Big Changes at Sitting in Silence

Final Newsletter of 2024

Hello, and welcome to Sitting in Silence, which will be celebrating three years in January 2025.

One thing that’s constant in the new media/social media landscape is change. Yesterday’s winners are today’s losers. (Anyone remember Myspace, LIVEJOURNAL, or even Ello?) People flock to platforms due to word of mouth (Facebook circa 2008), to escape other platforms (see Bluesky right now, or Threads last year), and for many other reasons.

I started this Substack in January 2022 because I wanted somewhere to be myself. A place where I wasn’t pushed by algorithms to be outlandish or cruel. A place where I could do my favorite thing, which is writing.

I always said that Sitting in Silence was totally just for fun and that if it ever became a burden, I would shut it down. This is a one-man operation. There’s no producer or audio tech. Goddess knows, I don’t have a copy editot.

I take pride in offering my best, most helpful thoughts in a digestible form. And I love interacting with other writers and users. (Recently, a patron had a subscription issue. She sounded delighted when I called her myself to work out the problem, which is how the world should be, in my opinion. I like being involved in something where I can know everyone’s name Cheers style.)

I’m happy to report that this experience has only become more pleasurable over time.

What started as a simple newsletter to share my thoughts on “Writing, Craft, Worry, and Joy” and occasional interviews with brilliant poets, writers, MFA students, and assorted literary citizens like Kiese Laymon, Julia Phillips, Jami Attenberg, and Deesha Philyaw expanded this past January when I launched the podcast version of Sitting in Silence.

Through 20(!) episodes, I provided general craft advice, motivational and inspirational support, and kept listeners up to date on what turned out to be the busiest book and speaking tour of my life.

I also launched two premium podcast series this year. In the first half the year, I offered some of my favorite writing craft documents and explained how to use them. This was a successful and fulfilling exchange as people reported applying the techniques to their own work. But the second series was even more successful. Starting in July, as I recovered from a broken leg (yes, that happened this year too), I created a “Quick Hitter” series of short episodes where I directly answered the craft questions I’ve heard the most over the years. Free and patron subscriber numbers exploded around August and have continued to climb since.

I haven’t even mentioned that my third book was published this year. The American Daughters took me from coast to coast, and in a particularly sweet turn of events became my first national bestseller.

This is all to say that Sitting in Silence is going strong. The flagship newsletter and main podcast will remain the same. Free and open to the public. However, there are costs associated with running this operation. The biggest cost is the price of time. Every second I spend recording a pod, interviewing an author, or writing a newsletter is a second I can’t spend doing something else, say, writing a novel.

Yet, I’ve heard often enough that Sitting in Silence is valuable to those who use it. That’s why the patron tier exists. Think of it as the tip jar or perhaps tithing (if you have an angel on your shoulder) or maybe even a bribe (if you have cute little devil on your shoulder). However you view it, you are appreciated. If you have enjoyed Sitting in Silence, now is the time to consider upgrading, if you are able.

To that end, and to celebrate the third anniversary of Sitting in Silence, I’m lowering all the prices. And I mean all the prices. That’s right. Like a used car dealer in an ugly jacket, I’m putting on a generous sale and slashing prices across the board. Call me Crazy Maurice.

First, possibly the biggest deal on Substack. Anyone who signs on as a new premium subscriber will get in at FIFTY PERCENT OFF the longstanding regular price of $70. So that’s $35 dollars for 12 months when you sign up between now and Christmas Day. The half off sale also applies to gift subscriptions. So, if you want to bless the writer in your life with the pure writing vibes of Sitting in Silence, now is the time. These are the links for new subscribers and gift subscriptions.

“But wait, there’s more!” Loyal subscribers are also getting a price break. Since the beginning, it’s been $7 a month for premium patron subscriptions. I’m knocking that down to $5 a month effective immediately. The new regular annual price is going down from $70 to just $50. (By the way, did you know when you refer new free subscribers to Sitting in Silence, you can receive free premium subscriptions? Three referrals gives one free month. Seven leads to three free months. Twenty-five equals six months free.)

Lastly, some of you are what we call Founding Members (now called the Inspiration Circle). This is the tier that really supports the infrastructure of Sitting in Silence. At this tier, Inspiration Circle Members get all of the other premium benefits PLUS a one-on-one zoom or telephone consultation with me once a year. This was $210, but I’m reducing that price to a lowly $150, a nearly 1/3 price break.

To recap, for the price of a cup of coffee per month, you get full access to the premium patron subscriber archive. For less than the cost of two hardcover novels, you’ll receive a whole year’s access. And for roughly the same price as a single ticket to Disney World, you become an Inspiration Circle Patron with all the rights and responsibilities that flow from it.

I’m not trying to get rich here. I’m providing a service and, hopefully, an antidote to the often dark tone of so much of our media today. I hope the lower prices help you. Thank you for being a part of Sitting in Silence. You are my inspiration.

Happy holidays and may the New Year be a comfort to you and your family.