As a reader since your 3QD days, let me say that I, too, appreciate the metafictional pieces. Upon reading the one a few months ago in which you start digging a hole in a park in Paris, I thought, "Damn, JEH Smith tries out fiction (can we call that one magical realism?) and is immediately better than pretty much everyone else." If you ever write a novel, I’ll be the first in line.
It's been interesting to see some of my favorite Substacks — this one included — posting highly thoughtful and affectionate odes of sorts to the platform.
Let's all pray the company doesn't go public or anything crazy like that. Then the universe WOULD probably end.
In the meantime, JEHS is one of the reasons I look forward to getting emails again.
Happy Birthday! Mine is in a few days, as well. I turn 47 and I am beginning to understand a number of the feelings that you describe.
I had an inkling that the word "bobo" had caught on in France in a way that it never did in the States. Any idea why that is? And why the hate for the word? It always seemed to me a pretty accurate etymology of the current professional managerial class.
Thanks for this and all your writings. I, too have thought of transferring my desultory (not false modesty) blog to Substack...well, someday. Your Central Valley musings hit home as we have done that itinerary all too many times. Anyway, thanks again from a fellow descendent in the Brewster line off the Mayflower (see, I have been reading you a long time) and -more important-fellow devotee of Merle Travis.
Started writing on Substack this past week and I think I how missed hopping on this platform earlier...
But better late than never... Love this post and I totally second your words that Substack has provided an outlet to explore... less noise, more signals.
As you approach your 2 year anniversary, would you mind giving some tips (or advice) to a newbie writer on Substack?
As a reader since your 3QD days, let me say that I, too, appreciate the metafictional pieces. Upon reading the one a few months ago in which you start digging a hole in a park in Paris, I thought, "Damn, JEH Smith tries out fiction (can we call that one magical realism?) and is immediately better than pretty much everyone else." If you ever write a novel, I’ll be the first in line.
It's been interesting to see some of my favorite Substacks — this one included — posting highly thoughtful and affectionate odes of sorts to the platform.
Let's all pray the company doesn't go public or anything crazy like that. Then the universe WOULD probably end.
In the meantime, JEHS is one of the reasons I look forward to getting emails again.
Happy Birthday! Mine is in a few days, as well. I turn 47 and I am beginning to understand a number of the feelings that you describe.
I had an inkling that the word "bobo" had caught on in France in a way that it never did in the States. Any idea why that is? And why the hate for the word? It always seemed to me a pretty accurate etymology of the current professional managerial class.
Thanks for this and all your writings. I, too have thought of transferring my desultory (not false modesty) blog to Substack...well, someday. Your Central Valley musings hit home as we have done that itinerary all too many times. Anyway, thanks again from a fellow descendent in the Brewster line off the Mayflower (see, I have been reading you a long time) and -more important-fellow devotee of Merle Travis.
Started writing on Substack this past week and I think I how missed hopping on this platform earlier...
But better late than never... Love this post and I totally second your words that Substack has provided an outlet to explore... less noise, more signals.
As you approach your 2 year anniversary, would you mind giving some tips (or advice) to a newbie writer on Substack?