I'm having an existential crisis - is Substack worth it? | & author Katie Fforde on Booky Podcast

Events & opportunities: The Leeds Lit Fest line-up, Hastings Book Festival competition, First date romance festival, Newsrewired conference, reporter role at Blackpool Gazette

My dear wordsmiths,

Much as I love you all, I’ve been having an existential crisis about Write Reject Repeat. Admittedly it’s been a stressy time generally (when is it not?) when I’ve been feeling old and contemplating my own mortality and what to do with my remaining time on this earth. If you’ve watched the ‘Barbie’ film you’ll understand that in the real world I’ve been played with too hard and so I’m morphing into ‘Wondering what is the point in writing Barbie’, or ‘Having a bad week and terrible hair’ Barbie. If you haven’t watched it please do because it’s a masterclass in storytelling across layers even if you never played with a doll.

Anyway, I’ve now been a journalist for 25 years, written several novels and done lots of what might be described as ‘uber procrastinations’ as I flirt with the fiction publishing industry. The far from exhaustive list (not including full time day job) would include two fully completed novels that have not been properly put out in the world, this Write Reject Repeat newsletter, my nicolakristineadam.com website, travel writing, a new radio career side gig at first Chorley FM then presenting a weekly show at BBC Radio Lancashire and then podcasts and moving to the countryside to be auntie to some black sheep (the irony has not escaped me.) I’m also the Queen of agreeing to do things for free (don’t worry the BBC pay me) but maybe it’s time to think again.

So I’m asking you for advice my fellow Substackers. Should I ditch this newsletter and probably have more time for writing - or should I start charging a token amount - even though I did not arrive armed with a huge mailing list like so many other? I have a respectable following but its hardly huge so what should I do? I don’t want to drive you all away so any observations would be welcome. Hit me up on Notes or..

Booky podcast: Meet Katie Fforde

This week our guest is author Katie Fforde who writes compelling women's fiction from her base in England's beautiful Cotswolds. Best-selling is an understatement for Katie, who is never happier than with a notepad in her hand crafting a story with a happy ending.

Katie is also an author who understands the years of rejection many writers face and is proof it is possible to find your way even if life gets in the way. As a result she helps others and is a fantastic advocate for those starting out in their careers. Katie's new book - Island in the sun - is out now. You can buy it here via Penguin.

News, events and opportunities

The Blackpool Gazette (I used to be editor) is looking for a digital reporter. The position would suit a newly qualified trainee reporter looking for their first exciting challenge on an amazing newsy patch with an added dollop of jazz hands - vacancy is linked in the headline. But if you have any questions email editor Vanessa Sims at vanessa.sims@nationalworld.com

LYR. Credit Katie Silvester (via Leeds Lit Fest)

The Leeds Literary Festival: has announced its programme for 2024. The event, which  will take place on Saturday 15th to Sunday 23rd June, will feature headliners LYR (pictured), John Agard, Stuart Maconie, Selena Godden, Helen Lederer and DJ Paulette. In its sixth year, the city’s award-winning festival of words and thought will take place across a diverse range of the city’s venues and aims to bring together, and help develop, the city’s literary scene, with writers, poets and performers from Leeds, the UK and beyond, taking part in 35 events over 10 days.

Hastings Book Festival Competition 2024 is open to anyone writing in English on any theme. They are inviting  poetry entries up to 40 lines and short stories up to 2,500 words. In each competition 1st, 2nd and 3rd place will be awarded a cash prize of £250, £100 and £50, respectively. There are additional prizes for writers resident in Sussex and writers from the LGBT+ community. The deadline is 7th July.

Newsrewired conference: Join the Journalism.co.uk team for it’s 33rd flagship journalism conference on May 22. The event covers topics like sustainable business models, practical uses of AI in the newsroom, SEO in the age of AI, monetising newsletters, B2B publishing, managing and retaining talent, and innovative ways to create audience revenue.

The First Date: romance festival  in Edinburgh returns for its second year next month, Organisers Lighthouse Books says ‘First Date serves up a dazzling variety of romance books, events discussing genre boundaries, subversive politics, queer joy, and feminist pleasure, *and* an all-day marketplace to find your next (or maybe your first?) romance read’.

Thanks, all. Please let me know what you think! Have a great week, Nx