Moving onto Substack

Why I’m making the jump from my old newsletter platform

I am brand-new to Substack, and I’m really excited to get writing and sharing! However, I know myself and if I run before I walk I will inevitably burnout so I’m doing a bunch of writing in the background while I play, learn, and figure out how I want to show up on the site. 

What are you doing here?

Great question, and one I’m currently answering for myself. 

For years I’ve had a newsletter I’ve faithfully put together and sent out pretty much every month. I’ve also had very sporadic attempts at using a blog, but my great frustration has been that since moving from Wordpress to SquareSpace, it’s much more difficult to share blog posts. 

Enter my wonderful friend Mary Chris over at The Healthier Hustle. I’ve been watching her relaunch her nonfiction writing on Substack, and she was kind enough to share with me how much she’s enjoying it. 

After speaking with Mary Chris, I’ve made the decision that in the coming weeks I’m moving my newsletter over to Substack. However, I don’t just want to send out my regular newsletter. I also want room to grow and play as a writer. 

Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash

So what’s the plan?

I’m a working author who writes historical fiction and historical mystery, so initially I will still be sending out my regular monthly email (i.e. Your Latest London Dispatch) with updates on book news, events, and the occasional giveaway. That post/email will always be free, as will the pieces of free bonus content that every new subscriber has always gotten from joining my newsletter. I’ve moved those over to substack, so if you’re interested you can check them out here: 

• a collection of top secret memos that accompany my historical mystery A Traitor in Whitehall

• a companion short story to my novel The Lost English Girl*

• a map of the grounds of Highbury House from my novel The Last Garden in England

• a bonus epilogue for my novel The Light Over London*

What’s changing?

Simply put, I plan to write a lot more.  

One of the things I’ve been wanting to do for a long time now is to stretch my metaphorical writing legs by writing more often and differently. Writing full-length novels is great, but it also takes up a lot of time and creative energy, and sometimes I find it really fulfilling to write short fiction or personal essays. One of my goals for 2024 is to focus on building a fun, sustainable, creative writing habit for myself outside of my books under contract, and I think Substack will help me do that.

Right now, I am not pay-walling any content while we all get used to this new world on Substack, however I do plan to move towards some paid content in late winter.

What’s going to be free when you do launch a paid subscriber option?

I can promise that Your Latest London Dispatch will always remain free, and I will be sure to let everyone know about major updates like cover reveals and release day news related to my books.

If I decide to become a paid subscriber, what will I get?

This is where the fun begins. I have plans that include regular pieces of short fiction, as well as essays about being a working author and an American expat living in London. I’ll also be handing out book recommendations and more reading-related content every month.

Basically, I want to give you a peek into the life of a working author and also share my love of all things reading and writing while living here in England.

Sounds great! When can I pay?

Again, I’m not quite there yet with paid content, but if you know you want to become a paid subscriber in the future, you can pledge to take out a monthly or annual subscription. That will let me know that you would like me to hurry up and get those paid features in place soon! Just click the “Subscribe Now” button!

Once I get myself sorted, I will be sure to give you plenty of heads up before turning on paid subscriptions.

Now sit back, grab your favorite book, and let’s have some fun!