Ever since I discovered Feeling!, I've felt so inspired and have thought extensively about creating my own regular newsletter for my students; I'm an English language teacher. I love the feeling, colours, the visuals and the tone!!!
I started sending a weekly email to one of my groups in particular after our regular Friday night intensive class with a round-up of our "Homework Menu" with options for if they felt like/had time for "main meal" tasks or just "snacks" or something more light and fun like "desserts". I've thought a lot about making it into something bigger to inspire more learner engagement and autonomy for studying and learning outside of the classroom but haven't known how to start. I did try to ask them to submit their own ideas for things they have done outside of the class e.g. films/series they've enjoyed watching in English (not dubbed, obviously!) etc but it never took off in the way I had hoped.
I love seeing your progress and how you’ve made Feeling into what it is now! My substack initially started with a school project of creating a magazine (Menagerie Magazine), with the idea of being a collection of interests. Part of me likes that variety and part of me feels like it should have more “clarity” but I suppose I would like it just make sense that I switch between writing serious essays and photo stories and discussing books and movies and also art/crafts. I do think almost, if not everything, I share has a through thread of being present and paying attention to life—and I like the idea of that being the through thread of something called Menagerie Magazine. How do you commit to one main thing/theme and make sure everything you share relates to it? I feel like my mind is always going a million directions.
Thank you, Amelia! I think as long as you have an underlying mission/through-line, you then have ample opportunity to create to that specification!
I ask myself, "What do I want people to feel when they encounter my magazine?"
And then I align all my content with that answer. :) Get yourself a favorite latte at a coffee shop, and have a planning session just for you! Answers will come forward!
Great ideas. I feel my heart rise. I write a Substack called "Soulshine Stories" about the intersection between stories and self-awareness. https://jennywells.substack.com/. I love visuals and want to implement IRL events in 2026. But since I write a lot about popular culture, most of my visuals so far are trailers or stills from the stories. If you want to provide a color palette, have at it! I would treasure your work.
Love that idea! I'd say you could go with something like a yellow-y peach, vibrant red (like a shade darker than a maraschino cherry, sage green, and a perfect blue (think gender reveal, baby boy blue!) Vibrant! I'd lead with the blue and supplement with the red - kind of like an old school movie theater vibe since you incorporate a lot of pop culture.
I love this!!! I’m also starting on Substack with a developing dream of a magazine as end goal. I’d love to see what colors you come up with for me: All The Happy is about finding joy and creativity no matter the circumstances. So main focuses are joy, being creative/creativity, faith, and a focus on chronic illness (that’s the “no matter the circumstances” part) as that’s my life.
Looking forward to see what colors that brings to mind for you!
i know i’m late, but figured it couldn’t hurt to ask! i’ve dreamed of a youtube channel for Years (even went to school for film lol). this past year, i had some uncommon health stuff happen and now that i have more of a handle on it, im fully committed to making a youtube channel to cover the topics i wish someone else had (ehlers danlos and brca diagnosis) but also just lifestyle vlog. any color palette recommendations? thanks so much!!
Your work is so inspiring and your willingness to share and also help others is incredible! My page started as a locally-focused Instagram account for my city, which I wanted to expand and do more long-form content here on Substack. One of my biggest challenges has always been honing in on making it an actual "brand". I struggle because the publication is so hyper local, but I don't want to limit it to ONLY our city. We hope to travel more and share our experiences and more about the surrounding areas, state and beyond. The Substack (right now) is things like neighborhood guides, restaurant write ups (never good/bad reviews, just photos, descriptions and support!), things to do, how we live our lives as people in our 30s with young kids in our city, etc. We're in a Northeast, mid-size city that some might call "up and coming" - we're often considered part of the Rust Belt cities - and we have an incredible culinary scene, rich history and so many wonderful things for families, and it's still actually affordable to live here! I'd love to hear what colors pop into your head when you hear something like that!!
This post is so helpful, especially as someone whose goal is building up a magazine-themed Substack, primarily inspired by '90s and early 2000s girl and fashion magazines like the old Barbie and FRUiTs magazines. I'm just getting started, but it's primarily for lovers of fashion, girls’, Internet, and pop culture, lifestyle content, art, media, and nostalgia, looking to be their most authentic selves. I love the kitschy, tacky, colorful, over-the-top, and fancy, so I'm trying to lean into that for my visuals. I already have a lot of inspiration that I've been pulling from, but I have been mostly winging it as I have limited graphic design experience. So this post is great for some clear guidance!
This was so inspiring and got me so excited to really go after all of my goals in 2026! Creating a magazine is definitely something I’ve been interested in and have dabbled in designing before. I’m still working on the vibe for the new one, so that’s TBD.
But I also wanted to say I love your branding and the colors just work so well together!
Really looking forward to following this journey and starting my own as well!🫶🏻
This is wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing this! I’m excited for the Feeling! Magazine to be in print. It would be amazing to have more printed Substack magazines; it’s not something I had thought about doing myself, but it looks like fun!
As colors are one of my favorite things, it’s a challenge to select colors that I want to stick to. If I were to create a magazine, or even rebrand my Substack, I’m curious what colors you might suggest?
I would be sharing serialized mysteries, fantasy, and science-fantasy tales; original artwork with behind-the-scenes information; my own fashion design and sewing projects; and historical fashion and costume design analysis. I love a fairytale and whimsical feel, but with just a bit of depth to it!
Thank you for reading! Your work sounds so delightful. I'd go full-on Victorian colors. I was thinking of an olive, blush, cream, and a spooky teal for those mystery novels. I feel like you could source some photos of Victorian interior design/fashion/fabrics and pull color ideas from there too!
Thanks for producing such a detailed guide for everyone else interested in seriously pursuing or experimenting with the same! This also unexpectedly brought back a collection of fond forgotten memories I have of walking great distances to and from Food Bazaar and Key Foods for groceries in LIC/Queens/Brooklyn back in the day. Never failed to nourish my good creative spirits.
I love this!! I'm launching a paid tier in January and I've been thinking a lot about what I can do to provide something really valuable and thoughtful for readers -- this was so inspiring!
Ever since I discovered Feeling!, I've felt so inspired and have thought extensively about creating my own regular newsletter for my students; I'm an English language teacher. I love the feeling, colours, the visuals and the tone!!!
I started sending a weekly email to one of my groups in particular after our regular Friday night intensive class with a round-up of our "Homework Menu" with options for if they felt like/had time for "main meal" tasks or just "snacks" or something more light and fun like "desserts". I've thought a lot about making it into something bigger to inspire more learner engagement and autonomy for studying and learning outside of the classroom but haven't known how to start. I did try to ask them to submit their own ideas for things they have done outside of the class e.g. films/series they've enjoyed watching in English (not dubbed, obviously!) etc but it never took off in the way I had hoped.
So, a very welcome starting point 🤞 thank you!
Love what you are building. Don't stop!
I adore the homework menu idea. It sounds like it would make homework feel less like a chore and more like exploring an exciting subject!
🥰🩷
I love seeing your progress and how you’ve made Feeling into what it is now! My substack initially started with a school project of creating a magazine (Menagerie Magazine), with the idea of being a collection of interests. Part of me likes that variety and part of me feels like it should have more “clarity” but I suppose I would like it just make sense that I switch between writing serious essays and photo stories and discussing books and movies and also art/crafts. I do think almost, if not everything, I share has a through thread of being present and paying attention to life—and I like the idea of that being the through thread of something called Menagerie Magazine. How do you commit to one main thing/theme and make sure everything you share relates to it? I feel like my mind is always going a million directions.
Thank you, Amelia! I think as long as you have an underlying mission/through-line, you then have ample opportunity to create to that specification!
I ask myself, "What do I want people to feel when they encounter my magazine?"
And then I align all my content with that answer. :) Get yourself a favorite latte at a coffee shop, and have a planning session just for you! Answers will come forward!
Great ideas. I feel my heart rise. I write a Substack called "Soulshine Stories" about the intersection between stories and self-awareness. https://jennywells.substack.com/. I love visuals and want to implement IRL events in 2026. But since I write a lot about popular culture, most of my visuals so far are trailers or stills from the stories. If you want to provide a color palette, have at it! I would treasure your work.
Love that idea! I'd say you could go with something like a yellow-y peach, vibrant red (like a shade darker than a maraschino cherry, sage green, and a perfect blue (think gender reveal, baby boy blue!) Vibrant! I'd lead with the blue and supplement with the red - kind of like an old school movie theater vibe since you incorporate a lot of pop culture.
Thanks! I appreciate you responding. ❤️
I love this!!! I’m also starting on Substack with a developing dream of a magazine as end goal. I’d love to see what colors you come up with for me: All The Happy is about finding joy and creativity no matter the circumstances. So main focuses are joy, being creative/creativity, faith, and a focus on chronic illness (that’s the “no matter the circumstances” part) as that’s my life.
Looking forward to see what colors that brings to mind for you!
Love your mission! It brings to mind a vibrant buttery yellow, bright cobalt blue, matcha green, and bubblegum pink!
So good!! I have a lot of those in the branding I’ve been working with thus far! Love the idea of the green being more matcha-inspired!
Inspiring! Thank you for sharing!
i know i’m late, but figured it couldn’t hurt to ask! i’ve dreamed of a youtube channel for Years (even went to school for film lol). this past year, i had some uncommon health stuff happen and now that i have more of a handle on it, im fully committed to making a youtube channel to cover the topics i wish someone else had (ehlers danlos and brca diagnosis) but also just lifestyle vlog. any color palette recommendations? thanks so much!!
Jenna you are THE definition of overdelivering on your creative work. Endlessly inspired by how much heart and magic there is in your work!!
This is the kindest compliment!
Your work is so inspiring and your willingness to share and also help others is incredible! My page started as a locally-focused Instagram account for my city, which I wanted to expand and do more long-form content here on Substack. One of my biggest challenges has always been honing in on making it an actual "brand". I struggle because the publication is so hyper local, but I don't want to limit it to ONLY our city. We hope to travel more and share our experiences and more about the surrounding areas, state and beyond. The Substack (right now) is things like neighborhood guides, restaurant write ups (never good/bad reviews, just photos, descriptions and support!), things to do, how we live our lives as people in our 30s with young kids in our city, etc. We're in a Northeast, mid-size city that some might call "up and coming" - we're often considered part of the Rust Belt cities - and we have an incredible culinary scene, rich history and so many wonderful things for families, and it's still actually affordable to live here! I'd love to hear what colors pop into your head when you hear something like that!!
This post is so helpful, especially as someone whose goal is building up a magazine-themed Substack, primarily inspired by '90s and early 2000s girl and fashion magazines like the old Barbie and FRUiTs magazines. I'm just getting started, but it's primarily for lovers of fashion, girls’, Internet, and pop culture, lifestyle content, art, media, and nostalgia, looking to be their most authentic selves. I love the kitschy, tacky, colorful, over-the-top, and fancy, so I'm trying to lean into that for my visuals. I already have a lot of inspiration that I've been pulling from, but I have been mostly winging it as I have limited graphic design experience. So this post is great for some clear guidance!
Love this inspiration! Can't wait to see what you make
Thanks! I’m excited to really get going!
This was so inspiring and got me so excited to really go after all of my goals in 2026! Creating a magazine is definitely something I’ve been interested in and have dabbled in designing before. I’m still working on the vibe for the new one, so that’s TBD.
But I also wanted to say I love your branding and the colors just work so well together!
Really looking forward to following this journey and starting my own as well!🫶🏻
You are so sweet! Thanks, Sky! Cheering you on!
This is wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing this! I’m excited for the Feeling! Magazine to be in print. It would be amazing to have more printed Substack magazines; it’s not something I had thought about doing myself, but it looks like fun!
As colors are one of my favorite things, it’s a challenge to select colors that I want to stick to. If I were to create a magazine, or even rebrand my Substack, I’m curious what colors you might suggest?
I would be sharing serialized mysteries, fantasy, and science-fantasy tales; original artwork with behind-the-scenes information; my own fashion design and sewing projects; and historical fashion and costume design analysis. I love a fairytale and whimsical feel, but with just a bit of depth to it!
Thank you for reading! Your work sounds so delightful. I'd go full-on Victorian colors. I was thinking of an olive, blush, cream, and a spooky teal for those mystery novels. I feel like you could source some photos of Victorian interior design/fashion/fabrics and pull color ideas from there too!
Ooh, that sounds gorgeous! I’ll have to try that out. Thank you so much for your suggestions!
Thank you for sharing! I'm experimenting with digital magazines too and about to publish my second one. 😊🙏❤
Congratulations!!
Thanks for producing such a detailed guide for everyone else interested in seriously pursuing or experimenting with the same! This also unexpectedly brought back a collection of fond forgotten memories I have of walking great distances to and from Food Bazaar and Key Foods for groceries in LIC/Queens/Brooklyn back in the day. Never failed to nourish my good creative spirits.
Yes!! A bodega brainstorm!
I love this!! I'm launching a paid tier in January and I've been thinking a lot about what I can do to provide something really valuable and thoughtful for readers -- this was so inspiring!
Glad to help! And excited for you!
There’s a photo of me as a toddler “reading” a magazine and I’ve loved them ever since. I would love a physical version of your content!
I love this! And I am so happy to hear that!
This is SO good! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us 🥰
Thank you for reading, Shelby!