I’m newer here and getting to know your work. I love the thought-provoking-meets-hilarious-and-WTF. I also have a hard time keeping up with volume generally (not just yours). Maybe I’m the minority (though I doubt it) who doesn’t notice and isn’t bothered when people scale back/miss a post etc. I know consistency is supposed to be god, but also, to what end, truly? I’m sure other readers will have more nuanced feedback helpful in making decisions about what content to prioritize. I’m here to vote for making it feel really good for you. Sustainable. Challenge the assumption that more is more valuable. Heck, I’m like ‘what not scale right back and see what you can get away with?’ Maybe leaving us wanting more and dropping everything when you post is a really good strategy? Happy vaycay.
Seconding this. Too often is actually a deterrent for me and I don’t really think newsletters need to come out more than once a week generally! Do what will not burn you out. (My new life motto).
I hope you have a wonderful rest! For your contemplation, I think of this newsletter as fun and gossipy and while also going deep on things that are often dismissed. Outraged but in a fun way! And with deep thinking behind it! Favorites are deep dives on specific influencers and their meaning (Kelli Stickles, ballerina farm), WFTs, and useful-maybe-ugly product recs.
I subscribe to this newsletter because I love the mix of thought-provoking explorations into modern parenting and laughing at the WTFness of momfluencers and mom-focused marketing. May your rest be actually restful and your kids be perfect angels!
I think summer 2023 has encouraged so many of us to reexamine our relationships to work, rest, and selfhood because the pandemic forced some of us into a long pause, and forced others into working extra to take on more than their share of the burdens of society. And both of those made a lot of people ask: Do I really like my work? Do I need to work as much as I was before, or as much as I am now? Have I always wanted to make a change, and is now that time? As society ramps back up, many people find that their old schedule doesn't fit them anymore; I think we're still in a phase of reflection and resetting.
As for newsletters--I'm a new free subscriber here, and I signed on because I had seen a few posts that caught my eye, and I decided, "If I keep reading these posts, I might as well subscribe." What has made me elect the few paid subs that I have: I subscribed free first, and liked the newsletters, and was able to interact via commenting. Some of my newsletters don't allow free subscribers to comment, and that just makes me feel less engaged, whereas the ability to comment on my free subs increased my engagement and ultimately led to my becoming a payer. I don't know if I'm typical or atypical, but that's FWIW.
I totally support all the fab feminist writers out there to WRITE LESS. I would love to subscribe to a host of you, but I simply can't metabolize more than 1 or 2 pieces a day max and don't want to spend $$ to only read a fraction of what comes in. I end up feeling firehosed and have to choose between you, Virginia Sole Smith, Claire Zulkey, Sari Botton, Anne Helen P, Jo Piazza, Pooja Lakshmin, Jessica DeFino, etc. I have ideas on how to pay to read a variety of writers and keep content creation and consumption sustainable for all. Glad to hear you are pondering this, too.
Have a wonderful vacation! And ENJOY the break from Instagram. We will be here, whether you're sending out three or one newsletter a week. However the newsletter evolves, one of the most important things is that you find what works best for you :)
Wishing you a vacation full of rest and free of beach diaper blowouts. As a writing mother of a 14-month-old, I appreciate how hard it is to find space to let thoughts and feelings meld together into prose. I am generally of the opinion that it’s incredibly hard (if not essentially impossible) to do much alone. Could bringing other writer or editors into the newsletter make it more sustainable and less taxing?
I am a new subscriber; thank Virginia Sole Smith. I love your newsletter from the belly laughs to the gut shaking cringes. I am reminded of mothering my own sons and how high the bar seemed at times. This was prior to the ubiquitous social media circus. I did bake bread, garden, and so on but I didn’t send postcards to my friends or anyone else. I appreciate your words and thought. They remind me of how valuable each person is and how challenging things can be in a ever changing everyday life. I loved being a mother and all the fun of playing with them. I loved working for adult perspective. I’m happy to see the challenges and realities of parenthood in perspective when the “role models” and “ideals “ feel so rare and unattainable.
I did me. You do you. There’s more than one way to do a great job. 😉
Love your tradwives content! Also as someone who has written the book proposal and is deep into selling right now, I really like the behind the scenes parts of writing a book.
Your post this week reminded me of gardening wisdom that I try to follow, despite my slightly manic urge to plant more than I can harvest or give away each summer. My greenhouse needs to lie fallow and grow weeds (or at least cover crop) to regenerate, and I'm trying to do the same, although right this moment that is less possible than ever because I'm in pre-pub frenzy with a new novel coming out in October. But I like to think of ways to bring in rest--like taking the two puppies in life jackets out in our kayaks yesterday (ye gods, what a scene that was). One of the first beautiful days in this insane New England summer; I couldn't resist. So, yes, we ALL need reminding to lie fallow and grow weeds, as you say.
Well, just to be counted here, I read the newsletter you write because the ideas are fresh and unique and startle my complacency about life and writing, even though my kid is 28 and on his own and I'm not loading various plastic dinosaurs into a car for vacation on the Cape (although that memory comes hurtling back if I let it!). However you choose to write/continue to write this, it's welcome and worth it. I'm sure you're hearing that from others too. So onward, in whatever way you choose. We'll listen!
Enjoy your rest! I love literally everything you write, and like a few others have said, I really don't notice when newsletters are few and far between- frankly I have so little leisure time (hello motherhood) that newsletter subscriptions can stack up in my inbox for weeks at times. And it's such a treat to read and catch up when I can! So no complaints from me if you need to step back and focus on other creative endeavors (esp endeavors that I will also want to read??!)
Aug 2, 2023·edited Aug 2, 2023Liked by Sara Petersen
I’ve been a reader for about six months and I really enjoy your work. I also completely agree with the other commenters here saying that it’s important to figure out how to proceed without getting burnt out - do what you gotta do!! We will keep reading whatever you do put out.
As for what I find most valuable/why I read: I don’t have kids yet, but my husband and I are almost ready. We’re likely going to be the first parents of our group of friends, so I love reading your newsletter to candidly hear about what it’s like to raise a kid today. I love how you weave in the voices of other parents and how you contextualize your own experiences with the social and political situation that we’re in today.
Thanks for sharing so much with us. Have a wonderful vacation!
I still have an idea that I have seen modeled on substack around another topic. I'd love to connect about it. I am not trying to earn or win anything, just solve a problem!
I’m newer here and getting to know your work. I love the thought-provoking-meets-hilarious-and-WTF. I also have a hard time keeping up with volume generally (not just yours). Maybe I’m the minority (though I doubt it) who doesn’t notice and isn’t bothered when people scale back/miss a post etc. I know consistency is supposed to be god, but also, to what end, truly? I’m sure other readers will have more nuanced feedback helpful in making decisions about what content to prioritize. I’m here to vote for making it feel really good for you. Sustainable. Challenge the assumption that more is more valuable. Heck, I’m like ‘what not scale right back and see what you can get away with?’ Maybe leaving us wanting more and dropping everything when you post is a really good strategy? Happy vaycay.
YES! I care zero percent if my fave newsletters change their publishing schedules!
Seconding this. Too often is actually a deterrent for me and I don’t really think newsletters need to come out more than once a week generally! Do what will not burn you out. (My new life motto).
+1 this. I often don't have time to read more than 1x a week newsletters. Good luck with balance!
I hope you have a wonderful rest! For your contemplation, I think of this newsletter as fun and gossipy and while also going deep on things that are often dismissed. Outraged but in a fun way! And with deep thinking behind it! Favorites are deep dives on specific influencers and their meaning (Kelli Stickles, ballerina farm), WFTs, and useful-maybe-ugly product recs.
Well said, basically what I would have written but better worded lol
Agree with Brightness! ⬆️ Well put
I subscribe to this newsletter because I love the mix of thought-provoking explorations into modern parenting and laughing at the WTFness of momfluencers and mom-focused marketing. May your rest be actually restful and your kids be perfect angels!
I think summer 2023 has encouraged so many of us to reexamine our relationships to work, rest, and selfhood because the pandemic forced some of us into a long pause, and forced others into working extra to take on more than their share of the burdens of society. And both of those made a lot of people ask: Do I really like my work? Do I need to work as much as I was before, or as much as I am now? Have I always wanted to make a change, and is now that time? As society ramps back up, many people find that their old schedule doesn't fit them anymore; I think we're still in a phase of reflection and resetting.
As for newsletters--I'm a new free subscriber here, and I signed on because I had seen a few posts that caught my eye, and I decided, "If I keep reading these posts, I might as well subscribe." What has made me elect the few paid subs that I have: I subscribed free first, and liked the newsletters, and was able to interact via commenting. Some of my newsletters don't allow free subscribers to comment, and that just makes me feel less engaged, whereas the ability to comment on my free subs increased my engagement and ultimately led to my becoming a payer. I don't know if I'm typical or atypical, but that's FWIW.
I totally support all the fab feminist writers out there to WRITE LESS. I would love to subscribe to a host of you, but I simply can't metabolize more than 1 or 2 pieces a day max and don't want to spend $$ to only read a fraction of what comes in. I end up feeling firehosed and have to choose between you, Virginia Sole Smith, Claire Zulkey, Sari Botton, Anne Helen P, Jo Piazza, Pooja Lakshmin, Jessica DeFino, etc. I have ideas on how to pay to read a variety of writers and keep content creation and consumption sustainable for all. Glad to hear you are pondering this, too.
I KNOW - I wish Substack offered bundles or something for this type of dilemma!
I have some ideas about this if you want to reach out sarahmozelle at gmail dot com
Have a wonderful vacation! And ENJOY the break from Instagram. We will be here, whether you're sending out three or one newsletter a week. However the newsletter evolves, one of the most important things is that you find what works best for you :)
Wishing you a vacation full of rest and free of beach diaper blowouts. As a writing mother of a 14-month-old, I appreciate how hard it is to find space to let thoughts and feelings meld together into prose. I am generally of the opinion that it’s incredibly hard (if not essentially impossible) to do much alone. Could bringing other writer or editors into the newsletter make it more sustainable and less taxing?
I am a new subscriber; thank Virginia Sole Smith. I love your newsletter from the belly laughs to the gut shaking cringes. I am reminded of mothering my own sons and how high the bar seemed at times. This was prior to the ubiquitous social media circus. I did bake bread, garden, and so on but I didn’t send postcards to my friends or anyone else. I appreciate your words and thought. They remind me of how valuable each person is and how challenging things can be in a ever changing everyday life. I loved being a mother and all the fun of playing with them. I loved working for adult perspective. I’m happy to see the challenges and realities of parenthood in perspective when the “role models” and “ideals “ feel so rare and unattainable.
I did me. You do you. There’s more than one way to do a great job. 😉
Thank you so much for sharing your perspective Anne - and welcome!
Love your tradwives content! Also as someone who has written the book proposal and is deep into selling right now, I really like the behind the scenes parts of writing a book.
Your post this week reminded me of gardening wisdom that I try to follow, despite my slightly manic urge to plant more than I can harvest or give away each summer. My greenhouse needs to lie fallow and grow weeds (or at least cover crop) to regenerate, and I'm trying to do the same, although right this moment that is less possible than ever because I'm in pre-pub frenzy with a new novel coming out in October. But I like to think of ways to bring in rest--like taking the two puppies in life jackets out in our kayaks yesterday (ye gods, what a scene that was). One of the first beautiful days in this insane New England summer; I couldn't resist. So, yes, we ALL need reminding to lie fallow and grow weeds, as you say.
Well, just to be counted here, I read the newsletter you write because the ideas are fresh and unique and startle my complacency about life and writing, even though my kid is 28 and on his own and I'm not loading various plastic dinosaurs into a car for vacation on the Cape (although that memory comes hurtling back if I let it!). However you choose to write/continue to write this, it's welcome and worth it. I'm sure you're hearing that from others too. So onward, in whatever way you choose. We'll listen!
Enjoy your rest! I love literally everything you write, and like a few others have said, I really don't notice when newsletters are few and far between- frankly I have so little leisure time (hello motherhood) that newsletter subscriptions can stack up in my inbox for weeks at times. And it's such a treat to read and catch up when I can! So no complaints from me if you need to step back and focus on other creative endeavors (esp endeavors that I will also want to read??!)
I’ve been a reader for about six months and I really enjoy your work. I also completely agree with the other commenters here saying that it’s important to figure out how to proceed without getting burnt out - do what you gotta do!! We will keep reading whatever you do put out.
As for what I find most valuable/why I read: I don’t have kids yet, but my husband and I are almost ready. We’re likely going to be the first parents of our group of friends, so I love reading your newsletter to candidly hear about what it’s like to raise a kid today. I love how you weave in the voices of other parents and how you contextualize your own experiences with the social and political situation that we’re in today.
Thanks for sharing so much with us. Have a wonderful vacation!
WELL EARNED. Also I am obsessed with this whole idea/newsletter/roundup. THANK YOU!
❤️🫶❤️
I still have an idea that I have seen modeled on substack around another topic. I'd love to connect about it. I am not trying to earn or win anything, just solve a problem!