Welcome to BTA Fridays – Breaking the Algorithm™. I’m your host, Kelly Morgan. This is where indie authors stop chasing trends and start building strategy, visibility, and confidence. Around here, we do not follow the algorithm. We break it and put something better in its place.

Today, that “something better” is Substack.

A lot of indie authors have heard the name but are not sure what it actually does or how it fits into their writing life. I was in the same boat until someone told me to take it seriously. Once I did, I realized Substack can be a powerful tool for authors who are tired of screaming into the void on social media.

Watch the full BTA Fridays – Breaking the Algorithm™ episode here:

https://youtu.be/0YlJ9Q3oz9E 

What Substack Is in Plain English

Substack looks like just another platform at first glance, but here is what it really is in everyday language:

Substack is both

• An email newsletter that goes straight to your subscribers
• A public site where those same posts live on the web

You write once. Your subscribers receive it by email, and that exact same post sits on your Substack page for anyone who wants to find you tomorrow or next year. The best part for indie authors: 

• You own your subscriber list.
• You can download it.
• You can move it.

That means you can take your audience with you at any time. No begging an algorithm to show your work.

Why Substack Matters for Indie Authors

When someone subscribes to your Substack, it is because they want to hear from you. That is very different from a casual follow on social media. Over time, that email list becomes an asset you can use when:

• You launch a new book
• You announce a book signing or event
• You ask for early reviews
• You test cover options or titles
• You invite readers into a special project, beta read, or behind-the-scenes series

Every post also lives on the web, so your work is always discoverable on your Substack page. New readers can find old posts, binge your content, and get to know your voice without fighting with a feed.

How I Use Substack Without Burning Out

The last thing I wanted was one more platform demanding content every day. So I built Substack into what I already do instead of creating a whole new workload.

Here is my simple system.

• I post once a week on Mondays.
• Each Monday’s Substack email recaps three episodes:
• Monday: The Author’s Mic™ guest
• Wednesday: The Author’s Mic™ solo episode
• Friday: BTA Fridays – Breaking the Algorithm™

In that one Substack post, I include:

• A short intro for the week
• A quick blurb about each episode
• The links to watch or listen

Substack lets me schedule posts, so I do not have to be live every Monday. I can:

• Set the exact date and time
• Batch and schedule weeks ahead
• Edit or unschedule a post if plans change

This keeps me consistent without exhausting me. I am not reinventing the wheel. I am repurposing content I am already creating and putting it in front of people who asked for it.

Features That Help Indie Authors Break the Algorithm™

Substack offers several simple but powerful features for authors:

• Scheduling: Set posts to go out at specific times so you can batch content.
• Notes: Add short, real-time notes or updates when you post to keep readers in the loop.

Metrics: Substack sends you stats for each post, including:

• Opens
• Clicks
• Subscriber growth
• Replies and engagement

These metrics show you what your audience is actually responding to without turning your whole life into a numbers game.

Why Substack Breaks the Algorithm™

BTA Fridays – Breaking the Algorithm™ is all about getting off the hamster wheel of chasing likes, views, and trends. Substack fits perfectly into that philosophy

On Substack:

• You are not tricking a feed.
• You are not trying to go viral.
• You are not hoping the algorithm chooses you today.

A person decides to subscribe. You deliver content directly to their inbox. That is it.

Each post lives on a public page, so readers can find it a week, a month, or a year later. You are building an archive and a relationship, not a disappearing moment in someone’s scroll.

Free Now, Paid Later: Building Trust Before Monetizing

Right now, my Substack is free. I am building the platform, earning trust, and practicing consistency.

Later, when readers start asking for more, then a paid subscription could make sense. At that point you can:

• Offer templates
• Share early chapters or exclusive stories
• Provide behind-the-scenes process notes
• Host paid-only Q&A or deep dives

By then, your readers already know your voice and value. Substack becomes an asset both for you and for them.

Slow, Organic Growth Is Still Growth

At the time of this episode, I have seven subscribers on Substack. That is seven yeses. Seven people who raised their hands and said they want to hear from me.

Organic growth is slow by design. It does not feel flashy, but it is solid. Those are the people who will:

• Open your launch announcement
• Share your work with a friend
• Show up when you need early readers or reviews

Substack is not about chasing everyone. It is about serving the right ones.

Should Indie Authors Try Substack?

If you are an indie author who is:

• Tired of screaming into the void
• Exhausted by chasing trends and viral sounds
• Looking for a sustainable way to reach readers

Substack is worth your time.

It gives you:

• Direct access to readers who care
• Ownership of your email list
• A public home for your posts
• A way to repurpose content you are already making

That is how Substack helps you break the algorithm and build something better in its place.

Work With Me, Learn With Me, Read With Me

If you are an indie author, poet, or creative in this space and you want to share this platform with me, I would love to have your voice on The Author’s Mic™.

Be a guest on The Author’s Mic™:

https://brightheadedpublishing.com (click the “Be a Guest on Author’s Mic” tab) 

If you are writing a book and feeling stuck, grab my free 44-page guide:

“So You Wanna Write a Book – A Real-Talk Guide to Getting It Done Without Losing Your Mind” 

https://brightheadedpublishing.com 

If you are looking for a different way to market your book, pitch our book club, the Indie Reader Society. We only read indie authors. You can also join as a reader if you want a community that actually supports indie books. All the details are on my website:

https://brightheadedpublishing.com 

And if you want to support me as an author, my books “You Sound White” and “Weight For It” are available wherever good books are sold. If you buy them directly from me through my site, I will sign them, include some goodies, and ship them at no extra charge.

If you are tired of chasing views and ready to build something real, join me on BTA Fridays – Breaking the Algorithm™. Let’s build a community of indie authors who own their platforms, their stories, and their strategy.

Watch this BTA Fridays – Breaking the Algorithm™ episode on Substack here:

https://youtu.be/0YlJ9Q3oz9E 

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