Introducing For The Lovers
An Evolution + Invitation
Hello and welcome to For The Lovers.
If you have been following this Substack from inception you will know that it began simply as a way for me—Courtney, to share poetry and opinions that otherwise only had a home in my head; a low stakes way for me to trial new styles of writing and connect with those doing the same thing. However, I have found myself still craving more, and noticed a call for the same from other writers and creatives. Writing in particular can be a lonely art form; we don’t have the art gallery openings, the open-mic nights and gigs to connect with fellow artists—we rely solely on platforms like this, and on the hope that someone, somewhere, might stumble across our work and take a chance on it. Sometimes it all just feels like a shout into the void—from the safety of our couch, writing desk or bed. We spend so much time with our own thoughts, that a blissfully introspective practice can quickly become isolating—leaving us feeling uninspired, unfulfilled and unmotivated.
I have written before on the importance of community and sharing, and the longer I thought about it, the more an idea began to grow. Thus birthed For The Lovers: a publication and online community that unites writers, creatives and curious minds-alike.
For The Lovers is an online publication and community dedicated to the bleeding hearts and every day poets. Our passion is passion, thoughts for the sake of thoughts and all things love. You won’t find perfectly curated essays here, but you will find a whole lot of heart and a humanness that will move you and keep you coming back for more. We were designed to make you feel.
Our purpose is to provide support, and a platform for independent writers to be seen and heard.
So what will this look like?
All subscribers now have the option to upgrade to a paid subscription ($9/ month) to join our online writers’ community: a place where we can gather and share ideas, provide feedback and connect over our love of creating.
By upgrading you will gain access to:
Our writers-only group chat, which will be an open channel for support, feedback and connection. Here you will be provided with weekly prompts, and have the space to ask questions, discuss ideas and generally support one another.
Submissions to be the monthly Featured Writer. This is an opportunity for you to submit your work to be posted on this Substack as part of our monthly calendar of posts. If you have ever wanted to share your work, but felt held back by the commitment of ongoing posting, or the navigation of the online space, then this is your chance to get your words out there with none of the admin. The chosen Featured Writer will receive their next month of subscription for free. Submissions for the Featured Writer will open on the first Friday of each month and will close after 14-days.
Invites to our monthly Writers’ Club: a monthly online live call hosted by Courtney, and other guest speakers—including Q&A, the chance to share your work and receive feedback, and themed workshops. If you are local to the Melbourne area, these calls will eventually be offered in person—don’t worry if you can’t make it, all sessions will be live-streamed.
Option to sign up as a founding member and pledge your support with your own nominated payment. As a token of our gratitude, you will receive discounts on all current and future publications on our online book store (coming very soon!)
This community is open to anyone who is craving more, writers, musicians, visual artists and those just generally curious about the behind the scenes of a creative process.
And for those who have never met me…
Hi, I’m Courtney, your host and the face behind For The Lovers; twenty-something, loud in my love and armed with a brain full of words that don’t always make sense. When asked to reflect upon my values, or what my life’s purpose is I often find myself returning to the word love, and for the longest time have danced my way through various careers and hobbies that allow me to pour a little more of that into the world. My work has never been made to be flawless, or convince you of a certain view; I am not the type of writer who strings together a fluid argument—I left that behind eons ago in year 12 literary studies, but it is designed to make you feel. I write because my heart cannot contain all that it holds, because I am passionate—perhaps to my own detriment, and I cannot keep my mouth shut. If my words touch even one soul floating out there, enough that they feel less alone, then I have succeeded.
But this is not about me, this is about us, so now that you know who’s steering the ship, we can begin.
I am so excited share this space with you.
Are you with me?
All my love,
Courtney x
🙌🙌🙌🙌