💡 Creator News: Disney Goes All-In On Verticals, Netflix Has a Short-Form Feed Now, Substack Kicks Off an Interview Show

Plus: do authors need gatekeepers? And other things I'm chewing on as a writer and creative this week.

I wanted to open this issue by sharing a conversation I had with author Emma Gannon about the question — do authors still need gatekeepers? Lots to think about here — you can watch it below!

Do authors still need gatekeepers?

I’m also teaching yoga + journaling classes in SF, more on the “why” you should consider doing more yoga (or trying it if you haven’t already!) as a creative below as well as the details of the class:

So I’ve been busy lately but not in a hectic way. I’ve replaced screen time with in-person writing sessions with local writers — I’ve spent more time perusing farmers markets, bookstores, and assembling bouquets of spring flowers.

Because of all that I’ve been feeling more creatively fed and feeling lucky to be able to spend more time in the pages of my next novel.

All of that aside — there are lots of fascinating changes in the landscape for creatives! Here’s what I have for you this week:

💬 Links I Sent My Fiancée

My fiancée (!!!) Kyle Cords is my co-founder which means DMing him links counts as productive work 💕

tbh this is most of the vibe of what I sent Kyle this week:

🌁 Dispatches From the Bay

What to do and where to eat in San Francisco.

• I have mixed feelings about San Francisco, and “San Francisco is Creatively Dying” by Georgia Witchel hits on some of the issues I have with this city. It’s also why I’ve been getting more involved on putting on events here — I’m wanting to create pockets of this city that feel more creatively inspired and fruitful.

☕️ Content Trends

Trends in social media, content creation, and what’s going on here on Substack.

• I talked about this back when I visited LA in April — all of my Hollywood friends are talking about are the rise of verticals (AKA: made-for-social-media content). Disney is doubling down on them publicly. I guess Quibi was a trailblazer all those years ago!

• Netflix has added a clipping feature and a short form video feed, showing that they’re trying to compete more with the likes of YouTube. Looks like the Creator Economy is here to stay :)

💰 What to Watch & Read If You Want to Make Money Online

Resources to make you smarter and richer in the Creator Economy.

• Substack started a talk show/interview series called Open Tab, where they interview top Substackers at bars. Here’s the first episode featuring Emily Sundberg of Feed Me fame.

  • I saw a comment on social media of someone saying this was a good move on Substack’s part — making content they want others to emulate on their video platform.

    • ALSO: this means that they’re putting forth a signal of wanting ~ more video ~ on the platform. So, if you have any video component to your work, it might be a good time to lean into it here on Substack. I talk about this a lot as part of my monthly Substack Lab group workshop, but wanted to continue to reiterate it here!

📕 What I’m Reading Lately

I really enjoyed Jordan Harper’s book A Violent Masterpiece. I discovered his work after reading his LA noir novel Everybody Knows, and his prose is lyrical and cuts to the bone in a way that is so rare to see in this genre!

As a former LA citizen myself, it was also cool to read something that embodies the gritty side of the city so clearly.

I also finished Emma Gannon’s book A Year of Nothing, her first foray into self-publishing/indie publishing. It’s a raw and emotional look at creative burnout, and it was so fun to be able to chat with her about it in our conversation about self-publishing.

🛍️ Add to Cart

Things that have made my life better or products I have my eye on.

• Kyle got me a Ninja Creami as an early birthday present and I’ve been loving making more “healthy” versions of ice cream :) I’ve been eating less dairy these days, so being able to whip up gelato and non-dairy ice cream at home (rather than buying store-bought versions of things full of additives!) has been helpful.

Questions? Thoughts? Would love to hear what you’re thinking, reading, or making in the comments.

Happy creating,

-Amy