It’s been too long since I last started a thread for our community. Gone are the days when a writer had to create in isolation, cut off from their readers. Since we have the opportunity to connect with one another via this newsletter format, I wanted to pick your brains for how to continue going forward.
I’ve been sending out stories (and the occasional blog post) to you four times a week for almost a year now. How is that working for you? While I don’t think I want to increase the number of times I publish, I find myself wondering if you’re getting inbox fatigue. Is four times too often? Would you be happier receiving fewer stories in a week? If so, how many would you be comfortable reading?
Are there days that work better or worse for you to receive stories from me? Do you have a preference? I tee up stories in advance, so I can publish on any schedule the majority of my readers prefer.
I’m also thinking about adding a podcast, which would be available as a separate subscription. Would you be interested? What would you like to see (or hear, as it were)? Would you prefer a collection of the week’s stories in a single podcast? Would you only like to hear the longer Sunday post? Are you interested in something else entirely?
This is your chance to have a say in how Fiction in 50 will look over the next while. Please chime in and give me your ideas. As long as you present them respectfully, I’ll consider all suggestions. This is the joy of community offered by a newsletter format. We get to have a dialogue, rather than me just writing in a vacuum.
The amount of stories you send is okay with me. If you send fewer stories each week that is okay with me. You do what is best, and works for you. I do listen to podcasts, however, I am behind in my listening. My interest in podcasts are film history, music history, author interviews. I prefer reading instead of listening to audio stories.
I love the stories and I like having them in my in box. I don't always get a chance to read them right away and sometimes I need time to think, to get my thoughts in order, before I respond. I was also having some technical issues which would delay a comment or a like but, thankfully, that seems to have resolved itself. I don't listen to podcasts but could try listening to yours to see how I feel about them. I am grateful for your wisdom and the smiles or tears you create with your words 💕
Thank you so much, Laura. I'm starting to see a concensus that podcasts would not necessarily add value for readers. I may go in a different direction with mindfulness and meditation.
The frequency you post is perfect for me. There are days I cannot get to the post right away and I have them saved for when I have a few minutes. I do enjoy your posts even if I don't react each time. I look forward to seeing your post in my inbox. Some days it's the only thing I read. The one with the Joey Bunny really touched my heart. Your posts are fun, relatable, sad, inspirational, happy, humorous, and touching (often more than one category). I would subscribe to your podcast if you start one.
I save them in folders but have trouble getting to them. I keep waiting for some mythical day when I'll have more time. I mollify myself by reading one here and there.
Your stories are short with humor and lessons. Lol. I don't think you should place limitations on your creativity. I do enjoy reading them and I am sure others do too. It's time that is a problem for us. I must read something every day. Consistency is good for writers. I agree with Mr. Starlin, I hate to write under deadlines. Writing gives us a level of freedom that our lives don't. Don't give that away to anyone.
I am fine with fewer stories if that makes the process more enjoyable for you. I know it can be challenging to put out stories on a regular schedule. I would rather you settled on a schedule YOU are comfortable with and enjoy. I know I write better when I don't feel like I am under a deadline. And you are doing this for free, after all.
No preference for days. My eyes work every day of the week—with a little help.🤓
Personally, I am not a Podcast fan. But I know they just keep getting more popular so don't go by me.
Thanks, Mark. I don't have a problem publishing 4 days a week. I'm usually teed up 6-8 weeks ahead. I know I get overwhelmed with the number of posts dropping into my mailbox daily. I read when I can and feel badly that I fall so far behind. I don't want to overburden my readers.
The amount of stories you send is okay with me. If you send fewer stories each week that is okay with me. You do what is best, and works for you. I do listen to podcasts, however, I am behind in my listening. My interest in podcasts are film history, music history, author interviews. I prefer reading instead of listening to audio stories.
Thanks, Barb. I think the consensus is no story podcasts. 😊
I love the stories and I like having them in my in box. I don't always get a chance to read them right away and sometimes I need time to think, to get my thoughts in order, before I respond. I was also having some technical issues which would delay a comment or a like but, thankfully, that seems to have resolved itself. I don't listen to podcasts but could try listening to yours to see how I feel about them. I am grateful for your wisdom and the smiles or tears you create with your words 💕
Thank you so much, Laura. I'm starting to see a concensus that podcasts would not necessarily add value for readers. I may go in a different direction with mindfulness and meditation.
The frequency you post is perfect for me. There are days I cannot get to the post right away and I have them saved for when I have a few minutes. I do enjoy your posts even if I don't react each time. I look forward to seeing your post in my inbox. Some days it's the only thing I read. The one with the Joey Bunny really touched my heart. Your posts are fun, relatable, sad, inspirational, happy, humorous, and touching (often more than one category). I would subscribe to your podcast if you start one.
Thank you, Ana.
I don't think 4 is too many ( I guess it's obvious I would say that 😎). Some readers save them up to read in bulk.
I save them in folders but have trouble getting to them. I keep waiting for some mythical day when I'll have more time. I mollify myself by reading one here and there.
Four stories a week! That's incredible, but it also must be super tiring. Fewer is fine with me, too.
As for podcasts, I get very excited by new ones, listen to a couple of episodes, and then usually stop listening because I prefer reading.
Good to know. Thanks, Bill!
Your stories are short with humor and lessons. Lol. I don't think you should place limitations on your creativity. I do enjoy reading them and I am sure others do too. It's time that is a problem for us. I must read something every day. Consistency is good for writers. I agree with Mr. Starlin, I hate to write under deadlines. Writing gives us a level of freedom that our lives don't. Don't give that away to anyone.
Thanks, Annelise. Time seems to be the common difficulty. I feel it too around keeping up with the newsletters I subscribe to.
I am fine with fewer stories if that makes the process more enjoyable for you. I know it can be challenging to put out stories on a regular schedule. I would rather you settled on a schedule YOU are comfortable with and enjoy. I know I write better when I don't feel like I am under a deadline. And you are doing this for free, after all.
No preference for days. My eyes work every day of the week—with a little help.🤓
Personally, I am not a Podcast fan. But I know they just keep getting more popular so don't go by me.
Thanks, Mark. I don't have a problem publishing 4 days a week. I'm usually teed up 6-8 weeks ahead. I know I get overwhelmed with the number of posts dropping into my mailbox daily. I read when I can and feel badly that I fall so far behind. I don't want to overburden my readers.
I am hopelessly behind on newsletters. But yours is short, so it is easy to keep up.
Thanks for that, Mark. That was a big part of my thinking when I started this.