Hello! Welcome!
What is For Starters?
For Starters is a Substack about being hungry for life, love, and everything in between.
I’m Michaella Parkes, a freelance food and lifestyle journalist writing regularly for London magazines and cooking channels. My previous background was in sales, marketing and project management, before latterly working book publishing where I ran large-scale writer events and services, editorial campaigns, and community events for a big online book retailer.
This space (previously called Structured Stream of Consciousness) was born out of a series of chaotic notes, journals, emails, and ideas. I jotted down on my travels and daily commute to the office and I started turning my little thoughts into structured first-person essays with this silly fantasy that one day I might become a writer. Initially, this place was an outlet from corporate life; a chance to hold myself accountable, a way to experiment with formats and hone my voice — I didn’t really know where it would take me. Now I realise it was less about refining the art of being a writer and more about refining the feeling of being a writer. Publishing regularly on Substack was one of the key ingredients in the cocktail that gave me the dutch courage to take the leap to go freelance. I set out by doing instead of dreaming. It was one of the many steps in closing the gap between my spreadsheet-heavy reality and my budding writerly aspirations.
And now? Well writing isn’t just my hobby, it’s my job. Since resigning from the 9-5, following my gut (quite literally, since a lot of my work now involves writing about food) I am continue to listen to my intuition as I explore whichever opportunities present themselves next on my career smorgasbord. I plan to use this space to continue to share some of life’s sweet and sour moments as well as my favourite recommendations, and experiment with new formats of writing as I connect with the brilliant, welcoming community of other writers who I have met through this platform.
So, what can you expect as a subscriber?
Free subscribers
get access to Sunday’s Add To List newsletter filled with pop culture, book, and food recommendations. Plus, the occasional free essay from the other series this Substack has to offer.
Paying Subscribers
get more of the really juicy stuff. Each month, there’s at least two longer form bits of writing; some of these will be behind the paywall. Whether that’s deep-diving into the emotions evoked through food in my Food Essays; or interviews and collaborations with other thought-provoking writers in Conversation Starters. You can join me on my regular travels to Italy. Plus, heart-felt essays on the small moments in life I love most. And, full access to all of the archives.
Why am I charging for this? This isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme (though that would be nice, wouldn’t it? Freelancing isn’t the most stable of set-ups). No, the paywall is more like a preservation technique; a chance for me to cut myself open and feel comfortable sharing the rare, the raw; my emotional crudo if you like. Plus, since editors and companies pay me a lot more per word than what you get access to here, I think it’s quite a good deal. A subscription is a small £3.50 a month — the same price as a flat white (maybe less actually if you frequent somewhere like Gails).
So, I’d love it if you considered upgrading. If that’s too much for you, I’m very happy to offer you a compensation. If that’s you, please shoot me a message.
Most importantly, a whopping big thank you!
Starting the writing journey felt scary; sticking with it repeatedly feels scarier. I can’t promise I will always uphold to my own editorial calendar, because, well, life — but I will try.
I am now years into (semi) consistent posting on here. And this would not have been possible without you lovely lot reading! Yes you! The people who like, comment, privately write me heart-felt messages, I adore you. Actually, even those of you who read in silently like cyber-stalkers who sit there secretly judging me, I value you all from the bottom of my heart fragile ego.
So, if you’re here reading this — take it as a sincere thanks.
Please do get in touch if you’d like to say hello. I’d love to chat to you!
