As a trans writer, I'm in an uncomfortable position. It's already hard enough to get cut through and build an audience - foregoing the network effects of substack means I'm removing yet another avenue of growth.
And it also means paying more money out of my own - currently dwindling - funds to pay for Ghost pro or a similar service. That's bloody expensive.
But on the other hand - staying on Substack means staying on a platform that gives revenue and a voice to people who hate my existence.
I think you make an excellent point here, why is it that genuine, hard-working, rational and intelligent people have to suffer fools and feel they need to move platforms because of groups of people who have zero respect for others? Or suffer reputational damage due to having to share a platform with bad actors and immature users.
I will boost in order to try and help spread your writing and work. Just had a look at your website, some good writing on there.
I think there is a real need for a better model(s) for content creators to be able to share work and easily earn money for what is produced, There are services such as Librepay ( https://liberapay.com/ ) but that does not guarantee a regular income. I think it does facilitate regular payments.
I am not sure how the Fediverse can help with this, but we need something, and perhaps collectively we can change things.
