Once again, I wish we could have an impromptu coffee meetup and discuss all of this! When I edited and wrote for magazines (or at least for the first 15 years or so), there was no such thing as social media, clickbait, or comments sections and it was all about a clever turn-of-phrase. I was OBSESSED with coming up with fun/punny cover lines and headlines, especially when I worked for fitness magazines. Like, an arm workout would be "The Right to Bare Arms" and an ab workout would be "Waist Management," etc. (not the best examples, but you get the idea). I remember one time I was agonizing over the headline for a little news item about a study on the health benefits of seaweed and was so proud when I came up with "Kelp Wanted" 😂
TBH, I kind of gave up on pitching and writing and taking editing jobs when it all become a clickbait and SEO game. I had already been feeling a bit burned out but the emphasis on going viral sucked the soul right out of me and my desire to write. Now, with Substack (as I've mentioned before), it's almost like I'm the Anti-Viral Writer, especially with my headlines but even with how I structure my stories, and I sometimes wonder if I'm doing myself or potential readers a disservice. For instance, I have an essay that's almost ready with the working title "French Kissing in the USA," which isn't going to attract nearly as many readers as what I *could* call it ("My Sexless Marriage"). I dunno, I guess maybe it speaks to one of my more annoying/endearing personality quirks -- I like to keep people guessing and make them work for things a bit. It may mean fewer people come to my party, but the chances are better that they'll be the right people 🤷🏼♀️
I happen to really love that title and will read THE SHIT out of that. I also participated in your poll. A proud once a weeker. Lol.
I agree with everythjng you said about media and magazines as well. Part of what I find exhilarating about writing here is the way I can curate my own little magic space that combines community and all the things I love that I know no one else would publish because it’s not viral enough.
I also really love seeing the creativity here of other people doing the same things with their space. I wish the kind of writing I see here were more of what major publications had. Emphasis on what lights people up and their own singular voice.
There's a book or long-form article I'm working on, through the writing I do here. I don't know what it's about yet, but I know the conversation I have with readers sharpens my thinking and my next piece, all the time. When the time is right, I imagine a good editor is the difference between it never really landing, and landing really big.
Thanks. Book publicity isn’t easy. Not sure what advice I have other than potentially to hire an independent pr person. There are much better substacks about publicity than mine! Good luck. I know it’s hard. Congrats on the book.
Once again, I wish we could have an impromptu coffee meetup and discuss all of this! When I edited and wrote for magazines (or at least for the first 15 years or so), there was no such thing as social media, clickbait, or comments sections and it was all about a clever turn-of-phrase. I was OBSESSED with coming up with fun/punny cover lines and headlines, especially when I worked for fitness magazines. Like, an arm workout would be "The Right to Bare Arms" and an ab workout would be "Waist Management," etc. (not the best examples, but you get the idea). I remember one time I was agonizing over the headline for a little news item about a study on the health benefits of seaweed and was so proud when I came up with "Kelp Wanted" 😂
TBH, I kind of gave up on pitching and writing and taking editing jobs when it all become a clickbait and SEO game. I had already been feeling a bit burned out but the emphasis on going viral sucked the soul right out of me and my desire to write. Now, with Substack (as I've mentioned before), it's almost like I'm the Anti-Viral Writer, especially with my headlines but even with how I structure my stories, and I sometimes wonder if I'm doing myself or potential readers a disservice. For instance, I have an essay that's almost ready with the working title "French Kissing in the USA," which isn't going to attract nearly as many readers as what I *could* call it ("My Sexless Marriage"). I dunno, I guess maybe it speaks to one of my more annoying/endearing personality quirks -- I like to keep people guessing and make them work for things a bit. It may mean fewer people come to my party, but the chances are better that they'll be the right people 🤷🏼♀️
I happen to really love that title and will read THE SHIT out of that. I also participated in your poll. A proud once a weeker. Lol.
I agree with everythjng you said about media and magazines as well. Part of what I find exhilarating about writing here is the way I can curate my own little magic space that combines community and all the things I love that I know no one else would publish because it’s not viral enough.
I also really love seeing the creativity here of other people doing the same things with their space. I wish the kind of writing I see here were more of what major publications had. Emphasis on what lights people up and their own singular voice.
There's a book or long-form article I'm working on, through the writing I do here. I don't know what it's about yet, but I know the conversation I have with readers sharpens my thinking and my next piece, all the time. When the time is right, I imagine a good editor is the difference between it never really landing, and landing really big.
Yes! That’s one downside to Substack. A good editor is magic.
Congrats on Publishing. I wrote a book that's on Kindle. Do you have any advice on getting it noticed?
Thanks. Book publicity isn’t easy. Not sure what advice I have other than potentially to hire an independent pr person. There are much better substacks about publicity than mine! Good luck. I know it’s hard. Congrats on the book.