Housekeeping note: In my most recent Substack, I said I would be gone for a few months to prepare for my July wedding, and was pausing paid subscriptions. Well, something got stuck in my craw. When that happens, writing is the outlet. (Paid subscriptions are still paused!) -KB
5/21/2026 update: This article has been edited.
Recently, in my work as an acquisitions editor, I received a book proposal that looked promising. The author was doing all the things the publishing industry tells authors to do: build your platform; lean on your relational networks; stay focused on your core message. I became intrigued when the proposal claimed that their Substack was growing and had high engagement rates.
I’ve started to pay more attention to Substack as a way of gauging an author’s potential. The platform is centered on writing rather than viral moments or reactive memes, and readers are opting in to reading your writing, rather than doomscrolling across your post. Som…
