An Update For Paid Subscribers

A bit of personal stuff, far too many exclamation points, and some cold hard numbers, because aren't we all a little curious?

If you have subscribed to the paid version of Something Funny, Something True at any time in the last twelve months, I want to give you my heartfelt thanks right here and now.

If you did not subscribe to the paid version and are now panicking just a tiny bit because why are you getting this email? do I somehow have your credit card information? fear not! As I work toward building a more robust offering for my paid subscribers— and have decided to start writing a few essays just for them— I’ve chosen to comp subscriptions for some of the most dedicated readers of this publication: the folks who open my emails, read to the end, and leave a comment sometimes. Your support means more than you know.

(And if you are receiving the free preview for this post but are a blood relative of mine or someone I know IRL who would like to get a comped subscription, but was accidentally missed somehow as I went through my stats, please reach out! I’d be glad to add you to the list.)

A year ago I launched paid subscriptions for SFST. At the time, I said all of my posts would always be free. But you know what? I am human and I changed my mind. It is still vastly important to me that a paywall should not come between my work and someone who faithfully reads and enjoys it. (Hence the comped subscriptions. I didn't know you could do that! Now I know.) But it is also becoming increasingly important to me that I use my time wisely and in a way that is best for my family and my career, and that includes being able to pay for things like school! And babysitting so I have time to write! Creative work is still work, and I put a great deal of work into making this newsletter the best it can be. I am deeply grateful that you've chosen to read it. If you feel led to upgrade your subscription (that link has a discount! happy birthday to me!), I’m deeply grateful for that too! But if that’s not in the cards right now, I want you to know that I still want you here and I’m so glad you ARE here, and that you’ll still be able to read about 90% of what I send out.

Last year, when I launched my paid subscriptions, here is what I wrote.

It’s a good introduction to who I am and what I write, and since there are so many new emails in my list these days (over 850 of you now! I can’t quite believe it) it seems relevant to bring it up again. I also have a welcome page which gives a bit more background.

The Numbers

I always want to know how the sausage gets made and what’s going on in the room where it happens and why I can’t pay any attention to that man behind the curtain.