Sparkle on Substack

"We need to hear different people's stories and see different people's perspectives — and that's very bad for a society that thrives on division." Allegra Chapman (she/her) Hi folks,It was a joy to chat with Allegra Chapman (she/her) at the end of last year. It’s taken me a little while to get this one out but it’s great timing as her new book is OPEN for pre-sale orders - yay!Ai Episode Summary – Sparkle on Substack feat. Allegra ChapmanIn this episode, host Claire Venus chats with Allegra Chapman — writer, neurodivergent advocate, and author of Creativity is Your Self-Care — about the intersection of creativity, wellbeing, and gentle activism.Allegra shares how her Substack, Your Creative Fix, was born from a deep belief that creativity is innate to all humans, but has been systematically squeezed out by a capitalist, productivity-obsessed society. She argues that making art — whether writing poems, knitting, or painting — is actually a radical act in a world that prefers passive consumers over active creators.As an autistic, ADHD, bisexual woman living with a disability, Allegra speaks passionately about the importance of amplifying silenced voices. She reflects on how storytelling builds empathy across divides, and why platforms like Substack are such a powerful tool for exactly that.The conversation also touches on how damaging early creative wounds can be — Allegra shares how a cruel art teacher at age eight shut her off from painting for 30 years — and how her membership space is deliberately designed to be low-demand, neurodivergent-friendly, and accessible for people with limited energy or time.Both Claire and Allegra close the episode with a hopeful note: that even small acts of creation ripple outward, and that in a noisy, overwhelming world, choosing to create rather than consume is one of the most powerful things any of us can do. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe

“The main work to do in life and in the online world is nervous system work.” Thank you Eva Lydon 🌿, RAJ KAUR, mary beth kaplan🪶, New Harmony Homeopath, Geetika, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.Here are the resources and people I mentioned…thank you for coming to my impromptu Ted talk with over 850 PEOPLE - woah!! * Kendall Marie Platt 🌱 at The Seed * Keris Fox at The Ladybird Purse • Talk Money to Me * Amie McNee and The Pound Project - video here in my lives or listen in your podcast app. * Caro Giles at Open In The Middle * Audience Alchemy - my FREE audience development classes. * My wonderful mentor Leonie Dawson - sign up for her brilliant academy here.* Home page design video - AI Summary - thanks Claude. SummaryThis is a live session by Claire on her Substack Sparkle on Substack, covering joyful growth in 2026 — specifically how to grow a Substack publication in a way that feels sustainable, aligned, and community-rooted rather than hustle-driven.Core themes covered:Substack growth tools: Claire walks through the key in-platform tools for growth — the Recommendations feature (she credits it with 10,000+ subscribers), the welcome page with blurbs, and Substack Notes. She emphasises curating your Notes feed to protect your nervous system, using fresh (original) notes over restacking, and treating the whole thing like a networking event built on genuine reciprocity.Depth of connection: The central argument for 2026 is moving away from vanity metrics toward genuinely knowing your audience. She talks about the “magic trio” of likes, comments and shares for algorithmic reach; using the subscriber tab to send targeted emails; adding polls in posts; and understanding whether your readers engage passively or actively — and being okay with both.Audio and video: She cites a Substack stat that publications using audio grow 2.5x faster than those that don’t. Video, she says, is the “golden egg” — it breaks the parasocial wall instantly. She personally felt terrified of video for years and encourages self-compassion in learning it.Unsubscribes and churn: Handled with a healthy perspective — subscriptions are fluid, unsubscribes aren’t personal, and the pause button exists for a reason.Off-platform growth: For faster growth, especially toward Substack’s “Bestseller” tier (101 paid subscribers), you need to grow off-platform too — whether through Pinterest pins, SEO blog posts, or Meta ads (which she’s curious about but hasn’t used herself). Going viral is described as “a lottery.”Making time with a full life: For someone with a young child and full-time job, she recommends optimising your phone (delete other social apps, keep Substack and a notes app), capturing threads of ideas, and writing in small windows like nap times.Guest posts and collaboration: She did guest posts once a month to build confidence and visibility, and invited guests onto her Substack. She notes there are far fewer gatekeepers than people think.“Subscribing to someone’s life — it’s not natural to be subscribed to multiple people’s lives for the long term. We need to think about the power of REAL and power social relationships and the impact we want those to have on us and our work” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome BACK to a brand new season of Sparkle on Substack the podcast. I am delighted to have another 12 BEAUTIFUL conversations on voice, community and Substack sparkle for you!This one is with my online pal Nicola Washington who is a BRILLIANT member of Sparkle on Substack - brand new Substack bestseller and IG expert for authors looking to connect rather than broadcast and shout. I hope you enjoy it and do feel free to leave a comment or even better a 5star review on Apple or Spotify. BioHi, I’m Nicola.I live in South London with my husband, two children and dog, although Stoke-on-Trent, where I grew up will always be ‘home’.I became a Social Media Manager in 2017 after a twelve-year-long career as a secondary-school English teacher. I retrained, set up shop, and started to work with small business clients, helping them get noticed online.After 7 years of working with small businesses, in 2023, I took the decision to start supporting writers, authors and other word-lovers with your use of Instagram to find more readers. By doing so, I get to combine my professional expertise and experience, with my first loves of books and writing.I’ve been an avid reader since I was a child and I’ve been working on my own fiction projects since 2020. I’m currently querying agents and ‘enjoying’ the roller-coaster of that experience.I know that for many writers, Instagram can sometimes feel ‘Too Much’. I’m making it my mission to tackle the overwhelm and anxiety many of you feel so you can make the most of the opportunities Instagram offers, without it feeling horrible or burning out.Nicola Online IG - https://www.instagram.com/toomuch_social Website - https://www.toomuchsocial.com/Substack AI Overview - Thanks Claude A podcast interview from “Sparkle on Substack” hosted by Claire Venus, featuring Nicola Washington, an Instagram educator and strategist who specializes in helping writers and authors build their presence on social media. The conversation explores how authors can navigate Instagram authentically, connect with readers, and market their books in ways that feel genuine rather than overwhelming.The discussion covers the challenges writers face with social media, particularly around authenticity and introversion, and offers practical strategies for building meaningful connections rather than chasing follower counts. Key QuotesOn the challenges of Instagram:“It is so noisy and so overwhelming now. And then on top of that, a lot of writers and authors are quite introverted people. So they’re sort of thinking, how can I do this?”On authenticity:“The work I do helps people overcome a lot of those obstacles and barriers in a way that feels authentic to them. That’s the fundamental that underpins basically everything I do is that it has to feel like you.”On the 🍄 mushrooms vs. 🪁 kites metaphor:“The way publishers treat social media is as if it’s about flying kites... getting your kite up as high in the sky so as many people see it as possible... The way I think of it... is to think of it much more like a mushroom, mushrooms... networks of fungi that go underground and then they pop up in other unexpected places.”On building true fans:“You use your Instagram account to gather around you a core group of people who are deeply invested in the work that you do. They like you. They bought into you and your story. They’re going to buy any book that you write just because they like you.”On traditional publishing realities:“Lots of authors report feeling abandoned by their publishers at the point at which their books are released... taking ownership and self-driving your marketing via social media, because it is one of the most accessible forms of marketing, is something that most authors can do.”On control in publishing:“When you want an author as a traditionally published author, one of the various parts... the smallest parts of the process that you actually can control is your marketing.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you to JP Watson at The Pound Project and to you all for coming along live to hear us chat. If you do have questions for the The Pound Project team, do post them in the comments and JP might get chance to answer a couple.Learn more - https://www.poundproject.co.uk/And MOST importantly - buy Amie McNee’s book for three weeks only!!LOOK at this beautiful graphic recording of our chat… thank you so so much Cara Holland ✨Ai Summary - thanks Claude… This is an interview between Claire Venus (engagement consultant and Substack expert) and JP, founder of Pound Project Publishing. JP shares the origin story and business model of his independent publishing house. Key Business Model:* Uses crowdfunding as the primary publishing mechanism* Creates affordable, small-format, beautifully designed books* Minimal upfront investment required from authors* Community-driven support systemOrigin Story: The Pound Project emerged from three motivations: disillusionment with traditional creative industries, the rise of crowdfunding as a viable business model, and a desire to create something sustainable and democratic. JP started by writing and self-publishing his own book, which became the template for the publishing house.Recent Development: JP discusses launching “Tear and Share” - a new initiative supporting artists through gift card-style prints, created in response to declining Instagram reach for visual artists.Key QuotesOn community support: “The creative community amongst writers and artists can be so supportive. If you’re willing to ask. And I think that intertwines with that point I’m saying about having a belief in yourself.”On business advice: “Make sure everything is really hot and professional and there’s a website and there’s a presence before you bring it to market.”On the payment model: “We’re giving 50% net profits on any sale post print to the person. So the person actually recoups what they’ve put in because they’re getting 50% of anything they sell.”On Instagram’s impact on artists: “I’m like apoplectic about what’s happened with social media reach and photography and illustration and art... I don’t think I can think of an example of a business biting the hand that has fed them more than what’s happened with Instagram.”On Amie McNee new book: “The first book is essentially a manifesto about believing in creativity... kicking off and railing about how we’ve all been brainwashed into believing that work is what it is. And then the second bit... is actually advice on how to have self-belief, how to build a sustainable community of people who want to support you.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe

I loved chatting with Nikko Kennedy as part of the January Joy(ful) Growth Club with Russell and Claire . You can go deeper on this topic with her inside our workshop and get the replay. Thurs 5 Feb at 4pm.Become a monthly or annual paid member to join us and get the replay.Ai summary, thanks ClaudeThis is a transcript of a live conversation between Claire Venus (an engagement consultant and Substack expert) and Nico from “Brighter Days, Darker Nights” about circadian rhythms and managing screen time for online entrepreneurs.Key topics discussed:* The challenges of balancing screen time with health when your income depends on being online* How modern work has shifted from occasional office computer use to constant digital engagement (phones, laptops, social media)* The biological impacts of light exposure on circadian rhythms and overall health* Practical strategies for maintaining healthy relationships with technology while building an online businessMain insights from Nikko:* Light exposure (both natural and artificial) significantly impacts our health and well-being* Working online creates unique challenges because screen time is tied to income, not just entertainment* The stress and biological impacts of constant digital work are real and need addressing* There are evidence-based strategies for getting vitamin D and managing light exposure without harm* Apps and tools can actually help track healthy sun exposureClaire’s perspective:* The overwhelm of sudden online success and the nervous system impact* The importance of finding your unique “audience alchemy” rather than chasing every trend* The need to tune out noise and focus on meaningful creative work* Balancing ambition with self-care and sustainable practicesThey announced an upcoming workshop on this topic through Sparkle on Substack, diving deeper into specific strategies for managing screen time and circadian health for online business owners. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe

AI Summary - thanks ClaudeThis is a live chat conversation between Claire Venus ✨ and Claire Powell as part of January Joy(ful) Growth Club with Russell and Claire The conversation focuses on finding joy online, particularly on Substack while streaming live, and discusses personal and professional growth.Key Topics Discussed:* Finding joy in January’s gray weather through connection and conversation* The pressure and expectations that come with January as a “clean slate”* Challenges of self-employment (tax returns, financial pressures)* Claire’s (guest) car breaking down on the way to the call* Substack growth strategies and engagement* Illustration work and collaboration opportunities* Anti-AI art sentiment and the value of hand-drawn work* Product ideas including notebooks with illustrationsNotable QuotesOn finding joy:* “My style of joy is almost turning things that in the moment don’t feel very joyful into we just need to laugh at this.”On January’s challenges:* “I think January can be a bit of a an isolating time because everyone’s trying to get back into the rhythm of things um intentions are high expectations are high we’re all trying to be better people”On connection:* “I think it makes it feel slightly less bleep even if you just call someone up and i’m like this is rough and they’re like yeah tell me about it i instantly feel not alone”On the car incident:* “as I was thinking this, steam started rising from the bonnet of my car” ... “All we can do is laugh about that, really.”On Substack vs Instagram:* “It’s not as saturated as Instagram... Like Instagram has become a bit of an echo chamber... you look at one picture of a chicken and then all of a sudden all you’re seeing is chickens”On illustration quality:* “there is a quality to hand-drawn, hand-painted work, especially work that is commissioned specifically for somebody’s words” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you Debbie Weil, Practical Astros ⚕️, Club Trader Joe's, Mary Beth Kaplan🪶, Dan Ehrenkrantz, Georgina Dean and many others for tuning into my live video with Erin Shetron! Join me for my next live video in the app.Join us for more FREE joyful growth advice, activity and tips over here - January Joy(ful) Growth Club with Russell and Claire SummaryClaire Venus and Erin Shetron from FREQUENT CRIERS CLUB discuss the realities of building a sustainable newsletter practice on Substack, emphasizing depth over frequency, authentic audience connection, and giving creative work space to breathe. The conversation covers;* practical growth strategies* monetization approaches* SEO optimization* and the importance of honoring your own creative energy cycles rather than following prescribed publishing schedules.Key QuotesOn Publishing Frequency:“I really feel like it’s okay to slow down your publishing cadence if you are going deeper... your relationship with your audience is all that matters. And they don’t really mind too much how often it’s not about the frequency I don’t think it’s much more about the depth.”On Growth as a Process:“It feels like literally building an igloo to like live inside and you like got your torch... it’s all exactly the same. And then all of a sudden you’re nearly there. And then once you get there, it’s like, woohoo, we’re down slopes, we’re skiing.”On Creative Energy:“I don’t worry about running out of ideas. I worry about energy dips... I’ve run out of the aligned energy to deliver them.”On Platform Evolution:“I cannot be so enmeshed and entangled with a platform because I don’t work for the platform and the platform is going to platform.”On Authenticity in 2026:“With how unstable everything feels and how fake everything feels... it could really come down to the voice. If we all did our voice memos for each newsletter... it really gives it that human quality.”On Monetization Strategy:“When you start paywalling things or start offering discounts... it’s a no-brainer to do them together. So say you run a three-day flash sale... At the end of that sale day, on the last day, you want to run a really valuable, high-value, juicy, paywalled piece.”On AI-Generated Content:“People don’t use chat GPT to write your Substack notes... We can tell. We can tell when your notes are written by chat.”On Creative Practice:“The people who block out [external input] the best, write the best newsletters... their voices aren’t weighed down by everything else that they’re reading. They don’t feel that they’re in competition with people.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe

“I am a person who believes really strongly that like there is no scarcity in creativity. The more I create the more I can create. The more I write the more I will write. So I’m not worried about like oh god I’m gonna run out of ideas. It’s never happened.” Alix Klingenberg Thank you Mary Beth Kaplan🪶, Laia Bové, Jazmon Bradley, Angela Limb, Nance Scott, and many others for tuning into my live video with Alix Klingenberg! Join me for my next live video in the app.Subscribe to Alix Klingenberg here…Buy her book - Quietly Wild - https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Quietly-Wild/Alix-Klingenberg/9798887621531Ai Summary - thanks Claude Summary: Community Conversation with Claire Venus and Alix KlingenbergThis conversation features Claire Venus, an engagement consultant and Substack expert, in discussion with Alix Klingenberg, a poet, spiritual director, and author, about community building on Substack.Key Points About Alix:Background & Work:* Spiritual director who helps people find meaning through earth-based, science-driven spiritual practice* Writes on Substack about connecting with the land and recognizing ourselves as part of nature* Author of four poetry collections: Secrets and Stars, Bread, Sex, Trees, Hermit Season, and Quietly Wild* Quietly Wild features her film photography alongside seasonal poetry, published by Mandala Earth* Started on Substack in March 2024Creative Philosophy:* Believes in connecting with inner rhythms and seasonal cadences* Her poems represent her “neurotic self talking to her more calm, centered higher self”* Finds spring and fall most creative; struggles in November* Emphasizes that scarcity doesn’t exist in creativity—the more you create, the more you can createSubstack Approach:* Writes weekly free newsletters with creative prompts* Offers monthly live writing calls for paid subscribers (unrecorded to create safe space)* Runs seasonal programs like “Secrets and Stars” with creative prompts and writing sessions* Values organic, non-viral growth and building authentic community* Appreciates how Substack allows email list ownershipCommunity Building:* Trained as a community facilitator* Focuses on helping people see their innate gifts and become unafraid of showing up* Creates spaces for people to write and share half-baked ideas safely* Has written 100+ articles through consistent practiceThe conversation emphasizes sustainable creative practice, honoring natural rhythms, and building genuine community through thoughtful engagement rather than chasing viral growth. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe

“I’ve created a new email for myself - just for Substack - it’s a game changer.” Eleanor Tweddell Hi folks,Welcome to another brilliant episode of Sparkle on Substack. This week I’m chatting with Eleanor Tweddell about being on Substack long term, balancing online work, writing books and a corporate career. Eleanor describes herself as a coach and cheerleader when you are starting something new.About Eleanor Corporate escapee – After 23 years working for brilliant brands including Costa Coffee, Whitbread, RAC, Virgin Atlantic and Vodafone I now enjoy my portfolio career. I still love working with corporate clients, and enjoy the challenge of how organisations evolve and transform.Founder – Another Door supports people in the space in-between a door closing and the next door opening, so that you know how to own what happens next. We also support businesses to handle redundancy well with mindset centred outplacement programmes.Author –Why losing your job… started as scribbles in a notebook, then a blog, then a podcast then a book. I got a book deal with Penguin in 2019, so now I spread the message to everyone who needs it! Next book coming out in September 2025 - Another Door opens.www.eleanortweddell.comwww.anotherdoor.co.ukConnect with Eleanor Tweddell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/ Eleanor’s books * Why Loosing your Job could be the best thing that ever happens to you. * Another Door Opens Other things we mention…* My 2025 book - Invisible Trust - the hidden rules of influence and reciprocity online. * The Sparkle Summit - now called January Joy(ful) Growth Club with Russell and Claire * Lily Allen - West End Girl - Ai Summary - thanks ClaudePodcast Summary: Sparkle on Substack with Claire Venus & EleanorThis episode features a conversation between Claire Venus and Eleanor, both writers who started their Substack journeys in 2022.Key Discussion Points:Background & Platform Evolution* Both transitioned from WordPress (dealing with broken sites, unwanted ads, technical issues) to Substack’s simpler, more spacious platform* Eleanor runs multiple Substacks but focuses mainly on “Another Door,” which explores navigating change and life transitionsWriting Practice & Balance* Eleanor balances corporate communications work by day with creative writing by night* Both speakers emphasize the importance of boundaries and knowing when to step back from publishing* Eleanor stopped writing on Substack while working on her book to create necessary spaceBooks & Publishing* Eleanor’s first book focused specifically on redundancy: “Why Losing Your Job Could Be the Best Thing That Ever Happened to You”* Her second book, “Another Door Opens” (published September), takes a broader approach to navigating change with five steps* She used Substack to test concepts, gauge reader interest, and refine ideas before finalizing booksAudience Insights* Eleanor noticed her redundancy-focused audience was highly engaged but transient—people joined intensely during their job loss period, then left once they moved on* She shifted to writing about broader change topics to build a more stable, long-term readership* Reader feedback on Substack (like comments about “pause being a privilege”) directly shaped her book contentReading & Consumption Habits* Both hosts discussed feeling overwhelmed by subscriptions and the need for intentional curation* Claire deletes the Substack app on weekends and now primarily wants to read books rather than newsletters* Eleanor created a separate email specifically for Substack/blog subscriptions to avoid overwhelm* They emphasized seeking diverse perspectives rather than only reading within their own nicheLooking Ahead to 2026* Eleanor plans an “experimental year” rather than rigid goals* Focus on energy, curiosity, and creative exploration* Possible self-publishing for future books* Emphasis on flexibility given rapid changes (especially AI) in the landscapeKey Philosophy Both writers stress the importance of creative practice over obligation, giving yourself permission to pause, and remembering that readers understand when life happens. The conversation champions authenticity over consistency for its own sake. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe

“The Swedish term lagom (pronounced roughly as 'lah-gom') is a word and cultural concept that roughly translates to "just the right amount" or "not too much, not too little". It has no single direct English translation but encapsulates the Swedish principle of balance, moderation, and sufficiency in all aspects of life.” “Those I’ve followed for 10 years are those that allowed themselves to evolve and experiment. People follow the energy and excitement, not the sameness.” Subscribe to Elin here… Ai summary - thanks ClaudeJoyful Growth: A Conversation with ElinOverviewClaire and Elin discuss maintaining joy and authenticity as creators across a decade of building online businesses, part of the January Joy(ful) Growth Club with Russell and Claire Key ThemesThe Reality of Creative Work* Not always joyful: Elin emphasizes that building a creative business online hasn’t been joyful every single day* Cycles are natural: Both creators experience periods of high creative output followed by quieter, more difficult phases* Return to basics: When overwhelmed, the solution is always returning to the art itself—creating for the joy of itThe Journey* Elin started in 2016 on Instagram with hand embroidery, experiencing rapid viral growth* Built across multiple platforms gradually: Instagram first, then Pinterest, then YouTube* Started writing on Substack two years ago as a way to reconnect with creative joy* Has been running some form of subscription for eight yearsManaging Growth and Expectations* Cultural conditioning: Elin discusses Swedish “lagom” culture (don’t be too much, be steady) and how it influenced her approach* The hamster wheel trap: Easy to replicate the same patterns you’re trying to escape when monetizing passion* Outsourcing excellence: Never give control of your creative practice to external rules—whether business coaches, algorithms, or platform requirementsPivots and Transitions* Ellen launched a second Substack (art magazine) while guilt-ridden about leaving Instagram* Faced challenges when moving existing email subscribers to Substack* Currently in another transition phase, rebranding and moving away from subscriptions* Recognizes different business models serve different life seasonsKey InsightsOn Authenticity: “I deeply struggle with performance. The way I keep going is by committing to being transparent about it as a way to kill the shame.”On Starting: “Move your ass and your mind will follow” - you can’t think your way out of creative blocks; you must physically createOn Qualifications: “Nobody can target me for not being an expert at my own experience because literally that’s what I lived.”On Platform Relationships:* Think of platforms as marriages—there will be honeymoon periods and difficult seasons* Building on borrowed land has trade-offs, but can still be valuable* The key is maintaining your own creative center regardless of platform changesPractical Wisdom* Create one thing daily (stitch away keeps the doctor away)* Add platforms gradually, not all at once* Keep non-monetized creative practices alongside business* Self-care checklist: When wanting to quit, check—are you tired? Hungry? Need a walk?* Use triggers as mirrors: When feeling envious or frustrated online, examine what it reveals about your own needs* Create before you consume: Protect your creative energy from comparison and distraction* You only need one reason to start: “I want to” is enoughOn Subscriptions and Sustainability* Subscriptions can provide stability during intense life seasons (young children, house moves, life pivots)* They serve as an anchor to keep creating during difficult times* Different business models suit different life phases* It’s okay to pivot when something no longer serves youFinal Message* The only constant is change* Never outsource your excellence to external validation* Vulnerability is part of our humanity, not a weakness* Joy comes from the art itself, and growth follows as a byproduct* “Evolve or die”—not physical death, but the death of living asleep to your creative potential - Claire attributes to Ana Forest - her yoga teacher - the concept of evolving to stay awake. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe