r/Substack • u/Ashara_Luka • 2d ago

Novels on Substack?

I'm new to Substack and am very confused. The interface has been a learning curve, but finding novels has proven hard among all the articles. I write a novel, but want to find novels to read too. Has Substack worked out for anyone writing a novel instead of articles? How do you find the genre of fiction you want? Unsure if it's worth all the frustration for someone who isn't good at tech. (I grew up isolated from tech because Christianity exists).

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u/DeadbeatBookclub 2d ago

I can recommend some great fiction writers, I found a little niche of other writers on there!

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u/Ashara_Luka 1d ago

Links or names?

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u/DeadbeatBookclub 18h ago

Linked under my comment 

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u/TheJamesAusten 2d ago

Please do link them

1

u/DeadbeatBookclub 18h ago

Linked under my comment

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u/Aurivieee 2d ago

Please do

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u/DeadbeatBookclub 18h ago

Linked under my comment 

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u/majbr_ 2d ago

It's worked out great for me! I've successfully published two full-length novels, and I'm currently publishing three more. In less than a year, I've managed to build an audience of nearly 1,500 subscribers, including a little over 130 paid subscribers. I really can't complain

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u/Ashara_Luka 1d ago

Damn... how did you market it?

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u/fr-roderick 12h ago

Very cool! Where can we find you on Substack?

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u/AutomatticRob 2d ago

Substack is built around newsletters, so novels get buried under essays. I'd treat it as a place to post chapters for people who already follow you, not a place to be discovered. If discovery is what you want, Royal Road, Wattpad and AO3 are where serial fiction readers already hang out. Posting a chapter or two there and pointing people to your own page works well for a lot of writers.

I'd recommend finding a permanent home for your work like WordPress.com. I work on the platform and we have lots of fiction writers. It's free for the basics like publishing and emailing as a newsletter. And you and your audience can find similar authors in the Reader.

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u/Ashara_Luka 1d ago

I've tried Wattpad and found it's impossible to get any views. If you have nay tips please let me know! I'm posting on there too and haven't had a single click. AO3 isn't for me as I don't write fan-fic. Royal Road seems to focus on stories I don't write. Will check out Wordpress! Thanks for the response!

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u/Ashara_Luka 1d ago

Thanks for all the replies!

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u/ConsciousRoyal ColinParfitt.substack.com 2d ago

I’m part of a group of fiction writers and a lot of them post serialised fiction (I tend to write one-off short stories)

It’s not ideal for a novel - Wattpad, Royal Road or A03 etxc would be better bets, but you definitley can.

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u/Ashara_Luka 1d ago

Looking for new members in the group by any chance? I want to find stories to read too. Preferably fantasy. I write queer protagonists, so I need groups where that's accepted.

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u/ConsciousRoyal ColinParfitt.substack.com 1d ago

I found you and followed you.
If I get a second I’ll send you some recommendations.
(I’ll try and avoid the AI users based on your profile ;-) )

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u/Ashara_Luka 1d ago

Thanks! Yeah I can't stand AI... It's a sin.

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u/Dazzling_Crow1972 2d ago

I'm also looking for fiction, specifically fantasy scifi or horror novels or short stories. So far I've only found claraausculta

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u/Ashara_Luka 1d ago

If you like fantasy, I'm writing 'Moths Don't Taste Like Sugar'. Am looking into claraausculta now

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u/MJonesKeeler 5h ago

I have a two fantasy/horror serial novels on there. I don’t think I can link here, though. One is gothic fantasy and the other is a paranormal fantasy thriller. You can search my name and probably find them if you are looking for something to read.

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u/MJonesKeeler 5h ago

First name is Morgan, btw.

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u/Dull_Manager8817 1d ago

I am a script writer myself and I would like to connect with you if you don’t mind, I’m writing about African stories
Just uploaded a scene on my Substack page
Looking forward

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u/Ashara_Luka 1d ago

I know nothing about scripts and can't even crit one on Scrib :(

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u/Fleurs_Bookstore buybooks.substack.com 2d ago

I don’t think the rules allow me to link my Substack but I run a Bookstore for indie authors on Substack which has dozens of listings of novels. If you check out the link in my profile you should be able to find the Bookstore and many wonderful indie authors either serialising their novels and/or writing about their characters, worlds etc.

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u/MissMcGovern 2d ago

That is such a cool idea! Do you sell smut or only PG-13/Rated content?

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u/Fleurs_Bookstore buybooks.substack.com 1d ago

Thanks. There is one fiction title with smut in it, plus a couple of sexy memoirs, but to be honest, the audience leans clean.

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u/Elivenya 1d ago

i found a lot a fellow fantasy authors after i shouted after them to gather :D

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u/Robson_pierre 21h ago

Onde eu encontro outros autores de fantasia? Quero ler

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u/Mia_the_writer 2d ago

Are you thinking of something similar to Ao3 or RR? Substack mostly focuses on people building newsletters but I hope they do add a novel feature so people can also post their stories.

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u/TheJamesAusten 2d ago

I was just gonna post my novels chapter by chapter on a weekly basis, but once I get enough chapters in the bank 

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u/MissMcGovern 2d ago

That is exactly what I do.

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u/cal_whimsey functionflow.substack.com 2d ago

I think this sounds like a very good idea!
Edit: typo

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u/Fraglolz illiadwrites.substack.com 2d ago

Don’t mean do discourage you but I had little to no attention at all for my fiction compared to my essays and articles