Hard-Earned Lessons in Writing
Things I learned by trial and error so you don't have to suffer.
Start Here.
You’re here because you’re a writer or a reader. You’re here because you like books. You’re here because you like me. You’re here by accident.
It doesn’t matter, you’re here.
To Substack…
I don’t know about you, but I’m sick to the back teeth of social media. It’s full of liars and cheats and right-wing muppets. It’s full of people posting photos of celebrities for likes, it’s full of “hot takes” that don’t mean anything at all and will be forgotten by the time we close the app.
Now more than ever, I’m after discourse, I’m after a platform which means something. I’m after reads which hold my attention and put something into my mind rather than the negative sum game of social media which feels like it does nothing but drain.
Why This Newsletter? Why This Community?
I am not a world-famous writer. I find this as tough to believe as you do. At the time of writing this, I am a moderately successful indie author with high aspirations and some very specific goals.
I am not Stephen King writing to you from the peak of the mountain with boundless wisdom and millions of sales.
I am Dan Howarth, I am working my way up that mountain from the very bottom. I am exhausted, but I’m still going. I am shovelling ten tonnes of shit out of the way with my bare hands to get to where I want to be.
I am three books into my writing career. I have made mistakes. I have had successes. I have learned some lessons along the way, not all of them have punched me in the guts, but a few have.
I am here to share those lessons with you, to help you avoid the mistakes I made. And if I exorcise a few demons along the way, well, I’m sure you won’t begrudge me that.
What To Expect
A fortnightly email detailing one specific thing I’ve learned along the way.
Occasional book and writing resource recommendations.
A very occasional plug for my books.
No more than one nervous breakdown a year.
This Is Me
Follow me as I plumb the depths of my soul and scrape the corners of my mind for content. It’ll all be worth it.