Managing Your Reading Experience

A Quick Guide

Exciting Changes Ahead

I'm excited to tell you about some changes coming to the newsletter in 2025! This past year has shown me what matters most to you through your comments and engagement. You've helped me see which topics really resonate, and I want to dig deeper into those areas.

As the newsletter grows, I want to make sure you get exactly what you want to read. That's why I'm adding topic choices - a simple way for you to pick what shows up in your inbox. Think of it as picking your favorite parts of our weekly conversations.

Below, I'll show you how to choose the topics you want to follow. You can keep getting everything, or choose just the topics that interest you most—it's completely up to you.

I'm looking forward to sharing more with you in the coming months. I know your time matters, and I want to make sure every newsletter is worth your while.

Managing Your Reading Experience: A Quick Guide

One of the things I love about Substack is how it lets you customize your reading experience. My newsletter spans four distinct sections, each with its own focus:

Story Compass: Fiction and Found Favorites - This is where I share my original fiction where ordinary moments take unexpected turns. I also use this space to explore stories, book recommendations, and things I want to recommend.

Spoken Ward: Conversations, Craft & Community - This is where I sit down with creators to explore their work and process, discussing everything from newsletter strategies to creative decisions.

Stack Cartographer: Mapping the Newsletter Frontier - Occasional observations about the evolving Substack ecosystem, analyzing trends, and trying to understand the best tactics for this platform.

Drawing Room: Sketches, Comics & Visual Stories - This is where I share my illustrations, comics, and sketches, offering glimpses into both finished pieces and works in progress.

While some readers enjoy the full spectrum, you might find yourself particularly drawn to specific sections. The beauty of Substack's section-based subscription system is that you can tailor your experience to match your interests.

How to Customize Your Subscription:

1. Visit my newsletter's home page while logged in

2. Look for the toggle switches next to each section title (they appear as orange buttons, like in the image below).

3. Click any toggle to switch it off for sections you'd prefer not to receive

4. The switch will turn grey when you've unsubscribed from that section

5. Your changes save automatically!

Pro tip: You can always preview what you're getting (or missing) by clicking on any section name (while on the homepage) to see past posts from that category.

Think of it like customizing your own magazine – you get to keep the sections you love while skipping the ones that aren't your cup of tea. And remember, there's no pressure! You can adjust these settings anytime, and toggling a section back on will instantly restore your access to that content.

I value every reader, whether you're here for a specific topic or the whole journey. Take a moment to customize your experience, and let me know if you have any questions! You can simply reply to this message or any future emails.

Thanks for being part of the Written Ward community. I'm truly grateful that you have chosen to spend a little time with me each week, and I look forward to making that time even more valuable for you.