I like to pretend I run a business

I haven’t really talked about the business side of writing and all this other stuff I do because…well, it isn’t much of a business for me yet.

My partner is an author with actual advances and she set up an LLC for herself (buy Murray Out of Water! Preorder Pasta Girls!). I was watching her do taxes and write off her various expenses from going to events and buying books for market research. And I thought…I kind of do that stuff, too. After all, I maintain a website!

But I haven’t made enough money from various creative endeavors (or selling used books - check that out here) that it warrants being written off on my taxes. That means I haven’t made over $600. In fact, I thought I’d keep a little spreadsheet and have found this year I’ve made $23 so far. Not bad, but nothing life-changing.

In the summer, I will be making less money because I’m a teacher and I’ve squared away 10% of my income to be paid in the months of June and July, but…that’s it. It’s less money than I’ve normally made per month. And I have a LOT of time to write. Last summer was a little crazy, but this one will be pretty chill, so…I might as well try to step it up and find a groove, right? Plus, lately I have enjoyed making zines and some art.

So one thing I am thinking about doing is turning on paid subscriptions here. That does require me to upgrade on Beehiiv and spend some money first. But I’m willing to try, especially with all the screwiness Patreon has been pulling.

So my question for you is: What would you like to see from me? More behind the scenes? Old poems I’ve given up on and the stories behind them? More talk about music like I do on my Patreon? Book reviews? Books I’m looking forward to? Monthly roundups? What content do YOU enjoy from other writers? What makes you likely to support?

And I’m going to draw further attention here to my Ko-Fi and Patreon! (For Patreon, don’t subscribe through the iOS app—just use a browser!)

This newsletter is free. If you would like to support me further, you can visit my  Patreon and Ko-Fi.