Hello, friends, both old and new, Happy New Year! I’m so excited to kick off 2023 with my first post on our new home, Substack.
Just to recap, Bulletin (the newsletter platform that hosted SOS) has sunset. All of the writers on the platform were given a heads-up with plenty of time to mull over their next steps. Because I love writing this newsletter—and, even more so, you!—I have decided to keep writing it. If you’re already subscribed, you don’t have to do anything. This post is already coming to you from Substack!
Let’s talk about some changes going forward.
This newsletter will move to a bimonthly schedule, meaning you will get a missive from me twice a month. Usually. I might be like, “Bitch, I need to write 2,000 words about this new chicken sandwich that just dropped at Panera,” and break my own rule. I know what my people like!!!!!! But, for the most part, I will be sticking to an every-other-week schedule. Which brings me to the next change going forward:
I will be introducing a paid subscription model. Here’s why: When I was recruited by Facebook to write SOS on Bulletin, I, like all of the other writers, received a contract. With that steady paycheck, I was able devote my time to writing a free weekly newsletter, and was also able to bring on two people without whom this newsletter would not be possible: my friend and artist, James Jeffers, whose art that accompanies my text is, I’m sure, the sole reason people subscribe to this publication in the first place; and my editorial assistant, Jesse Adele, who makes sure my subject-verb agreement isn’t just an upturned car with the wheel still spinning. It’s a family affair, and I believe we should all (even my idiotic ass!) be appropriately compensated.
Some of the content will remain free. And by some, I mean a large chunk because, even though I’ve been a professional writer for years now, I still, from time-to-time, have a hard time telling myself I’m worth it! Should I switch to L'Oréal???? (OK, see, that’s why I still get uncomfortable charging people to read my shit; who wants to pay money for a half-baked joke like that??????????? Kill it/me with fire!) So, fret not, if you are not yet ready to become a paid subscriber, don’t go away, you will still continue getting this newsletter in your inbox!
Paid subscribers will get bimonthly articles, access to full archives, and the ability to leave comments on every newsletter post, which I will utilize as a discussion section. Besides engaging in this section with you, you’ll be able to ask me anything: from how to find a literary agent, to tips for writing a query letter or publishing a book—and everything in between. In the future, I may evolve these sorts of communications into their own space, an idea I’ve been playing around with, called the SOS Craft Corner. But that will depend on how many readers support this endeavor.
I hope with your support that SOS can grow beyond just a newsletter, that it can evolve into a community of like-minded individuals who just want to engage with each other and goof off. I am nothing if not a facilitator of tomfoolery, peppered with the occasional tip and trick.
With thanks, and until soon,
GM
Credits
Cover art by: James Jeffers
Editorial assistant: Jesse Adele
You can follow my other unhinged missives by following me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. My debut memoir, Born to Be Public, is out now.
Yayyyyyy!
🖤🖤🖤
so happy to see this evolution.