Hmmm, I didn't realize that you were such a long serving Navy veteran. It may not be of interest to you, but I have a sort of Age of Sail jones and have amassed a virtual bookshelf of favorites.
It is of interest to me! I love reading nautical stories. Have read most of Alexander Kent's series about Richard Bolitho. Of course Patrick O'Brien's series is also wonderful. What are some of your favorites?
I haven't read Alexander Kent, and only one of Patrick O'Brien so far. My list includes Mr. Bligh's Bad Language by Greg Dening, rehabilitating Captain Bligh; In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick, the true story that inspired Melville to write Moby Dick; The Wide, Wide Sea by Hampton Sides, relating the fatal third voyage of Captain Cook, in which the future Captain Bligh played a role; and The Wager by David Grann, who is my favorite living non fiction writer, despite plenty of competition, LOL. 😍 There may be another one or two, but that will do for a start, eh? Respect, Bro.
"Recently there have been quite a few folks writing about doom and gloom in 2026." If ya want to take off go all political. Some are virtual hate sites, little more than profanity-filled rants. Readers comment by the hundreds, shaking their fists and screaming yes! They must have 50k subscribers. Gotta say, I'm a little envious : )
Either it's a cynical play for subscribers or they are deluded beyond belief. Either way it's an ugly thing. Congrats on your growth Mathew and any tips or tricks are always welcome.
Honestly, it took me a bit but I decided that one of the unique perspectives I had was my Navy background. So I have, over time, tried to build on that nautical theme a bit. The rest was just trial and error. Most of the time I just write the things that interest me and hope others feel the same. I have been blessed with many tremendous supporters.
As someone who was behind the Substack hype when it first started and joined this year on Feb 2025, reading the posts about how Substack is changing for the worst was a bit discouraging. I thought, "did I miss the boat? Oh no!". But I agree with you Matt. I love it here and am going to be for the long hall. Also, thanks for the shout out 😁
Encouraging and thoughtful review of your journey. And its none of anyone's business, but do you care to shed any light on what happened sometime in late November? Where you seemed to amass around 6000 subscribers in a matter of days? That jump in your journey appears to be crucial...
I had a note go viral at that time. No idea why. It was just a normal note. But it brought in thousands of subscribers at once. I still get lots of new subscribers but I imagine some of the old unsubscribe and so it has balanced out some. I don't see it as a bad thing but just the natural evolution of matters.
Great post. I agree with so much of what you said and it's why I, too, am here for the long haul - I know being here is the best thing for me and my writing. I had an audience of zero and now I have some loyal readers, and my readership is growing. I couldn't say that a few years ago!
Thank you, Matthew. I love your enthusiasm! I have been having a lot of similar conversations recently as I am hoping to run a Substack Creator's Group at a local Writers' Workshop aimed at encouraging people to share their writing on the platform for the pure joy of it, first and foremost! I have also found a similar experience here - new, supportive writer friends, genuine connections with readers, and also the possibility of publishing later down the line.
That is wonderful Kate! Yes, there are so many possibilities. It is a great place to be. We really don't need to put all the pressure on ourselves to perform. Just write what we love and share it with others. Thanks for being my friend here for two years now!
Many thanks Mary! I have had a few rough bumps along the way but life is like that, yes? If I am fortunate I might live another 30 or 40 years and figure things out a bit more!
Matthew if you have ever read the Aesop’s Fable of Hercules and the Monster Discord, you get my view of the people posting on Substack that others object to, and wring their hands over. The site makes it possible to ignore people you find annoying for any reason. I ignore them, and enjoy delightful exchanges with brilliant and sensitive folks I would never have encountered otherwise. So with you I say, Viva Substack.
David, I absolutely agree and have made liberal use of the mute feature! Being able to curate the conversation is fantastic. Thanks for reading and commenting. All the best!
I write because I love to. If I make money at it -- great. I have a total of 2 paid subscribers out of the 650+ free subscribers. Sure, I'd like to get paid, but I'm grateful there is a place I can write and publish and actually have people read it.
Matthew, this is the most clear-eyed and thoughtful post I’ve read on the subject of “all things Substack.” I’ve watched you grow your newsletter and your community from the beginning. Several things set it apart from the rest. Your passion for discovery; enthusiasm for what is true and beautiful; your gift for sharing what you’ve learned; openness to weighing new perspectives and seemingly contradictory ideas (Keats’ “negative capability”); the confidence to make mistakes and move on, and your willingness to be honest and vulnerable. That is one very long string of words that boils down to just one: integrity. That is the core of your being.
I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity you’ve given me to share my life experiences with your readers. Your generosity and kindness mean the world to me. Thank you, my friend.
I so appreciate that compliment from you Mary. I see my integrity as a core component of who I am and so for you to recognize it means so much. I look forward to our continued and growing friendship.
Hmmm, I didn't realize that you were such a long serving Navy veteran. It may not be of interest to you, but I have a sort of Age of Sail jones and have amassed a virtual bookshelf of favorites.
It is of interest to me! I love reading nautical stories. Have read most of Alexander Kent's series about Richard Bolitho. Of course Patrick O'Brien's series is also wonderful. What are some of your favorites?
I haven't read Alexander Kent, and only one of Patrick O'Brien so far. My list includes Mr. Bligh's Bad Language by Greg Dening, rehabilitating Captain Bligh; In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick, the true story that inspired Melville to write Moby Dick; The Wide, Wide Sea by Hampton Sides, relating the fatal third voyage of Captain Cook, in which the future Captain Bligh played a role; and The Wager by David Grann, who is my favorite living non fiction writer, despite plenty of competition, LOL. 😍 There may be another one or two, but that will do for a start, eh? Respect, Bro.
💯
Glad to have you here brother!
You’ve got my commitment beat by the length of a carrier, but I’m glad to know you and applaud your efforts and your success thus far.
Trying to finish this book I started 2 summers ago has been harder than I imagined.
"Recently there have been quite a few folks writing about doom and gloom in 2026." If ya want to take off go all political. Some are virtual hate sites, little more than profanity-filled rants. Readers comment by the hundreds, shaking their fists and screaming yes! They must have 50k subscribers. Gotta say, I'm a little envious : )
I think I will avoid the politics just the same! I am pretty happy with my growth and overall state of affairs.
Either it's a cynical play for subscribers or they are deluded beyond belief. Either way it's an ugly thing. Congrats on your growth Mathew and any tips or tricks are always welcome.
Honestly, it took me a bit but I decided that one of the unique perspectives I had was my Navy background. So I have, over time, tried to build on that nautical theme a bit. The rest was just trial and error. Most of the time I just write the things that interest me and hope others feel the same. I have been blessed with many tremendous supporters.
I was hoping being a crab would work : )
Great piece. You have hit the nail on the head about being on Substack. I agree with you. I love being here in the company of others like you.
Many thanks Sally. Glad to have you here. Like any community, it is what we make of it that matters.
So true!
Congrats on writing a post about Substacking that's not incredibly annoying to read! 😁
Ha! Thanks Samuel.
Agreed 😂
As someone who was behind the Substack hype when it first started and joined this year on Feb 2025, reading the posts about how Substack is changing for the worst was a bit discouraging. I thought, "did I miss the boat? Oh no!". But I agree with you Matt. I love it here and am going to be for the long hall. Also, thanks for the shout out 😁
No, I don't think you missed the boat. Lots of opportunities remain here. Best of luck to you on your journey. You are off to a great start!
Encouraging and thoughtful review of your journey. And its none of anyone's business, but do you care to shed any light on what happened sometime in late November? Where you seemed to amass around 6000 subscribers in a matter of days? That jump in your journey appears to be crucial...
I had a note go viral at that time. No idea why. It was just a normal note. But it brought in thousands of subscribers at once. I still get lots of new subscribers but I imagine some of the old unsubscribe and so it has balanced out some. I don't see it as a bad thing but just the natural evolution of matters.
Wow. That is impressive. Yes, new and the old balance out quite a bit, but you are trending upwards my friend! Thanks for sharing!
Great post. I agree with so much of what you said and it's why I, too, am here for the long haul - I know being here is the best thing for me and my writing. I had an audience of zero and now I have some loyal readers, and my readership is growing. I couldn't say that a few years ago!
Congrats on your own success Nicole. Glad to have you here.
Thank you for thinking and writing so clearly, and congratulations on your success.
Thanks Hamish.
You are inspiring, Matthew.
Thank you my friend. Not sure quite how I earn that moniker but I will accept it.
Thank you, Matthew. I love your enthusiasm! I have been having a lot of similar conversations recently as I am hoping to run a Substack Creator's Group at a local Writers' Workshop aimed at encouraging people to share their writing on the platform for the pure joy of it, first and foremost! I have also found a similar experience here - new, supportive writer friends, genuine connections with readers, and also the possibility of publishing later down the line.
That is wonderful Kate! Yes, there are so many possibilities. It is a great place to be. We really don't need to put all the pressure on ourselves to perform. Just write what we love and share it with others. Thanks for being my friend here for two years now!
Likewise Matthew! :)
Totally with you, Matthew! and congrats along with enormous admiration.
Many thanks Mary! I have had a few rough bumps along the way but life is like that, yes? If I am fortunate I might live another 30 or 40 years and figure things out a bit more!
Matthew if you have ever read the Aesop’s Fable of Hercules and the Monster Discord, you get my view of the people posting on Substack that others object to, and wring their hands over. The site makes it possible to ignore people you find annoying for any reason. I ignore them, and enjoy delightful exchanges with brilliant and sensitive folks I would never have encountered otherwise. So with you I say, Viva Substack.
David, I absolutely agree and have made liberal use of the mute feature! Being able to curate the conversation is fantastic. Thanks for reading and commenting. All the best!
Hey, thanks for the mention Matthew! I'm truly honored!
Absolutely. I am honored to get to see your photos.
I write because I love to. If I make money at it -- great. I have a total of 2 paid subscribers out of the 650+ free subscribers. Sure, I'd like to get paid, but I'm grateful there is a place I can write and publish and actually have people read it.
That is wonderful Nancy! It is great to have a place like this. Thanks for taking the time to read and share your experience.
Matthew, this is the most clear-eyed and thoughtful post I’ve read on the subject of “all things Substack.” I’ve watched you grow your newsletter and your community from the beginning. Several things set it apart from the rest. Your passion for discovery; enthusiasm for what is true and beautiful; your gift for sharing what you’ve learned; openness to weighing new perspectives and seemingly contradictory ideas (Keats’ “negative capability”); the confidence to make mistakes and move on, and your willingness to be honest and vulnerable. That is one very long string of words that boils down to just one: integrity. That is the core of your being.
I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity you’ve given me to share my life experiences with your readers. Your generosity and kindness mean the world to me. Thank you, my friend.
One quick question: Have you read “Peace Like a River” by Leif Enger? If not, I’d like to send you a copy. DM or email me.
I have not read that book. I will send you a note.
I so appreciate that compliment from you Mary. I see my integrity as a core component of who I am and so for you to recognize it means so much. I look forward to our continued and growing friendship.