It's a puzzle, for sure. And I feel like Substack doesn't make it easy to examine the ways we do things here -- there is like, ONE structure, and it's a challenge to figure out how to work inside it, if the way you're working inside it perhaps isn't the perfect fit (ever or anymore).
Every time I thought about doing this in the last few weeks, a small voice was like, you absolutely cannot. This won't work. You'll lose so much money. No one will choose to become a paid subscriber. My paid subscribers will be mad and then cancel. (My own husband said, "I wouldn't pay for a subscription to a newsletter if I didn't have to.") But I kept getting this internal, instinctual nudge, and listening to that has never steered me wrong, so here we are. I might lose money; I might lose subscribers. But I'm willing to try it out and see how it goes.
i think there’s something to be said for those who want to support us for the sake of it. maybe that’s the audience we want anyway? would love to hear your findings at the end of the experiment
Good luck! I hope it works! And I can’t wait for the theme issues! I love them so much! I already started requesting the fall books from the library! Here’s to a sweet brave final quarter!
It would be super easy to tear through his book -- it's not complex -- but I'm finding it more useful to go slowly and really think about what he's saying. It's not the greatest book I've ever read about creativity and ideas, but it's pretty good.
Yes, it's almost corny in it's 'basic-ness' isn't it? And yet, those simple reminders are just that, simple and good. I have it on my writing desk to parse through whenever I need to get back to the basics.
It's good to take risks, and it's wonderful to do what you love for all the right reasons. It is also reasonable to hope that you can afford to keep doing it. I love your work either way - “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
Definitely a risk worth taking, Sarah. We had a similar debate here at the CYBILS Awards. In the end, we decided that getting the word out about books for kids & teens with positive representation was more valuable than a paywall. We are a nonprofit, so our "subscription" is also more of a donation/show of support.
Call me a proud Can we read? donor then! Good luck with the experiment - I hope it works out in your favour, and that it motivates you further to continue the nourishing work you do here, Sarah.
I'm a first time dad writing letters to his so on Substack. I love this model. Happy I found you! Book reviews and a Substack model I would love to emulate!
I hope everyone supports your writing in this model! I did not know you offered tailored book lists for paid subscribers! What a great perk!
I like it!
Thank you for your contribution! I am happy to continue to support your important work.
Thank you so much, Giulia!
having the same feelings after reading the creative act, and trying to figure out how to make the pieces fit together
It's a puzzle, for sure. And I feel like Substack doesn't make it easy to examine the ways we do things here -- there is like, ONE structure, and it's a challenge to figure out how to work inside it, if the way you're working inside it perhaps isn't the perfect fit (ever or anymore).
Every time I thought about doing this in the last few weeks, a small voice was like, you absolutely cannot. This won't work. You'll lose so much money. No one will choose to become a paid subscriber. My paid subscribers will be mad and then cancel. (My own husband said, "I wouldn't pay for a subscription to a newsletter if I didn't have to.") But I kept getting this internal, instinctual nudge, and listening to that has never steered me wrong, so here we are. I might lose money; I might lose subscribers. But I'm willing to try it out and see how it goes.
i think there’s something to be said for those who want to support us for the sake of it. maybe that’s the audience we want anyway? would love to hear your findings at the end of the experiment
Agreed. There is definitely a shift in energy in that kind of exchange.
I plan to report back to everyone, publicly, but am also happy to share behind the scenes if you have detailed questions.
Thanks for continuing to offer and share you incredible gifts.
Great idea!
This is so good--thank you for saying this!!
Good luck! I hope it works! And I can’t wait for the theme issues! I love them so much! I already started requesting the fall books from the library! Here’s to a sweet brave final quarter!
Thank you, Claudia! I appreciate your enthusiasm -- it means more to me than I can say, knowing that people enjoy what I do here.
Great idea!
(Rick Ruben's tidbits are awesome.)
It would be super easy to tear through his book -- it's not complex -- but I'm finding it more useful to go slowly and really think about what he's saying. It's not the greatest book I've ever read about creativity and ideas, but it's pretty good.
Yes, it's almost corny in it's 'basic-ness' isn't it? And yet, those simple reminders are just that, simple and good. I have it on my writing desk to parse through whenever I need to get back to the basics.
Totally! That's well said.
Cheering you on: this is a great idea to try.
It's good to take risks, and it's wonderful to do what you love for all the right reasons. It is also reasonable to hope that you can afford to keep doing it. I love your work either way - “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
— Maya Angelou
Thank you so much! 💚
Love this!
Definitely a risk worth taking, Sarah. We had a similar debate here at the CYBILS Awards. In the end, we decided that getting the word out about books for kids & teens with positive representation was more valuable than a paywall. We are a nonprofit, so our "subscription" is also more of a donation/show of support.
Looking forward to hearing about your results.
Thanks!
So how do I send my donation?
You don’t ☺️ You’re a Founding member — you did that years ago when you first subscribed — so you’re all set.
Call me a proud Can we read? donor then! Good luck with the experiment - I hope it works out in your favour, and that it motivates you further to continue the nourishing work you do here, Sarah.
Aww, thank you so much! “Proud Can we read? donor” sounds amazing to me ☺️💚
I'm a first time dad writing letters to his so on Substack. I love this model. Happy I found you! Book reviews and a Substack model I would love to emulate!
Thanks, Marc. Welcome! It has been an interesting experiment thus far...
I believe you! Hope you do a follow up eventually!
I’ll do one at the end of December, when the experiment is over (and I decide whether or not to adopt this model permanently).