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Publisher, Know Thyself
A quarter-long invitation to stop solving the wrong problem — and start publishing from your real operating system
Jan 10
•
Amanda N. Bray
12
3
58:16
When the Dams Open: Creativity, Containment and the Permission to Be Messy
Jeff Warren joins Cave of the Heart
Nov 26, 2025
•
Amanda N. Bray
and
Jeff Warren
34
2
1
Substack’s Algorithm Just Changed — And You’re Probably Already Ahead of It
Substack’s new model confirms the future of publishing belongs to creative momentum and reader trust
Nov 11, 2025
•
Amanda N. Bray
127
27
22
Platform Privilege and the Question Everyone's Asking Me After They See Their Substack Data
Plus 4 questions to ask if you're thinking about jumping platforms ...
Nov 8, 2025
•
Amanda N. Bray
203
45
29
The Real Engagement Questions We're Asking on Substack Right Now
Navigating life shifts, dropping engagement, resistance and the search for real community
Jan 15
•
Amanda N. Bray
14
3
Most Popular
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The RESULTS are in!
Jul 8, 2024
•
Amanda N. Bray
244
106
57
A Timeline of Growth: Luck Needs a Place to Land
Aug 17, 2023
•
Amanda N. Bray
141
56
33
Substack’s Algorithm Just Changed — And You’re Probably Already Ahead of It
Nov 11, 2025
•
Amanda N. Bray
127
27
22
What to Say in Your First Email That Makes New Readers Stay
Aug 5, 2024
•
Amanda N. Bray
108
37
22
Welcome to my bestselling newsletter on Substack. I grew from 12 to 4,000+ subscribers. Every week I'm sharing how to apply publishing best practices to your creative inspiration — not force your idea into someone else's formula.
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Publishing Foundations
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📖 The Full Spectrum Publishing Audit is now available (free for annual subscribers)
An integrated diagnostic for Substack publishers examining creative systems, reader relationships and data
Dec 26, 2025
•
Amanda N. Bray
16
3
Start Here: Publishing Foundations + Ongoing Guidance
Substack as a living laboratory for publishing decisions
Dec 23, 2025
•
Amanda N. Bray
12
1
48:58
Using Your Substack Archive To Nurture Readers
Watch now | Workshop replay with Laura Robinson and Amanda B. Hinton
Dec 19, 2025
•
Amanda N. Bray
and
Laura Robinson
9
39:44
5 Principles of Inviting New Readers Into Your Substack Publication
A 40-minute workshop with Laura Robinson that explores what to say in your first emails, how to mention paid offerings and when to show your back…
Nov 20, 2025
•
Amanda N. Bray
and
Laura Robinson
17
1
Publishing Mentorship
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1:03:36
January Publication Check-In: Replay
We gathered for our first check-in of 2026, and it was one of those conversations where everyone just...
Jan 13
•
Amanda N. Bray
4
4
3 prompts to help you learn about your readers
(and sharpen your sense of what readers take away from your publication)
Jan 6
•
Amanda N. Bray
12
1
How to rebuild momentum and structure a publishing rhythm that actually works
Replay: Live Publication Check-In + 15-minute free preview
Dec 12, 2025
•
Amanda N. Bray
10
1
1:02:25
Welcome to the Publishing Mentorship
Join our Voxer Channel | The next Live Publication Check-In for founding subscribers is 11 a.m. CT on Jan. 12 [See links inside]
Dec 1, 2025
•
Amanda N. Bray
13
5
1
Substack Strategy Series
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Publisher, Know Thyself
A quarter-long invitation to stop solving the wrong problem — and start publishing from your real operating system
Jan 10
•
Amanda N. Bray
12
3
The cost of not knowing if your Substack publication is working
Why uncertainty steals creative energy — and what to do about it
Dec 10, 2025
•
Amanda N. Bray
15
1
What a Real Substack Audit Suggests About 2026
Platform intelligence from a former Facebook strategist — and what it means for your publishing decisions
Dec 7, 2025
•
Amanda N. Bray
55
5
6
50:59
What a Substack Data Scan Can Tell You About Your Readers
From newsrooms to newsletters — we explore a lot, including what it looks like to be writing for and understanding your audience without an editor in…
Nov 21, 2025
•
Amanda N. Bray
and
Mikala Jamison
19
1
2
In Conversation
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58:16
When the Dams Open: Creativity, Containment and the Permission to Be Messy
Jeff Warren joins Cave of the Heart
Nov 26, 2025
•
Amanda N. Bray
and
Jeff Warren
34
2
1
1:02:52
Are Substack's metrics sending you down a rabbit hole?
Help me edit an Analytics Serenity Prayer...
Aug 15, 2025
•
Amanda N. Bray
and
Michael Estrin
16
1
1:15:10
The Real Story Behind Publishing a Book While Running a Newsletter
What to ask your editor before signing a book deal, how to let neurodiversity support your creative process and 8 more insights from a 6-year publishing…
Aug 11, 2025
•
Amanda N. Bray
and
River Selby (they/them)
19
15
1
Alice Kuipers on Writing, Reflection and Finding Creative Flow
An interview with award-winning author and Substack publisher
May 9, 2025
•
Amanda N. Bray
21
9
4
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