I’ve had my Mailchimp newsletter since December 2014. 2014! (Heck. I’ve had this blog since 2007.)

I made a vague and half-hearted attempt to change it up last year (or was it the year before? Time gets weirder as I get older). But now I an actual idea. Yeah, yeah. I’m switching it to Substack.

I’m following the crowd, apparently. This doesn’t bother me. Sometimes I follow the crowd and sometimes I don’t. After all, sometimes the crowd is going somewhere interesting and sure, sometimes the crowd is going off a cliff. Just pay attention and read the signs.

Yes, Substack has a paid service, but my newsletter will still be free. If people want and are able to support my work, they can buy my stuff (Etsy, for the time being because I don’t really love Etsy) or join in on Patreon (which I do actually quite like).

Is it change for the sake of change? I’ve had the same job and lived in the same neighborhood since 1997. I almost always order the same thing when I go to a restaurant. Minus the time I lost all my hair due to chemo, I’ve had bangs since childhood. Make of that what you will.

Now, I’m trying to approach my work slightly differently, and this little change is part of that.

So, the newsletter will look different. Each issue will include some art and some writing, book recommendations and notes on other things that sparked curiosity. As I get more comfortable with how it works, it will evolve. I’m excited to see where it goes!

It’s called the Paper Octopus, and please subscribe if you’re so inclined!

Thanks for reading!