Thank you. No one should feel at all obliged to pay and I am very aware of people's differing circumstances. Your words mean more than payment from a rich man.
I haven't set it up yet, but I believe each reader will see it in their own currency.
I have had 13 people unsubscribe since announcing the paid option two hours ago, even though everyone will be able to see everything, whether they pay or not! A bit sad.
Thank you. I'm afraid it's not original. Margaret Atwood posted that she was setting up a paid option for much the same reason and a week later, her small charity had acquired $10K. Unfortunately, I am not Margaret Atwood! Others have done it, too.
I also believe that writers deserve to be paid, but in this world, they just aren't. No gain in moaning about it. If we want to write, we should – and not get hung up on the monetary side. If we want to be read, we should live with the lack of payment. I have just been reading the comments on Office Hours today and there is a clear conflict between writers wanting to be paid and wanting to be read. They put their best writing behind a paywall and then complain that no one reads it. In my view, c'est la vie.
BUT if some people like my writing sufficiently to make a charity a little bit better off, then I am happy to live with that. My husband and I started out with nothing and have never made a huge amount, but we don't need much. I can live without the money I might gain (who knows how much!) from Substack readers.
Best wishes with whatever decision you make. Beware unsubscribers!!
Yes, the very day that I wrote to my over 500 subscribers telling them that I was setting up the option – but that everyone (paid and unpaid) would see exactly the same material – I had immediately 15 unsubscribes and the occasional one since. It was as if the very word 'paid option' was toxic and they needed to get away. I was very upset as subscriptions are hard won, as you know.
My husband thought that they felt guilty about not subscribing to a good cause and didn't want to be faced with the guilt every time they read me. Some may have thought it was the thin end of the wedge. Certainly, a lot of people with paid options put buttons everywhere asking readers to 'upgrade to paid', which can be a bit annoying, Yes, as I said above, 'c;est la vie'.
My husband also thought I should write a post about the issue.
Gosh that is very sad. Especially given you were making such a generous offer. But ultimately if they can't see that your work has value then perhaps they were not your people anyway....
You are the answer to questions I've yet to ask..thank you!
Yes, that’s what everyone says. I n any case, there’s absolutely nothing I can do about it!
You M'lady are both a blessing and blessed! Would that I had £100 to spare....
I have not read your post yet, but I hope not to miss any of your offerings. Thank You, Gene
Thank you. No one should feel at all obliged to pay and I am very aware of people's differing circumstances. Your words mean more than payment from a rich man.
Can we pay in dollars?
I haven't set it up yet, but I believe each reader will see it in their own currency.
I have had 13 people unsubscribe since announcing the paid option two hours ago, even though everyone will be able to see everything, whether they pay or not! A bit sad.
Love this Ann! What a fabulous idea ❤
Thank you. I'm afraid it's not original. Margaret Atwood posted that she was setting up a paid option for much the same reason and a week later, her small charity had acquired $10K. Unfortunately, I am not Margaret Atwood! Others have done it, too.
You are giving me ideas 😊 Though I also believe writers deserve to earn for their work, but a combo could be great!
I also believe that writers deserve to be paid, but in this world, they just aren't. No gain in moaning about it. If we want to write, we should – and not get hung up on the monetary side. If we want to be read, we should live with the lack of payment. I have just been reading the comments on Office Hours today and there is a clear conflict between writers wanting to be paid and wanting to be read. They put their best writing behind a paywall and then complain that no one reads it. In my view, c'est la vie.
BUT if some people like my writing sufficiently to make a charity a little bit better off, then I am happy to live with that. My husband and I started out with nothing and have never made a huge amount, but we don't need much. I can live without the money I might gain (who knows how much!) from Substack readers.
Best wishes with whatever decision you make. Beware unsubscribers!!
Oh really? Did people unsubscribe because you introduced a paid option?! That would be very sad...
Yes, the very day that I wrote to my over 500 subscribers telling them that I was setting up the option – but that everyone (paid and unpaid) would see exactly the same material – I had immediately 15 unsubscribes and the occasional one since. It was as if the very word 'paid option' was toxic and they needed to get away. I was very upset as subscriptions are hard won, as you know.
My husband thought that they felt guilty about not subscribing to a good cause and didn't want to be faced with the guilt every time they read me. Some may have thought it was the thin end of the wedge. Certainly, a lot of people with paid options put buttons everywhere asking readers to 'upgrade to paid', which can be a bit annoying, Yes, as I said above, 'c;est la vie'.
My husband also thought I should write a post about the issue.
Gosh that is very sad. Especially given you were making such a generous offer. But ultimately if they can't see that your work has value then perhaps they were not your people anyway....