This piece makes me so happy! I've been contemplating a new Substack newsletter but have avoided it because I thought I was the only person who cared about "old books."
Mimi--If you have a passion for old books, you probably have more knowledge about the topic than most. Substack is vast and growing rapidly. That means there's plenty of opportunity and to get the readers you want, you'll want to write stories about the people you already know or meet in the next few weeks who show affinity for old books. Let's see if any of this experience and insite helps you take first steps.
Here's what I've noticed and it may be people you know already. First, I have 40 years experience working with associations. There are more than 100,000 in the U.S. alone. There's an association for everything and they are the hotbed of expertise and help in the area of interest to you or close to it.
Start with The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (1949-present), based in Brooklyn. One association I worked with is the Special Libraries Association (1909-present) in New Jersey. They are amazing and know who cares about every book--obscure and famous. I also worked for the American Library Association and they are supersize and focus on people, books, readers, and real estate and building management. Plus they lead the way in the digital library space.
Beyond that, there are writers on substack who feature stories about books, old and new. The most famous might be Ryan Holiday--best-selling author, newsletter publisher with more than 300,000 subscribers, and owner of The Painted Porch Bookstore in Bastrop (near Austin, TX) When he writes about old books, people flock and comment.
Georgia, I almost cried when I read this. I am going to spend some time looking at the associations you've suggested as well as Ryan's substack. I've taken a look through Substack and don't see a newsletter devoted to the project I'm considering, so this could be exciting and so fun.
Thank you, so much, for the newsletter and the follow-up information! It made my day.
As long as you are intentional and strategic, you cannot fail. That’s why I offered the lessons I’ve learned. Find your tribe before you start writing. That’s where the associations and conversations come in. It’s fun and easy to do, and it took me 6 months. It starts out with this thought: “Oh, surely, I’m not the first one to think of this. Let’s ask those who might have done it or thought about it.” That became, “I can’t believe I’m the first to think of this and I’m getting affirmations from people I approach with the first question.” What is so damn liberating is when you discover this is something you can do with ease and grace and a lot of people are glad you did. That’s where your first 1000 subscribers are—among those pockets of people with deep knowledge, willing to assist you.
I’m impressed with so many aspects of this comprehensive article, and I share the author’s respect and reverence for reading. I especially appreciated the excellent tips on getting more out reading. One small thing I could add to that — especially for nonfiction books — is to take a minute before you start to review the table of contents. It can create a mental outline in your mind that gives you a framework for filtering the rest of the book as you read.
As a retired elementary school teacher specializing in reading and writing literacy, I wholly agree with your post. I would also add that emotions need to be with the thoughts and action, reading and writing realms.
Dyslexia runs in our family. They are and were so gifted that nobody knew there was a problem. They would think and move 10X faster than others and make up their own rules as they went. Rules that others wanted to play by and join them. Highly creative and almost magical.
Great! Your perspective is so valuable because you've seen this in grade school humans and then how it plays out as adults transition reading and writing needs and requirements in their lifetime. Then beyond retirement age, when thousands return to writing full time on Substack.
This piece makes me so happy! I've been contemplating a new Substack newsletter but have avoided it because I thought I was the only person who cared about "old books."
Thank you for proving me wrong!
Mimi--If you have a passion for old books, you probably have more knowledge about the topic than most. Substack is vast and growing rapidly. That means there's plenty of opportunity and to get the readers you want, you'll want to write stories about the people you already know or meet in the next few weeks who show affinity for old books. Let's see if any of this experience and insite helps you take first steps.
Here's what I've noticed and it may be people you know already. First, I have 40 years experience working with associations. There are more than 100,000 in the U.S. alone. There's an association for everything and they are the hotbed of expertise and help in the area of interest to you or close to it.
Start with The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (1949-present), based in Brooklyn. One association I worked with is the Special Libraries Association (1909-present) in New Jersey. They are amazing and know who cares about every book--obscure and famous. I also worked for the American Library Association and they are supersize and focus on people, books, readers, and real estate and building management. Plus they lead the way in the digital library space.
Beyond that, there are writers on substack who feature stories about books, old and new. The most famous might be Ryan Holiday--best-selling author, newsletter publisher with more than 300,000 subscribers, and owner of The Painted Porch Bookstore in Bastrop (near Austin, TX) When he writes about old books, people flock and comment.
Let us know if this helps or encourages you.
Georgia, I almost cried when I read this. I am going to spend some time looking at the associations you've suggested as well as Ryan's substack. I've taken a look through Substack and don't see a newsletter devoted to the project I'm considering, so this could be exciting and so fun.
Thank you, so much, for the newsletter and the follow-up information! It made my day.
As long as you are intentional and strategic, you cannot fail. That’s why I offered the lessons I’ve learned. Find your tribe before you start writing. That’s where the associations and conversations come in. It’s fun and easy to do, and it took me 6 months. It starts out with this thought: “Oh, surely, I’m not the first one to think of this. Let’s ask those who might have done it or thought about it.” That became, “I can’t believe I’m the first to think of this and I’m getting affirmations from people I approach with the first question.” What is so damn liberating is when you discover this is something you can do with ease and grace and a lot of people are glad you did. That’s where your first 1000 subscribers are—among those pockets of people with deep knowledge, willing to assist you.
Stop contemplating and DOIT! 😊
On it!
Good article. Thoughtful, informative, comprehensive. Looking forward to future posts.
So glad is resonated with you! Stay tuned :)
I’m impressed with so many aspects of this comprehensive article, and I share the author’s respect and reverence for reading. I especially appreciated the excellent tips on getting more out reading. One small thing I could add to that — especially for nonfiction books — is to take a minute before you start to review the table of contents. It can create a mental outline in your mind that gives you a framework for filtering the rest of the book as you read.
As a retired elementary school teacher specializing in reading and writing literacy, I wholly agree with your post. I would also add that emotions need to be with the thoughts and action, reading and writing realms.
Exactly!
Also I’m married to a dyslexic. I’m starting to see most people’s practices as a youngster are the same as an adult.
Dyslexia runs in our family. They are and were so gifted that nobody knew there was a problem. They would think and move 10X faster than others and make up their own rules as they went. Rules that others wanted to play by and join them. Highly creative and almost magical.
Great! Your perspective is so valuable because you've seen this in grade school humans and then how it plays out as adults transition reading and writing needs and requirements in their lifetime. Then beyond retirement age, when thousands return to writing full time on Substack.