I would purchase an annual subscription to support you if I could afford it- my finances are also limited. But I believe in all the bullet points you made and I work as much as I can to support other artists and mental health issues within my means.
Thanks, I definitely appreciate that. As you probably saw, I try to make it affordable with a sliding scale starting at $10 per year. But I realize that finances are hard for most of us, of course. We are all in this messy thing called life together!
I am also going to give back a portion of whatever paid subscribers I end up with. "Substack tithe" isn't quite right, but it's the best I've heard so far to describe this concept, and I love it!
Yep, I always call it artistic tithing in that I give 10% of all earnings every year directly back to other creatives, so Substack tithe makes sense even though, as you said, it's not quite right. Thanks for being someone else who is giving generously in this way!
I've read criticism of this approach, to the effect that if we're all giving money to one another, the only winner is Substack. I find this analysis disappointing, and indicative of a nonsensical scarcity mindset.
People have so many differing opinions, often strong ones, about money here on Substack. I try to keep it simple for myself - is there someone creative here or elsewhere that I want to support if I can? Then I will! <3 <3
I want to say that I love that you included your photo in this post. (We all should do that.) As another SF writer, I really understand this post and your position. I hope you had a peaceful Thanksgiving.
Thank you so very much! I would love it if other writers shared their photos in their posts periodically. I like seeing the face behind the words even if the words are why I subscribe.
I agree ...a few dollars to support us regular folks matter! As I wrote in Pay it Forward... the more paid subscribers I get, the more I can pay writers I enjoy; those who keep me wanting more! Thanks for saying this so very well, Kathryn! 😊
I began supporting your work in 2013 when you had an indiegogo campaign for Hook to Heal and it’s my pleasure to support you here on Substack. Thank you for the work you do.
That means so very much to me. When I did that campaign, I hit a period of depression/burnout and didn't complete the book the campaign was for in as quick of a time frame as I'd expected. There was one supporter who was publicly very cruel about it although would never respond to me directly despite making several efforts to refund her. It felt terrible and still sticks with me, so it feels very reparative to hear this from you. That book was one of my favorites I've ever written and it turns out it just needed time!
You are hugely appreciated!
Also, did you receive my message about the art classes? Anna will be doing them again in the future so you're welcome to join in any time!
I haven’t seen a message about the art classes. I paid for all ten in advance and I know there are still at least a couple left. I’m done with vet visits until next August so I should be able to attend the rest (provided I don’t forget-like I did the last one). I tried to watch a couple but either she or I had a bad connection-it was too frustrating for me so I gave up. I’ll try again this week if I can just remember.
I think there's a weird glitch in Chat where you get the initial notification if someone responds but then if they respond again in the same thread you don't get it. At least that is what it seems like to me.
I do remember there was one time when she started and the connection was terrible. It's so annoying when that happens. I love what she shares though. There are still a few more if you're able to join. But she'll be doing a series on other outsider artists and she'll do this surrealism one again ... and I think she always offers the option to join for free so you don't have to pay again.
Good to know-I’ll keep an eye out for her next series. Meanwhile I think I’ll have Alexa set an alarm for me so I don’t miss the last few surrealist talks. Thanks for keeping me updated.
I have things on my calendar (in print) and every week, I look at the calendar to know what's going on, and every week I usually still forget something or other :)
I suck at calendars and planners but I got myself an Echo Show from Amazon and it’s been a lifesaver for appointments, grocery lists and to-do lists. And it gives me someone (or is Alexa a something?) besides the dog to talk to during the day 😜
I am interested but tbh the constant harping online about 'mental health' and in many instances (not hopefully here) the reductive nature of the harping is irksome to say the least. Individuals such as my self would like to get on with our work without forever being reminded about these sort of issues - they don't define us after all, having said that I would consider supporting you/it and do hope to keep/be in touch.
Thanks for the comment. I'm so curious to know more about what you mean, as I don't think I quite understand. I, personally, have experienced that not enough people are talking about this topic, particularly not talking about deeply and with nuance. But I'd love to know more about what you're thoughts are on this.
Hi, I would subscribe if we had the money. And I would contribute articles if it was safe to do. I do believe there is a connection between mental health and creativity. Have you read Touched by Fire? Of course you have. I have been troubled by depression, my whole life, but didn't realize it until my mid 40s. No make that my 50s.
I would purchase an annual subscription to support you if I could afford it- my finances are also limited. But I believe in all the bullet points you made and I work as much as I can to support other artists and mental health issues within my means.
Thanks, I definitely appreciate that. As you probably saw, I try to make it affordable with a sliding scale starting at $10 per year. But I realize that finances are hard for most of us, of course. We are all in this messy thing called life together!
I'll keep the sliding scale in mind when your next post comes along.
I am also going to give back a portion of whatever paid subscribers I end up with. "Substack tithe" isn't quite right, but it's the best I've heard so far to describe this concept, and I love it!
Yep, I always call it artistic tithing in that I give 10% of all earnings every year directly back to other creatives, so Substack tithe makes sense even though, as you said, it's not quite right. Thanks for being someone else who is giving generously in this way!
<3
I've read criticism of this approach, to the effect that if we're all giving money to one another, the only winner is Substack. I find this analysis disappointing, and indicative of a nonsensical scarcity mindset.
People have so many differing opinions, often strong ones, about money here on Substack. I try to keep it simple for myself - is there someone creative here or elsewhere that I want to support if I can? Then I will! <3 <3
Agree. And, we can all grow the pie over time. Helping one writer is helping us all.
I want to say that I love that you included your photo in this post. (We all should do that.) As another SF writer, I really understand this post and your position. I hope you had a peaceful Thanksgiving.
Thank you so very much! I would love it if other writers shared their photos in their posts periodically. I like seeing the face behind the words even if the words are why I subscribe.
Gratitude for you being here. <3
I agree ...a few dollars to support us regular folks matter! As I wrote in Pay it Forward... the more paid subscribers I get, the more I can pay writers I enjoy; those who keep me wanting more! Thanks for saying this so very well, Kathryn! 😊
Exactly that - let’s do our best to support each other!
I began supporting your work in 2013 when you had an indiegogo campaign for Hook to Heal and it’s my pleasure to support you here on Substack. Thank you for the work you do.
That means so very much to me. When I did that campaign, I hit a period of depression/burnout and didn't complete the book the campaign was for in as quick of a time frame as I'd expected. There was one supporter who was publicly very cruel about it although would never respond to me directly despite making several efforts to refund her. It felt terrible and still sticks with me, so it feels very reparative to hear this from you. That book was one of my favorites I've ever written and it turns out it just needed time!
You are hugely appreciated!
Also, did you receive my message about the art classes? Anna will be doing them again in the future so you're welcome to join in any time!
I haven’t seen a message about the art classes. I paid for all ten in advance and I know there are still at least a couple left. I’m done with vet visits until next August so I should be able to attend the rest (provided I don’t forget-like I did the last one). I tried to watch a couple but either she or I had a bad connection-it was too frustrating for me so I gave up. I’ll try again this week if I can just remember.
I think there's a weird glitch in Chat where you get the initial notification if someone responds but then if they respond again in the same thread you don't get it. At least that is what it seems like to me.
I do remember there was one time when she started and the connection was terrible. It's so annoying when that happens. I love what she shares though. There are still a few more if you're able to join. But she'll be doing a series on other outsider artists and she'll do this surrealism one again ... and I think she always offers the option to join for free so you don't have to pay again.
Good to know-I’ll keep an eye out for her next series. Meanwhile I think I’ll have Alexa set an alarm for me so I don’t miss the last few surrealist talks. Thanks for keeping me updated.
I have things on my calendar (in print) and every week, I look at the calendar to know what's going on, and every week I usually still forget something or other :)
I suck at calendars and planners but I got myself an Echo Show from Amazon and it’s been a lifesaver for appointments, grocery lists and to-do lists. And it gives me someone (or is Alexa a something?) besides the dog to talk to during the day 😜
I am interested but tbh the constant harping online about 'mental health' and in many instances (not hopefully here) the reductive nature of the harping is irksome to say the least. Individuals such as my self would like to get on with our work without forever being reminded about these sort of issues - they don't define us after all, having said that I would consider supporting you/it and do hope to keep/be in touch.
Thanks for the comment. I'm so curious to know more about what you mean, as I don't think I quite understand. I, personally, have experienced that not enough people are talking about this topic, particularly not talking about deeply and with nuance. But I'd love to know more about what you're thoughts are on this.
I just experience it as a form of 'gas lighting' - sometimes I struggle to get to the point...
Hi, I would subscribe if we had the money. And I would contribute articles if it was safe to do. I do believe there is a connection between mental health and creativity. Have you read Touched by Fire? Of course you have. I have been troubled by depression, my whole life, but didn't realize it until my mid 40s. No make that my 50s.