21 Comments
User's avatar
Kevin Lawrence's avatar

I really like Substack. I can engage with people who's interests are the same or totally new to me. I have a choice.

I feel the same about being here. I want someone to read my shit and say hello, I have no illusions just connections, hopefully. 😁

Notes from the Hill's avatar

this is really a great place mostly. this just happened and everyone will likely move on. this isn't what this place is about. most people just want to write read and make connections without drama! ty for being here Kevin!

Sharyn Couper's avatar

I’m pretty new here, and haven’t seen the dark side yet. Damn! I was feeling safe. 😢

Notes from the Hill's avatar

it's mostly a great place, but occasionally there are clashes. it's usually a very kind group here

Natasha Moni's avatar

Wow, I so appreciate your candor, writing, and your desire to build community. Sorry about your friend's and your own experience. So...what happened with those 80,000 words? Also, you mentioned being in a cult previously, and I know that's super charged, but I am curious if you've written about it.

Notes from the Hill's avatar

ty! I get so happy when people want to read more ☺️! this is the cult piece.. there's another one called creepytown that's semi related too. https://katekara.substack.com/p/backsliding?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=179nz2

im trying to traditionally publish my book so I stopped posting it here, but the first chapter is still here. I'll putthat link next.

Natasha Moni's avatar

Truly dig your work. For the past 5+ years, I've mostly been off social media. It's rough jumping back in and starting from scratch *and* if I hadn't joined Substack, I wouldn't have found your writing.

Totally get it about trad publishing. I'll be here rooting for you!

Notes from the Hill's avatar

Natasha, thank you so much. I totally get this. Coming back to social media feels like walking into a loud room where everyone already knows each other.

But I’m really glad Substack helped us find each other. And thank you for rooting for the trad publishing dream. I am trying to stay delusionally hopeful but also vaguely practical.

Natasha Moni's avatar

Exactly that, and I’m wearing noise cancelling headphones going “what?”

Super glad to connect. There’s so much great advice available on Substack, so I’m sure you’ll be well resourced when you query. While I went through that process eight years ago, I’m certain things have changed. I didn’t gain an agent, but I have a better sense for next time…

Tabitha Joy's avatar

I love what you write, how you share honestly and call for transparency with grace and conviction. Thanks for that. When we don't know what happened or why it happened, our best response, our finest moment is to admit we don't know and refuse to make up stories.

Notes from the Hill's avatar

Beautifully said. Sometimes the most honest response is also the hardest one: admitting we do not know and resisting the urge to fill in the blanks. thanks so much for reading

Ankita's avatar

Oh, this is actually scary. You put in so much work and effort to build up something only to be destroyed by some people with hurt feelings. Probably the only way is to not depend on one single platform.

Sara da Encarnação's avatar

The message said suspended for spam, it was showed I don't remember by whom (darby, Leo and someone else I can't remember had the same exact issue) it happens when someone post in too many chats, but is a fact that most of us post massively on the chats, to spread word or show any new piece. This should have real moderators. not bots.

Notes from the Hill's avatar

yes it's very difficult to reach anyone with the bot situation too. I've been banned like every 3rd time I post, sometimes for hours, once for 2 days. it's like once they flag you your limit is decreased? I was sure his suspension was spam related since that's what happened to me. ty Sara.

Sara da Encarnação's avatar

Was yes. Which is absurd. Many of us spam the chats to post latest writings. If others don’t want people to do that, is as simple as turning the chat for paid subs. That stops more than half of the spam. But reporting some for doing what everyone does, I don’t find fair.

Diane's avatar

Wow very well written and to the point! I agree there just is no room for ugliness on any platform for that matter thats why there is a scroll. If you don’t like what you’ve read then keep scrolling and find what you like. There are plenty of genre to choose from, but yet here we are! The keyboard warriors🙄grow up its 2026 no place for cruelty. I like this thanks for looking out. Oh one last thing, its crazy that you would have to write about it when cleary it common sense do better the end 🫶🏼

Notes from the Hill's avatar

thank you Diane! I didn't want to write about it in all honesty but that usually means I need to! ty for being here and the kind comment 💕 ❤️

Diane's avatar

I am sure you didn’t i mean nobody wants to because its ick but sometimes when you see someone go through that it hurts and no one deserves that kind of ugly. Not on here for sure. Your kind with a big heart ❤️ Never change 🫶🏼

Vivien Beere's avatar

I’m not sure what happened I’m new here too but I did engage with H and liked him. I’m sorry if there has been nasty comment. It all reminds me a bit of when a platform I did volunteer astro counselling on for three years disappeared overnight and I lost contact with people I was talking with, and then again when FB banned me for reposting an innocuous image that they thought “offended against community standards” with no appeal. I lost readers and all kinds of access to groups I belonged to. I learned to keep copies of everything I post. Eventually if I especially like someone’s writing I will ask if they want to share other contact details. All the best to H anyone knows him personally. 💚🌺

Notes from the Hill's avatar

thank you so much for sharing that Vivian!! the frustrating part about being banned is they never tell you what you did. the cause never gets defined!