The Work That Must Be Written: Sharon Blackie on Story and Substack

“If women remember that once upon a time we sang with the tongues of seals and flew with the wings of swans, that we forged our own paths through the dark forest while creating a community of its many inhabitants, then we will rise up rooted, like trees.”

from IF WOMEN ROSE ROOTED, by Sharon Blackie (2016)

Hi Folks,

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and today brings peace and relaxation. I am delighted to bring you a podcast episode with Dr Sharon Blackie.

I met Sharon at Alnwick Story Fest (tickets for next year here) and it was a true delight to hear her speak on stage. Her work commands attention of women (and men) all over the world brings us home to story and the importance of archetypes in society.

We talk about the writing life, Substack, Substack notes, managing a large community and boundaries. I hope you enjoy!

“Stories are the stars we navigate by; their lessons are deep and rich. Anywhere, there may be a door to another world: learn to look for it. Always leave a trail of breadcrumbs to find your way out of the dark wood. Don’t maim yourself trying to fit into the glass slipper which was made for someone else. Gold is never a good goal. Never take your skin off and leave it unattended.”

✨

Dr. Sharon Blackie is an award-winning and internationally bestselling author, a former neuroscientist and a psychologist with a background in mythology and folklore. Her highly acclaimed books, lectures and teaching programs are focused on the mythic imagination, and the relevance of myth and folklore to the personal, spiritual, cultural and environmental issues we face today.

Sharon is best known for her groundbreaking work in reimagining women’s stories. As well as writing seven books of fiction and nonfiction, including the bestselling classic If Women Rose Rooted, her writing has appeared in anthologies, collections and in several international media outlets – among them the Guardian, the Irish Times, the i and the Scotsman. Her books have been translated into several languages. She has featured in several programs from the BBC, US public radio and independent filmmakers. Her awards include the Society of Authors’ Roger Deakin Award and a Creative Scotland Writer’s Award. Her next book, Ripening: Why Women Need Fairy Tales Now, will be published by September at Duckworth Books in May 2026.

Sharon’s books about women in British, Irish and European myth and folklore

If Women Rose Rooted. September (2016)

Foxfire, Wolfskin and other stories of shapeshifting women. September (2019)

Hagitude: Reimagining the Second Half of Life. September (2022)

Wise Women: Myths and Stories for Midlife and Beyond. Virago (2024)

Ripening: Why Women Need Fairy Tales Now. Forthcoming from September/ Duckworth in May 2026.

If you’re new to Sharon’s work - this is a great place to start…

https://sharonblackie.substack.com/p/reclaiming-womens-stories

Ai Summary

Podcast Summary: Sharon Blackie on Writing and Substack

This is a conversation between Claire Venus (host of “Sparkle on Substack”) and Sharon Blackie, a psychologist and writer who specializes in mythology, folklore, and women’s stories.

Key Points About Sharon’s Work

Background & Writing Focus:

* Psychologist with academic background in folklore and mythology

* Published first novel in 2008; seventh book “Ripening: Why Women Need Fairy Tales Now” coming May 2026

* Explores women’s stories from British and Irish traditions, showing how ancient tales help navigate modern challenges

* First in her family to attend university, from working-class background in Hartlepool

Journey to Writing:

* Didn’t write her first novel until age 40

* Transformative experience: learned to fly at late 30s to overcome fear, which gave her the story she needed to tell

* Emphasizes writing must come from genuine necessity, not just wanting to be “a writer”

Substack Experience

Platform Evolution (joined May 2022):

* Migrated from blogging (which felt unrewarding) when Substack offered better discoverability

* Brought 20,000-subscriber mailing list; now has 57,000+ free subscribers and 1,000+ paid

* Initially loved Notes for connecting with other writers, but feels it’s become too social-media-like

* Values Substack primarily as a showcase for quality writing rather than community-building

Approach & Boundaries:

* Writes weekly for paid subscribers (£70/year)

* Runs monthly Zoom gatherings to discuss stories

* Doesn’t use Chat feature—hasn’t worked for her community

* Has friend handle simple admin queries for protection

* Clear boundaries: engages fully when invited (comments, Zooms) but doesn’t respond to personal emails requesting advice

Writing Practice:

* Wakes at 4:15 AM; only writes in mornings

* Takes about a year to write a book, often cramming in final six months

* Finds Substack articles easier than book-writing—2,000 coherent words vs. 80,000

* Varies content: sometimes essays, sometimes just sharing thoughts and questions

Advice for Writers

* Build a body of work first before promoting heavily—have quality content ready when people discover you

* Write from passion and necessity, not market trends

* Listen to your body about boundaries—protect yourself from overwhelm

* Focus on what you uniquely offer rather than finding completely new topics

* Be proud of your background—Sharon now celebrates her working-class roots after years of masking them

The conversation emphasizes sustainable creative practice, the importance of boundaries, and writing from genuine passion rather than external pressure.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe