✦
Orbit
A better Substack dashboard.
One that remembers your relationships, not just your subscriber count.
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Stop losing track of the people who matter.
You look at your subscriber number.
You spend an hour in notes and comments - replying, welcoming, meeting people.
And the intelligence you get back for all of it? The same subscriber count you started with.
Substack counts your subscribers.
Nothing remembers your people.
That’s what Orbit is for.
234 people in your orbit
Everyone who’s reached back. The people you can turn to.
Everyone· 234 people
Jules has been first in your comments on eleven essays in a row, and she is the one who told you the sister essay landed before you believed it had.
Jules writes letters to a sister she is not speaking to, and publishes them. Sister Cities argues that estrangement is never one decision, but a hundred small ones nobody noticed.
Jules wants to send the letter she has rewritten eleven times. She says she will know it is finished when she can actually mail it.
Writing slowly on purposeSecond acts
CloseClose96 exchangesa real back-and-forth, sustained over timeTalking yesterday
Dev kept turning up in your comments every week, and somewhere between growing slowly and what it costs to keep writing, the two of you started having the same conversation on purpose. Then she went quiet three weeks ago.
Dev writes about leaving a career that looked fine on paper. She keeps returning to the arithmetic of a second act: what a slower year actually costs, and who at home pays for it.
Dev wants Second Acts to cover one day a week away from contract work. She has said that number out loud more than once.
Second actsWriting slowly on purpose
CloseClose41 exchangesa real back-and-forth, sustained over timeQuiet 3 weeks
Maya found you through a note about format, and one long argument about podcasts-versus-writing later she subscribed the same day.
Maya took a podcast audience and started writing to it instead. She writes about format as a real decision, and about knowing what a piece is for before she makes it.
Maya wants readers who finish things. She would trade half her download numbers for a hundred people who read to the end.
Craft and format
CloseClose18 exchangesa real back-and-forth, sustained over timeQuiet 2 days
Sam started all three of your best threads about building with a full house, and somehow you have never once opened a thread with him first.
Sam writes about building a company in the hours around a family. Bedtime for Founders keeps returning to one argument: the constraint is the strategy, not the thing in its way.
Sam wants to stop writing the two lives as separate stories. He says the honest version is the one people actually reply to.
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking9 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceTalking yesterday
Ana spent one May afternoon trading essay titles with you, landed the one you actually used, and told you she started writing again because of you. Nothing since.
Ana writes poems about plants, then argues with herself in the footnotes. Ana Writes Back is where she works out whether the small thing was worth saying at all.
Ana wants to answer everyone who writes to her. She says that is the whole point, and the reason she started again.
Craft and formatWriting slowly on purpose
Close, now quietClose12 exchangesa real back-and-forth, sustained over timeQuiet 5 weeks
Swapped drafts about writing letters instead of posts.
Describes themselves as “letters to nobody in particular, twice a month”
Writing slowly on purpose
CloseClose14 exchangesa real back-and-forth, sustained over timeQuiet 4 days
Argued happily about footnotes for a whole afternoon.
Describes themselves as “annotating other people's books in public”
Craft and format
CloseClose11 exchangesa real back-and-forth, sustained over timeQuiet 6 days
Talked about writing in twenty-minute pieces between shifts.
Describes themselves as “nurse, night writer”
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking8 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 3 days
Compared notes on beginning again in public.
Describes themselves as “left teaching at 54, started over”
Second acts
TalkingTalking7 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 9 days
Traded bedtime survival strategies in the comments.
Describes themselves as “dad, woodworker, reluctant poster”
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking6 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 5 days
She asked how you keep a beat going without burning out.
Describes themselves as “reporting on small towns”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking5 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 11 days
AO
One thread about publishing before it's ready.
Describes themselves as “publishing the messy version on purpose”
Craft and format
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 2 days
He recognized the second-act thing immediately.
Describes themselves as “career number three, finally the right one”
Second acts
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 7 days
PN
Talked about where the writing actually happens.
Describes themselves as “writing on trains”
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 12 days
She liked the tomato chart more than anyone.
Describes themselves as “essays, mostly about weather”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 4 days
KT
Swapped structure notes on the essay you were stuck on.
Describes themselves as “obsessed with how a piece is built”
Craft and format
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 8 days
BO
One long thread about writing around a family table.
Describes themselves as “cooking, mostly for other people”
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking2 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 10 days
Liked 2 of your notes, most recently: “the one about starting over”
Describes themselves as “insomniac, occasional essayist”
TalkingTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceTalking yesterday
Liked 3 of your notes, most recently: “why I stopped counting”
Describes themselves as “fifty subscribers and counting, slowly”
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 2 days
Describes themselves as “delivering thoughts nobody asked for”
TalkingTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 4 days
Liked 4 of your notes, most recently: “a chart of my tomato harvest”
Describes themselves as “gardening as a personality”
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 6 days
Short exchange about pacing a newsletter like a long run.
Describes themselves as “running, and thinking while running”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking2 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 5 days
He offered to read the draft you were avoiding.
Describes themselves as “teaching writing to people who hate writing”
Craft and format
TalkingTalking2 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 13 days
Compared leaving-teaching stories.
Describes themselves as “left the classroom, kept the chalk”
Second acts
TalkingTalking2 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 9 days
AA
Describes themselves as “writing between other things”
Writing slowly on purpose
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 days
Describes themselves as “writing the thing down before it leaves”
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 weeks
Describes themselves as “figuring it out in public”
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 days
AC
Describes themselves as “writing between other things”
Writing slowly on purpose
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 weeks
Describes themselves as “writing the thing down before it leaves”
Craft and format
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 days
Describes themselves as “figuring it out in public”
Second acts
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 weeks
AE
Describes themselves as “writing between other things”
Building in the margins
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 days
Describes themselves as “writing the thing down before it leaves”
Writing slowly on purpose
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 weeks
Describes themselves as “figuring it out in public”
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 days
AG
Describes themselves as “writing between other things”
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 weeks
Describes themselves as “writing the thing down before it leaves”
Writing slowly on purpose
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 days
Describes themselves as “essays, eventually”
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 2 days
BV
Describes themselves as “new here, staying”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking5 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 10 days
Describes themselves as “slow writer, fast reader”
TalkingTalking7 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 6 days
Describes themselves as “essays, eventually”
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 2 days
BY
Describes themselves as “new here, staying”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking5 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 10 days
Describes themselves as “slow writer, fast reader”
Craft and format
TalkingTalking7 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 6 days
Describes themselves as “essays, eventually”
Second acts
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 2 days
BA
Describes themselves as “new here, staying”
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking5 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 10 days
Describes themselves as “slow writer, fast reader”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking7 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 6 days
Describes themselves as “essays, eventually”
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 2 days
BC
Describes themselves as “new here, staying”
TalkingTalking5 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 10 days
Describes themselves as “notes first, courage later”
Second acts
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since June
Describes themselves as “twelve drafts deep”
Building in the margins
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since April
CN
Describes themselves as “here for the comments, honestly”
Writing slowly on purpose
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since May
Describes themselves as “notes first, courage later”
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since June
Describes themselves as “twelve drafts deep”
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since April
CP
Describes themselves as “here for the comments, honestly”
Writing slowly on purpose
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since May
Describes themselves as “notes first, courage later”
Craft and format
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since June
Describes themselves as “twelve drafts deep”
Second acts
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since April
CR
Describes themselves as “here for the comments, honestly”
Building in the margins
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since May
Describes themselves as “notes first, courage later”
Writing slowly on purpose
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since June
Describes themselves as “twelve drafts deep”
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since April
DD
Describes themselves as “one good paragraph a week”
Craft and format
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 8 days
Describes themselves as “posting through it”
Second acts
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 4 weeks
Describes themselves as “recovering perfectionist”
Building in the margins
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 7 weeks
DF
Describes themselves as “one good paragraph a week”
Writing slowly on purpose
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 weeks
Describes themselves as “posting through it”
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 5 weeks
Describes themselves as “recovering perfectionist”
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 8 days
DH
Describes themselves as “one good paragraph a week”
Writing slowly on purpose
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 4 weeks
Describes themselves as “posting through it”
Craft and format
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 7 weeks
Describes themselves as “recovering perfectionist”
Second acts
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 weeks
DJ
Describes themselves as “one good paragraph a week”
Building in the margins
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 5 weeks
Describes themselves as “posting through it”
Writing slowly on purpose
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 8 days
Describes themselves as “figuring it out in public”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 6 days
EZ
Describes themselves as “writing between other things”
Craft and format
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 4 days
Describes themselves as “writing the thing down before it leaves”
Second acts
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 2 days
Describes themselves as “figuring it out in public”
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 11 days
EB
Describes themselves as “writing between other things”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 9 days
Describes themselves as “writing the thing down before it leaves”
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 7 days
Describes themselves as “figuring it out in public”
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 5 days
ED
Describes themselves as “writing between other things”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 3 days
Describes themselves as “writing the thing down before it leaves”
Craft and format
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 12 days
Describes themselves as “figuring it out in public”
Second acts
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 10 days
EA
Describes themselves as “writing between other things”
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 8 days
Describes themselves as “slow writer, fast reader”
TalkingTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 8 days
Describes themselves as “essays, eventually”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 4 weeks
FQ
Describes themselves as “new here, staying”
Craft and format
TalkingTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 8 days
Describes themselves as “slow writer, fast reader”
Second acts
TalkingTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 4 weeks
Describes themselves as “essays, eventually”
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 8 days
FS
Describes themselves as “new here, staying”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 4 weeks
Describes themselves as “slow writer, fast reader”
TalkingTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 8 days
Describes themselves as “essays, eventually”
TalkingTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 4 weeks
FU
Describes themselves as “new here, staying”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 8 days
Describes themselves as “slow writer, fast reader”
Craft and format
TalkingTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 4 weeks
Describes themselves as “essays, eventually”
Second acts
TalkingTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 8 days
GG
Describes themselves as “here for the comments, honestly”
TalkingTalking2 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 7 days
Describes themselves as “notes first, courage later”
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 3 days
Describes themselves as “twelve drafts deep”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking6 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 11 days
GI
Describes themselves as “here for the comments, honestly”
Craft and format
TalkingTalking2 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 7 days
Describes themselves as “notes first, courage later”
Second acts
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 3 days
Describes themselves as “twelve drafts deep”
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking6 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 11 days
GK
Describes themselves as “here for the comments, honestly”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking2 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 7 days
Describes themselves as “notes first, courage later”
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 3 days
Describes themselves as “twelve drafts deep”
TalkingTalking6 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 11 days
GM
Describes themselves as “here for the comments, honestly”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking2 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 7 days
Describes themselves as “notes first, courage later”
Craft and format
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 3 days
Describes themselves as “recovering perfectionist”
Writing slowly on purpose
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since May
HC
Describes themselves as “one good paragraph a week”
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since March
Describes themselves as “posting through it”
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since April
Describes themselves as “recovering perfectionist”
Writing slowly on purpose
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since May
HE
Describes themselves as “one good paragraph a week”
Craft and format
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since March
Describes themselves as “posting through it”
Second acts
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since April
Describes themselves as “recovering perfectionist”
Building in the margins
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since May
HB
Describes themselves as “one good paragraph a week”
Writing slowly on purpose
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since March
Describes themselves as “posting through it”
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since April
Describes themselves as “recovering perfectionist”
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since May
HD
Describes themselves as “one good paragraph a week”
Writing slowly on purpose
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since March
Describes themselves as “writing the thing down before it leaves”
Building in the margins
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 13 days
Describes themselves as “figuring it out in public”
Writing slowly on purpose
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 5 weeks
IT
Describes themselves as “writing between other things”
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 8 weeks
Describes themselves as “writing the thing down before it leaves”
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 weeks
Describes themselves as “figuring it out in public”
Writing slowly on purpose
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 6 weeks
IV
Describes themselves as “writing between other things”
Craft and format
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 13 days
Describes themselves as “writing the thing down before it leaves”
Second acts
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 5 weeks
Describes themselves as “figuring it out in public”
Building in the margins
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 8 weeks
IY
Describes themselves as “writing between other things”
Writing slowly on purpose
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 weeks
Describes themselves as “writing the thing down before it leaves”
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 6 weeks
Describes themselves as “figuring it out in public”
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 13 days
JJ
Describes themselves as “new here, staying”
Second acts
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 11 days
Describes themselves as “slow writer, fast reader”
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 9 days
Describes themselves as “essays, eventually”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 7 days
JL
Describes themselves as “new here, staying”
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 5 days
Describes themselves as “slow writer, fast reader”
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 3 days
Describes themselves as “essays, eventually”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 12 days
JN
Describes themselves as “new here, staying”
Craft and format
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 10 days
Describes themselves as “slow writer, fast reader”
Second acts
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 8 days
Describes themselves as “essays, eventually”
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 6 days
JP
Describes themselves as “new here, staying”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 4 days
Describes themselves as “slow writer, fast reader”
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 2 days
Describes themselves as “twelve drafts deep”
Craft and format
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 13 days
KB
Describes themselves as “here for the comments, honestly”
Second acts
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 5 weeks
Describes themselves as “notes first, courage later”
Building in the margins
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 13 days
Describes themselves as “twelve drafts deep”
Writing slowly on purpose
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 5 weeks
KD
Describes themselves as “here for the comments, honestly”
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 13 days
Describes themselves as “notes first, courage later”
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 5 weeks
Describes themselves as “twelve drafts deep”
Writing slowly on purpose
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 13 days
KF
Describes themselves as “here for the comments, honestly”
Craft and format
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 5 weeks
Describes themselves as “notes first, courage later”
Second acts
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 13 days
Describes themselves as “twelve drafts deep”
Building in the margins
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 5 weeks
Describes themselves as “posting through it”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking7 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 12 days
Describes themselves as “recovering perfectionist”
Craft and format
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 8 days
LW
Describes themselves as “one good paragraph a week”
Second acts
TalkingTalking5 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 4 days
Describes themselves as “posting through it”
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking7 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 12 days
Describes themselves as “recovering perfectionist”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 8 days
LZ
Describes themselves as “one good paragraph a week”
TalkingTalking5 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 4 days
Describes themselves as “posting through it”
TalkingTalking7 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 12 days
Describes themselves as “recovering perfectionist”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking3 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 8 days
LB
Describes themselves as “one good paragraph a week”
Craft and format
TalkingTalking5 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 4 days
Describes themselves as “posting through it”
Second acts
TalkingTalking7 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 12 days
MM
Describes themselves as “writing between other things”
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since May
Describes themselves as “writing the thing down before it leaves”
Writing slowly on purpose
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since June
Describes themselves as “figuring it out in public”
Craft and format
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since April
MO
Describes themselves as “writing between other things”
Second acts
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since May
Describes themselves as “writing the thing down before it leaves”
Building in the margins
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since June
Describes themselves as “figuring it out in public”
Writing slowly on purpose
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since April
MQ
Describes themselves as “writing between other things”
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since May
Describes themselves as “writing the thing down before it leaves”
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since June
Describes themselves as “figuring it out in public”
Writing slowly on purpose
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since April
MS
Describes themselves as “writing between other things”
Craft and format
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since May
Describes themselves as “essays, eventually”
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 weeks
NE
Describes themselves as “new here, staying”
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 5 weeks
Describes themselves as “slow writer, fast reader”
Writing slowly on purpose
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 8 days
Describes themselves as “essays, eventually”
Craft and format
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 4 weeks
NG
Describes themselves as “new here, staying”
Second acts
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 7 weeks
Describes themselves as “slow writer, fast reader”
Building in the margins
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 weeks
Describes themselves as “essays, eventually”
Writing slowly on purpose
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 5 weeks
NI
Describes themselves as “new here, staying”
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 8 days
Describes themselves as “slow writer, fast reader”
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 4 weeks
Describes themselves as “essays, eventually”
Writing slowly on purpose
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 7 weeks
Describes themselves as “notes first, courage later”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking5 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 5 days
Describes themselves as “twelve drafts deep”
TalkingTalking5 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 3 days
OA
Describes themselves as “here for the comments, honestly”
TalkingTalking5 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 12 days
Describes themselves as “notes first, courage later”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking5 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 10 days
Describes themselves as “twelve drafts deep”
Craft and format
TalkingTalking5 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 8 days
OC
Describes themselves as “here for the comments, honestly”
Second acts
TalkingTalking5 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 6 days
Describes themselves as “notes first, courage later”
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking5 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 4 days
Describes themselves as “twelve drafts deep”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking5 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 2 days
OE
Describes themselves as “here for the comments, honestly”
TalkingTalking5 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 11 days
Describes themselves as “notes first, courage later”
TalkingTalking5 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 9 days
PP
Describes themselves as “one good paragraph a week”
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 3 weeks
Describes themselves as “posting through it”
Writing slowly on purpose
Talking, now quietTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 5 weeks
Describes themselves as “recovering perfectionist”
TalkingTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 3 weeks
PR
Describes themselves as “one good paragraph a week”
Talking, now quietTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 5 weeks
Describes themselves as “posting through it”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 3 weeks
Describes themselves as “recovering perfectionist”
Craft and format
Talking, now quietTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 5 weeks
PT
Describes themselves as “one good paragraph a week”
Second acts
TalkingTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 3 weeks
Describes themselves as “posting through it”
Building in the margins
Talking, now quietTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 5 weeks
Describes themselves as “recovering perfectionist”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 3 weeks
PV
Describes themselves as “one good paragraph a week”
Talking, now quietTalking1 exchangeyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 5 weeks
Describes themselves as “figuring it out in public”
Second acts
TalkingTalking6 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 5 days
RH
Describes themselves as “writing between other things”
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking2 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceTalking yesterday
Describes themselves as “writing the thing down before it leaves”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 9 days
Describes themselves as “figuring it out in public”
TalkingTalking6 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 5 days
RJ
Describes themselves as “writing between other things”
TalkingTalking2 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceTalking yesterday
Describes themselves as “writing the thing down before it leaves”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 9 days
Describes themselves as “figuring it out in public”
Craft and format
TalkingTalking6 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 5 days
RL
Describes themselves as “writing between other things”
Second acts
TalkingTalking2 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceTalking yesterday
Describes themselves as “writing the thing down before it leaves”
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 9 days
Describes themselves as “figuring it out in public”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking6 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 5 days
Describes themselves as “slow writer, fast reader”
Craft and format
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since April
Describes themselves as “essays, eventually”
Second acts
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since May
SD
Describes themselves as “new here, staying”
Building in the margins
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since March
Describes themselves as “slow writer, fast reader”
Writing slowly on purpose
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since April
Describes themselves as “essays, eventually”
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since May
SA
Describes themselves as “new here, staying”
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since March
Describes themselves as “slow writer, fast reader”
Writing slowly on purpose
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since April
Describes themselves as “essays, eventually”
Craft and format
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since May
SC
Describes themselves as “new here, staying”
Second acts
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since March
Describes themselves as “slow writer, fast reader”
Building in the margins
Talking, now quietTalking4 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet since April
TS
Describes themselves as “here for the comments, honestly”
Writing slowly on purpose
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 weeks
Describes themselves as “recovering perfectionist”
TalkingTalking6 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 10 days
Describes themselves as “notes first, courage later”
Craft and format
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 6 weeks
WK
Describes themselves as “one good paragraph a week”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking6 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 8 days
Describes themselves as “twelve drafts deep”
Second acts
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 13 days
Describes themselves as “posting through it”
Craft and format
TalkingTalking6 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 6 days
TU
Describes themselves as “here for the comments, honestly”
Building in the margins
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 5 weeks
Describes themselves as “recovering perfectionist”
Second acts
TalkingTalking6 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 4 days
Describes themselves as “notes first, courage later”
Writing slowly on purpose
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 8 weeks
WM
Describes themselves as “one good paragraph a week”
Building in the margins
TalkingTalking6 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 2 days
Describes themselves as “twelve drafts deep”
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 3 weeks
Describes themselves as “posting through it”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking6 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 11 days
TW
Describes themselves as “here for the comments, honestly”
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 6 weeks
Describes themselves as “recovering perfectionist”
TalkingTalking6 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 9 days
Describes themselves as “notes first, courage later”
Writing slowly on purpose
LikingLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 13 days
WO
Describes themselves as “one good paragraph a week”
TalkingTalking6 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 7 days
Describes themselves as “twelve drafts deep”
Craft and format
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 5 weeks
Describes themselves as “posting through it”
Writing slowly on purpose
TalkingTalking6 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 5 days
TZ
Describes themselves as “here for the comments, honestly”
Second acts
Liking, now quietLikingthey show up for your writing, you haven't really talkedQuiet 8 weeks
Describes themselves as “recovering perfectionist”
Craft and format
TalkingTalking6 exchangesyou've exchanged words more than onceQuiet 3 days
Orbit remembers your people - and everything you write.
Articles, notes, comments - how many people saw each one, who replied, who subscribed. All of it searchable.
Jul 12, 2026You replied to @bettyokafor
ditto ditto ditto - and I love these threads because I can just go follow everyone else here! you're the momstack magnet 💓
- “Who in my orbit has drifted that I used to talk to a lot?”
- “Which of my notes actually converted subscribers, and what do they have in common?”
- “What pockets of my audience am I not writing for?”
Subscribe on Substack →
For now, $12/month or $120/year. I send your access email personally.
Every other Substack tool wants to do the talking for you.
Scheduled notes. AI replies. Agents that post while you sleep.
What’s the point of automating your way to thousands of subscribers if you never get to know any of the PEOPLE who subscribed?
Orbit remembers. You do the talking.
It remembers where you met, what you two talk about, what they said last - so you show up already knowing where you left off. You’re still the one paying attention. That’s the thing they can feel.
If you want a content machine, there are good ones - truly. If you want to know your people - that’s Orbit.
“Orbit doesn’t just help you grow. It helps you stay grounded in why you’re on Substack in the first place.”
How it works
Orbit rides along in your browser.
Orbit is a Chrome extension plus a dashboard. You install it once, then keep using Substack exactly the way you already do.
1Once, at the start
Add Orbit to Chrome
Two clicks and a Google sign-in. No API keys, no CSV, no new place to check.
✦OrbitAdded to Chrome
2Every time you’re on Substack
Use Substack normally
Orbit reads alongside the session already open in your browser, saving the back-and-forth as you go.
reading along · nothing to click
3Whenever you open it
Open Orbit when you need the thread
Search a conversation, revisit a person, or see what changed this week.
seeyourorbit.com · and Sunday’s email
Your Substack login stays on your computer. Orbit never sees your password or email address.
What you get
Ten things Orbit remembers that Substack doesn’t.
- Relationship summaries
- Who each person is: where you met, what you two talk about, what they said last.
- Conversation search
- Everything you’ve ever said to anyone. “Birthday party” finds her in seconds.
- Drifting relationships
- Who’s warming up, and who went quiet.
- Open replies
- Every comment still waiting on your reply, in one clearable list.
- Sunshine
- The kind words, kept - for the days you need them.
- Weekly digest
- A Sunday email: who showed up, who drifted.
- Subscriber context
- Who arrived, who left - with everything you said before they left.
- Words and writing
- Every note, essay, and comment scored: reach, subscribers brought in, who leaned closer.
- Worlds
- The moms, the gardeners, the builders - the groups your readers already fall into, sorted without you doing it.
- Claude and ChatGPT
- Ask about your people in your own words - it reads and remembers, it never writes for you.
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Who makes this
Hi, I’m Rebecca: mom of two, product leader, building apps in the margins.
I like to think of thoughtful, smart people on Substack like planets - each with our own gravity and momentum, orbiting each other, pulling in and out of each other’s space, building on each other’s ideas. We’re orbiting each other.
I built Orbit because I lose track of my people, their best stories, my comments. I put my phone down, talk to my kids, go to work, and every conversation doesn’t go into my long-term memory! But relationships are the foundation of everything you build next.
I publish my real monthly numbers on What’s Working Right Now. Anything breaks, you email me: rebecca@seeyourorbit.com
“It has personally helped me keep in touch with the right people and the right relationships on Substack.”
Substack alone, or Substack with a memory?
- Substack aloneWith Orbit
- A subscriber countThe people you’ve actually talked to
- A feed that moves onConversations you can find again
- Post-by-post metricsWhat brought someone closer
- Whoever you remember todayA memory for each relationship
Get Orbit
For now, Orbit comes with a paid subscription to my Substack - along with my real monthly numbers - revenue, spend, what worked and what flopped - and first access to every tool I build next.
$12/monthor $120/year
Subscribe on Substack →How you get in
- 1Subscribe on Substack.
- 2I’ll send your access email personally, usually within 24 hours.
- 3Add Orbit to Chrome. The first build takes about ten minutes, once.
No API keys, no CSV, nothing to import - Orbit fills itself in while you use Substack like you already do.
If you’re thinking “my Substack is too small for this” - nope, you’re exactly who I want to talk to.
Already have access? Sign in with Google to open your orbit.
Questions
What is Orbit?
Orbit is a relationship dashboard for Substack writers. It remembers everyone you talk to on Substack - who’s new, who’s drifting, who you can turn to - and shows what your notes and essays actually do out in the world.
How does Orbit work?
A Chrome extension runs in your own browser, reads your Substack using the session you’re already logged into, and saves a copy of your conversations and the people in them into your private Orbit account.
Do I need to be technical to use Orbit?
No. Setup is two clicks and a Google sign-in - no API keys, no CSV exports, nothing to import. You keep using Substack exactly the way you already do, and Orbit fills itself in as you go. The first build takes about ten minutes, once.
Is my data safe? What can Orbit see?
Your Substack login never leaves your computer. Orbit only ever receives your public conversations and the people in them - never your password, never your subscribers’ email addresses. Direct messages stay off unless you turn them on.
Does Orbit write posts or replies for me?
No. Orbit reads and remembers; it never drafts, writes, or sends anything in your voice. It surfaces who’s worth reaching out to and helps you understand them - then you write it yourself.
Who is Orbit for?
Substack writers who build through conversation - replying to notes, showing up in comments, tending relationships one at a time. It works whether you have 50 readers or 50,000; if you want to build relationships, it’s for you.
Does Orbit cost money?
For now, Orbit is $12/month or $120/year, through a paid subscription to my Substack. There’s no free plan - every account has real AI costs, and the subscription covers them.
Is Orbit affiliated with Substack?
No. Orbit is an independent product, not made by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Substack. It works alongside your own Substack account in your own browser.
What makes Orbit different from a CRM?
A CRM is a sales tool for tracking leads. Orbit is a relationship memory - the kind a good friend would have. It notices who matters and how your connections are changing, without turning people into inventory.