“Don’t we have an obligation, a responsibility, to our planetary future and the generations of humans and other species to come?” ―The Good Ancestor: How to Think Long-Term in a Short-Term World, Roman Krznaric
Your writing is a wonderful mix of certainty and uncertainty. A plan that you seem to be flexible enough to adjust. Cannot wait to read something like this for inspiration.
Definitely uncertainty! I've got a while to figure it out, so am trying to think about what this will look like in between workloads. Sometimes being nervous about it abates and I get excited :)
Scheduling around uncertainty can be hard the first time we do it but your writing and background makes it seem that you can be confident amidst the uncertainty. Experience!
Star Trek was such a touchstone of my childhood, once we had television (I was 10 when I first saw it, tiny black and white TV, and was hooked, and then a few months later TNG came out!). Thank you <3
Oh my gosh, yes! Or, as you might have put it another time, the scramble before the ridge? (I don't know, I've never been truly rock climbing aside from unavoidable little scrambles; I'm terrified of heights!)
Jan 23, 2022·edited Jan 23, 2022Liked by Antonia Malchik
I would like to comment more on this when I have time, but quickly:
I would absolutely consider paying for a subscriber tier, when that time comes. Though I still have to catch up with the back posts, in my opinion what you've been putting out here qualifies for that feature or at least a discussion about it (no small achievement given the number of excellent free newsletters). As you may recall from another recent newsletter where you and I were both readers, initially when it was paid subscription the discussions were great and it felt like a community, but once it switched to free and the writer's priorities shifted elsewhere with new responsibiities, a lot of the energy drained away and it just wasn't the same (not a criticism of the writer to be clear, just a general observation). I have no idea how it works in the other direction but suspect it could be a valuable motivator.
The "paid vs. free" question is certainly coming up for many bloggers these days, so plenty of analysis already out there that you could mine for insights. One person I subscribe to has written at length on the rationale behind their own business model (though admittedly a very different kind of writer).
In addition to previewing your book-in-progress, have you ever given thought to a semi-regular book club on some reading of your choice, as another exclusive feature?
I am 100% with you on that assessment re the recent newsletter. as you say, not a criticism of the writer at all but your description of "a lot of the energy drained away" was very much my experience. It actually gave me pause for a long time (still does, TBH) because it made me realize how much of my support of a newsletter is about the community the writer behind it helps build, which is not true of the podcasts I support through Patreon. I'm not sure if there's a qualitative difference, or if it's just that the first Substack I ever subscribed to built such a strong community that it either a) set the bar really high, or b) gave me a framework for what I value in them (probably a combination of both). And that seems to require a certain level of commitment from the author to that community space.
I have thought about a kind of book club! Or reading group? I'm not sure but I'd be open to at least providing a space for it. My experience of book clubs has a lot of fizzling-out in it, but there could be flexibility. Like reading a book, or reading things related to a book, or just wanting to discuss things about a book's subject. I love knowing other people's experiences of these ideas.
Your words are very kind. I'm nervous about this (so much easier to just let a publisher or publication take responsibility for putting something out there and asking for money for it), but at least have time to figure out options!
You're probably not checking this one anymore since you posted a new one, but just curious whether the newsletter we were discussing is that "first Substack I ever subscribed to," or you were referring to another one. And it's so true about the Patreon podcasts not sustaining community in themselves (at least via the comment threads); that's so true. I wonder why that is exactly: I would think there's plenty of room for discussions around a posted video to be as cohesive as one centered on a written text (especially these days when people are so video-oriented), but maybe I'm underestimating the difference. Certainly for myself, I'm not nearly as inclined to watch the entire video or bother commenting on one compared to a written essay, but I assumed everyone else is way more video-friendly.
Luckily (perhaps), I don't have so many readers that I have to stop responding to comments ;) Substack sends me an email every time someone comments, so I just wait until I have a good amount of time/brain space.
It's Anne Helen Petersen's Culture Study newsletter (https://annehelen.substack.com), which I imagine most subscribers would describe as a unique experience of community online: supportive, curious, diverse (in life experience and background if not necessarily in politics), enthusiastic, leaning toward the generous-hearted. I think it has a lot to do with the kind of person AHP is and what and how she's written previously (mostly when at BuzzFeed). Like, I personally started following her work when she reported on Montana politics because her understanding of small, conservative, Western communities rang true (she's from North Idaho), as did her understanding of what it means when outside journalists try to write the narrative of a place without really trying to know it. She's very community-oriented, and I think that set the tone of the newsletter from the outset -- she participates in threads and discussions and to my mind has a unique ability to foster conversation.
Which was true, off and on, of that other one we were both on, I felt, until the energy went elsewhere. To me, it makes a big difference in how much I want to engage with that writer's work. Honestly, I'm unsure why that is. I don't expect it when reading The Atlantic or even my local paper. Is it because a Substack or similar is such an individual thing? You're investing in that one author or creator and expect more of a give and take? I don't know.
I agree with you about video! I read a lot and listen to a lot of podcasts but video takes an extra little stretch for me. For Patreon personally, I used it to support a few podcasts so didn't really see it as a forum for conversation. I wonder if others find that, too?
I don't do anything different for paid or free subscribers. My approach has been if my BS is worth something to you and you can afford it, pay. If not, that's fine too. Maybe it's shitty but I can't handle the additional complications of maintaining two versions, which will probably ultimate lead to the newsletter's demise. I'll die poor inside my truck at the end of a dead end road someday regardless, I think.
But man, am I ever intimidated by all the references I've been seeing by people I subscribe to mentioning editors and fact checkers. Of course my garbage could use both, but I'd be operating so deep in the red to accommodate it that I don't know how it's even possible. What a nightmare.
Hence, dead end road....
And as for book publishing, I find as mine languishes at the publisher knowing that it is still likely more than a year from seeing the light of day, and no idea when it will move forward, after the immense relief of turning it in I feel like it's behind me and I don't even care anymore. Hopefully that will change.
It is NOT shitty. Everything you write, if you really want to get into the muck about it, saves my life in some small or big way and I am willing to bet lots of your subscribers feel the same way. You're doing what's true to your heart and that's why it works (also because you're a damn good writer) and is not a dead end road.
(Also, if you find yourself living in your truck I now have access to an off-grid cabin. There are bats and mice in it but plenty of firewood and fresh water. If Whitefish gets much more expensive we might all end up there.)
Okay, so the fact-checker and editor is my older sister. She's not a professional editor but I had her read my book in near-final version because she has the most analytical mind I've ever known and she will not let me get away with *anything.* If I stretched a point or said that a scientific study meant more than it said, she'd point it out. I needed that and still often do because I'm not a scholar and spend a lot of time straying way out of my comfort zone of knowledge. In your case, you ARE the expert in your field. You're the one people will fact-check against when they write about your subjects in the future. You're breaking trail. Whereas I am just wandering around known territory trying to find something new to notice, and am perpetually terrified that I'll get my facts wrong. Which really just points to much larger problems in my psyche.
If it helps at all with the book, a friend finished her book around the same time I did mine, and we talked afterward about how we were burned out on our subjects and didn't even want to talk about them. It took a lot of recharging to go out and do talks. I suspect that's standard because you put so much into a book for so long and then there's this interminable waiting period.
That's going to give me a big head! The early-release-for-paid idea is an intriguing one, though. I hadn't thought of that before, which is odd because that's what a lot of Patreon podcasts do. The episodes are available to everyone but subscribers get it a week or something ahead of time and somehow that works?
It strikes a balance of equitable access in my opinion. If someone really likes the creators work but truly can't afford it (say a student who is doing lots of public land ownership activism or something) they'll get the work on a delay. Others who want to support the creator can pay. You could also have a "pay what you want" feature (https://www.patreon.com/lowtechmagazine used to do that, now looks like they have a couple tiers).
I guess maybe you release your content onto patreon , then post it here a week later?
Half my family works for a specialty coffee company; I've got coffee coming out of my ears! (Trying to do the laugh-cry emoji but my keyboard isn't liking emojis today.)
These are great ideas. I think I should write all the thoughts on my marker board and spend some time pondering. I hadn't even thought of linking it to Patreon! I just support a few podcasts on Patreon.
:) I see the buymeacoffee as a way to get a one time "oh that was a cool article, let me toss the author a few bucks" . A lower friction / one time model vs patreon (which is more about recurring revenue).
Your writing is a wonderful mix of certainty and uncertainty. A plan that you seem to be flexible enough to adjust. Cannot wait to read something like this for inspiration.
Definitely uncertainty! I've got a while to figure it out, so am trying to think about what this will look like in between workloads. Sometimes being nervous about it abates and I get excited :)
Scheduling around uncertainty can be hard the first time we do it but your writing and background makes it seem that you can be confident amidst the uncertainty. Experience!
That's a confidence boost -- thank you!
My Trekker heart warmed at the ST reference, Nia, and I look forward very much to jumping on board the paid version and to the new book!
Star Trek was such a touchstone of my childhood, once we had television (I was 10 when I first saw it, tiny black and white TV, and was hooked, and then a few months later TNG came out!). Thank you <3
This piece feels very much like the breath before the plunge. To pull a line from The Matrix, very exciting times to be sure!
Oh my gosh, yes! Or, as you might have put it another time, the scramble before the ridge? (I don't know, I've never been truly rock climbing aside from unavoidable little scrambles; I'm terrified of heights!)
Either way, this rocks :)
LOL!
Can’t wait to read more!
I would like to comment more on this when I have time, but quickly:
I would absolutely consider paying for a subscriber tier, when that time comes. Though I still have to catch up with the back posts, in my opinion what you've been putting out here qualifies for that feature or at least a discussion about it (no small achievement given the number of excellent free newsletters). As you may recall from another recent newsletter where you and I were both readers, initially when it was paid subscription the discussions were great and it felt like a community, but once it switched to free and the writer's priorities shifted elsewhere with new responsibiities, a lot of the energy drained away and it just wasn't the same (not a criticism of the writer to be clear, just a general observation). I have no idea how it works in the other direction but suspect it could be a valuable motivator.
The "paid vs. free" question is certainly coming up for many bloggers these days, so plenty of analysis already out there that you could mine for insights. One person I subscribe to has written at length on the rationale behind their own business model (though admittedly a very different kind of writer).
In addition to previewing your book-in-progress, have you ever given thought to a semi-regular book club on some reading of your choice, as another exclusive feature?
I am 100% with you on that assessment re the recent newsletter. as you say, not a criticism of the writer at all but your description of "a lot of the energy drained away" was very much my experience. It actually gave me pause for a long time (still does, TBH) because it made me realize how much of my support of a newsletter is about the community the writer behind it helps build, which is not true of the podcasts I support through Patreon. I'm not sure if there's a qualitative difference, or if it's just that the first Substack I ever subscribed to built such a strong community that it either a) set the bar really high, or b) gave me a framework for what I value in them (probably a combination of both). And that seems to require a certain level of commitment from the author to that community space.
I have thought about a kind of book club! Or reading group? I'm not sure but I'd be open to at least providing a space for it. My experience of book clubs has a lot of fizzling-out in it, but there could be flexibility. Like reading a book, or reading things related to a book, or just wanting to discuss things about a book's subject. I love knowing other people's experiences of these ideas.
Your words are very kind. I'm nervous about this (so much easier to just let a publisher or publication take responsibility for putting something out there and asking for money for it), but at least have time to figure out options!
You're probably not checking this one anymore since you posted a new one, but just curious whether the newsletter we were discussing is that "first Substack I ever subscribed to," or you were referring to another one. And it's so true about the Patreon podcasts not sustaining community in themselves (at least via the comment threads); that's so true. I wonder why that is exactly: I would think there's plenty of room for discussions around a posted video to be as cohesive as one centered on a written text (especially these days when people are so video-oriented), but maybe I'm underestimating the difference. Certainly for myself, I'm not nearly as inclined to watch the entire video or bother commenting on one compared to a written essay, but I assumed everyone else is way more video-friendly.
Luckily (perhaps), I don't have so many readers that I have to stop responding to comments ;) Substack sends me an email every time someone comments, so I just wait until I have a good amount of time/brain space.
It's Anne Helen Petersen's Culture Study newsletter (https://annehelen.substack.com), which I imagine most subscribers would describe as a unique experience of community online: supportive, curious, diverse (in life experience and background if not necessarily in politics), enthusiastic, leaning toward the generous-hearted. I think it has a lot to do with the kind of person AHP is and what and how she's written previously (mostly when at BuzzFeed). Like, I personally started following her work when she reported on Montana politics because her understanding of small, conservative, Western communities rang true (she's from North Idaho), as did her understanding of what it means when outside journalists try to write the narrative of a place without really trying to know it. She's very community-oriented, and I think that set the tone of the newsletter from the outset -- she participates in threads and discussions and to my mind has a unique ability to foster conversation.
Which was true, off and on, of that other one we were both on, I felt, until the energy went elsewhere. To me, it makes a big difference in how much I want to engage with that writer's work. Honestly, I'm unsure why that is. I don't expect it when reading The Atlantic or even my local paper. Is it because a Substack or similar is such an individual thing? You're investing in that one author or creator and expect more of a give and take? I don't know.
I agree with you about video! I read a lot and listen to a lot of podcasts but video takes an extra little stretch for me. For Patreon personally, I used it to support a few podcasts so didn't really see it as a forum for conversation. I wonder if others find that, too?
Of course I'll subscribe!
I don't do anything different for paid or free subscribers. My approach has been if my BS is worth something to you and you can afford it, pay. If not, that's fine too. Maybe it's shitty but I can't handle the additional complications of maintaining two versions, which will probably ultimate lead to the newsletter's demise. I'll die poor inside my truck at the end of a dead end road someday regardless, I think.
But man, am I ever intimidated by all the references I've been seeing by people I subscribe to mentioning editors and fact checkers. Of course my garbage could use both, but I'd be operating so deep in the red to accommodate it that I don't know how it's even possible. What a nightmare.
Hence, dead end road....
And as for book publishing, I find as mine languishes at the publisher knowing that it is still likely more than a year from seeing the light of day, and no idea when it will move forward, after the immense relief of turning it in I feel like it's behind me and I don't even care anymore. Hopefully that will change.
Dead end road....
It is NOT shitty. Everything you write, if you really want to get into the muck about it, saves my life in some small or big way and I am willing to bet lots of your subscribers feel the same way. You're doing what's true to your heart and that's why it works (also because you're a damn good writer) and is not a dead end road.
(Also, if you find yourself living in your truck I now have access to an off-grid cabin. There are bats and mice in it but plenty of firewood and fresh water. If Whitefish gets much more expensive we might all end up there.)
Okay, so the fact-checker and editor is my older sister. She's not a professional editor but I had her read my book in near-final version because she has the most analytical mind I've ever known and she will not let me get away with *anything.* If I stretched a point or said that a scientific study meant more than it said, she'd point it out. I needed that and still often do because I'm not a scholar and spend a lot of time straying way out of my comfort zone of knowledge. In your case, you ARE the expert in your field. You're the one people will fact-check against when they write about your subjects in the future. You're breaking trail. Whereas I am just wandering around known territory trying to find something new to notice, and am perpetually terrified that I'll get my facts wrong. Which really just points to much larger problems in my psyche.
If it helps at all with the book, a friend finished her book around the same time I did mine, and we talked afterward about how we were burned out on our subjects and didn't even want to talk about them. It took a lot of recharging to go out and do talks. I suspect that's standard because you put so much into a book for so long and then there's this interminable waiting period.
Thank you, Nia. I'm just crabby sometimes.
Irritable?! Me, too ;)
Make the newsletter paid exclusively. Make the content available free after a 3 week delay. I would pay 25.00 a month for your writing , sign me up!
https://stratechery.com/ does a mix of paid/free content. I don't know if he uses substack or not.
That's going to give me a big head! The early-release-for-paid idea is an intriguing one, though. I hadn't thought of that before, which is odd because that's what a lot of Patreon podcasts do. The episodes are available to everyone but subscribers get it a week or something ahead of time and somehow that works?
It strikes a balance of equitable access in my opinion. If someone really likes the creators work but truly can't afford it (say a student who is doing lots of public land ownership activism or something) they'll get the work on a delay. Others who want to support the creator can pay. You could also have a "pay what you want" feature (https://www.patreon.com/lowtechmagazine used to do that, now looks like they have a couple tiers).
I guess maybe you release your content onto patreon , then post it here a week later?
Also you could add things like https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ :)
At the very least get a patreon setup and have a "give what you want" . Do some iterative market testing :)
Half my family works for a specialty coffee company; I've got coffee coming out of my ears! (Trying to do the laugh-cry emoji but my keyboard isn't liking emojis today.)
These are great ideas. I think I should write all the thoughts on my marker board and spend some time pondering. I hadn't even thought of linking it to Patreon! I just support a few podcasts on Patreon.
:) I see the buymeacoffee as a way to get a one time "oh that was a cool article, let me toss the author a few bucks" . A lower friction / one time model vs patreon (which is more about recurring revenue).
I could pass it on and buy the local hospital staff coffee :). (Goodness knows they could use some care right now.)
Will be ready to hit that subscribe button as quickly as possible when the time comes.
I’m in.
<3
I have a book due on Monday! And The Expanse is in it! Email me your address and I'll send you a copy.
That's so exciting -- congratulations! Can you share the title? 🥳
Mailing address is right on my website (https://antoniamalchik.com/contact/), but I would love to support you be preordering!
Well done, Beltalowda ;)
Oh there it is! Great. It's this: primetimerguide.com (ignore the temp cover)
Believe it or not, this is a book I need!