I feel your pain, e hoa. I wonder how people can sub to over 800 publications. I sub to around 20 (?) and feel overwhelmed. I also found I miss some of the ones I really want to see. I totally get where you're coming from.
Thanks, Bryan! Yes, I sometimes struggle to keep up, and I’m sorry I don’t read, comment, or show up more often. Even a single comment can make a big difference to an author, not because it’s from me, but because it can help and encourage.
I have ones (like yours) where I make sure I regularly drop in. The rest I usually wait until something interesting pops up in the feed. With my TBR of eBooks and treebooks at 129, plus my Bible reading, I spend a lot of time with my face in books. 🫨🤯😂
The Digerati still hasn't innovated a 36 hour day. It hasn't defeated the human body and the need to sleep. All of this optimization, efficiency, productivity have nothing to do with humans. All of this is about the machines/robots/ A.I. So what this means these people have made you live a non human existence. Oh well.... Greta article Michael you have diagnosed the truth which will not be said.
I don’t need to be reading writers stuff every day. I appreciate them giving me a chance to miss them. It also builds excitement when I do see a post from them.
And as a writer, I frankly have no idea how writers can churn so much out so quickly! It also makes me wonder, like, if they took a bit more time, how much better would their pieces… It’s always gonna be quality over quantity for me.
if I may make a suggestion, you can turn your notifications off. I had to do this a long time ago because my phone was chiming at least every other minute. Also, if you need to, you can place a filter on your Substack emails. Then, you won't receive them and you can just choose which readers you want to frequent by visiting their Substacks.
Is it different for people who have Smartphones and apps where they read stuff, as opposed to email, and then opening up Substack on a laptop or whatever?
I have no idea because I don't have a Smartphone - I don't think I could read webpages on such a thing anyway because the screen is too small.
Not really. An inbox is still an inbox. Whether it’s on a smartphone or a laptop, the feeling of opening it and seeing a wall of unread emails is pretty much the same.
This really landed with me today. I originally subscribed to 400+ people and have since culled it down to 200. However, many months ago I turned off SS email delivery (only push/online now) and during a tech fast over Lent this year I turned off notifications on all apps on my phone except text and phone (because that’s how my special needs son reaches me). These things changed my life. More importantly they changed the dynamic to me choosing what book/magazine/art to partake of instead of having it show up in my home in a constant parade of ‘door to door’ sales people. I feel much calmer with the guilt over reducing/optimizing my circle almost completely gone. Soon I’m removing the SS app from my phone using only the online URL. I’ve also stopped stressing over how frequently I post here. It’s a more organic, authentic, thoroughly enjoyable experience for me and I get more interaction with my community. I’d personally be painfully sad to see you go as I feel we’ve become close here but also completely understand and support your taking back your life and your turnstile. That said, change your delivery to push vs email and your whole world changes!
I like how intentional you’ve been with it, turning down the noise instead of just trying to push through it. I think that shift you’re describing, from things “arriving at you” to actually choosing them, changes everything. Thanks for being here, Cori. I really mean that.
Yes, I’d agree with this. I’ve had to start ‘following’ people rather than subscribing. Of course, writers should write as much as they want – but it is very hard for readers to keep up with many writers if they’re posting daily. I used to post writing a lot more frequently myself, but I’ve slowed right down; I think sitting with it for longer improves the writing, too.
Your posts feel like a journey, they connect over time and build on each other in a really meaningful way. And honestly, I really appreciate that you don’t post too often, it makes each one feel more considered and easier to sit with. So thank you for that, and also for taking the time to read my stuff. Time really is precious.
I do the same, Michael. When you start on Substack, you read advice such as "Post regularly to get you noticed", but that doesn't mean "Churn out content."
Back when I was posting on Substack (it's been a while LOL), I always tried to be conscientious about how many emails I sent out, to avoid the perception of spamming. I have taken the same tact with my Ko-fi page, and I generally avoid writers who fill your inbox, no matter how 'good' they are.
Sometimes 'less' really IS 'more' :-) Great piece, good sir.
You speak an important message here. My comment might be too specific to me and my own psychological quirks, but writers who publish a lot might need to consider what's driving them. Releasing creative work can be such a drug for 'creator-dominant' types. There is a psychological reward, which lasts a few seconds until the next hit. I, like many here, write a lot to process. I don't share >90% of what I write - though I've been told I should, which feels like crack. Who doesn't want to be gassed up? But that is such a slippery slope for someone like me who feels like they only exist through what they produce - it's a beast I don't want to feed.
That’s an honest way to put it, Apra. I think a lot of people sit somewhere in that tension between creating to process things and creating to be seen. You’re totally right. I really appreciate you taking the time to read and share this, I mean that.
I start my Sundays much the same as you, browsing and reading. It does get to be a lot. I wish readers had the option to place posts into designated files, especially, for all the great fiction serials authors are putting out here. It would make stories easier to read without feeling rushed, maybe.
I've set up sub-folders in my email inbox (Outlook), so when they hit my inbox I simply move them to the relevant folder and go through them when I have time. That way my inbox isn't full up. Most of the time it's empty.
Yeah, that makes sense. A way to collect posts without the pressure of the inbox would probably make reading feel more intentional again, less rushed :)
This is very relatable. There is just too much noise. And sometimes the best way to combat that is a stretch of silence.
Absolutely.
I feel your pain, e hoa. I wonder how people can sub to over 800 publications. I sub to around 20 (?) and feel overwhelmed. I also found I miss some of the ones I really want to see. I totally get where you're coming from.
Thanks, Bryan! Yes, I sometimes struggle to keep up, and I’m sorry I don’t read, comment, or show up more often. Even a single comment can make a big difference to an author, not because it’s from me, but because it can help and encourage.
I have ones (like yours) where I make sure I regularly drop in. The rest I usually wait until something interesting pops up in the feed. With my TBR of eBooks and treebooks at 129, plus my Bible reading, I spend a lot of time with my face in books. 🫨🤯😂
Honored, bro!
I couldn’t agree more. More is less on Substack.
I only post once a week at a maximum. The rest of the time, I'm reading emails.
The Digerati still hasn't innovated a 36 hour day. It hasn't defeated the human body and the need to sleep. All of this optimization, efficiency, productivity have nothing to do with humans. All of this is about the machines/robots/ A.I. So what this means these people have made you live a non human existence. Oh well.... Greta article Michael you have diagnosed the truth which will not be said.
Makes me feel better about my not posting that frequently. Summer Scare will be weekly or thereabouts. Hope that doesn’t tire people.
No way it’ll tire people out :D
Phew!
I couldn’t agree more, bro.
I don’t need to be reading writers stuff every day. I appreciate them giving me a chance to miss them. It also builds excitement when I do see a post from them.
And as a writer, I frankly have no idea how writers can churn so much out so quickly! It also makes me wonder, like, if they took a bit more time, how much better would their pieces… It’s always gonna be quality over quantity for me.
Anyways, a nice read bro :)
So wise. I’m really glad you’re here in my “small circle”, bro.
I’m glad to be here too, bro :)
Hi Michael,
if I may make a suggestion, you can turn your notifications off. I had to do this a long time ago because my phone was chiming at least every other minute. Also, if you need to, you can place a filter on your Substack emails. Then, you won't receive them and you can just choose which readers you want to frequent by visiting their Substacks.
Best of luck!
Is it different for people who have Smartphones and apps where they read stuff, as opposed to email, and then opening up Substack on a laptop or whatever?
I have no idea because I don't have a Smartphone - I don't think I could read webpages on such a thing anyway because the screen is too small.
Not really. An inbox is still an inbox. Whether it’s on a smartphone or a laptop, the feeling of opening it and seeing a wall of unread emails is pretty much the same.
This really landed with me today. I originally subscribed to 400+ people and have since culled it down to 200. However, many months ago I turned off SS email delivery (only push/online now) and during a tech fast over Lent this year I turned off notifications on all apps on my phone except text and phone (because that’s how my special needs son reaches me). These things changed my life. More importantly they changed the dynamic to me choosing what book/magazine/art to partake of instead of having it show up in my home in a constant parade of ‘door to door’ sales people. I feel much calmer with the guilt over reducing/optimizing my circle almost completely gone. Soon I’m removing the SS app from my phone using only the online URL. I’ve also stopped stressing over how frequently I post here. It’s a more organic, authentic, thoroughly enjoyable experience for me and I get more interaction with my community. I’d personally be painfully sad to see you go as I feel we’ve become close here but also completely understand and support your taking back your life and your turnstile. That said, change your delivery to push vs email and your whole world changes!
Hugs friend
I like how intentional you’ve been with it, turning down the noise instead of just trying to push through it. I think that shift you’re describing, from things “arriving at you” to actually choosing them, changes everything. Thanks for being here, Cori. I really mean that.
Yes, I’d agree with this. I’ve had to start ‘following’ people rather than subscribing. Of course, writers should write as much as they want – but it is very hard for readers to keep up with many writers if they’re posting daily. I used to post writing a lot more frequently myself, but I’ve slowed right down; I think sitting with it for longer improves the writing, too.
Your posts feel like a journey, they connect over time and build on each other in a really meaningful way. And honestly, I really appreciate that you don’t post too often, it makes each one feel more considered and easier to sit with. So thank you for that, and also for taking the time to read my stuff. Time really is precious.
I do the same, Michael. When you start on Substack, you read advice such as "Post regularly to get you noticed", but that doesn't mean "Churn out content."
How lovely to still have little kids at home!
Yeah, they’re lovely… and exhausting, lol.
I know, but you're going to miss all the mess. Blink, and they'll be all grown-up.
Excellent piece, read it in my inbox.
Thanks, bro! :)
Back when I was posting on Substack (it's been a while LOL), I always tried to be conscientious about how many emails I sent out, to avoid the perception of spamming. I have taken the same tact with my Ko-fi page, and I generally avoid writers who fill your inbox, no matter how 'good' they are.
Sometimes 'less' really IS 'more' :-) Great piece, good sir.
Sometimes 'less' really IS 'more'
That’s really wise. Thanks, man :)
You speak an important message here. My comment might be too specific to me and my own psychological quirks, but writers who publish a lot might need to consider what's driving them. Releasing creative work can be such a drug for 'creator-dominant' types. There is a psychological reward, which lasts a few seconds until the next hit. I, like many here, write a lot to process. I don't share >90% of what I write - though I've been told I should, which feels like crack. Who doesn't want to be gassed up? But that is such a slippery slope for someone like me who feels like they only exist through what they produce - it's a beast I don't want to feed.
That’s an honest way to put it, Apra. I think a lot of people sit somewhere in that tension between creating to process things and creating to be seen. You’re totally right. I really appreciate you taking the time to read and share this, I mean that.
I start my Sundays much the same as you, browsing and reading. It does get to be a lot. I wish readers had the option to place posts into designated files, especially, for all the great fiction serials authors are putting out here. It would make stories easier to read without feeling rushed, maybe.
I've set up sub-folders in my email inbox (Outlook), so when they hit my inbox I simply move them to the relevant folder and go through them when I have time. That way my inbox isn't full up. Most of the time it's empty.
Nice!
Yeah, that makes sense. A way to collect posts without the pressure of the inbox would probably make reading feel more intentional again, less rushed :)
Subfolders in my email program.
Careful, a subfolder can quickly become a portal to invisibility... :D