I have a small Substack audience, mostly relatives and friends, but I am not writing for them. At age 88, I am writing for myself, just to leave a discernible trail behind me. Writing without an agenda is difficult, and I believe Ted has achieved that. The most reads I ever got was one in which I featured a poem by his brother, Dan. Though not a big jazz fan, I suspect that the contexts would be more interesting to me. Look forward to readings Ted’s columns.
"I write for the reader and I trust the reader. And I assume my reader is smart, I assume my reader is discerning. "
Yes! Writing for mainstream publications, I felt editors often took out the best lines and made me over-explain everything because they felt the readers wouldn't get it. But they DO get it.
It feels great to write on Substack, where I can address the reader the same way I'd talk with a friend.
As for Mr. Gioia, I don't care at all about music writing but he is still one of my favorite Substack writers. He's always got an interesting take on things, and I love his super relaxed but super straightforward and clear writing voice.
And some other great quotes from the podcast itself:
"I’ve decided in my own life to try to be a role model. I’m very critical of institutions on Substack, on Twitter. But I almost never attack an individual and I do that consciously. I do not attack individuals, except for Kenny G. That’s the exception that proves the rule. With the exception of Kenny G., I never insult, attack, mock, ridicule or try to go after anybody as an individual."
ALSO
"I don’t alway live up to my own standards, but I try…If somebody says something but they don’t live up to their standards, what are they? Most people would say they’re a hypocrite. And I would say, 'Actually the starting point of changing your life is espousing the standards you haven’t yet reached.'"
ALSO
"Whenever I put too much faith in a person or institution, I would eventually be disappointed. But when I trusted my core values, they haven’t changed. It’s like a compass that always points in the true direction."
Finally, someone I already read on Substack Reads! It was bound to happen sooner or later.
Question- do you think not being in New York is going to be less of a problem for the up and coming generation of writers, what with the internet and being able to reach further and cultivate your own audience?
I generally try to not pose too many questions on here, but I have another. There is mention of writing for your audience and being trustworthy in their eyes. If my first question is true and the new way forward is authors basically curating their own online audience, then there isn’t a go between situated between author and audience, traditionally an agent, who would give the author the skinny on the audience. So my question is, as an online creator, how do you even get a pulse on your audience? I have an audience of 30 so it isn’t hard, but when that grows exponentially, how do I know who they are and what they want?
I’m really excited to listen to the whole conversation after reading, these are always such a wealth of info and Ted’s brilliant!
This may not be very scientific, but for me it's all about feel -- from the emails I receive from readers, the comments they leave on posts, how they engage with the posts I write over time. From all of that put together, you get a feel for what moves your audience, what connects with them. (I'm not sure how much more of a read you *can* get actually, as site analytics don't really give you the kind of information that comes from the readers themselves.)
And, to be completely fair, it's an understandable temptation. Having been a journalist before coming to Substack, in the "old" world your peers, 99.9% of the time, are the only ones giving you feedback on your work. They're the only people you hear from -- that's what makes this platform so interesting and exciting, I think; that you can hear from readers directly, and the work isn't one-way, it's much more of a two-way conversation.
(Comments were obviously part of online news sites for a long time, but they were infamously a place for trolling rather than informed, reasoned dialogue, which of course is why so many publications got rid of them. That's what makes Substack so interesting to me, that the audience isn't there to troll, they're there to participate and be part of the conversation.)
Thank you, super helpful to hear your perspective on this! I had a feeling it was based off the folks that do choose to interact with the work, the words they actually use. Good point about that being about the only way to get a pulse check, I can't think of another way, but it is still really valuable to me to get your thoughts!
Great interview, and I especially love Gioia's observation that journalists are confusing advocacy and reporting, and the interview's throwing outsider status to light. Even now, with the power of online communications, the assumption is that anyone not based in NYC, or at least connected to the "right" people, has nothing of significance to say. As an academic historian, trained journo, and Brit in the US, and a former Californian, I always found this assumption bizarre, and have often commented on it-- but nowhere "important" people will see, until Substack. This baseless snobbery has flattened everything from music to fiction to politics, helped division and tribalism, and limited the variety of voices one reads. And Mr. Giola I'm sure understands that things could be tougher for an outsider than having a Stanford affiliation, or living in other Blue places. Like many Substackers, I merrily go on my way, ignoring the fact that my CV , my lack of connections, having lived almost entirely in unhip places, ought to make me persona non grata, and yet here I am, building an audience. Thank you for giving us a voice, Hamish. Don't forget us.
Loved this as well: “But not being in New York has its upsides. Perhaps most importantly: it has helped Ted retain the mindset of an independent outsider, less vulnerable to the groupthink that can overtake the modern media.”
If there is one thing that arouses suspicion, it's someone saying "Trust me. I"m one of the honest people." In other news, I've lived in New York most of my life and I have absolutely no special influence or understanding of any level of culture. I just know what I like, from comic books to grand opera. Do what you like -- life is short and difficult at best. "Hip" is long dead and living in New York won't revive it.
Clicked on the link to the Kenny G article, since I'd apparently missed it when it first ran, and even there his criticism was not personal. Ted took issue, respectfully, with a project, not the man. Ted: you still haven't attacked anyone personally.
Excellent post. Being unique comes from unaffiliation and not being in a clique. His comments on social media cultivating sameness ring true. Thank you for this inspiration.
What a refreshing article and podcast! Your introductory cliff notes on Ted Goia peeked my interest to listen to your 51 minute podcast interview. I’m adding Ted to my list of reading material and just forwarded your piece to my creative arts and writer friends who are a little slow with signing on to this new venue.
The only way to be an honest broker might be to broker for oneself and not for anyone else. The future might not be in competing biologically (Guinness World Records, Sports) with one another but against AI that can learn faster than humans and advance our states of the arts without bad blood.
I just finished reading your thought-provoking and inspiring post, and I couldn't resist reaching out to express my appreciation for your words. Your journey as a writer, the principles you adhere to, and the experiences you've shared are truly captivating.
I couldn't agree more with the notion of being an "honest broker" and building trust with the audience through writing. Your commitment to writing for the reader and trusting their intelligence is commendable. It's evident that you've established a strong bond with your readers over the years, and that connection shines through in your heartfelt essays and compassionate advice.
Your decision to go independent and have direct contact with your readers through Substack is both empowering and admirable. Embracing the freedom to engage with your audience without the constraints of gatekeepers allows your authentic voice to shine through.
I found your insights on the impact of the internet on music culture and the saturation of social media markets fascinating. Navigating these platforms thoughtfully and maintaining authenticity amidst the crowd is essential, and your perspective sheds light on the complexities of the digital landscape.
Moreover, your commitment to decency, kindness, and compassion, especially during toxic moments in our culture, is truly inspiring. In a world where negativity can often overshadow the good, your stance on preserving positivity in your writing resonates deeply with me.
As an aspiring writer, your advice on the importance of continuous learning, writing constantly, and knowing the subjects we write about is invaluable. I feel motivated to embrace writing as a vocation and use it as a tool to have a positive impact on the world.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, experiences, and insights with the world. Your journey as a writer serves as an inspiration to many, including myself. I'm looking forward to reading more of your heartfelt essays, and I'm grateful to be part of your audience.
Wishing you continued success and fulfillment on your writing journey.
“I got to a certain point, I said, “I don’t want to deal with these gatekeepers anymore. I will do anything to get away from dealing with the gatekeepers.” And so now I’m on Substack and I’ve got direct contact with my readers, and it’s amazing. “
This is Substack defined. This is why this is a magical place - I am grateful for every new Substacks Reads.
I have a small Substack audience, mostly relatives and friends, but I am not writing for them. At age 88, I am writing for myself, just to leave a discernible trail behind me. Writing without an agenda is difficult, and I believe Ted has achieved that. The most reads I ever got was one in which I featured a poem by his brother, Dan. Though not a big jazz fan, I suspect that the contexts would be more interesting to me. Look forward to readings Ted’s columns.
88 on Substack??? Excellent! 🔥🔥❤️
"I write for the reader and I trust the reader. And I assume my reader is smart, I assume my reader is discerning. "
Yes! Writing for mainstream publications, I felt editors often took out the best lines and made me over-explain everything because they felt the readers wouldn't get it. But they DO get it.
It feels great to write on Substack, where I can address the reader the same way I'd talk with a friend.
As for Mr. Gioia, I don't care at all about music writing but he is still one of my favorite Substack writers. He's always got an interesting take on things, and I love his super relaxed but super straightforward and clear writing voice.
And some other great quotes from the podcast itself:
"I’ve decided in my own life to try to be a role model. I’m very critical of institutions on Substack, on Twitter. But I almost never attack an individual and I do that consciously. I do not attack individuals, except for Kenny G. That’s the exception that proves the rule. With the exception of Kenny G., I never insult, attack, mock, ridicule or try to go after anybody as an individual."
ALSO
"I don’t alway live up to my own standards, but I try…If somebody says something but they don’t live up to their standards, what are they? Most people would say they’re a hypocrite. And I would say, 'Actually the starting point of changing your life is espousing the standards you haven’t yet reached.'"
ALSO
"Whenever I put too much faith in a person or institution, I would eventually be disappointed. But when I trusted my core values, they haven’t changed. It’s like a compass that always points in the true direction."
❤️❤️❤️
Finally, someone I already read on Substack Reads! It was bound to happen sooner or later.
Question- do you think not being in New York is going to be less of a problem for the up and coming generation of writers, what with the internet and being able to reach further and cultivate your own audience?
I generally try to not pose too many questions on here, but I have another. There is mention of writing for your audience and being trustworthy in their eyes. If my first question is true and the new way forward is authors basically curating their own online audience, then there isn’t a go between situated between author and audience, traditionally an agent, who would give the author the skinny on the audience. So my question is, as an online creator, how do you even get a pulse on your audience? I have an audience of 30 so it isn’t hard, but when that grows exponentially, how do I know who they are and what they want?
I’m really excited to listen to the whole conversation after reading, these are always such a wealth of info and Ted’s brilliant!
This may not be very scientific, but for me it's all about feel -- from the emails I receive from readers, the comments they leave on posts, how they engage with the posts I write over time. From all of that put together, you get a feel for what moves your audience, what connects with them. (I'm not sure how much more of a read you *can* get actually, as site analytics don't really give you the kind of information that comes from the readers themselves.)
Agree a hundred percent. Exactly.
And, to be completely fair, it's an understandable temptation. Having been a journalist before coming to Substack, in the "old" world your peers, 99.9% of the time, are the only ones giving you feedback on your work. They're the only people you hear from -- that's what makes this platform so interesting and exciting, I think; that you can hear from readers directly, and the work isn't one-way, it's much more of a two-way conversation.
(Comments were obviously part of online news sites for a long time, but they were infamously a place for trolling rather than informed, reasoned dialogue, which of course is why so many publications got rid of them. That's what makes Substack so interesting to me, that the audience isn't there to troll, they're there to participate and be part of the conversation.)
Totally. Feedback. Direct from the horse’s mouth.
Thank you, super helpful to hear your perspective on this! I had a feeling it was based off the folks that do choose to interact with the work, the words they actually use. Good point about that being about the only way to get a pulse check, I can't think of another way, but it is still really valuable to me to get your thoughts!
NYC for younger gens = definitely not as crucial as say 10-15 years ago
Great interview, and I especially love Gioia's observation that journalists are confusing advocacy and reporting, and the interview's throwing outsider status to light. Even now, with the power of online communications, the assumption is that anyone not based in NYC, or at least connected to the "right" people, has nothing of significance to say. As an academic historian, trained journo, and Brit in the US, and a former Californian, I always found this assumption bizarre, and have often commented on it-- but nowhere "important" people will see, until Substack. This baseless snobbery has flattened everything from music to fiction to politics, helped division and tribalism, and limited the variety of voices one reads. And Mr. Giola I'm sure understands that things could be tougher for an outsider than having a Stanford affiliation, or living in other Blue places. Like many Substackers, I merrily go on my way, ignoring the fact that my CV , my lack of connections, having lived almost entirely in unhip places, ought to make me persona non grata, and yet here I am, building an audience. Thank you for giving us a voice, Hamish. Don't forget us.
Loved this as well: “But not being in New York has its upsides. Perhaps most importantly: it has helped Ted retain the mindset of an independent outsider, less vulnerable to the groupthink that can overtake the modern media.”
Amen 🙏 ❤️❤️❤️🔥
Congrats on living your own institutional framework, and staying inside your own cool cat town Ted!
If there is one thing that arouses suspicion, it's someone saying "Trust me. I"m one of the honest people." In other news, I've lived in New York most of my life and I have absolutely no special influence or understanding of any level of culture. I just know what I like, from comic books to grand opera. Do what you like -- life is short and difficult at best. "Hip" is long dead and living in New York won't revive it.
Clicked on the link to the Kenny G article, since I'd apparently missed it when it first ran, and even there his criticism was not personal. Ted took issue, respectfully, with a project, not the man. Ted: you still haven't attacked anyone personally.
❤️
It was my first experience with podcast on Substack and I enjoy it so much! I’ve already subscribed and looking forward more content.
❤️
Excellent post. Being unique comes from unaffiliation and not being in a clique. His comments on social media cultivating sameness ring true. Thank you for this inspiration.
🫰🫰🔥
جميل جدا ،أصدق ما قد يكون الإنسان في لحظة الكتابة ، لا يمكنك الكذب وأنا تحمل القلم انه بمثابة ضميرك
What a refreshing article and podcast! Your introductory cliff notes on Ted Goia peeked my interest to listen to your 51 minute podcast interview. I’m adding Ted to my list of reading material and just forwarded your piece to my creative arts and writer friends who are a little slow with signing on to this new venue.
👍👍🙌
The only way to be an honest broker might be to broker for oneself and not for anyone else. The future might not be in competing biologically (Guinness World Records, Sports) with one another but against AI that can learn faster than humans and advance our states of the arts without bad blood.
Yeah. Terrifying.
I just finished reading your thought-provoking and inspiring post, and I couldn't resist reaching out to express my appreciation for your words. Your journey as a writer, the principles you adhere to, and the experiences you've shared are truly captivating.
I couldn't agree more with the notion of being an "honest broker" and building trust with the audience through writing. Your commitment to writing for the reader and trusting their intelligence is commendable. It's evident that you've established a strong bond with your readers over the years, and that connection shines through in your heartfelt essays and compassionate advice.
Your decision to go independent and have direct contact with your readers through Substack is both empowering and admirable. Embracing the freedom to engage with your audience without the constraints of gatekeepers allows your authentic voice to shine through.
I found your insights on the impact of the internet on music culture and the saturation of social media markets fascinating. Navigating these platforms thoughtfully and maintaining authenticity amidst the crowd is essential, and your perspective sheds light on the complexities of the digital landscape.
Moreover, your commitment to decency, kindness, and compassion, especially during toxic moments in our culture, is truly inspiring. In a world where negativity can often overshadow the good, your stance on preserving positivity in your writing resonates deeply with me.
As an aspiring writer, your advice on the importance of continuous learning, writing constantly, and knowing the subjects we write about is invaluable. I feel motivated to embrace writing as a vocation and use it as a tool to have a positive impact on the world.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, experiences, and insights with the world. Your journey as a writer serves as an inspiration to many, including myself. I'm looking forward to reading more of your heartfelt essays, and I'm grateful to be part of your audience.
Wishing you continued success and fulfillment on your writing journey.
With admiration and gratitude,
Elle
“I got to a certain point, I said, “I don’t want to deal with these gatekeepers anymore. I will do anything to get away from dealing with the gatekeepers.” And so now I’m on Substack and I’ve got direct contact with my readers, and it’s amazing. “
This is Substack defined. This is why this is a magical place - I am grateful for every new Substacks Reads.
I do recommend not using AI for illustrations. AI seems to suck. Mashing up crap with other crap doesn't make it better crap. It's still crap.
That's a awful and boring post that I never asked for. I even unsubbed the "substack reads" and still getting this junk in my feed, do better please!
Sorry you feel that way, Gustaf. You can unsubscribe at anytime https://read.substack.com/account