Congrats! And thanks for sharing this. I’ve seen a lot of writing around Substack in which people reflect on their experience on Substack and its role in their success (however that’s defined), but your story is closest to where I’m at here at the beginning of my Substack journey. While I may not land a literary agent, it’s nice to know that I’m at least not doing it wrong!
Congratulations, and thanks for sharing. This is very encouraging, as I'm just starting out on Substack. Delighted to find this post via Notes and looking forward to following your work.
I loved reading this for many reasons, Mikala! I love that you just did it for the love of writing. I love that your consistent, genuine efforts yielded rewards. I love your honesty. That is something to celebrate in and of itself! Congratulations to you and I hope that your writing keeps opening doors! I look forward to reading more. 💛
A friend sent this to me and I am *so* glad I found an awesome new newsletter to explore—and a cool fellow writer whose journey I’m excited to follow! Like you, I’m not a “famous” writer but have been working in media for almost 2 decades. Even some of our big bylines are the same! And you’ve achieved The Dream of an agent reaching out to you first!!!
I launched on Substack a year ago but have had so much trouble staying consistent, mainly due to what I later found out was the return of depression, joblessness stress, and now just the busy-ness of being a working parent of a young kid. I also think I’m getting in my head about *what* to write lately and then the catch-22 cycle of feeling guilty that I haven’t written in a while. Reading what you said about generosity at the end was SO needed. I think I’ve been very generous with myself as a mom/wife/employee/friend and investing a ton in my self-care time, but not very generous with my creative self. Thanks for the reminder that there’s a reason we do this! (And not just for the agent—though that would be nice—but for the sharing of ourselves and creating community.)
Thank you so much for your comment, Irina. The consistency is tough, and you have more barriers to it than I do, but I’ve found that even if “consistent” just means once a month, at least your readers will know to expect you in their inboxes and that builds excitement :)
I love love love LOVE this - oh my goodness, YES! Thank you so much for sharing this - and how you did it. And are doing it. This is such an encouraging story to a writer in an empty house in the south of France, banging on keys into the "vide" (emptiness in English). Your story has made my day, my week, h*ll, my month. Keep going. Keep writing about the things you know, you care about, are curious about, want to know more about. Keep caring enough to sit down and share some of the things that are niggling at your brain, the things that are twisting and burrowing and twitching, living out, somehow, a life of their own. Write those things. Those things on your edge. They're on someone else's edge, too.
This is awesome! And so cool to hear the backstory and journey. I’m only 2 hours from DC so maybe I’ll be able to get some childcare together to make it up there. Summer (and weekends in general) are hard with a tiny person but regardless I’ll be cheering you on from Charlottesville! <3
The whole paragraph about "There’s something I haven’t seen mentioned" is such a gem. Thank you for sharing - it encouraged me, honestly.
Also the line about practicing being generous and receiving generosity in return... Truly feels like how musicians and groups talked about their performing experience. Few days ago I read about Athlete's Mindset for Writers, and now you're sharing Performer's Mindset for Writers! A lot to learn, and I'm excited XD
congratulations! this is an amazing accomplishment! i’m on my second month here and loving every second of it, it’s the first time i’m taking writing seriously but i’m having so much fun! i love this platform. and you are so right about being kind… i see so many writers who act in an unkind way towards readers, who only care about money and growth, it’s so gross. wishing you the best! x
Congratulations Mikala! As a new writer on Substack, I’m amazed by the generosity I see in this community of writers and readers. Your piece endorses something that I’ve discovered here in the past one month. I look forward to writing, reading and connecting with more writers and storytellers like you.
This happened to me about six weeks ago and I am still completely stunned. (And: that author who said they wrote their first proposal in a weekend? Completely full of shit. Book proposals are HARD, as I am learning the hard way.)
I'm new to your newsletter, but congratulations on this achievement -- it's huge.
I couldn't believe that proposal claim either, but some people are just built different, I guess. I felt like I've never worked harder on a professional/writing task in my entire life lmao
Congrats! And thanks for sharing this. I’ve seen a lot of writing around Substack in which people reflect on their experience on Substack and its role in their success (however that’s defined), but your story is closest to where I’m at here at the beginning of my Substack journey. While I may not land a literary agent, it’s nice to know that I’m at least not doing it wrong!
I'm so glad to hear that, Lexi! I agree, I think people should share about their "wins" at every single stage :) You're definitely not doing it wrong.
WOOOT
Loved having this as the first comment lol
While there were other factors, my newsletter got me one too!
Congratulations, and thanks for sharing. This is very encouraging, as I'm just starting out on Substack. Delighted to find this post via Notes and looking forward to following your work.
Thank you so much Julie!
I loved reading this for many reasons, Mikala! I love that you just did it for the love of writing. I love that your consistent, genuine efforts yielded rewards. I love your honesty. That is something to celebrate in and of itself! Congratulations to you and I hope that your writing keeps opening doors! I look forward to reading more. 💛
Thanks so much Summer!
A friend sent this to me and I am *so* glad I found an awesome new newsletter to explore—and a cool fellow writer whose journey I’m excited to follow! Like you, I’m not a “famous” writer but have been working in media for almost 2 decades. Even some of our big bylines are the same! And you’ve achieved The Dream of an agent reaching out to you first!!!
I launched on Substack a year ago but have had so much trouble staying consistent, mainly due to what I later found out was the return of depression, joblessness stress, and now just the busy-ness of being a working parent of a young kid. I also think I’m getting in my head about *what* to write lately and then the catch-22 cycle of feeling guilty that I haven’t written in a while. Reading what you said about generosity at the end was SO needed. I think I’ve been very generous with myself as a mom/wife/employee/friend and investing a ton in my self-care time, but not very generous with my creative self. Thanks for the reminder that there’s a reason we do this! (And not just for the agent—though that would be nice—but for the sharing of ourselves and creating community.)
Thank you so much for your comment, Irina. The consistency is tough, and you have more barriers to it than I do, but I’ve found that even if “consistent” just means once a month, at least your readers will know to expect you in their inboxes and that builds excitement :)
Congrats!! “Good writing, generosity and vulnerability…. “ Things you don’t find on other platforms.
I love love love LOVE this - oh my goodness, YES! Thank you so much for sharing this - and how you did it. And are doing it. This is such an encouraging story to a writer in an empty house in the south of France, banging on keys into the "vide" (emptiness in English). Your story has made my day, my week, h*ll, my month. Keep going. Keep writing about the things you know, you care about, are curious about, want to know more about. Keep caring enough to sit down and share some of the things that are niggling at your brain, the things that are twisting and burrowing and twitching, living out, somehow, a life of their own. Write those things. Those things on your edge. They're on someone else's edge, too.
Thank you so much, Julie!
This is awesome! And so cool to hear the backstory and journey. I’m only 2 hours from DC so maybe I’ll be able to get some childcare together to make it up there. Summer (and weekends in general) are hard with a tiny person but regardless I’ll be cheering you on from Charlottesville! <3
I would LOVE to have you. Please please make sure you introduce yourself if you can make it!
congrats!!
Thank you Kristen!
The whole paragraph about "There’s something I haven’t seen mentioned" is such a gem. Thank you for sharing - it encouraged me, honestly.
Also the line about practicing being generous and receiving generosity in return... Truly feels like how musicians and groups talked about their performing experience. Few days ago I read about Athlete's Mindset for Writers, and now you're sharing Performer's Mindset for Writers! A lot to learn, and I'm excited XD
Thank you, Rif! I’m so glad you found it encouraging.
congratulations! this is an amazing accomplishment! i’m on my second month here and loving every second of it, it’s the first time i’m taking writing seriously but i’m having so much fun! i love this platform. and you are so right about being kind… i see so many writers who act in an unkind way towards readers, who only care about money and growth, it’s so gross. wishing you the best! x
Congratulations, Mikala! Very inspiring.
Congratulations Mikala! As a new writer on Substack, I’m amazed by the generosity I see in this community of writers and readers. Your piece endorses something that I’ve discovered here in the past one month. I look forward to writing, reading and connecting with more writers and storytellers like you.
This happened to me about six weeks ago and I am still completely stunned. (And: that author who said they wrote their first proposal in a weekend? Completely full of shit. Book proposals are HARD, as I am learning the hard way.)
I'm new to your newsletter, but congratulations on this achievement -- it's huge.
Wow, congrats! Yay! And thank you.
I couldn't believe that proposal claim either, but some people are just built different, I guess. I felt like I've never worked harder on a professional/writing task in my entire life lmao
Same.
Congratulations!
Thank you for sharing your journey. Wishing you many joys as you leave runways.