📣 Your First 10 Supporters Are Everything
And no, this isn’t a humblebrag. This is a love letter.
There’s a peculiar kind of vulnerability that sets in when you press 'publish' and wait.
Will anyone read it?
Will anyone care?
Or worse—will they read it and still walk away?
When I started this Substack, I expected it to feel quiet. Maybe even lonely.
What I didn’t expect? Strangers turning into friends. People sending me book quotes they knew I’d love. Thoughtful replies. Chaotic, hilarious comment threads about fictional men, tragic arcs, and plot twists we all pretend we didn’t see coming.
I didn’t expect to feel seen.
But I do.
And to the six paid subscribers who didn’t wait for the official “launch,” the polished version, or some mythical final draft—you didn’t need convincing.
You just believed.
And that? That’s rare. And priceless.
🖋 Why the First 10 Matter
I know the advice.
“Don’t worry about the numbers.”
“Focus on the work.”
“Trust the process.”
And I do. I really do.
But also? Let’s be real—when you’re building something from zero, those first ten subscribers feel like lifelines. Not because they inflate your ego, but because they whisper, You’re not alone. Someone sees what you’re trying to do—and they care.
These early connections aren’t just numbers. They’re the DNA of what this space becomes.
They shape the tone. The intimacy. The direction.
They’re the ones who get to say, I was here before it had a name. Before it had momentum. Before it knew what it was becoming.
I’ve had days when I felt tapped out. Tired. Drained from the day job, or creatively stuck, or sitting under the weight of too many open tabs and half-finished thoughts.
And then I’d get a message. A comment. A simple line under a post that nearly didn’t go live.
Not criticism. Not pressure.
Just a kind note saying, this hit home.
And suddenly, the scales would tip.
Because that’s the thing—we don’t always need fanfare. Sometimes we just need one person to say, Keep going.
Not because it’s perfect. But because it’s real. And worth it.
💌 What I’m Thinking (And How You Can Shape It)
I want to thank you. For showing up early. For believing in something still under construction. For investing before the foundation was finished.
And I want to make this space better—more connected, more intimate, more ours.
So here’s what I’ve been considering:
Early access to my WIP chapters
A spot on the beta reader list
A digital (or physical) ARC once the book is ready
A handwritten note? A behind-the-scenes peek into the chaos? A playlist of vibes, angst, and soundtrack-worthy drama?
But I don’t want to just throw random perks at you like a panicked game show host.
I want to know what you would actually enjoy.
So tell me—what would make you feel more connected here? What tiny bonuses or chaotic writer energy would bring you joy?
Drop it in the comments or reply to the email.
I read every message. Always.
💡 For Anyone Still Building
If you’re a writer, artist, or creative of any kind—and you’re still stuck at three subscribers, wondering if it’s worth the time and vulnerability—let me say this:
It is.
Because when even one person says, I see you, you’ve already created something that matters.
This isn’t about polish or perfection or shiny highlight reels.
It’s about building something honest. Messy. True.
It’s about saying, I made this, and letting people come along for the ride—even if the wheels are still a little wobbly.
And the people who show up at the beginning? They’re everything.
They’re the spark before the fire.
The belief before the proof.
And you, if you're here reading this, you were here when it was all still smoke and sparks and intention.
That’s something I’ll never forget.
🛠 What’s Coming Next
I’m so excited to share what’s coming down the pipeline:
A behind-the-scenes post on creating the book covers for my whole series (yes, with an actual designer and my chaotic creative notes)
A short sci-fi story based on a much bigger concept that I may or may not expand after I’m done with the Hidden Truths series
More Research Files for the spicy fiends, and romance-obsessed readers
This is just the beginning.
And I’m so glad you’re here for it.
🔥 Want to help this grow?
Share this post, or any post that made you feel something. Send it to a friend, a fellow creative, or that one person in your group chat who always complains about the algorithm but secretly lives for new blogs.
Tell them we’re not quite the dark side—
More like a chaotic writers’ coven with decent lighting, questionable snacks, and firm opinions.
Your shares, comments, and recommendations are the magic dust that keeps this whole thing from sinking into the void.
More stories are coming. More behind-the-scenes chaos. More character deep dives and emotional trainwrecks disguised as plot outlines.
And you?
You were here when it was just sparks. 🔥
—Nicky
(Still building. Still writing. Still wildly grateful.)