Hey Michael, it's always a treat to read your missives (all the way through) when they land in my inbox. I've been having an absolutely awful period with a whole litany of stuff, far too much to go through here, starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel, but it still seems far off. You, however give me a brief respite, so please keep it up!
Hey Steve! Really sorry to hear you've been going through the mill... it's weird and horrible how things like that seem to cluster. I hope the end of the tunnel starts coming toward you more quickly soon...
About three months ago, I killed off all but one of my social media accounts (and even that one I visit rarely and carefully) and unsubscribed from a whole stack of Substacks (Jeff’s included, for reasons that sound suspiciously familiar). I’ve been more deliberate about what I let in — what I “consume,” as the saying goes — and honestly? It’s done wonders for my mental health in ways I didn’t even know I needed.
I’ve been enjoying the quiet, and rediscovering what my own brain sounds like when it's not drowning in a constant feed. Turns out, it's got some decent things to say.
And your Substack? It’s one of the rare ones I held onto — not just because it’s good, but because it genuinely adds something to my life. That’s no small thing these days.
Thank you April :-) And yes, I've been doing the same... choosing a small number of things to be interested in, rather than letting myself be carpet-bombed by the far-too-many sources that surround us demanding attention...
I've been missing your missives! But I'm very glad you're writing. I'm running around like an idiot promoting this new book. Another signing in Sacto on Saturday and yet another on the following Friday in Hayward. I'm pooped, I tell you. POOPED. But I'm super fortunate to get all these opportunities and to have something cool to share with the world. Of course, I recently found something in the Prologue that both I and the copy editor missed, and it's making me insane. I'll try not to worry. But...
Glad to hear you're getting it out there. If we ever publish the truly prefect book, the world will end. Be grateful you haven't brought that about (yet)! ;-)
OK, you got me. I am already in Low Holborn thanks to the excellent Matt Brown. Just another thing I didn't need but can't manage without.
Incidentally, just read Only Forward for the first time. My copy is inscribed "To Joyce and John. With Best Wishes. Thank you." I don't think it was exactly them but it was so kind of you. Did you ever get to Grainger Neighbourhood?
I'm now LIVING in Grainger neighborhood ;-) I'm really pleased to hear that copy survived... and so glad you've found The Londonist — it's dependably fascinating!
I've been doing a similar thing on here with reducing the number of stacks I subscribe to, partly because some of them post *so often*. I do feel guilty for u subscribing, though, like I should be sending them a message saying "it's not you, it's me."
5am Storytalk is always such an amazing read, and there's so much engagement and discussion over there. I'll check out the others you recommended. Paula's gonna be pissed she didn't get a mention 😉
Things are going OK here, despite everything. I'm writing more, and actually starting to press the publish button again, which feels scary and good at the same time.
Keep pressing that button... And I know what you mean about wanting to apologize for unsubscribing ;-) But some of them, yes, it's carpet-bombing... I think the received wisdom is that's how you "drive engagement", but it doesn't work on me.
Hey Michael, it's always a treat to read your missives (all the way through) when they land in my inbox. I've been having an absolutely awful period with a whole litany of stuff, far too much to go through here, starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel, but it still seems far off. You, however give me a brief respite, so please keep it up!
Thanks as always
Hey Steve! Really sorry to hear you've been going through the mill... it's weird and horrible how things like that seem to cluster. I hope the end of the tunnel starts coming toward you more quickly soon...
Yep.
About three months ago, I killed off all but one of my social media accounts (and even that one I visit rarely and carefully) and unsubscribed from a whole stack of Substacks (Jeff’s included, for reasons that sound suspiciously familiar). I’ve been more deliberate about what I let in — what I “consume,” as the saying goes — and honestly? It’s done wonders for my mental health in ways I didn’t even know I needed.
I’ve been enjoying the quiet, and rediscovering what my own brain sounds like when it's not drowning in a constant feed. Turns out, it's got some decent things to say.
And your Substack? It’s one of the rare ones I held onto — not just because it’s good, but because it genuinely adds something to my life. That’s no small thing these days.
Thank you April :-) And yes, I've been doing the same... choosing a small number of things to be interested in, rather than letting myself be carpet-bombed by the far-too-many sources that surround us demanding attention...
I've been missing your missives! But I'm very glad you're writing. I'm running around like an idiot promoting this new book. Another signing in Sacto on Saturday and yet another on the following Friday in Hayward. I'm pooped, I tell you. POOPED. But I'm super fortunate to get all these opportunities and to have something cool to share with the world. Of course, I recently found something in the Prologue that both I and the copy editor missed, and it's making me insane. I'll try not to worry. But...
Glad to hear you're getting it out there. If we ever publish the truly prefect book, the world will end. Be grateful you haven't brought that about (yet)! ;-)
OK, you got me. I am already in Low Holborn thanks to the excellent Matt Brown. Just another thing I didn't need but can't manage without.
Incidentally, just read Only Forward for the first time. My copy is inscribed "To Joyce and John. With Best Wishes. Thank you." I don't think it was exactly them but it was so kind of you. Did you ever get to Grainger Neighbourhood?
I'm now LIVING in Grainger neighborhood ;-) I'm really pleased to hear that copy survived... and so glad you've found The Londonist — it's dependably fascinating!
I've been doing a similar thing on here with reducing the number of stacks I subscribe to, partly because some of them post *so often*. I do feel guilty for u subscribing, though, like I should be sending them a message saying "it's not you, it's me."
5am Storytalk is always such an amazing read, and there's so much engagement and discussion over there. I'll check out the others you recommended. Paula's gonna be pissed she didn't get a mention 😉
Things are going OK here, despite everything. I'm writing more, and actually starting to press the publish button again, which feels scary and good at the same time.
Keep pressing that button... And I know what you mean about wanting to apologize for unsubscribing ;-) But some of them, yes, it's carpet-bombing... I think the received wisdom is that's how you "drive engagement", but it doesn't work on me.
Me neither. That kind of bombardment feels almost...soulless to me. I'd much prefer to receive one or two meaningful or impactful articles a month.