Welcome to The Hyphen 🗞️

from Sunday Times Bestselling author Emma Gannon.
A space for curious readers and thinkers

Join thousands of curious readers in a thriving online community.

〰️ “One of the most popular novelists on Substack” — The Bookseller, 2024
〰️ The Hyphen is ranked #5 in Top Literature Substacks globally
〰️ A Substack Featured Publication in 2023
〰️ “One of Britain’s most prominent Substack bloggers” — The Times, 2023
〰️ Selected as
33 of the best Substack newsletters by The Guardian, 2023

Why sign up to The Hyphen?

Here you will find musings on work, wellbeing and creativity. I’ve been blogging and newslettering since the early noughties. Since then, I’ve published six bestselling books, grown an independent podcast and built a thriving Substack business in 18 months. My first novel, OLIVE, was a no.1 audiobook and nominated for multiple literary awards. I am a firm believer that you can create your own career path. I am also passionate about writing and words being paid for. You can read a round-up of all my 2023 posts here.

Here’s what some subscribers have said lately:

~ "The Hyphen by Emma Gannon is my #1 Substack read—thoughtful, quality writing.”
~ If you're feeling lost, Emma's words of wisdom on all things writing and life are by far the most important you'll get in your inbox.”
~ “The Hyphen has quickly become one of my favourite must-read newsletters.”

🙋‍♀️ Hi Emma, who are you?

Hello, I’m Emma Gannon. I live in London. I write books and this Substack. I’m the author of five non-fiction books and one novel, currently working on my second novel. I have had columns for Courier, The Times and The Telegraph — worked at Condé Nast and some of the biggest creative agencies in the UK.

My podcast Ctrl Alt Delete (2016-2023) has had 13 million downloads (and closed down in January 2023) with guests such as Gillian Anderson, Ava DuVernay, Alain De Botton, Lena Dunham and more.

I write on the topics of creativity, books, wellbeing, ambition and rest, Internet culture and the future of work. My new book THE SUCCESS MYTH (chosen as ‘book of the month’ by Apple) is out now with Penguin (in both the UK and US.)

Why join the membership?

To get the most out of the Hyphen newsletter, it’s all about joining the membership community! Join as paying subscriber for £6.99 a month and unlock and read all posts. You’ll gain access to the full hub (200+ posts), receive any new writing in your inbox, weekly Sunday Scroll round-ups, plus Tuesday Threads, access to book giveaways and more. It’s a really wonderful community and only £6.99 — the price of a couple of lattés. I’m passionate about writers being paid for their work.

ps you can read my Substack ‘rules’ here.

Come and introduce yourself here! You’ll also be supporting all the work I do and allowing this newsletter to keep going. Here’s a 10% off code if you’d like to join the community today. See you there! Come and intro yourself here if you fancy it :)

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Why did you start this newsletter?

I’ve been newsletter-ing since 2015. Now, I’m loving it more than ever. Social media used to be an exciting, joyful online space. Unfortunately, it is no longer that (for me). Instagram hides my posts, Twitter gets very dramatic, and Linkedin seems to be a lot of people in suits wishing me a slightly creepy happy birthday. I missed writing on the Internet. I missed the comment section on blogs. I missed the connection that can come from your own little corner of the Internet. Along came Substack, and this newsletter is a joy to write.

Why “The Hyphen”?

To me, ‘hyphens’ can symbolises that messy bit in the middle. The “in-between” bits of life, the hyphens that knit together all the different sides of ourselves. The bits between being a parent or being a worker or a next chapter or being [insert thing]. So, that’s why I called this newsletter The Hyphen. Anything goes here, but I will mainly be talking about books, wellbeing, creativity, joy, side-hustles and living life on your own terms. (Plus, it’s a little nod to my book The Multi-Hyphen Method.)

A bit more about me:

I am a reader as much as a writer. I like buying second-hand books. I don’t like big parties.. I like wearing the colour yellow even though fashion magazines say you shouldn’t wear yellow if you’re blonde and pale. I’m an old-ish Millennial. I like living in a big city and escaping at the weekends, long walks, memoirs by women, working for myself, reading in bed, buying new stationery, a good iced coffee, spiritual self-help, swimming, finding little trinkets in charity shops, organising my ridiculous bookshelves, city breaks with my husband, cooking easy things that look impressive, looking after other people’s dogs (a miniature dachshund has stolen my heart) and inviting friends over. Truthfully, I really love my life. I’m a Gemini, but just try and look past that. 

I’m also if the author of The Multi-Hyphen Life (a Sunday Times bestselling manifesto all about having multiple interests and breaking away from the 9-5) was endorsed by publications/people such as The Financial Times, The Guardian and Richard Branson. I have also written books on conquering self-sabotage and staying human online. I am really passionate about helping others unlock their own version of success.

I also write novels. My debut OLIVE is about a child-free by choice character (Olive) who is figuring out her life which looks a bit different to her pals who are focusing on motherhood. It led me to meeting the most beautiful readers and confirmed my love of writing fiction.

You can also find more audio of mine on Blinkist; I have made multiple video courses for Skillshare and I recently created my very own writing journal that I designed to help people overcome their writer’s block which you can check out here.

— Follow my website here
— Follow me on Twitter here
— Follow me on Instagram here.

Here’s a 10% off code ICYMI:

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Subscribe to The Hyphen by Emma Gannon

✨ an independent newsletter for curious readers and thinkers ✨ from Sunday Times Bestselling author Emma Gannon. On books, work, wellbeing & creativity. 5th literature Substack globally. "One of Britain’s most prominent Substack writers" —The Times

People

Sunday Times Bestselling author of 6 books (OLIVE, Sabotage, Multi-Hyphen Method) latest The Success Myth out now. Former host of Ctrl Alt Delete pod. #5 Top Literature Substack. Books rep'd by Curtis Brown.