The purpose of substack for fiction writers is twofold.

Number 1: Build a backlog of incredible fiction. The more you write the longer fans can spend poring over your backlog.

Number 2: Build an email list of interested readers. The more people who sign up, the more people who will receive emails when you announce published works or other news.

These are separate and simultaneous goals of writing on substack. If you join them together: publish fiction to build an email list—you will get disheartened quickly. The meme that goes around, that the worst thing you can do to build an audience on substack is post fiction, is misguided IMHO.

Publishing fiction is a separate goal. Publish fiction because you have stories you need to tell. Build an email list because it will help you in the future. Those are two goals. Not one.

I can anticipate the riposte: “The point still stands that doing the one hinders the other”—I don’t think it does. Your email list was always going to flux no matter what you post. The problem folks are observing is an implicit expectation of timing. If you want to build an email list fast, well, that’s a different question. If you want to build an email list of fans, you have to be patient.

The best time to start building an email list for your work is 5 years ago; the second best time to start is today. Your work remains the same. Go write!