JUST SO YOU KNOW...

Someone told me that they got an e-mail today from Substack offering a discount on a subscription to my Substack. I had nothing to do with this offer. Substack did this on its own. My view re: paid subscriptions remains as I stated in two recent posts on this topic and in my responses to Comments on those posts.

Fundamentally, I don’t view my writing as a business and I’m not a rational maximizer trying to improve my bottom line; ultimately, there’s not much subscription revenue. And I live simply.

But I think that after 110 free posts, it wasn’t unreasonable to ask for modest support. As someone who’s done plenty of varied, hard physical labor and legal practice, I see writing as another form of real work that, if appreciated, deserves respect. I support, and have supported, other writers.

Plus, an independent media needs to pay its own freight.

I didn’t—and won’t—beg for support by lowering the rate. If Substack thinks a discount is a good idea, I’ll go along with it, mostly because I don’t want to devote time to contact Substack and tell them that they shouldn’t have offered a discount without asking me.

In life, I generally get along well with people but I have a take-it-or-leave-it ethos. I usually begin my posts with a true story and I’m sure I could come up with a few funny ones about me exhibiting my unwillingness to compromise. But I don’t feel like devoting time to that this evening. The NJ weather is too nice.

I’ve finished Thursday’s post. I think it’s worth reading.

I very much enjoy meeting and speaking to readers. I’ve liked and learned from every one of over thirty of you. We share ideas, experiences and some laughs. I’d like to continue to hear from people. If you e-mail me at forecheck32 at g mail, we can set up a time to talk on the phone or meet.

Peggy, that chocolate was great! Thanks! I shared it with my 95 year old father last night and it put a big smile on his face.