Substack Success Level 1
Getting Started
January 15, 22, and 29, 2026
8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific)
Substack is one of today’s most powerful publishing platforms for writers. It allows you to share your voice directly with readers, build a meaningful connection with your audience, and create a sustainable writing practice on your own terms. Whether you’re writing essays, memoir, fiction, newsletters, poetry, or reflections, Substack offers independence, visibility, and a professional home for your work.
If you’ve been dreaming of launching your own Substack column, this three-night, six-hour class with Julie Gammack and Dana Kennedy will guide you from idea to execution with clarity and confidence.
You’ll learn how to clarify your focus and vision, set up your Substack account, write a compelling About page, connect Stripe for payments, and publish your very first post. Along the way, you’ll gain a clear understanding of how Substack works—and how to use it in a way that feels aligned, manageable, and sustainable.
By the end of the course, you’ll have your Substack up and running, a strong foundation in place, and a realistic plan for continuing forward. No matter what you’re writing, this course will help you move from intention to action and begin sharing your work with purpose.
Here’s how the class will unfold.
Night One: Setting the Stage
Topics:
-
What Substack is and why it’s an ideal platform for writers
-
Understanding how Substack works and what makes it different
-
Clarifying your “why”: what you want to write and who it’s for
-
Choosing a focus and direction for your column
-
Naming your column: strategies for clarity, originality, and longevity
-
Creating your Substack account and getting oriented
Exercises/Activities:
-
Guided reflection to clarify focus, audience, and intention
-
Brainstorming column name ideas using proven frameworks
Night Two: Building the Foundation
Topics:
-
Writing a strong About page: telling readers who you are and what to expect
-
Understanding free vs. paid subscriptions
-
Connecting Stripe for payments
-
Substack design basics: formatting posts, using images, and creating a clean reading experience
-
Navigating the dashboard and post editor
Exercises/Activities:
-
Drafting your About page with examples and feedback
-
Drafting and formatting your first post inside Substack
Night Three: Publishing and Looking Ahead
Topics:
-
Publishing your first column: mechanics and timing
-
Scheduling posts and using visibility settings
-
Best practices for your first email send-out
-
Setting expectations with your readers: cadence, tone, and value
-
Creating a sustainable rhythm for your Substack practice
Exercises/Activities:
-
Publish (or schedule) your first piece
-
Draft a simple content plan for your next three posts
-
Visioning exercise: where you want your column to go over the next 6–12 months
By the end of the class, you will:
-
Have your Substack account fully set up
-
Have written and published (or scheduled) your first post
-
Understand how to show up consistently and thoughtfully for readers
-
Leave with a clear foundation and plan for your ongoing column
Our Faculty
Today's Price Only $197 for 6 hours of instruction
Story Summit Membership subscribers receive this class at no additional cost. Just register and the discount will be applied automatically. Please make sure you're logged in to receive the discount. Not a subscriber yet? Join here.
Please note: Our classes are designed specifically for live participation, so your attendance is important. If you need to miss a class for any reason, you’ll receive a passcode-protected link to watch the recordings after the course is over.
A Peek at Our Past Virtual Classes
