Substack for Authors
Build your audience, grow your readership, and turn your writing into a thriving author platform
At Stacks Publishing, the first piece of advice we give every author is simple: start a Substack.
If you’re serious about growing your audience, building genuine relationships with readers, and setting your next book launch up for success, Substack is the most powerful tool you can use today.
Unlike social media platforms — where algorithms and trends change overnight — Substack puts you back in control. You own your audience, your content, and your subscriber list. It’s your personal publishing platform, newsletter hub, podcast and community space rolled into one.
Since launching in July 2025, The Substack Bookstore has grown faster than anyone expected — becoming a Substack Bestseller within just six weeks. What started as a small community of indie authors has quickly evolved into a thriving ecosystem with hundreds of paying subscriber-authors supporting, promoting, and celebrating each other’s success.
The graph below shows how quickly our community has expanded — proof of the growing momentum behind authors helping authors succeed.
What Is Substack?
Substack is a fast-growing publishing platform where writers, authors, and creators can share their work directly with readers via email and web. Think of it as your own newsletter and blog (and podcast, if you wish) combined — but without the noise, ads, or gatekeepers.
Readers can subscribe for free or choose to support your work through paid subscriptions. For authors, that means you can start earning from your words long before your book launches — and keep building revenue and readership between books.
Over 35 million readers and writers are now active on Substack, and the platform continues to grow rapidly as more authors look for authentic, sustainable ways to connect with their audiences.
At Stacks Publishing, we see Substack as the single best place for authors to:
Grow an engaged email list before their book launch
Refine their writing voice and test ideas in real time with readers
Share updates, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes posts that build anticipation
Monetise their writing through paid subscriptions, book sales, or premium content
Why Substack Is Better Than Social Media for Authors
Social media platforms can help you gain attention — but not ownership. Algorithms change, reach drops, and audiences vanish overnight. On Substack, you own your audience and your data. Every subscriber is on your email list — not a platform’s.
Instead of fighting for fleeting likes or views, you’re building something lasting: direct relationships with readers who want to hear from you.
No ads.
No character limits.
No distractions.
It’s just you, your words, and your readers — all in one place.
Substack also rewards consistency and authenticity. When you write regularly, readers start looking forward to your posts, sharing them with friends, and becoming early supporters of your book. That kind of loyalty can’t be bought — it’s built.
The Substack Author Community
One of the most inspiring aspects of Substack is its supportive, collaborative author community. Writers on the platform genuinely want to see each other succeed. Authors share each other’s newsletters, swap reviews, host guest posts, and cross-promote launches — all organically and generously.
Within The Substack Bookstore ecosystem, which we founded at Stacks Publishing, that sense of community goes even deeper. The Substack Bookstore connects thousands of readers and writers through curated book listings, editorial reviews, and author features.
It’s become a thriving hub where indie authors promote their books, grow their audiences, and support one another’s success. And the results speak for themselves:
100% of Bestseller Tier authors who have promoted their books through The Substack Bookstore have reached Amazon Category Bestseller status
Many authors across all tiers have built loyal reader bases that continue to grow long after their launch campaigns.
When you build on Substack, you’re joining a movement of independent authors reshaping what success looks like.
How Stacks Publishing Helps Authors Get Started on Substack
Launching your Substack the right way sets the foundation for everything that follows. That’s why we created our Substack Starter Package, designed specifically for authors who want to establish a professional, polished presence that attracts and converts readers.
We’ll help you:
Set up your Substack account and layout
Write your bio, short description, and About page to position your authority and connect emotionally
Design your banner, logo, and visuals for a cohesive author brand
Create your welcome emails (free, paid, and founding subscriber versions)
Craft your first few posts to start building momentum and engagement
With this done-for-you setup, you’ll walk away with a fully optimised Substack — ready to grow your audience, nurture relationships, and monetise your writing.
Substack: The Smartest First Step in Your Author Journey
Starting a Substack is a foundational marketing piece for authors. It’s how you start building your email list, refining your message, and testing ideas with real readers before launch day.
It’s also the single most effective way to ensure that when your book is ready, you already have a warm audience waiting to buy it.
At Stacks Publishing, we’ve seen Substack transform first-time authors into confident, visible, bestselling writers — and it can do the same for you.
Ready to Start Your Substack?
Whether you want to build your newsletter from scratch or refine an existing one, we can help you create a professional, high-converting Substack that grows your readership and income.
Book a free 30-minute discovery call to discuss your author goals — or get started right away with our Substack Kickstart Package, where we set up every written and graphic element for you.