writing style

2. George Saunder's "Story Club" -- because, well, it's George Saunders

3. Chuck Palahniuk's "Plot Spoiler" -- perhaps the most generous writing advice I've come across in awhile, very concrete and practicable advice. He publishes line edits of his readers' work! What!

4. And last but not least, "Boude-Moi" by Josiane Stratis. This one probably belongs in the international thread (French-Canadian.) She writes a lot about her personal experiences with cancel culture and online shaming. I knew nothing about her before randomly stumbling on her work via the recommendations feature, but her writing is incredible. Highly recommend for any French-speakers out there (I get a kick out of discovering her French Canadian slang and expressions, too.)

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Very nice. I'm also subscribed to Story Club and Plot Spoiler. Incredible resources.

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Yes! Aren't they great?!

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Absolutely. It's such a privilege to learn directly from such masters of the craft.

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All sound awesome. Subscribed!

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The idea behind your newsletter sounds super-cool! I also try to feature fiction reviews or at least some musings. Subscribing to yours in hopes to discover more great fiction.

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Thanks Oleg!! I see you also love talking about stories -- subscribed right back. Great minds think alike. :)

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Thanks, hope you like it!

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Hi! I write Letters from Callie, an aspiring screenwriter in 1922. Downton Abbey meets Entourage -- and lots of real early Hollywood history along the way. It’s a period I have been passionate about forever and I am so excited to finally be sharing it. If you’re interested in movies, twenties fashion and lifestyle, women’s history, or just or a good story about a young woman trying to make it, you will love it!

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How fun! From 1922 to 2022. You might enjoy https://timetravelkitchen.substack.com/

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Ooh I will check it out, thank you!! And I should have mentioned — it’s all in real time from 100 years ago!

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Thank you, Katie!

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That's so creative, I love it! I'm subscribing now.

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Thank you so much - welcome!!

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Hello! I've been on Substack for about two months - and am working hard on building a steady readership. I write The Bus - a twice-weekly letter that offers a brief introduction to a different topic (recent ones have included Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, Tardigrades, Cheese Rolling and Tyrian Purple), a detour to an interesting read elsewhere on the web, a book recommendation and a playlist. My philosophy is that with all the heavy news around, a short diversion is welcome - and needed! It seems popular so far. Check it out if you like at thebus.substack.com

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definitely gonna ride the bus. #ridethebus should be on t-shirts or something

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Plans for merch are in the making!

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Your newsletter is great. Keep it up Bryan.

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Hi all!! I’ve been on Substack for about a month now. I write tiny vulnerabilities— personal blurbs about the not so pretty part of the human experience. Mostly focused on mental health/personal growth. I also send out journaling/meditation prompts on off weeks where I don’t write a full letter! You can find it here: https://meganzolorycki.substack.com/?r=17u7pj&utm_medium=ios

Any other writers leaning into the human experience and/or mental health? I’d love to take a read <3

-megan

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Megan!

Goodness, this is the type of writing I drink up. This is the type of writing I want to return to. I think I may write this as a bonus newsletter soon...

I'm still getting used to writing whatever I want again, and I still feel I'm still trying too hard to optimize for the reader. Still learning and new again to COMPLETELY writing with no inhibitions.

I wonder if people change and morph their newsletters overtime? I might.

I fell into a rabbit how of subscribing to your and some of your recommended newsletters! Once I'm off this inspired high and have written some things, I can't wait to sit down and just read all of this wonderful writing. Thank you.

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Cierra! Hello <3 Thank you for your kind words.

I think you can morph your newsletter into whatever you want it to be, and as we change, so will our writing and what we want to write about.

I'm so glad you've arrived at tiny vulnerabilities and similar letters that I also adore. I can't wait to see how your inspiration forms into words.

with love,

Megan

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Thank you! I'm definitely giving myself permission to change and morph as I continue writing these newsletters. It's been yeeeeears since I've given myself permission to just... write! For almost seven years I've been writing for companies and always kept marketing in the back of my head as I wrote and I'm so ready to go back to the younger version of myself who wrote freely!

This is what these types of communities are about. Discovering writers and creators that show up and share, because you never know who you'll touch and impact. <3

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Yes!! Actually just shared my new substack in this same thread below! Please check out https://abundance.dev and https://onhumanity.substack.com -- I just signed up for yours!

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Thats a wrap on the June Shoutout Thread! So many great reads.

You can make your shoutout last using Recommendations which allow writers to directly endorse each other’s publications on Substack. Writers can select other Substacks to recommend when a new reader subscribes to their own publication and have the choice fo recommendations to appear on their publication homepage as a “blogroll,” in the footer of their homepage. Learn more: https://on.substack.com/p/recommendations

We will be back next week for Office Hours!

Until then, happy reading!

Katie

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Hi writers!! I'm going to post my personal shoutouts in a moment, but first I want to shout out ALL of you who are sticking with your newsletter even when the going gets tough. When you get no engagement. When people unsubscribe. When your numbers aren't where you want them to be. When you feel like no one's listening. Shout out to YOU for staying the course and NOT GIVING UP! I see you, we all see you, and you should be SO proud of you!🌿

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Thank you. I also definitely needed this today.

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Thank you!! I think what really helps you keep going is that you know you love what you share, and that anything can change on any day! Me finally embracing writing what I love and want is helping me stay committed much easier.

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thanks for sticking along with me, it means a lot and helps to hear what you think

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I'm trying to figure out how to organize all these newsletters! So many on my feed now haha. But yes! So far your newsletters remind me of my old Tumblr days where I'd write a lot of entries. It was always such a release!

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Thank you, I definitely needed to hear this today!

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Thank you!!!!

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Yeess thank you!!

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Shout out to all Substack creators. We are on this journey together and I look forward to finding my way and following as many inspirational creatives as possible. Peace to all...especially the underdogs!

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If you’re looking for creative inspiration, you might like to check out my substack - I share a creative piece from my community of creatives each week, among other things I encounter on the web :).

There are links to each creative’s site or substack or Instagram, so you can go down quite a few wonderful rabbit holes!

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Yes!! I know I’ll hear about the big ones sooner or later. I’m here to find the hidden gems! 💕

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Hi everyone!! As a former Zen Buddhist priest, I write a newsletter called Garbage Zen. It's not about Zen so much as a collection of considered observations about life. I'm also a PhD student in medical/cultural anthropology, so I'm also concerned with how social structures influence our lives. I write in the form of a letter to a friend every Thursday, and I'm always looking for new friends to write to! Let me know if you'd be interested in my writing to you!

My partner just started an awesome Substack called Notes for a Living World that I'm really enjoying (but I'm biased). He's an academic, a historian of science, and wants to piece together a vision of how to make meaningful social systemic change. He helpfully summarizes a lot of interesting literature, and I think his newsletter is adding value to the world. His first post was on Universal Basic Income, and his second post today was about Doughnut Economics: https://livingworld.substack.com

And lastly, I always love The Spread! The two ladies running it write such snappy commentary on contemporary women's media (loosely defined) I find it endlessly entertaining and educational. https://www.thespread.media

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You might want to check out Tiny Revolutions. Sara is a practicing Zen Buddhist and a wonderful writer. Highly recommended. https://tinyrevolutions.substack.com/

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Subscribed ✨️

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Thanks, just subscribed!

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thanks!

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I was hoping to find someone else on this thread who is into zen/meditation/mindfulness. Love this and will check it out!

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Hi Jza, In terms of meditation and 'zen', I haven't done much of that besides listening to guided meditations on YouTube (which, isn't even that often either) - mostly I listen to asmr or rain sounds or even upbeat music - the way my body reacts to these things is the meditation for me...

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Sure, there is more than one way to meditate. Being in the experience is meditation 😊

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Thanks, Jza! You might be disappointed in my letters... the Zen content is super indirect. I practiced Zen for a decade... lived at a temple for 7 years... and then it got weird and culty. I've written a memoir about it that I'm trying to get published and am not sure yet how to incorporate this content into my newsletter. But despite my critique of the organized religion aspects of American Zen, I still think mindfulness is the bomb and what you're doing is great work!!

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I just launched a new Substack with weekly guided non-dual meditations! Also sharing occasional essays on happiness, healing, and spirituality. I’d love to see you there :)

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Subscribed 😊

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Subscribed !!

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Me too! I love it!

I write about all things love, psychology, life, web3 and TikTok at https://zoningout.substack.com/ I am from Sweden, living in London working with content policy and misinformation at TikTok and am also a wedding photographer. Hope to see you all soon :) https://zoningout.substack.com/p/love-that-hurts?s=w

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Oooh right up my street. Subscribing now.

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Awww thanks! Hello fellow writer! Just subscribed to yours. I saw you read Chuck P's and Salman Rushdie's letters... you might like Story Club with George Saunders. https://georgesaunders.substack.com

Also... I listened to only Nina Simone for two years of my life. I'm feeling your latest post: "a human right to dissolve into musical ecstasy"... LOVELY.

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Thanks so much Caroline. Checking out George now. This is fun!

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And gave you watched the Nina documentary on Netflix? She’s just such an extraordinarily incredible human!! And seriously her music goes to the stars.

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I have it on my list now for sure :D

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Hi Caroline!! I'm excited to start reading you and your partner's writing. I'd love if we wrote to each other. Looking forward to connecting!!

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Hi Ruthie! I love this idea. Just subscribed so I can start learning about your writing! Let's stay in touch.

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Thanks for the shout out!

And I love your "epistolary micro memoir." It's such a great idea to take the advice to "write to one person" literally and make a whole newsletter. In every issue I feel like I'm listening in on an interesting conversation between old friends.

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Subscribing! I am very interested in the intersectionality of various religious and spiritual practices. "God" is so much bigger than Christianity!

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Also, always interested in the lady voices that are so often drown out by the overwhelming number of dudes! ;)

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And thank you!! Zen is so very dude dominated, too... Love your newsletter's angle

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Almost everything in the world is dude dominated, it's not limited to patriarchal Christianity. That's why I'm really focused on helping elevate the lady voices. Nothing personal against men, but they've been dominating most conversations for most of history....

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I am so with you!

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Your newsletter sounds lovely! I’m planning to write about my observations of the traditional non-denominational Christian community which I don’t generally subscribe to much anymore. I believe and keep the Christian God as a focus but I do so in tarot practices, co-creating with Christ with more grounded and intentional manifestation, etc.

Mine will be observations AND rants. This Monday will be “Sinner’s Bingo” and toward the end of the month I’m paralleling manifestation practices with a Christian testimonial.

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This sounds really fun and deep, and I'm here for it. I also do tarot. I'll look forward to reading what you write. <3

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Thank you so much! I love interacting with all these writers and LOVE writing my own articles yet I'm so news I'm still regaining my sea legs as a writer haha. I'm like "LOOK AT IT PLEASE!!.... But don't judge it quite yet I'm getting used to how and what to write every week!"

Tarot is so intimate for me right now; I can't imagine doing readings for others aside from letting others choose between two oracle cards (how I got into it!).

Thanks again!

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I feel you! I feel the same way. Putting things out there is so vulnerable. High fives for us doing it at all, right?! Whenever you're ready I'd bet the world will be glad to receive what you offer. At least, I have to believe that for myself, too!

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Very cool. Subscribing now

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Yours is fabulous!!

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Dope.

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Thanks! I just checked out yours -- very cool. Subscribed!

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I hope you dig it! Thank you

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Hi Caroline! I’d love to be an addressee for you :D. I’ve always wondered if Pen Pals can be revived, without making it weird and Tindery.

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Yes, please! Totally my feeling about Pen Pals... a kind of slow media. I just subscribed. Looking forward to learning more.

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Likewise! Hit me up if I can help and if you need anything from me as a letter recipient!

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Shoutout to Ted Gioia's substack, The Honest Broker. The focus of Gioia's newsletter is his music writing, which I love. For instance, he has a wonderful piece out on why old music is killing the new. Besides the music coverage, I love his stories about the economic challenges for creatives today, like this thoughtful piece on the economics of being a middle class musician.

https://tedgioia.substack.com/p/the-disappearing-middle-class-musician?s=r

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The Honest Broker is definitely a gem. But I also love the surprise topics that Gioia includes also (like the novelist who owns an island: https://tedgioia.substack.com/p/how-nobel-candidate-javier-marias?r=f3p8u&s=r&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web)

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Yes! Those surprise & quirky topics are so much fun. Here's another one with a literary bent: "Why Does a Nobel Prize Winner Write a Sci-Fi Novel About Robots?"

https://tedgioia.substack.com/p/why-does-a-nobel-prize-winner-write?s=r

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Also, thanks for the subscribe, Stephen!

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Was happy to. Interested in the subject matter, and <3 the title of your newsletter, too.

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Thank you for the kind words. There's two newsletters due in June (a mini-essay and an interview), so I hope you enjoy them.

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He's one of the newsletter writers that refuses a full niche, which makes sense when he's a bit of a polymath. Also, any intelligent discussion of Ishiguro is welcome.

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I just discovered The Honest Broker recently and I love it! Today's post about record labels and Tik Tok is so spot on. Every musician should read it: https://tedgioia.substack.com/p/record-labels-dig-their-own-grave?r=18kltu&s=r&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

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so nice of you to lift up others! love this newsletter

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I found and subscribed to THB after seeing him on Rick Beato's YouTube channel. Good stuff for sure.

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Thanks for pointing out Ted Gioia's substack! I'm also looking forward to reading his book on the Delta Blues.

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Want to give a shoutout to Kevin Alexander, who, in addition to putting together an awesome music newsletter that has introduced me to a bunch of new songs and artists, is also an amazing supporter of other Substack writers. Kevin has been putting together a weekly thread including some music he's been listening to and also inviting readers to share what they've been playing on repeat. Definitely check it out! https://thekevinalexander.substack.com/p/whats-good/comments?s=r

On Substack, I write fortnightly personal essays--my most recent one was about seasons of change and what it means to fill the space of other people and places that were huge parts of your life. https://kateraphael.substack.com/p/25-the-business-of-making-meaning?s=w

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Kate your essays are so beautiful, I really enjoy seeing them in my inbox!

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Thank you, Hannah! I haven't historically been a huge baker, but your newsletter makes me want to become one!

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Hi Kate!

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❤️ Kevin Alexander’s music Rex!

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Excited by both these recommendations- subscribed now.

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Hi all! I write Dearest, a monthly newsletter about the stories, gossip and history behind antique jewelry and other interesting items that randomly pop up at auction. https://dearest.substack.com/

One of the newsletters that brings me absolute JOY is Anne Kadet's CAFÉ ANNE, which focuses on the everyday absurdities and delights of New York City. Past newsletters have included interviews with the guys who play chess in Washington Square Park, Anne's quest to discover the origins of a pink dinosaur called Sherita that's depicted on a faded billboard in Brooklyn, and I'm not even going to get into her always compelling "Weird Trash" photo series. It's awesome, even if you don't give a damn about NYC. Go sign up! https://annekadet.substack.com/

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Hi Monica! Your Substack sounds awesome, signing up now! And to Anne's as well :)

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It is indeed *ridiculously* awesome. Fact.

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Aw, thanks as always, Mike. This meeting of the Mutual Appreciation Society will now come to order *gavel*

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Thanks, Jessica - right back atcha!

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Great to have you here, Monica!

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Hey Bailey! So glad to be here for once! I actually have a huge day job deadline tomorrow, so you're witnessing some Olympic-level procrastinating right here. Thank you for the opportunity, lol

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Wow I love antique jewellery, but know very little -- subscribing!

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Hope you like it! Your newsletter sounds amazing, too - I'm really looking forward to reading more. (Although the tale of your lost Garbo project just made me grind my teeth to dust)

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Thank you so much! And yup… was cathartic writing it but it is an enraging tale!

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Hey friend!

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Hiiiii! I usually miss these things, so it's nice to join in this one and see all my Substack peeps! Hope all's well!

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I’ve never been to NY but get weirdly into it so totally subscribing for a fix. Thank you for the recommendation.

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I don't get up to NY nearly as much as I'd like, and it's definitely a good fix. It's really delightful - I hope you like it!

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Hi! I'm some random British bloke who writes about science in a way that was described as "like an entertaining mid-life crisis." I should...also probably learn how to market myself better.

Anyway, I've recently been finding these two Substacks a joy:

1) https://gameandword.substack.com/ - Jay writes about videogames, but from the perspective of what's underneath them if you look hard enough, which is EVERYTHING. He's super-interested in all the things and has an infectiously enthusiastic way of writing about it. (This is also brilliant in another way - check out the way he uses within-newsletter menus, which is a work of art.)

2) https://thepresentpsychologist.substack.com/ - As a psychologist, Alf knows what he's writing about when it comes to tackling mental health questions, and the way he frames his answers is beautifully done, right down to the bespoke illustrations heading each post. Bang-up job, sir.

Ta.

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Ahoy Mike! We appreciate you!

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Ahoy Bailey! Gosh, um, thank you. 🥹

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Hello all! Here is my link: https://jessicabsokol.substack.com/ I started a couple of months ago, and am loving it. I've also discovered so many other Substacks I enjoy including tiny vulnerabilities and great books + great minds.

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I really like your ‘about’ - have subscribed now!

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Thank you! And I subscribed to yours as well!

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Thanks so muchJessica. Looking forward to reading more...!

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love the energy on yours

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Thank you so much! Checking yours out now and subscribed!

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Great Books + Great Minds is awesome :)

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Hi All - I am 7 months on the substack platform and have just crossed the 3,500 email subcriber threshold with about 130 paid subscribers. My platform is Westawake.substack.com and I write observational and current affairs posts looking at the world from a counter mainstream media narrative - point of view. I'd like to give a shoutout to the Abbey Of Misrule on substack superb writing with considered essays on a range of subjects.

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Congrats! That's impressive.

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Wow that’s v impressive growth!! Have subscribed as love a bit of ‘counter mainstream media’.

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Thanks Agnes. Welcome aboard!

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Oh right up my street! Going to join!

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congrats!! any specific tips?

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Find your voice. Then focus on improving the quality.

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thank you, so important to remember

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Hi everyone, I've been writing my own culture blog on Substack for a while at chasingangels.substack.com - celebrating all kinds of hidden gem culture recommendations - but am completely new to discovering other writers, so am really looking forward to your suggestions here... Thanks for getting it going Substack team!

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Ooh I love the sound of that -- subscribing!

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Shoutout to Poe Can Save Your Life: real talk on writing and publishing and a must for budding authors. Find it here: https://poecansaveyourlife.substack.com/

Shoutout to What to Read If: a great resource for discovering new books and authors. Find it here: https://whattoreadif.substack.com/

Finally, I'm wrapping up my first month on Substack, so have to shamelessly self-promote my dark humor newsletter Field Research by Amran Gowani. Check it out here: https://agowani.substack.com/.

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Subscribed to yours! I enjoy a bit of dark humour so thanks for the Rex as well :)

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Awesome - thanks! Hopefully I won't disappoint...

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Congrats, Amran. Great to have you here! Those are excellent pubs.

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Thanks Amran!

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Great list! Have subscribed to all of you, thanks.

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I write YouTopian Journey, which provides weekly wisdom and motivation to become mentally stronger. Subscribe and change your life for the better! I have also been reading The Present Psychologist Substack, check it out. https://thepresentpsychologist.substack.com/

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Will check this out, it's related to what I'm interested in and write about.. Sounds interesting :)

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Definitely gonna check this one out...

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Woohoo, shoutouts! I write in a pretty niche intersection of faith/nature/mysticism/poetry, so I thought it would be tough to find other writers in the same vein. But I've found a handful of wonderful writers already, and I'm sure there are more! If you write something along these lines, comment below so we can find you!

Musings on the Spiritual Journey - https://alandavey.substack.com/

Truth Love & Swears - https://lilychili.substack.com/

The Peasant Times Dispatch - https://timesdispatch.substack.com/

Caitlin Chats - https://caitlinhmallery.substack.com/

A Stylist Submits - https://kevinlatorre.substack.com/

Spirit - https://sarahklenz.substack.com/

I'm sure there are more! Share with us below!! 🌿

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Exactly what I was looking for, thank you for the list!

Enter Only if Awake: www.jzaabbas.substack.com is mine, more along the lines of spiritual, meditative, motivational. Looking forward to get to read these awesome newsletters.

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Wow perfect - all the things important to me in my writing too. Just subscribed to yours, will check out your list too.

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I write Love& - https://LoveAnd.Substack.com where I explore all things Love in philosophy, theology, mysticism, fiction, and poetry! Definitely interested in finding other poets and mystics!!

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Thanks for the kind words!

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Love your work, Kevin!

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Hi! You might be interested in Robin Thinks. I have recently learned that I identify as Exvangelical, but pretty much already deconstructed/ recoonstructed. I look at faith outside the lens of patriarchy. I talk about the Bible a lot because that's what I grew up with, but I don't believe "Christianity" is the true and the right and/ or has all the answers. I do write a lot about how patriarchal religion largely got us to where we are in America today.

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Shout out to Sarah Miller from https://canweread.substack.com who just celebrated TWO YEARS on Substack! 🥳 Her commitment is an inspiration.

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Go Sarah!!

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I run On Repeat, the place you go to find your new favorite song or discover an old one.

Some of my “must read” music letters:

Fog Chaser

Shuffle Sundays

Midweek Crisis

Zappagram

What’s Curation?

Record Store

Listening Sessions

Runout Grooves

[ai]

Lail Arad

That Fatal Mailing List

Check This Out!

Front Row & Backstage

This Week in the 90s

Exile on Newbury Street

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What a list!!

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Each of these are putting out very different stuff, but it’s all compelling.

Better yet, I’ve met (online) almost all of them and they are some of the nicest, coolest people you’ll come across in the digital writing world.

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Thanks Kevin for the shout-out!

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Hi -- I've been writing on Substack for about a year, but am new to the Office Hours forums.

I write about global migration, and the policies and developments that shape it. The bulk of what I do is collate & curate press coverage, but I also do a bit of commentary. You can find Mixed Migration—hebdo here: https://mixedmigration.substack.com/

SHOUTOUT to Anita Makri who writes WorldWise, a newsletter that brings together science and policymaking and which is the perfect complement to MMh if you're a policy geek like the two of us: https://worldwise.substack.com/

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An important topic. Thank you Joel (and Anita)!

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Thank you, Bailey!

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Thank you!

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Shout-out out to all!

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I just subscribed to yours, Brad! Good stuff!

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For those of you with little ones, you HAVE to check out Sarah Miller’s “Can We Read?” It’s been an amazing resource for me- my little tots love the books I’ve chosen thanks to her recommendations!!

https://canweread.substack.com/

I also got to interview her for the second episode of my podcast - check it out if you have an hour or so to spare!

https://shedoesprofess.substack.com/p/episode-2-sarah-miller-can-we-read?r=w3n40&utm_medium=ios

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Sarah is The Best.

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Can We Read is just wonder-filled!!

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I have to give a huge thank you to Tara Henley and Heather Weinstein for inspiring me to start my own Substack page. I host the Bigger Than Me Podcast, where I interview authors, musicians, politicians, entrepreneurs, academics, artists and Indigenous leaders long-form. Writing has never been my preferred medium of communication - but writing is an important skill that I needed to develop further. I look to various Substack writers for inspiration, how they write, and pull readers in. While I'm giving credit, I'd also like to thank Substack for encouraging individuals through office hours and threads like this.

On my Substack page, I write about why I chose to have the guest on, and what I think people can learn from tuning in. I appreciate the Substack newsletter layout because I can add photos from Splash, which helps add context. For example, my most recent guest is an ocean pollution expert, photos of plastics in the ocean helps people engage with the topic more meaningfully.

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That list is all my fave things - subscribing now @ looking forward to reading more.

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Wow thank you so much! You have no idea how encouraging this is 😊🙏 this made my day!

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Dope! Let me know if you need a guest!

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I'm psyched you guys got Jose Andres on the platform, really excited to see what he does with his newsletter. Some "celebrity" newsletters haven't lived up to the hype but he seems to be off to a good start with the first one I received: https://joseandres.substack.com/p/behind-the-scenes-the-pots-pans-and?s=r

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It's definitely an ambitious project! And doing well too!

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Thanks for sharing this! I didn't know he had one here, love him!

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I'm really enjoying reading A Story a Week https://robertthewriter.substack.com/, Along the Hudson https://alongthehudson.substack.com/, and The Intrinsic Perspective https://erikhoel.substack.com/. I really like speculative short stories and interesting essays that are not focused on politics. As for me, you can check out my most recent essay about surviving the dot-com bust https://brianreindel.substack.com/p/of-mice-and-men-and-cheese?s=w. Any suggestions for Substacks that post short stories I would love to subscribe.

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Really enjoyed your latest piece, Brian!

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Thank you so much Jessica! I'm happy to have you along for my stories :)

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I write on investing, understanding the macroecnomic environment and geopolitics. While I have spent my time with big firms on Wall Street, my focus is for the "average investor" to arm them with the tools and insights most only see within large funds. My goal is to "teach a man to fish", so to speak, so each investor can learn to take advantage of all market scenarios.

I really enjoy Doomberg!

doomberg.substack.com

I also enjoy Haymacker!

haymaker.substack.com

Check both of those out! Also, I think you should subscribe and pass along mine, as well! Just sayin...

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I write https://www.footballarchaeology.com/, which examines the history of gridiron football and how the game's evolution shapes today's game. There are not many college football writers on Substack, but I just came across a https://jonsvec.substack.com/, which looks at the Canadian version of the sport. I look forward to reading his work.

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I love the framing of your pub!

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Hi All! So excited to be a part of this thread and network. I am a new writer on here. I write about a lot different things that impact me and things that I reflect on often. Some of those include mental health, nature, special places, and relationships. I've been writing since I was in middle school and this year is the 1st year I am sharing my work publicly---A HUGE step for me.

Two of my favorite reads come from:

Caroline Dooner: https://carolinedooner.substack.com/

Carissa Potter: https://substack.com/profile/17121817-carissa-potter

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Hi Ruthie, welcome to Substack from another newbie :-) I relate to the sharing hesitancy, I always criticize myself and stop myself from posting or podcasting because I'm nervous what people will think. *exhales* screw that! I'm excited to check out your blog and can't wait to see where Substack takes us!

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Hi Ruthie, sounds intriguing! I just subscribed.

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Thanks so much, Jessica!! I'll check your out too!!

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‘Political homeless, ex-woke’ - I’m in! 💯

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I am always looking to cross promote with other substack writers, get your newsletter seen by thousands of my subscribers and lets grow together.

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Checking out your substack now! V cool, if you’re interested in a cross promotion I’d love to talk!

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If it's a fit, lets talk!

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I'm in the process of writing my first cookbook, so really enjoying these related newsletters:

https://diannejacob.substack.com/

https://katemckean.substack.com/

https://www.stainedpagenews.com/

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Hadn't seen Dianne's pub before! Looks great.

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Extremely niche but to anyone with a passing interest in Rugby, I write a newsletter looking at the sport with an analytical, story, and human point of view. Hoping to bring new people to the sport and delight existing fans with engaging content.

https://onrugby.substack.com

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Huge fan of rugby despite being an American. :-) Will check it out!

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Awesome, thanks Amran! European-centric but hopefully have more North/South American rugby writings soon! I'll be sure to check out your newsletter!

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Very interested in South American rugby. I'm from Australia and used to play a bit in Colombia. They are doing some great work in Colombia using rugby as a tool for peace building.

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Aye I've read a little bit about that but it's something I'd love to dive into. Very interesting, might have to pick your brain on that one

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Nice! I played in college for a spell and came to love the game via the All Blacks. But I follow all the major international teams.

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We have a former Aussie rugby player on the Substack team! Thanks for writing on Substack.

Do you have any other Substacks you recommend to add to the mix?

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Shoutout to Wil Dalton, Author of Process by Wil Dalton. Great insights on writing, even better fiction. https://wildalton.substack.com/?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=publication_embed&utm_medium=web

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For fiction and essays, I appreciate https://andrewjazprosehill.substack.com/ Andrew has recently begun another novel, titled The Comedian, which is just amazing. His writing is so lyrical, and his characters, nuanced.

I love the work of https://shermanalexie.substack.com/ poetry, stories, thoughts...

And for wonderful Aussie fiction: https://stevefendt.substack.com/

For a thoughtful professional editor's POV, check out https://stephanieduncansmith.substack.com/

And a working musician's thoughts: https://vanessamcgowan.substack.com/

There are some real gifts here, surely!

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I am brand new to Substack too and still twiddling random knobs to see what they do. I write Future Facts https://futurefacts.substack.com/ which focuses on things that might become true in the future. My first issue was on grid-scale energy storage, but I plan to cover other topics that interest me too. I use techniques from AI and natural language processing to "mine" the future facts I collect. Are there any newsletters that have a similar topic? Would love to get to know more writers.

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Welcome, Splash, from a veteran random knob-twiddler! Wherever you are musically, you might enjoy my 'letter! Having been in FM rock radio and the record biz in the '70s and '80s, I share behind-the-scenes peeks into the artists and many genres from that era!

I've had a long-time singer/songwriter/guitarist/recording artist, Stephen Michael Schwartz writing his autobio on my 'letter since February, and it's been an eye-popping experience!

You're always welcome past the rope line to Front Row & Backstage, Splash, and all the best for your Future Facts!-Brad

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I recently shared a life-changing mystical experience I had at 16k feet in the Peruvian Andes. A taste:

I walked off by myself in the direction of the glacier, deeply enjoying the luxury of steady breath. After having been in Peru four days, my respiration was finally slowing. Scientifically and physiologically speaking, this was the place where it should have been hardest to breathe. The opposite was true.

Once by myself, I felt a presence. I continue to wrestle with this experience. It’s very difficult to put into words, and I never quite get it right.

Something sentient was there. It was indifferent to me, but it knew my presence. I – or at least, my ego – was a guest, not of this place, not of this sentience. While at the same time, part of me – my soul? – felt very much at home there, connected to something expansive, reluctant to leave. My thoughts, memories, experiences, stories, my body, were all apart from whatever element of me was connected to what was there. Even now, as I write, my heart, the pit of my chest, expands. I can only describe this as joy. But it wasn’t dancing-in-the-streets stuff. It was deep, interior.

For months after we returned, talk about this episode would make me weep. And every time I tried to explain – even now – I would feel inadequate, like I was trying to put music into words, or trying to make a sculpture of the way something tastes.

Is this presence always there, everywhere, and I just can’t discern it because of the noise of life, and it took me being literally hollowed out, and taken far away from all my stories, far from humankind and technology, to feel it?

Or was it all just physiological? Synapses firing, proteins rushing, a dance of dopamine and serotonin, an inherited unquiet mind? Maybe. But I think not.

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Hi Robert, had a parallel experience in Colca Canyon gazing into the Milky Way - or the bridge to eternity as the Incas conceived it. Great questions beautifully expressed. Hope you’re still on the transcendent trail.

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Thank you for sharing that. Mine was indeed a pivotal experience. Still on that trajectory. Hope the same is true for you.

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I don't suspect she needs my Shout-Out, but I'm still going to shout-out Cheryl Strayed's Dear Sugar newsletter, https://cherylstrayed.substack.com/ because she's such an amazing writer.

She's also a great teacher. I was lucky enough to attend a writing workshop with her at Kripalu recently. I screwed up my courage and introduced myself, because I'm a subscriber and a frequent commenter. She instantly recognized who I was and was so warm and supportive. When I got home from the trip I emailed her to offer her a comped subscription to my newsletter, not expecting to maybe get a response at all. Instead, she responded and signed herself up for a PAID subscription to my newsletter. What a tremendous dose of encouragement that was! So, you should follow her newsletter, not just because she's a great writer but because she's a great person.

Also, you should always comment substantively to other people's newsletters. You never know what might come of it.

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Hi Asha <3

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Hey, Bailey. ❤️

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My newsletter, by the by, is called Let Your Life Speak. It's a long ramble involving personal essays, interviews and resources on how to live a life of integrity as a real, imperfect human.

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Wow, I love hearing that about Cheryl Strayed! As a longtime fan of Dear Sugar I’ve been convinced she’s truly as incredible a human as she seems, so it’s wonderful to know that really does translate IRL. Great advice re: showing up in comment sections to newsletters, too. Just subscribed to yours :)

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I am writing a book that is one in a series and it draws all the characters from 9 previous novels so it has been fun going back and looking at my notes on previous work. To new writers I suggest to keep good notes as you write and always keep them because you never know when you can use them again.

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I've had a Substack Newsletter for a while, Enter Only If Awake: www.jzaabbas.substack.com, with my writings on meditation and topics about life from a mindfulness perspective. Tons of free meditations since I did a challenge and drove some traffic from my other channels. I haven't had a chance to network much with other authors but I'm loving this thread so far, so many great recommendations!

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I write Clicked, a newsletter sharing cool things about big tech, weird internet, good journalism, and whimsy.

From the latest news in big tech, what it means to be a creator, analysis on media platforms, odd yet fun parts of the internet, long form journalism, and original essays Clicked brings the best of the internet to you.

Hundreds already read (for free), you should too!

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You describe the publication super well. Bravo!

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Sounds great -- Subscribing now, Jeff. If you have any interest climate change and the personal side of natural disaster, you might enjoy my newsletter: https://riverpeoplerebuild.substack.com/

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I'll take a look at it now! Thanks!

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My favorite issue is on creativity...featuring me!

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Thanks Shaun! I actually listened to the podcast you were on for She Does Profess and loved it!

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Thank you so much! Make sure to come to the live panel this week on how to monetize your talent, link will be in my substack issue.

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I'll see if I can make it! Keep doing the great work you do!

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Hello everyone! I write essays on things that go on in my daily life, with some of them going over how this impacts me as an autistic woman, as well as book reviews of novels from the 70s and 80s for their 40th and 50th anniversaries.

One Substack I enjoy is The Novelleist, where Elle Griffin writes articles on the publishing industry and shares some of her own fiction writing.

https://ellegriffin.substack.com/

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Hello T.V.! Great to have you here. And Elle's publication is excellent - a favorite of mine too.

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I just wanted to share an awesome Substack by Caitlin Dewey called Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends. It’s a great Substack with original writing and links to awesome stuff online. Love it! https://linksiwouldgchatyou.substack.com/

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A great Substack! We interviewed Caitlin on the blog recently - https://on.substack.com/p/what-to-read-caitlin-dewey?s=w

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one of the readers has recently described deepculture :

"it's like Recomendo on steroids"

https://deepculture.substack.com

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Deepculture rocks!

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thank you ! I also sincerely love YouTopian Journey as well :) it's very unique, always a great read !

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That’s accurate!

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Awesome <3 Are there any pubs you're loving these days that you want to shout out besides yours?

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Having been a writer on substack now for over a year, I have found so many great authors out there who I love. That being said, I am a total sneaker head and think the kicks you wear by Mike Sykes is pretty amazing: https://kyw.substack.com/ He's funny, engaging, and always has the inside scoop of the sneaker world. As a policy guy, he is my guilty pleasure/escape!

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Yes!! Great to see you Ben.

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Shoutout to Simon K. Jones, who is writing an awesome parallel worlds serial, Tales from the Triverse, with this awesome tagline:

A wizard punched a hole through three universes. This is what happened next.

He also publishes weekly missives on being a fiction author in the current age of indie publishing: https://simonkjones.substack.com/

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Hi All!

I've only been on Substack a little over a month now and I'm close to 40 free subscribers, almost all just organically cultivated from just posting my work on Twitter. Have been reading this thread though, and I will probably send personal invites soon.

I write on topics related to rethinking patriarchy. My main goal is to help women find their authentic voice in order to also help liberate men and boys from patriarchy. As an Exvangelical, I write a lot about recovering from spiritual abuse and recovery in general, as well as taking a look at the Bible outside of a patriarchal lens. It takes on a whole new meaning, and it's all interrelated.

While I am always trying to support female writers, I have to admit I love Matthew Pierce's Hilarious "Evangelical Think Pieces" https://mpierce.substack.com

I'm also enjoying Life Is A Sacred Text by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg https://lifeisasacredtext.substack.com

I also just recently discovered My Blue Peninsula by Cait West and so far I am loving everything she writes. https://caitwest.substack.com

For those rethinking church, spirituality and patriarchy, hope you will join us on this journey!

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I'm writing fiction too for women of a certain age. Can't wait to read what you're writing. Subscribed. Cheers!!

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Thanks! Working on a piece now about why conservative Christian men are so concerned with women's sports....

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Oooh I love this! I’m quite new to substack (launched on May 16th) but plan to also explore things I don’t quite agree with in the Christian realm.

I’m talking from a lens of it being the last straw of confiding in someone during my darkest times, only to be dismissed and told to “just pray” or “read your Bible.”

It got really old seeing unchanged people tell me those are the only two ways to grow.

I won’t talk about the Bible at all but I will talk about manifestation and co-creating with Christ MY way and on my journey that is DEFINITELY not supported by the typical Christian haha. Gonna check yours out!

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Thanks and your experience is all too common, unfortunately. It's kind of ironic that I think the Bible is often taught by people who literally don't understand it. For one thing, if they did, White Supremacy would not exist in churches, nor would there be pastors living in million dollar homes. Jesus actually offered very real, very tangible hope and healing but all you get from most "Christians" is "you're just not praying hard enough"... while they drive off in their $80,000 car paid for by the sweat equity of someone else.

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Oooh yeah we could go deep into this for sure! And the irony definitely is there! I just find it funny when people are SO certain that their interpretation is right and to me it's just tiring to hear people even try to push it HARD on you! I feel we're all on our own journey, no need to push it (and it's not helpful to do so anyway! It's not convincing haha).

And goodness money is such a huge thing for me! I believe so much good can be done with money when put in the right hands. I know I've needed to, have, and still am working on my money mindset especially when I was just surrounded by people who took their power of creating more and better for their life out of their hands and just keep repeating these cycles of saying and acting broke and like it can't change when I'm like... there's things we can be progressive about to have better and think better about money and all of that!

(Not dismissing others and their situations of course! This is purely based on people who I know have given up or repeat cycles that don't help them and that was a big reason I looked for my own path. Not great admirable role models around me!)

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Hi all! I write Story Cauldron, a place for fiction and articles about storytelling, storycauldron.substack.com; Unseen St. Louis, about St. Louis history, unseenstlouis.substack.com; and Fictionistas (with Geoffrey Golden), for Substack fiction writers, fictionistas.substack.com.

Today I want to highlight The Great Substack Story Challenge, in which 13 fiction authors join together to write one story, round-robin style. Our story kicked off in spectacular fashion with Arjun Agarwal, who wrote chapter one of "The Grisly Ghosts of Gruesome Time" on his Substack, https://arjunagarwal.substack.com/p/gssc01 followed by Mark Baker on his Substack, https://gmbaker.substack.com/p/gssc02

There will be plenty more coming up through the summer, so be sure to follow us all! https://fictionistas.substack.com/p/announcing-the-great-substack-story

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I'm new here and late to this party cuz I had COVID LOL. Also writing fiction and looking to connect with authors in fiction. Subscribed.

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I'm an indie author with a couple of books on Amazon (Headwind and Northern Cross), starting a blog on Substack, titled Socially Awkward, about my efforts in marketing and my venture into the world of social media.

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Great name!

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Thanks, Bailey ... I'm just fumbling my way along!

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Hi Everyone! I am an author who has written a book about the occult roots of feminism. I research and write about obscure and interesting history, especially how religious beliefs influenced social movements. I also do a lot of writing about intelligence agencies, conspiracies, and oddities you probably don't know about, but should! I've been on Tucker Carlson tonight and several popular web shows and I also do formal debates on YouTube. Nice to meet everyone and see what cool things you're all writing about :)

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Hi Rachel! I'm in! You might be interested in mine as well. I write about overcoming patriarchy and how patriarchal religion got us where we are - not just Christianity but patriarchal religion through the ages. I use the Bible a lot but usually to show how it has been mistranslated/ misinterpreted/ misused by the patriarchy to achieve their own ends.

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So up my street -- I am in!!

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Hi Everyone,

Shoutout to all of the new writers, and everyone here to lend their support! I started my Substack a couple of months ago. I write about education issues. Have a look: https://rethinkingedu.substack.com

It's a spinoff of a podcast I started at the beginning of the pandemic. It's been fun, and I'm still challenging myself to write more consistently :-)

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Oh! I just followed you with our podcast Substack, litthinkpodcast.substack.com.

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I'm hoping to get at least 2 subscribers lol....it's been a struggle. Check out my substack, entertheokeedoe.substack.com. Best of luck to everyone and much success in your writings and journey!!!!

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Hi Evan, thanks for being here! What are you reading these days?

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Shoutout to Elizabeth Held who writes the “What To Read If” newsletter for people who love books and provides great advise for people just getting started on Substack. I’m new to Substack and currently in the process of revising my about section and trying to make a logo and just manage the basic visuals of the site. Here’s her “about”section advice if anyone reading this is in a similar spot and can use suggestions for a seasoned Substack writer with a large (over 5,000) following https://on.substack.com/p/how-to-polish-your-publications-about?s=r

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Ha! I so appreciate that you note it's paid :) Good for you! Seriously.

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I also love Sophie and have shouted out about her newsletter before here. She's doing amazing, insightful, groundbreaking work.

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