Where authors "gossip and geek out"
I'm in The Guardian weekend!
I was included in ‘15 of the best literary Substacks’ over the weekend in The Guardian’s culture section, alongside Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie, and Miranda July (no biggie), and was interviewed for the piece:
“The thing I love about [Substack] is it’s sort of unlike classic social media. It’s based on interests, rather than the humble-bragging of showing your life as a highlight reel. People are geeking out about the things they love: writing, knitting, gardening. It’s got a different vibe to it, because people are showcasing what they’re interested in rather than what they are doing.”
I think that’s why I love it here, even when my energy levels fluctuate. Instead of posed holiday photos, people are sharing their reading lists. Instead of flaunting fitness videos or ‘life hacks,’ they’re more likely to post a photo of a flower they planted, or a picture they painted. Instead of ‘hot takes,’ you’ll find long, well-thought-out essays. This is where I get most of my longreads and keep up with all the nerdy news about the evolving media landscape.
Read the piece here.
Fancy joining The Hyphen? I just hit 500 articles (!) over the past three years. If you’re curious and want to be part of a community of thoughtful readers (most articles are behind a paywall), here’s a 70% off code for an annual subscription — live for just a few hours!
This weekend, I’ve published a special interview with literary agent and novelist
— we talk about the difference between being a writer and an author, how to work on creative projects on the side of a job, and thoughts on being yourself while self-promoting. Read the full piece here:
The world is undergoing a major shift. In times like these, it’s more important than ever to connect with like-minded people who offer genuine connection and moments of inspiration. Many are feeling lonely, anxious, or uncertain right now, and The Hyphen is a space where all of those feelings are valid and welcome. It’s also simply a lovely place to have thoughtful conversations, swap book recommendations, and share what’s really going on in your life with a warm, open community.
All this to say: if you’re interested in change, creativity and culture — come and join The Hyphen. And, if you fancy it, come and introduce yourself here! Would love to say hello. xoxo