18 Comments

One procedural thing: Something's wrong with the poll. I tried to respond and was told I needed to subscribe. As we both know, I am subscribed.

Expand full comment

oh dear... Thanks for reporting that to me. Were you using the app? Will let Substack know!

Expand full comment

No, I was using the website.

Expand full comment

ok thank you, will let them know!

Expand full comment

Another interesting video. The exact circumstances aren't pertinent to me, but I can imagine someone wanting to adapt fan fiction would find it very useful. The same with BookTok.

It's also worth noting that social media platforms differ greatly in effectiveness for people who already have a following vs. people who are trying to start from scratch (possibly a good subject for another video).

I can't speak to BookTok, but many social media platforms have transitioned to strangling organic growth in the name of selling more ads. On platforms like Facebook (and I assume Instagram), the only way (aside from a huge ad budget) that people see much of you is if they interact constantly. An old high school friend of mine interacts with almost everything I post, so he sees me in his feed. But most of my 56,000 FB followers (built up in better days) probably think I'm dead because they never see me. No matter what I post, it goes out to a very small audience. Someone like Julie, who came in with a large fan base from her fan fiction, would be more visible and might well be able to stay that way. Sigh! Substack does that better because it doesn't try to sell ads, so it actually encourages organic growth.

Expand full comment

I think one of the most interesting things I learned from this interview with Julie was her training in "writing for consumption." I had never thought about how fan fiction is designed with more consumable morsels, but it make sense that it can translate into a style of writing books that a lot of readers find irresistible. Like you, even if the subject matter isn't directly applicable to me, it's always so fascinating to learn how other writers approach their work!

I agree 100% with you about platforms like Facebook and Instagram. It's very frustrating. For now, I'm still on IG because it's my "largest" platform but I've experienced the same thing you're describing with your impressively sized FB account--the numbers don't mean much if the people who signed up don't get to see what you post.

I really like that Substack allows us to actually reach those who have signed up!

Expand full comment

Is this video on YouTube? If so, can I get the link? The substack player keeps muting.

Expand full comment

Ok I think I replicated the problem. If you’re watching the video on the app but then also multitask to something else (like the window does that shrinky thing while you switch to another app, like checking your calendar or emails), then the video continues to play but mutes itself. I think that might just be the way the Substack app works with video, but I have messaged them to let them know anyway, because if it IS and intentional feature of theirs, it is good feedback for them that users actually don’t prefer that.

But when I play the video without trying to do anything else on my phone, then the sound seems to work.

I don’t know if that is helpful?

Expand full comment

Yes they’re still working out their kinks. So I have YouTube premium and it just works way better. Thanks for reporting! Hopefully they improve their apps video player.

Expand full comment

Hey Charlotte, I posted it on YouTube! Here's the link:

https://youtu.be/FOQd5bg-Rkw

Expand full comment

You rock! Thanks so much. I will watch it for sure!

Expand full comment

🥰🥰🥰

Expand full comment

One more question--are you on the Substack app or the website? (this will help me tell the Support team what's going on).

If you're on the app, maybe try going directly to https://www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/p/booktok-star-julie-soto-podcast-interview on the web? The video seems to work there for me.

Again, I'm so sorry and hope we can get this fixed asap.

Expand full comment

I’m on the iPhone app.

Expand full comment

Hi Charlotte, I have only started to explore YouTube so it's not on there yet, but thank you for the feedback that the Substack player keeps muting! I'll reach out to Substack support to let them know. Does it start with volume but then turn off randomly?

If you want to listen to the audio version in the meantime, it's on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. (Links at the top of the post.) I'm so sorry about this issue!

Expand full comment

Thanks. It starts muted, then I unmute, then it randomly mutes again. It also doesn’t play as well like as a popped out screen as YouTube videos do and keeps going on and off with the volume.

Expand full comment

ok thank you for all this feedback. I'll report to Substack. I'm watching it on my iPhone/Substack app right now and it is working for me, but that might be because I'm the author. I really appreciate you letting me know about this, because I want others to be able to access this interview.

Expand full comment

This is so incredibly helpful, her responses about reading outside and inside genres and about looking back and forward. I really enjoyed this conversation so so much!!

Expand full comment