This course will help writers, journalists, creators and professionals develop a distinctive voice and build a sustainable newsletter on Substack. Learn how to write engaging posts, grow an audience and develop a clear editorial identity while understanding the practical tools the platform offers.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Through practical exercises and examples from successful newsletters, the course will explore how to write compelling Substack posts that readers want to open, read and share. You will learn how to shape ideas for newsletter formats, balance personal voice with clear structure, and think about audience growth and engagement.
What will we cover?
Writing for the newsletter format
Finding your voice and defining your niche
Structuring posts for readability and engagement
Writing subject lines and openings that hook readers
Building a relationship with your audience.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Identify the key features of effective newsletter writing
Develop a clear voice and editorial focus for a Substack publication
Structure newsletter posts for clarity, flow and reader engagement
Write compelling openings and subject lines
Plan and produce regular newsletter content.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This class is suitable for anyone interested in writing a newsletter, including journalists, bloggers, creative writers, professionals and subject-matter experts who want to share their ideas with an audience. No specialist knowledge is required, but you should be comfortable writing in English.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The class will include discussion of example newsletters, short lectures on technique and practical writing exercises.
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs. Please bring writing materials. If you wish, you may also bring a laptop or tablet to draft and edit your work.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offers a range of business and professional writing courses, including Writing for business and Copywriting.
All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Bluesky.
Deborah Martin has been a content writer and communications specialist for 15 years. She has written for global brands, national publications and marketing agencies across the world. She is also a qualified further education lecturer and has an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck College, University of London. Her short stories, poetry and essays have been featured in various collections. She was a finalist in both the Fish Short Memoir Prize 2018 and Poetry Rivals 2016.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/writing-for-substack3037138Writing for Substackhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Creative-writing-a-taster-HW687-1024.jpg8989GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Writing/Creative non-fiction/Creative non-fiction/Courses/Writing/Courses/Writing/Creative non-fiction/Courses/New courses2285159313581135931743122851358113593<p>This course will help writers, journalists, creators and professionals develop a distinctive voice and build a sustainable newsletter on Substack. Learn how to write engaging posts, grow an audience and develop a clear editorial identity while understanding the practical tools the platform offers.</p>003037123Writing for Substack8989https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Creative-writing-a-taster-HW687-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2027-02-13T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allFeb 2027WritingHW7248989Writing for Substack895889Deborah Martinwriting-for-substack/hw724-2627<p>This course will help writers, journalists, creators and professionals develop a distinctive voice and build a sustainable newsletter on Substack. Learn how to write engaging posts, grow an audience and develop a clear editorial identity while understanding the practical tools the platform offers.</p>0000-Available|2027-02-13 00:00:00<p>Through practical exercises and examples from successful newsletters, the course will explore how to write compelling Substack posts that readers want to open, read and share. You will learn how to shape ideas for newsletter formats, balance personal voice with clear structure, and think about audience growth and engagement.<br></p><p>This course will help writers, journalists, creators and professionals develop a distinctive voice and build a sustainable newsletter on Substack. Learn how to write engaging posts, grow an audience and develop a clear editorial identity while understanding the practical tools the platform offers.</p><ul><li>Writing for the newsletter format</li><li>Finding your voice and defining your niche</li><li>Structuring posts for readability and engagement</li><li>Writing subject lines and openings that hook readers</li><li>Building a relationship with your audience.<br></li></ul><ul><li>Identify the key features of effective newsletter writing</li><li>Develop a clear voice and editorial focus for a Substack publication</li><li>Structure newsletter posts for clarity, flow and reader engagement</li><li>Write compelling openings and subject lines</li><li>Plan and produce regular newsletter content.<br></li></ul><p>This class is suitable for anyone interested in writing a newsletter, including journalists, bloggers, creative writers, professionals and subject-matter experts who want to share their ideas with an audience. No specialist knowledge is required, but you should be comfortable writing in English.<br></p><p>The class will include discussion of example newsletters, short lectures on technique and practical writing exercises.<br></p> <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.<p>There are no additional costs. Please bring writing materials. If you wish, you may also bring a laptop or tablet to draft and edit your work.<br></p><p>City Lit offers a range of business and professional writing courses, including Writing for business and Copywriting.</p><p>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/citylitwriting.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bluesky</a>.</p>Creative non-fictionCreative non-fictionvirtual898958HW724NONESat13/02/2710:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetDeborah MartinBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-02-13T00:00:00+00:00Feb 2027Writing8989Writing for Substackwriting-for-substack/hw724-2627<p>This course will help writers, journalists, creators and professionals develop a distinctive voice and build a sustainable newsletter on Substack. Learn how to write engaging posts, grow an audience and develop a clear editorial identity while understanding the practical tools the platform offers.</p>0000-Available|2027-02-13 00:00:00<p>Through practical exercises and examples from successful newsletters, the course will explore how to write compelling Substack posts that readers want to open, read and share. You will learn how to shape ideas for newsletter formats, balance personal voice with clear structure, and think about audience growth and engagement.<br></p><p>This course will help writers, journalists, creators and professionals develop a distinctive voice and build a sustainable newsletter on Substack. Learn how to write engaging posts, grow an audience and develop a clear editorial identity while understanding the practical tools the platform offers.</p><ul><li>Writing for the newsletter format</li><li>Finding your voice and defining your niche</li><li>Structuring posts for readability and engagement</li><li>Writing subject lines and openings that hook readers</li><li>Building a relationship with your audience.<br></li></ul><ul><li>Identify the key features of effective newsletter writing</li><li>Develop a clear voice and editorial focus for a Substack publication</li><li>Structure newsletter posts for clarity, flow and reader engagement</li><li>Write compelling openings and subject lines</li><li>Plan and produce regular newsletter content.<br></li></ul><p>This class is suitable for anyone interested in writing a newsletter, including journalists, bloggers, creative writers, professionals and subject-matter experts who want to share their ideas with an audience. No specialist knowledge is required, but you should be comfortable writing in English.<br></p><p>The class will include discussion of example newsletters, short lectures on technique and practical writing exercises.<br></p> <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.<p>There are no additional costs. Please bring writing materials. If you wish, you may also bring a laptop or tablet to draft and edit your work.<br></p><p>City Lit offers a range of business and professional writing courses, including Writing for business and Copywriting.</p><p>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/citylitwriting.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bluesky</a>.</p>Creative non-fictionCreative non-fictionconfigurable
