I have been writing a food blog (Italian food mainly) since 2010 - and I never presumed to be paid for it. I give Italian cooking classes and the blog was one way of 'proving' to prospective clients that I did indeed know how to cook. An advisor told me that my blog is 'an expensive hobby' and she's probably right, I have been giving free recipes for 15 years. But it was my choice, my pleasure, no one put a gun to my head and I've made a few friends through like-minded people and enjoy being part of an online community. When the whole idea of Substack came to my attention, I had the opposite reaction to you. I thought it was actually a bit 'sad' that blogs now needed to be paid for ... that's the reason I have been hesitating to join Substack even though I would certainly welcome any income via paid subscribers. Maybe it's because I am subscribed to so very many blogs - I certainly would not be able to afford to subscribe to all of them. All this to say, however, that your post that I just read was quite the eye-opener and I can see why you would feel resentful. I suppose that it has been a good idea that Substack writers now request to be paid for their writing - it is certainly more honest. I wish you all the good luck in the world! (PS my blog is: frascaticookingthatsamore.wordpress.com in case you might be interested.)
It’s always interesting to hear how others have approached this work over the years.
At the same time, I think it’s important to acknowledge that we all come to this work from different contexts. For some of us, what started as a passion project has also become a form of labor—creative, emotional, and intellectual—that intersects with how we make a living, an income. Wanting to be paid for that work doesn’t come from resentment; it often comes from necessity, or simply from valuing the time and care we put into it.
And if someone is in a position to offer their work for free, that’s wonderful—but it’s also a privilege not everyone has.
Your comment reminded me how different the online space looked in 2009, vs now. There was less noise, fewer algorithms, and a different pace of interaction. I find that platforms like Substack offer a way to create more sustainable models for those of us who want to keep writing without burning out.
Agree with all you said and I wish to apologise for not making myself clear enough over the use of the word 'resentment'. I believe you have every right to be upset over people not wanting to pay you for your work, and that goes for all contexts.
You are touching on so many real experiences that I cannot begin to understand. Especially when you are an Othered creative and a feminine creator, I think that you have to assert your knowledge and your space so clearly and it is awful and sounds exhausting. You should be proud to have paid sponsorships and collaborations and be paid to sharing your knowledge. Keep being clear about what you know (a lot) and what you are sharing here (a lot). Thank you for sharing what you know and for advocating for yourself - we need to normalize appreciating m the skills and hours and labor that goes into being able to teach, mentor, guide, etc., esp in “feminized” spaces like cooking and baking (although it only feels feminine when you’re not being recognized or paid - no big bad boy chef would have this BS pushback).
I have been writing a food blog (Italian food mainly) since 2010 - and I never presumed to be paid for it. I give Italian cooking classes and the blog was one way of 'proving' to prospective clients that I did indeed know how to cook. An advisor told me that my blog is 'an expensive hobby' and she's probably right, I have been giving free recipes for 15 years. But it was my choice, my pleasure, no one put a gun to my head and I've made a few friends through like-minded people and enjoy being part of an online community. When the whole idea of Substack came to my attention, I had the opposite reaction to you. I thought it was actually a bit 'sad' that blogs now needed to be paid for ... that's the reason I have been hesitating to join Substack even though I would certainly welcome any income via paid subscribers. Maybe it's because I am subscribed to so very many blogs - I certainly would not be able to afford to subscribe to all of them. All this to say, however, that your post that I just read was quite the eye-opener and I can see why you would feel resentful. I suppose that it has been a good idea that Substack writers now request to be paid for their writing - it is certainly more honest. I wish you all the good luck in the world! (PS my blog is: frascaticookingthatsamore.wordpress.com in case you might be interested.)
It’s always interesting to hear how others have approached this work over the years.
At the same time, I think it’s important to acknowledge that we all come to this work from different contexts. For some of us, what started as a passion project has also become a form of labor—creative, emotional, and intellectual—that intersects with how we make a living, an income. Wanting to be paid for that work doesn’t come from resentment; it often comes from necessity, or simply from valuing the time and care we put into it.
And if someone is in a position to offer their work for free, that’s wonderful—but it’s also a privilege not everyone has.
Your comment reminded me how different the online space looked in 2009, vs now. There was less noise, fewer algorithms, and a different pace of interaction. I find that platforms like Substack offer a way to create more sustainable models for those of us who want to keep writing without burning out.
Wishing you well—and thank you again for reading.
Agree with all you said and I wish to apologise for not making myself clear enough over the use of the word 'resentment'. I believe you have every right to be upset over people not wanting to pay you for your work, and that goes for all contexts.
You are touching on so many real experiences that I cannot begin to understand. Especially when you are an Othered creative and a feminine creator, I think that you have to assert your knowledge and your space so clearly and it is awful and sounds exhausting. You should be proud to have paid sponsorships and collaborations and be paid to sharing your knowledge. Keep being clear about what you know (a lot) and what you are sharing here (a lot). Thank you for sharing what you know and for advocating for yourself - we need to normalize appreciating m the skills and hours and labor that goes into being able to teach, mentor, guide, etc., esp in “feminized” spaces like cooking and baking (although it only feels feminine when you’re not being recognized or paid - no big bad boy chef would have this BS pushback).