A win-win-win chain reaction for writers

Big change can start with something small. By becoming a free subscriber to Underdog Authors, you can start a chain reaction that supports new writers.

We’re Underdog Authors, a writing community that runs a free monthly writing competition.

We think you’ll like Underdog Authors if you’re a writer who likes supporting other writers, or a reader who loves discovering new stories!

Subscribing to Underdog Authors for free doesn’t just create a win-win situation…

It creates a win-win-win chain reaction.

Here’s how:

Step #1: You become a free subscriber

Win #1: You support new writers and discover new stories

Every new subscriber helps our Substack community to grow. More free subscribers means more readers for our winning writers. It also means more chances that there’ll be a meaningful connection made between the reader and writer.

These connections could become:

• New readers

• Mentors

• Beta readers

• Accountability partners

• Editors

• Co-writers

• Or, if we’re dreaming big, publishers

Visibility means a lot to new writers and we couldn’t do what we do without you as part of this growing community!!

Step #2: You engage with a few of our posts

Win #2: Your engagement could help to make 10 years of Underdog Authors possible

Your interaction with our notes tells the Substack algorithm, “This is worth showing to more people.”

That means more writers and readers discovering Underdog Authors. And more Substackers to help spread the word about our 100-day challenge.

Every like, comment, and restack helps because our goal is super ambitious:

If we can reach 200,000 paid subscribers in 100 days, we pledge to publish 120 new writers over the next 10 years!

The twist? Each paid subscriber only needs to stay for one month to make that possible.

Free subscribers play a direct role in this chain reaction by helping that message travel further, and increasing our chances of reaching our 100-day goal.

Step #3: You tell someone

Win #3: Word of mouth beats the algorithm

Algorithms are unpredictable and ever-changing. They’re near-impossible to master in our experience.

But word of mouth?

Word of mouth is as old as time.

Word of mouth can bring more and more writers and readers to our community-led writing project.

That’s more people who can support us in building a platform that makes writers feel seen, supported, and celebrated!

That’s the win-win-win chain reaction.

We pledge to publish 120 writers over the next 10 years if we manage to reach 200,000 paid subscribers in the first 100 days of 2026. This is our 100-day challenge to keep Underdog Authors running for 10 years!