I live (well) on a very tight budget controlled by my super-CFO wife, and any more subscriptions are forbidden. I can’t even subscribe to $1 a month newspapers and depend on AP and BBC online for news! I pay $5 a month for Medium, where I have published hundreds of stories—and that is in danger. From providing enough income to cover its modest cost, and sometimes a nice surplus on Medium, for the last year, dollars have become pennies. I will most probably stop publishing anything at all—readers (and I have almost 2,000 "followers”) are getting as scarce as the pennies! I enjoy reading you as a non-paying subscriber, but usually can’t comment since that is for subscribers only. Good luck. Perhaps people have simply stopped reading (not you, but anything at all) out of information overload? From me, you have the love!
I think I discovered your blog shortly after you started posting, Kate, and have always enjoyed it —the recipes, the wise advice, the delightful peeks into life at Pie Cottage, the tales from your past and present. It’s a lot harder to keep up with the flood of newsletters in my inbox these days, but I try to make time for yours. Kudos on 5 years of excellent work!
I have been on here for a little while. I was posting stories all the time then had a block but for posting stories on people's comments, even short ones, because a memory came from something they wrote about. Sean Detrich was the reason I came to substack. I love his stories and he doesn't charge so I figured I won't either and he is a lot better writer.
I found out about your Substack via Marissa Rothkopf, who I also subscribe to (i.e., paid subscriptions). I enjoy both of your Substacks. I'm retired but I'm privileged in that I have a healthy retirement fund (academic) along with Social Security so I subscribe to a number of Substacks - I love to read. I recently began to unsubscribe from a few, but these were big Substacks where either the writer was constantly being very negative about the state of things, or sends out an email very infrequently. These are people who made a very good living prior to Substack, and who receive a fair amount of revenue from their Substack and other activities so I felt no need to continue to support them. I do support some very popular Substacks but only because I like the way the authors write and what they have to say. I also make it a habit to support Substacks of lesser know authors because we have to support each other in any way we can. Hopefully, this dip in subscribers will turn around soon.
Kate... your assessment is spot on... I loved substack as a cozy little home for those of us who were confused and suffering under our political regime... and who needed respite as well as dependable "news". Your space has been respite. As a girls girl also in a later life chapter I so enjoy messages about cooking, baking, reading, gardening, along with pets, family & friends. Please know that you and the substack space you have created are valued and helpful!
Congratulations on five years! I love seeing your posts in my Inbox and have loved your virtual cooking classes over the years! You taught me how to bake pie, which I must say was no small feat! 😉 I’ve learned so much from your pearls of wisdom and, I think I’ve mentioned this before, but whenever I bake your original apple pie recipe, you keep me company in our kitchen – – I always replay the class recording so I don’t miss any steps. I hope you keep finding joy in what you’re doing because you bring so much joy to me and my family. Thank you, Kate! ❤️
Hey - from one elder-crone-wise woman to another: I think you rock! I just subscribed the other day after watching you & Marissa live (I set my calendar to remind me) while we had dinner. Then I read some of your past newsletters and love the inspiration I got out of them. If I could afford to pay for another newsletter, I would. Marissa's & Joyce Vance are both on a no-pay basis. I only pay for one political (Robert Reich) and one cooking one (Lukas Volger). Robert saved my sanity during the first presidency of the orange F...Menace and Lukas inspired me to go more veggie friendly in my nutrition. I actually met him once at the Book Larder in Seattle (I'm in Federal Way) at reading/cooking demonstration for one of his books. I definitely have newsletter overload and most of them (political ones) get deleted. I just read the headline and that's it. I know the importance of staying informed, but my mental health is important as well. Cooking, baking, gardening, hiking, arts (glass fusing) are my hide-away activities. Congrats on 5 years with Substack. I'm not sure how long I've been reading it, but it was still fairly new then, too.
I live (well) on a very tight budget controlled by my super-CFO wife, and any more subscriptions are forbidden. I can’t even subscribe to $1 a month newspapers and depend on AP and BBC online for news! I pay $5 a month for Medium, where I have published hundreds of stories—and that is in danger. From providing enough income to cover its modest cost, and sometimes a nice surplus on Medium, for the last year, dollars have become pennies. I will most probably stop publishing anything at all—readers (and I have almost 2,000 "followers”) are getting as scarce as the pennies! I enjoy reading you as a non-paying subscriber, but usually can’t comment since that is for subscribers only. Good luck. Perhaps people have simply stopped reading (not you, but anything at all) out of information overload? From me, you have the love!
Indeed dollars have become pennies. I remember when a bag of oranges was 50 cents. Yesterday it was $2 for one!!
Thank you so much for being here and the 🩷.
We love you Kate. Happy subscribers!
Thank you! And I love you both, too! 🩷💕🩷
I think I discovered your blog shortly after you started posting, Kate, and have always enjoyed it —the recipes, the wise advice, the delightful peeks into life at Pie Cottage, the tales from your past and present. It’s a lot harder to keep up with the flood of newsletters in my inbox these days, but I try to make time for yours. Kudos on 5 years of excellent work!
Thank you, Ruth! I’m so happy you are here!
Thanks, Kate! Me too!😘
I have been on here for a little while. I was posting stories all the time then had a block but for posting stories on people's comments, even short ones, because a memory came from something they wrote about. Sean Detrich was the reason I came to substack. I love his stories and he doesn't charge so I figured I won't either and he is a lot better writer.
Keep writing, Paul!
Congratulations on 5 years, Kate! So glad we met on here! xx
I do, too, Jolene! 😘
I found out about your Substack via Marissa Rothkopf, who I also subscribe to (i.e., paid subscriptions). I enjoy both of your Substacks. I'm retired but I'm privileged in that I have a healthy retirement fund (academic) along with Social Security so I subscribe to a number of Substacks - I love to read. I recently began to unsubscribe from a few, but these were big Substacks where either the writer was constantly being very negative about the state of things, or sends out an email very infrequently. These are people who made a very good living prior to Substack, and who receive a fair amount of revenue from their Substack and other activities so I felt no need to continue to support them. I do support some very popular Substacks but only because I like the way the authors write and what they have to say. I also make it a habit to support Substacks of lesser know authors because we have to support each other in any way we can. Hopefully, this dip in subscribers will turn around soon.
Your support of us means so much! Thank you!
Love Kate McDermott and the pie cottage !!! It is a privilege to learn from her through her instruction, storytelling and kind insight. She is fun ❄️🥧
Thank you so much, Jonathan!
Congratulations on 5 years!🎉🎉🎉💛💐 I'm so glad we met!
Me too, Shauna, and thank you!
Kate... your assessment is spot on... I loved substack as a cozy little home for those of us who were confused and suffering under our political regime... and who needed respite as well as dependable "news". Your space has been respite. As a girls girl also in a later life chapter I so enjoy messages about cooking, baking, reading, gardening, along with pets, family & friends. Please know that you and the substack space you have created are valued and helpful!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Gladys!
Congratulations on five years! I love seeing your posts in my Inbox and have loved your virtual cooking classes over the years! You taught me how to bake pie, which I must say was no small feat! 😉 I’ve learned so much from your pearls of wisdom and, I think I’ve mentioned this before, but whenever I bake your original apple pie recipe, you keep me company in our kitchen – – I always replay the class recording so I don’t miss any steps. I hope you keep finding joy in what you’re doing because you bring so much joy to me and my family. Thank you, Kate! ❤️
I 🩷 that we're in the kitchen “together” baking and thank you for being here, Amy!
Thanks for your work, Kate. Hope to make it to Pie Camp one day.
This is my last season of scheduled in-person Pie Camps, I think, but I’ll always teach in some way including virtual. It’s just who I am.😊
Well then. I’ll sign up for the virtual teaching. I’m excited.
I'll share on my substack this week. You deserve lots of love back since you give so much. Thanks for keeping us all on the positive.
Thank you, Amy! And you, too!
Hey - from one elder-crone-wise woman to another: I think you rock! I just subscribed the other day after watching you & Marissa live (I set my calendar to remind me) while we had dinner. Then I read some of your past newsletters and love the inspiration I got out of them. If I could afford to pay for another newsletter, I would. Marissa's & Joyce Vance are both on a no-pay basis. I only pay for one political (Robert Reich) and one cooking one (Lukas Volger). Robert saved my sanity during the first presidency of the orange F...Menace and Lukas inspired me to go more veggie friendly in my nutrition. I actually met him once at the Book Larder in Seattle (I'm in Federal Way) at reading/cooking demonstration for one of his books. I definitely have newsletter overload and most of them (political ones) get deleted. I just read the headline and that's it. I know the importance of staying informed, but my mental health is important as well. Cooking, baking, gardening, hiking, arts (glass fusing) are my hide-away activities. Congrats on 5 years with Substack. I'm not sure how long I've been reading it, but it was still fairly new then, too.
Hey My Rockin' Wise Woman Friend! Thank you so much!!
Very well said. Thank you always.
Rick
Thanks, Rick!
I have restacked your posts lately and will continue to do so. I cherish my paid subscription. Unless hell freezes over, you can count on me!
Thank you sooooo much, Mel! 💕