Quick Clarification
Hi everyone,
Some of my subscribers have gotten notices from the Substack system that they are no longer subscribed to this newsletter, and I wanted to clarify.
As you know, Substack is built upon the premise of collecting paid subscriptions. There are some writers who are making great money off of their Substack subscriptions.
Well, I actually turned OFF that feature last year because I felt weird charging a monthly fee for a sometimes-sporadic newsletter that people may or may not find interesting. Plus, I didn’t have many paid subscribers and it wasn’t growing in that way, and it all just felt kind of pointless. Ahh, me.
I think every writer goes through doubts, sometimes. Like, what am I really doing here?
But since then - I’ve come to terms with myself.
I am turning the paid subscription feature back ON. However, when doing so - I didn’t want those paid subscribers that I did have to suddenly start getting charged again out of nowhere.
So, yesterday, I set everyone back to the FREE plan so I could re-start the PAID plan again, fresh. Does that make sense? Hence, some of the emails that went out.
Here is where I’ve settled: This newsletter will always be free. I’m not locking anything behind a paywall. If I decide to write really juicy, controversial stuff, well, maybe then.
For this project, if readers want to toss a tip into my hat, or buy me a symbolic cup of coffee once a month - OK, well, that’s pretty dang awesome and I shouldn’t question whether or not I’m worthy. It’s not my place to decide.
I guess my main point is, I don’t want to think about money. I don’t want to feel guilty for charging money, and I don’t want to feel guilty for NOT charging money.
I also don’t want to hustle people into subscribing by posting teasers and locking down my content - that’s just not me, at all. Nor the point of this publication.
But, I do think Substack likes it and helps us writers grow our readership if we have the money option turned on.
So, I’m turning it on, setting it, and forgetting it. $5/month or $50/year. DONE. I’m not fiddling with it any more.
I’ll let you, my readers, decide how to show support. Liking, commenting, sharing, leaving reviews - all worthy and appreciated. So is a paid subscription. You can subscribe, you can cancel, you can just read along - all of it is your choice.
(You can also donate a dollar amount. Not that I’m asking. But it’s there if you feel so moved.)
I’m just here to do some writing. Everything flows from that.
You do your thing. I appreciate you no matter what.
Thank you for your support - and thanks for allowing me to clarify.
Hope you’re having a great week!
AMO