In part because Substack cannot address its major failings, in part because I was dubious about using this medium to begin with, reluctant because I think I was beginning to sort of enjoy using it as an outlet of sorts, but steadfast because in general I find all online publishing platforms (that I’m aware of) very inadequate if not actually damaging to my and your mental health, I will be leaving this platform behind in the coming months. I’m not sure where I’m going. Here are the possibilities:
The emailed newsletter. This is what I was doing before Substack. It is difficult to monetize but I don’t get much from this anyway, so maybe it doesn’t matter.
The Patreon. I could move all of this to Patreon, but it’s better suited to other things and not really for the written word. Also, I find Patreon very confusing, confounding, frustrating, and stupid, user-wise.
A printed semi-regular (or irregular) publication sent through the real mail. This is the best option, but also the most costly. If I did this, I would need a healthy handful of paid subscribers to make it doable. Seems unlikely, right now.
Another online platform. Medium? I don’t think so. Beehiiv? Maybe. LuDive? I made that one up. I don’t know where to go.
Some other notes: it’s disheartening, depressing, that I cannot support myself, or even break even, by writing. There are many factors. Not a lot of people are paying attention to what I’m doing over here, I’m bad at marketing, and many of you are in the same boat as I am: not a lot of resources to spread around, and thus unable to fund such things. I also have many failings, like a poor work ethic. Clinically speaking, I am mentally unwell and should probably be institutionalized, but who’s going to foot the bill for that, the tax-payers? I think not. So, my madness will continue to infect as much of the weary populace as I come into contact with.
I’m not in a clear-headed place at the moment, but hopefully clarity will come, and I will decide what to do. Until then, to be continued.
Please leave thoughtful and intelligent comments below if you have any ideas or suggestions.