Mark, thank you. I absolutely loved attending you gathering about starting a Substack. I found it so inspiring. You did such a good job of demystifying this new(ish) platform and outlining its potential joys and benefits to someone who was feeling very overwhelmed by the idea of it. I left feeling galvanised and excited! I didn't actually ask any questions as you had addressed all of them without my asking. It's super generous of you to share your insights with people in this way. To anyone who is mulling over whether to attend, I cannot recommend it more highly - if you can bag yourself a space!
I joined the Substack gathering this morning after many months of deliberation about whether or not to jump on the band wagon. In just over an hour, Mark shared his experience of beginning and developing a Substack page in a very down to earth way, with touches of humour spliced in to keep things ticking along. For anyone thinking of dipping their toe in the Substack pond, this is a great place to start if you want an honest and objective voice on the subject, (which let`s face it, we all do). Some great little tips on writing thrown in too. You`ll want a notebook to hand.
This was ace, in a “Now I can’t stop thinking about Substack” kinda way. It felt like a casual catch up over coffee , but the nuggets of Mark gold were all there. Thanks so much! X
Thank you so much Kirstie - that is EXACTLY how I was hoping it might be. I hope you find this place gives you the chance to do whatever it is you fancy...and I hope to see you on one of the other more in-depth gatherings x
The latest gathering with Chris Young was another insightful and illuminating window into the scary publishing world! Thanks so much to Mark and Chris. It’s a bit like being invited to poke around the bathroom rather than luxuriate in the kitchen but I guess you learn the other side as to how a household works by doing that. Many thanks again to you both for demystifying all this. I now feel like I’m milling around nervously wondering when the loo will be free and whether it’s worth knocking on the door to check…
What excellent household analogies! I’m really glad you enjoyed it
- it’s a peculiar world to navigate, but knowing a little of the path, saddling yourself and others the right questions and generally knowing more of the score will give you a way better chance of getting where you want to be. Hope to see you at other gatherings and thanks for coming along
In conversation with Chris Young yesterday was ace, thanks Mark! It’s stayed in my head all day and is chipping away at the stubborn rock face of self doubt in my head about plunging more into writing!! Thanks for the gentle creative shove 😬
Thank YOU Kirstie! Self doubt is a constant for many but it can (amd MUST!) be lightheartedly accommodated rather than indulged. The gathering with Cathy will really be good if you can come along to that
I really enjoyed the recent Gathering on starting a Substack, much to ponder (although I’m also hugely inspired now to take more action!) and to do it with commitment and enthusiasm. As attendees we were so lucky to have your wisdom
and time. I very much hope to join more Gatherings! Thank you, Mark.
Thank you Ren, I'm so glad you got something out of it. I really think this place can be such a great home for a writer if they get on the right track with it
This morning’s gathering was great. Insightful and informative. Understanding why Mark joined Substack and his approach to growing his community has helped me set out my goals going forward. I am definitely looking forward to more of these gatherings.
I’ve had a Substack for a while and I wish Mark had been there with his Gatherings before I started as it would have saved me a lot of angst. I’ve just been to one, and in his honest, generous and humorous way, he shared his philosophy and experience and got me thinking. I’m full of ideas and enthusiasm now about how to relaunch mine after taking a Lenten break.
I was at the first ‘gathering’ and I’d especially recommend it for anyone who is ‘substack curious’ and wondering if this might be a home for their writing. Mark was very clear about his reasons for using the platform and made the whole adventure come to life, with clear, no bullshit advice, and plenty of warmth and humour. Literally food for thought!
The Gathering this morning kickstarted me into action by making Substack appealing and friendly, rather than distant and complicated. It also made me determined to commit to it rather than pick it up and put it down again like the dilettante I (usually) am. Thank you, Mark.
Lovely to have you along this morning Clare, thank you for being part of it. I hope you get everything you want from it and any other gatherings you come to
Today's gathering was amazing, thank you Mark! You definitely took away any concerns about Substack being too complicated as a platform. Now I feel like I could do it if I really commited to it. 😉 Greetings from Austria! -Jasmin
That's music to my ears Jasmin! So much of it is about sitting down with your creative brain and thinking seriously about what you really want to write about, and then committing. Thank you for your comment here and I hope to see you at the more in-depth ones when they are launched
Mark, thank you. I absolutely loved attending you gathering about starting a Substack. I found it so inspiring. You did such a good job of demystifying this new(ish) platform and outlining its potential joys and benefits to someone who was feeling very overwhelmed by the idea of it. I left feeling galvanised and excited! I didn't actually ask any questions as you had addressed all of them without my asking. It's super generous of you to share your insights with people in this way. To anyone who is mulling over whether to attend, I cannot recommend it more highly - if you can bag yourself a space!
So kind of you to say Amber, thank you so much. Thank you for being part of it
I joined the Substack gathering this morning after many months of deliberation about whether or not to jump on the band wagon. In just over an hour, Mark shared his experience of beginning and developing a Substack page in a very down to earth way, with touches of humour spliced in to keep things ticking along. For anyone thinking of dipping their toe in the Substack pond, this is a great place to start if you want an honest and objective voice on the subject, (which let`s face it, we all do). Some great little tips on writing thrown in too. You`ll want a notebook to hand.
Thank you Rachel - I'm so glad it was useful to you
This was ace, in a “Now I can’t stop thinking about Substack” kinda way. It felt like a casual catch up over coffee , but the nuggets of Mark gold were all there. Thanks so much! X
Thank you so much Kirstie - that is EXACTLY how I was hoping it might be. I hope you find this place gives you the chance to do whatever it is you fancy...and I hope to see you on one of the other more in-depth gatherings x
Now this is very exciting! Thanks Mark.
Thanks JP, I'm really excited to be doing it with all of you
Really great session with Chris Young and Mark. Thank you both !
Thank you Mary Anne, so glad you enjoyed it
The latest gathering with Chris Young was another insightful and illuminating window into the scary publishing world! Thanks so much to Mark and Chris. It’s a bit like being invited to poke around the bathroom rather than luxuriate in the kitchen but I guess you learn the other side as to how a household works by doing that. Many thanks again to you both for demystifying all this. I now feel like I’m milling around nervously wondering when the loo will be free and whether it’s worth knocking on the door to check…
What excellent household analogies! I’m really glad you enjoyed it
- it’s a peculiar world to navigate, but knowing a little of the path, saddling yourself and others the right questions and generally knowing more of the score will give you a way better chance of getting where you want to be. Hope to see you at other gatherings and thanks for coming along
In conversation with Chris Young yesterday was ace, thanks Mark! It’s stayed in my head all day and is chipping away at the stubborn rock face of self doubt in my head about plunging more into writing!! Thanks for the gentle creative shove 😬
Thank YOU Kirstie! Self doubt is a constant for many but it can (amd MUST!) be lightheartedly accommodated rather than indulged. The gathering with Cathy will really be good if you can come along to that
I really enjoyed the recent Gathering on starting a Substack, much to ponder (although I’m also hugely inspired now to take more action!) and to do it with commitment and enthusiasm. As attendees we were so lucky to have your wisdom
and time. I very much hope to join more Gatherings! Thank you, Mark.
Thank you Ren, I'm so glad you got something out of it. I really think this place can be such a great home for a writer if they get on the right track with it
This morning’s gathering was great. Insightful and informative. Understanding why Mark joined Substack and his approach to growing his community has helped me set out my goals going forward. I am definitely looking forward to more of these gatherings.
Thank you Lynn, much appreciated
I’ve had a Substack for a while and I wish Mark had been there with his Gatherings before I started as it would have saved me a lot of angst. I’ve just been to one, and in his honest, generous and humorous way, he shared his philosophy and experience and got me thinking. I’m full of ideas and enthusiasm now about how to relaunch mine after taking a Lenten break.
Thanks so great to hear Kate, and thank you so much
I was at the first ‘gathering’ and I’d especially recommend it for anyone who is ‘substack curious’ and wondering if this might be a home for their writing. Mark was very clear about his reasons for using the platform and made the whole adventure come to life, with clear, no bullshit advice, and plenty of warmth and humour. Literally food for thought!
Thank you Heather - great to have you as part of it and so glad you got something out of it
The gathering this morning was great, thanks so much, Mark. I got such a lot out of it.
That's so great to hear Bee, thank you
The Gathering this morning kickstarted me into action by making Substack appealing and friendly, rather than distant and complicated. It also made me determined to commit to it rather than pick it up and put it down again like the dilettante I (usually) am. Thank you, Mark.
Lovely to have you along this morning Clare, thank you for being part of it. I hope you get everything you want from it and any other gatherings you come to
Today's gathering was amazing, thank you Mark! You definitely took away any concerns about Substack being too complicated as a platform. Now I feel like I could do it if I really commited to it. 😉 Greetings from Austria! -Jasmin
That's music to my ears Jasmin! So much of it is about sitting down with your creative brain and thinking seriously about what you really want to write about, and then committing. Thank you for your comment here and I hope to see you at the more in-depth ones when they are launched
I am looking forward to this. These zoom calls will also be a lovely introduction to other substackers. 😀
One of the things I love best about here is the community side of it and the gatherings will, I hope, make that even more so for everyone here
This is going to be really helpful to anyone thinking of creating a Substack newsletter - looking forward to listening in !
I’m delighted you think so