Ask an Editor: Meet our first-ever guest editor
Then share your writing in the comments! Get feedback on your titles, first paragraphs, writing questions, and more...
Before we jump into the comments today, some news! Allow me to introduce you to Ask a Guest Editor.
» On March 21,
will be filling in for me as our first-ever guest editor. «Mike writes the best-selling newsletter, Everything is Amazing, which Katherine May has called a “truly excellent newsletter...[that] delves deep into topics that inspire wonder and curiosity.”
And this month he’ll be taking over our next Ask an Editor thread to share feedback on your best story ideas, talk shop and answer questions about writing, and offer general help and humor while I step away for a few weeks this month.
Upgrade here for access to Ask a Guest Editor with Mike Sowden. Plus, paid subscribers gain access to today's comment thread and all the other upcoming goodies designed to stretch and strengthen your writing muscles.
OK, let’s get to work!
Our Ask an Editor discussion thread is open and ready to hear from you today. (Ask an Editor discussion threads require an upgrade to join in the comments.)
Here’s how to participate:
In the comments, share ONE of the following:
a headline
an elevator pitch (for your Substack, personal website, LinkedIn, etc.)
the first paragraph of an upcoming essay
a question about writing online that never seems to have a satisfactory answer
» Indicate in your comment if you’re “Ready for readers” or “Just writing for myself” so we can offer more focused feedback on your writing.
After you share, offer advice to fellow commenters. We’re all here to share and support each other, so pick any writing from the thread that draws you in and reply with a tidbit of encouragement and advice for your fellow writer.
Stay tuned for my personal tips and take-alongs, selected from this month’s Ask an Editor comment sections and published in a standalone post on March 29.
Hi Amanda! I love that you offer this thread. I am ready for readers and I'd appreciate your feedback on my Substack elevator pitch: Trust Your Words is a publication that inspires creative entrepreneurs to trust their words and chase their dreams.
Hi Amanda! I'm ready for readers...
I'm working on a newsletter title for an upcoming post. About twice a year I do a substack stats or technical or goals post, and I really liked your idea (posted to notes awhile ago) about focusing on something other than subscriber count. Because I have a lot of experience writing to specific audiences and using specific voices, I thought I would share my thought process around and emotional approach to getting those unsubscriber/email disabled notices.
Full disclosure: My favorite one is option 3, but I would also love your insights!
1)They’re Just Not That Into You
subtitle: My healthy relationship with reader rejection on Substack
2) How I Think About Reader Rejection
3) Email Disabled: The Emotional Roller Coaster of Gaining and Losing Subscribers
subtitle: Celebrating 100 published newsletters!