Dear Friends,
Thanks for signing up for this newsletter! It’s a generous act of support, especially given that you don’t really know what it’s going to be. I, myself, don’t totally know what it’s going to be, but I think I have enough of an idea to get us started, so I’ll fill you in on that in a minute.
First, I’ve talked to a few people who’ve mentioned that they aren’t sure what this whole Substack newsletter thing is in general. I’m only a step ahead on this, but here’s the scoop as I understand it.
Substack is the name of a platform that assists writers in sending newsletters to readers. They make it easy by handling the admin of gathering emails, tracking some analytics and offering payment processing for those who want to have paid subscribers. “Newsletter” is a term that they’ve chosen because it’s simple, but it doesn’t entirely describe the variety of writing that people are publishing. A couple of writers whose Substacks that I follow include history professor Heather Cox-Richardson, who does a daily analysis of current political events putting them into an historical context, and one of my favorite authors, George Saunders, who hosts an online story workshop. At Substack.com and search for an assortment of advice columnists, content curators, and journalists whose names you probably know from their work at more traditional magazines and publications.
I also follow some writers who have a less formal agenda. They just write about whatever they happens to be thinking about as well as events from their personal life. Done right, these kinds of random personal musings are my jam, recalling personal blog-posts from the early-aughts, and the letters I used to get from a best friend when I was in junior high. If I could make this newsletter give you the feeling of finding a sticker-adorned envelope with her handwriting in my mailbox, I would.
I don’t think it’s possible in this new era, but that’s the inspiration I’m working from. Long story short, you’ve basically signed up to get informal letters to your inbox.
Here’s a few more things I can tell you about this newsletter:
WHAT THIS NEWSLETTER IS ABOUT
It’s called Brought to You by the Letter W because every topic I write about here should relate —even if that relationship is extremely tangential— to a word beginning with the letter “W." I imagine Writing, Wellness, and the mystical Woo will probably top the list, but Work, Whimsy, Wisdom, Water and Witticisms are fair game, along with anything that can be framed as a question that start with the words What, Why, When or Who.
WHEN YOU’LL GET A LETTER
Having chosen the name Brought to You by the Letter W pretty much obligates me to publish weekly, on Wednesdays. Time of day TBD.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO READ IT TO READ IT
At the top of each letter, there should be an option that says, “listen to this post.” Substack allows me to record each issue of Brought to You by the Letter W so that instead of reading, you have the option of LISTENING while you’re walking the dog or doing dishes. In fact, it’s possible that you’re listening to this right now. Are you?
COMMENTS ARE OPEN BUT VERY OPTIONAL
At the bottom of this letter there’s a button for comments. Feel free to use it to introduce yourself to other readers if that seems fun. Or ask a question. Or talk about your relationship to letters. Do you still write them? Still receive them? Do you miss them?
That’s it for now, but I’ll see you in a week!
Warmest Wishes,
B
Typo count... 2 so far.
This sounds great! I'm looking forward to it!