Production, Distribution & Growth Coordinator for Literary Publication (Substack)

I run In the Middle, a literary publication on Substack. Essays every 1–2 weeks, each written and narrated by me. I handle all writing, editing, and voice recording. I need a sharp, detail-obsessed coordinator to run everything after the recording stops — and to bring real ideas for growing the subscriber base. Per-piece workflow you'll own (checklists provided): Audio cleanup: run my raw narration through Adobe Podcast Enhance and Auphonic (settings documented) Publish on Substack: format to my template, header image, social preview, attach audio for podcast RSS distribution, publish on schedule Update my personal site (calvinquallis.com) with the new piece's image and link Create audiograms: cut 2 short clips from the narration (timestamps provided), build minimal caption videos to my exact spec (CapCut or Headliner — no music, no effects; style guide provided) Distribute: post prepared text + assets to Substack Notes, LinkedIn, and Instagram (Reel + Story + Highlight). All public-facing copy is written by me — you post and schedule; you never write as me. Track: simple weekly report — subscriber growth, top performers, what converted Growth (where your ideas are wanted): Propose experiments to grow subscribers: formats, timing, platform plays, collab/recommendation opportunities, repurposing angles We run a propose → approve → execute loop: you bring the tactic, I approve anything public, you run it and report results Hard lines: no engagement pods, no follow/unfollow schemes, no automation that comments or DMs as me, no tactics that would embarrass a literary publication Ongoing between pieces: schedule my pre-written daily Notes and posts, maintain the content calendar (~1–2 hrs/week). Later: YouTube uploads of narrations. You're a fit if you: Have real Substack experience (publishing, podcast/RSS, Notes growth) — required Have grown an audience for a writer, podcast, or newsletter and can tell me exactly how Are comfortable with basic audio tools and CapCut Follow specs exactly on production, and bring initiative on growth Strong written English for coordination (public copy stays mine) Style fit matters: this publication is deliberately quiet and minimal — no hashtag walls, no emoji, no hype. If your growth instincts require loudness, we're not a match. If you can grow something quiet, I want to talk to you. To apply: (1) describe a Substack or newsletter you helped grow and the two tactics that actually worked, (2) name the tools you'd use for my workflow, (3) include the word "middle" in your first line. Paid trial: one full publish-and-distribute cycle on a test piece, plus one growth proposal. Hours: ~3–5/week in a publish week, less between pieces. Precision role, not a volume role — strong rate for fewer, exact hours. Rate: $10-$20/hr