67 Comments

This video is the reason I started writing on Substack. I don't quite have it all figured out yet, but I am very excited ❤️

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So exciting! Welcome!

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Elle I must say, the concept of serializing fiction both frightens me, as someone who holds physical books in the highest esteem and covets the day I hold a well produced hardcover of my work in my hand, and makes total sense for a girl who grew up on the internet and was publishing fanfiction serially by the time I was 13. It is also such a natural extension of the Dickensian model, and while I have been reticent to explore or even accept self-publishing as an option for my work, I realize now it was my exposure only to books destined to be Am*zon-Kindle-Unlimited-Instant-Gratification fodder, which certainly has its place but I felt was never mine. I also have held some serious preconceived notions about my own journey in fanfiction, which is so thoroughly tied to mass-produced copy-paste driven IPs that dominate the scene, as well as endless shipping wars and morality policing. The idea of serializing as being actually beneficial (on the right platform) is a revelation. I am very, very green to Substack, and this question is for anyone I suppose: What percentage of serialized books so far (and how many are there? Does anyone have that data?) do end up getting traditionally published, whether Big Five or Indie? How much of a reach does one tend to have before one is noticed by a publisher? I am at work currently so I can't watch the TedTalk so forgive me if anything is answered. I'm so anxious to explore this new world!

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Hmmmm, I'm not sure those stats exist. All of the ones I've found so far on the industry can be found right here: https://www.elysian.press/i/115849149/my-process

There are some case studies there too that might be helpful for answering all of your questions!

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Thank you! It was a lot to ask haha... it might just be something I absorb as time goes on on this platform

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My initial thought were why would anyone pay several times more to read my book a chapter at a time as opposed to just buying a copy. Part of it I think is the anticipation of waiting every week, but the main draw is reader interaction like you describe, such as background on the process and a Q and A with readers. I've been podcasting my stories, and some classics, but just put them out there. Maybe I need to add more, like a chat. Thanks.

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I was just recalling the day a couple years ago that I saw you do an online web conference and when asked what platforms you recommend the first name you said was 'Substack.' I had never heard of it, immediately Google'd it, and at a time when I was itching to leave the horribly run Mailchimp, by the end of that day I had moved my list and started my Substack adventure. Fast forward to three years later and I have zero regrets about this decision. Thanks, Elle! You will always be tied to the beginning of my Substack journey and I love to be reminded of how well you are doing. A goal I hope to one day achieve myself. Some day fiction will be like it was for Dickens and Dumas, but not just for a handful, I hope the wealth will spread to the rest of us as well.

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That was probably around the same time frame that I pitched this talk to TEDx 😆 I sent this pitch in 2022! But seriously, I'm so glad I inspired so many to come bring their fiction to Substack, I still think we are very much at the very beginning, but you are part of the early adopters that made it a thing! I'm so grateful you are here!

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It's Elle's fault that I'm here, too.

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God I've really become such a Substack stan 🤓

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You're the reason that I first became interested in publishing fiction on Substack.

Thank you!

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Such an interesting concept and inspired me to start my Substack!

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Amazing! Good luck!

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Great presentation!

But honestly, if it weren't for the articles in this newsletter, I would have missed it.

I find it difficult to process numbers when hearing them, and I missed having slides behind you with key figures. But because I had read the article, I was able to follow along by recalling the numbers.

Overall, both the article and the presentation represent an idea truly worth spreading. Writers and readers have become a minority, and while the majority watch streams and series, we need to stick together!

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I learn by reading too. But so many people read by listening! It was interesting to basically share the same information I wrote about in a different format just to reach different audiences.

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I loved your energy in this. And your message really gave me pause. Books vs. video. We're about 75 years too late lol! But...as you said, 65k/chapter is something. So perhaps that which is old is becoming new again and serials are the next step. Let us all hope so. Keep up the excellent work.

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This is exciting!

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Not just food for thought, it's a full-course meal.

Thanks for sharing. I think I have some rebranding to do.

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I wasn’t even aware I was doing serialized fiction 😂 turns out slowly posting essays from my book was actually taking advantage of one of the main use cases for this app!

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Congrats on the TEDX talk! That's amazing! I tried to serialize three of my novels and they didn't take. I wasn't getting much from them. When I recently published my punk novel on Amazon it did much better. But I'd love to serialize on Substack. Sounds like it's gone well for you. That's great!

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Thanks! Serialization is certainly no panacea. Publishing writing is hard no matter where you do it and the market is decidedly niche. In my case it did better than Amazon, but glad to hear the reverse case can be true too!

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Congrats for the TedX talk, it is quite an honor ;)

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Thanks!

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Congrats and great job on this presentation!

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Thanks Brian!

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Great talk, Elle, and in my hometown as well!

It's been liberating to serialize my fiction on Substack. Thanks for spreading the word and championing the model!

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Oh amazing! Nice to meet you Ben! I usually host a weekly meetup for Substack writers in SLC but it’s on hiatus as I travel. Definitely shoot me an email though if you want to join! elle@elysian.press

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Thanks, Elle. Great to meet you as well! I currently live in Calgary, Canada, but if I find myself back in the motherland, I will be sure to reach out.

The novel I'm currently serializing takes place in Bonneville, an homage to Salt Lake (if it were blended with Vancouver). I've sprinkled a lot of references in it for Utahns and Utah-adjacents. You can take a look here: https://benzalkind.substack.com/s/only-by-the-grace-of-the-wind .

Anyway, happy travels!

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Ah yes!!!! I remember this one. Thanks so much for sending!

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I loved your TedTalk. Quite inspiring for the aspiring, like myself.

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Thank you!

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