Lovely Reader, Get the Most-est Out of Substack

This is my month to recommend dark and delicious Substacks with gothic-y vibes! I hope you’re testing out the Substacks I’ve recommended so far. (If you’re new to my blog, scroll down for a look back at previous blog posts about Substack newsletters.)

When a recent newbie to Substack posted a note about feeling confused on the platform and not knowing what to do, I thought instead of recommending newsletters this week, I'd use my post to suggest how you can use Substack as a reader and enjoy yourself!

Your Substack Reading Experience Awaits!

Many people think of Substack as a platform for writers, but some of its greatest value lies on the reader side of the experience. In a world of endless social media scrolling and algorithm-driven feeds, Substack offers something increasingly rare: the opportunity to follow ideas and voices intentionally.

One of the best ways to enjoy Substack is to be selective. Rather than subscribing to dozens of newsletters all at once (which pile up in your inbox and you never open--I know because I've been there), start with two or three--or if you're feeling a little bolder--a handful of writers whose work genuinely interests you.

Then STOP. Don't go overboard subscribing to every shiny Substack! The volume will overwhelm you, and you'll find yourself trashing every update.

So, thoughtful selection is the key to an enjoyable Substack experience. Curate with care. Subscribe to only those newsletters that speak to you. To help you get started, and since you and I love gothic-y works and horror/romance/fantasy/historical mashups, I suggested some Substack newsletters for your consideration. Of course, there are many more, which I haven't included because I haven't discovered them yet. If you're looking for a particular author or a specific genre or trope angle, use the search tool to uncover Substacks you like and join others who share your reading interests.

Once you subscribe, read the posts, notice which stories or essays you finish, and pay attention to the writers who make you think, laugh, learn, or see the world differently. And above all, engage! Leave comments on posts that resonate with you. Ask questions. Share your perspective and enjoyment. Every Substack writer I've encountered appreciates likes and thoughtful interactions, and some of the most interesting discussions happen in the comments section rather than in the original article itself.

For this reason, Substack often feels more like a community gathering than the social media mills, which gin up emotional triggers, advertise products, and provide avenues for creepy people to contact you.

Enjoy the Notes. These are typically short updates, which reflect writers' observations about the world, or current projects, or creative hobbies, or pets. (I've esteemed author Jasper Fforde from afar for over 25 years, and on Substack, I can see his photography for the first time.) Readers can easily discover more about their favorite writers through these brief posts.

Substack also rewards curiosity. When you find a writer you enjoy, explore the newsletters they recommend. Some fabulous newsletters have come from authors I respect suggesting other titles.

The best way to think about Substack is not as another social platform to doom scroll, but as a reading room filled with newsletters, essays, stories, and conversations, where you can connect with other readers. The more intentional you are about what you subscribe to and how you take part, the richer the experience becomes for you.

I hope you'll experiment with two or three Substack authors. (If my writing intrigues you, you can subscribe to my stack here: ROMANCE AT A DARK WOOD’S EDGE.) It’s easy to subscribe (and just as easy to unsubscribe), and all the creatives that I've clicked offer a free tier, so you won’t be out of pocket. What you will get is access to exclusive experiences, along with the fun of being part of an energized community of readers who share your interests.

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Try Substack out for all your gothic fun, and obsess over the comments box to let me know what Substack newsletter you love!