25 Comments
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Susan Weis-Bohlen's avatar

I was definitely one of those who was surprised I got paid for essentially writing all about myself ( me me me!!) while getting tons of new subscribers to my Substack. I felt it was payment enough to be included in your incredible publication. I put that money back into paying for your newsletters. Please don’t feel shame. That makes me sad. You’re incredibly kind and generous. And honest. And vulnerable. I wish I could give you a hug and a million dollars.

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Sari Botton's avatar

💕

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Miriam Frischer's avatar

I’ll take a writing workshop with you when you offer one in the ‘hood. I appreciate you honesty, your writing and you.Even though I omitted the Oxford comma and this is a run-on sentence.

Writing brings me great satisfaction, mine and others’.

Miriam Frischer

( Now I feel not as bad about subscriptions I pay for monthly but never use.)

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MUTHR, FCKD's avatar

First of all, there's nothing to feel ashamed about. As your friend, I'll always support you doing what you have to do to stay afloat—period! Second, I'll never understand why Substack doesn't have a tip option. It gives people the opportunity to support writers and/or read single paywall posts they're into without having to shell out for a repeat subscription. It's like buying a single magazine issue without having to subscribe. It would help the situation out a lot, I dare say!

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Sari Botton's avatar

Thank you, my friend. <3 And I think that would be good! xox

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Stephanie Ellis's avatar

I applaud you talking about this difficult subject, Sari! You are always so courageous and inspiring!

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Sari Botton's avatar

Thank you, Steph!! xoxoxoxox

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Joanne Spence's avatar

Thank you for your service and your honesty!

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Fran Mason's avatar

Thank you for all your work. You're a Substack landmark! I appreciate the variety of contributors, so if some can't continue you'll make space for others I imagine.

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Rosana Francescato's avatar

It’s extremely generous of you to subscribe to so many Substacks. And there’s too much good writing on here to keep up with. You’re doing so much for writers by being here; I hope you feel good about that.

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Jodi Sh. Doff's avatar

The metaphor that is apt in so many situations, when the plane takes a dive and the oxygen masks drop, take care of yourself first. 127? That's a lot. A LOT. I agree we should be paid for our work, I rotate who I'm paying and if everyone used the Tip Jar model, that would be great and easier, but as for me, I'd rather have X number of subscribers who read, interact, comment and share than ½ X who pay and don't engage. You take care of you, you're more than generous with your time.

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Sari Botton's avatar

💝

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Jami Nakamura Lin's avatar

I was delighted to see your name pop up in that article, and I totally understand. thank you for being honest and generous, and also, whenever you teach workshops again, I'll be delighted to sign up-- your weekend workshop at Catapult (which turned into one of the chapters of my book) was still the best one I've ever taken!

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Sari Botton's avatar

Jami, thank you!! I loved having you in my workshop, and I'm so happy to know that what you worked on there wound up in your book! I'm planning some workshops, and will keep you posted! Hope you're doing well. <3

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Patina with Dina Aronson's avatar

I laughed in your live with Val yesterday when you said “kindness is my kink.” Sari, you are among the most kind and generous of humans, and your work here is so three-dimensionally good! You should feel so proud of what you have created…xo

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Sari Botton's avatar

😭😘

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Paul Vigna's avatar

You don't have anything to be ashamed of, Sari. You're trying to support other writers. That's a good thing. You wanna work on managing your finances better, okay, sure. But you have nothing to feel bad about.

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Nancy Friedman's avatar

I appreciate your candor! This is a tough issue for all of us who consider ourselves professional writers.

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Nancy Jainchill's avatar

It's so easy to become a paid subscriber. I so get it. You're admirable in the work that you do, your commitment to the work. and your generosity. I'm sorry that it's backfired at least financially.

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Sari Botton's avatar

Thank you, Nancy. <3

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Pat Pendleton's avatar

I think of a subscription as time limited—a month or year at a time. It does feel more personal to cancel a substack than MAX, but as someone who has not yet paywalled my newsletter, I am considering how to manage these things best. Resources all around will only be tighter going forward.

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Stella Fosse's avatar

OMG does hiring a publicist count as "stealing from your own pocket?" Asking for a friend.

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Bob Sassone's avatar

I'm not concerned or surprised by how much money you spend on newsletters (I spend way too much on books!), but I am a little concerned that the 127 are all on Substack. Lots of great writers here but there are also lots of great writers that don't use Substack.

I think sometimes Substack is a little too insular, closed-off, cultish.

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