 First up, I discovered Arden Yum and Ad Hoc when Lena Dunham wrote a Cheat Sheet to promote her book, Famesick — and couldn't wait to dive in. Cheat Sheet is Arden's cult-favorite series, where she gets interesting people to spill the objects, rituals, and secrets that make life feel like it's life-ing. Bingeing her back catalogue, I found an eclectic bench: novelists and journalists (Delia Cai, Emilia Petrarca), musicians (Lila Drew), podcasters (Avery Trufelman), founders (Ali Kriegsman), and a whole crew of fellow Substack writers. It's the corner of the internet where young creatives tell you how they actually live. Below, she shares how Ad Hoc has evolved, what makes a strong Cheat Sheet fit, why photos matter, and — most usefully for you — exactly how to land your people a spot and her contact info so you can pitch her! Q&A Ad Hoc Q&A Arden Yum, Founder & Writer, Ad Hoc About Ad Hoc  Can you tell us the story behind starting Ad Hoc and what you set out to create? Arden: I started Ad Hoc in 2024, when I was a junior in college. I had abandoned the English major and missed having a writing outlet. Thus, Ad Hoc was born! Substack was still very new, but I enjoyed testing out ideas, reflecting on cultural moments, and building community on a platform that deeply cares about language and storytelling. Can you describe the Ad Hoc reader? Arden: My audience is mostly young, professional women living in major cities, but it also spans 49 states and 157 countries. I would say my average reader is curious, well-read, and has specific preferences about the aesthetic, personal, and ethical choices she makes every day. After 115 letters (and counting), how has it evolved? Arden: I like how the way I've set up Ad Hoc allows it to morph and evolve as I grow up. It naturally has become less college-centric, and I want to start incorporating more researched and reported pieces into the mix. It's also been fun to feature other voices. How would you describe the tone of Ad Hoc to a first-time reader? Arden: Ad Hoc is sharp, observational, and empathetic. About Cheat Sheet  Cheat Sheets unveil the “objects, rituals, habits, places, and secrets that make life better.” How did the series come about? Arden: I wanted to start a series to interview my friends and other online people who I admired, but I didn't want to do a basic Q&A format. Instead, I thought about what I would be most interested in reading. I love hearing about the big and small things people do to make their day-to-day easier, happier, or more satisfying. You know what they say… the way you live your days is the way you live your life. Your guests are writers, founders, and creatives with strong points of view. What makes someone a good Cheat Sheet fit? Arden: I like someone who brings an unconventional perspective to the everyday! One of my favorite entries was by my friend Jude, who wrote about his “What will it take…” theory. Instead of asking yes or no questions, he poses, “What will it take for you to give me a free coffee?” or “What will it take for you to offer me an internship?” That small approach shift resonated with a lot of readers (myself included!) The best entries aren't lifestyle advice — they're confessions (emergency pizza, swim goggles for onions, lamps from Leboncoin). How do you steer guests toward the good stuff? Arden: I encourage them to read previous editions to see what we're going after. Your tips should be practical, but they should also reveal something about you that is quirky, specific, not immediately obvious. Those are the most fun — confessional is a great way to put it. The number of items varies — some guests share five, others six. Do you give contributors a guideline, or let them run with whatever feels right? Arden: I say to aim for five, but allow for flexibility! Photos are clearly a big part of the experience. What should publicists know about the visual component when pitching? Arden: Photos really help bring the tips to life. Lena Dunham wrote about laying out her outfits for the next day, and attached some darling photos of these incredible outfits. I highly encourage photos for each line item!  One of Lena Dunham's outfits, laid out the night before — from her Ad Hoc Cheat Sheet. Pitching Arden What's the best way to pitch you, and what should a strong pitch include? Arden: Feel free to email me at [email protected] with the subject's name, background, and why they would be a good fit for Ad Hoc. Thanks for having me, Tracey :) | 