Isolation Journals FAQs

Everything you need to know

I’m having trouble with my account. Help!

I’m so sorry to hear you’re having trouble! We’ve compiled a list of links to help you with whatever ails you, technologically speaking. 

• I signed up for a newsletter but am not receiving any emails. What can I do?

• How do I cancel my paid subscription? 

• How do I create a password? 

• Why am I listed as a “free subscriber” when I know I paid for a subscription?

• How do I update my payment information?

• How do I change my email address?

• How do I unsubscribe? 

A longer list of frequently asked questions can be found here. 

If you don’t see your issue, please visit the Substack help center. You’ll be able to search by keyword, and find exactly what you need. If all else fails, you can reach out to Substack customer support here and get one-on-one support to troubleshoot your issue.

Why would I become a paid subscriber?

My weekly newsletter, which contains some thoughts from me and an essay and journaling prompt from a guest contributor, is free.

The paid subscription ($6/month or $60/year) is a way for people who appreciate my work to support it. In addition to the weekly newsletter, it comes with a number of extra benefits, like:

• Dear Susu, my advice column where I answer your questions about writing, life, loss, and everything in between

• the Studio Visits archive, where you can learn from extraordinary authors & artists like Elizabeth Gilbert, Jon Batiste, Imbolo Mbue, & Lena Dunham as they share stories, failures, wisdom, and instruction

• the Hatch, a virtual creative hour hosted monthly, where we gather for a dose of community, inspiration and accountability

• community discussion threads, where we dish about our favorite reads and trade stories & tips about the creative process

• early access to merch, like our custom-made Isolation Journal No. 1

How do I donate a subscription?

If you have a specific person in mind, you can gift them a subscription by going to https://theisolationjournals.substack.com/gift and following the instructions.

To donate to our general scholarship fund, navigate to https://theisolationjournals.substack.com/donate and follow the instructions.

We will then pass along your donation to the next person who requests a scholarship. Thank you!

Where do I submit a letter for Dear Susu?

You can email me at suleika@theisolationjournals.com with the subject line “Dear Susu.” Your messages are so moving, and they push me to consider the deepest, most raw, most tender aspects of being human. I wish I had the time to answer all of them, but please know I read every email.

How can I connect with other members of the Isolation Journals community?

There are a few different ways! You can always find Isolation Journalers sharing their work (and general positivity):

• in the comments section of every newsletter

• in our Facebook group

• on our Instagram, @theisolationjournals (or by searching for #theisolationjournals and #tij100dayproject).

If you’re a paid subscriber, you can:

• join us for the Hatch, our virtual creative hour, where we gather monthly for community, accountability, and a productivity boost too

• find regular community discussion threads here, where the comments are often full of riveting, beautifully written tales and memories.

How can I share my work?

One of my favorite places on the whole internet is the comments section of the weekly newsletter. Head to the prompt or post that inspired you and scroll to the bottom to share whatever you’ve written. If your work is visual in nature, you can share in the Facebook group or by tagging @theisolationjournals on Instagram.

Periodically, we ask community members to submit their work for a time capsule or the archive. We do not currently have any active calls for submission.

Can I send you something? 

I’ve been the very fortunate recipient of so much loving care, both from family and friends and from this community. However there are so many others who would benefit from your generosity!

If you have the means, the best gift is to donate to the Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation or First Descents, both of which are near and dear to me.

If not, I’d encourage you to reach out to someone you know who might need a little love or thoughtfulness. Everyone is carrying their own private struggle, and you never know how far your words of kindness will go.