What is this?
This is my Substack newsletter. It provides me with an outlet for both creative and analytical expression, primarily focused on CS esports but with the potential to write about anything that catches my interest sufficiently. You can expect articles around once a month at the minimum - though I often do procrastinate on writing an article until the end of a month, so keep that in mind.
Who am I?
I’m backpackbrain. That’s my internet alias on most, if not all, accounts across the internet. I currently have not revealed my real identity, though if I get involved more closely in esports I expect I will have to do so at some point and will accept that when the time comes. For the time being I have no interest in opening myself up to the maws of the internet unless I either amass a significant following or am required to take responsibility for my articles if they turn to a more impactful direction.
I am based in Australia. The time zone is a significant barrier to participating in a European-centric CS esports scene, but I do my best. I also do have a YouTube channel, where I have been uploading assorted gaming videos mostly unrelated to CS. If I post esports related content on YouTube, it will be on the same channel - I see no reason to segment my viewership in the future, as I would prefer a gradual growth which is due to “me” rather than creating a pocket of viewers only interested in the flavour of the month.
Why make a Substack?
It’s common for people to sit in their armchairs and look at someone actually doing something and say “I could do that” while not actually being close to doing it.
For a while, I was looking at the CS writing space and thinking those thoughts. It wasn’t directed at the best of the best, but rather at the average writer, where I found myself thinking “that doesn’t look so hard”. So I decided to at least put one foot forward into this space - if only to put me a peg above the masses who don’t contribute.
What’s the goal?
There’s no specific goal in mind. I currently promote my articles primarily through Twitter and some word of mouth; there’s not a huge audience for my kind of writing to begin with, so it is difficult to expand without going “generic”.
I could one day add paywalls to certain articles, but as it stands not only do I think nobody would pay, but I don’t put the work in to justify requesting payment for the majority of my articles.
There is a larger chance, though still fairly small, that I pursue some sort of writing or columnist style job posting esports articles and use this Substack as a portfolio of sorts. I expect there would be some difficulty adjusting to the loss of creative control and scheduling that would come with that kind of job, not to mention the effects of turning a passion project into a source of income. I am open to offers on my Twitter if anybody wishes to approach me - it’s currently not about the money for me in any case.
