How to Hook Readers by Stealing Television’s Binge-Worthy Secrets
Learn how to make your novel unputdownable by borrowing binge-worthy storytelling secrets from television, including five essential scenes that will keep readers hooked from start to finish.
Why 45% of Substacks go inactive, and other findings from combing through 75k newsletters
Uncover the surprising patterns behind newsletter longevity, creator challenges, and the strategies that separate thriving publications from the rest.
How not to f*ck up your newsletter
Or: how to navigate the increasingly dark and deep sea of 2025 “growth hack” listicles
Find brand clarity & direction with a moodboard
Moodboards can be a powerful tool for all creators. They can help shape the visual direction of a project or publication, offer a sense of clarity, and focus your creative vision.
It’s a good time to be a ghost(writer)
While it's harder than ever to land a publishing deal and the whole industry teeters on the brink, it might be a good time to consider becoming a ghostwriter.
Tana French's In The Woods and the allure of damaged characters
Messy relationships are my jam thanks to the author's Dublin Murder Squad series.
Ditch the Circus Act: Automate Your Indie Author Life (and Get Back to Writing!)
Automation isn't just about efficiency; it's about liberation. It's about giving yourself the gift of time to focus on what you love most: writing. Here's how it can change the game for you.
Creating a sustainable Substack content plan that doesn’t take up a ton of time
You made some awesome content on Substack, now it's time to maximize.
Fighting the Green-Eyed Monster
Bear with me. I promise that this story of teenage angst has plenty to do with both writing and jealousy.
The Revenge Trope: Tightening the Ties that Bind in John Wick
A detailed look at the first twenty nine minutes of John Wick (2014).
The NSFW Framework to Help You Market Your Book Better
Writing book blurbs, queries, or pitches doesn't have to be painful. I promise.
Intuitive brand strategy for writers
Crafting a brand doesn’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach; there’s no magic formula or secret ingredient. Instead, it’s our intuition that often leads us to the most meaningful outcomes.
Year 2 on Substack: Writing consistently without burning out (part 2)
Cut to a year later—I started to feel a tiny sense of dread each time I had to come up with my next piece.
Beyond Bestsellers: Yes, People Still Buy Books
Why I Still Believe in Publishing Despite its Flaws
Year 2 on Substack: Creating Sustainable Growth (part 1)
Months ago, a writer friend of mine asked me if it was worth it to start a Substack. Like me, she was working on a memoir. I told her yes, but it's a bit more complicated than all that.
Writing doesn't follow a path
Life happens and learning to accept that can sometimes turn a disaster into something even better. This is true of our writing as well.
Creating Accessible Content: Don’t Miss Out on Connecting with Your Audience
Seven Tips to Get You Started
DAMSEL: Movie vs. Book
Why the novel and Netflix film are so similar, yet so very different
How I Accidentally Published an Activity Book For Kids
(Or, How I Learned I Am More Capable of This Writing Thing Than I Gave Myself Credit For)
Hold tight to your golden thread
How to stay oriented in the Substack wilderness
Find your writing peers
How to overcome our imposter syndrome and fears to find other writers who support us without collapsing into a ball of anxiety.
The domestic maid trope in The Housemaid
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden has been burning up the thriller charts on vendors for the last few years. What can it teach us about tropes, though?
Empower vulnerability with your audience
What does it mean to be truly vulnerable? Today's newsletter is about the moment I opened up about the one thing I had always felt so ashamed about.