This a great post. Substack allows anybody to become whoever they want to be just like they want to be. And that is great to see. Am sure your press will be achieve great success like your writing! Thanks so much for the inspiration of this post! Posts like this keep us going, keep us working to be everything we want to be as writers alongside kindred spirits on Substack.
I really enjoyed reading this. Thank you for posting it. I am a Sherman Alexie fan and wannabe. I am a writer of short stories and poems and a novel and post my writing on Substack. Not as prolific as Mr. Alexie. I have also started a self-publishing endeavor (Tiny Road Books). I agree with him that Substack is a wonderful way to express yourself and write more often. Where are we going next, Mr. A? I will follow. And I look forward to your next book!
Sherman’s success on Substack should serve as a clarion call for other established writers to step outside of the establishment to directly reach readers, and build community around their work.
Thank you Eleanor and Sherman. This is possibly the most informative and interesting interview in the 8 Questions series. Not to say the others aren't good. Just not as good : )
Thank you Eleanor. "Immediacy" is indeed the addictive part. I enjoy thinking over Sherman Alexie's (double) insistence that his "discipline" as a writer has increased, not just number/volume of writings. This strikes me as important; he counters a view that (in its weaker instances, far from Alexie himself) Substack can facilitate indiscipline, lazier devil-may-care kinds of auto-fiction, self-indulgence...
Sherman has been a cheerleader for many of us. Wonderful to hear his meta thoughts here. The immediacy effect, IMO, is both a blessing and a curse. I'm still thinking about how to make it work more for me rather than me working in its service.
Love Sherman Alexie’s writing! I am also encouraged by the fact that Substack has made him more disciplined and prolific. It’s my experience as well. And a complete surprise. I love being here in Substack. First and foremost for the community. So many talented writers I enjoy reading and supporting.
I am relatively new to Substack and delayed my entry dressing over how to do it right. Once I took the leap, I find I am appreciating not only the access to other writers - never thought I could be in conversation with Sherman Alexie - but the sense of community around writing and ideas. There used to be such hierarchy between readers and writers. Now as writers we are all just people with pens peeking in on each others process and commenting now and then on how our respective writing or musings resonate. So far it has been delightful and intriguing in both discovering and being discovered.
All hail writers retaining the rights to their own work. We shall feast at a long banquet table with mulled wine and chandeliers made of pastries a la Dali. It's refreshing to know even such an established author as yourself, Sherman, has found joy in this new format.
This a great post. Substack allows anybody to become whoever they want to be just like they want to be. And that is great to see. Am sure your press will be achieve great success like your writing! Thanks so much for the inspiration of this post! Posts like this keep us going, keep us working to be everything we want to be as writers alongside kindred spirits on Substack.
Thank you, Larry.
I really enjoyed reading this. Thank you for posting it. I am a Sherman Alexie fan and wannabe. I am a writer of short stories and poems and a novel and post my writing on Substack. Not as prolific as Mr. Alexie. I have also started a self-publishing endeavor (Tiny Road Books). I agree with him that Substack is a wonderful way to express yourself and write more often. Where are we going next, Mr. A? I will follow. And I look forward to your next book!
I love your imprint name, Tiny Road Books!
Thank you so much, Tom.
Thanks, Eleanor. My Substack posting in response: https://substack.com/profile/24724503-mary-hollowell/note/c-73795932
I can't wait to get your book of poems! I'm looking forward to you thanking yourself, I think more people should thank themselves actually.
Sherman’s success on Substack should serve as a clarion call for other established writers to step outside of the establishment to directly reach readers, and build community around their work.
Loved reading this and yes please to starting an independent publishing house!!
Very interesting topics, and discussion. Substack is great, and probably one of the best websites for writers and authors!
Thank you Eleanor and Sherman. This is possibly the most informative and interesting interview in the 8 Questions series. Not to say the others aren't good. Just not as good : )
Thank you Eleanor. "Immediacy" is indeed the addictive part. I enjoy thinking over Sherman Alexie's (double) insistence that his "discipline" as a writer has increased, not just number/volume of writings. This strikes me as important; he counters a view that (in its weaker instances, far from Alexie himself) Substack can facilitate indiscipline, lazier devil-may-care kinds of auto-fiction, self-indulgence...
Sherman has been a cheerleader for many of us. Wonderful to hear his meta thoughts here. The immediacy effect, IMO, is both a blessing and a curse. I'm still thinking about how to make it work more for me rather than me working in its service.
Thank you for sharing! 💕
Love Sherman Alexie’s writing! I am also encouraged by the fact that Substack has made him more disciplined and prolific. It’s my experience as well. And a complete surprise. I love being here in Substack. First and foremost for the community. So many talented writers I enjoy reading and supporting.
I am relatively new to Substack and delayed my entry dressing over how to do it right. Once I took the leap, I find I am appreciating not only the access to other writers - never thought I could be in conversation with Sherman Alexie - but the sense of community around writing and ideas. There used to be such hierarchy between readers and writers. Now as writers we are all just people with pens peeking in on each others process and commenting now and then on how our respective writing or musings resonate. So far it has been delightful and intriguing in both discovering and being discovered.
All hail writers retaining the rights to their own work. We shall feast at a long banquet table with mulled wine and chandeliers made of pastries a la Dali. It's refreshing to know even such an established author as yourself, Sherman, has found joy in this new format.
Substance appears to let people reach more readers than Team or Vella and makes for some very interesting reading
I'm a fan ! Sherman rules ,dude !