Creating A vibrant Writing Community With Jessica Smock

What does it take to build a writing community with over 6,000 subscribers and that coveted verified checkmark on Substack? I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Jessica Smock, co-editor of Mid Story Magazine and co-founder of the Her Stories Project, to find out exactly how she and her partner built their thriving community for midlife women writers.The Power of Long-Term Community BuildingJessica's success didn't happen overnight. She and her co-editor Steph Sprenger have been building their writing community since 2012, long before Substack existed. What started as two "mommy bloggers" reading the same book about female friendship evolved into a multi-platform business that now serves hundreds of midlife women writers.The key takeaway? Community building is a marathon, not a sprint. When they moved to Substack, they already had an established email list and network of writers to bring with them.Finding Your Niche and Sticking to ItMid Story Magazine has a laser-focused mission: supporting midlife women's stories. This specificity has been crucial to their success. As Jessica explained, "We have a very small niche, and Substack is really good for niches. It's so much more of a direct way to find a readership."Their clear value proposition—"a publication for and by midlife women"—gave people something concrete to support, even before they offered specific perks to paid subscribers.Multiple Revenue StreamsWhat impressed me most was how Jessica and Stephanie have diversified their income:* Paid workshops and classes (their main income source)* Membership community ($39/month on the Circle platform)* Published anthologies (five so far!)* Writing coaching* Paid submissions (they always pay their writers)They use a combination of platforms: Kajabi for courses, Circle for community (after finding Kajabi's community features too glitchy), and Substack for content and discovery.The Pain Points They SolveThrough surveys and constant communication with their audience, Jessica identified the #1 struggle for their community: finding time to write consistently. This insight shapes everything they offer, from co-working sessions to accountability groups.Understanding your audience's real pain points, not what you think they need, is crucial for building something people actually want to pay for.📘 New Release: Karma Unleashed: After five years in the making, my second novel Karma Unleashed is finally here. A supernatural thriller set between the Middle East and the American suburbs, Karma Unleashed explores immigration, identity, and mystical visions that won't be ignored.Grab your copy here.Marketing That WorksJessica shared some fascinating insights about what's driven their growth:* Anthology submissions brought in the most long-term growth* Contributor marketing (writers sharing their published pieces)* Substack discovery is now their main source of new subscribers* Clear mission that people wanted to supportThe Substack AdvantageWhat struck me was how much Jessica loves Substack for community building. "It helps us find our people so much better," she said. Before Substack, they relied heavily on Facebook for discovery, but Substack's algorithm seems particularly good at connecting niche communities with their ideal readers.Practical Takeaways for Your Own Community* Start before you're ready - Jessica and Stephanie began with a simple idea about female friendship stories* Be specific about who you serve - "Midlife women writers" is much more powerful than "writers"* Always pay your contributors - This builds loyalty and quality* Survey your audience regularly - Let their pain points guide your offerings* Consider partnerships - Having a co-founder helped them balance different strengths* Diversify your platforms - Don't put all your eggs in one basketA Personal NoteOne thing that really resonated with me was Jessica's authenticity about the challenges. Building a community isn't always glamorous; it requires consistent effort, genuine care for your audience, and sometimes stepping back during busy seasons (like summer schedules and travel).But the rewards are clear: a sustainable business built around supporting other writers, meaningful connections, and the satisfaction of seeing your community members succeed.📘 New Release: Karma Unleashed: After five years in the making, my second novel Karma Unleashed is finally here. A supernatural thriller set between the Middle East and the American suburbs, Karma Unleashed explores immigration, identity, and mystical visions that won't be ignored.Grab your copy here.Read and Write with Natasha is a reader-supported publication. If you enjoy my work and want to support it, consider becoming a paid subscriber. As a thank-you, you’ll get access to two of my self-led courses—valued at over $300 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit natashatynes.substack.com/subscribe