Hi there, reader.
Today’s post is to be a checked box on my list of must-dos.
Now, if you’ll kindly stick with me, I’m going to take a big swing.
Welcome back to Stock Fiction, the short fiction, nonfiction, poetry, humor, and multimedia publication inspired by stock photography.
With a full year of publishing on Substack in my rear-view mirror, I thought it might be time to think about what to do with all those stories. All that heart-wrenching fiction and poetry, all those essays filled with wit and wisdom, all those sly bits of irreverent humor and snarky satire.
All that hard work. All those WORDS.
A number of readers have suggested I put them together in a collection. One I could either self-publish or try to pitch to traditional gate keepers. And I’m confident those readers, and many of you, wouldn’t hesitate to pick up a copy of such a collection if it ever came into being. Just as many of you would likely pick up a copy of my novel, should the stars align on that front. Because that is how we show writers we appreciate them. We buy their books! Then we read them and shelve them, or we just skip right to shelving them with the intention of reading them, but either way, we’ve sent that writer a message. We support their creative endeavors, and we have their back.
When I was putting my anniversary post together, I was overwhelmed by the amount of content I had to sift through. The number of stories I’d written and the growing number of people who were showing up to read them. Looking at the whole shebang, it felt like I’d published not just 65 individual stories, but a complete collection.
An anthology.
Not a static anthology that is destined to be shelved (with good intentions), but a dynamic one. One that has grown and will continue to grow in the coming weeks, months, and years.
I realized; Stock Fiction is already a published collection of stories. A big one. And it’s only going to get bigger.
So, while I could spend the next year re-formatting my stories into a book, begging for reviews and fighting for algorithmic attention on Amazon, or chasing down literary agents in a brutally competitive, uphill race, I’d much rather spend that time writing new stories. Stretching myself and trying new things. Building my anthology—and my audience—right here.
Here’s the part where I ask you to show your support through the purchase of something real. Which I can offer you. Right here. Right now.
This dynamic anthology—over 65 pieces of short fiction, poetry, essays, humor and more—can be yours for the one-time price of $60.
That’s less than $1 per story!
When I write another 65 stories in year two, your value as a paid subscriber doubles. In year three, it triples!
This is not a recurring payment!
An Annual (or Founding Member) subscription to Stock Fiction will automatically be upgraded to a Forever subscription. The ever-expanding collection of stories here will be yours for as long as you choose to subscribe to it.
As readers on Substack, you are likely seeing more and more writers pitch paid subscriptions. It can be awkward and uncomfortable, and it can even trigger certain readers to unsubscribe.
I must tell you; it took A LOT of guts for me make this—my first ever—pitch to you today. After one full year publishing on Substack and one full year holed up in my basement writing novels, I’ve reached the stage of my professional journey where I’m ready to value my creative work and ask others to value it, too.
If I’ve succeeded in selling you on Stock Fiction Forever: The Complete Works - In Progress, you can click on the upgrade button below to make your one-time purchase. You’ll also see what your purchase will bring in terms of perks and bonus material.
If any free subscribers are still hanging on – please know you will continue to receive two pieces of stock photo-inspired fiction (or something like it) every month. I am very grateful for your support and engagement.
Lastly, if any of you are students, seniors, or fellow artists who would love the opportunity to engage with my work behind the paywall but are not able to foot the bill at this time, no worries. Just hit reply or send me an email, and I’ll fashion you a set of keys to the vault. stockfiction@substack.com
The hard part’s over. Thanks for allowing me the space to take a big swing and follow through on something I’ve been meaning to do for a while.
Now… on with the show!
Yours in fiction – forever.
Before I go, a very special thank you to M. Lousia Locke for becoming a paid subscriber last week. If you’re curious what a successful self-publishing career looks like, I highly suggest you visit Lousia at
and point your cursor to the Author’s Corner section. There you’ll find a crash course in taking the bull by the horns and forging your own creative destiny.And ICYMI…
Great decision, Meg! Your work is valuable, which is why I paid for it. I hope many others choose to do so as well.
"So, while I could spend the next year re-formatting my stories into a book, begging for reviews and fighting for algorithmic attention on Amazon, or chasing down literary agents in a brutally competitive, uphill race, I’d much rather spend that time writing new stories. " This is exactly the way I feel, Meg. Exactly. I also know how painful it is to drum up paid subscribers. You did a fine job of this pitch. I am sold. Women writers have to help women writers.