on Substack, writing, and knowledge-possession

“I like good strong words that mean something.” - Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

When I was a little girl, my nana gave me my first American Girl doll — Kit Kittredge. Kit is a spunky girl who dreams of becoming a journalist while growing up in Ohio during the Great Depression. My sister and I obsessed over her movie (it’s iconic) and spent hours making up adventures for Kit and our other dolls, investigating made-up crimes and exposing injustices. Kit’s curiosity and bravery, along with her dreams of becoming a writer, clearly permeated into my subconscious, as I wrote for my high school and university newspaper and now have found my way onto Substack.

Kit Kittredge in her iconic purple outfit

This newsletter has taken a really long time to write — in part because of my life at the moment (I moved last week), and in part because my feelings driving this piece are complex. I initially outlined a piece about my love of learning and Substack as a platform for creators and consumers to really learn from each other in more in-depth ways than other social media platforms offer. However, this was before Emily Sundburg’s “The machine in the garden” created tons of controversy on Substack, and as I’ve been thinking about and discussing that article, this piece has evolved.

I certainly don’t agree with all (or even most) of Sundberg’s claims, and commenters were quick to point out that the tone came off as condescending and arrogant. The article bashed many of the types of posts that are becoming very popular (and therefore competition) with established Substack writers. Other people agreed that the rise in ‘listicles’ and short form content on this app (like the introduction of Notes [essentially Twitter]) means that Substack is leaning away from the original purpose and design of this platform to be a space for journalists, essayists, and other professional writers.

There’s a lot of nuances to be considered with all this, and there are lots of great articles which address the original post with their own compliments and complaints.¹ As a relatively new writer here, who has written before quasi-professionally (for my university newspaper and TONS in undergrad), Substack has already provided me with the space to explore different topics and stylizations than I have before. Writing is an avenue of learning and expression for me, and since joining this community, I have found myself more introspective and certainly honing my writing and editing skills. My brain feels engaged in a way it does not on other social media platforms. I have read newsletters covering everything from girlhood and thoughtful analyses of TikTok trends, to diving into a virtual book club. I’ve read powerful articles about grief and saved recipes I can’t wait to try.

One of Substack’s great strengths is in its accessibility — anyone can start a newsletter and begin getting paid for their work — and this allows more creators to share their work, increasing the variety of content accessible on this app. I am so grateful to be part of a community that clearly values sharing knowledge and fascinating discourse.

Additionally, the nuances of knowledge-possession and the knowledge we value as a whole cannot be separated from the context of our society. I distinctly remember a course in undergrad where my professor encouraged us to examine what types of knowledge we trusted or seemed more important than others. In a world where traditional publishing routes are abysmally lacking in diversity,² finding spaces which allow for all types of writers to gain traction is a necessary development in publishing. The work critiqued in the original piece is explicitly attributed to women³ and the content women create. While female writers are starting to obtain parity with men in their commercial success, women’s books are still mentioned less in accredited review publications, like the Atlantic, and publishers still have heavily male-biased catalogs.⁴ The point is, there is still a long way to go to shift the types of stories, genres, and authors that are revered and valued in the traditional publishing world. Substack offers an avenue to elevate diverse voices, but not if established authors on the platform gatekeep through an attitude of concern over the perceived ‘lower quality’ of less-traditional, short form works.

As a recent adopter of Substack, I have thoroughly enjoyed the community I have already found here. People post snapshots of their day on Notes, writing about their intended audience or sharing little snippets that ‘romanticize their lives.’ I love the positive energy here, the supportive and thoughtful comments that I’ve received and read on other’s work. Many of the things that make Substack unique as a platform come from removing the components of other social media platforms that are, in my opinion, negative.

Charlie Rewilding

’s post does an insanely good, deep dive into how developments on Substack have made it more like a social media platform — like the introduction of direct messages and Notes (aka Twitter, because who are we kidding). Instagram’s broadcasting channels are identical to Substack’s chat feature. Currently, Substack doesn’t have targeted ads or the same relentless homogenizing of content (yet), but Sandberg’s concern on the rise of ‘listicles’ and many publications starting to sound the same is a valid one. I think it is naïve to assume that Substack is inherently above bombarding us with ads if they can find a way to make money from it.

The important distinction here, I think, is to not complain about the types of content that are popular, but express concerns and provide feedback about the platform itself. As many people have noted, if people choose to subscribe to creators posting lists of their favorite things, that’s their business. I thoroughly enjoy a blend of curation content (I am a vibe girly — songs, movies, scents all have to match the season or mood I’m in), and then reading a deep dive into philosophy or literature analysis. We’re all multifaceted and, currently, Substack allows for expression of that in a way other social platforms don’t.

My own newsletter, unwritten, reflects my interest in many topics — it is a conglomerate of writing that represents the different parts of me. I love that there is less pressure to adhere to an aesthetic here or to limit your creative expression; rather, there is space for everyone to find something that resonates. Part of what makes Substack such a valuable platform, in my opinion, is the opportunity for many people to write about what they feel, explore new genres, and hone their skills as writers. Regardless of formal education, anyone can write and gain traction here. It takes a lot of bravery to publish your writing as a part of your learning process, and that should be commended and supported, especially on a platform designed to help elevate creators and give them an avenue, outside of the traditional route, to get published.

Expressing concern about Substack or hopes for its future is a good thing — it allows creators and readers on this app to share what they hope for the platform. But this doesn’t have to be done in a way which specifically bashes certain types of content someone doesn’t enjoy. I value Substack’s accessibility and community. And I certainly don’t want someone to feel that they don’t belong here, or can’t publish here, because they don’t write about ‘serious’ stuff.

So, please, write that article! Share your thoughts with the world. My version of Substack is a space where people can experiment with the types of writing they wish to create, without feeling pressure to create for an algorithm or to write a PhD-level essay. My version of Substack is a place for learning, and community, and experimentation. So, write! And I’ll be here, waiting eagerly to read what you’ve created.

Good luck, and I’ll see you next week 💌

xo,

Gwen

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“at the end of the day, i will always support women getting paid for putting in the time, energy, and effort it takes to create content. substack is still a place of comfort and commiseration. and you as the reader are fully in control of the content you choose to read and support. i know my worth as a writer and you should, too.” - there’s plenty of room at the carrie bradshaw round table

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this week’s substack recommendations

• Boyfriendland: GOD,

  Telling the Bees
  hits it right on the head with this one. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this sociologist’s look at the common denominator in TikTok trends involving women and the men in their lives: humiliation. A fascinating, thought-provoking read.

  Recommended for: deleting your TikTok account, getting a new tattoo, reading feminist theory

  “We point our cameras at the things we love: in a patriarchal society, it stands to reason that more often than not, these values will be reflected. In recent times, however, this has curdled into something ominous (at least to me). It’s probably a coincidence that this content is so popular on TikTok as Roe is repealed and tradwife numbers rise, right?” - Boyfriendland

• Re-Noted: Beatrix Potter’s Naturalist Notes: Beatrix Potter’s stories and illustrations are capture such a moment in time of whimsical, nature-based creation. I love

  Jillian Hess
  ’s piece exploring Potter’s gorgeous illustrations and her journal, which she created a cipher for.

  Recommended for: lavender lemonade, grass between your toes, fairy laughter

• Bring back the literary salon!: I am a sucker for an obscure dive into some random historical time and place, and

  peyton
  ’s look at literary salons is just that. A short, fun read about the history of the literary salon, and how these spaces were places where art and literature abounded.

  Recommended for: finding community through art, jazz music, black coffee

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interested in more?

my thoughts on finding peace in the in-between:

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1. Some great ones are

Elle

’s “I couldn’t help but wonder… who gets to be a writer?” and

caitlyn

’s “there’s plenty of room at the carrie bradshaw roundtable.”

2. https://publishingperspectives.com/2024/02/diversity-in-us-publishing-the-new-lee-low-report/#:~:text=Key%20Points%20From%20the%202023%20Diversity%20Baseline%20Survey&text=In%20a%20quick%20overall%20look,from%2076%20percent%20in%202019.”

3. “I’m noticing this platform has become a really good way for women to monetize their diary entries — lists, random thoughts, and (easy to write) roundups of “what I’ve been doing” do really well on this site.” -The machine in the garden.

4. https://pudding.cool/2017/06/best-sellers/