The Draft

Issue Nº 48

November 2026

Every other Tuesday

Honest letters on the craft and business of writing online.

I’m Tola, a writer in Lagos. Twice a month I send one long letter about writing in public, growing a small audience and earning from words, without the hustle. 2,140 readers so far.

✦ Pinned letter

Start here

Nov 4, 2026

Craft

Hands typing on a vintage typewriter under a warm desk lamp

Notes on writing in public before you feel ready

→

Nobody hands you permission. You publish the thing, it is a little wrong, and the next one is a little less wrong.

✦ The letters

01Notes on writing in public before you feel readyCraft · 6 min

01Notes on writing in public before you feel ready

02The quiet economics of a 2,000-reader newsletterBusiness · 5 min

02The quiet economics of a 2,000-reader newsletter

03I stopped chasing the algorithm. Here’s what happenedAudience · 4 min

03I stopped chasing the algorithm. Here’s what happened

04A small defence of the unfinished draftCraft · 3 min

04A small defence of the unfinished draft

05How I keep a reading list that actually feeds my workHabits · 4 min

05How I keep a reading list that actually feeds my work

06What a slow week taught me about burnoutHabits · 5 min

06What a slow week taught me about burnout

The archive

Every letter, newest first

Notes on writing in public before you feel ready

Craft

6 min read

The quiet economics of a 2,000-reader newsletter

Business

5 min read

I stopped chasing the algorithm. Here’s what happened

Audience

4 min read

A small defence of the unfinished draft

Craft

3 min read

How I keep a reading list that actually feeds my work

Habits

4 min read

What a slow week taught me about burnout

Habits

5 min read

✦

My mission is to

Help you write, publish and earn on your terms.

One letter, twice a month. Practical notes from someone doing the work, not selling a course.

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