My Jagged Journey as a Debut Writer

Blogs for Writers

A blog (short for "weblog") is a regularly updated website or online platform for publishing content. Blogs cover various topics, including personal experiences, opinions, news, tutorials, and creative writing. They often allow reader engagement through comments and social sharing.

Blogs are posted online, using text-based content on a website or platform. They are more easily accessible worldwide via the internet, often free to read, and can be monetized through ads or subscriptions. They began in the 1990s but became popular in the early 2000s. When WordPress and TypePad emerged, they offered flexibility to write and get the word out. There were many other blogging sites, like Tumblr and Medium, though Substack (which began in 2017) seemed the most attractive to writers. These days, digital publications, often in PDF or other formats, which can be viewed on computers, tablets, or phones, are the way to go.

For writers, blogs can be an effective medium to showcase their name and work to the world, build an email subscriber list, and engage with their audience. They have become great platforms for printing or posting short stories, essays, serialized fiction, and poetry. This provides a good way to receive feedback from others without needing to find peers or join a writing group. You can also share excerpts from a book you hope to publish, or one you have already published, with the goal of attracting potential buyers. If you want to publish your work but are struggling with the big five, this is an alternative to expose your writing to the world. Some authors have secured book deals, freelance gigs, or built full-time careers from blogging.

Most authors post blogs online through one of the platforms listed below and publish on their websites. Using a subscriber tool allows authors to reach more readers via text, email, or the web. In addition to writing, you can use them to post videos, chat with or send notes to subscribers.

Here are some examples I found. I had no idea there were so many sites to choose from. Many charge a fee to use, though some are free. Almost all of these sites offer a 30-day trial. So, go ahead and have fun exploring.

Newsletter & Subscription-Based Platforms

Substack – A newsletter platform that allows writers to build an audience, gain emails that can be used later when publishing a book, engage an audience, post as frequently as you want. It can provide a way to obtain a paying audience through subscription.

Ghost – An alternative to Substack for blogging and paid newsletters. It comes with tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters and offer paid subscriptions.

Beehiiv – A newer, writer-friendly platform for growing and monetizing newsletters.

Medium – A popular blogging site where writers can publish and get paid based on reader engagement.

Vocal Media – A writing platform paying writers based on reading and engagement.

Write.as – A distraction-free, minimalist blogging platform for writers. Friends and family can read your words without creating yet another account online. They can read in their browser, via email or RSS, on their e-reader.

Blogger – A simple and free blogging tool owned by Google.

Creative & Fiction-Focused Platforms

Wattpad – A storytelling platform for fiction writers, especially popular in young adult genres.

Scribophile –One of the largest online writing communities where writers can share their work and receive critiques.

Royal Road – A platform for web novels, often focused on fantasy and sci-fi.

Tapas: A webcomic and serialized fantasy and YA comic-focused fiction platform.

Commaful – A visual storytelling platform blending poetry, short stories, and images.

Freelance & Journalism Platforms

Hub Pages – A blogging and content writing platform that segments topics to allow readers to focus on their interests. It allows revenue sharing.

Newsbreak – A news and blogging site where writers can earn money through local reporting.

Write Freely – A federated blogging platform focused on privacy and open-source publishing.