Thank you so much, Holly, for modeling generosity and a sense of abundance. I know many will take inspiration from your example. People lead in so many ways; this is a beautiful example of leadership. Grateful for you.
Yes to hearing that relief in your (written) voice. All the best to you, Holly. I get so much from your work and will continue to happily pay for it for the same reason I pay for Yoga with Adrienne. Because it's contributing to the world I want to live in. Thank you.
Your writing has saved my life, no joke, and also, I want you to be in love with it and the process and for it to feel expansive and freeing and empowering. I don't want anything hanging over your head while you do it. So good for you and fuck the paywall, killer of creativity and passion. Here's to EASE. I'm pointing myself toward that very thing in my life, too.
This is so encouraging, Holly. It never felt quite right for me to paywall content, for many of the reasons you outline here. I just turned on paid subs this week using the same model — a voluntary value exchange, content is the same for everyone. Maria Popova has shown us it‘s possible. I‘ll keep my day job as long as I need to in order to keep the creative process pure.
Keep up the great work. Reading your blog / book was what motivated me to start writing personal essays (and to write them vulnerably). Forever grateful for it (and you).
I hope the ease comes and stays for you, so that you can think and explore and create in a way that “incites joy”’(Gay). I value your time and your work and am happy to do so no matter your paywall settings.
I paid $11 for your 40 days Mantras a few years ago. They opened the door to my now 4+ years of sobriety. Your voice in my head and your words on the page are priceless Holly because I’m sober and alive to talk about it! I’ll remain a paid subscriber with pleasure.
Gosh, it seems like everyone on Substack is talking about how the paywall is detrimental to their creativity, lately. Is it an end of the year thing?
There's so much pressure to find some magical intersection between creativity and profit, which rarely happens naturally. For me, art and commerce play by different rules, and I must keep them separate to stay sane. I have a notecard on the corkboard in front of my desk that reads, "Art, not an Ad." I don't paywall anything, but it's to remind me to not get too caught up in worries about how my work might be received.
Thank you Amy. I've seen teh Summer Brennan article about it (which I think was an argument for getting over it?) but not anything else and would love to if you have links. I appreciate your perspective. xx
I have never commented but have followed your writing as I sit here on my 3rd glass of wine thinking about how I become a better person. I appreciate what you do and will continue to support your work. My meager triumphs to reduce my drinking have been due to your work. Thank you.
Just upgraded my subscription. happy to pay more bc you write fire and inspire. Also, I too "believe in a world where everyone is taken care of and everyone has a sense of abundance and everyone gets to make a living doing things that inspire them rather than destroy them." Thanks.
Brave, well done. I’m paying you because I value your work. On my own Substack paying and non paying subscribers get the same rights, but I’m small, so I like the engagement. Paying subscribers get an artwork a year, a Lino or etching print. ❤️
In the UK people routinely complain about the cost of the licence fee we have to pay each year for BBC TV and radio. I find it mind-boggling and would happily pay the fee just for access to Radio 4 because it brings me so much stimulation and joy.
For me, this newsletter is like another Radio 4. It’s endlessly engaging, thought-provoking and I always want to tell people about it.
I imagine there are many like me who wouldn’t think twice about paying because we want you to do your best work, and if making payment optional enables you to do so, that’s fine.
Its also worth bearing in mind that people value what they pay for so, as ironic as it might sound, anyone who stops paying is likely to get less value from your work, not more.
I typically keep your messages unread as a means to more easily find them in my mailbox, saving them for the moments that I have more time to fully be present and indulge.
When a “deep clean” commences, I carefully keep your messages with little blue circles indicating “unread” as I mass select to delete and unsubscribe from the distractions they’ve been hidden next to.
I know this isn’t the best mailbox organizational choice or option. That’s not the point. The avoidance is twofold. My email opening patterns might look like discouraging stats, but I am able to read at my own pace.
Binge reading your work could be easily added to my list of “things I can fuck with”.
When I find myself opening and engaging with your emails, it’s like reading a few chapters of a book, I tend to indulge in multiple all at once. I do the same with podcasts, mystery novels, sociology deep dives, etc. I have to rotate and move through my interests because my brain said so :)
My support and appreciation is not quantifiable through the lens of likes or quickness of consumption. It’s much deeper than that. It’s qualitative.
I’ve been a paid subscriber because I wanted to return the support your work provides me.
Thank you for being a reason to check my mailbox, holly 💌 I’ll still be here, without need for roots in exclusivity or limited access for others.
Thank you so much, Holly, for modeling generosity and a sense of abundance. I know many will take inspiration from your example. People lead in so many ways; this is a beautiful example of leadership. Grateful for you.
I’d happily pay more for your freedom and fiscal detachment to allow your head and heart to sing. Generous and damn fine behaviour. Brava 🎯
Yes to hearing that relief in your (written) voice. All the best to you, Holly. I get so much from your work and will continue to happily pay for it for the same reason I pay for Yoga with Adrienne. Because it's contributing to the world I want to live in. Thank you.
mmm. thank you
Your writing has saved my life, no joke, and also, I want you to be in love with it and the process and for it to feel expansive and freeing and empowering. I don't want anything hanging over your head while you do it. So good for you and fuck the paywall, killer of creativity and passion. Here's to EASE. I'm pointing myself toward that very thing in my life, too.
<3 Diane <3
This is so encouraging, Holly. It never felt quite right for me to paywall content, for many of the reasons you outline here. I just turned on paid subs this week using the same model — a voluntary value exchange, content is the same for everyone. Maria Popova has shown us it‘s possible. I‘ll keep my day job as long as I need to in order to keep the creative process pure.
Keep up the great work. Reading your blog / book was what motivated me to start writing personal essays (and to write them vulnerably). Forever grateful for it (and you).
YES. I think about Maria all the time because she has definitely modeled this for years and it's really special. Thank you.
I hope the ease comes and stays for you, so that you can think and explore and create in a way that “incites joy”’(Gay). I value your time and your work and am happy to do so no matter your paywall settings.
I paid $11 for your 40 days Mantras a few years ago. They opened the door to my now 4+ years of sobriety. Your voice in my head and your words on the page are priceless Holly because I’m sober and alive to talk about it! I’ll remain a paid subscriber with pleasure.
<3 🙏 (and congratulations Lisa!)
Gosh, it seems like everyone on Substack is talking about how the paywall is detrimental to their creativity, lately. Is it an end of the year thing?
There's so much pressure to find some magical intersection between creativity and profit, which rarely happens naturally. For me, art and commerce play by different rules, and I must keep them separate to stay sane. I have a notecard on the corkboard in front of my desk that reads, "Art, not an Ad." I don't paywall anything, but it's to remind me to not get too caught up in worries about how my work might be received.
Thank you Amy. I've seen teh Summer Brennan article about it (which I think was an argument for getting over it?) but not anything else and would love to if you have links. I appreciate your perspective. xx
Yes, here are a couple:
https://tompendergast.substack.com/p/why-im-not-going-paid
https://theeditingspectrum.substack.com/p/on-a-quest-for-readers-part-ii
I have never commented but have followed your writing as I sit here on my 3rd glass of wine thinking about how I become a better person. I appreciate what you do and will continue to support your work. My meager triumphs to reduce my drinking have been due to your work. Thank you.
gosh I love you.
Just upgraded my subscription. happy to pay more bc you write fire and inspire. Also, I too "believe in a world where everyone is taken care of and everyone has a sense of abundance and everyone gets to make a living doing things that inspire them rather than destroy them." Thanks.
Mmm yes honey. And thank you, thank you. 🥰
All good. I’m still in. Keep going, the market will speak
Thank you Joe for the years and years of support.
Brave, well done. I’m paying you because I value your work. On my own Substack paying and non paying subscribers get the same rights, but I’m small, so I like the engagement. Paying subscribers get an artwork a year, a Lino or etching print. ❤️
Beautiful Josh.
In the UK people routinely complain about the cost of the licence fee we have to pay each year for BBC TV and radio. I find it mind-boggling and would happily pay the fee just for access to Radio 4 because it brings me so much stimulation and joy.
For me, this newsletter is like another Radio 4. It’s endlessly engaging, thought-provoking and I always want to tell people about it.
I imagine there are many like me who wouldn’t think twice about paying because we want you to do your best work, and if making payment optional enables you to do so, that’s fine.
Its also worth bearing in mind that people value what they pay for so, as ironic as it might sound, anyone who stops paying is likely to get less value from your work, not more.
Deeply appreciate you and your thoughts as always Graham. <3 Thank you.
I typically keep your messages unread as a means to more easily find them in my mailbox, saving them for the moments that I have more time to fully be present and indulge.
When a “deep clean” commences, I carefully keep your messages with little blue circles indicating “unread” as I mass select to delete and unsubscribe from the distractions they’ve been hidden next to.
I know this isn’t the best mailbox organizational choice or option. That’s not the point. The avoidance is twofold. My email opening patterns might look like discouraging stats, but I am able to read at my own pace.
Binge reading your work could be easily added to my list of “things I can fuck with”.
When I find myself opening and engaging with your emails, it’s like reading a few chapters of a book, I tend to indulge in multiple all at once. I do the same with podcasts, mystery novels, sociology deep dives, etc. I have to rotate and move through my interests because my brain said so :)
My support and appreciation is not quantifiable through the lens of likes or quickness of consumption. It’s much deeper than that. It’s qualitative.
I’ve been a paid subscriber because I wanted to return the support your work provides me.
Thank you for being a reason to check my mailbox, holly 💌 I’ll still be here, without need for roots in exclusivity or limited access for others.
Oh my gosh, what a generous offering and insight, and how I appreciate it. Thank you Mack.
Annnnnnd once again you set the tone for sanity.
<3 mmmm. Yes, to me, this feels like sanity.
Yay for ease!! Yay for continuing to give you money because supporting you, whether it’s for one email a month or five, brings me delight!
<3