Happy September, club! 🍎 Let’s kick off the month with a meetup here at The Content Brief—open to all subscribers! ⚡️
➡️ Introduce us to your publication. Tell us what content you have planned this month (ie, commit!). Ask a question. Run a headline by us. Drop a link to your most recent post.
Then engage with two others—answer a question, visit their post and comment or restack it … whatever feels right to you!
I have a pretty organised monthly schedule, mainly to keep it varied, and I enjoy it.
First week: more extended essay (this Wednesday) about how I decided to refuse to work for someone else, explaining my strategy and how I am going to do it 😂 at the moment. The title is “I refuse to work for someone else.” I appreciate it needs tonnes of work, and any suggestions are welcome.
Second week: thread, tackling specific topic/ challenge/ great for readers to offer their advice
Third week: an interview with other Substack writers
Fourth week: recommendations and recap of published articles, mine and others
Here’s the notion I posted this mornjng, it felt appropriate for 1st September 😄
I like the title! It's catchy and has a clear perspective...makes you want to know more! I love that you've figured out a posting rhythm that mixes things up and works for you. ⚡️
Hi everyone! I'm Sarah, I'm a trained pastry chef from Belgium living in the UK. I used to run my own shop selling Belgian chocolates but now share recipes from the shop and write about Belgian baking and traditions. The only thing that I'm hoping to post this month is my next article in the 'Wait, is that Belgian?' mini-series, where we figure out if foods are, in fact, Belgian. I've got it pretty much written, we're looking at waffles, and after that possibly an article about canning but I'm mostly going to be focusing on working on the recipes for the upcoming Fall recipe bundle. The recipe bundle has no name yet beyond 'Fall recipe bundle', suggestions welcome! My holiday season cookbook on Amazon is called 'The Festive Belgian Bakery - Holiday Edition', this bundle of recipes will be a part of my next printed cookbook.
Chocolate and waffles? I'm in! 😍 Would love to know how you develop recipes ... what all goes into that? Might be an idea as you talk more about your bundle! Can't wait to see it. ⚡️
Haha, thank you Christin! It’s usually based on all the theory I learned in school of what ingredients do what and in what ratios. I’ll add the link here once it’s ready. The waffle article might come out today and otherwise at some point in the next couple of days🙂.
I also occasionally review an outstanding TV series, which will happen later today, when I review "Dark Winds", a police procedural series on Netflix that's set in the Navajo Nation in New Mexico. It's drawn from celebrated crime novels by Tony Hillerman.
My most recent post came last Sunday, when I reviewed a movie called "Femme", which portrays two men struggling with questions of sexual identity. I love to review tough, topical movies that challenge viewers. When the movies are excellent, like "Femme", they can open readers' minds to subjects and storytelling techniques they may not have come across before, plus introduce them to terrific actors who may be new to them. All of that is on offer in "Femme", including its two powerful lead performances. The review is here: https://moviestruck.substack.com/p/femme-2023
Next Sunday I'll be reviewing "Rebel Ridge", an action thriller starring Don Johnson. I haven't determined for sure which movies I'll be reviewing for the remainder of September. I keep my options open and select the movie opening in a given week that's most provocative, for me and for my subscribers. Check me out!
I did not realize Dark Winds is based on Hillerman's novels! That's so cool! We binged all of Longmire and fell in love with Zach McLarnon in that one. So glad he's in another good one - thank you for recommending it!
I'm pleased to have tuned you in to a good watch. He's a truly graceful actor. I'm eagerly awaiting Season 3, imagining that he could dig even deeper with this character. What an exciting prospect!
Jana, thanks so much for these supportive words. They mean more than I can say. I'm so pleased you plan to keep reading MovieStruck. (btw, just for the record, my name doesn't have a final "a", like yours.)
I just watched the first year of Dark Winds. I've read a # of Hillerman's books, enjoyed the show very much. I love films and will be sure to follow along w/ you! Thanks!
Jeanine, thanks so much for responding! As I indicate at the end of my review, Season 3 of "Dark Winds", now in production, looks very promising. We both have it to look forward to. Thanks again for reaching out.
Hi, all. In my Substack I write funny and insightful essays on life, human nature, and culture. I also post straight-up humor pieces, like my most recent, “I’m Suing Summer.”
Hi everyone! 👋 This is my first time posting here. I started this Substack as a creative experiment. I write about the creative process and a monthly round up of all the things I’m into - a mix of personal stories, links and recs. I’m a content writer by day but feel a bit like the cobbler who can’t mend his own shoes for my own writing 🙈 This month I plan on doing a series on what it’s like to soft launch a course for the first time. Would love to have this community follow along and watch me climb the cringe mountain in real time!
Hiya, I’m currently a SAHM doing Substack during baby’s naptimes but am about to start a DPhil in Archaeology (a lifelong dream). I have two publications:
• Telling Their Tales, where I publish weekly history articles and historical fiction instalments
• Society of History Writers, where I curate a directory of history writers here on Substack and publish articles and fiction written by subscribers.
In September, I’ll be working on my first ‘travel diaries’ post for TTT where I share my visits to historical places, as well as continuing the launch of SHW (which was just this past Thursday) primarily with Notes publicity. It’s an exciting time!
Intrigued by your upcoming travel diaries - I’d love to do something similar but for places featured in novels/poems. Looking forward to following along!
So great to have you! I asked in a post if readers would enjoy it and it was a resounding yes. I started some research for the first one last week and had so much fun. Can’t wait to share it’s
Thanks Jana! It’s really taken off much quicker than I thought it would, and I’m so so pleased people are finding value in it. I really wanted to make a space for those of us who love history/historical fiction to enjoy it together, and it seems that I wasn’t alone! I already have a few article submissions in, so I can’t wait to share them with the community. It’s going to be great!
I write Mexico Soul–a combination of travel tales and info, expat life, MX art, artists and culture, the Maya civilization and pyramid hopping, Mexico 101 more or less, plus every other week I've condensed-serialized my memoir on moving to southern Mexico and opening a bookstore and post a chapter.
If you have a chance to read my post from yesterday, Friday-Aug 31, titled: Tales from the Yucatán: We find inspiration in a vintage bookstore on the California coast (link: https://mexicosoul.substack.com/p/tales-from-the-yucatan you will find out! The book was called The Lost World of Quintana Roo. I've serialized my memoir on buying land in Mexico and opening the bookstore, now up to Chap 18, so it's counter-productive to write it all down again here. Hope you can check out the link, and read a few of the earlier ones, too. Let me know if you have trouble finding them on my Stack, thanks!
You sound like my hero! Love that you moved to southern Mexico and opened a bookstore - I work in a bookstore on the East Coast and tried to buy it 2 years ago. I was outbid. Your journey sounds fascinating!
Well thank you! Quite an adventure for sure. Sorry your bookstore didn't pan out. We did sell ours a while ago but it's still in business and doing well. We wanted to retire for a second time. If you have a chance to check out my Stack I've condense-serialized (as mentioned) how we got inspiration and organized enough to do it. Thanks!
Hi everyone, my publication is The Curious Magpie which is all about finding creativity through the magic of prompts. I offer weekly creative prompts and a monthly online drawing session to my paid subscribers and an essay and newsletter to my free subscribers.
This month I've opened up my Draw Together online session to everyone so if that's of any interest to you, you can register here: https://forms.gle/stVzHsvLESJRLAV29
My planned essay for this month really explains why I think prompts are a powerful tool to spark creativity.
My working title is: "The Daily Spark: 30 Reasons Why Creative Prompts Ignite Curiosity and Creativity" 30 is just a number for now, I'm still writing it up.
What do you think of the title? Should I change daily to weekly? No one has time for a daily creative prompt - I'd like to keep it realistic 😆 Thanks for the feedback.
You could use weekly in the title so it lines up with your offer of weekly creative prompts or I almost picture it like a daily flip calendar with a little reminder / zap of creativity a day. ⚡️
NOTES IDEAS
Hi, Christin and everyone.
My publication is a Coffee Break newsletter.
I have a pretty organised monthly schedule, mainly to keep it varied, and I enjoy it.
First week: more extended essay (this Wednesday) about how I decided to refuse to work for someone else, explaining my strategy and how I am going to do it 😂 at the moment. The title is “I refuse to work for someone else.” I appreciate it needs tonnes of work, and any suggestions are welcome.
Second week: thread, tackling specific topic/ challenge/ great for readers to offer their advice
Third week: an interview with other Substack writers
Fourth week: recommendations and recap of published articles, mine and others
Here’s the notion I posted this mornjng, it felt appropriate for 1st September 😄
https://substack.com/@coffeebreaknewsletter/note/c-67432895?r=2lriv2&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
I like the title! It's catchy and has a clear perspective...makes you want to know more! I love that you've figured out a posting rhythm that mixes things up and works for you. ⚡️
Very much looking forward to reading about refusing to work for someone else!
Love this! I’ve just subscribed 🥰
Medieval England, archaeology… how did I only discover you now?!
Ah you’re so kind! It’s great to meet you 🥰
Thank you, Holly. You've made my day 😊💕
You’re so welcome!
I love that title! And the name of your publication, it has such an appealing feel to it 🕯️📖💫
Hi everyone! I'm Sarah, I'm a trained pastry chef from Belgium living in the UK. I used to run my own shop selling Belgian chocolates but now share recipes from the shop and write about Belgian baking and traditions. The only thing that I'm hoping to post this month is my next article in the 'Wait, is that Belgian?' mini-series, where we figure out if foods are, in fact, Belgian. I've got it pretty much written, we're looking at waffles, and after that possibly an article about canning but I'm mostly going to be focusing on working on the recipes for the upcoming Fall recipe bundle. The recipe bundle has no name yet beyond 'Fall recipe bundle', suggestions welcome! My holiday season cookbook on Amazon is called 'The Festive Belgian Bakery - Holiday Edition', this bundle of recipes will be a part of my next printed cookbook.
Chocolate and waffles? I'm in! 😍 Would love to know how you develop recipes ... what all goes into that? Might be an idea as you talk more about your bundle! Can't wait to see it. ⚡️
Haha, thank you Christin! It’s usually based on all the theory I learned in school of what ingredients do what and in what ratios. I’ll add the link here once it’s ready. The waffle article might come out today and otherwise at some point in the next couple of days🙂.
you had me at Belgian chocolate! I love the unique newsletter you have is fascinating! Thank you for sharing.
Aww, thank you very much Stacy!
Belgian chococlate, such guilty pleasure of mine 🫢🤫
Haha, well, moderation and all that🙂.
Your next post sounds fascinating. Must be difficult to get to the origin of certain recipes.
Thank you, Jeanine! You often can't pinpoint the exact inventor of something but there's usually a storyline still 🙂.
Every Sunday I review a movie on my Substack, which is called MovieStruck. It's here: https://moviestruck.substack.com/
I also occasionally review an outstanding TV series, which will happen later today, when I review "Dark Winds", a police procedural series on Netflix that's set in the Navajo Nation in New Mexico. It's drawn from celebrated crime novels by Tony Hillerman.
My most recent post came last Sunday, when I reviewed a movie called "Femme", which portrays two men struggling with questions of sexual identity. I love to review tough, topical movies that challenge viewers. When the movies are excellent, like "Femme", they can open readers' minds to subjects and storytelling techniques they may not have come across before, plus introduce them to terrific actors who may be new to them. All of that is on offer in "Femme", including its two powerful lead performances. The review is here: https://moviestruck.substack.com/p/femme-2023
Next Sunday I'll be reviewing "Rebel Ridge", an action thriller starring Don Johnson. I haven't determined for sure which movies I'll be reviewing for the remainder of September. I keep my options open and select the movie opening in a given week that's most provocative, for me and for my subscribers. Check me out!
Ooh I saw "Dark Winds" recommended on Netflix and wondered if it was good ... heading to your review to find out! ⚡️
Happy reading. I think you might find the watch worthwhile.
I did not realize Dark Winds is based on Hillerman's novels! That's so cool! We binged all of Longmire and fell in love with Zach McLarnon in that one. So glad he's in another good one - thank you for recommending it!
I'm pleased to have tuned you in to a good watch. He's a truly graceful actor. I'm eagerly awaiting Season 3, imagining that he could dig even deeper with this character. What an exciting prospect!
I highly recommend MovieStruck for all the movie fans 🙌 that's where I get my movie info from. Ivana's writing is amazing
Jana, thanks so much for these supportive words. They mean more than I can say. I'm so pleased you plan to keep reading MovieStruck. (btw, just for the record, my name doesn't have a final "a", like yours.)
I just watched the first year of Dark Winds. I've read a # of Hillerman's books, enjoyed the show very much. I love films and will be sure to follow along w/ you! Thanks!
Jeanine, thanks so much for responding! As I indicate at the end of my review, Season 3 of "Dark Winds", now in production, looks very promising. We both have it to look forward to. Thanks again for reaching out.
My pleasure. The plots are great and so are the actors.
I agree.
Hi, all. In my Substack I write funny and insightful essays on life, human nature, and culture. I also post straight-up humor pieces, like my most recent, “I’m Suing Summer.”
https://chrisstanton.substack.com
Ha! I love that title! ⚡️
Hi everyone! 👋 This is my first time posting here. I started this Substack as a creative experiment. I write about the creative process and a monthly round up of all the things I’m into - a mix of personal stories, links and recs. I’m a content writer by day but feel a bit like the cobbler who can’t mend his own shoes for my own writing 🙈 This month I plan on doing a series on what it’s like to soft launch a course for the first time. Would love to have this community follow along and watch me climb the cringe mountain in real time!
Love it ... You're an explorer taking us on a journey of your creativity! ⚡️
Thanks, Christin! Glad to have you as a guide ☺️
Hiya, I’m currently a SAHM doing Substack during baby’s naptimes but am about to start a DPhil in Archaeology (a lifelong dream). I have two publications:
• Telling Their Tales, where I publish weekly history articles and historical fiction instalments
• Society of History Writers, where I curate a directory of history writers here on Substack and publish articles and fiction written by subscribers.
In September, I’ll be working on my first ‘travel diaries’ post for TTT where I share my visits to historical places, as well as continuing the launch of SHW (which was just this past Thursday) primarily with Notes publicity. It’s an exciting time!
Wow! Exciting time, indeed! Congrats on your new publication and starting your new program. Can't wait to see how it all weaves into your writing. ⚡️
Thanks Christin. It’s an exciting time!
Intrigued by your upcoming travel diaries - I’d love to do something similar but for places featured in novels/poems. Looking forward to following along!
So great to have you! I asked in a post if readers would enjoy it and it was a resounding yes. I started some research for the first one last week and had so much fun. Can’t wait to share it’s
*it
I’m on the list! I can’t wait for the travel diaries. I love the idea, in particular, behind the Society of History Writers. 👏
Thanks Jana! It’s really taken off much quicker than I thought it would, and I’m so so pleased people are finding value in it. I really wanted to make a space for those of us who love history/historical fiction to enjoy it together, and it seems that I wasn’t alone! I already have a few article submissions in, so I can’t wait to share them with the community. It’s going to be great!
My Substack discusses the intersection between LITERATURE, CULTURE, and NAVIGATING MORALS with a sprinkle of personal essays in between!
https://storiesandstates.substack.com/
This month I have four posts planned:
1) a discussion on physical books, e-readers and ecofriendly book habits
2) a personal essay that’s part of a collaboration
3) a post on the book piranesi and the discussions found in it
4) a monthly round up with reflections on writing (title: This September; A monthly round-up and reflections on persistence)
Sounds like a good lineup…I love how you mix it up! ⚡️
Hi, Jeanine Kitchel here.
I write Mexico Soul–a combination of travel tales and info, expat life, MX art, artists and culture, the Maya civilization and pyramid hopping, Mexico 101 more or less, plus every other week I've condensed-serialized my memoir on moving to southern Mexico and opening a bookstore and post a chapter.
This wk's header: Tales from the Yucatán--We find inspiration in a vintage bookstore on the California coast. Link: https://mexicosoul.substack.com/p/tales-from-the-yucatan
--Next week a review of The Lost World of Quintana Roo--a travelers tale that led me to the Yucatán
--Sept 13 - Chap. 18 from Where the Sky is Born titled Passionate Pilgrim
--Sept 20- Maya Warrior Queens (yes, they existed)
Thanks for this round-up on The Content Brief, Christin! What a great opportunity for us all.
September is looking good! I'm so curious about how the book led you to the Yucatán... Excited to see more! ⚡️
If you have a chance to read my post from yesterday, Friday-Aug 31, titled: Tales from the Yucatán: We find inspiration in a vintage bookstore on the California coast (link: https://mexicosoul.substack.com/p/tales-from-the-yucatan you will find out! The book was called The Lost World of Quintana Roo. I've serialized my memoir on buying land in Mexico and opening the bookstore, now up to Chap 18, so it's counter-productive to write it all down again here. Hope you can check out the link, and read a few of the earlier ones, too. Let me know if you have trouble finding them on my Stack, thanks!
You sound like my hero! Love that you moved to southern Mexico and opened a bookstore - I work in a bookstore on the East Coast and tried to buy it 2 years ago. I was outbid. Your journey sounds fascinating!
Well thank you! Quite an adventure for sure. Sorry your bookstore didn't pan out. We did sell ours a while ago but it's still in business and doing well. We wanted to retire for a second time. If you have a chance to check out my Stack I've condense-serialized (as mentioned) how we got inspiration and organized enough to do it. Thanks!
Hi everyone, my publication is The Curious Magpie which is all about finding creativity through the magic of prompts. I offer weekly creative prompts and a monthly online drawing session to my paid subscribers and an essay and newsletter to my free subscribers.
This month I've opened up my Draw Together online session to everyone so if that's of any interest to you, you can register here: https://forms.gle/stVzHsvLESJRLAV29
My planned essay for this month really explains why I think prompts are a powerful tool to spark creativity.
My working title is: "The Daily Spark: 30 Reasons Why Creative Prompts Ignite Curiosity and Creativity" 30 is just a number for now, I'm still writing it up.
What do you think of the title? Should I change daily to weekly? No one has time for a daily creative prompt - I'd like to keep it realistic 😆 Thanks for the feedback.
You could use weekly in the title so it lines up with your offer of weekly creative prompts or I almost picture it like a daily flip calendar with a little reminder / zap of creativity a day. ⚡️