19 Comments
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LaVonne Ellis's avatar

I think I misread the questions because the result (Architect) shows what I think I *should* be doing, or wish I was doing, not how I actually work. Then again, I am not transitioning from newspapers to Substack.

LaVonne Ellis's avatar

Looking at the other comments, Architect is the only result mentioned. That makes me wonder if journalists are all actually "Architects", or if the quiz is rigged. Forgive me, in the current political climate, for being suspicious.

Clare Egan's avatar

Shout out to my fellow, Architects. This is such a beautiful, helpful offering Amanda. Exactly the kind of thing I've come to expect from you - tangible, grounded and practical but with deep resonance for the unknowability of the creative process. Thank you 💕

Lee Ann Prescott's avatar

I do content marketing for a living, so it makes sense that I'm an architect. I gain tremendous satisfaction from seeing a body of work build up over time.

Amy Brown's avatar

After our call today, I went back to the Publisher Archetype Quiz and I don't think I had taken it after all. And I'm an Architect! So interesting. I wouldn't have guessed that but the description of the archetype above makes sense to me, about how I write and how I am building this publication and readership. Thanks for designing it Amanda!

Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks for this Amanda. I'll add in some of your suggestions to my post this week.

Kathryn Barbash, PsyD's avatar

This is exactly me.

Nan Tepper's avatar

This is terrific. Although a couple of the questions stopped me a bit, I was able to get a result that fits my self-perception. I have arrived at a place in the last two years (my anniversary is the day of the first slam), where I'm much more confident about what I send out into the world as a writer, and I'm honing my craft as I go. My result is Architect, as you noted in the results you're seeing. I take all of this quite seriously. I've made a commitment to my publishing life and expanded my reach through a second stack that's somewhat unique. Trusting myself is crucial to this adventure I'm having! xo

Amy Brown's avatar

I am an Architect, too, Nan, we're both living out our commitments to our writing and publishing. Yay!

Nan Tepper's avatar

YAY! xo

Dana Miranda's avatar

Thank you for this! These questions and descriptions are so spot on.

I got architect, and I read the other descriptions, as well. I think what I am is actually a Wayfinder who works like an Architect because that’s how I believe I’m supposed to? I write from expertise, so that’s always seemed to make sense. But it doesn’t work with my creative energy levels, and I stall out periodically. What I’m seeing from this quiz is that I need to embrace my Wayfinder ways, even as an “expert” writer. I look forward to reading both guides to find the right balance!

Paulette Bodeman's avatar

This is cool and interesting. I found a couple of questions I could have answered in two different ways. Is there a way to see the short description of the other archetypes?

Amanda N. Bray's avatar

Yes, I believe if you go to the archive you should be able to see all 3. 🫶

Shaun Chavis's avatar

I'm an architect! I'm not surprised, because I'm a former newscast producer, magazine editor, and book editor. In the last few months what I've struggled with most is developing my story ideas and getting ahead of myself... I'd like to be 1-2 posts ahead. I have a giant content calendar but it's not yet filled for H1 2026. I downloaded your audit and definitely need a publishing system.

Amanda N. Bray's avatar

Yes I relate so much to this! And honestly: don’t be surprise if the potential of Substack nudges at your architect sensibilities after a while. It’s a good place to flex. :)

Ryn Kingsley's avatar

I landed here, then went to find the other archetypes too :) I feel like the elements of the other ones that I relate to fit inside this one. Like I follow my curiosity but filter it though "taking a messy topic and shaping it into something sharp, useful, and true."

Amanda N. Bray's avatar

I think this is part of the fun of archetypes — we see ourselves more clearly where the shape fits … and then where it DOES NOT. Thanks for taking the quiz and sharing. I’m excited to keep learning about people’s archetypes and publishing layers. :)

Hanna Keiner (she/her)'s avatar

I’m surprised I landed here! But I do have structure and rigor when it comes to the frameworks and when I publish, etc. There’s less rigor in the content and how I write things, so that’s something to be curious about.

Amanda N. Bray's avatar

Oohhh. 👀 So interesting! The structural design definitely is something that I kind of ebb and flow with. So I’m always curious about how folks flex between craft and structure.