26 Comments

Supporting your substack is less about getting something in return every month and more about supporting you and what you do overall. I’m personally okay with paying even if you can’t put out content in September.

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Thanks for being so considerate of your readers’ budgets and preferences. I’ve subscribed to other paid Substacks that didn’t publish for a couple or months (or more!) without a word. One took an unannounced six-month break. I was so annoyed when I realized I’d been paying each month.

Then there are writers who pop in to say, “Sorry I haven’t been posting, I’ve been busy, lots in the works….” and it reminds me to cancel.

A lot of people seem to have started paid Substacks as a side gig, and then they treat it like their last priority, even though it’s very expensive for readers. So I appreciate the consideration.

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As your Jewish grandmother, let me say, you are making this way too complicated. Get that book publicized and get back in October.

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As your other Jewish grandmother, I second this.

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My Jewish Grandmother had an FBI file we got ahold of in the 90s using FOIA. It had mimeograph copies of some petitions she's signed in the 50s.

We're the other Jewish Grandmothers on this thread investigated by J. Edgar Hoover?

If not, they lack a key quality of Jewish grandmothers, as far as I'm concerned

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Aug 31·edited Aug 31

I really admire your efforts to bend over backwards to accommodate your readers when it comes to this.

I’ll be candid: I was one of the 18% that said “pause billing” because I thought - as an absolute baseline - that was the right thing to do, and I had a feeling you (more or less) felt the same.

HOWEVER, I didn’t have strong feeling about pausing and was more on the side of “take that month and bill me!” like many subscribers said. I was hoping to be outvoted and pay that 5 bucks! (Honestly, I knew that would be the majority opinion; I just wanted to raise my hand for the minority opinion.)

Anyway, I won’t be hitting pause and wish you a great month away from the newsletter. I know you’re NOT getting an actual “month off.” Best.

(Edited for copy mistakes.)

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I, for one, would buy a book called FINISH BOOK.

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Every book published in Helsinki is a Finish book.

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Jesse you are an incredible writer and journalist with a kind of integrity we don't see a lot of these days, it is no surprise to me that you've attained this level of support.

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Do some push ups elevated on a few chairs and put candles down beneath you. I saw it in Zorro. It helps focus.

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I've seen Zorro's x-ray and the only things in Zorro are a skeleton and a couple old bullets and part of a sword.

And some shrapnel.

And the tip of a knife.

Zorro doesn't really understand how to duck.

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I enjoy reading your stacks, but I subscribed to support the independence of an independent journalist I respect. Go do your thing, bitchbaby.

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Cheering you on!!!

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Good luck my man. Get that book going! The wait will be worth it.

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Good luck with the book. Looking forward to it.

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I’m excited to read some older pieces this month. Good luck with the book work, Jesse!

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Enjoy your time off, Jesse!

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And a great Labour Day weekend for your Canadian readers too, hopefully!

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How dare you

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The "From the Vault" posts are a great idea!

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Hi Jessie, The Book Special link did not work for me. What now?

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