Get Your Substack Posts in Newspapers and Magazines

I'm running a workshop to teach you how

This is a monthly free post to all subscribers. Almost all of my work is now behind a paywall as I explain here. If you are already a White Ink member, thank you for your continued support.

Yesterday, The i newspaper ran a double-page feature on a post that I wrote for you last week. You can catch up with the original here.

The timing was actually ideal because I’ve been wondering how I can blend my (almost) 30-year career as a journalist commissioning features on some of the UK’s top newspapers and magazines with my Substack. So much of my Substack is focused on book publishing, but I know there are many of you following me who would also like to see your own brilliant posts reach a wider audience – and I figured with my experience I might just be able to help you with that.

So this landed in The i newspaper at an ideal time.

You will notice that it had a rather nice plug not only for my Substack, but for my novel. And this is what we’re all aiming for – plugs for our work so it can exist off Substack and reach a larger audience, or reach that larger audience and bring them over to Substack, right?

Plus I got paid. Yes, I received £300 in exchange for a piece that I had already written for you. This is also known as free money.

But, you may want to know, what are my credentials for thinking I can tell you how you can achieve this too? Well, my career in newspapers started back in the nineties when I was a reporter on an evening newspaper, from there I moved into national women’s magazines, and then worked my way up to commissioning editor and then features editor. Later I moved again, this time into national newspapers, ending up as an executive editor in the Daily Mail’s Femail department.

Love ‘em or loathe ‘em anyone who knows anything about national (or even international) media will tell you that the Mail is one of the toughest places to work in journalism. My job on the features desk was to spot trends and talking points before anyone else did, to commission some of the best and most well-known voices of the day to write polemical pieces, and to sift through dozens and dozens of pitches that came into my inbox every single morning from writers just like you.

In fact, yesterday I was looking at my CV and I came across testimonials from some of those writers I commissioned at the time. Here is what they said about me as a commissioning editor:

“Anna is an EXTREMELY patient and intuitive editor. She has always come to me with ideas which I have been delighted to write, and she is very clear - without ever being bossy - about what she wants, which makes my job much easier. I am not the easiest writer to work with, but Anna makes it feel like fun. She’s also a PROPER writer who’s written some brilliant essays.”

Julie Burchill, columnist, author and broadcaster

“I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Anna Wharton as a suitable person for almost anything. She always has her finger on the pulse of popular preoccupations while retaining a journalist’s sense of looming stories. She is also very good at coaxing the best out of her contributors - or certainly me.”

Penny Smith, author, radio and TV presenter

“Twenty five years as a national newspaper columnist has made me a stickler for professionalism and for people who “do it right.” Anna Wharton does it right! She’s professional, she’s ‘to the point’ and is one of those people who gets things done. When she’s asked me to write pieces for her she knows exactly what she wants and briefs me accordingly. She leaves no room for ‘muddle’ which when you’re writing to a deadline is essential. She also has a newspaper woman’s ‘nous’ which can translate to any publication. And she listens to what writers say - which is why I am and always will be, happy to work with her.”

Carole Malone, columnist and broadcaster

In my freelance career I have written regularly for all major national newspapers and magazines including The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Observer, The Times, The Sunday Times Magazine, Grazia and Red. Plus don’t forget I am a three times Substack Featured Publication 2024, so you know, I know my onions…

But, more importantly, back to how I can help you.

I used to run workshops for authors who wanted to aid their own PR because, if there is one thing you should know about book publishing, it is that you have to do an awful lot of heavy lifting yourself when it comes to publicity. This is something that debut authors are rarely aware of until it’s too late and then feel bitterly disappointed about.

BUT there is something you can do about it!

I am going to re-start my workshops for Substack writers and authors who want to know how to get their work featured in newspapers and magazines AND vitally get paid for doing so.

You will learn:

• How to approach commissioning editors

• How to shape a pitch to them

• What they are looking for

• How to get paid for your work

• Plus much more

These workshops are going to be two hours long, they are going to be instructional and interactive and for that reason I’m going to run them in small groups, so if you would like to book on, then I suggest you get in quick.

The price for this two-hour workshop is £130, but if you are a White Ink member on an annual membership, you get it half price and pay £65. So, it might be worth you signing up to get that extra discount. You can do that here:

And let me assure you these workshops really work. Here is what one author, Caron McKinlay, wrote to me after attending:

“Anna, I just want to say a massive thank you for your course. I’ve now won pitches for The Telegraph, Woman and Home, The Sunday Post and Take a Break. So many others wanted the pitches too. I did them all bearing in mind your guidance.”

I’m offering two dates for the first workshop, either Saturday, September 21st or Saturday, October 19th. They will take place at 6pm BST to allow those across the pond to join. (If there is enough interest from Australian followers I will also slot in a time that suits you.)

If you would like to join – and as I said these will be small groups so don’t delay in signing up – please email me: annawharton@substack.com with your preferred date.

If there is someone who you feel would benefit from seeing this post, please feel free to share it with them. You can do so here:

I hope to see you at my workshop!