Substack with
HEART
(and absolutely no AI)
How to write an expert Substack
with Rose Mascaro
Finally get your Substack off the ground with the magic of heart and the alchemy of strategy.
In the era of ubiquitous advertising, AI, ‘snackable content’, mass consumerism and digital fatigue, what IS the most important factor in building a quality Substack — not a half-arsed, cheesy, salesy or rambly one?
Good question. I’m about to answer it for you – over two huge and thrilling lessons.
All of this and SO MUCH MORE is answered in this highly comprehensive course. With practical skills, student workshopping, and planning resources to die for, this will be the best investment you’ve made all year: perfect for both new or experienced writers.
I'm Rose Mascaro
founder of heartwriting, author of the heart writing handbook
And I’m here to help you get your Substack running, successfully, with no help from AI.
Equipped with a Master of Arts in creative writing, a former career as magazine editor, two decades of English Literature teaching, a decade of spirituality training, and working as a ghostwriter for Lisa Messenger… plus taking hundreds of students through my holistic and academic writing courses in HeartWriting… I know that this course is going to be a gift of strategy and awakening.
I'd love to show you how to write a great Substack, with heart.
But it’s not about being tacky and misleading and sneaky. No way. (That’s not how we roll in HeartWriting).
It’s about quality writing. It’s about how to gain trust. How your audience can get to know you with heart and soul, but also with credibility.
In the Substack course, I’ll teach you the background of feature and essay writing. This is not a fast and furious ‘pump out a few snappy Substack posts’ course. You’re going to find out exactly how powerful this platform is by mastering a form of writing which has somehow been lost in the haze of social media short-form.
The essence of this course is a return to long-form: an appreciation of how the old-fashioned feature article and the 20th Century essayists can teach us a thing or two about how to curate an unforgettable Substack
Lesson 1: Foundations
1.5 HOUR WORKSHOP
- History of print media
- Influence of digital media
- Substack: What is it?
- Articles and opinion columns
- Creating a great Substack
- Aristotle’s ‘Art of Rhetoric’
- AI BEWARE! (dos and don’ts)
- Theme, Audience, Purpose
- Mapping your first Substack
Lesson 2: Writing Craft
2 HOUR WORKSHOP
- Craft of Essay
- Famous Essayists
- Language techniques
- Writing a brilliant opening
- Sharpening your structure
- How to close a piece with expertise (not the AI or sales way)
- Workshopping with students
- Editing + Posting Your Piece
- Final Substack Tips and Tools
Plus
- 54 page workbook
- Article and essay examples
- Planning resources
- Guided meditations
- Lifetime access
- Facing your writing fears course: valued $199
- FULL VALUE: $850
Your Investment
$199
HALF PRICE RECORDED PACKAGE
(FREE with Bali Retreat 2027)
(FREE with Level 1 Course 2027)
NEXT LIVE COURSE: MAY ($399)
Two limited edition workshops with Rose Mascaro, founder of HeartWriting – designed to help you plan & start writing your dream Substack.
(without the cheesy frameworks).
(and defs no AI)
Across two comprehensive workshops, you’ll clarify what your heart truly wants to write, explore who your Substack is for, and learn how to shape your ideas into a coherent, compelling structure. We’ll look at real examples of great Substack accounts, plus we’ll analyse the structure and language of some of the best essayists in the world, to define what’s needed to create Substack pieces that are both compelling but also strong in heart and soul.
If you’re ready to stop dreaming about writing a Substack and actually start building it (with heart) this course is for you.
Plan the vision of your Substack
- Clarify what your heart really wants you to write
- Explore what the world needs from you
- Feel into who your ideal reader is
- Design the shift you want them to experience.
Learn the backbone
of article structure
- Because a Substack is a blog.
- Blogs aren’t just a rambling diary.
- They are loosely based on the old-fashioned article.
- As a magazine writer and editor, I’ll teach you everything I know.
How the course works
As soon as you sign up, you’ll be emailed your link and password to access our comprehensive learning portal.
(it’s better than you’re expecting!)
In the portal, you’ll have clear instructions of how to work through the course.
Your video lessons and resources are waiting for you – and you’ll have some detailed homework tasks.
You’ll be given access to the Ten Days of HeartWriting (facing your fears as a writer).
Meet Rose, your host
It’s a pleasure to connect with you! I’m Rose, a published author, ghostwriter, magazine editor, book editor, and English teacher. I’m also a yoga and meditation teacher with a decade of spirituality immersion behind me and a one year spirituality mentorship training with Ava Irani (functionalspirituality.com). With a Master of Arts in Creative Writing, and former editor career at Lovatts Media, I’m qualified to teach you a range of advanced writing techniques with a spiritual twist.
Next Bali Retreat, May 2027
- May 17 – 21 2027
- Ubud, Bali: The Ark Retreat Centre
- Daily shamanic writing ceremonies
- Heart theory & modern literature
- Creative meditation & gentle yoga
- Language & literature workshops
- Healthy vegetarian banquet meals
- Heart-led creative community
- Balinese culture, nature & creativity
- Includes Ten Days of HeartWriting course
- Includes the Substack course
Call me insatiable, but I wanted it all. Writing. Heart. Editing. Love.
HeartWriting® is the literary magic that happens when you learn the techniques and you follow your heart. Are you ready to follow yours?
RECORDED COURSE Terms
I agree to keep all HeartWriting® course materials, recordings, resources, and the personal stories and work of other participants confidential, and not to reproduce, distribute, or share them without written permission – although short social media posts of videos and materials are encouraged. I understand that my first payment commits me to completing all scheduled course payments. There are no refunds if I change my mind, withdraw, or my circumstances change. I understand that HeartWriting® courses may include gentle yoga, meditation, breathwork, and movement. I participate voluntarily, and will work within my own physical and emotional limits. I understand that creative writing, meditation, and the sharing of personal stories may evoke strong emotional responses. I acknowledge that HeartWriting® provides education, writing instruction, and community support, but cannot be responsible for individual results.
LIVE WORKSHOP TERMS
I understand that live classes are recorded and stored in the student portal for a maximum of 24 months. I consent to photographs and video being taken during the course for HeartWriting® promotional purposes, unless I request to be excluded before the course begins. Main example: 2 second clip to go into a reel: the entire zoom class writing, or listening while Rose is teaching (tiny blurred image of 20 people on same screen, gallery view). If full anonymity is important to me, I accept responsibility for managing my display name, camera, microphone, and sharing settings. However, I understand that sharing and connection with others is beneficial to the full workshop experience, and everyone in the course has agreed to the same terms and privacy policy. I understand that my first payment commits me to completing all scheduled course payments. There are no refunds if I change my mind, withdraw, or my circumstances change. If I cannot complete the course, I will be offered one further opportunity to complete it within 18 months (subject to availability). I understand that HeartWriting® courses may include gentle yoga, meditation, breathwork, and movement. I participate voluntarily, will work within my own physical and emotional limits, and will inform the teacher of any medical or psychological conditions that may affect my participation. I understand that creative writing, meditation, and the sharing of personal stories may evoke strong emotional responses. I acknowledge that HeartWriting® provides education, writing instruction, and community support, but does not provide psychological counselling or therapy. I understand that HeartWriting® reserves the right to make reasonable changes to course content or delivery, and to refuse or discontinue a participant’s enrolment where necessary to protect the safety or wellbeing of the participant and/or the group. HeartWriting® is committed to creating a learning environment where all participants feel safe, included, valued, and heard. If I have any concerns during the course, I agree to communicate them with HeartWriting® as soon as reasonably possible. I acknowledge that I participate voluntarily in the course, and agree not to hold HeartWriting®, Rose-Louise Mascaro, liable for any injury, illness, loss, or damage arising from my participation, except where liability cannot legally be excluded under Australian law.
All terms available here.