Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott is returning to fiction writing with the serial release of a new novel on Substack throughout August [1, 2].
The move marks a rare public pivot for Scott, who has spent recent years focusing on large-scale philanthropy rather than creative arts.
Scott said she will publish her third novel, titled “Last Days in Two Nations,” in serial format [3]. The work consists of 80,000 words [1]. This project ends a 13-year hiatus from writing fiction [1, 2].
“Serially throughout August, I will publish an 80,000-word novel,” Scott said [1].
By choosing Substack for the release, Scott is bypassing traditional publishing houses to deliver the work directly to her audience. “I’m excited to bring my third novel to readers for free on Substack,” Scott said [3].
Scott is widely known for her historic giving patterns. To date, she has donated over $26 billion [1] to various causes. Despite these contributions, she maintains a significant personal fortune, with a current net worth of $33.8 billion [1].
The decision to offer the novel for free aligns with her broader pattern of distributing resources without restrictive conditions. The serial format allows readers to engage with the story in segments as it unfolds through the end of the month.
““Serially throughout August, I will publish an 80,000-word novel.””
Scott's return to writing via Substack reflects a broader trend of high-profile figures utilizing newsletter platforms to maintain direct control over their intellectual property and distribution. By releasing the novel for free, she extends her philanthropic ethos into the cultural sphere, removing financial barriers to her creative work.
