The U.K. is the second largest market for both Substack writers and readers, and we’ve long thought we ought to be doing a lot more on those shores. Today, we’re starting a concerted push to bring more U.K.-based writers to Substack, helped by our new head of writer partnerships for the region, Farrah Storr.
Farrah joins Substack from Elle UK, where she was editor-in-chief, a title she previously held at the U.K. edition of Cosmopolitan. Her long career in magazines—including stints at Glamour, Marie Claire, and Women’s Health—has seen her work with leading names in journalism and win a slew of awards. Farrah will be helping some of the best writers from around the U.K. to build on the momentum that has started organically on the platform.
As always, the work of our partnerships team complements our ongoing efforts to help foster a new generation of writers through our community initiatives such as Substack Grow, our fellowships, our exhaustive educational resources, and other programs that extend well beyond the borders of the U.S. (where Substack is based). Indeed, it is the organic success of a litany of U.K.-based writers that has given us such confidence that making a serious investment in the U.K. is a smart bet.
Some of the Substacks that have spurred us into action for the U.K. include:
Food and culture publication Vittles, edited by Jonathan Nunn
Manchester’s local news outlet The Mill (a Substack Local winner), and its sister publications the Sheffield Tribune and Liverpool Post
Grace Robertson’s English football newsletter On Football
Historian Anton Howes’ The Age of Invention
Anna Codrea-Rado’s freelancer-focused Lance
Former Economist correspondent Duncan Weldon’s Value Added
London city news publication London in Bits (a reinvention of Londonist)
Politics commentary by Dominic Cummings, Melanie Phillips, and Suzanne Moore
Music publications The New Cue and First Floor
We’re excited for what’s to come from a region with such a proud history of journalism and literature, and we welcome Farrah to the Substack team.
Who are your favorite U.K. writers? Who should be on Substack? Please feel free to leave suggestions in the comments.