Substack for Authors: An Exciting Publishing Shift

Substack for authors is quickly becoming one of the most powerful tools in the modern publishing landscape. The world of publishing has experienced a revolutionary shift in recent years, and Substack has been at the forefront of this transformation. Substack, a writing and publishing platform that allows writers to publish newsletters and charge subscriptions, has rapidly gained popularity among writers and readers alike. It has provided writers with an alternative to traditional publishing and has allowed them to build direct relationships with their readers.

What is Substack and How Does it Work for Authors?

The platform was created with the aim of providing writers with a direct line of communication with their audience, without the need for intermediaries such as editors or publishers.

Substack’s initial offering was a simple email newsletter service that allowed writers to send their work directly to their subscribers’ inboxes. However, it quickly evolved into a full-featured platform that enables writers to create and manage their publications, set subscription prices, and receive payment directly from their readers.

It combines the ease of blogs with email distribution, enabling users to share content directly with subscribers. It supports articles, podcasts, and videos, and offers tools for managing free and paid subscriptions. Features like Substack Chat and video integration enhance community engagement. By handling publishing and subscriber management, Substack allows creators to focus on their content and build sustainable businesses.

Today, Substack has over 3 million paying subscribers across its platform, and it has become the go-to platform for many writers looking to build their audiences and monetise their work.

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Substack vs Patreon: Which Is Better for Authors?

You might be torn between the two as you start your writing career. Both are popular platforms for creators to monetise their content and build a dedicated audience. However, they differ in their approach and focus.

Substack is primarily a newsletter platform, where writers and journalists can create and distribute their own newsletters to subscribers. Subscribers can pay for the newsletters on a recurring basis, with Substack taking a small percentage of the revenue as a fee.

Patreon, on the other hand, is a membership platform that allows creators to receive ongoing support from their fans in exchange for exclusive content and perks. Creators can offer different membership tiers, with different levels of access and benefits for each tier.

While Substack is focused on newsletters, Patreon is more flexible in terms of the types of content that creators can offer. Creators on Patreon can offer anything from podcasts to videos, as long as they have a dedicated audience willing to pay for exclusive content.

Ultimately, the choice between Substack and Patreon depends on the type of content you create and how you want to monetise it. If you primarily create written content in the form of newsletters, Substack may be the better option. If you create other types of content and want more flexibility in terms of membership tiers and benefits, Patreon may be the better fit.

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Why Substack for Authors Is Gaining Popularity

Its success can be attributed to several factors:

1. It allows writers to retain complete control over their work, which is a significant departure from traditional publishing models. It covers content creation pricing and distribution.
2. It provides writers with a direct line of communication with their readers, which enables them to create a more intimate and engaged relationship with their audience. It aligns the interests of writers and readers, creating a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship.
3. It offers a simple and user-friendly platform that makes it easy for writers to get started and build their publications. As simple as it sounds, it offers powerful tools for audience management, monetisation, and community building.

The combination of user-friendly technology, monetisation options, direct audience connection, and flexibility make it an attractive option for writers looking to take control of their work and build a sustainable career.

The Pros and Cons of Using Substack for Authors

PROS	CONS
Control: authors have more control over their work and retain ownership	Monetisation: not all authors can generate enough subscribers to make a living wage
Revenue: authors can monetise their content and earn a steady stream of income	Competition: increased popularity means more competition for readers’ attention
Audience: authors can build their own audience and establish a community around their work	Technical limitations: limited customisation options and control over newsletter design
Simplified platform: user-friendly and easy to use for authors of all skill levels	Dependence on Substack: authors are dependent on the platform for distribution and monetisation

New Features on Substack for Authors

Substack has rolled out several exciting features, designed to enhance the user experience for both writers and readers. Here’s a closer look at some of the key updates:

Mobile Editor for iOS

Substack’s new mobile editor allows content creators to draft and publish posts directly from their iPhones. While this initial version offers basic text and image publishing, more advanced features such as scheduling and formatting are expected to be added soon.

Substack Chat

Substack Chat has become a dynamic space for real-time interaction between writers and their audience. This feature now includes video sharing, enabling more engaging and interactive conversations. Writers can use Chat to share quick updates, host discussions, and build a stronger community.

Substack Video

With Substack Video, creators can seamlessly integrate video content into their newsletters. This feature supports video uploads and embedding, making it easier to share multimedia content with subscribers, thus enhancing the storytelling experience.

Substack Reader 2.0

Substack Reader 2.0 is an upgraded version of the original reader app, designed to improve content discovery and consumption. It offers a more personalized reading experience, better navigation, and enhanced tools for managing subscriptions. This update aims to help users find and engage with content more efficiently.

Substack Livestreaming

Substack has introduced a livestreaming feature that allows creators to host live video sessions directly within the platform. This addition enables writers and content creators to engage with their audience in real-time, offering a more dynamic and interactive experience. Livestreams can be used for a variety of purposes, including live Q&A sessions, discussions, workshops, or simply to connect more personally with subscribers. This feature represents a significant enhancement, making Substack a more comprehensive tool for creators looking to expand their engagement strategies.

Successful Authors on Substack: Who’s Using It?

Here are some well-known figures in the writing industry who are making the most of Substack:

Salman Rushdie

Salman Rushdie is one of the most celebrated and controversial authors of our time, known for his novels such as Midnight’s Children, The Satanic Verses, and Quichotte. He recently announced that he will be publishing his next book, titled Languages of Truth, on Substack.

According to Rushdie, he chose Substack because he wanted to “write without being edited” and “without having to think about pleasing anybody”. He also said that he was inspired by the serialised novels of Charles Dickens and wanted to revive that tradition.

Rushdie’s Substack newsletter, which costs $6 a month or $60 a year to subscribe, will feature not only his new book but also essays, stories, reviews, and other writings. He plans to publish two chapters of Languages of Truth every month, starting from September 2021.

Maggie Stiefvater

Maggie Stiefvater is a bestselling author of young adult fantasy novels such as The Raven Cycle, The Scorpio Races, and Call Down the Hawk. She launched her Substack newsletter, The Novelleist, in June 2020.

The Novelleist is a place where Stiefvater publishes one exclusive fictional short story a month for paid subscribers ($5 a month or $50 a year), as well as newsletters about writing, the creative process, and her books. She also serialises her long-form works, such as Mister Impossible, the sequel to Call Down the Hawk.

Stiefvater uses Substack to interact with her fans in a more intimate and personal way than social media. She also has fun with her Substack audience and even publishes TikTok raps.

Zack O’Malley Greenburg

Zack O’Malley Greenburg is a senior editor at Forbes and an author of books such as Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office and A-List Angels: How a Band of Actors, Artists, and Athletes Hacked Silicon Valley.

He started his Substack newsletter, We Are All Musicians Now, in July 2020. It is a serialised version of his upcoming book of the same name, which explores how musicians are adapting to the digital age and creating new business models.

Greenburg’s Substack newsletter is free to subscribe and offers readers an exclusive preview of his book before it is published by Penguin Random House in 2022. He also shares insights and analysis on the music industry, interviews with artists and executives, and recommendations for music-related books, podcasts, and documentaries.

Bri Lee

Bri Lee is a feminist writer, speaker, and author from Australia, renowned for her book “Eggshell Skull” which tackles sexual assault and the Australian justice system. Her areas of interest also include politics and culture. Lee has opted for Substack to release her newsletter, “Hot Take,” which offers her readers her thoughts on current affairs, politics, and cultural issues. She employs the newsletter as a means to discuss complicated subjects, share personal accounts, and engage with her audience on a more intimate level.

Subscribers can sign up for “Hot Take” for $7 per month or $70 per year. Readers receive access to Lee’s weekly newsletter and other exclusive material such as Q&A sessions, interviews, and early access to her upcoming book releases. Lee most likely chose Substack because of its monetisation options, which enable authors to earn a sustainable income from their work while retaining control over their content and audience.

Yassmin Abdel-Magied

Yassmin Abdel-Magied is an Australian writer, engineer, and social advocate who has authored multiple books and works as a presenter on radio and television. She is renowned for her work on race and gender equality and her opinions on politics, religion, and social justice.

Using Substack, Abdel-Magied publishes her newsletter “YAM” which includes her opinions on current events, personal reflections, and interviews with notable figures in the social justice space. Abdel-Magied utilises her platform to raise awareness about diversity and inclusivity issues globally.

For a subscription fee of $10 per month or $100 per year, subscribers receive access to Abdel-Magied’s weekly newsletter, as well as other exclusive content, including podcasts, video content, and Q&A sessions. Abdel-Magied chose Substack due to its ability to provide a direct connection with her audience and its ease of use and monetisation options.

Lynette Noni

Lynette Noni uses her Substack as a direct line to her readers, giving them a personal, candid look into both her writing life and the business of being an author. Her tone is casual, open, and often conversational — almost like reading a long chat with a friend who happens to be a bestselling fantasy author.

Lynette is one of our clients at Jin & Co., and like many of the authors we work with, she uses Substack to complement her website by building a deeper relationship with her audience. Rather than focusing heavily on writing craft or industry advice, Lynette leans into sharing her personal experiences as a traditionally published author, including the often-misunderstood financial realities of publishing. For example, she recently broke down how author royalties work using her new Big W exclusive box set, walking readers through the percentages she might earn on each sale. She’s transparent about the challenges of earning a living from writing while remaining positive and encouraging about writing for passion, not money.

In addition to these insights, Lynette also uses her Substack to:

• Share event updates (e.g. Supanova appearances, Penguin Fantasy Fests, international trips)
• Answer reader-submitted questions in short, informal Q&A segments
• Build excitement for upcoming releases with behind-the-scenes teases and announcements
• Maintain a friendly connection with her fanbase, while offering occasional gentle advocacy for supporting authors through legal book purchases or library borrowing

Overall, Lynette’s Substack is a great example of how authors can use the platform to foster reader loyalty by sharing authentic, personal updates while gently educating fans on what it’s really like to be a full-time author.

Understanding Stripe Risks When Using Paid Subscriptions

While most authors will never run into issues, it’s worth understanding that Substack uses 3rd-party providers like Stripe to process payments, and Stripe operates independently from Substack. This means Stripe (or any other 3rd-party service) can make decisions—like freezing accounts or refunding pledges—without warning or direct recourse through Substack.

One reader shared that after enabling paid subscriptions, Stripe shut down their account and refunded all pledges without notice. They weren’t informed of any policy breach, but suspect their account was flagged as high-risk.

What this means for you:

• Substack doesn’t control how Stripe (or any 3rd-party services) enforces its policies
• Even if you’re following the rules, automated systems can sometimes flag accounts unfairly

How Authors Can Protect Their Income and Mailing List

To protect your income and audience:

• Diversify your revenue streams. Don’t rely solely on Substack subscriptions—consider direct book sales, speaking events, or other platforms.
• Build your own mailing list. Tools like ConvertKit or MailerLite give you more control over your contacts and content.
• Keep a backup of your content and subscriber list (Substack allows this) in case you ever need to move platforms.

Think of Substack as a great tool in your kit—not the whole toolbox.

The Impact of Substack for Authors and Publishing

Substack has shaken up the publishing industry in multiple ways. Authors on Substack were given the ability to skip traditional publishers and retain ownership of their work. As a result, authors have gained more control over their earnings and work, reducing the power imbalance with publishers. Not only that, but Substack has allowed writers to establish their brands and find their audiences, bypassing the need for traditional gatekeepers and benefiting writers from diverse backgrounds and with niche interests.

It has revolutionised how authors receive compensation for their work. Instead of a one-time payment from a publisher, authors can now generate ongoing revenue from their subscribers. This has provided a more sustainable model for authors, allowing them to focus on their craft and form long-lasting relationships with their readers. By enabling writers to write about controversial topics and challenge societal norms without fear of censorship, Substack has also upended the status quo and created new avenues for discussion and debate while amplifying diverse voices.

For writers looking to maintain creative control, build a loyal readership, and earn sustainable income, Substack for authors offers a compelling alternative to the traditional path.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Substack good for authors?
Yes, Substack for authors offers a direct path to build an audience, monetise writing, and retain creative and financial control.

Is Substack free to use?
Yes, Substack is free to use for creating and publishing content. Creators can start newsletters at no cost, but Substack takes a commission from subscription revenues, typically around 10%.

Is Substack free to read?
It depends on the writer. Some newsletters are free, while others require a paid subscription for access.

What is the minimum subscription fee on Substack?
The minimum fee can vary, but many start at $5 per month. Creators set their own rates, which can be lower or higher, and may offer annual rates at a discount.

Is Substack suitable for beginners?
Yes, Substack is beginner-friendly, offering an intuitive platform for those looking to build and monetize an audience through newsletters.

Can you publish a book on Substack?
Yes, you can serialize a book on Substack by publishing it in installments, making it a viable platform for sharing chapters with subscribers.

How is Substack different from a blog?
Substack focuses on newsletters, facilitating monetization through subscriptions, whereas blogs are typically more diverse in format and monetization strategies.

Can anyone join Substack?
Yes, anyone can sign up to Substack as a reader or creator to start sharing content through newsletters.

Does Substack pay writers?
Substack does not pay writers directly. Instead, writers earn through subscriptions from their readers, with Substack taking a commission on these revenues.

How do I become a paid subscriber on Substack?
To become a paid subscriber, find a newsletter you like that offers paid subscriptions and follow the prompts to sign up and pay.

How do I start writing on Substack?
Simply sign up for an account, create your newsletter, and begin publishing. You can offer your content for free or as paid subscriptions.

Who owns the copyright on Substack content?
Writers retain copyright to their work published on Substack, which does not claim ownership of the content.

How does Substack monetize?
Substack earns revenue by taking a percentage of the subscription fees collected by creators.

How often should you post on Substack?
Posting frequency varies by creator. Some post daily, while others may post weekly or monthly, depending on their content and audience engagement strategy.

What is the word limit for Substack posts?
There is no strict word limit for Substack posts. Creators can include up to six photos or GIFs per post, and video is now supported as well.

Are Substack posts public?
Posts can be public or exclusive to paid subscribers, depending on the creator’s settings.