Three Years.
Three Hundred & Fifteen Subscribers
Reflecting on My Substack Journey: Learning, Growing, and Finding My Own Path
Three Years. Three Hundred and Fifteen Subscribers.
I'll be honest: I don't follow the "rules" when it comes to growing a Substack. I'm not great at social media. I don't obsess over SEO, nor do I follow most of the advice from those who've been successful on the platform, such as charging for my newsletter. I don't do videos or repost, and I seldom do notes. And yet, I've built something useful and deeply aligned with my goals—and that matters more to me than anything else. And thank you to each of you for subscribing, sharing your posts with others and putting up with me.
From the start, I had a clear vision for this space. I wasn't chasing virality or hoping to make money from this particular gig. I wanted a place to learn. To grow. To document my journey as a romance writer and to connect with others doing the same—on my own terms. Looking back, I know I've done that.
A Platform for Learning
When I joined Substack three years ago, I'd just signed a contract with a small press and thought I'd use the platform to document my journey. However, after that book was published, I quickly realized that traditional publishing with that small press wasn't a good fit for me. If I was going to have to do all the marketing anyway I might as well maintain control.
Self-publishing—while intimidating—offered something I craved: control. Control over my covers, my edits, and my timeline. Creative freedom. Financial clarity. And most importantly, a sense of ownership over my work.
That shift in perspective changed everything. This newsletter evolved from a chronicle of my publishing experiences to a self-directed curriculum. I started using it to educate myself—on the business of writing, the craft of romance, and the strange, ever-changing world of book marketing, which, honestly, is still the most challenging and burdensome part of my journey.
Staying Current in a Fast-Moving Industry
Writing for this Substack has kept me engaged with trends I might have otherwise missed or just avoided. It’s pushed me to research topics I didn’t always feel ready for—algorithm changes, genre shifts, audience habits—and forced me to keep learning. In doing so, I’ve stayed informed, adaptable, and (most days) hopeful about what it means to be a working author.
Connecting Across the Romance World
One of the greatest joys of this journey has been meeting other romance writers—many of whom write in sub-genres I hadn't explored before. Hosting guest authors has broadened my understanding of the genre and deepened my appreciation for its vast and inclusive possibilities. Those conversations have been inspiring.
Finding Industry Resources
Through this platform—and the connections it’s sparked—I’ve discovered conferences, writing organizations, and professional groups I may never have found otherwise. These have helped me grow not only as a writer but as a business-minded creative with long-term goals.
Looking Ahead
I may not be a platform-growth expert, but I’ve built something that works for me. This Substack is a home base—a journal, a learning space, and a connection point. It reminds me why I do this, especially when the work gets hard.
Want to Write a Guest Post?
If you're a romance author—whether you write contemporary, historical, paranormal, or any other subgenre—or you support romance writers through editing, marketing, or design, I'd love to feature your voice here.
This is a space for sharing insights, crafting conversations, and publishing wisdom and personal truths. If that sounds like something you'd like to be part of, reach out. I'm always looking to amplify fresh perspectives and foster honest, helpful conversations in the romance community.
Thanks for reading—and for being part of this journey. Here's to the next chapter.
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Thank you for reaching out. Yes, a journey for sure!
Considering what is going on with substack, how it has exploded with everyone flocking here, I think I'm doing okay. I do not do much marketing and yes, small presses are not a good move for most. Yes, the small press I was with, basically, put all the marketing on us, but took most of the money. They took control of editing and covers but the covers were created from clip art and in my opinion were not high end and I can hire my own editors, so I don't feel I was really getting my money's worth. I wanted more control over what I could charge for books, so I could market effectively. If I'm going to go with a publisher again, it will be through an agent, with one of the top five. If not, I'll self publish. Thank you, Lenny for all your support!