Sad to hear the solo journal is not popular. I’m obviously in the minority but it helps me greatly to judge if a game is worth playing by reading other people’s play reports.
I think this makes a lot of sense, regardless of the disappointment. I had some similar situations come up with various "projects" I've started here on Substack and abandoned. The readership just isn't there, consistently, for long-form reading content in the TTRPG space.
For sure. I know there are some folks who love it. It'll be there for them still in a new form. I think there's space for one-shots in the genre as a way to test games. The numbers show it doesn't stretch much further than that though
Sorry to hear that you're dropping the solo journal, but it makes sense given the numbers. Yours was a solid addition to the solo AP/AP fiction space, it'll be missed.
I like the solo journal but agree, my actual plays don't get as many hits as posts about TTRPG design or similar articles. You could send out a reader survey to get more information.
I like making them, but they're labor intensive, generate no sales or subs, and just aren't enjoyed by subscribers. Even those who read them average about 50 seconds on the page. I think forcing them to work isn't worth the effort I could put into a zine that folks want.
Happy substack birthday. I love all your content. Going to miss the solo plays but i totally understand your decision. Keep the great work coming mate I’m here for the journey and learning more about the Wenderweald.
I'm gutted to see the stats around the Solo journal. It's absolutely what brought me to you and has me coming back. I understand what the data says and the stickiness of it though. Hopefully you'll decide someway to continue because I really think you've created something fantastic that many people would love to see continue in whatever form you choose.
Oooffff.... i'm 100% gonna miss your solo play articles. But, I also get it, and to be honest, I'm wondering if I should stop writing my solo play stuff up as well.
By far my most read articles are ones where I'm talking about rules hacks, or weird ways to do things, not just my standard solo play articles.
They take a lot of work (probably double the amount of time that it takes to just play) and it can be discouraging when several articles in a row get five likes or less.
I really appreciate this post. An honest straight forward "here are the numbers" and "here is what you can expect". I feel like I do not need to stress over getting out my let's play posts "on time". And I really shouldn't be stressing over a blog anyway - I started it for fun.
I too am sorry to hear of your decision, but understand it based upon your analysis. Just a thought, if the decision is based upon a lack of reward then would it be possible to put out a survey to see if readers would be willing to pay a premium for them? I know I would be interested in this.
So sorry to hear the solo journaling is going. Reading through the Cairn one currently and loving it. Just started on the married couple after reading about Reed and Steeleye. Absolutely a blast. And it has made me look into Cairn as well.
Sad to hear the solo journal is not popular. I’m obviously in the minority but it helps me greatly to judge if a game is worth playing by reading other people’s play reports.
I enjoy them too, but I don't think they have stickiness for long-form. Audience dropped off after issue 6 or so.
I do save them for when I have time. I wonder how the numbers will change over time on the content you’ve already published
I think this makes a lot of sense, regardless of the disappointment. I had some similar situations come up with various "projects" I've started here on Substack and abandoned. The readership just isn't there, consistently, for long-form reading content in the TTRPG space.
For sure. I know there are some folks who love it. It'll be there for them still in a new form. I think there's space for one-shots in the genre as a way to test games. The numbers show it doesn't stretch much further than that though
Sorry to hear that you're dropping the solo journal, but it makes sense given the numbers. Yours was a solid addition to the solo AP/AP fiction space, it'll be missed.
Thanks for your support! I don't think it'll be my last entry into the genre — it's just not a pillar of my work in the future.
I like the solo journal but agree, my actual plays don't get as many hits as posts about TTRPG design or similar articles. You could send out a reader survey to get more information.
I like making them, but they're labor intensive, generate no sales or subs, and just aren't enjoyed by subscribers. Even those who read them average about 50 seconds on the page. I think forcing them to work isn't worth the effort I could put into a zine that folks want.
Happy substack birthday. I love all your content. Going to miss the solo plays but i totally understand your decision. Keep the great work coming mate I’m here for the journey and learning more about the Wenderweald.
Thanks, Troy! More to come from The Wenderweald
Great read. I only post a solo journal but im nothing if not stubborn and bloody minded lol. So im going to plough on😁
By all means do. I'm not saying solo journals have no value: they do — I love them. I just want to focus my work on a broader toolset for RPGs.
Totally understand. How are you getting analytics that show time spent reading your posts?
Google Analytics
I mean that literally - it's their suite.
Not meant as "Google it!" Lol
Lol no i got what you meant, no worries
I'm gutted to see the stats around the Solo journal. It's absolutely what brought me to you and has me coming back. I understand what the data says and the stickiness of it though. Hopefully you'll decide someway to continue because I really think you've created something fantastic that many people would love to see continue in whatever form you choose.
Really sad about the Solo play journal. I wish other people liked them like I do
I may still do them as one-shots to test games
I read most substack updates in my email, do the analytics reflect email readers also or does it only track those who read on the site/app?
Oooffff.... i'm 100% gonna miss your solo play articles. But, I also get it, and to be honest, I'm wondering if I should stop writing my solo play stuff up as well.
By far my most read articles are ones where I'm talking about rules hacks, or weird ways to do things, not just my standard solo play articles.
They take a lot of work (probably double the amount of time that it takes to just play) and it can be discouraging when several articles in a row get five likes or less.
My thoughts and experience exactly
I really appreciate this post. An honest straight forward "here are the numbers" and "here is what you can expect". I feel like I do not need to stress over getting out my let's play posts "on time". And I really shouldn't be stressing over a blog anyway - I started it for fun.
The numbers don't lie, and it's more labor than I want to put in for something, like you, was meant to be fun and enjoyed by others.
Aw man, I love the solo play journals! They help me understand how to solo play and are SO inspiring!
They're still in the archive if ever you want to see them again
I too am sorry to hear of your decision, but understand it based upon your analysis. Just a thought, if the decision is based upon a lack of reward then would it be possible to put out a survey to see if readers would be willing to pay a premium for them? I know I would be interested in this.
I'll give that some thought. Maybe a one-shot model in the future.
I've got plans (ambitions?) to transform the first campaign into a comic down the road.
So sorry to hear the solo journaling is going. Reading through the Cairn one currently and loving it. Just started on the married couple after reading about Reed and Steeleye. Absolutely a blast. And it has made me look into Cairn as well.