Start here!
A simple, proven framework to help you build an audience of devoted subscribers with the leading Substack Strategist, Sarah Fay
You have something to say.
You want to bring your work to people and build a loyal audience.
But Substack is one of the two hardest platforms to succeed on. Like TikTok, it looks easy but isn’t.
I’ll save you from wasting years, flailing around trying to figure out what works.
✨ “Sarah knows Substack inside and out, and combines her knowledge plus intuition, smart strategy, and incredibly generous vision to help Substackers reach more readers with less struggle!
—Jeannine Ouellette, Writing in the Dark
My mission
To help you simplify your Substack growth.
2026 is all about streamlining; knowing how your gifts, talents, and/or expertise will work on the platform; and the value of what you offer, and real, engaged growth.
I’ve done this with nearly a thousand private clients and tens of thousands here on Substack Writers at Work.
And I’m very, very excited to help you. (As are our cats-in-residence, Sweets and Baby Theo.)
You don’t need theories or “quick wins;” you need a proven framework that will last
Some of my clients are big names; some have never published a word.
From them, I saw what worked across all Substacks and that any advice has to be personalized, which 99 percent of people can’t do for themselves.
I’ve used that to help tens of thousands here on Substack Writers at Work, showing you how to
grow in a very crowded space,
convert paid subscribers in a very different online and digital media climate, and
produce writing and posts that people actually want to receive in their inboxes.
Your options:
✨ 36,000+ subscribers
✨ One of the Top 10 Substacks globally
✨ Trusted since 2022
“Sarah knows Substack inside and out, and combines her knowledge with intuition, smart strategy, and incredibly generous vision.”
— Jeannine Ouellette, Writing in the Dark
You have something to say.
You want to bring your work to people and build a loyal audience.
But Substack is one of the two hardest platforms to succeed on. Like TikTok, it looks easy but isn’t.
I’ll save you from wasting years, flailing around trying to figure out what works.
✨ “Sarah knows Substack inside and out, and combines her knowledge plus intuition, smart strategy, and incredibly generous vision to help Substackers reach more readers with less struggle!
—Jeannine Ouellette, Writing in the Dark
My mission
To help you simplify your Substack growth.
2026 is all about streamlining; knowing how your gifts, talents, and/or expertise will work on the platform; and the value of what you offer, and real, engaged growth.
I’ve done this with nearly a thousand private clients and tens of thousands here on Substack Writers at Work.
And I’m very, very excited to help you. (As are our cats-in-residence, Sweets and Baby Theo.)
You don’t need theories or “quick wins;” you need a proven framework that will last
Some of my clients are big names; some have never published a word.
From them, I saw what worked across all Substacks and that any advice has to be personalized, which 99 percent of people can’t do for themselves.
I’ve used that to help tens of thousands here on Substack Writers at Work, showing you how to
grow in a very crowded space,
convert paid subscribers in a very different online and digital media climate, and
produce writing and posts that people actually want to receive in their inboxes.
Your options:
OPTION 1: Stay free and get occasional posts but not the full framework
OPTION 2: Upgrade to paid
The full framework to build a devoted audience in less time:
Weekly strategic posts that tie directly to a framework focus. You’re learning one thing deeply, not chasing scattered tactics.
Monthly deep-dive workshops where I take you through one part of the framework each month. If you can’t attend live, you’ll get a <15-minute highlight video with clear next steps.
The Newbie Pathway
If you’re just getting started, this gets you oriented fast without flailing around.
10% off all intensives and courses
That’s it.
Show up for posts once a week and the workshop or replay once a month.
Simple.
The price is a no-brainer: $9/month, the price of two Starbucks lattes
OPTION 3: Get on the waitlist for the Premier Membership
The full framework, plus direct, live guidance with me in a monthly call and office hours and (NEW!) exclusive opportunities for growth and revenue, including Notes Growth Sessions and the SW@W Sponsorships Program.
OPTION 4: Avoid the paid subscription entirely and enroll in a course or intensive
Take a course to get what you need in one concentrated period with a cohort of your fellow Substack writers and creators
Substack Growth Foundations Course (4 weeks): Next cohort begins 11/22. Get on the waitlist. The last cohort sold out.
One-Day Substack DNA Intensive (3 hours + a one-week cohort) Last intensive sold out. Get on the waitlist.
Craft of Writing on Substack (6 weeks) Sold out. Get on the waitlist.
No matter what:
I’ll save you from wasting years flailing around trying to figure out what works on Substack.
That will never change.
Already a paid subscriber? Here’s where to start
Choose your lane:
Substack Newbie Pathway—8 tutorials, templates, and quick guides to get you started on Substack and in Substack Writers at Work
Substack Core 4 for those with a bit more Substack experience—4 of my core strategies to grow authentically
Be on the lookout for Tuesday’s post and community events.
Go to and bookmark our homepage and library of my best Substack guidance.
More about your Substack professor
I’m Sarah Fay (MFA, MA, PhD). I’m best known around here as the world’s leading Substack Growth Strategist and founder of Substack Writers at Work—a featured, bestselling Substack with over 36,000 members.
I’ve helped thousands of writers and creators—from award-winning journalists to bestselling authors to those just starting out—substantially increase their revenue, double and triple and 10x their subscribers, build an engaged audience, and produce their best work.
I also teach creative nonfiction at Northwestern University and am a solopreneur, Fortier PR consultant, mental health advocate, and author of the national bestselling memoir Pathological: The True Story of Six Misdiagnoses (HarperCollins). My work has appeared in The New York Times, Oprah Daily, The Atlantic, and The Paris Review, where I was an advisory editor. I write the bestselling, featured Substack Beyond Pathological.
As you’ve seen, I live in Chicago with my two beloved cats—Sweets and Baby Theo. More than anything, I want a t-shirt that says, Ask me about my cats. (All typos in all posts are Baby Theo’s fault.)
Note: I’m a dog lover too.
See you soon,
Sarah
*I subsidize a 3-month paid membership for anyone on a fixed income. If this is you, email me: sarah@substackwritersatwork.com.
What paid subscribers are saying:
“Sarah is a remarkable expert on Substack. If you’re interested in growing your Substack and/or learning more about this platform, she’s your woman.” —Esmé Weijun Wang, The Unexpected Shape
“Sarah’s Substack workshops are BRILLIANT—her Substack knowledge is deep, considered and so generous. Join her community—don’t pause, just get in there, I’ll meet you there!” —Claire Venus, Sparkle on Substack
“Sarah Fay knows pretty much everything there is to know about Substack, including how to use it to develop your writing skills, and advice on publishing.” —Linnhe Harrison, Sails on the Horizon
“Sarah Fay’s teaching style is top-notch! Even if you have a strong writing background, it’s easy to get lost on Substack. Following Substack Writers at Work gives me guidance each month on how to boost my newsletter.” —The Naked Page
“Sarah Fay has the ability to make everything clear. She provides the greatest value for a paid subscription of anyone on Substack.” —Donna McArthur, The Bright Life
You're so right. I know little about manga except that my niece loves it, but Dickens's novels were all illustrated by his loyal illustrator who went by "Philz." Boz and Philz. The drawings are great. There will be a whole newsletter dedicated to that: How illustrations can work with serialized novels and memoirs (that aren't comics).
Love this!
When we getting started??