I’ve read posts and Notes that are fretting about the means and mores of Substack as it grows. I think Substack is beginning to resemble traditional publishing with each Substack operating as its own press. Inside Substack, there are big mainstream presses, medium-sized independents, and micro-presses. And we all have different ambitions about where we are and where we want to be. And I think some folks are disillusioned that Substack has economic tiers. There’s a DIY romance that’s being challenged by money worries. But, inside of Substack, there are also a growing number of places that seem to be overtly capitalist and are seeking to profit from the hunger of writers who want a larger audience. It reminds me of the traditional magazines and publishers who charge “reading fees.” It also reminds me of traditional vanity publishing. In a sense, every Substack is a vanity press and there are folks out there seeking to take advantage of our vanities. Be wary.