With over a decade of bestselling books, a fiercely loyal readership, and a brand that shines as brightly as her stories, Rachael Johns knows how to connect—and keep readers coming back for more.
“Rachael Johns” is definitely the brand! When I think of that name I think of happiness, colour and generosity. Rachael exudes personality and friendship. People feel safe around her because she so welcoming, kind and inclusive. And she has so much emotional intelligence and humbleness! It’s like she has no ego even when she’s talking about herself. And she’s so open to learning and listening and never makes a person feel dumb for saying something dumb! 😝 That’s so rare to see and feel. I love that about her. Like she’s a friend. I have never (ever) worn a teeshirt or hoodie with a person’s name on it (even rock stars!) and yet, here I am now with three years of teeshirts and Hoodies with Rachael Johns blazoned across them! And I wear them out, proudly because I’d recommend her to anyone! Can’t wait to read the cosy crime fiction when it comes out! And I absolutely - I think a Rachael Johns “pink horror” would be awesome!!!! Please do it, Rach! 💓💞💖💗💕🌸🌷🙏ps I’m a reader and I love reading all things writerly!! 🌷🌻📖📚📓📒
Aw you say the LOVELIEST things Jenny!! I consider you a friend and have been so glad to see you at events and the retreat over the last few years. Will have to put my thinking cap on re that "pink horror".
Regarding paid and unpaid subscriptions on Substack. I absolutely think this is valid because artists including writers should be paid for their work. This also occurs on You Tube too where artists have paid patreon areas on different tiers - which I also wholeheartedly agree with. Of course there should be paid content. What I don’t agree is when authors or artists advertise on paid Substack or Patreon. There is a way if talking about your books without advertising. It’s subtle but a reader or listener knows when they are being targeted. I also think paid subscriptions should be wholly different and 100% “in addition” to what members receive in the unpaid subscriptions. I’ve noticed that some authors who have: paid tiered subscriptions and who also have few paid subscribers, are pulling content from their paid area and putting it in the free section because they have more members there. This devalues the experience for the paid subscriber and you feel robbed. It feels quite immoral too because you feel that you are paying for what others are receiving for free, if you know what I mean. And it’s not even about the money that you pay because it’s quite minimal, say $50 for the year. The author probably thinks they’re working for nothing if they only have a few subscribers but they will certainly not grow their paid readership if they devalue to first paid subscribers. That’s how I feel anyway. When I think of the generosity of Elizabeth Gilbert and her regular newsletters, I think that’s WHY she has a readership - because she is generous. Readers can feel “tight” authors and they are then less inclined to buy their books and rather get them from the library. I know if I feel authors are kind and have a generous nature I will support them by buying all the books even if I don’t want to read them right away. Hope this makes sense. When I heard you say you pare of the ill that you wouldn’t charge for your Substack I thought, yes, that’s because you compassionate and you understand the mind of a reader because you have - it’s more than empathy - you have that but you just get marketing naturally I believe.
Great chat especially given the direction I'm heading. And "gendered pressure." Yes! I often talk to fellow authors about this. There is not the pressure on male writers to do good social media.
“Rachael Johns” is definitely the brand! When I think of that name I think of happiness, colour and generosity. Rachael exudes personality and friendship. People feel safe around her because she so welcoming, kind and inclusive. And she has so much emotional intelligence and humbleness! It’s like she has no ego even when she’s talking about herself. And she’s so open to learning and listening and never makes a person feel dumb for saying something dumb! 😝 That’s so rare to see and feel. I love that about her. Like she’s a friend. I have never (ever) worn a teeshirt or hoodie with a person’s name on it (even rock stars!) and yet, here I am now with three years of teeshirts and Hoodies with Rachael Johns blazoned across them! And I wear them out, proudly because I’d recommend her to anyone! Can’t wait to read the cosy crime fiction when it comes out! And I absolutely - I think a Rachael Johns “pink horror” would be awesome!!!! Please do it, Rach! 💓💞💖💗💕🌸🌷🙏ps I’m a reader and I love reading all things writerly!! 🌷🌻📖📚📓📒
Aw you say the LOVELIEST things Jenny!! I consider you a friend and have been so glad to see you at events and the retreat over the last few years. Will have to put my thinking cap on re that "pink horror".
Regarding paid and unpaid subscriptions on Substack. I absolutely think this is valid because artists including writers should be paid for their work. This also occurs on You Tube too where artists have paid patreon areas on different tiers - which I also wholeheartedly agree with. Of course there should be paid content. What I don’t agree is when authors or artists advertise on paid Substack or Patreon. There is a way if talking about your books without advertising. It’s subtle but a reader or listener knows when they are being targeted. I also think paid subscriptions should be wholly different and 100% “in addition” to what members receive in the unpaid subscriptions. I’ve noticed that some authors who have: paid tiered subscriptions and who also have few paid subscribers, are pulling content from their paid area and putting it in the free section because they have more members there. This devalues the experience for the paid subscriber and you feel robbed. It feels quite immoral too because you feel that you are paying for what others are receiving for free, if you know what I mean. And it’s not even about the money that you pay because it’s quite minimal, say $50 for the year. The author probably thinks they’re working for nothing if they only have a few subscribers but they will certainly not grow their paid readership if they devalue to first paid subscribers. That’s how I feel anyway. When I think of the generosity of Elizabeth Gilbert and her regular newsletters, I think that’s WHY she has a readership - because she is generous. Readers can feel “tight” authors and they are then less inclined to buy their books and rather get them from the library. I know if I feel authors are kind and have a generous nature I will support them by buying all the books even if I don’t want to read them right away. Hope this makes sense. When I heard you say you pare of the ill that you wouldn’t charge for your Substack I thought, yes, that’s because you compassionate and you understand the mind of a reader because you have - it’s more than empathy - you have that but you just get marketing naturally I believe.
Great chat especially given the direction I'm heading. And "gendered pressure." Yes! I often talk to fellow authors about this. There is not the pressure on male writers to do good social media.
Got a glass of port and a chocolate and am watching this as my reward for getting my words done today x
Enjoy - and well done on the words! x
It was great!!! Thanks for all the insights 💖
Aww thanks for tuning in!!