TWO invites for you pulling on the kindred thread…
What are your favourite ways to collaborate with other writers/ creatives here? Are you currently looking to collaborate? Tell us more…. find each other in the comments? Ask advice on how to do it? I’m here for you!
coming on my podcast next week. I’d love to know if you have questions for her. Clover’s new book The Giant on the Skyline is out 9th May! You can pre-order now. If you’re new to Clover’s work, I’m delighted to make this introduction.✨
Thanks for being here and for your active participation, shares and support always in Sparkle on Substack.
I hit 4000 subscribers here this week and I couldn’t imagine a better job to be doing so thank-you.
I'll kick us off - I LOVE collaborating but I found guest posts were very time consuming to manage - I love and prefer podcasts. Paid members can apply to podcast with me anytime. I am OPEN to guest posts on both my publications. On Creatively Conscious I have a targeted ask and that is stories of rejection - more here - https://creativelyconscious.substack.com/t/the-rejection-palace
I recently started a 5-10 minute voice note where I reflect on a question. It's so rough and and imperfect . The notes are completely unedited but I decided to just start. I really want to weave the voices and stories of other women along with mine so I've been inviting other women to contribute 'an episode' too.
I'd love to hear from anybody who's up for recording a voice note for this project. My publication is called A Woman Who Wanders and some common themes are belonging, starting over, deciding to leave, deciding to stay, inward and outward travelling. Basically, the winding path of life. If that sounds like a fit, let me know!
Rahma I love the sound of your voice notes. What a simple idea, to put raw musings out there, straight from the heart. Your wandering theme resonates and sounds like the soundtrack to my life, as I jettisoned my house four years ago to travel around the UK. I'd love to contribute an episode, if you think it mught be a fit. My Substack is "Something More' if you like to take a look. Have a splendid weekend.
This is brilliant! I started a podcast in January and my perfectionism flared up along with it. I didn’t release my first episode for six months because I was worried about the audio quality. I’ve finally started to loosen up and just record in a more flexible way, though I still edit. I’d be happy to record a note for your project someday if you think wandering thoughts about our humanity, definitions of success, or taking care of ourselves would be a fit.
Oh Jillian I remember this so well - it was over a year inbetween podcast for me… I do think there’s a beautiful way to creatively unblock and stand tall by “just” showing up… I still have much more to learn but I’m happy it’s not polished because honestly that puts more pressure on me anyway… if I see it as a chat with a bunch of friendly folks who are keen to lean in and listen that feels full of joy and ease! Does this resonate? 🎙️✨✨
Absolutely! I feel the unblocking happening every time I show up and allow my authentic, imperfect self to be seen. I have a feeling I’ll be learning to shed the layers for the rest of my life.
I love this too! I am a wanderer too or at least I have been for a long time. To a point I don’t even know where my “home” is? Different countries different houses and it’s a feeling only those who have wandered know 😄 happy to help with the voice note too x
Yes, yes, yes. This all sounds so familiar to me. Where is home? Once a wanderer always a wanderer? Or is it possible to stop..? I'll dm you about the VN!
This sounds lovely! And your themes sound very inviting from a life and creative aspect both. I’d love to contribute an episode if you think I may be a fit. I write about creativity and art journaling on Studio Diaries: https://shinjinim.substack.com. Have a great weekend!
Your substack is so beautiful. It's really a delight to land on your homepage. I would love to have you record an episode. My dm's are open. Let's chat more!
This sounds right up my street Rahma. I relate a lot to the theme you are working on through my own journey through different continents and countries. What is the best way to connect with you to share more? 💕🙏🏻
Oooh I'm intrigued! Great themes here! And what a great idea. I'd be up for potentially offering a voice note if you think it would be a fit. I write about parenting teens with mental health challenges, which isn't immediately aligned with yours. But coud have overlap in the winding path of life and how to welcome the unexpected.
"the lens of hope, authenticity and faith" sounds like a definite overlap Serena! I'm really interested in a having a wide variety of voices and different stages of life and I welcome your reflections. You can send me a dm to chat more.
What a wonderful idea! I have been going live on Instagram some mornings, just chatting and greeting the day. I would much rather do it here! I love to wander and have done quite a bit of that. Count me in if you need some more!
Hi Rahma, This sounds like a really lovely way to connect both with your audience and other writers/creators/creatives! I'm exploring similar themes my memoir, in it's early stages, and all about my healing journey within my marriage, my divorce, and partnership since. Deciding to leave and inward traveling especially resonate! I'm happy to share a voice note if this feels like a fit.
Sarah, I love the name of your publication. It puts words to exactly the way I aspire to be in my life. I see your direct messages are only open to subscribers. Mine are open so feel free to drop me a message and we can chat more. I'd love to hear from you.
Find another Substack writer to correspond with in a series of letters. I've had this kind of collaborative relationship with fellow British writer Terry Freedman since 2022, and it brings SO MUCH to my writing life. Here's how:
1. Responding to specific points in HIS letters - subjects over which I have no control - is liberating, especially for someone like me who often gets bogged down in self-selected detail with my own posts.
2. Finding stories in places I wouldn't be looking in for subject matter in my regular Saturday posts. I write about what I'm reading, I keep an eye out for silly road signs, and what Terry and I haven't discussed (and always with humour, not grouch) about the state of British roads isn't worth knowing.
3. Having a deadline. I publish a letter to Terry every other Wednesday (he writes to me on the Wednesdays in between), and that keeps me on my toes.
4. Having an always-there supporter for everything writerly. Terry knows what it's like to be a writer, and it's great to have a sounding board.
5. Sharing a community. We have lots of people who enjoy reading both sides of our correspondence, and the comments threads are a lovely shared space.
B. I've done a couple of interviews, the latest of which is being published today. Check out Sharron Bassano's 'Leaves' if you'd like to read it - https://substack.com/@sharronbassano
Terry invited me to be his correspondent - the aim had been to each write a letter a week for three weeks (so an exchange of six letters total) - but we've kept going, because we enjoy it so much.
Thanks! In fact they are in their own section - it's 'Letters to Terry' in the topnav. They're - deliberately! - not split into their own area of my homepage, because I find it really hard to take in what I'm looking at on other writers' homepages where there are different post types hanging out in separate places. On mine, everything's in date order because that's the best way I can take it in! 🤣
It makes sense! And I agree about multiple spaces, it’s confusing at times 😅 I only added one section with Italian posts only, for whoever doesn’t like to read the original posts in both languages together
Thanks so much, Annalisa! It's just like writing to a friend about anything and everything - we choose to put a humorous spin on things, because it's such fun, but I'd say that literally ANYTHING goes....!
Hi Clare, thank you for this invitation. I am really interested in exploring unconventional paths and journeys on my page. I have not started seeking collaboration yet - but in the medium term I would love to feature people around those themes. Overall I love collaborating and I have found lots of ideas on Substack even from interactions - like exchanging on notes or comments like these.
Lovely and yes lighter touch ways with collaboration lead to more intense partnerships - I met my colleague I cohost a podcast with on Instagram 5 years ago. 🥰
I have never collaborated with someone on Substack but am considering it after an unexpected podcast collaboration went so well recently! That collaboration happened elsewhere on social media, but it has led to me wondering where I can find other people via Substack, especially since the energy of the people on this platform has been so refreshingly open and supportive.
I’m a physician, leader, and coach who helps other recovering perfectionists and high achievers redefine success for themselves and find more joy. I’m definitely an example of “you teach me hat you most need to learn.”
If anyone here is interested in collaborating on a topic that fits in that lens, feel free to reach out. I love seeing what you’re all doing in your own spaces.
Ooo I think Nat Lue or Gabrielle Treanor would be a good fit. Sarah Raad too! Hmm will keep thinking - such an interesting topic. All three have been on my podcast if you fancy a listen/ research for fit? ✨✨
Hello Jillian 👋 I’d be interested in chatting with you! I’m a mindset coach using the very practical lens of human design to help leaders guide themselves back to joy… could be some interesting conversations in there! Get in touch if that sounds good ✨
Hi Jillian, I'm a trauma therapist who helps folks heal relationship trauma. I work with a lot of perfectionists and high achievers, so it seems like there could be overlap in our work! I'm planning a podcast launch in August or September this year. Would you want to swap episodes? Or cross post episodes?
Hey Ellen. I am SURE there's an overlap in our work! I'd love to chat about what a collaboration could look like. I just swapped episodes with someone, and it was a ton of fun. Feel free to reach out via message with your email, and I'll get you a link to my calendar to find a time to connect.
Claire, what a lovely idea. I thrive on collaboration - some of the most uplifting, productive and profoundly satisfying work I've ever been involved in has come about due to spontaneous "Let's do something together" decisions.
I'm a mindset trainer, psychotherapist and writer and wouod live to contribute a value-packed post or be a podcast interviewee or guest coach for hosts and communities where we feel a joyful energy. I'm also beginning to think about inviting guests onto my substack, "Something More", to share their experiences of mindset transformation and self-leadership. If either of those resonates with any substackers reading this, please get in touch. 💕
Hi Caroline! I’m launching a new podcast for entrepreneurs with a colleague and we just talked about making mindset one of our first episode topics. Let me know if you are interested in collaborating and we can connect to brainstorm how to make it a win-win-win!
Hi Caroline 👋 I’m early in my podcasting journey and always keeping an eye out for guests that would resonate with a recovering overachiever audience (my podcast and Substack are called ‘Humans Leading’). I saw several posts on your Substack that fit the bill for things to talk about and would be happy to have you if it would be a fit for you. Have a great weekend. ✨
Hi Jillian, thanks for taking a look. There's plenty more ideas where they came from! Thank you for the invitation, I'd enjoy being your guest. I love the title of your Substack and definitely resonate with the recovering overachiever thing. Shall we plan a catch up and have a chat about topics? Happy weekend to you too. 🌷
Thank you, Annalisa. That's been my work for the last decade. There are lots of mindset coaches out there and while I do use coaching in my work, the main thing I do is teach people how to build self-awareness and think in a healthy, flexible and resilient way. That's why I call myself a mindset trainer, rather than a coach. Enjoy your weekend :)
It makes perfect sense. I am still working on 'how I define myself in this world', I haven't found an answer yet. I always feel the words I choose are not enough to describe me. However, reading this has helped me toward that. So thank you and have an amazing weekend too! x
Collaboration is at the heart of my publication and I have upcoming guest posts on the themes of ‘Heiter’ (happiness) and ‘Sisu’ (tenacity). I’m looking for someone to write on the topics of ‘Lagom,’ a Swedish word meaning ‘just the right amount’ or ‘not too little, not too much’ and ‘Saudade,’ a Portuguese word meaning ‘longing,’ for my This Creative Life series. May share this so I can cast the net a bit wider…
Hi Sarah, I am in the marketing space and would love to collaborate. I could write about the quest to find balance (my interpretation of Lagos), but I think it would be great to chat and see what the perfect idea is!
I’m collaborating with Sarah Ward (Sex and Style) for an upcoming post for mothers wanting to connect back to their sensuality, creativity and erotic energy.
We’re nutting it out at the moment, will likely have short videos guided by Sarah, alongside my personal story of becoming disconnected from my womb space (and the grief that brings, especially after my womb performed a bloody miracle for me and my child) and sensuality and sexuality and how I’m reclaiming it.
I’ve never cross-posted before, I guess that’s what this is for?
Is there anything you think we should know about cross-promoting?
Cross Posting - I am adding to my video list actually BUT it’s very easy and you have some options once you go into the cross posting option… I last did it in my collab with Kat River… so our post on my profile reached an extra 1000 eyes. You get to write a little blurb before hand. Press the 3 dots on any ones post and you can check out the options - don’t worry you won’t accidentally send it out - that part is super obvious when you get there…
Hi Claire ! Thank you for the invitation! I would love to collaborate, I am a musician and I really love talking about creativity, the creative process of songwriting and music in general. There's so much to be said for listening carefully to a track, and paying attention to how each musician is involved.
Hi Claire and thank you for the invitation. I’d be happy to collaborate and offer words or photographs, and would be especially interested in a dialogue where we each respond to the other’s words or images, or discuss creative motivations and processes. It would be a nice way of continuing the invitation in this post about entering into place https://michelagriffith.substack.com/p/finding-beauty
Congrats on 4,000, Claire! You create such a welcoming, joyous, kind community here. As for collaborations, I have two invitations for sober writers...
1. I host an annotated directory of sober writers on my own substack (Sober Soulful). I also promote those writers regularly through Notes, comments, etc. If you’re sober and write about recovery, check out SoberStack™ and let me know if your pub is a fit: https://danaleighlyons.substack.com/s/soberstack
2. I work for another substack (Sober.com) and part of my job is to recruit sober writers for guest contributions. If you’re sober and would like to be considered for a guest post, check it out here and email me for details (my email is at the bottom of every post): https://soberapp.substack.com/
And thanks so so much. Growth has been slower than when I first started and so I’ve stopped looking / projecting and just focussed on being here in service now - it’s such beautiful work… ✨✨ I love how much light, creativity and congruence arrived in this portal
I have just started my first collaboration, and that is cross posting with a fellow substcker with us answering a set of questions. Kinda like interview. We align here for being foreign where we are and possibly even where we are from!
I am still exploring what my Substack really is, I started by wanting to inspire more conscious living, and have also been reflecting about my personal life/memoir towards identity and belonging. This makes it difficult to know who I should collaborate with and how.
Of course collaboration takes time too on top of my own weekly schedules! Anyone has an advice here? Thank you!
Hi Rachel - welcome - I am meeting lots of folks with English as a second language... your collaboration sounds lovely - I think enjoying the process is a massive part of it... there is always lots of learn about our writing style and how we feel... do share the link here once it's live?
Hi Claire, thanks I will share for sure :) and congrats too on your milestone. You're doing great work here! Your advice reminded me again that I should continue focusing on enjoying and exploring my writing!
Hi! I have been wanting to collaborate and opened my publication/podcast up for submissions, but the initial response has been slow. Since I'm about to go on another maternity leave, I'd love to fill up that space with some "guest hosts," as I am calling them! Basically, my Substack, Soul Journaling Sessions, is also a podcast where I read an essay I've written with journal prompts that correspond to the theme. I've been inviting readers to submit their work to read on the episode, either an original essay or something they were inspired to journal on thanks to a prompt I had on a previous episode. I do the podcast intro to introduce them, and read the journal prompts for them, so if you submit, you just get to focus on reading your essay or journal entry and sending that recording over to me.
Marcy! This sounds so beautiful! Sometimes with collaborations, people need clearer instructions or less to think about or more time so you could check on those things BUT leave it with me and I will put this out further and tag some folks in next week. How long until baby’s due? 🥰✨
Yes, excellent point, I do think I need to do clearer instructions! I kind of needed to at least get one submission to see myself how it would all work, and I did have my first submission publish last month. Now it feels a clearer to me how the process can work.
Baby is due June 29, and I know that that time will go by in a flash (yikes!), so it's good to prepare for that leave as much as I can now. Thanks so much for sharing it out. I'd really love to see what people come up with!
Hey Marcy, you hold a beautiful space, and I’d certainly love to collab so please do get in touch when you know what you’re looking for - it would be a joy to contribute 🙏
It's my second! I have a 17-month-old already who is also a flurry of energy, haha! I remember how fast the third trimester went for me last time so I thought I'd try to be more prepared this time around...or at least as prepared as I can be!
So with Company of Two we did 3 questions and an invite for two photos in a google form - because our target writer was busy mums:.. it worked super well and the only thing I’d add would be asking the writer to also promote which we didn’t do as I thought that was obvious but NOPE! 😆
It’s so simple isn’t it but it makes all the difference to an equal 🟰 partnership - cross posting here and across social networks makes for a meaningful experience for everyone.
Our substacks sound similar! I write a weekly mini essay with reflection questions. I'll check out your post and would be happy to guest post/support some other way while you're on leave. And if you'd like to check out the vibes on my Substack, I'm at: https://roarhealingrelationshiptrauma.substack.com
I've just perused through all of the comments and see that so many are already doing collabs! I am not, but is something I am considering. But how - guest interviews with others in the wellness and cooking space, possibly test kitchen style (ask people to cook up a recipe that I am working on for feedback). Something to think about for the future!
Thanks for this lovely space, Claire! Congrats on your 4000 subscriber milestone, and sharing your knowledge with us! I appreciate learning from you!!
I'm pretty brand new to Substack, so I haven't really explored collaborations yet, but I've had a few workshop collaborations and Instagram live collaborations that have really lit up my soul, so I'm excited to explore what collaborating over here looks like! To that end, if anyone would like to swap guest posts or be on the podcast I'm planning to launch later this summer/early Fall, I'd love to connect! I'm a trauma therapist and support folks in healing relationship trauma. I'd love to hear from you if you're a fellow healer (of any modality) or if you've been on a healing journey that you'd like to share.
I have a series on talking to creators about their approach, process and delivery of bringing their newsletter, their content, to life. I'm always looking for people with different types of topics and creative approaches. Would love to connect with anyone interested in being featured! ☺️
Hi Christin, I'm new-ish to the creator journey, but would love to share! I write a weekly mini-essay, reflection questions, and suggested Tarot spread at https://roarhealingrelationshiptrauma.substack.com
It’s a THRILL to see you embrace the 4K point Claire. Whoop whoop. Seeing you do this with generosity on the daily is honestly a treat.
After reading all the luscious posts (hi everyone!) I’m feeling all full up in good ways with so much soulful talent. Confession: I wanted to answer you all 🤣 but ended up saying zip. Maybe something I say will connect with you, LOVE to hear from you if a crumb does.
On Parents who Think (PWT) I’m bedding in three verticals. Personal essays, the PWT podcast and this next one…
1. I’ve a targeted ask for the upcoming Parents That Write Questionnaire. It’s a written series on the behind the scenes of writing and raising kids. Guests on this will answer a small number of core Q’s then choose 2/3 from a list of others. It’s not the typical ‘how do you juggle kids and writing?’ focus, that’s the plan 😘 I’m keen to find guests who have habits + conditions they write in they’d like to share.
For instance, one of the core questions goes along the lines of, “What or who is your secret writing weapon?”
I’d check for accuracy but I’m writing this at 4.30am with a child wedged beside me!!
Let me know if you’re up for seeing if this is a fit. Especially good for published authors, and other creatives but don’t let formal publication put you off. ♥️
Ooh and from June I’m opening up rental of my Somerset writers little getaway for people to come write, walk and nourish themselves. It’s being redecorated at the mo (I’m having it carpeted and repainted). One substacker completed his album there and another came for an injection of creativity and peace away from her family. It’ll be ever so good value as I want to make it accessible.
I’m wide open for collabs. Veteran podcaster - about to be interviewed by Kristina God re podding on Substack. Themes I’m into are living an AND life (slow country life and city boardroom) (mother of 10 and my own person), being sober and loving it at almost 5 yrs after being a champagne buff, doing a lot in life without burning out, and related to all of this building conditions that cultivate energy rather than deplete it.
Trusting this essay lands exactly as it needs to. Much love xx
I know you said you find guest posts a lot of time but I’m hoping once you see the Parents That Write questions you’ll be open to it. I bet people would like to read your words on this! Would you consider it? ✨
Of course!! I was trying to do them monthly on CC and on Company of Two and I just burnt out - I calculated my editing and posting time and it was like ok time for a break!!! I had a google form set up but I still had to email folks for the odd thing and I had less childcare hours so it was GREAT to do but yeah needed to just fly a bit...
Thanks Claire! Such a fun thread with such inspiring writers. My focus is on marketing education, but through the lens of inspiration, purpose, and service. I have a podcast I’m doing with a colleague that is always accepting guest applications, but I’m also super interested in guest posts and collabs for my primary Substack @marketingjam. I’m a more the merrier, two heads are always better than one kind of gal, so please hit me up if you’d like to explore an idea!
Oh thanks so so much! It is pretty amazing isn’t it! My retention rate is lower than I’d like but I think I have to be real that’s there’s only so much Substack craic people need 😂
I'll kick us off - I LOVE collaborating but I found guest posts were very time consuming to manage - I love and prefer podcasts. Paid members can apply to podcast with me anytime. I am OPEN to guest posts on both my publications. On Creatively Conscious I have a targeted ask and that is stories of rejection - more here - https://creativelyconscious.substack.com/t/the-rejection-palace
Hi Claire, where do we (paid members) apply to podcast with you? Thanks!
Hi Rachel - I'm going to start a new thread on it - hang tight... there's a form 😅
I recently started a 5-10 minute voice note where I reflect on a question. It's so rough and and imperfect . The notes are completely unedited but I decided to just start. I really want to weave the voices and stories of other women along with mine so I've been inviting other women to contribute 'an episode' too.
I was delighted to publish my first guest episode a couple of weeks ago: https://open.substack.com/pub/rahmadutton/p/i-wonder-how-my-kids-will-remember?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=wnpuf
I'd love to hear from anybody who's up for recording a voice note for this project. My publication is called A Woman Who Wanders and some common themes are belonging, starting over, deciding to leave, deciding to stay, inward and outward travelling. Basically, the winding path of life. If that sounds like a fit, let me know!
Rahma I love the sound of your voice notes. What a simple idea, to put raw musings out there, straight from the heart. Your wandering theme resonates and sounds like the soundtrack to my life, as I jettisoned my house four years ago to travel around the UK. I'd love to contribute an episode, if you think it mught be a fit. My Substack is "Something More' if you like to take a look. Have a splendid weekend.
I've sent you a DM ❤️
This is brilliant! I started a podcast in January and my perfectionism flared up along with it. I didn’t release my first episode for six months because I was worried about the audio quality. I’ve finally started to loosen up and just record in a more flexible way, though I still edit. I’d be happy to record a note for your project someday if you think wandering thoughts about our humanity, definitions of success, or taking care of ourselves would be a fit.
Oh Jillian I remember this so well - it was over a year inbetween podcast for me… I do think there’s a beautiful way to creatively unblock and stand tall by “just” showing up… I still have much more to learn but I’m happy it’s not polished because honestly that puts more pressure on me anyway… if I see it as a chat with a bunch of friendly folks who are keen to lean in and listen that feels full of joy and ease! Does this resonate? 🎙️✨✨
Absolutely! I feel the unblocking happening every time I show up and allow my authentic, imperfect self to be seen. I have a feeling I’ll be learning to shed the layers for the rest of my life.
I love this too! I am a wanderer too or at least I have been for a long time. To a point I don’t even know where my “home” is? Different countries different houses and it’s a feeling only those who have wandered know 😄 happy to help with the voice note too x
Yes, yes, yes. This all sounds so familiar to me. Where is home? Once a wanderer always a wanderer? Or is it possible to stop..? I'll dm you about the VN!
This sounds lovely! And your themes sound very inviting from a life and creative aspect both. I’d love to contribute an episode if you think I may be a fit. I write about creativity and art journaling on Studio Diaries: https://shinjinim.substack.com. Have a great weekend!
Your substack is so beautiful. It's really a delight to land on your homepage. I would love to have you record an episode. My dm's are open. Let's chat more!
This sounds right up my street Rahma. I relate a lot to the theme you are working on through my own journey through different continents and countries. What is the best way to connect with you to share more? 💕🙏🏻
And here is a link to my story/hero post which gives you an overview: https://open.substack.com/pub/notesfromcatriona/p/notes-from-saving-the-world?r=fydqj&utm_medium=ios
I've sent you a dm!
Oooh I'm intrigued! Great themes here! And what a great idea. I'd be up for potentially offering a voice note if you think it would be a fit. I write about parenting teens with mental health challenges, which isn't immediately aligned with yours. But coud have overlap in the winding path of life and how to welcome the unexpected.
"the lens of hope, authenticity and faith" sounds like a definite overlap Serena! I'm really interested in a having a wide variety of voices and different stages of life and I welcome your reflections. You can send me a dm to chat more.
What a wonderful idea! I have been going live on Instagram some mornings, just chatting and greeting the day. I would much rather do it here! I love to wander and have done quite a bit of that. Count me in if you need some more!
Hi Rahma, This sounds like a really lovely way to connect both with your audience and other writers/creators/creatives! I'm exploring similar themes my memoir, in it's early stages, and all about my healing journey within my marriage, my divorce, and partnership since. Deciding to leave and inward traveling especially resonate! I'm happy to share a voice note if this feels like a fit.
Oh this is right up my street Rahma, please do tell me more 🙏💫
Sarah, I love the name of your publication. It puts words to exactly the way I aspire to be in my life. I see your direct messages are only open to subscribers. Mine are open so feel free to drop me a message and we can chat more. I'd love to hear from you.
Ahh got it, I’ve messaged you just now!
That's a great idea to collaborate on the spoken word rather than written text, Rahma! I love the sound of this.
Oooooh, thanks for this, Claire. I've got some!
Find another Substack writer to correspond with in a series of letters. I've had this kind of collaborative relationship with fellow British writer Terry Freedman since 2022, and it brings SO MUCH to my writing life. Here's how:
1. Responding to specific points in HIS letters - subjects over which I have no control - is liberating, especially for someone like me who often gets bogged down in self-selected detail with my own posts.
2. Finding stories in places I wouldn't be looking in for subject matter in my regular Saturday posts. I write about what I'm reading, I keep an eye out for silly road signs, and what Terry and I haven't discussed (and always with humour, not grouch) about the state of British roads isn't worth knowing.
3. Having a deadline. I publish a letter to Terry every other Wednesday (he writes to me on the Wednesdays in between), and that keeps me on my toes.
4. Having an always-there supporter for everything writerly. Terry knows what it's like to be a writer, and it's great to have a sounding board.
5. Sharing a community. We have lots of people who enjoy reading both sides of our correspondence, and the comments threads are a lovely shared space.
Here's a link to both sides of the Rebecca/Terry correspondence - https://rebeccaholden.substack.com/s/letters-to-terry
Another couple of collaborative ideas I've had the pleasure to explore are these:
A. I've had submissions of lost items from other Substackers, and have thoroughly enjoyed writing about those. Here's my latest example: https://rebeccaholden.substack.com/p/142-found-a-mini-book-of-lists
B. I've done a couple of interviews, the latest of which is being published today. Check out Sharron Bassano's 'Leaves' if you'd like to read it - https://substack.com/@sharronbassano
Thank you for being here and sharing your wonderful work Rebecca! I’ve missed a couple of your Saturday posts - looking forward to catching up. ✨✨
Awwww Claire! Lovely to be sparkling along with you. And I know how time goes - I'm the same!!! 😘 Thank you for always being so encouraging.
This is such a fantastic idea! I love this ❤️
Thank you, Rahma!
I absolutely love your newsletter Rebecca, and the letters between you and Terry. Do you have anything on how you met and got started with this idea?
You're very kind, Tracey - thank you! I'd first got to know Terry in autumn 2022 through his 'Eclecticism' newsletter https://terryfreedman.substack.com and was learning a lot from him, and at around that time Substack was encouraging their new idea for 'Substack Letters'. https://on.substack.com/p/collaboration#§host-a-letter-exchange
Terry invited me to be his correspondent - the aim had been to each write a letter a week for three weeks (so an exchange of six letters total) - but we've kept going, because we enjoy it so much.
Thank you so much!
This is so beautiful. How do you choose what to say in the letters ? Or is it just kind of spontaneous? x
I had a look, they look so nice and a great addition to your newsletter, I almost feel like they need a section just for them! I’d love to try myself
Yes sounds like a really nice idea. Maybe I can combine a fellow friend to correspond with me. :)
It's really lovely as a short or long term project...
If you fancy a pen pal…💕
Thanks! In fact they are in their own section - it's 'Letters to Terry' in the topnav. They're - deliberately! - not split into their own area of my homepage, because I find it really hard to take in what I'm looking at on other writers' homepages where there are different post types hanging out in separate places. On mine, everything's in date order because that's the best way I can take it in! 🤣
You’re so right here - this is why I love the archive button- that one never lets me down as a reader. 🤓✨✨
I still haven’t found my recommendations blurbs 😂😂 When my book edits are done I can’t wait to dive into all these things ❤️
Aww don’t worry Emma I’ll keep nudging you about this it’s a BRILLIANT BTS growth engine!
An excellent point! 🙌
It makes sense! And I agree about multiple spaces, it’s confusing at times 😅 I only added one section with Italian posts only, for whoever doesn’t like to read the original posts in both languages together
Thanks so much, Annalisa! It's just like writing to a friend about anything and everything - we choose to put a humorous spin on things, because it's such fun, but I'd say that literally ANYTHING goes....!
Hi Clare, thank you for this invitation. I am really interested in exploring unconventional paths and journeys on my page. I have not started seeking collaboration yet - but in the medium term I would love to feature people around those themes. Overall I love collaborating and I have found lots of ideas on Substack even from interactions - like exchanging on notes or comments like these.
Lovely and yes lighter touch ways with collaboration lead to more intense partnerships - I met my colleague I cohost a podcast with on Instagram 5 years ago. 🥰
Congratulations on the milestone Claire!
I have never collaborated with someone on Substack but am considering it after an unexpected podcast collaboration went so well recently! That collaboration happened elsewhere on social media, but it has led to me wondering where I can find other people via Substack, especially since the energy of the people on this platform has been so refreshingly open and supportive.
I’m a physician, leader, and coach who helps other recovering perfectionists and high achievers redefine success for themselves and find more joy. I’m definitely an example of “you teach me hat you most need to learn.”
If anyone here is interested in collaborating on a topic that fits in that lens, feel free to reach out. I love seeing what you’re all doing in your own spaces.
Ooo I think Nat Lue or Gabrielle Treanor would be a good fit. Sarah Raad too! Hmm will keep thinking - such an interesting topic. All three have been on my podcast if you fancy a listen/ research for fit? ✨✨
Hello Jillian 👋 I’d be interested in chatting with you! I’m a mindset coach using the very practical lens of human design to help leaders guide themselves back to joy… could be some interesting conversations in there! Get in touch if that sounds good ✨
Hi Jillian, I'm a trauma therapist who helps folks heal relationship trauma. I work with a lot of perfectionists and high achievers, so it seems like there could be overlap in our work! I'm planning a podcast launch in August or September this year. Would you want to swap episodes? Or cross post episodes?
Hey Ellen. I am SURE there's an overlap in our work! I'd love to chat about what a collaboration could look like. I just swapped episodes with someone, and it was a ton of fun. Feel free to reach out via message with your email, and I'll get you a link to my calendar to find a time to connect.
Claire, what a lovely idea. I thrive on collaboration - some of the most uplifting, productive and profoundly satisfying work I've ever been involved in has come about due to spontaneous "Let's do something together" decisions.
I'm a mindset trainer, psychotherapist and writer and wouod live to contribute a value-packed post or be a podcast interviewee or guest coach for hosts and communities where we feel a joyful energy. I'm also beginning to think about inviting guests onto my substack, "Something More", to share their experiences of mindset transformation and self-leadership. If either of those resonates with any substackers reading this, please get in touch. 💕
Hi Caroline! I’m launching a new podcast for entrepreneurs with a colleague and we just talked about making mindset one of our first episode topics. Let me know if you are interested in collaborating and we can connect to brainstorm how to make it a win-win-win!
✨🌱🥰🥰🥰
Amy I'd be happy to have a chat. Thank you.
Hi Caroline 👋 I’m early in my podcasting journey and always keeping an eye out for guests that would resonate with a recovering overachiever audience (my podcast and Substack are called ‘Humans Leading’). I saw several posts on your Substack that fit the bill for things to talk about and would be happy to have you if it would be a fit for you. Have a great weekend. ✨
Hi Jillian, thanks for taking a look. There's plenty more ideas where they came from! Thank you for the invitation, I'd enjoy being your guest. I love the title of your Substack and definitely resonate with the recovering overachiever thing. Shall we plan a catch up and have a chat about topics? Happy weekend to you too. 🌷
I love the term mindset trainer 🤍🤍
And yeah I always had this feeling that I was born for something more than a “regular” sleep-work-eat-sleep-repeat life ✨
Many of us share this feeling. It's good to know there are so many people who want to have a positive impact.
I know, and it's even better some of us are here and can do this togehter!
Thank you, Annalisa. That's been my work for the last decade. There are lots of mindset coaches out there and while I do use coaching in my work, the main thing I do is teach people how to build self-awareness and think in a healthy, flexible and resilient way. That's why I call myself a mindset trainer, rather than a coach. Enjoy your weekend :)
It makes perfect sense. I am still working on 'how I define myself in this world', I haven't found an answer yet. I always feel the words I choose are not enough to describe me. However, reading this has helped me toward that. So thank you and have an amazing weekend too! x
It can take us a while to find the right words. I tried various descriptions before I found the right one. Good luck with it :)
Thanks a million 🤗🤗
Collaboration is at the heart of my publication and I have upcoming guest posts on the themes of ‘Heiter’ (happiness) and ‘Sisu’ (tenacity). I’m looking for someone to write on the topics of ‘Lagom,’ a Swedish word meaning ‘just the right amount’ or ‘not too little, not too much’ and ‘Saudade,’ a Portuguese word meaning ‘longing,’ for my This Creative Life series. May share this so I can cast the net a bit wider…
Hi Sarah, I am in the marketing space and would love to collaborate. I could write about the quest to find balance (my interpretation of Lagos), but I think it would be great to chat and see what the perfect idea is!
BEAUTIFUL! love hearing about this work - thanks for sharing Sarah! ✨✨
Congrats on that milestone Claire!
I’m collaborating with Sarah Ward (Sex and Style) for an upcoming post for mothers wanting to connect back to their sensuality, creativity and erotic energy.
We’re nutting it out at the moment, will likely have short videos guided by Sarah, alongside my personal story of becoming disconnected from my womb space (and the grief that brings, especially after my womb performed a bloody miracle for me and my child) and sensuality and sexuality and how I’m reclaiming it.
I’ve never cross-posted before, I guess that’s what this is for?
Is there anything you think we should know about cross-promoting?
Cross Posting - I am adding to my video list actually BUT it’s very easy and you have some options once you go into the cross posting option… I last did it in my collab with Kat River… so our post on my profile reached an extra 1000 eyes. You get to write a little blurb before hand. Press the 3 dots on any ones post and you can check out the options - don’t worry you won’t accidentally send it out - that part is super obvious when you get there…
This is so helpful, Claire - thank you!
Great, we like easy! Thank you
This sounds fascinating. Looking forward! ✨✨💖
Oooh, this sounds juicy... I'll be looking forward to this and, in the meantime, slowly building up the courage to "go there"
Yes! Awesome Rahma 🙌
Hi Claire ! Thank you for the invitation! I would love to collaborate, I am a musician and I really love talking about creativity, the creative process of songwriting and music in general. There's so much to be said for listening carefully to a track, and paying attention to how each musician is involved.
Ah Jakub are you connected with Ian Sharp here?
No, unfortunately, who is it?
https://iansharp.substack.com/
Hi Claire and thank you for the invitation. I’d be happy to collaborate and offer words or photographs, and would be especially interested in a dialogue where we each respond to the other’s words or images, or discuss creative motivations and processes. It would be a nice way of continuing the invitation in this post about entering into place https://michelagriffith.substack.com/p/finding-beauty
What a beautiful invitation thanks Michela...
Congrats on 4,000, Claire! You create such a welcoming, joyous, kind community here. As for collaborations, I have two invitations for sober writers...
1. I host an annotated directory of sober writers on my own substack (Sober Soulful). I also promote those writers regularly through Notes, comments, etc. If you’re sober and write about recovery, check out SoberStack™ and let me know if your pub is a fit: https://danaleighlyons.substack.com/s/soberstack
2. I work for another substack (Sober.com) and part of my job is to recruit sober writers for guest contributions. If you’re sober and would like to be considered for a guest post, check it out here and email me for details (my email is at the bottom of every post): https://soberapp.substack.com/
And thanks so so much. Growth has been slower than when I first started and so I’ve stopped looking / projecting and just focussed on being here in service now - it’s such beautiful work… ✨✨ I love how much light, creativity and congruence arrived in this portal
Ahhh think Amber Horrox would love to connect. She writes Warrior Within - will get the link when next on desktop.
Wonderful!
I have just started my first collaboration, and that is cross posting with a fellow substcker with us answering a set of questions. Kinda like interview. We align here for being foreign where we are and possibly even where we are from!
I am still exploring what my Substack really is, I started by wanting to inspire more conscious living, and have also been reflecting about my personal life/memoir towards identity and belonging. This makes it difficult to know who I should collaborate with and how.
Of course collaboration takes time too on top of my own weekly schedules! Anyone has an advice here? Thank you!
Hi Rachel - welcome - I am meeting lots of folks with English as a second language... your collaboration sounds lovely - I think enjoying the process is a massive part of it... there is always lots of learn about our writing style and how we feel... do share the link here once it's live?
Hi Claire, thanks I will share for sure :) and congrats too on your milestone. You're doing great work here! Your advice reminded me again that I should continue focusing on enjoying and exploring my writing!
Oh yes we have to enjoy our journey - the milestones are always inevitable if we put the work in. xx
Hi! I have been wanting to collaborate and opened my publication/podcast up for submissions, but the initial response has been slow. Since I'm about to go on another maternity leave, I'd love to fill up that space with some "guest hosts," as I am calling them! Basically, my Substack, Soul Journaling Sessions, is also a podcast where I read an essay I've written with journal prompts that correspond to the theme. I've been inviting readers to submit their work to read on the episode, either an original essay or something they were inspired to journal on thanks to a prompt I had on a previous episode. I do the podcast intro to introduce them, and read the journal prompts for them, so if you submit, you just get to focus on reading your essay or journal entry and sending that recording over to me.
Anyway, I'd love for others to come on and share their thoughts, insights, and stories! You can learn more about it here: https://souljournalingsessions.substack.com/p/a-special-invitation-share-your-writing.
Marcy! This sounds so beautiful! Sometimes with collaborations, people need clearer instructions or less to think about or more time so you could check on those things BUT leave it with me and I will put this out further and tag some folks in next week. How long until baby’s due? 🥰✨
Yes, excellent point, I do think I need to do clearer instructions! I kind of needed to at least get one submission to see myself how it would all work, and I did have my first submission publish last month. Now it feels a clearer to me how the process can work.
Baby is due June 29, and I know that that time will go by in a flash (yikes!), so it's good to prepare for that leave as much as I can now. Thanks so much for sharing it out. I'd really love to see what people come up with!
Hey Marcy, you hold a beautiful space, and I’d certainly love to collab so please do get in touch when you know what you’re looking for - it would be a joy to contribute 🙏
Eeek 29 June - there is still such a good chunk of time and perhaps also that lovely flurry of energy toward the end? Is it your first time?
It's my second! I have a 17-month-old already who is also a flurry of energy, haha! I remember how fast the third trimester went for me last time so I thought I'd try to be more prepared this time around...or at least as prepared as I can be!
Yes that’s it it’s such a lovely time of being in order - aww takes me back… Luna was a pandemic baby! She’s 3 now!
So with Company of Two we did 3 questions and an invite for two photos in a google form - because our target writer was busy mums:.. it worked super well and the only thing I’d add would be asking the writer to also promote which we didn’t do as I thought that was obvious but NOPE! 😆
Oh my goodness that's a good point about asking them to promote. I admittedly also forgot about that!
It’s so simple isn’t it but it makes all the difference to an equal 🟰 partnership - cross posting here and across social networks makes for a meaningful experience for everyone.
Hi Marcy,
Our substacks sound similar! I write a weekly mini essay with reflection questions. I'll check out your post and would be happy to guest post/support some other way while you're on leave. And if you'd like to check out the vibes on my Substack, I'm at: https://roarhealingrelationshiptrauma.substack.com
I've just perused through all of the comments and see that so many are already doing collabs! I am not, but is something I am considering. But how - guest interviews with others in the wellness and cooking space, possibly test kitchen style (ask people to cook up a recipe that I am working on for feedback). Something to think about for the future!
Oh beautiful! We are spoilt for choice with connections to the land and home cooking here in Substack! Thanks for being here Melissa ✨
Thanks for this lovely space, Claire! Congrats on your 4000 subscriber milestone, and sharing your knowledge with us! I appreciate learning from you!!
I'm pretty brand new to Substack, so I haven't really explored collaborations yet, but I've had a few workshop collaborations and Instagram live collaborations that have really lit up my soul, so I'm excited to explore what collaborating over here looks like! To that end, if anyone would like to swap guest posts or be on the podcast I'm planning to launch later this summer/early Fall, I'd love to connect! I'm a trauma therapist and support folks in healing relationship trauma. I'd love to hear from you if you're a fellow healer (of any modality) or if you've been on a healing journey that you'd like to share.
Also a huge WELCOME to you Ellen! 🥰
So many lovely folks in my community would connect - we can’t tag in chat but if you look up Amber Horrox and Sarah Rees to start? ✨
thanks so much, Claire!
I have a series on talking to creators about their approach, process and delivery of bringing their newsletter, their content, to life. I'm always looking for people with different types of topics and creative approaches. Would love to connect with anyone interested in being featured! ☺️
Ooo this sounds such a juicy topic! I’m super keen to write something and I’m sure lots of other folk would be too Christin!
Hi Christin, I'm new-ish to the creator journey, but would love to share! I write a weekly mini-essay, reflection questions, and suggested Tarot spread at https://roarhealingrelationshiptrauma.substack.com
It’s a THRILL to see you embrace the 4K point Claire. Whoop whoop. Seeing you do this with generosity on the daily is honestly a treat.
After reading all the luscious posts (hi everyone!) I’m feeling all full up in good ways with so much soulful talent. Confession: I wanted to answer you all 🤣 but ended up saying zip. Maybe something I say will connect with you, LOVE to hear from you if a crumb does.
On Parents who Think (PWT) I’m bedding in three verticals. Personal essays, the PWT podcast and this next one…
1. I’ve a targeted ask for the upcoming Parents That Write Questionnaire. It’s a written series on the behind the scenes of writing and raising kids. Guests on this will answer a small number of core Q’s then choose 2/3 from a list of others. It’s not the typical ‘how do you juggle kids and writing?’ focus, that’s the plan 😘 I’m keen to find guests who have habits + conditions they write in they’d like to share.
For instance, one of the core questions goes along the lines of, “What or who is your secret writing weapon?”
I’d check for accuracy but I’m writing this at 4.30am with a child wedged beside me!!
Let me know if you’re up for seeing if this is a fit. Especially good for published authors, and other creatives but don’t let formal publication put you off. ♥️
Ooh and from June I’m opening up rental of my Somerset writers little getaway for people to come write, walk and nourish themselves. It’s being redecorated at the mo (I’m having it carpeted and repainted). One substacker completed his album there and another came for an injection of creativity and peace away from her family. It’ll be ever so good value as I want to make it accessible.
I’m wide open for collabs. Veteran podcaster - about to be interviewed by Kristina God re podding on Substack. Themes I’m into are living an AND life (slow country life and city boardroom) (mother of 10 and my own person), being sober and loving it at almost 5 yrs after being a champagne buff, doing a lot in life without burning out, and related to all of this building conditions that cultivate energy rather than deplete it.
Trusting this essay lands exactly as it needs to. Much love xx
✨🌱 🙏 excited about ALL of this! Especially the writers get away… 🥰
Thanks Hun.
I know you said you find guest posts a lot of time but I’m hoping once you see the Parents That Write questions you’ll be open to it. I bet people would like to read your words on this! Would you consider it? ✨
Of course!! I was trying to do them monthly on CC and on Company of Two and I just burnt out - I calculated my editing and posting time and it was like ok time for a break!!! I had a google form set up but I still had to email folks for the odd thing and I had less childcare hours so it was GREAT to do but yeah needed to just fly a bit...
Thanks Claire! Such a fun thread with such inspiring writers. My focus is on marketing education, but through the lens of inspiration, purpose, and service. I have a podcast I’m doing with a colleague that is always accepting guest applications, but I’m also super interested in guest posts and collabs for my primary Substack @marketingjam. I’m a more the merrier, two heads are always better than one kind of gal, so please hit me up if you’d like to explore an idea!
Congratulations on your milestone, Claire!!
Awww thank you so so much! It’s really a joy to do this work!
4000 subscribers! Yay, that’s amazing Claire! Congratulations 🎈🎉🎊
Oh thanks so so much! It is pretty amazing isn’t it! My retention rate is lower than I’d like but I think I have to be real that’s there’s only so much Substack craic people need 😂