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Ben Woestenburg's avatar

Excellent piece Michael. When I first came to Substack, I was an emotional wreck, having gone through some workplace trauma that left me wondering how I could ever go back. I didn't. I retired, instead. But I stumbled on to Substack and realized this was what I'd been looking for...a chance. So I dusted off all my old stories, started my 'Stack, and began putting sections up a bit at a time until I had it sort of figured out. I never published in a magazine, and only put out about three or four pieces in on-line 'zines. But I never doubted myself. I knew my problem was that I wrote long, drawn out stories. But I didn't care, because Substack gave me a place where I could put them. I wrote a book during last year's NaNoWriMo, and put it up here. I'm writing a serial right now. I'm putting out short stories, and now I'm reading them (out loud). I don't care if I fall on my face when I'm reading. It doesn't matter if I stumble over the words. I just do, and don't think about it, because it's what I need to do.

I'm 65. So I've got maybe 20-25 years left. I'm no longer the Blue Collar mill worker I was for 45 years. I'mm a writer now. I've got my paywall up and I'm starting to put stuff up there. And I intend to continue doing that. I've got all day, unlike most of the people here who have to juggle jobs and growing families. So I look at the long game. I intend to make money here eventually. Right now, I'm probably bringing in a grand total of $20/month. Not enoug to retire on (Oh wait, I am retired) but enough to tell me that I can GROW this.

I don't know if you've read a lot of my stuff, but I think I'm pretty good. I just have to get word out there. I haven't really figured out how to push myself as much as I should. But you're absolutely right to think that this could well be the future of publishing. I'm waiting for a quote from a printer for a POD idea. Why not print up a book and offer it to new subscribers? The potential to rediscover and reinvent myself is what I like about Substack. I have goals, and ideas, and dreams, and ambitions, and a clean slate every morning.

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Switter’s World's avatar

I came to write; I stayed for the community.

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