You're welcome! I think it must indeed be a continuum. I'm on the extreme end when it comes to fiction, meaning that I think about reader reactions very little (non-fiction is different, it has a different purpose). But that's only one way of working. To me if I think too much about reactions while I'm writing fiction it becomes paralyzing. Also I've noticed that when, after publication, I do anticipate reader responses I'm often very wrong. So I don't think it would help me to focus on that while writing. But for some people it might! Best of luck in finding your sweet spot...
Very much enjoyed reading this. It's funny — I think that the attention-to-the reader bit must be a longer continuum than I had previously thought.
When I was doing academic writing, the writing was entirely in service to the readers/field. When I see that stuff being read or cited, my basic reaction is along the lines of “you're welcome.”
With the more literary essays I've been putting up here, where the content follows my own preoccupations rather than a sense of fulfilling a need, I tend to react with a sense of gratitude when things are read.
My attempts at fiction mostly haven't worked, and I wonder if that isn't because I haven’t quite found the right place on that continuum between reader-centered and the way you frame it here (the cocooning).
Magazines were not always reliable for me either, I faced a lot of rejection for years, really nothing but rejection for the first 5 years or so of trying. Even after I published my first two books I mostly got rejected--editors didn't even bother to answer query letters. Actually its only in the last ten years that I feel like I can count on being published by a magazine. So yeah, they can be a tough market and also narrow. The success of Substack shows there's a wider audience for sure.
It was nice to another writer's perspective on why they started, and relatable. It's not the same reason I started, but I don't see the point of going through editors either just to get seen.
It was nice to another writer's perspective on why they started, and relatable. It's not the same reason I started, but I don't see the point of going through editors either just to get seen.
I didn't go through editors to get seen, it was because I needed money! And while SStack can bring in some income, magazines are more reliable that way. SStack is more free and more interactive though, so there's a trade off.
Yes, so you've stated 😁 I've faced only rejections by Magazines so I didn’t know they could be a reliable source income. Thank you for clarifying on that 🤗
I relate a lot to the cocooning when it comes to writing fiction. It's why I'm more hesitant about putting fiction on Substack that I haven't allowed to simmer for a long enough period of time. Even with essays, I write them sometimes months ahead of time, and revise and revise before I post them. It's...an interesting process.
I completely relate to this. I often have this experience too and sometimes it is really worth taking the time. Though it was a welcome novelty to be much quicker on the draw, when I first started...
I think Substack can be amenable to one's short fiction. I've tried that and had good reactions to my work. But for longer pieces, something serialized here, it might be best to write something specifically for this platform. I say this because I have several longer pieces I could publish here, but my intuition is that somehow, they don't match.
I know. But for the last few years, my longer fiction has been in the fantasy genre, and I want to break away from that kind of writing. I also like to write humor, so yes, decisions, decisions.
I think the easiest way to procede might be to take a flash piece and just run with it.
I’ve found there’s a sweet spot for publishing serialised fiction, a word count over which interest drifts, or is put off from starting. But that does mean full length novels can take over 5 months to be fully rolled out (depending on how often chapters are posted).
I was thinking of trying novelette length---around 20k. That might be perfect. Each post of around 1500 words could yield twelve or thirteen installments.
"when I write an essay for a magazine" I don't see why we have to keep submitting to editors. The best Substacks read like magazine pieces. They should come to us.
You're welcome! I think it must indeed be a continuum. I'm on the extreme end when it comes to fiction, meaning that I think about reader reactions very little (non-fiction is different, it has a different purpose). But that's only one way of working. To me if I think too much about reactions while I'm writing fiction it becomes paralyzing. Also I've noticed that when, after publication, I do anticipate reader responses I'm often very wrong. So I don't think it would help me to focus on that while writing. But for some people it might! Best of luck in finding your sweet spot...
Very much enjoyed reading this. It's funny — I think that the attention-to-the reader bit must be a longer continuum than I had previously thought.
When I was doing academic writing, the writing was entirely in service to the readers/field. When I see that stuff being read or cited, my basic reaction is along the lines of “you're welcome.”
With the more literary essays I've been putting up here, where the content follows my own preoccupations rather than a sense of fulfilling a need, I tend to react with a sense of gratitude when things are read.
My attempts at fiction mostly haven't worked, and I wonder if that isn't because I haven’t quite found the right place on that continuum between reader-centered and the way you frame it here (the cocooning).
Interesting and thought-provoking: thank you.
Well-done, Mary. I've been buying your books and reading your shorter pieces for what seems like forever. So, call me a fan! xo
Magazines were not always reliable for me either, I faced a lot of rejection for years, really nothing but rejection for the first 5 years or so of trying. Even after I published my first two books I mostly got rejected--editors didn't even bother to answer query letters. Actually its only in the last ten years that I feel like I can count on being published by a magazine. So yeah, they can be a tough market and also narrow. The success of Substack shows there's a wider audience for sure.
It was nice to another writer's perspective on why they started, and relatable. It's not the same reason I started, but I don't see the point of going through editors either just to get seen.
It was nice to another writer's perspective on why they started, and relatable. It's not the same reason I started, but I don't see the point of going through editors either just to get seen.
I didn't go through editors to get seen, it was because I needed money! And while SStack can bring in some income, magazines are more reliable that way. SStack is more free and more interactive though, so there's a trade off.
Yes, so you've stated 😁 I've faced only rejections by Magazines so I didn’t know they could be a reliable source income. Thank you for clarifying on that 🤗
I relate a lot to the cocooning when it comes to writing fiction. It's why I'm more hesitant about putting fiction on Substack that I haven't allowed to simmer for a long enough period of time. Even with essays, I write them sometimes months ahead of time, and revise and revise before I post them. It's...an interesting process.
I completely relate to this. I often have this experience too and sometimes it is really worth taking the time. Though it was a welcome novelty to be much quicker on the draw, when I first started...
Thank you, I hope I can stay on too, in some form.
I think Substack can be amenable to one's short fiction. I've tried that and had good reactions to my work. But for longer pieces, something serialized here, it might be best to write something specifically for this platform. I say this because I have several longer pieces I could publish here, but my intuition is that somehow, they don't match.
I've thought about it too. In my case too I feel like it would be ideally tailored to this platform and Im unclear what that would look like.
I know. But for the last few years, my longer fiction has been in the fantasy genre, and I want to break away from that kind of writing. I also like to write humor, so yes, decisions, decisions.
I think the easiest way to procede might be to take a flash piece and just run with it.
I’ve found there’s a sweet spot for publishing serialised fiction, a word count over which interest drifts, or is put off from starting. But that does mean full length novels can take over 5 months to be fully rolled out (depending on how often chapters are posted).
I was thinking of trying novelette length---around 20k. That might be perfect. Each post of around 1500 words could yield twelve or thirteen installments.
Kudos for your Fallout, Eleanor. :)
🙌🏻 , and sounds good.
"when I write an essay for a magazine" I don't see why we have to keep submitting to editors. The best Substacks read like magazine pieces. They should come to us.
This interview crystalized for me the different mindsets needed for essay writing and fiction.
I'm glad!
I can totally relate to the cocoon-like environment needed for writing fiction.
I’m so glad Mary Gaitskill is on Substack. I hope she stays on. Her work is so illuminating and thoughtful.