For Readers, With Gratitude

This, dear reader, is a letter of thanks to you and all the subscribers of life: examined. 

I think this photo of me was taken last year :)

I started life: examined on the Substack platform in October 2019, moving away from Mailchimp, where my newsletter had been hosted for many years.

When I first started with Mailchimp, it was slick, new, fun, and straightforward. It's none of those things, now. The platform is more about marketing and A/B testing, ROI, and stuff I just don't care about. 

When I discovered Substack, a newcomer to the email newsletter scene, and dug deeper, I liked what I saw. 

Substack was created for writers who want to share with their readers. There are few bells and whistles (Just one font, no real stylistic choices, etc.), making it easier to avoid futzing about with design decisions that get in the way of the actual writing. 

And Substack, because first and foremost they support writers, has made it possible for writers on the platform to offer paid subscriptions—because writers deserve to eat and pay the bills, too.

I haven't chosen this option, but I may at some point (don't worry, life: examined, as you know it, will always be free). If I decide to create premium features like webinars and special guest chats, articles, and who-knows-what-else, maybe I’ll offer a paid subscriber option. 

Buy Me a Coffee

Instead of the subscriber model, I've chosen to use Buy Me a Coffee (BMC). Buy Me a Coffee is another simple platform where readers can buy me a virtual coffee, processing the gift through PayPal. BMC takes a percentage, but that's fine with me.

Offering the BMC option has been a fun way to make a bit of pocket change, it deepens the reader-writer connection, and it lets people show their support for my writing. Never mandatory or expected; always appreciated! 

Humbled & Overwhelmed

Honestly, I've been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of my readers—whether it's a coffee gift through BMC, your thoughtful emails, or observations in the comment section following each new essay. 

Other writers say this, but I mean it—I have the best readers anywhere! 

I’ve been a writer as long as I can remember; probably beginning just a few years after that photo, above, was taken of me. Writing will always be my first language.

I am deeply grateful for your presence—just knowing you’re out there reading life: examined means more than than I can say. So thank you, dear reader, for being a partner in my writing journey.

So Long, 2020

This is my last issue of life: examined for 2020. I will resume with the first issue of 2021 on the 7th of January. If there’s a topic you’d like me to tackle, or you have feedback about anything I’ve written in this little love note, please let me know.

Happy holidays to you, your friends, family, and of course to your dogs & cats & houseplants—see you in 2021!

—> If you enjoy life: examined, please comment, share it—and if you want, buy me a coffee. Your generosity keeps me caffeinated, inspired, and writing!