Substack Live: Why Your First Chapter Isn’t Working (& How to Fix It)

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Subject: Substack Live: Why Your First Chapter Isn’t Working (& How to Fix It)

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Tomorrow!

Why Your First Chapter Isn’t Working (& How to Fix It)

Substack Live!

Sunday, May 3, 2026

Hi Friend,

Tomorrow!

Join us tomorrow for a Substack Live:

Monday, May 3: 10am Pacific/1pm Eastern

Gala Russ and I will discuss:

Why Your First Chapter Isn’t Working (& How to Fix It)

I don't think I need to remind you how important the first chapter of your novel is...

My first chapter will be critiqued -- yes, I'll be the demo client.

Bring your ideas and questions.

You can join by phone, tablet, or laptop/desktop.

To comment, join in the discussion via a tablet or laptop / desktop.

See you there!

❤️

Yes! There will be a replay.

Subscribe to my Substack, so you'll be notified when the replay is ready.

I usually post it within 24-48 hours.

❤️

Join us for this week's Substack Live for writing craft discussion, tips, and inspiration.

Want your own scene critiqued?

Then signed up for my new membership: Edit Your Future: Science Fiction/Fantasy Revision Lab for $5.

And come to our first live call, Wednesday, May 6, 10am Pacific/1pm Eastern.

Sign up here for the Edit Your Future monthly membership.

...

Not sure this membership is for you?

Then just come to the May 6th call for a live edit on 250 words of your WIP.

And get writing craft and creative process support.

Only $5.

❤️

Join the next Lab for $5

More Upcoming Events!

Do you want to have your own talk show?

Come learn how in next week's Launch Your TV Show in 90 Days webinar with Diane Forster:

Wednesday, May 6, 5pm PT/8pm ET

Register for this free training here.

🌟

Curious about selling digital products?

I have been for nearly 20 years...

Come learn lots of tips including mine on "Listening Is Your Most Important Skill to Build Products."

The Digital Spark Summit (May 11-13), an audio-only + free

Grab your Digital Spark Summit ticket here.

❤️

Happy Writing!

Best,

Beth

🌟

Revise your novel faster (with way less overwhelm). Grab the Edit Your Novel Checklist here.

PS. Have questions about editing or revising your science fiction or fantasy novel?

Hit reply and we can answer it on the podcast or a Substack Live!

I've been helping writers for over 20 years.

I can probably answer your questions. If I can't answer it, I know others who probably can :) Together we got this!

❤️

Beth Barany
Creativity Coach for Writers

Teacher, Speaker, Workshop Facilitator
bethbarany.com

I not only teach and coach novelists, I am one too!

*Magical Tales of Romance, Mystery, and Adventure* author.bethbarany.com

Including the award-winning, Henrietta The Dragon Slayer (Book 1), and Into The Black, about Janey McCallister space station investigator (Book 1)

__________________________

❤️ Here to empower you with core principles, mindset tools, and doable roadmaps to build your sustainable, thriving creative career on your own terms.

🚀 🐲 Passionate about supporting science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction writers

🌸 ... and creative entrepreneurs serving writers.

🎬 Filmmaker with a BIG mission: to celebrate warrior women!

Support This Creative Entrepreneur

My mission is to support your adventure as a creative and step into your next best self.

If you want to support my mission, I invite you to:

📚 buy my books

☕️ buy me a coffee

🎬 support my Henrietta The Dragon Slayer short film

Or share my products or services with your friends. Thanks!

❤️

Beth Barany is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy novelist, and certified creativity coach for writers.

She specializes in helping writers experience clarity, so they can write, revise, and proudly publish their novels to the delight of their readers.

Here be the legalese: In connection with the operation of this newsletter and business, Creativity Sparks includes affiliate links to trusted partners. Barany Consulting earns a commission from the Affiliate Links which commission is based on the number of sales that are made as a result of users of the Newsletter clicking over to the Affiliate Link and purchasing from the Affiliate Link a product and/or service. Thus endth the legalese.

I live in the territory of Huichin, part of the stolen land of the Chochenyo Muwekma Ohlone, the successors of the historic and sovereign Verona Band of Alameda County, in Oakland, California, the San Francisco Bay Area. Northern Hemisphere. Earth.

The Solar System. → Carina–Sagittarius Arm in the Milky Way galaxy. Milky Way subgroup → Local Group → Local Sheet → Virgo Supercluster → Laniakea Supercluster → Local Hole → Observable universe → Universe.

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