Why I'm switching from Mailchimp to Substack

(and checking out Substack as a possible new social media platform)

Beginnings are hard.

I’ve been using Mailchimp as my primary email newsletter platform for years now, but those of you who have been loyal subscribers (thank you!) know, I haven’t been posting much. I posted one newsletter in 2018, one in 2019, and two in 2022.

Why the silence? I think it’s partly because I haven’t had much time to keep up with the email newsletters I’m subscribed to, and I have been unsubscribing to most of them. Also, because I use Mailchimp so infrequently, I have had to re-learn the interface almost every time…and that makes putting together a newsletter more time-consuming.

Each time I did manage to put together a newsletter, I struggled with the content, considering the infrequency of my posts. Each felt like a new beginning, and beginnings are hard.

Why Substack?

I’ve heard more and more good things about Substack. Most recently, my friend Geoff Engelstein announced he was moving his GameTek newsletter to Substack; if you’re interested in board game design, I highly recommend checking out his Substack newsletter! Then Cybil Awards let me know they were on Substack; both of us had been hoping that Post.news would be the new home for the kidlit community, but that turned out not to be the case, sadly (do check out the Cybil Awards Substack!). They also told me about Substack’s recent addition of a Twitter-like short-form Notes functionality, which intrigued me enough to try out Substack.

My goals for Substack

I am hoping to help build a community of like-minded individuals and organizations on Substack who are interested in the craft and business of children’s books, especially those who are actively posting nuts-and-bolts tips, sharing behind-the-scenes processes or other info that might help those trying to break into the business as well as inspiring seasoned pros.

I’m aiming to publish 2-3 issues a month but it depends on my own work and travel schedule. Once I figure out my workflow, I may decide on a regular schedule and may possibly add bonus content for paid subscribers.

What I plan to post about in my Substack newsletter:

I always welcome suggestions about specific topics you’d like me to post about in my newsletter sooner than later! Here are just a few of the things I plan to post about over time:

• What I’m learning about Substack, both good and not-so-good, and how children’s book writers can use this platform.

• Nuts-and-bolts advice about how to break into the business of writing and illustrating books for young people, as well as tips and resources about the craft.

• Offering sneak peeks behind-the-scenes of my own process of writing and illustrating for traditional publishing houses.

• Reposting excerpts from book creators, agents, art directors, and editors I’ve interviewed on my blog, curating for updated or evergreen info.

• Uplifting comics and art.

• Recommendations of fellow Substack community members and their content.

What I DON’T plan to post about:

• Industry politics or controversy. There are already so many sources of this kind of info elsewhere.

• Depressing or discouraging industry news.

• Self-publishing or self-published books. There are many success stories out there, but I would rather leave this topic to those with experience in this area (I do not).

Subscription fee or not?

I am keeping my newsletter posts free of charge for now. The main reason for this choice: if people start paying subscription fees, I’m going to feel pressure to publish regularly, and I would prefer the freedom of only publishing when I have something worthwhile to say. My schedule is also pretty busy, with multiple work projects (some contracted, some not) and travel.

If I end up liking Substack and its workflow enough, I may offer paid subscribers bonus content…but not until I’m sure I can maintain a regular schedule.

I appreciate your interest in me and my work, and please do let me know if you’d like me to talk about anything in particular in upcoming issues!

— Debbie