A couple of occurrences collided together and clarified my thoughts on the subject of my writing and travels around the country sourcing material for my writing. Earlier today, I received an e-mail, the type of e-mail I receive on a weekly basis. Basically, the message stated that the person enjoys my writing but will access it from the website directly, in future, and so unsubscribe from my e-mails. E-mails are the primary method I have to publicise my content. However, I understand the person’s problem as, I myself, have a load of unopened substack emails clogging up my inbox from a dozen different writers. But, the e-mail aggravated me. For, it, like all the other similar e-mails I receive on this subject contains a subliminal message too.
“ Your efforts are free, and sure, I’ll access them in the best fashion that suits me even if it isn’t in the best fashion for the writer. “
A Logical response and makes total sense for the free reader. Not so great for the writer, though, attempting to compete in the expanding pool of written and visual content. Content competition, by the way, which in the present and future, will be ever increasingly AI generated.
Last night, as I drove through Limerick returning from an election event, I had 1/4 of a tank of petrol in the borrowed car I was driving. Idly wondering, if I had enough petrol to get to Tuam and 8 euros in my bank account. Now, this isn’t a pity party but I can’t afford the luxury of free subscribers who have been reading my content and watching my videos for free for quite awhile and who have come to believe I am some type of free public service. I am at the stage of my journey where I know I am a good writer and make zero apologies for stating that fact outloud and have a track record of consistently publishing for approaching three years. No gaps, no three month holidays, and no other distractions. This is a subjective matter and opinion, obviously, for the reader. Everyone has their favorites and attune to different styles and themes. That’s as it should be.
I have quite a number of paid subscribers and people who support my endeavours more than they should and without them I would not have survived thus far. So, all future content is going to be sent to ONLY paid subscribers. I won’t be sending previews of paid content, as is usually the case with paid material. A method of kind of hooking free e-mail subscribers into upgrading. No, I’m gonna go for the Keyser Soze option from the end of the movie The Usual Suspects instead. There I’ll be. Gone. Some of you will notice and many of you won’t. So, it’s sign up or good-bye time as I’m rolling with what I got into the future.
Finally, the amount of content I am releasing on Youtube has increased in recent times so people can catch free stuff there, I guess. But, for me, the writing is the most important part of my present and future travels in life and at this point the people that enjoy it already over-support me and will receive the emails. After that, anyone who is meant to find me, will find me, I am sure. For the rest, fear not, you’ll be receiving no more emails but an occasional note to let you know I am still alive. Emails from me will now dry up. Access to my website will also be for paid subscribers only..
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