Tools & software
Writing is an unusual artform in that it requires minimal technical ability or tools. Compare to filmmaking, or game design, or even painting or sculpture, it’s very simple. Pen, paper, off you go.
That’s not to say that there aren’t lots of useful tools for writers. I’m someone who likes to tinker with tools and tech. This is a collection of those articles.
Don’t miss the Scrivener Handbook!
What actually is Substack?
If you’re a writer and you’re reading this, chances are you’re curious about Substack.
Understanding the Substack toolkit
Go back a couple of years and Substack was about sending newsletters. That was it. Nice and simple. Fast forward to today and there are lots of pieces that fit together to form the Substack toolkit, and it’s not always obvious what they’re for. Or where they are. Or which ones you should use.
How to figure out your Substack's settings
This is the latest in my Substack for Beginners videos. If you didn’t sign up to this newsletter for that sort of thing, no worries! You can customise exactly what you receive in your newsletter settings.
How to write a Substack post
This week I’m diving into Substack’s post editor, exploring its buttons and toggles and menus and uncovering features you might not have spotted. You can find more videos in this series here.
Using the Substack post editor: part 2
This is the latest in my Substack for Beginners video series. Do remember, if you’re just here to read Tales from the Triverse or the usual newsletters, you can easily customise what you receive by visiting your account.
How to create a simple podcast
I love a good podcast. Conveniently, they’re now easier to create than ever. If you’re a newsletter writer, it’s only a small jump to also be a podcast producer. Today’s post is all about how to do just that.
Taking another look at genAI for 2025
It’s been a while since I’ve written about AI in detail, largely because it’s overhyped and dull. There is value in keeping an eye on it, though, and I want to be open to new developments. So here we are.
Cultivating a healthy reader community
Taking a look at moderation, banning, muting and the other tools you have for managing your community.
Substack is changing writing like YouTube changed indie filmmaking
When YouTube launched in 2005 I was at the tail end of my obsession with filmmaking. For a decade-and-a-half, from the age of about 10, I’d absorbed every behind-the-scenes book and magazine and TV special I could find: and this was the 90s, when it was
Algorithms, audiences and sub-cultures
When was the last time you got invited to chat with a developer at Facebook, or Instagram, or TikTok? Yeah, me neither.
Email platforms for writers in 2024
Towards the tail end of 2023 I innocently asked readers what platforms they’re most interested in - either that they’re already using, or would like to know more about.
The power of the 'like' button
The humble ‘like’ button has a complicated history. It’s been around in various forms for decades! There’s even a Wikipedia page all about it. In the last decade and a half it’s been a critical part of most social platforms, used to feed and inform the algorithms that determine which content gets shown to people.
Why I left Wattpad for Substack
My first, tentative Substack newsletter was sent in May 2021. After poking a toe in the water, I committed to multiple newsletters per month in September 2021 and haven’t looked back since.
How to fix Substack's fiction experience
Substack is great for writers. We’ve not had this level of freedom and control in our online writing for a long while. For readers of newsletters and non-fiction material, the experience is good across web, app and email.
Understanding your Substack stats
Edit: Do note that this article is from June 2023, so a fair bit is out-of-date. There are many more options and features now available. At some point I’ll do an updated version. Many of the concepts in here are still valid.
Leaving the algorithm behind
I’m old enough to remember when Facebook was an exciting new platform that enabled small companies and individuals to operate on the same level as massive corporations.
