172 Comments
Apr 10·edited Apr 10Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Oh my goodness, haha, a subscribe button. How had I managed to forget to include a subscribe button? Thank you so much!

This is my about page, now complete wjth subscribe button!

https://returntoyourtrees.substack.com/about

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loved this Esther -- I live in Snowdonia for 20 years so the Welsh drew me in straight away and lovely banner and name. Are you in Wales? There's such a great connection with nature that it would be good to be able to know where your place is :)

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Apr 12Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

I love your picture and placement of it!

Lured in by your opening words and then a sweet surprise of your smile.

Kudos to adding that Subscribe button, she looks amazing!

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BRILLIANT!

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Uhh very earthy and zen theme. I really like it! One piece of advice I only recently discovered, if you want to match your initial pic background with the website background for free, is to go into settings here, copy the colour code of the website background (starts with hashtag), then on the free version of Canva you upload the pic, you go on edit photo, select background colour and paste the colour code from here, so they match and it will be all seamless. you probably already know that, but if not, hope I made some sort of sense 😁 x

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This is some GOLDEN advice. Thank you for sharing <3

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You are super welcome! I just love matching background colours 🤩

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Beautiful banner and clear and professional branding!

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Really nice About page, Esther - gives a great intro to your publication but also to you and where you're writing is coming from x

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Apr 10Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

This was such a helpful prompt! It made me realise I hadn't edited my 'about' page in 18 months, so thanks to you, I have just given it a big makeover. If anyone would like to take a look, it's here: https://janeporter.substack.com/about

Thankyou for your always-inspiring posts Claire!

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May 23Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Hi Jane, i love your about page, i like how you start with about the publication and then go on to write about you yourself. it flows really well. the only thing it left me wondering was where abouts you live! but perhaps you dont want to share that, which is fine, but especially reading about you clearing up your local river, it makes me keen to know where you are.

jo

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Thankyou Jo! My local river is the Wandle in south London - BUT I am in the process of gradually moving to Berwick upon Tweed, part-time at first! Would love to join in with some of your community gardening projects :)

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Oh wonderful :) you will be most welcome!

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Apr 11Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Love your About page Jane - really like how you've broken it up into nice chunks!

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Thankyou Alison! 😊

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Yours had me hooked straight away and I’ve subscribed! ❤️

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Apr 10Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Hi ! I really liked it! I am so amazed about all the amazing creative souls I am finding here on substack, I haven't been using it for long hence every day is a new venture and a discovery. I really love the pictures you added to the page and I want to add some too. It's a different topic so it will be a fun challenge to take on board for me! Thank you for sharing x

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Aw thankyou! I just took a look at yours - so interesting (and bilingual too!). I find anything to do with diaries absolutely fascinating - good luck with your Substack! X

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Thank you so so much <3

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I love how bright and colourful and clear your about page is! It feels so fun, from start to finish, and also feels very welcoming!

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Apr 30Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Aw Thankyou Bonnie! Just checked yours out and have subscribed 😊

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Apr 30Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Oh thank you, I’m glad you liked what you found! I am so interested in telling stories through illustrations of images, though it’s not something that’s a part of my current practice. So I’m really looking forward to your posts!

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Apr 30Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

🥰new post coming tomorrow!

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Jane- your header on About is gorgeous!!

It drew me in immediately.

I also loved that you suggest we find your books at our local book stores or Bookshop.org for sustainability.

I love the layout and flow of what you crafted. 10/10 <3

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Thankyou so much! I enjoyed reading yours too 😊

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I keep circling back to the about page and it's getting closer hopefully - https://alchemicalwonderings.substack.com/about

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Yay!

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i LOVE your about page Jan and i resonate so much with you and your work. so glad to have found you, and signed up for free just now, but when i've got a steady income i plan to join your subscribers. love the font, and the first photo because theyve just told me so much about you and your style!

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Thank you so much Jo and lovely to 'meet' you -- I've subscribed to your newsletter too which looks gorgeous

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I LOVE the first photo on your about page, Jan. I thought your text was very interesting too, gets across your message and also has personality - that vocal cat! Its so funny, someone mentioned Cinnamon press to me just last week, and here I am having found one of its founders! Small world. x

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Thank you so much, Bonnie -- it really is a small world x

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I subscribed, so it worked for me :).

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Thank you so much Sara x

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I really love it, very calming and slow, love your story too x

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Apr 12Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

I loved reading that you refresh your About pg every 3 months or so! That makes it feel so much more alive and connected to your current state as a writer.

I refreshed my About Page for Dear People Pleasers and am seeking feedback- all kinds!

https://kaylenalexandra.substack.com/about

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Right - SO much happens in 3 months - I take the same lesson for my website too...

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Apr 11Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Still a bit of a work-in-progress, given that I've not quite properly started my Substack yet, but this is all helping me to refine down what I'm planning to do! Any feedback, gratefully received - I am planning to continue fiddling and add more pictures, etc. https://alisonedwards.substack.com/about

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Brilliant.

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Really liked this Alison -- I'm from Teeside and live in France so it felt like a bit of home and loved the image of your artwork with the smiling face at the centre. Had a real sense of knowing what to expect.

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Thanks Jan Elisabeth! I really like your About page, too - obviously I like the little illustrated page dividers, but also the flow of your writing - just lovely!

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LOVE the cabinet of curiosities. It sets up a really cool image in my mind of the space you're curating.

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Jul 30Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Thanks Danielle!

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Apr 10Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

This has been so helpful! Thank you so much. I have only just started here on Substack and I quickly added an about page. I went back through now and changed a few things based off your suggestions and I am much happier with the feel of the page. If anyone would like to take a peek here is my link: https://kborch3.substack.com/about

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Yay!!

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Hi! The page surely shows the effort you put into introducing yourself :) Found a Talkien fan 😁 As a little piece of advice, I would remove the pre-written section Substack adds to all About pages, the one that says 'To find out more about the company that provides the tech for this newsletter, visit Substack' :) Hope it can help :)

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Thank you so much for your feedback Annalisa! I took your advice and removed the bottom section on the about page. I didn't even know I could do that. I absolutely love your about page! You tell us right away all we need to know about you your writing and the look of your page is so pleasing to the eye. Thank you so much you have been a great help!

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Oh you are welcome ☺️ and thank you really from the bottom of my heart! you almost made me cry 🥹so nice to have this lil group here 🤍

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Apr 10Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

What’s around me as I write, who my ideal readers are, and what sets me apart aesthetically such great ideas. Which, thank you very much Clare, took me back to my About page only to notice I hadn’t reviewed it in a rather long time. If anyone’s curious: https://zoecarada.substack.com/about

Honestly, thanks a lot (no more kidding now!) :)

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Jul 30Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Love this Zoe. The images are gorgeous and I think you create a lovely picture of what people can expect.

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Thx so much, Danielle!

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Brilliant Zoe!!!

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Very particular page, I like it!! Maybe only thing is that I would not copy and paste your about page as the first part for your “start here “ link ☺️ again it’s my opinion and I am super new here so it’s only a suggestion of course ✨

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Thanks Annalisa, so you went one step further than I did :)) because i told myself, the Start Here is for another day haha.

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It does make sense :D Happy to help. Feel free to see what I can improve in mine if u got time

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Annalisa, I like the idea of your Substack! And your About page is very warm and welcoming :) Would you have a nice photo or two? Is the photo at the bottom you? if so, maybe move it up a bit? Let's stay in touch. I'm thinking of opening for collaboration with other writers, and we seem to have similar interests :)

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Yeah it’s me! I will find a better one 😂 I put it there in the middle to include both languages readers, will need to maybe add more than one, thank you so so much for the input!

also thinking of adding a few line about my musical background too, as it’s also part of who I am. I will think about it 😁

And I love collaborations so yes let’s keep in touch 🤍

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I changed the picture, also added my furry friend, what do you think?

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sorry about silly autocorrect, I can't get back to amend. There should be no "aesthetically" (goodness!)

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On the web version on the computer, under the comment there are three dots, if you click there, you are allowed to edit the message x

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Apr 10Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Claire! You have truly made my whole week featuring my about page in this wonderful roundup! Remember when I hid a sneaky kitten on it? I can't believe that was a year ago! I am definitely playing that game again when the book comes out next year!

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Oh a BOOK Beth? Congrats - see how memorable it was for me? You're a STAR!

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Yes! My author illustrator debut picture book will be published early next year. I'm working with the most wonderful publisher in the UK and can't wait to share more.

So are you, Claire! I am totally joining the Sparkle crew as soon as final art is all finished and wrapped up in a bow!

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I love your About page Beth - and your Substack - just subscribed!

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Thank you so much, Alison! Hope to draw with you in our live session on Thursday. 😄

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It's very cute! Shared your page with my partner as he's all into creative drawings. Thank you <3

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I truly appreciate it, Annalisa! 🌻

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Apr 15Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Not sure if this challenge is still active... Here is my About page:

https://sarasantaclara.substack.com/about

I only came to Substack at the beginning of April, never really wrote before... Am really enjoying it though :) Also trying not to get too hooked up on the stats!

Let me know what you think - any feedback would be appreciated!

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YES we're still active and will be as long as people keep coming and finding the post. Well done Sara!

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Hi! very clear and to the point, I am new too so welcome to Substack! I hope you will enjoy it

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I have now read yours :). Writing in both languages!! I'm impressed and a bit jealous... I write in English, it comes to me more naturally, having lived in the UK and the US, and generally used English as main language for as long as I can remember. But Portuguese is my mother tongue. And yet I have not considered writing in Portuguese. Maybe one day I will :).

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Thank you !! Why not! Not many people outside the English-speaking world I have noticed, so it’s a good opportunity to start early 😚

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Thank you, Annalisa, for reading!

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Apr 12Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

It is Indeed, 'Sparkle on Substack' and otherwise. My hobby is reading 'About Me' on Substack and I admire the work of writers invested in the welcome emails.

My Substack's about me is here https://andbykiran.substack.com/about

POV: The first person About Mes is the one I instantly feel connected to. There is a sense of being welcomed. However, I feel distant with the third person About Me as it feels there's mediators before reaching the actual writers

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I like it :) Maybe you could add what more the paid subs would get compared of being free, if any of course :)

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Apr 12Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Thank you for taking my hand and showing me how to do this properly! I'd faffed around (badly) trying to set up the 'about' page a while ago, but I didn't really know what should be there. I think it's so much better now with your help, Claire!

https://maggieszabo.substack.com/about

I'm loving reading all the other pages linked here - you're all such beautiful writers!

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Brilliant Maggie - I'm so so glad.

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I love all the cook-speak Maggie! Things are "served" and "sprinkled".💖

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Jul 31Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Thank you!

Thirty five years of professional cheffing imbues its way into all facets of my life, but especially my writing!

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I love the page, very nicely concise and informative :) The only thing I'd say is to remove the pre-written message from the substack at the end, maybe personalise the section Join the Crew ☺️

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Thank you!!

Will do xx

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glad I could be helpful! Feel free to look at mine if you see somthing that can be. improved x

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Subscribed! Only because I immediately fell in love with Trudy! I love the sound of the community you're drawing together, Annalisa, and look forward to being a part of it xx

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Oh my, thank you so so much! Well.. how can anyone not love her? I mean.. she is cute and bilingual too haha

Can't wait too to get to know each other xx

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Apr 10Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Would love a review of mine, I got some great feedback before but I'm always interested in more eyes and feedback across different people and if I'm missing anything/could add anything or take anything away!

https://thethoughtlibrary.substack.com/about

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LOVE the design on this... honestly I think you could lead with the alice in wonderland sentence and then go into the selfie thing... try it? It's gorgeous though - love all your ideas here Casper.

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Jul 30Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Your heading images are lovely!

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Jul 30Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Thank you 😄 Danielle, appreciate it ☺️

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Apr 10Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Thanks for this Claire. It's super helpful. I'm fairly happy with my About page, but you're prompting me to go back and do some edits 😊

https://drvickiconnop.substack.com/about

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This is great - to break up your blocks of text think about putting some parts in bold or using bullet points?

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Apr 21Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Oh thank you Claire. Yes, I've started using some of the page dividers you generously shared when I subscribed to your page, but will take another look 😊

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Annie Ridout wrote recently about our blocks of text being only a sentence or two and it made sense to me...

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Loved this! NZ is one of the furthest destinations on my holiday list, always wondered how daily life is over there.

The only thing I'd say, but I am a beginner here!, is that we can probably remove the pre-written message from substack saying 'To find out more about the company that provides the tech for this newsletter, visit Substack' x

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Ah thanks for that suggestion. And thanks for stopping by my page 😊

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Anytime, happy I can be helpful ☺️

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Apr 10Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

I'm new, so my About page is also new. I wish I could weave the images in among the words, but they seem to be only a line break option. Guess I've got some more work to do on it.

https://davidjace.substack.com/about

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Apr 17Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

OK... updated my About page a bit. I'd love to know what anyone thinks of the upgrade.

https://davidjace.substack.com/about

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Hi! I really love the logo! And welcome creativity! I d love to take a course in creative writing, which one are you doing?

My only advise is to use the first person throughout the page as it will make it more personal to the reader, me thinks 🤓 I am new too so I have a lot to learn with my Substack, but that would be my only piece of advice as I love the rest ☺️

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Thank you so much! I was wondering whether to go 3rd or first person. 2nd probably isn't a good choice. ;)

I'm actually in an MFA program with Lindenwood University, completely online. The class I am in right now is a Sci Fi focused workshop with Nicole McInnes. #lovingit

In the past, I've also taken the Write Your First Novel course in Coursera, and found it to be pretty decent, particularly for something that was basically free.

Sometimes, being in a high quality writing group can net you just as much education as a class. Not a group of friends who all write at the same level, but a serious group of many levels that will be honest with you about your writing, and speak from further down the road of experience.

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Oh very cool courses! I stumbled across Coursera but haven’t got to finding a course yet. Will look into it more. If u have some advice on what groups could be good, I am all ears! 🤩 thanks for sharing, and if you want to put me on the spot, feel free to check my about section 😂

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oh, of course! I was so distracted by your profile, and bilingual posts, that I forgot to actually go look at the About! My apologies. I love the image work at the top. I'm amazed at all your degrees! This flows very well. Made it an easy read. I suspect that's a good thing. In the photo at the bottom, I think it's a very popular choice among writers to be writing, but it means you aren't looking at the camera, the reader, and with the blanket draped over you, it presents a closed body language. Perhaps a different picture, like your profile one, would make a stronger connection to the reader?

I belong to a local group in DFW, Texas that is absolutely excellent, but that wouldn't help you much, I think. I don't know of any amazing online groups off the top of my head. I mostly hear about in person workshops and conventions (Clarion West, for instance.) which are again, all US, as that's where I am. I know of a few focused groups online, Sci Fi, Superheroes, Mini-golf, etc. But nothing more general. Doesn't mean they don't or can't exist, though! It is the Age of Distant Connection!

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Thanks for all the info, will have a look online ! Also you are right about the photo, I wanted to put something showing me writing, but I will think about something more engaging, thank you ! I had my scarf on as it was damn cold haha 🤣

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It was my pleasure. That must be a Dr Who level scarf!! Looks comfy.

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Apr 10Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Thank you, Clare. I just revised mine yesterday, and I now I went and tweaked it some more after reading your post. I don't think it's 100% there yet but I feel better about it. And I'm trying not to overthink things as badly as I normally do :)

https://tanyamozias.substack.com/about

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Yay well done Tanya!

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Very inspiring story! Thank you for sharing! I write in 2 languages here.. if only one wasn’t already a challenge 😁 I am trilingual too although one is the weak link in the chain 🤣

If I can give you a piece of advice for your about page, it would probably be to add a sort of conclusion at the end where you have a call to action to subscribe or follow you in your journey, more than the subs button in the middle of one of the paragraphs ☺️ but again, it’s just my opinion and I’m new here so I will probably need to do so much work on my about page before talking 🤪

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thank you! you're probably right :)

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You are so welcome! Glad I could give you a hand :)) Feel free to nose around mine and see what can be improved if u like x

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Apr 10Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Hello all! this is what I have done so far. My substack is all free so no difference between memberships. I am sure I will change things as I go, but for now, I feel I resonate with this one. Thanks for pushing us to improve our pages, I have just started and this accountability is of great help.

I will read a few of the ones posted here too and give my thoughts

This is my bilingual page, yes.. I need to worry about two whole sets of grammar rules lol https://annalisacaminarecci.substack.com/about

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I'm a Brit living in Italy and this is great for me to practice my Italian reading. Thanks for the effort!!

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Apr 10Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Hi! I am so so so happy I can help you with that! A friend of my mum's loves it for the same reason, she's practicing English instead. Feel free to come by anytime you want, I love hearing stories of those who like me experienced moving abroad x

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