I love your first two points! I have this saying I remind myself when I get caught up in the hustle-content-machine of social media: we have to make the thing before we can sell the thing. And I really like your approach of writing poems first thing in the morning to signal to your brain “this is important.” I have a toddler, so I often feel like I need to steal my writing time. I’d like to come up with a way that I can make prioritize writing in harmony with motherhood.
Question: is it typically the case that if you post your poems on IG or here that you cannot submit then to poetry competitions and/or magazines? (I'm new to this substack & poetry world)
Many journals or mags don't accept previously published work. Posting on Substack or IG for the most past is considered self-publishing. However, there are many wonderful poetry mags that do accept previously published including Rattle and the Wild Umbrella!
Thanks for sharing this. I know I need to get organized and share more poetry. Somehow the week goes by and I haven't posted anything and then I have a sales offer and I kick myself for having to post about it without having shown off my own creative work.
I have big plans but I'm terrible at organizing my time. Right now, I can feel myself being overprotective of my creative energy. I know if I push myself too much I will fall off the cliff and do a whole load of nothing instead. It's such a fine balance.
It's such a fine balance, you're right! And I think there's a trust piece there too. I had to work very hard to trust that my poems were the most important. (Because we often don't see the path from a reader to poem to offering directly. It's subtle. From a marketing perspective, there is no way or at least not an accurate way to measure the roi or conversion.) (and my god wouldn't that kind of suck lol). The protective energy is so real! I find that re-sharing my old poems, taking small breaks and not posting to a strict schedule help free up that energy a little. Always here to chat Lorna, I'm cheering you on and will support you in any way I can! xo
Hey Maria, thanks for writing this post. I'd say I'm in the same bucket as you as I only started my business degree last September. I'm still on the journey of making poetry and writing my Substack (which are separate, as I write in Polish and English, respectively), so you've really resonated with me.
I think that a lot of artists (and poets especially) are ashamed to make artists full-time. It's why I'm writing about how to combine entrepreneurship and art, as I think they're much more similar than people think.
Also, thank you for reminding me that everything is downstream from writing great poems, looking forward to reading more :)
I'm really glad this resonated! I'm continously amazed by @inspiredtowrite Amie McNee's efforts to normalize the full-time creative life. There's power in boldly saying I want to do my art full-time. I'm so glad you're joining in this conversation in such an important way! I wish you bravery and joy in your journey. Xo
Damn. This post is so refreshing in its honesty and practicality. The transparency around financial security, privilege, and the reality of making a living as a poet is so needed in these conversations. I love how you frame offerings as an extension of creative work rather than a compromise, and how poetry, at its core, remains the foundation. So nourishing.
The part about paying attention to what you’re resisting really hit home. It’s easy to write off certain strategies as “selling out” when, in reality, they might be a door to more connection, more readers, more opportunities. Loved this reframe as I’ve resisted certain strategies for so long and I’m thinking now that moving through them with connection at the center will feel authentic and good rather than, y’know, give me the ick.
Thank you for sharing this. It’s like a mini masterclass in creative (poetic 😉) entrepreneurship.
Of course, love! I've made my first offering since I left this comment. Your post was a true inspiration. I haven't officially launched it yet, but I'm excited to connect with the people who need. https://stan.store/jessyeaston/p/the-feartoflow-framework
as someone who dreams of writing poetry full time, thank you for igniting my hope again 🤍
<3
I love your first two points! I have this saying I remind myself when I get caught up in the hustle-content-machine of social media: we have to make the thing before we can sell the thing. And I really like your approach of writing poems first thing in the morning to signal to your brain “this is important.” I have a toddler, so I often feel like I need to steal my writing time. I’d like to come up with a way that I can make prioritize writing in harmony with motherhood.
Question: is it typically the case that if you post your poems on IG or here that you cannot submit then to poetry competitions and/or magazines? (I'm new to this substack & poetry world)
Many journals or mags don't accept previously published work. Posting on Substack or IG for the most past is considered self-publishing. However, there are many wonderful poetry mags that do accept previously published including Rattle and the Wild Umbrella!
I’m currently taking some marketing and business classes for funzies and this was so validating to read! Great insight, thanks for sharing ❤️
Maria I LOVE how candid you are. Reading this was such a breath of fresh air.
I'm so glad Danielle! <3
So many great insights Maria! And Gather is the most wonderful place ❤️❤️
Thank you so much Alix! 🤍🫶🏻
Thanks for sharing this. I know I need to get organized and share more poetry. Somehow the week goes by and I haven't posted anything and then I have a sales offer and I kick myself for having to post about it without having shown off my own creative work.
I have big plans but I'm terrible at organizing my time. Right now, I can feel myself being overprotective of my creative energy. I know if I push myself too much I will fall off the cliff and do a whole load of nothing instead. It's such a fine balance.
It's such a fine balance, you're right! And I think there's a trust piece there too. I had to work very hard to trust that my poems were the most important. (Because we often don't see the path from a reader to poem to offering directly. It's subtle. From a marketing perspective, there is no way or at least not an accurate way to measure the roi or conversion.) (and my god wouldn't that kind of suck lol). The protective energy is so real! I find that re-sharing my old poems, taking small breaks and not posting to a strict schedule help free up that energy a little. Always here to chat Lorna, I'm cheering you on and will support you in any way I can! xo
Thanks Maria 🧡 I love being a cheerleader but the cheerleaders need cheering on too. So thanks for saying that, it means a lot 💕
Hey Maria, thanks for writing this post. I'd say I'm in the same bucket as you as I only started my business degree last September. I'm still on the journey of making poetry and writing my Substack (which are separate, as I write in Polish and English, respectively), so you've really resonated with me.
I think that a lot of artists (and poets especially) are ashamed to make artists full-time. It's why I'm writing about how to combine entrepreneurship and art, as I think they're much more similar than people think.
Also, thank you for reminding me that everything is downstream from writing great poems, looking forward to reading more :)
I'm really glad this resonated! I'm continously amazed by @inspiredtowrite Amie McNee's efforts to normalize the full-time creative life. There's power in boldly saying I want to do my art full-time. I'm so glad you're joining in this conversation in such an important way! I wish you bravery and joy in your journey. Xo
Oh, I love her and the work she's putting out into the world. Can't wait to start reading her book tmrw! Good luck to you too :)
Thank you! 😊
Always grateful when you share your journey with us!
<3
I love your writing and all of this!! Rly cool of you to share your path 🩵🫶🏻
Thank you Violet! I appreciate your support and I’m in your corner 🫶🏻♥️
Damn. This post is so refreshing in its honesty and practicality. The transparency around financial security, privilege, and the reality of making a living as a poet is so needed in these conversations. I love how you frame offerings as an extension of creative work rather than a compromise, and how poetry, at its core, remains the foundation. So nourishing.
The part about paying attention to what you’re resisting really hit home. It’s easy to write off certain strategies as “selling out” when, in reality, they might be a door to more connection, more readers, more opportunities. Loved this reframe as I’ve resisted certain strategies for so long and I’m thinking now that moving through them with connection at the center will feel authentic and good rather than, y’know, give me the ick.
Thank you for sharing this. It’s like a mini masterclass in creative (poetic 😉) entrepreneurship.
Hi Jessy! Thank you so much for reading and sharing such a generous response. Let me know how things are going. I'm sending you love and courage! xo
Of course, love! I've made my first offering since I left this comment. Your post was a true inspiration. I haven't officially launched it yet, but I'm excited to connect with the people who need. https://stan.store/jessyeaston/p/the-feartoflow-framework
Maria! Thank you so much for this! I am so thankful to have found you and grow my writing community. 🫶🏻
Hi Hannah! I’m so happy for you and I’m cheering you on ♥️