Wow Lindsay, this post reads like a plot of a book in and of itself. So inspiring reading of your path and how you turned negatives into massive successes. A beacon that’s you!
Oh, maybe I should go all meta and write a book about writing a book...! It can be so hard to take the positive view at times, but we keep on chipping away. Thanks, Layla!
I read the first few instalments way back. I think they were free but then the remainder went behind the paywall and, as I had reached a limit on paid Substack subscriptions, I couldn't read anymore - very frustrating as I was well and truly drawn in! I've not renewed some of those previous subscriptions so am able to take up your very generous offer. I'm looking forward to seeing what I missed. I love a bit of family history; my own has taken a very unexpected left turn at the traffic lights recently. Life is strange.
Lynn, I'm delighted to have you in the fold; thank you so much for taking advantage of the offer. And yes, family history is absolutely fascinating isn't it. Interested in what you're saying has been going on in your own story, too...
I didn’t want it to end. Yet it did, so I will start again at the beginning again. Thank you!
Isn’t the public online archive of births deaths and marriages amazing? I’ve lost days of my life in it. I’ve reconstructed both sides back to 1850s, to what aim I don’t know, but glad I did it!
Kirsteen! Are you officially the first re-listener? I love this so much. Also, completely agree with you on the whole 'losing days of your life' to family history searches. I've also found the same when researching the house we live in. It's so absorbing, isn't it? Have you ever watched the BBC series, Who Do You Think You Are? or the other one I love, A House Through Time with David Olusoga?
Thank you Lindsay, as ever for sharing your publication story and struggles and SUCCESS with such candour. I've been thinking a lot about traditional publishing and gatekeeping and how to share our stories anyway, even without the seal of approval, ie external validation, of the industry. For what it's worth, I think blazing our own trails and sharing our stories our way is the way to go, and we're going to see a lot more of these success stories in the future.
I think you're right, Annette. It's so hard sometimes to mentally break out of the mindset that trad publishing is the only or best way in this industry. I'm so excited by indie (like proper indie) publishing and grassroots publishing. I got a copy of Ruth Allen's most recent zine which she published herself in a limited print run of 100, and also been so inspired by Sarah Robertson's Kickstarter campaign for her zine and card deck. We are doing it in our own ways and it feels quite feminist, too!
Absolutely! Not waiting for patriarchal powers to make space at the table for us, and building our own table instead! People are hungry for our stories, no matter what the industry says. Can you tell I've been reading Melissa Febos? 😉
Thank you for sharing your publication story Lindsay 😍 I have binged and listened weekly since I became a paid member, but via my podcast app on my commute to work so haven’t been a liker or commenter here in Substack. It has been a highlight of my year though so apologies for not telling you that sooner! You write beautifully and hearing it in audiobook format has been very special. Can’t wait for your new course next year - currently tracking down various elements of my maternal family archive and beginning to suspect my nana may have destroyed some of it.
Your story is so inspiring, Lindsay. As we've spoken about already, I'm not quite ready to write or share my memoir - the havoc is still happening and the wounds are still bleeding..
However, something amazing happened after your Autumn Zoom when you pulled the oracle card with the apple and circle of gold, with the words of a collaboration - an idea literally zoomed in as I was knee deep in apples, peeling and crumbling them for a collaborative project which I plan to write and share here on Substack, just as you did with your memoir, building my community as it goes. I'm so excited and grateful to you for your guiding hand. Proud to be an annual subscriber. 🙏
I so admire your tenacity and courage. Not only in the writing but in persevering with sharing your story in a way that works for you and us, the readers. We really are the beneficiaries here. I’m overdue a Held in Mind binge to catch up and the next few weeks are the perfect time for me to do that. Thanks as ever, and the family archive narrative sounds brilliant. I’ve had a second family story running in the back of my mind for a while and would love some insight /guidance on how to approach it.
Ooh, a second family story. Can't wait to hear more about that, Harriet! And today feels like a good day for an audio binge, since we have an extra hour...! Thanks to you for all your support and encouragement here and on Insta this past year. It really means such a lot to me, which I hope you know! x
It’s a corker! Famous names, blended families, won and lost fortunes. It’s a 1920s story so loads of evocative period detail. The bones of the family archive are in a black metal tin my dad had and I found with my sister when we were clearing his care home bedroom after he died.
I'm kind of happy that I joined just when you released the final episode, I don't think I would have been able to cope with having to wait for the next episode 🤣 I'm only about ten episodes in, but I love it. Not only is the story and your writing style really good but I love the addition of photos and little movies and other snippets here on Substack, something you could never do in a regular book. I'm writing my own book at the moment and this is really helping me to see the possibilities that are out there with Substack.
Yes, it's a multimedia experience isn't it! And this is such an interesting perspective - we are so not used to waiting for a week between episodes now! Thanks so much for listening in, Sophie. As I say in the post, I love seeing a run of likes and knowing that someone somewhere across the globe is listening at that moment. What a gift.
It really is a thing, Nelly! We are all forging our own paths, aren't we, and it's never as simple as you think it might be... Hope you're well and your writing is flowing too!
‘Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars’
Substack is such a wonderful opportunity. My children’s Christmas novel didn’t get picked up when I was on submission in early 2022 but I’m also glad to have Amazon so it has at least had some readers! I found it so stressful going the traditional route and gave up pretty fast. Love what you do here Lindsay, I’m glad your family story is out in the world. 🫶😀
Kate, I completely relate to what you're saying here. And congratulations on your children's novel, too. Sure that will be about ready for a seasonal boost??? I think we have to have both courage and tenacity in our work, which is so hard when for periods of time you feel like your only cheerleader. Thanks for sharing your experience, and here's to the next manuscript... x
💖💖💖 so happy to be on the journey with you xx
ahhhh saving for morning coffee
Wow Lindsay, this post reads like a plot of a book in and of itself. So inspiring reading of your path and how you turned negatives into massive successes. A beacon that’s you!
Oh, maybe I should go all meta and write a book about writing a book...! It can be so hard to take the positive view at times, but we keep on chipping away. Thanks, Layla!
I’d read it! Words matter x
I read the first few instalments way back. I think they were free but then the remainder went behind the paywall and, as I had reached a limit on paid Substack subscriptions, I couldn't read anymore - very frustrating as I was well and truly drawn in! I've not renewed some of those previous subscriptions so am able to take up your very generous offer. I'm looking forward to seeing what I missed. I love a bit of family history; my own has taken a very unexpected left turn at the traffic lights recently. Life is strange.
Lynn, I'm delighted to have you in the fold; thank you so much for taking advantage of the offer. And yes, family history is absolutely fascinating isn't it. Interested in what you're saying has been going on in your own story, too...
I didn’t want it to end. Yet it did, so I will start again at the beginning again. Thank you!
Isn’t the public online archive of births deaths and marriages amazing? I’ve lost days of my life in it. I’ve reconstructed both sides back to 1850s, to what aim I don’t know, but glad I did it!
Kirsteen! Are you officially the first re-listener? I love this so much. Also, completely agree with you on the whole 'losing days of your life' to family history searches. I've also found the same when researching the house we live in. It's so absorbing, isn't it? Have you ever watched the BBC series, Who Do You Think You Are? or the other one I love, A House Through Time with David Olusoga?
Thank you Lindsay, as ever for sharing your publication story and struggles and SUCCESS with such candour. I've been thinking a lot about traditional publishing and gatekeeping and how to share our stories anyway, even without the seal of approval, ie external validation, of the industry. For what it's worth, I think blazing our own trails and sharing our stories our way is the way to go, and we're going to see a lot more of these success stories in the future.
I think you're right, Annette. It's so hard sometimes to mentally break out of the mindset that trad publishing is the only or best way in this industry. I'm so excited by indie (like proper indie) publishing and grassroots publishing. I got a copy of Ruth Allen's most recent zine which she published herself in a limited print run of 100, and also been so inspired by Sarah Robertson's Kickstarter campaign for her zine and card deck. We are doing it in our own ways and it feels quite feminist, too!
Absolutely! Not waiting for patriarchal powers to make space at the table for us, and building our own table instead! People are hungry for our stories, no matter what the industry says. Can you tell I've been reading Melissa Febos? 😉
Our shared idol!
Thank you for sharing your publication story Lindsay 😍 I have binged and listened weekly since I became a paid member, but via my podcast app on my commute to work so haven’t been a liker or commenter here in Substack. It has been a highlight of my year though so apologies for not telling you that sooner! You write beautifully and hearing it in audiobook format has been very special. Can’t wait for your new course next year - currently tracking down various elements of my maternal family archive and beginning to suspect my nana may have destroyed some of it.
Your story is so inspiring, Lindsay. As we've spoken about already, I'm not quite ready to write or share my memoir - the havoc is still happening and the wounds are still bleeding..
However, something amazing happened after your Autumn Zoom when you pulled the oracle card with the apple and circle of gold, with the words of a collaboration - an idea literally zoomed in as I was knee deep in apples, peeling and crumbling them for a collaborative project which I plan to write and share here on Substack, just as you did with your memoir, building my community as it goes. I'm so excited and grateful to you for your guiding hand. Proud to be an annual subscriber. 🙏
I so admire your tenacity and courage. Not only in the writing but in persevering with sharing your story in a way that works for you and us, the readers. We really are the beneficiaries here. I’m overdue a Held in Mind binge to catch up and the next few weeks are the perfect time for me to do that. Thanks as ever, and the family archive narrative sounds brilliant. I’ve had a second family story running in the back of my mind for a while and would love some insight /guidance on how to approach it.
Ooh, a second family story. Can't wait to hear more about that, Harriet! And today feels like a good day for an audio binge, since we have an extra hour...! Thanks to you for all your support and encouragement here and on Insta this past year. It really means such a lot to me, which I hope you know! x
It’s a corker! Famous names, blended families, won and lost fortunes. It’s a 1920s story so loads of evocative period detail. The bones of the family archive are in a black metal tin my dad had and I found with my sister when we were clearing his care home bedroom after he died.
LOVE this so much! Getting such a vibe from just this!
I'm kind of happy that I joined just when you released the final episode, I don't think I would have been able to cope with having to wait for the next episode 🤣 I'm only about ten episodes in, but I love it. Not only is the story and your writing style really good but I love the addition of photos and little movies and other snippets here on Substack, something you could never do in a regular book. I'm writing my own book at the moment and this is really helping me to see the possibilities that are out there with Substack.
Yes, it's a multimedia experience isn't it! And this is such an interesting perspective - we are so not used to waiting for a week between episodes now! Thanks so much for listening in, Sophie. As I say in the post, I love seeing a run of likes and knowing that someone somewhere across the globe is listening at that moment. What a gift.
Thank you for sharing your journey with publication Lindsay and congratulations on making your own route work. Isn't that a thing!!! x
It really is a thing, Nelly! We are all forging our own paths, aren't we, and it's never as simple as you think it might be... Hope you're well and your writing is flowing too!
‘Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars’
Substack is such a wonderful opportunity. My children’s Christmas novel didn’t get picked up when I was on submission in early 2022 but I’m also glad to have Amazon so it has at least had some readers! I found it so stressful going the traditional route and gave up pretty fast. Love what you do here Lindsay, I’m glad your family story is out in the world. 🫶😀
Kate, I completely relate to what you're saying here. And congratulations on your children's novel, too. Sure that will be about ready for a seasonal boost??? I think we have to have both courage and tenacity in our work, which is so hard when for periods of time you feel like your only cheerleader. Thanks for sharing your experience, and here's to the next manuscript... x