Reading · The Artist Morning™

This page did not load. You can still read it on the original site — the toolbar below keeps your place in the directory.

Jane Barrett shares how her Substack grew into a deep community, publisher interest, and a new book.

Dear Writer,

Yesterday’s Writers Club workshop felt really special.

I got to interview Jane Barrett about her Substack, her new book, finding a publisher, and what it actually takes to create a real community around your writing.

I’ve also had the honour of working with Jane as her coach inside The Creative Sanctuary over the last year, and what I love about her story is that her results are not random. They are connected to her courage, consistency, openness, and willingness to keep showing up for the work.

She shared what it was like to go from having no Substack at all, to building a deeply engaged readership, to getting the attention of a publisher, to finishing the first draft of her book.

And one of the things I loved most was how clearly Jane understands something I believe in my bones:

We can’t do this alone.

We need each other’s support.
We need each other’s wisdom.
We need each other’s levity and laughter.
We need safe spaces where our writing can keep becoming more honest, alive, and brave.

And honestly, I think this workshop replay will be deeply encouraging for anyone wondering what can happen when you keep showing up for your writing with courage, consistency, and support.

Below, you’ll find the full workshop replay.

FYI → All past Writers Club replays (meditations, writing exercises, and guest workshops) live in our Substack Members’ Library.

And now for this week’s goodies…

This Week’s Guided Meditation

Theme: The Joy of Writing

This Week’s Writing Exercise

Follow your joy today.
What feels alive in your heart this morning?
What feels open and ready to move through your words?
Trust that.
Let it guide you.
Let it surprise you.
And remember, following your joy doesn’t mean your writing has to be light.
Sometimes the deepest, most emotional writing is the writing that brings us the most joy.
Joy can take many shapes.

This Week’s Workshop Replay

Theme: From First Post to Book Deal with Jane Barrett

In this special guest conversation, I interviewed Jane Barrett about her Substack journey, her new book, finding a publisher, and what it actually takes to build a real community around your writing.

Jane shared what it was like to start from scratch, keep showing up every week, grow a deeply engaged readership, and follow the unexpected doors that opened through her writing practice.

Key Takeaways You’ll Get From Watching

How Jane went from having no Substack to building a deeply engaged community
Why consistency helped her writing voice grow stronger over time
What happened when a publisher discovered her work
How her comments section became such a rich part of the conversation
Why community, courage, and weekly writing support can change what feels possible

From First Post to Book Deal