14 Comments
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Sherman Alexie's avatar

I assume that Substack will eventually create its own storefront capabilities—physical media will be available for purchase directly from Substackers. I think all of us writers here still want our terrestrial books in people's hands.

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Ross Barkan's avatar

Agree! I am doing a book launch on Tuesday and will sign and I too forget people's names and thought of your terrifying story about thinking the out was asking for the spelling .... and the guy goes "it's Joe"

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Hahahahahahahaha. Make sure the booksellers have people write their names on sticky notes before they get to you to have their book signed!

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Ross Barkan's avatar

Smart. I need that.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Bring your own sticky notes just in case.

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Stephen Harrison's avatar

Completely agree on YouTube’s supremacy. I think the jury is still out on Substack being the dominant platform for writing, though it’s trending that way.

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Goldfeder, Jerry H.'s avatar

Very insightful and well-written piece. I’ve always tried to be respectful of and responsive to young reporters from local outlets and young lawyers for the very reasons you’ve stated. Many of our “stars” do not. Maybe they’ll learn if they deign to read your article.

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KW's avatar

Substack is the way to go. Definitely not Bluesky. Good Lord what an unpleasant place.

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Brad Van Arnum's avatar

I've heard Bluesky is basically just the worst kind of liberal echo chamber imaginable.

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KW's avatar
14hEdited

It's not so much that they're all liberals and lefties; it's that they behave like jackasses.

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Lee Bacon's avatar

This is such a smart piece. Glad to hear Michael Powell is a mensch. If I see his byline on something, I always read it. Totally agree with what you say about treating everyone well, including those below you. I'll never understand the mindset of those who are dismissive towards assistants. They're the ones who control access to the people who you might need now. And as you point out, you never know which assistant will be an executive in ten years. But most importantly...just be nice. To everyone. It's not that hard.

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David A. Westbrook's avatar

Nice shout out to Powell. Agreed. Glad to see Glass Century in the WSJ. Onward.

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Andrew Boryga's avatar

Powell is the man. An excellent, dogged reporter.

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Bart Schaneman's avatar

Many good points here. I've seen a lot journalists try to torch the place on their way out (or while they're still there.) Never a good idea. As you said, you don't know where people are going to end up.

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