The Online Writing Club
Online Writing Club Podcast
How To Get Paid To Be Yourself | with Jessica Smock and Steph Sprenger
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How To Get Paid To Be Yourself | with Jessica Smock and Steph Sprenger

Earn $75+ per story

Have you ever wondered if your personal story is worth something?

Not just to your friends or your journal… but to actual readers—and yes, even publishers who will pay you for your words?

Today, I want to introduce you to two incredible women who are doing just that—and helping hundreds of others do it too.

Meet

and in today’s podcast episode.

Photo credit: Jess and Steph

They’re authors…

…and the co-creators of Midstory and Midstack, two powerful Substack publications focused on midlife stories. And they believe—wholeheartedly—that your voice matters.

Whether you're in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond, your life is filled with stories that connect, inspire, and even heal.

The messy middle of life isn’t just something to survive… It’s something to write about.

👉🏻Want to write and connect with others doing the same? Come join the Online Writing Club and 14,000+ other writers, creators, and artists (in midlife) turning stories into paid and published work.👇🏻There’s also a list with publications that pay and our masterclass with copywriter Elna Cain!

Why Personal Essays Matter

We live in a noisy world obsessed with hot takes and quick tips. The connections often feel empty.

But as Jess and Steph shared in today’s interview, personal essays cut through the noise.

They make readers pause.

Nod along.

Laugh.

Sometimes cry.

The mompreneurs Jess and Steph know that from experience. For over a decade, they’ve been helping women write, publish, and even get paid for their stories.

From blog posts and anthologies to colourful Substack publications, they’ve seen the power of storytelling unfold again and again.

And guess what?

You just have to dare to share your messy stories and make your mess your message.

🎧 Want To Listen To The Show?

Can’t wait to share this incredible interview with you. Enjoy the show, which now has 50,000 downloads! Thank you, guys! 🙏🏻

🎙️If you say, “Kristina, let me listen to the show!”…

…now you have the chance to listen to the interview.

👉 You can listen to the full episode right here:

Let me listen to the interview!

You can also continue reading…

How to Start Writing Personal Essays

Jess and Steph teach how to start writing personal essays and memoirs in today’s podcast episode, but since (as a busy part-time writer) I know you love good checklists, here’s the short version from the interview:

  • Zoom in on a small, real moment. Something that changed you.

  • Be vulnerable. Don’t just tell what happened—share how it felt.

  • Make it universal. Your story is personal, yes, but others will see themselves in it.

  • Show, don’t just tell. Let readers walk through the scene with you.

  • Don’t worry about being perfect. Worry about being honest.

And if you’re still thinking, “But my story isn’t important. There are so many out there,” Steph said it best:

“Everyone else is talking about it. But only you can say it your way.”

That’s what makes your writing valuable.

That’s how you get paid to be you.

What Is Midstory on Substack?

Midstory is a Substack magazine that publishes honest, beautifully written essays from women in the messy middle of life.

photo credit: screenshot Midstory on Substack

Think of a tag cloud of: love, loss, friendship, health, parenting, aging, reinvention, and everything in between.

They accept original essays (750–2,000 words) and pay $75 per accepted story. That’s not bad for writing about your real life, is it?

But it’s not just about money. It’s about a meaningful connection. About being seen and finding your people.

Wait, What’s Midstack on Substack Then?

Midstack is a growing directory of Substack newsletters written by midlife women.

photo credit: Midstack screenshot

It’s a discovery tool, a network, and a warm welcome mat for anyone who's “Substack curious” but feeling a little intimidated. It’s for smallstackers and midstackers with teeny tiny audiences to growing lists.

Over 200 writers are already listed—and it’s growing fast. The goal? To help women find each other, learn the platform, and amplify voices that are too often overlooked.

“Our lives of juggling family, caregiving, and jobs and writing are much like yours. We know what it’s like, as midlife women, to want to carve out space in our lives for just ourselves.”

👉🏻Want to get paid to be yourself? Come join the Online Writing Club and 14,000+ other writers, creators, and artists (in midlife) turning personal essays into paid and published work.👇🏻


🙏🙏Many thanks

and for this wonderful interview and our time together. Sorry it took so long to publish this. Good things take time. 🙏🙏


Where to Start

  • ⭐Want to submit to Midstory? Here’s their submission page.

  • ⭐Curious about Midstack? Join the directory here.

  • ✅ Want to write and connect with others doing the same? Come join the Online Writing Club, where women in midlife and 14,000+ other writers are turning stories into paid and published work. Join here.

  • 💎Inside the Online Writing Club paid membership experience, there are so many other midlife writers and writers 50+. Meet them, join monthly calls and lives.Join here.

Let me join!

Want to Build Your Own Home Base on Substack Right Now?

Are you a new writer? Do you have no clue where to start with Substack or do you feel stuck? When today’s show resonates with you—if you're done being perfect, and ready to build something imperfect but soulful and sustainable—I’d love to invite you to the The Substack Kickstarter Bootcamp, now as on-demand course!

I want to grow my list today!

I offer this Bootcamp to help more new-ish (part-time) writers, creators, artists and dreamers (in the messy middle) like you, starting today, you can get my signature cohort-based course with an early bird discount! Also, you can meet me in the monthly Q&A sessions and also in 1-2-1s!

The Substack Kickstarter Bootcamp helps you to go from zero to newsletter in only 5 days.

Yahoo! I want to grow my list!

No matter your age or writing experience, there’s a place for you.

And here’s our Become a Better Online Writer Challenge while I’m traveling:

Take care and keep writing,

PS Feeling “midlife-ish” but still in your 30s? That’s okay. As Jess says, it’s not about numbers—it’s about the feeling. And if you’re in the messy middle (as I am), you’re welcome to get paid to be yourself.

PPS Any Qs? Hit reply and leave a comment.

PPPS If you loved this interview or think someone needs to read this, please share 🔁 it with your friends, colleagues and family as this means A LOT to me as a part-time mompreneur. Thanks so much! 🔁

Discussion about this episode

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Great 💕📚💕 Sharing this with Bluesky community 👍

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