Thank you! Further reasons for paywalling have cropped up very recently, so that's rather unfortunate for my readers.. but also makes me more certain I made the right decision.
It is a constant evolution … the brilliant thing is that each of us is in control of all the decisions; the way we run our wee communities, the publishing choices we make, the look and feel we go for, the depth and breadth of our content. It’s such a positive space for creating.
This interview is a great look at the challenges of writing, publishing a book(s) and promoting and marketing them and how Substack and the Substack community is so supportive in helping find readers and also enables supportive communication with other writers. I am so glad Tiffany, that you mentioned you had written 2 books and brought up the difficulty of writing books and building up a large audience of readers. You are so inspiring with your greeting of dear "inklings" because it makes me honored to an inkling and be addressed as an inkling and the symbol of the evergreen which was as you have mentioned, was Ren's favorite symbol, which to me, symbolizes perseverance against anything and everything. I think you will achieve all that you set out to do as a writer. And you inspire us so much with your grit, perseverence and determination and exceptional kindness which keeps us going with writing. Thanks so much for this interview.
I just purchased 6 of yours and Ren's works to read because the Evergreen and Inking and your interview persuaded me I should and am looking forward to reading them. Also if you haven't already I would maybe suggest looking at Substack Writer Lucy Werner's blog, Hype Yourself (which is a great title). She said it's not that PR is selling something to someone. It is essentially about your relationship with everyone. She seems to have a wiser much more substantial long view perception of writing and marketing and pr of one's writing instead of quickest short term gain.
Wow Larry, thank you so much for your support. I can't tell you how much that means to me. I hope they speak meaningfully to you and would love to hear what you think. I've heard of Lucy, but haven't looked at her work in depth. Maybe I shall, now!
You're welcome. I will let you know what I think of yours and Ren's books. I like the titles already and the words and symbols. Regarding Lucy I haven't really gone through what she suggests in detail. I choose people to trust for advice on how I feel I am being addressed. Sometimes people are too self absorbed for their communication to actually reach the reader. It's a subtle thing but how their communication makes you feel makes all the difference. Experts are notorious for self-importance but Lucy doesn't seem like that at all. I just think she might be looking at things from a viewpoint that might be closer to yours. And in the pr and marketing of books, how you seem to others can make a huge difference. I do think you should price your books higher although that is your decision. I know Amazon sometimes reduces the price which can or cannot help but as you build your brand people will happily pay more. But it is difficult to be patient so whatever you do, and you have done a lot, can make you feel better.
Sounds like her philosophy is similar to Dan Blank's, if you're familiar with his work. One of the aspects that drew me to indie-publishing was the direct relationship I'd be able to cultivate with my readers. Yes, marketing can be a pain and feel uncomfortable, but people like you and others remind me it's worth it. As for the prices, since they're short stories, I think they're fair. I'll charge much more for full-length books. :) Thanks so much, Larry.
You're welcome. I will look at Dan Blank's indie publishing marketing and promotion advice. Thanks for the suggestion. When the marketing is a pain and overwhelming sometimes, best to find out all about it or as much as possible that is practical or can be implemented without too much difficulty. Thanks again.
This is such a lovely interview! Tiffany, I loved learning more about you and your why behind your Substack. I couldn’t agree more that Substack is a wonderful place to be a writer and is filled with some amazingly talented people, you included! ❤️
Tiffany, this is exciting! I learned so much about you from this interview, and it just makes me love you even more. You’re doing extraordinary, thoughtful, creative work here. Yet you’re deeply modest about it. I don’t know of anyone else on Substack who works as hard and as diligently as you do, and produces such stellar work. I was profoundly honored to be interviewed by you and asked to write a guest post. It is a highlight of my Substack career.
Eleanor, thank you for bringing Tiffany into the spotlight and for asking great questions. She is a gem.
Hi Mary! I'm so lucky to have you in my corner. Thank you for always encouraging me and all you do for the rest of the Substack community. I admire you and your work so, so much.
Thanks for this great series of interviews. Writing and finding readers is such a struggle and your interviews help us notice excellent writers who inspire us. Thanks so much for this series.
This is a great interview with Tiffany Chu. Her writing resonates with how one can best engage with the essence of life, living and writing and how one can find or achieve some happiness in life and in their writing and encourage others to well. It is so true the time to spend question, more on Substack versus working on one's book. But the interview with Tiffany and the other interviews in this series really keep up us going no matter any of the myraid obstacles and difficulties along a writer's journey. Thanks so much.
You know, Tiffany, I think those who are cerebral often excel at emotional transparency, once they learn what works for them. You are one of those authors.
This was interesting to read, and I found myself nodding a lot in your answers. You're right that there is a dopamine rush to checking comments on posts and Notes, and it does detract from the longer form of writing a chapter or a long essay. I am learning that, especially since last August, when a piece I wrote received a lot of attention here. It's important to be discerning, to return to a place where each of us can ask ourselves what we need to do to step away and into that inner sanctuary, to listen, to reflect. That's important to me.
I, too, started on WordPress and the Meta platforms. Like you, these were unsatisfactory for me. For YEARS. Yet when I started out writing for publication, writing veterans told me I "had" to be on these social sites, because I needed to build a platform. Also like you, I decided to walk away from them and use Substack, because I wanted the freedom to write what was in my heart rather than try to shape my narratives according to what would garner the most "likes" or "follows."
Even now, though I've been here for almost two years, my growth is slow. As in, sloth-slow. But it's present, bit by bit. I suppose that's, in part, because I am both sensitive AND brazen, which is an odd combination for a personality. I've always felt a tangle with myself because of that.
But being here with you and other sincere, authentic voices somehow keeps me on this path where I give myself permission to simply be myself, regardless of how many people follow or subscribe or pay me. There is a twinge of self-consciousness reserved for that elusive external validation I carry, but I do try to still show up and let my writing and stories and journey speak for themselves.
Thanks for sharing this lovely interview, Tiffany!
I read Equinox and I really like the cover. I looked up Equinox which refers to the time when the length of day and night are the same. So I was thinking day would be Chloris and night would be Zephyrus. But I thought they were mismatched so it became a tragedy. But there is formal voice to this and it is more traditional. It's more like poetry of the wind and the rose. I don't know if you are thinking about a novel or if this is like a prose poem. But it could be prologue to novel about a couple named Zeph and Chloe and they are so different and but both share equal importance but it is problematic. I think it's a neat snapshot of a relationship. There is tension in how they are so different. Lots for the reader to think about.
Thank you for the honour of this interview, Eleanor!
❤️
The idea of a paywall as a protective cocoon is super-interesting.
Really interesting answers … love these interviews.
Thank you! Further reasons for paywalling have cropped up very recently, so that's rather unfortunate for my readers.. but also makes me more certain I made the right decision.
It is a constant evolution … the brilliant thing is that each of us is in control of all the decisions; the way we run our wee communities, the publishing choices we make, the look and feel we go for, the depth and breadth of our content. It’s such a positive space for creating.
This interview is a great look at the challenges of writing, publishing a book(s) and promoting and marketing them and how Substack and the Substack community is so supportive in helping find readers and also enables supportive communication with other writers. I am so glad Tiffany, that you mentioned you had written 2 books and brought up the difficulty of writing books and building up a large audience of readers. You are so inspiring with your greeting of dear "inklings" because it makes me honored to an inkling and be addressed as an inkling and the symbol of the evergreen which was as you have mentioned, was Ren's favorite symbol, which to me, symbolizes perseverance against anything and everything. I think you will achieve all that you set out to do as a writer. And you inspire us so much with your grit, perseverence and determination and exceptional kindness which keeps us going with writing. Thanks so much for this interview.
It means a lot that you remember these small details, Larry. I'm grateful to have you as an inkling. You're a great encouragement to me.
I just purchased 6 of yours and Ren's works to read because the Evergreen and Inking and your interview persuaded me I should and am looking forward to reading them. Also if you haven't already I would maybe suggest looking at Substack Writer Lucy Werner's blog, Hype Yourself (which is a great title). She said it's not that PR is selling something to someone. It is essentially about your relationship with everyone. She seems to have a wiser much more substantial long view perception of writing and marketing and pr of one's writing instead of quickest short term gain.
Wow Larry, thank you so much for your support. I can't tell you how much that means to me. I hope they speak meaningfully to you and would love to hear what you think. I've heard of Lucy, but haven't looked at her work in depth. Maybe I shall, now!
You're welcome. I will let you know what I think of yours and Ren's books. I like the titles already and the words and symbols. Regarding Lucy I haven't really gone through what she suggests in detail. I choose people to trust for advice on how I feel I am being addressed. Sometimes people are too self absorbed for their communication to actually reach the reader. It's a subtle thing but how their communication makes you feel makes all the difference. Experts are notorious for self-importance but Lucy doesn't seem like that at all. I just think she might be looking at things from a viewpoint that might be closer to yours. And in the pr and marketing of books, how you seem to others can make a huge difference. I do think you should price your books higher although that is your decision. I know Amazon sometimes reduces the price which can or cannot help but as you build your brand people will happily pay more. But it is difficult to be patient so whatever you do, and you have done a lot, can make you feel better.
Sounds like her philosophy is similar to Dan Blank's, if you're familiar with his work. One of the aspects that drew me to indie-publishing was the direct relationship I'd be able to cultivate with my readers. Yes, marketing can be a pain and feel uncomfortable, but people like you and others remind me it's worth it. As for the prices, since they're short stories, I think they're fair. I'll charge much more for full-length books. :) Thanks so much, Larry.
You're welcome. I will look at Dan Blank's indie publishing marketing and promotion advice. Thanks for the suggestion. When the marketing is a pain and overwhelming sometimes, best to find out all about it or as much as possible that is practical or can be implemented without too much difficulty. Thanks again.
Larry B.
Yeah! Tiffany is wonderful. So happy to see her featured here.
Thanks, Matthew!
This is such a lovely interview! Tiffany, I loved learning more about you and your why behind your Substack. I couldn’t agree more that Substack is a wonderful place to be a writer and is filled with some amazingly talented people, you included! ❤️
Thank you, Bridget! It is a magical place. Now the problem is having the time to read all the excellent writing I want to read on here.
Tiffany, this is exciting! I learned so much about you from this interview, and it just makes me love you even more. You’re doing extraordinary, thoughtful, creative work here. Yet you’re deeply modest about it. I don’t know of anyone else on Substack who works as hard and as diligently as you do, and produces such stellar work. I was profoundly honored to be interviewed by you and asked to write a guest post. It is a highlight of my Substack career.
Eleanor, thank you for bringing Tiffany into the spotlight and for asking great questions. She is a gem.
Hi Mary! I'm so lucky to have you in my corner. Thank you for always encouraging me and all you do for the rest of the Substack community. I admire you and your work so, so much.
Love you, Tiffany.❤️
Love YOU, Mary.
🙌🏻
Eleanor,
Thanks for this great series of interviews. Writing and finding readers is such a struggle and your interviews help us notice excellent writers who inspire us. Thanks so much for this series.
My pleasure Larry ☺️
I love Tiffany and what she's doing in her newsletter! Thanks for highlighting her.
This is a great interview with Tiffany Chu. Her writing resonates with how one can best engage with the essence of life, living and writing and how one can find or achieve some happiness in life and in their writing and encourage others to well. It is so true the time to spend question, more on Substack versus working on one's book. But the interview with Tiffany and the other interviews in this series really keep up us going no matter any of the myraid obstacles and difficulties along a writer's journey. Thanks so much.
You know, Tiffany, I think those who are cerebral often excel at emotional transparency, once they learn what works for them. You are one of those authors.
This was interesting to read, and I found myself nodding a lot in your answers. You're right that there is a dopamine rush to checking comments on posts and Notes, and it does detract from the longer form of writing a chapter or a long essay. I am learning that, especially since last August, when a piece I wrote received a lot of attention here. It's important to be discerning, to return to a place where each of us can ask ourselves what we need to do to step away and into that inner sanctuary, to listen, to reflect. That's important to me.
I, too, started on WordPress and the Meta platforms. Like you, these were unsatisfactory for me. For YEARS. Yet when I started out writing for publication, writing veterans told me I "had" to be on these social sites, because I needed to build a platform. Also like you, I decided to walk away from them and use Substack, because I wanted the freedom to write what was in my heart rather than try to shape my narratives according to what would garner the most "likes" or "follows."
Even now, though I've been here for almost two years, my growth is slow. As in, sloth-slow. But it's present, bit by bit. I suppose that's, in part, because I am both sensitive AND brazen, which is an odd combination for a personality. I've always felt a tangle with myself because of that.
But being here with you and other sincere, authentic voices somehow keeps me on this path where I give myself permission to simply be myself, regardless of how many people follow or subscribe or pay me. There is a twinge of self-consciousness reserved for that elusive external validation I carry, but I do try to still show up and let my writing and stories and journey speak for themselves.
Thanks for sharing this lovely interview, Tiffany!
I read Equinox and I really like the cover. I looked up Equinox which refers to the time when the length of day and night are the same. So I was thinking day would be Chloris and night would be Zephyrus. But I thought they were mismatched so it became a tragedy. But there is formal voice to this and it is more traditional. It's more like poetry of the wind and the rose. I don't know if you are thinking about a novel or if this is like a prose poem. But it could be prologue to novel about a couple named Zeph and Chloe and they are so different and but both share equal importance but it is problematic. I think it's a neat snapshot of a relationship. There is tension in how they are so different. Lots for the reader to think about.